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Unlife on Mars; Grrr, Arg.
Topic Started: Mar 9 2015, 11:45 PM (7,951 Views)
Gene Hunt
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*Four months have gone by since the first case broke out. Four months since their lives all turned upside down. London fell first, then Manchester afterwards. Gene'll forever be proud of that. All those posh hoity-toity Southerners, coming up 'ere, bringing their diseases! But it's nothing to laugh about, not really. The virus spreads fast, claiming every city, town and village in the country. Nowhere is safe, or so the radio says. Stay in your houses, lock the doors, don't go out for any reason. But of course that instantly sent everyone into a panic, and now the roads are clogged with abandoned and burnt out vehicles, unpassable even with Gene's extensive knowledge of the city's backstreets.

They were all in the station when it went down - reports of crazed citizens biting and savaging other members of the public. News reports from London had prepared them all for what was to come, but seeing it in the flesh was another thing altogether. Mrs Peterson from the local offie, knawing on Mr Sajib's leg like a chicken drumstick, blood everywhere... They knew they'd have to put her down, but shooting at a familiar face, eyes white and mouth red, hissing and gargling coming from her throat? Nobody could have been ready for that.

They did what they could with the resources the had until finally the city collapsed and chaos took over. Looting and fires, death and destruction were everywhere. People fleeing to the country, people arriving fleeing from the country, people barricading themselves indoors, camping out on rooftops... It was like something from a film.

With half of the force already bitten and turned, the remaining police had no choice but to lock themselves in the station and sit it out for a while. And though he hated sitting about and waiting, Gene had to admit that the station was the best place for them to be. There were secure areas like the cells, a canteen with a mostly full larder. Enough storeys for them to watch the city and stairs for when the power finally was cut to the lift.

The power switching off was part of what finally did it. The fridge and freezer warmed, ruining half of the already dwindling food supplies. Everybody had known that the station couldn't be a permanent fortress from the horrors outside, and it was now time to venture out. The running water went with the electricity, and people were needing to go out on food and water collections. That lasted a couple more weeks until finally the lack of supplies began to turn people on each other. Then they hear the battery operated radio crackle. Salvation, a fortified camp up north. Only a few hours drive on a clear motorway, but with no vehicle it'd take weeks to walk it. More, considering the slow and cautious pace they'd have to take. But with supplies running low and morale at breaking point, it was a risk they'd have to take.

Appointing himself leader (as if anyone would have objected) and Sam as second on command, Gene posed an ultimatum. Anyone who wanted to fight for a chance to survive could join him. Anyone who wanted to waste away in this godforsaken building could starve to death on their own.

What was left of CID and a few other officers accepted, filling their police rucksacks with as much bottled water and canned food as they could reasonably take from the others, guns - lots of guns, and set off, bound for the various shops they needed things from. Pop up tents, knives, more weapons, toothpaste, matches... Anything of use.

A few fell during the mission, but mostly the run was a success, lasting a few days with them using a shop as a Base.

And now, Gene walks next to Sam as they navigate their way through yet another car-obstructed road. They're out of Manchester now, but the shelter is still weeks away. Progress has been slow. Humans have turned out to be just as dangerous as the bloody zombies so far - ambushing anyone they could for supplies. Vince was bitten on the leg not far out of the city. It took 12 hours for the fever to finally finish him off, and then another whole five minutes for Gene to pull himself together enough to strike the final blow. He won't have one of his own walking around like one of those monsters.

With their slowly diminishing group in tow, they keep walking. Night'll be setting in soon... Two hours or so and it'll be dark.

Gene turns to Sam, chin peppered with stubble and dirt smudged on his face, voice rough with the effort of keeping his legs moving*

S'gonna get dark soon... Should try to find somewhere to sleep.

*looks past his partner at the dark abandoned houses on one side of the street, focusing on the one at the end - more windows for escape routes that way. *

Think Mr and Mrs Undead'll mind if we squat for the night?
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Rob shoots a glance over at Myers, who returns it with a mix of outrage and disbelief. She even opens her mouth to say something, but stops herself - he throat is raw and aching, she'd barely get her voice above a whisper.

"Is that what you did 'outside', then? Kill innocent people, unprovoked?"

Rob's gaze hardens; he doesn't believe Gene. He can't entirely place it, but something about this whole scene made him think that it wasn't the first time Gene had experienced it. And Sam - Sam's entire behaviour changed. The man he just saw nearly strangling Myers wasn't the same man who had asked him about the village, musing over the possibility of running a police station here.

Sam knows he should defend himself, shouldn't leave all that to Gene. But he finds himself unable to even look up and at Rob, let alone Myers. He's experiencing a crash - similar to what happened all those days ago, when he lost control for the first time. It's not as intense, but he can feel the clenching feeling of nausea, the fear, and the horror over the fact that... that he would do it again. Sam knows that, should that woman, or anyone else lay hand on Gene... he would lash out again, without a second thought.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Damn, Rob isn't buying it. He knows something's off. He can see Gene isn't telling the whole truth.

And Gene can't honestly say that Sam's never done what Rob just accused him of either. That man in the house, the innocent one. That was Sam, too. Or rather the thing inside Sam.

But what the thing inside Sam does isn't SAM.*

No! But you've seen what it's like out there! You've seen it! You can't just forget it all just like that!
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Sam Tyler
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*"That still doesn't explain it!"

Rob won't let up on this - they could've lost their most competent doctor here, for Christ's sake!!

"Listen, I've been lenient on you too - I tried to make things as easy as possible, tried to help you wherever I could. But this?"

He points over at Myers, still warily leaning against the wall, coughing quietly.

"This was an unsolicited attack - attempted murder, as your kind would call it. I can't let this slide. I've told you over and over again, everyone is treated the same. One person attacks another, there are repercussions."

He crosses his arms.

"The truth. What happened? Why did he go feral all of a sudden?"

Even as he says it, a terrible thought crosses Rob's mind - the worst case scenario.... God, don't let it be that.

Sam flinches as Rob raises his voice, though he still doesn't look up, huddled against Gene as he is. The words ring painfully in his ears: Murder. Repercussions. Feral. Sam's fingers claw into Gene's arm at this, his hands beginning to tremble.

Shit... there's... there's nothing he can say to make this better... he can't deny it.........!

Although... maybe there is one thing... some kind of explanation........

When Sam finally speaks up, his voice nearly breaks up.*

... I... I thought she w-was gonna attack him.

I had.... had to p-protect 'im..........
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Gene Hunt
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*Rob pauses, looking at Sam with a frown.

"Protect... You mean you thought Dr Myers was going to attack Hunt?"

The absurdity of it shows in his face as he looks between the both of them - Gene, in all his long-legged, broad-shouldered glory - and then Myers, small, frazzled and bruised. The size difference, the bulk difference - it doesn't make any sense.

"You expect us to believe that? She's a doctor for God's sake! She saved your friend's life! Why would she attack him?"*
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam stares at the ground, eyes glazing over. Each of Rob's questions hits home, now that he's able to think rationally again. Myers never was a real threat to Gene... But in that moment, he knew. He knew that he had to do something, that his partner was in danger.

If Rob hadn't come in the moment he did...

Sam grits his teeth, desperately trying to keep himself out of the maelstrom of fear and guilt. He can't lose it now... not when his and Gene's safety are at stake....!*

I-I know. I didn't--

*He wasn't thinking straight. No, that's not quite right.

He wasn't thinking at all. He let it take over.

Images of what happened all those days ago flash in his mind - the two corpses, their blood soaking the floor. Gene's eyes, staring at him in shock as he'd... as Sam choked him....

Sam squeezes his eyes shut and presses one hand against them, as though it's going to help get rid of the horrors in his mind.

Disbelieving, Rob looks from Sam to Gene.

"This is your explanation?" He shakes his head. "You'll have to do better than that. If all it takes for you to lose your cool is a doctor approaching her patient, and I' sorry to say this, but there is no place for you in this community."*
Edited by Sam Tyler, Oct 8 2016, 08:51 AM.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene stares at Rob in a mixture of horror and rage. Is Rob really saying they're going to be kicked out!? That can't be right!*

A doctor approaching a patient, maybe! But to him, you think he saw her as a doctor after what she did?

That woman, from what I gather, strapped 'im down and electrocuted him into oblivion! You'll forgive' im for being a bit ruddy defensive, waking up and seeing her big ugly mug bearing down on 'im!

*They can't be kicked out... They can't! If they leave it's got to be their choice. If Sam wants it, they'll go right now. But he seemed hopeful... He seemed to think this place was worth it...*

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Sam Tyler
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*"A bit?!"

Rob looks at Myers again - she's opened her mouth, but seems to change her mind about speaking. Her throat is bruised badly enough for her voice to have gone, and that alone shows how vicious Sam's attack was. And the bruise on the side of her cheek is spreading already, standing out red and angry against her skin.

Rob looks back at Gene and Sam, huddled on the ground. Something tells him there's more to it than 'just' an overreaction, something about the fact that Gene is so desperately trying to deflect, to pass it off as a justified response to a perceived threat. Plus, looking at Sam... something just doesn't seem right. He doesn't seem like a man who would cower and choose to remain silent, instead of owning up to the mistake he made and apologizing.

And it's true, Rob doesn't know what went down just before the yelling began - but that doesn't change the fact that Sam went for Myers with the viciousness of... of something inhuman.

Rob's gaze becomes hard as steel as he focuses on Sam.

"If this was just you being 'a bit defensive', then explain yourself. Tell me it was just that, that you'd fly off the handle like a bloody hooligan. But I warn you, if that really is your explanation, then you - you, Sam - have to go."

He needs the truth from those two... and if he has to threaten them this way, then so be it. This is too important, too serious to stop and consider the trauma they both have been through.

At Rob's words - the way he emphasizes Sam's name - Sam flinches, his hand sliding away from his face and up into his shaggy hair, clawing at it. This can't be happening... he can't win this...! If he tries to explain it, and they realize he's become a monster, that the virus is still somehow affecting him... they won't let him stay either way... he'll have to leave Gene... that is, if they don't just up and shoot him.........!

Tremors run through Sam as his thoughts begin to race in circles, breaths coming out harsh and ragged.*
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Gene Hunt
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*No, no, no, no.... No, this isn't happening... It can't be. Now the words are out of Rob's mouth, Gene can feel the panic start to well up inside him properly. Sam's shaking in his arms. He's traumatised. How can Gene make them see that it wasn't Sam?! Or at least that it wasn't Sam in his mind... That something had taken over - but still persuade them that Sam's safe to stay?

He's going to have to tell them... If it's come to this, Gene can't keep it from them.. Because it WASN'T Sam. Sam didn't do this.

Gritting his teeth hard to keep his despair from overflowing, Gene makes a decision.

He swallows, then relaxes, showing Rob he's not a threat. He lets his guard down, the hard mask slipping for a moment. Quietly and with fear plain on his face, Gene nods at Myers, eyes on Rob.*

Voice quiet and thin,*

..... Get her out of here.... We need to talk to you. Alone.
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Rob can see the change, even before Gene seems to slump slightly. He got through to him, thank God. If Sam won't speak for himself, then this is the next best thing.

And the truth is, Rob doesn't want to throw Sam out. Not least because he knows it would cause an uproar among the Mancunians already up here (Annie's face appears in his mind's eye again, shocked and outraged) - but there's more. Rob doesn't want to be cruel. For now, this village is merely trying to survive. But Rob wants more - he wants to build a future. And that future cannot start with people being thrown under the bus like this.

Rob's expression remains stony, but he lowers his voice and gives it a slightly more agreeable tone. "Whatever you have to say, Doctor Myers has as much of a right to hear it as I do. Sam attacked her."

Besides, if this is to do with something out of Sam's control, as Rob is beginning to suspect, Myers hearing it first hand might help her to try and come up with a way to counter it... if she's still willing to help the man, after what happened.*
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Gene Hunt
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*No. No way. Not when Myers is the one who could issue experiments. Who could try to convince Rob that they need to drill into Sam's brain or something. Rob Gene can just about trust, but this woman... After what happened, she poses a threat.

But after a moment Gene realises their situation. They're both slumped on the floor, Sam caught in a black hole and Gene barely able to walk. If Rob wanted to he could kill then both just by raising one arm and pulling a trigger. If they don't do as Rob says, it may not matter anyway. They could both be thrown outside the gates and left to die.

However much he despises the idea - fears it - he's going to have to talk in front of Myers.

..... If she so much as looks at Sam funny, Gene'll fight to the death to defend him. They both must see that.*

Doctor Myers can stay - as long as she realises that what I'm about to say doesn't give either of you the right to touch 'im again. He's off limits. To all of you. You still want to chuck us out, so be it. But you - especially her - don't touch him. Okay?
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Sam Tyler
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*Rob raises his eyebrows as he looks over at Myers, who doesn't look like exactly pleased with how Gene is talking about her. He rubs at her throat, but in the end doesn't protest.

So Rob looks back at Gene, and nods.

Sam, caught in his own black world of spiralling thoughts, is only slowly catching up with what's going on around him - what's being said.

What Gene just agreed to do.

Every muscle in his body grows tense as his breathing speeds up, and he turns sharply to stare at Gene. If he does this - if he tells them - they'll think of him as a monster, no better than the zombies outside.*

D-don't--!

*At least if he's merely kicked out of the camp, he'll be alive, and Gene will be alive... But if they decide to execute him, for everyone's safety...!*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene looks down at Sam, desperately torn. Sam doesn't want him to tell - and Gene doesn't WANT to tell either. Revealing it feels like a betrayal - like he's putting Sam in danger. But they're already in danger. If they're kicked out now, they're in no state to survive. Even if Ray or Annie followed them, both of them are vulnerable right now. Gene can't run and Sam's barely functioning. If telling them means there's a chance they can stay, even just until they're fit enough to survive out there, he has to risk it.

And if Rob or Myers want to shoot Sam right then and there... They'll have to go through Gene first. He'll fight til his last breath.

Holding Sam tight, Gene whispers to him in as calm a voice as he can manage*

Sam... it's okay... They're not gonna touch you, I'll make sure. They try anything, they'll have me to get through. It'll be okay...
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Sam Tyler
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*So there was more to it. Rob unfolds his arms slowly, not wanting to alarm either of the two men on the ground. But if there is something Sam doesn't want him and the doctor to hear... then there was more to the attack than mere reflex.

Sam's eyes are wide as he stares back at Gene, trying to process his words. He says it'll be okay... but how can he know? And the thought of Gene throwing himself between Sam and Rob makes his stomach twist and knot with nausea.

He doesn't respond, instead slowly turning again to look back at Rob, then Myers. Sam remains silent, but his expression speaks for itself.

It's mortal fear the others will see there.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Rob can see the fear in Sam's eyes - the absolute terror. What the hell could they be about to reveal...? Whatever it is, Rob wants to hear it. And they won't talk if they think he's going to turn around and shoot them.

"Go ahead. We're listening. We don't want to hurt anyone - if we need to we'll escort you out of the Base but we won't go further than that."

Gene takes a shuddering breath, looking at Sam once again. Rob seems sincere... He's going to have to go for it. He has to.*

Okay, look... Don't overreact okay? He's not dangerous. He can control it. He can. The doctor just took him by surprise. He was in a vulnerable state.

*He sighs, readying himself*

.... The bite... It... Left something.
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Finally, he's talking... but what Gene says at first doesn't say very promising. Playing it down, saying Sam is able to control... "it".

Rob frowns slightly, a feeling of unease spreading in his gut.

The bite...?

"... left.. what?"



Gene is... he really is telling them... Rob's assurances do nothing to put Sam at ease.

Sam knows that it should be him who explains himself, not Gene. He's a grown man, he can stand up for himself.

... but not right now. Not when he's frozen on the spot, images flashing through his mind, memories of steel pressed against his throat, the barrel of a gun trained at his face, hateful expressions all around him.

It's going to happen again. It's going to happen again...

Black despair starts to seep into Sam's mind, slowly but steadily drowning out everything else.

This is his death sentence, and Gene is... Gene's delivering it...
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Gene Hunt
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*Shit... Gene needs to control this. He needs to tread VERY carefully. This is Sam's life in the balance here, and Gene's trying to save it, not doom it. He could never live with himself if something bad happened because of him...*

... A fight.

*then, quickly to clarify,*

Not aggression, it's not like that - it's when there's a threat. If anything, it's an asset - he gets flooded with a drive to protect... It's like a trigger...

I've only seen it twice. It takes something extreme to bring it out. Something like that electro thing. He's not dangerous - not unless something threatens him... Or me...
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Sam Tyler
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*Rob takes this in, the frown still in place.

A fight...

It sounds strange. A drive to protect which at the same time becomes a drive to kill? And all that because of the bite?

The fact that it would have been triggered by the treatment does make sense, Rob has to admit. He remembers the way Sam had shouted... it hadn't just been a scream of pain. But it's only now, in hindsight and with new information, that Rob realises this.

... so they do bear some responsibility for this. Myers does.

He quickly looks over at her, but her attention is entirely on Sam and Gene.

Addressing Gene again, Rob says, "... so what you're saying is that the ECT was enough to trigger that... drive. Enough to make him think the doctor was about to attack him? You? Both of you?"

Rob takes a breath, gathering his thoughts. "You've seen it twice - does that include what happened just now? And..." Here, Rob hesitates - he's grateful that Gene finally seems to be telling the truth, and he doesn't want to make him think that Rob's already made up his mind... So he does his best to keep his tone neutral.

"... and does he always go in for the kill, like he did just now?"


Sam can't hear what's being said anymore - the words are just random sounds and noises to his ears. His gaze is trained at the ground without seeing it, hands curled into such tight fists that they're shaking slightly, dirty nails digging into and breaking skin. All he feels is rolling nausea.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Thank god, Rob seems to be getting it-!*

I can bring 'im back from it. If he feels safe, there's no need to worry. The ECT - which you both let happen - of course he felt under threat, so he responded. That's all it was. It's always the same - he blanks out. But I can stop him.

*Gene clutches Sam tighter*

It's not his fault - he's as much a victim in all this as anyone. He didn't ask for this! But he survived it! He survived something nobody else has!
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Sam Tyler
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*Gene can bring Sam back... That seems to be true as well. Rob just saw it happen, after all. Gene's touch seemed to be what brought Sam to his senses.

The fact remains, though, that this makes Sam... Unpredictable. Because who can say what constitutes as threat? Especially in a world such as theirs, situations can get out of hand quickly. Rob, as one of the people in charge of this community, has to consider this carefully.

But on the other hand... What Gene says is true. Sam didn't ask for this - if it really is an after effect of having survived a zombie bite.

Rob's gaze finally softens, and out of the corner of his eyes, he thinks he can see Myers' stance grow less tense as well.

He shifts his attention to Sam... And what he sees makes his heart give a sudden, painful thump.

Sam has gone utterly still, except for the tremor in his hands, and the tears rolling down his face.

Alarmed, Rob takes a step forward.

"Sam...?"*
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Gene Hunt
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*it looks as though Gene's getting through to them... Rob seems to have softened his stance slightly... And Myers doesn't look so outraged any more... God, if he can convince them - -!

But then Rob directs his attention back to Sam. And Gene's stomach flips.*

Sam... Hey... You okay? Sam, look at me...
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam doesn't respond, staring at the same spot as though Gene wasn't even there. His words don't register.

He's dead. He's dead. They'll kill him. Gene will be left behind.

He's dead.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Shit... What's wrong with him!?

Beginning to panic, Gene looks up at Rob and Myers again. Myers is a doctor! She needs to do something!! Gene fixes in on Myers.*

Don't just stand there! Do something!

*Myers stares, frozen. Her first urge is to help - to rush over there and check Sam out. But the memories of Sam's hands around her throat stop her in her tracks. Sam's unpredictable! How can she be sure he won't attack again!?

Making a decision, Rob steps forward and helps Gene shuffle Sam onto his back.

"Sam! It's Rob. You're having a panic attack - take a deep breath in for me?"*
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Sam Tyler
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*Again, Sam doesn't react, doesn't resist as he's laid out on the ground. His breathing is shallow, chest rising and falling rapidly, and the tears just won't stop, eyes staring up at nothing, dark with fear and despair.

Rob curses under his breath - he can't seem to get through to Sam...! He looks up at Gene,speaking urgently, "Talk to him. You brought him back earlier, didn't you."*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene meets Rob's urgent gaze before turning back to Sam. If Rob's trying to help... If he's trying to calm Sam down.... That's a positive, surely??

Gene leans in, filling Sam's view completely. One hand grabs at Sam's hand, the other is fixed firmly on Sam's shoulder, grounding him.*

Sam, it's me! It's Gene! Snap out of it!!

*He lets go of Sam's shoulder, rubbing his fingers through Sam's hair. He needs Sam to feel him there.*

We're okay, Sam! You're giving me a heart attack, Sam... Look at me, okay?
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Rob backs up as Gene takes control - they don't need anyone interfering now, not when it looks like Sam's just... gone. Movement to the periphery of his vision makes Rob turn his head, and he sees Myers. She's moved over to a lone chest of drawers in the far corner of the room, rummaging through it quickly. What is she looking for...?


Sam's gaze is unblinking, not reacting when Gene grips Sam's hand, still curled into a fist so tight that it's shaking with tension.

But Gene's touch to his head, the fingers stroking through his hair - that registers. Sam's eyelids twitch and his breath hitches, a tremor running through his body, setting off even more tears. His gaze however remains unfocused. Sam's vision is filled with an inky black haze, swirling lazily, appearing impenetrable.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene's sure he just saw Sam's eyelids twitch... and that's definitely a hitch in his breath... Not good, but definitely better than the awful stillness that had him before. Not paying one bit of attention to Rob or Myers, Gene keeps running his hands over Sam's hair, his face, his shoulders.... anything to get Sam to feel that he's there, he's safe...*

It's okay, Sam! I'm here, you're alright... breathe! In and out, yeah? Breathe for me, Sammy!
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*The constant touches, skin on his skin, and slowly, ever so slowly, the sound of Gene's voice filtering through the white noise ringing in his ears - it's working. Sam is coming back, slowly, the black haze starting to lift.

He takes a deeper, stuttering breath, rolling slightly to further lean into Gene's touch, trying to get closer to the warmth without even realising what he's doing. Slowly, his fists begin to uncurl, revealing bloodied fingers and bleeding crescents where his nails dug into his skin.

But the despair is still there. He's going to die, he's going to die, they're going to kill him - take him out the back - shoot him--!*
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Gene Hunt
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*Unaware of the thoughts going through Sam's mind, Gene can do nothing but try to reiterate - that he's safe, that nobody's going to hurt him. If Rob wanted to shoot him, he wouldn't be hovering behind Gene like an anxious paramedic. They know the truth now - if they really wanted to do it, he and Myers could have tried to attack at any point. Hopefully the fact that they haven't means they're as eager as Gene to try and bring Sam back.

Seeing Sam's hands relax slightly, Gene almost lets out a relieved choke. It's working, it must be...!*

That's it, Sam... relax, you're okay, you're okay....
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Sam Tyler
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*Another stuttering, almost gasping breath, as though Sam had been close to drowning, and finally, he blinks, his eyes still overflowing but finally focusing. Focusing on Gene.

Gene is here. God, he's still here... they haven't taken Sam out yet...!

Sam rolls to the side entirely and begins curling in on himself, almost as though he wants to wrap himself around Gene. One of his hands reaches out, shaking visibly, weakly trying to hang onto the fabric of Gene's hospital gown.

He's still here, but for how long? The next breath Sam draws comes out as a sob.

Rob meanwhile exhales with a sigh, relieved despite Sam's obvious distress. He seems to be back... thank Christ. Next to him, Myers approaches, tapping his arm and holding out a package she's taken from the drawer - sedatives. Her voice is inaudible and even whispering clearly hurts, but still she mouths "in case he needs it".*
Edited by Sam Tyler, Oct 12 2016, 02:21 PM.
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*Rob nods his thanks, taking the pills from her and pocketing them. He'll offer later, but for right now he's conscious of the fine line Sam seems to be walking. The last thing he wants to do is send Sam back into that spiral.

Gene's heart breaks all over again at the sound of Sam's sob. He needs to get Sam up off the floor... But if he tries to shift him, will Sam panic again??

He hugs Sam tight, trying to keep him feeling as safe as possible. But it dawns on him that Rob and Myers haven't actually made a decision yet. They haven't expressly said whether they'll allow them to stay...

Gene swallows hard, turning his head to look at them both. In a thin, wobbly voice, Gene asks.*

C'n you give us a minute...?
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*As Gene embraces him, Sam finally squeezes his burning eyes shut. All the fear, the misery, it's coming out, now that the floodgates have been opened - his presses his face against Gene's chest, tremors running through his body.

The sight that presents itself to Rob and Myers is heartbreaking, despite what transpired earlier. Rob is already starting to feel guilty all over again, and he simply gives Gene a nod, putting a gentle, leading hand to Myers' back. He knows that she is strong, but... she did nearly die back there. And she doesn't brush him off either, so it seems that the gesture is appreciated.

However, just as they reach the door, Sam finally finds his voice again. It's ragged, barely more than a whisper, and there's no telling whether Sam is addressing him or talking to himself, but in the small room, the words are all too clearly audible.*

... I-I don't w-want to die. I'm - I-I'm human. I'm human.

*To Sam, it feels as though he just screamed the words, as they continue to echo through his mind.*
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*Rob feels his insides clench. Sam really thinks that they're going to--

Swallowing down the guilt, Rob turns to Sam and Gene one last time, making sure that his voice can be heard.

"We know, Sam... You've proven that. You're not going to die. Not by our hand."

He looks at Gene again, face full of remorse - Rob knows now that he and Myers have caused this. This isn't the Sam he'd met before. This isn't the Sam who stuck up for himself and for his injured friend on the outskirts of the woods. What a mess this is...

"We'll be outside if you need us. If you need anything."

And with that, Rob and Myers leave, shutting the door behind them.

Gene feels his heart almost burst with relief - he can read Rob perfectly there. Nobody's going to try and kill Sam. He has that promise.

Now he has to concentrate on Sam.*

You hear that, Sammy Boy? They believe you, they're not gonna hurt you. You're human. They know it. They said so.
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*At the sound of Rob's voice, Sam turns his head slightly, the look of fear in his expression still clear as day.

Rob's words, however, to get through to him. Sam is still deep inside a bog of fear, the mere thought of having to leave behind Gene almost crushing his chest - so even while he understand what Rob is saying, Sam can't really react, not yet.

And then the door closes, and he and Gene are alone again in the room, and seconds later Gene's voice is in his ear, muttering soothing words. It's too much, it's overwhelming. Before Sam knows what he's doing, his bloodied hands are clinging onto Gene's back and he's pulled himself as close to his partner as he possibly could, trembling and silently crying.

It's just too much - all of it.*
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*At this moment, all Gene can do is cling to Sam, soothe him and encourage him to get the emotions out. No words can help at this point... They're both alone, just the two of them. He'll sort Sam's hands out as soon as able... But it's Sam's heart Gene needs to worry about now.*
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*It feels like an eternity before Sam is able to regain control over himself, the tears becoming fewer and fewer, until they finally stop entirely. Still he clings onto Gene, needing to feel him, smell him, hear his breathing. Sam is alive, and he's human, and all these little things matter. They are what keeps him sane.

So long as he's able to appreciate these little things, he'll be fine, he'll be able to stay in control.

As his breathing evens out, Sam's thoughts as well begin to calm down, begin to make sense again. He realises that Gene shouldn't be on the ground with him - it must be painful... Gene has to rest...

And yet, Sam can't bring himself to say anything. He doesn't want to break the calming silence around them, doesn't want to disrupt the steady flow of Gene's breathing.*
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*Gene holds Sam until he seems to calm. Until the tears stop flowing. Then finally, once it feels almost like Sam's asleep he's so still, Gene starts to pull back a little to try to get a look in Sam's eyes. Gene needs to see that there's life there - that Sam's back to normal... *

'Ey, you alright now? You back in the room?
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*Sam reluctantly allows Gene to pull away, even leaning in a fraction as if to go after him, before steadying himself. When he raises his gaze his eyes are puffed up and red.

However, the haze is definitely gone, and Sam manages to nod. He's not quite sure what exactly transpired during the last few minutes, but he knows that the crushing despair seems to have lifted slightly, and the black hole in his mind doesn't seem quite so yawning and alluring anymore.

Yes, he's back in the room, for better or worse.*
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*Oh thank god. Gene drops his head, letting out the relieved sigh he's been holding onto.*

You scared the shit out of me!!

*but then, he remembers just what brought this on in the first place. Apologetically, Gene sighs again.*

S'pose it was mutual though, eh...

... You know I'd never have said anything if I didn't think... If I didn't think it'd save you...

*He raises his hand to place it on Sam's cheek, rubbing at the tears with his thumb. He needs Sam to know that he did the right thing - that they'll be allowed to stay now, surely... *
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*Sam can't help but close his eyes and tilt his head slightly, leaning into Gene's touch and further pressing his cheek against Gene's hand. Yes, he was scared. He still is - residues of panic are making his chest tingle and his gut clench and roil.

But he also knows that Gene would indeed never sell him out... not wittingly, at any rate.

So Sam nods, his eyes still closed. His voice scrapes in his throat when he quietly says*

... I know. I-I thought you... didn't realise.

*Sam grimaces, pressing his own hand against Gene's*

I w-wasn't thinking straight.

*He wasn't able to.*
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I know, Sam, I know. And after what happened, nobody can blame you.

*He leans in to kiss at Sam's forehead, then again at his cheek. The salty tears he tastes there he'll have to try not to think about...*

But you have to pull yourself together now, yeah? We'll get through this. You have the Gene Genie's word.
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*Pull himself together.... if only it was that easy. Sam feels fragile as glass, as though even the tiniest impact will cause him to shatter into a million pieces. He may have made it out of the spiral in his mind, but he's still balancing on the edge of a bottomless cliff.

Sam opens his eyes again, but his gaze remains lowered, hands resting loosely in his lap. The sensation of Gene's lips against his skin felt like heaven, and he wants more... he wants an embrace - he needs it. He needs all of Gene. He needs to be allowed to crawl into a hole and simply forget about everything, about the whole sodding apocalypse, for just a little while. Just a day or two. With nothing and no one bothering them.

Sam says none of these things, and he doesn't move. He doesn't even know what's keeping him from bridging the small gap between himself and Gene - he just knows that he can't do it.*
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*Sam's lack of response is unnerving. It's as though something in him has smashed and broken. And Gene isn't sure if it's fixable.*

Sam?

*Gene places his fingers under Sam's chin and lifts his head, determined to get Sam to look at him properly*

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*Sam doesn't resist, his eyes searching Gene's face. He can see the questions there - the worry. Gene is worried. The thought makes bile rise in his throat.

Gene is right to worry. What if - what if Sam loses himself again? If he attacks someone... or forgets something important... or if he allows himself to fall back into the mindset that none of this is real...

Sam's breath hitches, and his voice nearly fails as he whispers, despair once more clawing at his heart*

.... I'm going mad........!
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*At this, Gene shakes his head firmly.*

You're not going mad, Sam. The world's gone mad.

We're the only bloody sane ones left, and I'm not letting you get lost in your own head, y'hear?

*Sam's in such a state.... All Gene wants is to bring things back. Back to how they were, before this damned experiment they performed on him. Hell, back to before the world turned upside down...

... he just needs Sam to be okay...*

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*"I'm not letting you get lost in your own head..."

Sam could laugh. Gene is too late - Sam is already lost. He doesn't know what's real and what isn't - which of his memories he can trust, which he has lost... it's like his brain isn't his anymore. He's sharing it with... with that thing.

Sam's gaze slides off to the side, eyelids drooping. He knows he can't hide his distress from Gene... even if he wasn't feeling so tired. Shattered.*
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*Again, Sam fails to respond. Shit.... it's not like him to be this quiet... Sam's never this quiet...

Gene watches Sam's eyes as they break contact with his own, his heart sinking at the sight. Sam can barely look at him. He's barely even functioning. He must be exhausted, but still.... this isn't normal. This isn't him.

Gene gives Sam a small shake, trying to at least get a word from him.*

Sam, you don't give up, okay? You have to keep fighting this. You have to - for me, if anything. Okay?
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*Sam's eyes flick back to Gene, startled by the sudden shake.

For Gene...

Again, there's that bitter taste at the back of his throat. Words are forcing their way out, and Sam can't hold them back, his lips parting in a slight snarl.*

I've - I've done nothing but fight! I can't--

*he breaks off, the burst of energy gone as quickly as it appeared. Sam drops his head, staring down at his hands, bloody and shaking.

When he finally continues, it's in the same rough whisper as before.*

--... I'm so tired...
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*Gene's heart breaks a little further. He knows Sam's been fighting, and he knows he must be tired.... But that doesn't mean he can give up now. If they're allowed to stay, this is a new beginning. Sam won't have to fight any more. They can live here, as normally as still exists in this world.*

I know, Sammy... And I'm so bloody proud of you. You're a walking sodding miracle, and everyone can see it.

*Gene catches the back of Sam's neck with his fingers, stroking and soothing.*

You might be tired, you might be bloody, but you're damn well not beaten. Not while we're still both breathing, you got it?
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*Gene's touch sets Sam's skin tingling, and finally he's able to lean in like he's wanted, no, needed to from the start. The sound that escapes him, from low in his throat, is broken and needy, somewhere between a sob and a whimper, and when his forehead comes to rest against Gene's shoulder, he rubs his head a little further against Gene's skin - as though that little touch was all it needed to break the dam.

Gene is proud of him... Sam can't understand how. He's changed, he - he nearly killed Gene and Doctor Myers, and he did kill those other people... He's not the same anymore...


... and yet...*

*whispers, repeating his own words slowly* .. I don't want to die.
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Okay, good... Good....

*for a moment, Gene'd worried... it sounded almost like Sam was ready to just give up. And he couldn't live with that. If Sam gave up.... It's not even worth thinking about.*

If you're tired, you'll recover. And you'll bounce back. You're like a rubber ball on steroids, you.

*he rubs Sam's back and gestures towards the bed behind them.*

Listen. You're that tired, a sleep'll do you good. Get that brain reset and working properly. Yeah?
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*Sam doesn't have the energy to even smile at Gene's joke; he merely presses his forehead that little bit firmer against Gene's shoulder. Sleep... Sleep sounds like heaven. Dreamless oblivion. Simply forgetting about the world.

The thought is enough to make Sam's eyelids droop once more, and he leans against Gene a bit more heavily. He knows they should get off the ground... but Sam doesn't have it in him. Any strength he might have had left after that experiment is gone now, in the wake of what happened.*
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*Sam's almost asleep, just like that. And though it worries Gene to see his partner so depleted, he knows that Sam needs to rest. Sleep is the one and only thing that's going to help him now.

If he had all of his own strength, Gene'd scoop him up and carry him to the bed - but sat awkwardly as he is on the floor with his healing leg outstretched, there's no way he's going to manage.

He'll have to call for help.... But if he does, Sam'll wake up again surely..

Swallowing hard, Gene presses a kiss to Sam's hair and continues stroking the back of his neck, hoping to encourage him along into the blissful peace of sleep. Gene'll sit here as long as it takes. He'll not disturb Sam until he's had some rest.*
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*Exhaustion overpowers Sam mere minutes later, and he slumps against Gene entirely. Whether it's going to be a peaceful sleep or not remains to be seen... but for now, he's quiet and still, his chest rising and falling rhythmically.

And then, a little while later, there's a soft knock at the door.

"Guv?"

It's Annie.*
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*Gene's almost dropping off hismelf by the time there's a knock at the door - Sam's resting against him, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Feeling his partner against him, finally restful and relaxed, it's an enormous relief. The warmth of him, the heavy weight... he could almost just drift off along with him, curled around him like a shell.

But then the knock, and that voice. Gene blinks, turning his head towards the door.

Annie.

God, is he glad it's her.*

Cartwright... Come in, but be careful - Sam's well and truly conked out.
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*The door opens gently, and a moment later Annie slips inside - and she isn't alone. Phyllis is with her, and behind the two of them Gene might even catch a glimpse at Chris, and hear Ray quietly talking to someone.

Then the door is shut again, and Annie kneels down next to the two of them. She's pale, worry standing in her expression clear as day. She can't see Sam's face properly, but just from the way he's slumped against Gene it's obvious how exhausted he is.

Phyllis asks in an uncharacteristically quiet voice, "Which bed do you want him on?"*
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*The sight of the others almost makes Gene collapse with relief. His team. Backup.

A sad smile twitches at the corners of Gene's mouth for just a moment.*

Better put 'im on mine... Think he'll sleep better that way...

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*Phyllis nods, as though she didn't expect anything else. Together, she and Annie gently pull Sam up - he's lost enough weight for them to actually feel it - and they place him on Gene's bed, just as requested. Sam doesn't stir.

Annie returns to Gene's side, her face even paler than before - Sam looks like a complete wreck... And she doesn't know yet what happened exactly. Rob asked her to come and bring the rest of the Mancunian group, and he'd apologised to her... But he'd said that she should hear Gene's side of the story first.

She can't bring herself to ask just yet, though, not while Gene is sat on the ground like that...

"C'mon, let's get you back to bed too..."*
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*Gene rubs his hands over his face as they take Sam from him, laying him down on the bed carefully. God, what a mess, all of it.

He finds himself unable to refuse Annie's offer - he really does need to get up. His leg's been through more in the last hour than it has been in about a week (if he's got the timings right - he has no idea how much time's passed since he came down with the fever).

So he nods with a muttered thanks, planting one hand on the ground while holding the other out for help - he's not going to play to his pride right now, he'll accept any help that comes - and starts to manouver himself up*
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*Annie helps Gene up, and a moment later Phyllis comes to her aid as well, taking Gene's other arm. With this joint effort, they bridge the short distance within a few seconds, helping their Guv to lie down properly without having to aggravate his injured leg any further.

To top it off, Annie pulls the blanket over both Gene and Sam. Then she carefully sits down on the edge of the bed, her eyes on Sam,while Phyllis stands just a few inches away.

Quietly, she asks, "... Is he going to be alright?"
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*The way that both Annie and Phyllis immediately take him to Sam's side without him even having to ask - it's appreciated. Having to request they share a bed would have been awkward, but this way he can just accept it and not complain.

Once laying down and with the blanket over him, things feel suddenly a lot less hellish. Gene closes his eyes and takes a long, deep breath before looking at Sam beside him and responding.*

..... I think so.

I'll make bloody sure of it.
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*Gene's answer lifts a weight off Annie's heart, and she can't help but sigh quietly. Phyllis as well seems relieved.

It's her who speaks next, keeping her voice down just like Annie, "What 'appened, then? Rob said it's best we hear it from you..."*
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*What happened. God, where to even start. Gene lets his head rest against the pillow even further, sighing as he thinks back over the traumatic events of the last few hours.

Rob could have told them everything by now... So why didn't he? Why suggest that they hear it from Gene? Despite how angry Gene is with him for what happened, he has to acknowledge that this is a decent move on his part.

Meeting Phyllis's gaze reluctantly, Gene starts.*

They wanted to test his blood. See if they could find what stopped 'im from turning and use it to make an antidote.

*He shakes his head, still overwhelmed by the very idea of his next statement.*

They think he's some kind of... 'magic key' for saving the world.

*looking at Phyllis with a slight twinkle in his eye,*

Imagine that, eh? Fancypants Tyler - Jesus number Two.
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*Annie and Phyllis exchange a glance at this - ever since Gene and Sam showed up, they had been suspecting something along those lines... That sooner or later, they would want to find out what helped Sam survive a zombie bite...

But that it would come to this...? Annie especially doesn't want to believe that Rob would let something like this happen... But then, she still vividly remembers the sight of Sam, gagged and strapped to that bed in the cells. Christ.

Phyllis snorts slightly at Gene's joke, but Annie can't go along with it. "What did they do?" she asks, her voice shaking ever so slightly with anxiety.*
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*Gene gives it to Annie straight. She needs to know. Gene knows how much she cares about Sam, but he's also gotten the feeling that she's very fond of this place as well. Without the facts, she's half blind.*

They ran an electric current through his brain. Doctor Myers did.

*He grits his teeth, his mind cooking up images he'd rather not see.*

They went too far. To his credit Rob did stop it eventually, but if he hadn't stepped in.... *He shakes his head, not willing to go there.*
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*Annie's eyes widen as she takes this in, and Phyllis slowly unfolds her arms, a shocked look on her face.

"What...?"

Annie is struggling to really process what Gene is saying. Did Sam agree to this...? Knowing him, he probably felt he had to bite the bullet for the others' sake, but... she can't believe that Doctor Myers would go that far... Annie knows her as a resolute, but kind woman. She manages to keep the medical facilities running without a hitch, and without her help they might not have been able to save Gene's leg at all...

And that Rob had to stop the procedure...? Is this what he was reluctant to tell Annie to her face?

It's Phyllis who asks, "And why on earth would they do that?! Electric currents - what's that going to help them find?!"*
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*The shock on the pair's faces - at least they're as appauled by it as Gene himself was. His reaction wasn't too strong then - he has their support. Good.*

They thought there was something dormant - something they could 'activate' in his blood by zapping him. They find it, they find a cure - that was the stategy as far as I understand it.

*Lump in his throat, Gene closes his eyes and sighs.*

I shouldn't have let 'im go in there without me.
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*"Jesus," Phyllis breathes, looking away.

Annie reaches out, touching Gene's hand with her own, though not quite daring to take it properly. "Don't... you couldn't 'ave known. Don't blame yourself."

But even as she says it, her gaze betrays her own feelings of guilt. She could have talked Sam out of it as well... she tried to. But it seemed as though Sam felt he had a duty to fulfill... And look at him now... God, what a mess.*
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*Don't blame himself? Easier said than done, when if he'd just intervened harder maybe this wouldn't have happened. Maybe Sam would still be walking about, happy to have found this place, confident of their future. It's not easy to brush off the responsibility for that.

And then there's the consequences that still haven't been completely settled - whether they'll be allowed to stay or not. Gene's quietly hopeful, but until he hears the words from Rob's mouth he's going to be worried.

Keeping his voice low so as not to wake Sam, Gene gives them both a serious look.*

Rob and Myers.... Once they saw what Sam's capable of, they wanted to kick 'im out of the base. We've still not heard the final decision.
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*Annie sucks in a startled breath - kick Sam out?! But... they can't...! Rob didn't say anything about that......!

And then, something else that Gene said doesn't make sense... 'what Sam's capable of'? What...?

"Wh-what do you mean? What.... did he do something?"

She looks over at Sam, lying by Gene's side where she and Phyllis laid him out. Sam's face is deadly pale, there are dark circles around his eyes... And those must be tear tracks down his cheeks... what on earth happened after the experiment...?!*
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*Gene lets out a ragged breath. They don't know about this yet, do they. What happens to Sam when he feels threatened....

He just hopes they take it well.*

He... Gave Dr Myers a top-notch right hook.
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*For a moment, neither of the women react.

Then, Phyllis blinks.

"... he what?"*
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*quickly, Gene tries to explain*

He can't help it. Since he got bitten, there's this... 'thing' that happens. If he thinks he's in danger he just flips out. Whether it's self-defence or if he's trying to protect someone, it just happens.

So when Myers, the one who tried to fry him like an electric eel, woke him up suddenly... You can guess what happened.
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*Phyllis and Annie look at each other. Sam.... flips? They can't imagine it. Even after the apocalypse, even after retreating into himself, Sam had always been the collected one... cautioning everyone to stay calm, use their brains...

And now he's gone and attacked someone? The woman who saved Gene's life, no less? It's hard to imagine.

"But..." Annie shakes her head a little, mind working. "... something like that wouldn't be enough for Rob to threaten to kick Sam out of the village...! He wouldn't do that!"*
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He would if he thought Sam was gonna go on a spree, ripping people's heads off.

*Gene sighs, rubbing his hand over his face. Memories of his past flip-outs rush through his mind. Sam swinging that pole with such impressive strength, killing those men... then choking Gene himself...*

And if anyone goes for 'im... Or me... I can't promise that won't happen.
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*"... wh-what....?" Annie's voice nearly breaks, even on that small word. She looks at Sam again, then back at Gene.

"You can't be serious." That's Phyllis, staring in horror.

Sam gives a little moan then, turning his head to the side.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene looks at Sam, holding his breath - don't wake up, Sam...*

You think I'd joke about something like this?

*with Sam still again, Gene turns back to the pair.*

I can stop him. If I talk to him, I can stop him. He snaps out of it. And it's not his fault - he didn't ask for any of this shit to happen. He's just as much the victim here!

*gestures worriedly to the door.*

S'just whether they think it's worth the risk...
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Sam Tyler
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*The room is left in silence in the wake of Gene's words. Phyllis has closed her eyes, to fingers pinching the bridge of her nose. What a bloody mess...

Annie can't believe it. That something like this would happen to Sam - and that Rob and Dr Myers would go to such lengths--! She's staring down at her lap, wringing her hands slightly. Gene is worried that they might tell Sam to leave... or tell them both to leave... No, Gene would definitely be allowed to stay - but Sam?

But then... it was Rob who approached her. Who asked her together the Mancunian group together. And she's starting to understand why.

"I..." She takes a breath. "I don't think Rob wants to throw Sam out. He asked all of us to come over - said it would be better if people you knew and trusted were guarding the door..."

Annie glances at Sam, who seems to have settled down again.

"... it's so that Sam won't feel threatened... right?"*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene takes this in, processing it slowly. Rob wanted Sam's old gang to be the ones guarding the door. That's... Thoughtful. Responsible. And certainly not the actions of someone planning to kick Sam out at the earliest opportunity.*

...... S'pose that makes sense. Can't think of another reason...

*He looks at Sam again, heart aching at the thought*

M'fairly sure Rob knows that if Sam goes, I go. Nobody's throwing him out to the wolves while I'm still 'is Guv.
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Sam Tyler
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*Annie's heart gives a painful thump as Gene says it - but he's right, it wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone who knows the two. And... and Annie couldn't stand the thought of losing the both of them all over again.

So she says, with as much conviction as she can muster, "It won't happen. Rob is a good person - if there's any way he can keep this from happening..."

She looks back at Phyllis for confirmation, who nods. "Got a good head on his shoulders, that one."*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene chews at the inside of his lip a moment, thinking. They're right, his gut tells him that Rob won't want to resort to that. Not since he already seems to know Sam reasonably well, and he's already befriended the rest of the CID group. He'd be a fool to do it - but he did threaten.

And then there's Myers.*

What about that doctor? I'd be surprised if Tyler didn't knock a tooth out with that whack.
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Sam Tyler
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*Ah... that is a different matter, isn't it... Annie lowers her gaze for a moment, worry etched into her face. But then...

"She's... Maxine isn't a bad person either, y'know. She's just..." Annie sighs. "Very determined to do her job. To do what's best for the entire group. She can be a bit... single-minded."

She shakes her head. "I know what she did to Sam was... she shouldn't have done it."

Another pause, Annie staring down at her intertwined hands. "I think she lost her entire family to the zombies. Right when it all began. She had to deal with all of them."*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene frowns, his lips pouting as he imagines this. Though he doesn't have to strain to picture it - he has sympathy for her, of course - but those kinds of stories are commonplace now. Friends and loved ones, everyone's lost someone. Or several someones.*

Doesn't give her the right to do the same to any other poor bugger. She could've killed 'im.
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Sam Tyler
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*Annie is silent for a few seconds before nodding, her expression sad.

"I know."

Another few seconds of silence, then Phyllis quietly says, "I'll go make sure you both get a proper dinner. Anything else you need?" She's determined to remain practical - right now, what Gene and Sam need is some rest and quiet, and that involves being fed properly.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Phyllis's offer at that moment sounds like a dream come true. Eyes closed in bliss at the idea and head resting heavily against the pillows, Gene sighs.*

Oh, Phyllis. You know just what to say to get to a man's heart.

*then he opens his eyes and nods at her with thanks.*

Naah, just food. Something soft, yeah? His stomach wasn't exactly playing ball the last time this happened.
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Sam Tyler
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*Phyllis nods back at Gene in acknowledgement - soup it is for Sam.

"I'll see what I can get out of the kitchen." She looks down at Annie. "You look after them, alright?"

Annie nods, and with a satisfied look on her face, Phyllis leaves the room.

Sam shifts slightly again, one hand coming up as if to wrap itself around Gene's chest. That's when Annie notices the blood. Sam's hand leaves a few stains on Gene's gown.

With a worried frown, Annie leans over and carefully takes hold of Sam's hand, turning it over. And there... These crescent, and the blood on Sam's fingers... That can only mean one thing...

"I'll get that fixed," she says, getting up from the bed and moving over to the little drawer, starting to rummage through it. There must be some bandages left in there...*
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*Shit, Gene'd almost forgotten about that what with all the commotion...

As Annie moves to the draws, Gene takes Sam's hand in his and turns it over to study the marks left there. And Christ, how hard must he have clenching his fists for this to happen...

Staring at Sam's palm with a troubled expression, Gene murmurs.*

Second draw down. S'where she got the bandages and tape from.
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Sam Tyler
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*Annie follows Gene's directions - and indeed there's gauze and tapers well as disinfectant. Thank God. She returns to the bed, sitting down by Gene's side again. Hopefully this won't wake Sam up, but she needs to clean the wounds... The last thing Sam needs now is an infection...

She begins to carefully dab at the marks, washing away the dirt and blood. Sam flinches slightly, but otherwise remains still, apparently still asleep.

Annie finishes up as quickly as she can, wrapping Sam's hand in gauze and sticking it in place.

The other one is hidden underneath the duvet, though...

She looks up at Gene. "Could you...?" *
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Gene Hunt
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*Before she even has to ask, Gene's fishing for Sam's other hand, taking it gently in his own and pulling it above the covers. The same marks decorate this one as well, a reminder of just how rigid Sam's muscles had been. A stark contrast to him now, sleeping deeply against Gene's chest.*

Saw Team Trouble outside there *he nods to the door where he last saw Ray and Chris* - do they know what's happened?
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Sam Tyler
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*Annie smiles a little over Gene's nickname as she bandages Sam's other hand as well. "I s'pose Phyllis will 'ave told them."

She looks up and at Gene." Our boys will the take turns guarding the room. I think Rob is still worried that there might be people in the village who won't want Sam there... So just in case."

And he probably also wants to keep Sam from doing something stupid... But Annie doesn't voice that particular thought.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene sighs inwardly - he'd not considered that.*

You've been out there... What's the mood like? Towards us? Unfortunately I was off with the fairies when we arrived - I've not seen these people. What does your gut say?

*Do they pose a threat to Sam, is what he really wants to know.*
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Sam Tyler
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*Annie hesitates for a few moments, not quite knowing how to answer that question.

"... well... Rob called everyone together last night. Explained that everything's okay, that Sam isn't a threat. That the bite really is old, and he survived it."

Done with bandaging his other hand, Annie gently puts it down again.

"I think a lot of people were relieved to hear it. So I suppose... I suppose the majority would welcome both of you into the community. But there's always going to be critics, y'know? Some who weren't completely convinced..."

She looks over at Gene, quickly adding, "But they'll have to believe it, once they see Sam walking around again. It's been a few days now since you arrived."*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene's eyes follow Sam's hand as Annie places it back down on the bed. That's a good thing, at least... If the rest of the people can accept Sam, there's no way Rob'll want to eject him. it'd upset the balance.

"Mmh. Just need to get 'im back to normal before we let 'im wander about without protection. If some smug git tries to throw a punch..."

He trails off, knowing Annie'll probably guess what he's getting at. If someone attacks Sam, Gene can't be sure Sam won't snap again.*
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Sam Tyler
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*Annie does indeed understand what Gene is getting at - but here at least she thinks she can put his worries to rest...

"It shouldn't happen. Because of the... circumstances, they're really strict about violence. You don't get away with random beatings 'ere, or else it would be chaos."

And the military do run a tight ship... although not to the point of it being tyranny. Rob especially makes sure there are no troubles.*
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