The Last Performance (Hybrid Chronicles Spin-off)

Game Changer - Payton

---

Word count: 963

---

Payton

I sit on my bed anxiously, Gabe beside me, holding my hand sweetly in his warm hand. His skin almost feels feverish... And Holly is sitting on his chair right infront of us, clipboard and pen in her hand. "Okay, so to make sure I have the story straight..." She trails off, then continues. "You both truly think you're compatible?"

"I like Payton. Do you like me, Payton?" Gabe asks me quickly. "I like Gabe." I respond and I hear Holly sigh and hang her hand, muttering that no amount of Coffee in the world could prepare her for this or a Zombie apocalypse. I don't really understand whether this a joke, or...

"Okay, you know what? Fine. Say I believe you both and this isn't some kind of sick sex fantasy you both happen to share about limelight a-list celebrity and the outcast falling in love in a zombie apocalypse in a fucking hospital, both awaiting transportation."

"Who said anything a sex fantasy? And don't mean be mean too, Payton." Gabe says, looking clearly disturbed. Wow, she's really in a bad mood. No doubt, the stress she and her colleagues are feeling trying to run this Hospital in the middle of an apocalypse is getting to her...

"Holly, we don't want you to be angry at us..." Gabe adds on, his voice now a whisper. "I'm not angry you guys, I'm just stressed and over-worked." She responds, resting her head in her hand. Then she looks up at us.

"Okay, you know what? You're both grown adults at the end of the day, albeit impaired, stupid ones right now, but who I am to tell you what you can or cannot do? And no one's getting hurt physically, so... But guys, need to have a serious think and conversation about whether you're compatible and if you actually want to be together. My sister and her friend are right outside, thinking.

An apocalypse, let alone a hospital environment is a stressful situation and the public will judge you both based on your statues right now. I'm not saying you can't be a couple, but have a long hard think about this. You don't have to decide it over-night in the time you're here.

We'll have you both transported where you need to go and I'll do everything in my power to have you placed close together, but not too close and if I can't, then I'll assist with at-least facilitating phone-calls between you both.

I have a duty of care to you both that neither of you will get hurt emotionally, hearts broken and ore upon each of yours respective future discharges, what happens between you, you both going off to live together or not if you go your separate ways, I won't be around for, okay?"

"Okay..." We both whisper. "Yes, who?" She snaps slightly.

"Yes, Holly. We understand." We both respond, squeezing each-others hands tighter.

"Fantastic, I'm glad we've had this chat." She says, standing up. "Showers for you both will be available in 15 minutes from now, fresh hospital clothes will be provided again so you can change as it's night-time now, you both will be escorted back here, then dinner served and it's lights out afterwards.

No sex and security will be checking on you both in the night periodically to ensure you're both not in any distress, a sick container is on the table over there, Gabe for you and I bid you both farewell for the night. I need to go do paperwork now, call my sister, freshen up myself and have more Coffee."

Then she walks out without so much as a second glance, locking the door behind her. "So..." Gabe says, jumping up off the bed. "I hope she'll be in a better mood, come morning." I tell him.

"Uh, I'm sure she will be. She lives here so she'll probably run home, be relieved for a few hours by another doctor, get some sleep and be back in the morning, 100% in a better mood, the caring Holly we both know she is.

The chaos on the streets of both our city's are starting to go back to normal I heard now that the CDC has moved in." Gabe answers, pushing his chair back up against the wall and picking up a sick container off a small desk.

"Is it hard?" I ask.

"What is?" He responds.

"Withdrawing from drugs. I know you threw up before."

"Oh, uh, yeah... I think I'm okay now and if not, I'll try not to gross you out."

"It's okay. You've seen me at my worst, Gabe and now, it's my turn to help you." I smile, slipping off the bed and coming over to him, resting my hand on his back and gripping his shoulder.

"Aww, you're too sweet, Payton." He tells me, smiling.

"Am I the one and only?" I tease, poking him in the cheek with my finger.

"The what?" He asks confused.

"Have you ever dated before? I never have. Been a single pringle since... Well, forever."

"Uh... No. In terms of a real relationship, no. A fake relationship to gain me and some other hussy exposure where it's nothing more than being seen out on the town in photos together? Yes."

"Well, at-least you were honest." I tell him, turning him around to face me and I wrap my arms around his neck. "Oh..." He whisper, smirking and rests his hands just above my hips.

"Holly said no sex, but she didn't say we couldn't kiss into the 13th hour."

"You're right!" He laughs, raising his eyebrows, making them dance and I break down laughing. We both collapse to the floor in a fit of giggles together.