Todd Wants Key's Face

Todd: Maybe I'd just go out of my way to embarrass you. :P

meanwhile

Harry: *walks with Claire* She'll be fine. They've lasted ten years with Crowe's prejudice - they can keep it up.

*they arrive at the house. Harry unlocks the door and opens it for Claire*

Sarah: But that's be mean! D: And you're not mean. :C

meanwhile

Claire: *goes inside. she directs her attention to Sam* So, were you good for Key today?

Sam: *nods happily* ahuuuuh. :D

Todd: No, no I'm not. XP *he pokes her in the stomach* C'mon. Let's head back downstairs.

meanwhile

Harry: You shouldn't even be asking that question, Claire - he's always been good for Key. XP

Sarah: *squeaks from being poked* okaaaay. :P

meanwhile

Claire: It's because you're a good kid, aren't you? :P

Sam: ^^

Todd: *heads downstairs with Sarah* Hey Sarah, y'know what seems like fun? A piggy back ride! :D

meanwhile

Harry: Yes, he is. And since we're all home nice and early, why not we all do something together? :)

Sarah: *her face lights up, and she reaches up towards Todd, bouncing up and down* :D

meanwhile

Claire: That'd be wonderful, actually. We couuuuld... sit down and watch a movie?

Sam: *reacts positively to the word "movie"* moobie! :D

Todd: ^^ *picks Sarah up, then places her on his shoulders. Holding onto her, he runs around the house* Wheeee! :D

meanwhile

Harry: Why don't you pick out what you want to watch, Sam? ^^

Sarah: *hangs on to him, laughing* Wheeeeeeeeee~! :D

Key: ?? *looks up from the notebook she was writing in, and laughs* Don't hurt yourselves! XD

meanwhile

Claire: Which one do you want to watch, Sam? *sets him down in front of the stack of movies*

Sam: *looks at the movies, then pulls one out of the stack, and holds it up--the Princess and the Frog*

Todd: We won't! :D *runs around the house for a second time before coming to a stop, and getting down on all fours to let Sarah off* You are now free to move about the house. ;D

meanwhile

Harry: *makes a face at his choice* ... nnn...

Sarah: *giggles at this, and climbs off Todd's shoulders* X)

Key: heheheh.... :)

meanwhile

Claire: Come on, Harry... how often do we get to sit down and watch a movie nowadays? :P

Sam: :C ....

Todd: Whoo... wasn't THAT fun? :P

meanwhile

Harry: *was about to argue, but then spots Sam's face* ... ohh... alright.

Sarah: Uh-huh! =^^=

Key: *sets the notebook down* Sarah, you haven't finished your homework yet...

Sarah: awww. D:

meanwhile

Sam: :D

Claire: *takes the movie from Sam, and pops it in. she then picks Sam up and sits down with him on the couch, putting him on her lap*

Todd: Aw, well, you go ahead and do that, Sarah. Don't want your teacher MAD at'cha, do you? :P

meanwhile

Harry: *after hitting "play" on the DVD's menu screen, he sits down next to Claire and Sam* ... XP

Sarah: *looks down and shuffles her feet* nooo....

Key: *smiles, somewhat amused* We're not punishing you, Sarah... :P Tell you what, when you get all your homework done, I'll let you have a fruit pop. okay?

Sarah: :D!! Okay! *hurries over to the table and sits down, turning her attention to her work*

Key: Don't rush it, okay! :P

meanwhile

Sam: :D

Claire: *lightly nudges Harry with her elbow, and smiles at him*

Todd: Oh, by the way, Key - Lucas is coming over today in an hour.

meanwhile

*eventually, they get to the part where the characters sing "When We're Human"*

Harry: *he smiles a bit at this* ... Key and Todd sang this while we were walking down a highway... when we were trying to get to the Safe Zone... heheh... *then he remembers that Todd still hated him, and his smile quickly morphs into a frown* ... eh...

Key: Oh! Okay. ^^ Umm... Todd, I have to talk to you about something.

meanwhile

Claire: *looks over at him, and frowns* <:( ...

Sam: *is distracted by the movie, and doesn't seem to notice the conversation*

Todd: Heh, and what's that? :P

meanwhile

Harry: ... *quietly* ... I need to talk to him again...

Key: ...I've got some bad news. The military came here earlier today, they're getting suspicious...

meanwhile

Claire: ... I think you should, but... are you sure it's a good idea?

Todd: ... well, there's no reason for them to be suspicious, Key... after all, you're not hiding any X-WDs here. *he smirks* I'm careful. They haven't found me for ten years, they won't find me now.

meanwhile

Harry: ... he can't still be THAT mad at me... I think I can... can talk to him now. Maybe next time we drop Sam off, or pick him up...

Key: *smiles* I believe you. I just wanted to let you know.

meanwhile

Claire: He's usually not there when I go drop Sam off. It'd have to be after work... Do you want me to go with you?

up

Harry: No, thank you for your cooperation. *looks over to Sam, gaining a grin* Are you being a good boy?

Sam: *nods happily* Uh-Huh! :D

Claire: That's good. Keep it up for me, okay? :)

Sam: *nods again*

Key: *stands up, smiling* He's been great, don't you worry... Well, I guess I'll show you out, can't keep your patrol waiting. :P

Harry: Nope. *gets up* Can't keep the Racist Patrol standing around outside. Let's go, Claire.

Claire: *nods* I'll see you in a bit, I guess.

Key: Right. *opens the door, and allows her smile to vanish--she had to make it look serious. she silently lets them out of her house*

Claire: *nods to her, and walks out of the house* Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Dawson.

Key: *nods* Anytime...

Harry: *to the soldiers* ALRIGHT! WE'RE MOVING TO THE NEXT SUSPECT, NOW!

*and so they do. None of the suspects were hiding any X-WDs, or at least, as far as Crowe needed to know*

*and so they head back*

Harry: *makes his way to Crowe's office to report the results with Key*

Me: I'm pretty sure you mean "Claire." XD

Claire: *sighs* I kind of hate patrol duty now.

Me: ... no, I meant Key. Yup. Totally. Did it on purpose. XD

Harry: Nooo kidding. It's pretty easy to hate this whole job.

*they enter the office*

Crowe: Report.

Harry: None of the suspects claimed, nor had any evidence that they were hiding any X-WDs. Sir.

Crowe: Hmm... well then, I say a weekly routine of searching these particular suspects for two months will be a good idea. Just to be sure. We can't have the X-WDs mixing with the humans... *he eyes Harry* can we?

Harry: ... ... no, sir.

Crowe: *to Claire* and you, Mrs. Gatzsky?

Claire: ...no, sir.

Crowe: You are dismissed. Both of you. I've got no work for you today, Gatzsky.

Harry: ... thank you, sir.

Claire: Thank you, sir. *turns and leaves the office with Harry* ...

*outside*

Harry: Well... at least he let me off this time.

Claire: *nods in agreement* That's good... Now I'm just hoping he'll keep assigning us to the patrols, so Key can get by without any trouble...

Harry... Even then, I'm sure she'll be fine. Todd's good at hiding himself. Key's good at covering it up.

Claire: Still, I think we should let her know. Just so she's ready for the next time...

Harry: Good plan.

meanwhile

Todd: *comes home through the upstairs window* I'M HOOOOME!

Claire: *walks with Harry to Key and Todd's house*

meanwhile

Key: WE'RE DOWNSTAIRS! SARAH'S--

Sarah: *runs into the room and hugs him, same as the day before* Hi daaaaaad! :D <3

Key: ...running up.

Todd: *braces himself this time* urnf! Hello, there! :D

meanwhile

Harry: *rings the doorbell*

Sarah: Heehee. *looks in the direction of the doorbell when it rings, but brings her attention back to Todd* You're home early. ^^

meanwhile

Key: ! *goes to answer the door, picking Sam up off the couch* Oh! You're both here. Again. ^^; *hands Sam over*

Claire: *takes him* Yep... got lucky today.

Todd: Yeah, I kinda am. Not a whole lot of grading to factor up - good thing I'm a gym teacher, right? XP

meanwhile

Harry: Listen, Key - Crowe wants your house investigated weekly for two months. Just a warning.

Sarah: *nods* Yup. :D I jus' wish you were my teacher too. :(

meanwhile

Key: *her smile vanishes* ...They're still not quite sure, huh? I guess we'll have to be careful then...

Claire: You've been doing well so far, just keep it up and you should be fine... We'll do what we can.

Todd: Ahaha, no you don't, Sarah... I'd just embarrass you in front of your friends. :P

meanwhile

Harry: ... now then. I guess we should go before Todd sees us here. He might explode or something. :P

Sarah: No you wouldnnnnnnn't. :P

meanwhile

Key: *quickly glances back at the stairs* That's a good idea, he just got home... I'll see you tomorrow, okay?

Claire: Right. Be careful.

Key: I will.

Claire: *leaves with Harry, and heads back to their own house* I hope she'll be okay... I mean, I don't think she'll have any problems, but still...

up

Soldiers: *push the offending soldier out of the group*

Soldier: Hey!

Harry: *through his teeth, to the soldier* Do you think this is a GAME? Do you think these people weren't once JUST LIKE YOU?? D8<

Soldier: ... i-it just slipped out...

Harry: DON'T YOU DARE CALL THEM THAT AGAIN!!

Soldier: ... yes sir.

Claire: *still sounding rather miffed* Get back in line.

Some X-WD's: *seem to look a bit grateful--at least someone was sticking up for them*

Soldier: *under his breath* assholes...

Other X-WDs: *are happy to see that two people who actually care about them are HIGH-RANKED GENERALS. Maybe THEY could do something about Crowe*

*they continue the patrol*

*after they finished the patrol, they headed to the East Human Residential area*

Claire: *checks the list of suspected individuals*

*they march*

Harry: *does the same* ... Key's on here...

Claire: That's... not good... I think she'll be okay, though... she's alone with Sam.

Harry: *quietly* ... and Todd's at work. So all we need to do is question her, quickly look for any evidence, and get the hell out of there.

Claire: *nods. When they reach her house, she goes up and rings the doorbell*

Key: *answers the door, holding Sam in her arms* Hey-- *sees the patrol behind Claire* ...Hello...

Claire: Mikaela Dawson? We need to ask you a few questions.

Key: ...Alright...

Harry: *to the soldiers behind them* All of you stay OUTSIDE! *in order to lose any suspicion on him or Claire* ... and keep your guns ready, just in case.

Key: Well... come on in, then... *steps back to let them into her house*

Sam: *seems to understand the situation and stays quiet*

Claire: *steps inside with Harry*

Key: *shuts the door, and turns to face them* Okay, what's going on? D:>

Harry: Key, sit down. You're not going to like what we're about to tell you.

Key: *already has suspicions about what it is. she sits down, holding Sam on her lap, and speaks quietly* This is about Todd, isn't it?

Sam: *stays quiet* ...

Claire: I'm afraid so...

Harry: You're one of Crowe's suspects, Key. Just make sure Todd doesn't get caught, alright? *he pauses, then takes out a slip of paper. He reads off of it, first clearing his voice, and gaining a smirk* ... so then, "Ms. Dawson", how many times a day do you spend in the vicinity of any type of X-WDs? This includes commons, chargers, spitters, hunters, yada yada yada, you get the rest of it.

Key: *smiles a bit at this* Well, you know the answer to that one, "Mr. Gazsky."

Claire: *grins at this* Obviously... *reads off the next question* Are you supportive or disapproving of the separation between humans and X-WDs?

Key: I think you know the answer to that one as well. :P

Harry: So obviously a YES, or else, y'know, I guess we'll just have to invade your personal space. Now then... *he reads the next question, almost laughing at how "to the point" it seemed to be* ... are you h-haha... are you hiding any X-WDs in your h-home, Ms. Dawson...? XD

Key: *scoffs* What? ME? Pffffft. You must be crazy. XD

Claire: *stifles a laugh* Alright... *reads the next question, and rolls her eyes* Do you often have fantasies of 'rescuing' the X-WDs?

Key: Okay, now that's just ridiculous. XD

Harry: Just like the man who wrote these questions. When you hear the word "zombie", what is the first thing that comes into your mind?

Key: Something that shambles around and eats brains. Are we done yet?

Claire: *checks the slip* Yep, that's it. Now we need to search your house for "evidence."

Harry: *with no real effort, he takes a quick glance around the room* Nope, I don't see any evidence in this entire house. What about you, Claire?

Claire: *does the same thing* Hmmm... Nope, I don't see anything either. I think we're done here.

Key: *grins* Thank you so much...

up

Harry: ... we're really sorry for what's been going on all these years... I know I've said this a lot, but... we're... BOTH sorry about Crowe.

Key: It's not your fault, you can't really do much about it... We'll just have to wait it out, I guess. We'll be fine, don't worry. Todd's good at keeping himself hidden.

Claire: *smiles a bit at this* I can imagine... Let's just hope that continues, right?

Harry: At the way things are going, I think it's safe to assume it will. *he smiles a bit* Now then... speaking of Crowe, I think we should hurry over to work, right Claire?

Claire: That's be a good idea. See you later, Key.

Key: Alright. ^^ Good luck, you two.

Claire: *smiles, then walks off with Harry*

Sam: Baaaiii! :D

Key: *watches them for a bit, then goes back inside with Sam*

Harry: *walks to work with Claire* So I heard we'll be switching to leading a patrol group, or two separate ones, or something, today. That'll bring back some memories, won't it?

Claire: *laughs a little* Yeah, it definitely will... those were the days, huh? Walk around, try not to get jumped by a Hunter... *sighs*

Harry: Well, if there's one thing I do NOT look forward to in this, it's going through the X-WD ghettos. I don't enjoy going through all those sad faces. *he sighs* But I guess we have no choice, do we?

Claire: None at all... I don't like it either, Harry, but there's nothing we can do about it right now...

Harry: ... I guess not...

Claire: *quietly walks the rest of the way with Harry*

*at the outpost*

Crowe: Ah, there you two are. Right then, here's the assignment for the day - *he gives them both a slip of paper*

Paper: *is reads: "Task 1: Patrol through the East Ghetto, arrest any X-WDs you find who are going against the X-WD Code of Conduct and Law. You are permitted to shoot any hostile X-WDs. Task 2: Patrol the East Human Residential Area. Attached to this sheet is a list of suspects. Question these suspects for the hiding of X-WDs. If necessary, enter their homes and preform a search. Once finished, report back to the Military Outpost*

Harry: *reads through all of it, remaining silent* ...

Crowe: You will both share command of Section C's patrol group - twenty men and women. Good luck to you both.

Claire: *nods to him* Yes, sir...

Harry: *quietly* C'mon, Claire. Let's go gather up the patrol group. *takes her by the hand and pulls her out*

Crowe: *His piercing glare seems to bore into the back of Harry's head*

Claire: *goes to Section C with Harry to get her armor and gun, and to gather up the patrol*

*after all is done to get ready, Harry and Claire lead the patrol group out, and to the East Ghetto*

Ghetto: *is somewhat poorly built - although it's only been eight years since it was built, the ghetto already looks run-down and sad*

X-WDs: *upon seeing the patrol, they would immediately avoid eye contact - some would freeze up, not exactly knowing what to do, or where to go - just FROZEN UP in fear*

Harry: *with Claire, leads the patrol. He is silent*

Claire: *is equally silent, occasionally casting a glance at one of the X-WD's on the street. It was a very sad place indeed* ...

A Charger: *suddenly angrily shouts at them* You were supposed to help us - not send us to these internment camps! D8<

A Witch: *takes him by the arm and pulls him away from the soldiers, glancing at them in fear, then quickly looking away*

Harry: ...

Claire: *continues onward, not really looking at anything in particular. At this point, she just wanted to get it over with* ...

Common: WHAT'S CROWE SO AFRAID OF? WE DON'T BITE - *angrily* YET!

Another Common: YEAH!

Soldier: SHADDUP! Damn zombies!

Harry: *is extremely offended by this, and he immediately halts the patrol.

Soldiers: *nearly crash into each other* !?!?

Harry: Who said that?? Who SAID THAT?? D8<

Soldiers: *stay quiet, glancing at each other nervously*

Claire: *isn't very fond of the term herself, she angrily barks at the patrol* WHO WAS IT??

up

Todd: *puts the bookmark into the book, and puts it on the bedside table* Well, alright... *he snuggles against her, kissing her on the cheek*

Key: *snuggles back, putting her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder* Good night, Todd.

Todd: Good night. <3 *scoots over to get his pill bottle and takes it*

Key: *snuggles back into him when he moves back, sighing contentedly* ... <3

Todd: *snuggles back into her, falling asleep*

Key: *takes a bit longer to fall asleep, but she has no problems sleeping through the night*

THE NEXT DAY

Todd: *wakes up and immediately gets ready for work*

Key: *wakes up a little bit later, when Todd's already dressed for work* mmh.. good morning... *sits up, and stretches*

Todd: Morning. ^^ I hope you don't mind, but I'm high-tailing it out of here a bit early - I gotta set up goal posts.

Key: That's fine, go right ahead. Duty calls. :P *gets out of bed, and quickly kisses him on the cheek before going to get dressed* Have fun, okay? :)

Todd: *smiles cheerily at her* Thank you. ^^ Have fun with your novel. ^^; *walks out*

Key: *sighs* I'll try... *finishes getting dressed, and looks at the clock--time to wake Sarah up. she goes into her daughter's room and sits on the edge of the bed, very lightly shaking her awake* Honey, time to wake up...

Sarah: mmmuuuuuuuh. I dun wanna.... *rolls over*

Key: *rolls her eyes* Don't make me turn the lights on. You know I'll do it.

Sarah: nnnooooooooooooohh...

Key: theeeen, get up. :P

Sarah: okaaaay. *sits up and yawns widely* 'mornin mooom.

Key: Good morning. :) *stands up and goes to the closet* Go brush your teeth, Sarah...

Sarah: I knowww. *gets out of bed, and goes out to the bathroom*

Key: *picks out Sarah's clothes for the day, and puts them down on her bed. Then, she goes downstairs to pack her lunch*

Sarah: *comes downstairs after a little while, fully dressed and a bit more awake, and sits at the table to wait for her mom to be finished* What's for lunch today, mommy?

Key: Peanut butter and jelly. Your favorite. :P

Sarah: Yay! :D

Key: *puts the sandwich in a brown paper bag along with the rest of her lunch, and goes to put it in Sarah's backpack* Okay, you ready?

Sarah: Uh-huh! *runs over and puts her backpack on, then stands in front of the door* :D

Key: *laughs at this* A bit eager there, are we? *opens the door and lets Sarah out, then locks the door behind her and takes Sarah's hand. they proceeded to walk (in Sarah's case, hop or skip) to the elementary school*

Harry: *getting ready for work, he puts his military jacket over his shirt, already ready for the day (besides that task). After he and Claire drops off Sam, they were to head straight to work*

Claire: *was also ready to leave--she goes and gets an already-dressed Sam out of his room, and waits for Harry downstairs so they could leave*

meanwhile

Key: *drops Sarah off at school, then heads back home, having nothing much to do that day, besides work on the novel. she just needs to make sure she gets back before Harry and Claire do*

Harry: Alright then... I guess we should head out, then?

Claire: Mhmm. Don't want to be late. *goes out the door, holding Sam, and waits for Harry to come out before locking the door*

meanwhile

Key: *gets home and looks at the clock, and sighs in relief when she sees that it's still early enough. she flops onto the couch and waits for the doorbell to ring*

Harry: *walks with Claire and Sam to Key's house. He rings the doorbell*

Key: *gets up and answers the door* Hey guys. ^^

Claire: Hello, Key. :) *to Sam* Be good, okay?*

Sam: *nods* :D

Claire: *hands him over to Key* I'll be back around the same time to pick him up, alright?

Key: Yeah, that's totally fine. Have a good day at work. :)

Harry: We'll try. How's Todd doing, by the way?

Key: Oh, he's doing great! He loves his job.

Claire: That's good to hear. No one's given you any trouble yet?

Key: Nope, everything's been pretty quiet.

up

Todd: *follows Sarah down, a warm smile in his face*

meanwhile

Harry: *gives Sam a smile* Hey, Sam. *to Claire, his smile shrinking a bit* ... hey to you, too.

Sarah: *runs over to a table and grabs a piece of paper, then runs back to Todd and holds it up proudly* It's you! Do you like it? :D

meanwhile

Claire: *smiles a bit* Hey... *smile fades* Crowe kept you late again, didn't he?

Todd: *examines it, grinning* Haha, yeah, I do - that's really good, Sarah! Keep up the good work, alright? :)

meanwhile

Harry: ... yeah well, as long as it means I get to keep my job, I'm not complaining.

Sarah: *grins* I will! ^^

Key: *comes out of the kitchen* Hey, Todd. :)

Sarah: Moooomm, Dad liked my picture! :D

Key: So I heard! I told you he would. :P

meanwhile

Claire: You shouldn't have to, this is getting out of hand... He's kept you back for almost two weeks straight now. :/

Todd: Hey, Key, so - how's the novel going? You get anything done today?

meanwhile

Harry: Claire, I'd pick working late over not being able to live with you and Sam...

Key: Actually, yes I did. Pretty decent progress, I'd say.

Sarah: Can I read it yet? D:

Key: Nooo, not yet... At least let me finish it. :P

meanwhile

Claire: ...Alright. I love you too, Harry. I just hate to see you so worn down... <:/

Sam: :C

Todd: Do you really think that's such a good idea? I mean, wouldn't it be a BIT too graphic for a seven-year-old? >_>;

meanwhile

Harry: *smiles at her reassuringly* I'm fine, Claire.

Key: I was kidding, Todd... But you're definitely right.

Sarah: Awww. :(

meanwhile

Claire: Alright. I believe you. <:)

Todd: Well... you can read it when you're older, Sarah. :P

meanwhile

Harry: ... you know what? I'm gonna go to bed. Tons of paperwork does that to a person, I guess. You'll have to tuck Sam in tonight, Claire. :/

Sarah: Okaaaay.

Key: It's late, Sarah, time to go to bed. :P

Sarah: aaaaaaaawwwwww..! D:

meanwhile

Claire: That's alright, I don't mind. You go to bed. :/

Todd: Oh, come on, Sarah. Listen to your mother. You don't want to be tired tomorrow for school. :P

meanwhile

Harry: Alright. *heads up to their bedroom, he brushes his teeth and whatnot, then goes over to, and gets under the covers of the bed. He fell asleep almost instantly*

Sarah: Oh-kaaaay... *hugs Key* G'night! *hugs Todd* G'night! *runs upstairs*

Key: Hey! *laughs, and shakes her head* Jeez. She's so hard to keep up with. XD I'll go tuck her in. *goes upstairs*

meanwhile

Claire: *goes upstairs and puts Sam in bed, then goes into her room. she frowns when she sees Harry already asleep--he was more tired than he looked... she quickly showers and gets into bed* ...night, Harry...

Todd: *grins again, laughing a little at Sarah's quick actions, and Key's reaction to them* Alright, I'll, uh, wait down here, I guess. Heh.

meanwhile

Harry: *isn't disturbed at all by Claire. He continues to sleep*

Key: *tucks Sarah in and kisses her forehead, wishing her a good night, then leaves the room, flipping off the light. she goes back downstairs* All done...

meanwhile

Claire: *puts and arm over him and rests her head on his shoulder. she wasn't looking forward to going to work tomorrow* ...

Todd: Well then, shall we go to bed, ourselves?

Key: I guess so. :P up we go, then. *turns around and goes back upstairs*

Todd: *goes into the bedroom with Key and brushes his teeth* Hey, can I shower first? I was playing around with a bunch of dirty, sweaty kids. D:

Key: Oh, go right ahead. ^^;

Todd: Thaaaank you. *does, then comes back out, nice and wet, and clean* Your turn.

Key: Thaaaank you. *goes and takes a shower as well, and comes out with her hair dripping wet* Mmf.

Todd: *by the time Key is out of the shower, Todd is reading a book, growling softly so that he could see*

Key: *smiles at this, and gets into bed next to him* You need to sleep, you've got another hard-working day ahead of you. :P

up

Harry: *he can't speak - he's in too much pain to even try. He was lucky though - he had managed to roll over just enough so that the acid wouldn't seep into the back of his skull. It got the dried-side of his face. He could FEEL himself blacking out. No - no - not here - maybe back at the Safe Zone, but NOT OUT HERE*

Hunter: Jeezus-christ-frack - let's get out of here! NOW! D8

Boomer: *quivers, his body fat enhancing the vibrations to make him seem almost like shaking jell-o*

Tank: *his swollen tongue prevents him from speaking, but he sounds just as confused and scared as everyone else* Uhhnngaahuuhhgh...!?

Paul: *is in extreme pain, but he manages to stay on his feet, face contorted in agony* nrrhh...

Claire: no, no, no, stay awake, Harry!! D:> *looks over at the three ex-infected--Paul was too injured for this* S-Someone help me carry him! D8>

Tank: *grunts and carefully picks Harry up in one of his huge, bulging arms, gently placing him over his swollen shoulder, he looks to Claire, hoping she knew where she was going*

Harry: *he throbs all over, and his head pounds when he is moved. Weakly, he groans. It got darker. No, no - stay awake - stay awake!*

Hunter: Agh... nnh... *limps over, closer to the soldiers and their guns*

Boomer: *still shaking*

Claire: *quickly runs over to pick up her gun, then reaches for her radio, only to find that it had been destroyed by the acid* tch... *goes over to help Paul move* We need to move fast. Let's go! *leads them back the way they came*

Everyone: *follows*

AT THE TRUCK

Various Specials and Soldiers: *climb in*

Tank: *carefully puts Harry in an empty seat before climbing in, himself. The truck lowers a bit from his weight*

Harry: *barely conscious in the seat*

Claire: *helps Paul into a seat, then sits down next to Harry, trying to keep him upright and awake* ....

Paul: ...

Harry: *weakly to Cliare* I... I really... really like that... Tank...

Tank: *sits alone in a corner of the truck, fear in his beady eyes* ...

Hunter and Boomer: *just as confused and frightened as the Tank was - they had been changed, somehow, into horrible creatures. Grotesque, inhuman things. It wasn't someone a mind could wrap around completely. The idea was there, but it wasn't really clicking into place. The Hunter was convinced that all of it - all that was happening - was just some lousy dream - that he'd wake up, and everything would be alright, and there would be no monsters, and he'd sit in his cubicle in his boring office job, and it would be NORMAL. The Boomer was different. The Boomer knew what was happening - reality took a bat and smacked him - HARD - upside the head. He muttered uplifting phrases and sayings to himself - things that he memorized from history classes from when he was young, and pop culture from a more recent kind of past. But the memories just depressed him, picked at him, reminded him that all of that was lost forever. The Boomer broke down into quiet sobs*

Claire: *looks over at the cured infecteds, and feels sorry for them. Sure, they had been cured and rescued, but their lives would never be the same again* ...

Paul: *glances over at the Boomer, and frowns. he pats the ex-infected on the shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile*

Boomer: *flinches when Paul pats him, and looks the soldier in the glassy eyes of the gas mask. No. He didn't understand what he felt. No one in the truck did. He glanced over at a giggling Jockey in another corner of the truck. The tears in the poor sap's eyes contradicted his uncontrollable laughter*

Hunter: *stares at his hands, flexing the clawed tips of his fingers. Intrigued, in a sick, scared kind of way*

Tank: *silently stares into nothing*

*and they continued to drive until they reach the Safe Zone*

Harry: *had passed out halfway into the ride, though due to his mask, this wasn't very noticeable - especially since his head was already lowered in the first place*

Claire: *notices he's completely unresponsive when she gets up to get off the truck* !! Paul, help me out... D:

Paul: Huh? Oh. Yeah. *goes to help Claire get Harry off the truck, wincing a bit from his acid burns*

Tank: *climbs out of the truck. He holds his arms out, offering to assist in carrying Harry*

Hunter and Boomer: *wander off on their own*

Other Soldiers and Infected: *GO THEIR OWN WAAAAYYYY (go their own waaay-ayyy ~)*

Harry: *unconscious*

Claire: *nods gratefully at the tank, and passes Harry towards him* We need to take him to the CEDA building. Paul, you too.

Paul: Yeah, I know. oww.

Tank: Guhhuhhngh... *is directed to the CEDA Building*

Doctor: *takes Harry and Paul away to treat them, glancing wearily at the Tank*

Harry: *...*

Claire: *being uninjured, Claire had no reason to follow after them. She figured she had to give her report anyway, so she went down a different hallway in the building, wondering just how much things were going to change...*

*It was ten years later - ten years into the newfound peace. Or rather, a false peace. A thin veil, hiding what truly went on in the new, rebuilt cities. Five years in, and children were playing and laughing once more. eight years in, and they moved from homeschooling to the few public schools they could attend. There was a wariness among the cured infected - "X-WD"s were what the military called them. They weren't zombies, no, not anymore, and calling them that was vulgar and offensive to them. No, they weren't brain-eaters. They had hearts, minds, feelings, just like a "normal" person would. But Lieutenant Crowe... he separated them from the others... GAVE them their label, their "X-WD" tag. Out of fear of a return of the Green Flu, he stripped them of many basic rights. They could not marry, nor live with humans. They could not get jobs in the medical, culinary, sport fields. X-WDs had separate bathrooms from the humans. They lived in ghettos. Well, most did. Todd lived with Key, despite it being illegal. Yes, the soldiers patrolled the neighborhoods, but they very rarely entered a home, and Todd always used the window to get int and out of the house. They adopted a daughter, the two of them did - they adopted her when she was very young - well, Key did. It was illegal for Todd to adopt a child. Either way, they were happy together, despite the discrimination that wafted through the air. Todd, though having trouble with finding a job at first, managed to find an X-WD-sympathetic elementary school - one of the only two in the country. He was lucky to have found a job as a gym teacher there. Harry and Claire also lived happily together... though their job wrought them with guilt. Both of them served under Crowe as both high-ranking generals, and Crowe's personal bodyguards (for when he needed them). Harry didn't like what his duty was turning into, but quitting meant he would no longer have that protection that Crowe gave him - he counted as a normal X-WD, after all. If he lost his job, he could no longer live with Claire. He would have to leave her. Have to leave their son, Sam. He couldn't ever allow that to happen. Not ever*

AT TODD AND KEY'S HOME

Todd: *coming home from work* SO TO WHOEVER'S IN THE HOUSE AT THE MOMENT, THE KIDS WERE TOTALLY AWESOME TODAY!

meanwhile

Harry: *has been confined to paperwork at the local military outpost* ...

Key: *calls from downstairs* THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR! *pauses for a second, as if distracted, then--* SARAH'S COMING UP!

*loud thumps are heard coming up the stairs, and a small child runs into the room and glomps Todd*

Sarah: Hi dad! :D

meanwhile

Claire: *had already gotten back home after picking Sam up from Key and Todd's house--where she waited for Harry to return* ...He shouldn't have to work so hard.

Sam: Daddy? D:

Claire: *sighs* Yeah... mommy and daddy's boss isn't being very nice lately...

Sam: :C

Me: the children are already amusing me. Also, Todd hasn't forgiven Harry just yet, and hates the military with a burning passion, so... yeah... XD

Todd: Oof! Hey there, kiddo - how was school today? :)

meanwhile

Harry: *finally manages to sign, organize, fill out, and hand out all of the paper work. Job well done. Now he could finally go home*

Crowe: *notices Harry walking out. As usual, Crowe keeps a steady glare on Harry, no matter what he felt, or what he was saying to Harry* Good job today, Gatzsky - you're setting a fair example for the other X-WDs.

Harry: *sighs a little in relief* Th-thank you sir. *then he walks out and heads home*

Me: yaaaay! Also, Todd might still hate him, but Key forgave Harry a long while ago. Besides, it's Sam. I don't think Todd could keep a grudge against a two-year-old. XP

Sarah: It was okay... I made a picture for you. ^^

meanwhile

Claire: *plops down on the couch with a sigh, hoping Harry would get home soon*

Sam: ... *pulls at her pant leg* Mommy? ):

Claire: Mm? *looks down and smiles, then picks him up and puts him on her lap* Sorry, Sam... mommy's just a little tired, that's all.

Todd: You DID? :D May I see it, please?

meanwhile

Harry: *finally comes home, completely exhausted. He shuts and locks the door behind him, then just sort of stands there, thinking a bit about how much he hated his job, now* ...

Sarah: *nods enthusiastically* Uh-huh! It's downstairs, come on! *releases Todd and runs downstairs*

meanwhile

Claire: ! *stands up, holding Sam, and goes towards the door, looking relieved*

Sam: Daddy! :D

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Harry: Yeah, well... we just wanted to tell you, since keeping it a secret was starting to get awkward.

Paul: That's understandable. I figured it out a while ago, anyway.

Claire: Really?

Paul: Well, I knew for sure the day that you almost got infected. Harry stressed out a biiit too much. It was kind of obvious after that.

Harry: Uh... really? I, uh... how much is too much?

Paul: You kind of panicked. I mean, yeah, I was freaked out too, but...

Claire: D: Sorry...

Paul: Hey, it's totally not your fault a Smoker decided to grab you, don't apologize. :P

Harry: Right! Yeah! Don't feel sorry about something that's not your fault - and sooner or later we'll be RESCUING Smokers, so y'know...

Claire: Yeah, I know. Speaking of that, we should be outside right now.

Paul: Oh jeez, you're right. D: *hurries outside*

Claire: *does the same*

Harry: Oh! Hey, yeah! D: *does the same*

*they all get into the armored truck, and drive off into the wasteland*

*they arrive after a while, and get out of the truck*

Claire: *repeats her orders from last time, but adds--* Remember we're dealing with Specials this time. Don't shoot unless you absolutely need to. There may still be some that haven't been fully cured.

Other soldiers: *nod to her, then go off in different directions*

Harry: *sticks with Clare and Paul, of course*

*they wander, searching for the cured infected. It was only thirty minutes before they came across a Hunter - the more common of the specials - and a Boomer. Both were in a state of panic, asking each other questions, only to scream at each other with "I DON'T KNOW" and "I DON'T KNOW*

Harry: There.

Claire: *nods, and approaches the two ex-infected, keeping her weapon down* Over here! We're from the Safe Zone, we can help you.

Paul: ...

Hunter: Suh-safe zone?? There's a SAFE ZONE??

Boomer: Just shut up and go with them - they're from the military, or something, see? Look at their armor!

Harry: Come with us, please - we'll lead you back to the truck after we finish the rescue.

Hunter: *looks around nervously* ... right...

*and so they walk*

Claire: *glances back at the two ex-infected* ...

*loud coughing is heard*

Claire: !! *looks around for the source of the sound--she did NOT want to be attacked by a Smoker again* ...

Paul: *also looks around* Where's it coming from? D:

Harry: ... *gets his gun ready, listening for which direction the coughing will come from*

*suddenly a tongue whips out of the air and grabs onto Harry by his throat and torso*

Harry: HUACK?? *he pulled away*

*another tongue gets the Hunter by the leg and pulls him down, dragging him away as well*

Claire: !! Paul--!!

Paul: Got it. *starts shooting at the tongue that was dragging the hunter away*

Claire: *goes after the other smoker and does the same thing, trying to break the tongue without killing the infected*

*suddenly, wads of spit fly out of nowhere - acid. Two Spitters hid deep in the fog*

Another Smoker: *suddenly grabs hold of Paul, getting him around his waist, pulling him*

Harry: *struggles for air as the Smoker strangled him. a few of Claire's bullets manage to get the Smoker, but one hits Harry in the shoulder. He can't cry out, but he makes a choking gasp from the painful surprise*

Paul: AH, frack!! *tries to twist around and shoot the Smoker, but his aim is shaky from being pulled along* shoot, shoot, shoot!

Claire: !! *shots shooting when she realizes she's hit Harry, and tries to move closer to help him, but is stopped by a spreading pool of acid on the ground* not good, this is not good...!!

Spitter: *shoots another glob of acid at Harry - it fails to get through the armor, but it eats through the unarmored sleeves of his uniform, and burns his arms, while the rest hit the ground and burned his feet*

Harry: *this time he does scream* AAAHH - !! *he coughs loudly from the Smoker's grip on him, and is soon disorientated when it decides to bash him on the head*

Other Spitter: *does the same thing to Paul*

*the ground is lightly shaking*

Paul: *is similarly burned by the acid, and he cries out in pain as well, not restricted by the smoker like Harry is* AAAH, GOD--!!

Claire: *is starting to panic--she couldn't move because of the globs of acid, and she was afraid to shoot in fear of hitting one of them (which already happened)* D8>

*the ground shakes heavier until it almost becomes a light earthquake*

Harry: *is about to pass out from the lack of air, as well as the pain from the bullet and Spitter acid*

*the loud crunching of bones is heard, and a Spitter goes flying through the air*

Tank: *rips the Smoker off of Harry, then does the same for Paul and the Hunter*

Boomer: *cowers, and even squeaks a bit in terror*

Claire: ??!? *levels her gun, but quickly realizes the Tank was cured* !!

Paul: *nearly collapses from the pain of the acid burning his skin. he stumbles out of the pool of acid, muttering a string of curses through his teeth*

Claire: *looks over at Harry, and realizes he's collapsed in a pool of acid. she drops her gun and runs through the puddle of acid towards him, hoping that she can move quickly enough so that the acid won't burn her too badly. she grabs Harry and drags him out of the puddle, laying him down on the ground where the floor is clear* Harry?? HARRY!! D8>

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Harry: Alright. *goes into the bedroom to get his nightclothes*

Claire: *comes out of the bathroom after a few minutes* It's all yours.

Harry: Thank you. ^^ *goes in and showers*

Claire: *gets into bed and waits for Harry* ...

Harry: *soon comes out and climbs into bed with Claire* Goodnight. <3

Claire: Goodnight, Harry. <3

Harry: *snuggles up against her and goes to sleep*

Claire: *does the same, falling asleep quickly* ... <3

THE NEXT MORNING

Harry: *up early, he waits for Claire, not moving from his spot, quite comfortable there*

Claire: *wakes up not long after he does, and snuggles against him* good morning...

Harry: *snuggles back* Good morning. Ready to rescue the cured specials?

Claire: Ready as I'll ever be. :P Let's go, we don't want to be late again. *gets out of bed*

Harry: *gets out of bed and gets ready*

Claire: *goes into the bathroom does the same, and goes out into the main room, grabbing her gas mask and putting it on*

Harry: *after getting ready, himself, he puts his gas mask on as well, hoping the day won't go wrong in any way*

Me: You implying something there? XD

Claire: *heads out with Harry, walking towards the CEDA building with him*

Me: haha, nooo...

Harry: *once they reach the CEDA building, he goes through the daily routine of getting all of his armor on, and taking his gun*

Claire: *does the same, shutting her locker after taking her gun*

Paul: *had arrived a few minutes after them, and was finishing up as well*

Harry: Oh! Oh, Paul... we need to tell you something.

Paul: Yeah? What's up? :/

Claire: We should have told you this a while ago, but... Harry and I are together.

Paul: aHA! I knew it. :D

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Harry: Well, it didn't burst into flames, did it? XD

Claire: *laughs* Well, that's true. XD

Harry: Man... if only Todd could've taught me to cook, or something... HE knows how. He just doesn't like to tell people about his special cooking skills.

Claire: "Special cooking skills"? XD I'm not going to lie, that's kind of funny.

Harry: It is. Which is why he hides it. I swear to god, I bet he quickly taught himself how to cook just to keep ME from needing to.

Claire: Which left you eating ramen all the time. :P

Harry: Well, yeah. Naturally. But I can get away with all that sodium - I'm all grown up, now. :P

Claire: Mhmmm... right. XP

Harry: *finishes his soup and cleans up* I'd have to say that so far, our dinners have been Italian-themed. Huh. I wonder if the Green Flu hit Italy.

Claire: *finishes her food as well* Was that a rhetorical question, because I have no idea. We haven't been able to establish communications with anyone yet. :/

Harry: I know... I was just wondering. But people travel. The Green Flu could have spread overseas because of airports...

Claire: It's very likely... but again, we have no idea. I guess we'll find out if or when we can get our communications up and running again.

Harry: ... But it would mean that it wasn't just America... the entire world went under... that... *he rubs the back of his neck* that's a scary though...

Claire: I can agree with that...though what we could do is fire a cure-bomb over there...

Harry: Multiple ones. That would take time.

Claire: Its' better that than having
Infected everywhere, no?

Harry: Well, yes... it would just take time...

Claire: Well, obviously. Time and effort, and a lot of soldiers we really don't have right now. :/

Harry: ... yeah... *looks at the clock on the stove* ... maybe we should go to bed.

Claire: ...Maybe we should. I'll take the shower first. *grabs her clothes out of their room and goes into the bathroom*

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