| Hello hello - this is just a small RP board for two fans who can't get enough of their favourite policing husbands. Plots involve canon-typical swearing and violence, and slash might occur later. Hope you have fun reading along! ![]() |
| Unlife on Mars; Grrr, Arg. | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 9 2015, 11:45 PM (7,966 Views) | |
| Gene Hunt | Mar 9 2015, 11:45 PM Post #1 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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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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| Gene Hunt | Mar 29 2015, 11:59 AM Post #101 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene watches in horror as Sam breaks down. Everything was going so well.... They were making good progress, they'd covered so much ground. The line in that stupid map that Sam carries around proves it. They'd come so far, and now this? His partner is bitten, slumped on the ground and sobbing, wanting to kill himself before the virus takes over... It's too horrible to put into words. It's the shattering of Gene's own soul. With no thought for what the others will think - What does it matter anyway? Gene may as well be dead himself now - Gene lets go of the wound on Sam's neck and wraps his arms around Sam, holding him tight. This is a nightmare. A horrendous nightmare. And Sam's thinking of him all the way through it. In a broken voice, Gene whispers in Sam's ear, fighting down his own tears and warring to keep them from rising* You're not dead yet, you bastard... You can't leave me... Not while you're still you...! Not while you still have a choice! |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 29 2015, 12:22 PM Post #102 |
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Gladys
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*Sam as well has all but forgotten about the others' presence - isn't even thinking about how any contact with him might infect Gene as well - as he clings to Gene with his good hand, sobbing into his shoulder with his eyes screwed shut tight. He can't even answer Gene, words failing him completely at that moment. It's all crashing down on him - he doesn't want to die, he doesn't want to leave, not when he got to spend barely a few years with Gene, and most of that was taken up by this nightmare - and to die like this, like this, he couldn't have thought of a worse fate himself. And Gene, clinging to a non-existant hope, not wanting to let go... And then, the thought at the bottom of it all: None of this is real. But if it isn't real, then how can it hurt so much? If it isn't real, why did it happen in the first place? It's too much, far too much.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 29 2015, 05:08 PM Post #103 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene clings to Sam and lets him cry. Gene would be shredding tears too, if he didn't need to keep it together for Sam. He can't break down now - there are still hours to go. He needs to be strong for Sam... He holds his partner close, allowing him to sob and let it all out, stroking his back gently and tucking his face in close to Sam's. In this intimate moment, the others don't even exist. It's just the two of them and their grief. Behind them the others turn away, averting their eyes. They know that this is something Sam wouldn't want them to see, and the Guv definitely wouldn't want them all staring. This is a fate that potentially awaits all of them, and so something that they all show respect for. And this is going to devastate each of them, let alone Gene. They know how fond of his DI their Guv is (though maybe not the full extent). Needing to do something to help, Annie wipes a tear from her own eye and places her backpack on the floor and quietly rummages, pulling out a clean cloth she'd scavenged from somewhere. Gene asked for one... And while it won't do any good, she'll provide them with one. It's all she can do* |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 29 2015, 07:14 PM Post #104 |
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Gladys
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*After the first onslaught, Sam tries his hardest to get it back together - but that is easier said than done, especially with the constant noisy reminder of his fate on the other side of the door, scraping and howling and battering. Finally, however, he manages to force out a few words, audible only to Gene* I-I'm sorry, Gene, s-so s-sorry - - I sh-should've been m-more careful, I-I--! *Annie stays back for now, seeing that Sam and Gene are talking still (after a fashion), knowing that they need this moment... But she's ready to jump in as soon as she's needed, the cloth ready.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 29 2015, 07:51 PM Post #105 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene takes a trembling breath, shaking his head* Shhh, that's not... Don't think that. *closes his eyes and rests his forehead against Sam's good shoulder. It's Gene that should be sorry. For failing Sam - failing to protect him. For not saving him from those things. Thinking about it causes the most unbearable pain. he could have prevented this, if only he'd not let Sam go on ahead.* *whispers* It's me that should be sorry. *Takes another breath before pulling away just enough to get another look at Sam's bleeding bite. It's slowed down now, but it still needs attention. He knows there's no real need to clean it up or try to close it, not when they know it's never going to heal. But whether it's going to heal or not, he can't leave Sam like this. Not with this open wound on his neck. It feels wrong. He needs to do something to help... And even if all he can do is make Sam feel a little more comfortable, he'll move heaven and earth to do it. His own eyes red and etched with pain, Gene turns his head to look at the others once again, ready to demand the cloth again. But there's Annie, pale and distraught, holding the thing out to him. Weakly, he takes it and gently places it over the bite. This is it - he has to take charge, now. He has to manage this and see it through to whatever conclusion it brings. For all of them. Not turning around, Gene looks darkly at the blood spots slowly blooming on the white surface and speaks up in as strong a voice as he can manage.* We'll sit tight 'til those things outside cool down. Regroup, get some water down us and get some rest. Then... *Gene breaks off. He doesn't want to think about the 'then'.* .... Then we'll make a plan. |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 29 2015, 08:09 PM Post #106 |
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Gladys
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*Sam clings onto Gene that little bit tighter as the latter apologises - no, he shouldn't take this on his own shoulders, not again, not with everything else... But words are failing him once more as he buries his face in Gene's neck. It is only once Gene moves that Sam remembers that they aren't alone. He opens his eyes with some difficulty, his gaze flicking up at Annie for a moment. She looks back at him, her eyes glistening - Sam can't stand to see that. A second later, his attention is drawn away again, back to himself. The cloth touching the wound does something, makes him flinch, makes him feel somewhat uncomfortable... But that probably is simply the fact that now, there's another reminder, some more physical evidence that it's there. He's dead, and now the clock is ticking, counting down to the moment until his body realises it as well, and acts accordingly. Suddenly, almost defiantly, Sam raises his good hand to scrub at his face, trying to wipe away the tears. However, they just keep coming, silently rolling down his cheeks. The rest of the group nod, only some replying with a faint "Guv." None of them seem ready to move, until Ray does - walking to the other end of the room and leaning against the wall in the corner, eyes on Gene and Sam. Then, the others slowly disperse as well. Annie can't help it, she stays close to the two of them. The rest take up spots as far away from the door as they can manage, setting down their backpacks. It's Chris who offers up a large bottle of water, and they slowly start to pass it around.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 29 2015, 11:21 PM Post #107 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Seeing the silent roll of tears down Sam's cheeks breaks Gene's heart in a way he hadn't thought possible. And it's so damn hard that the others are all there to see. To watch them both and make this tragedy a public spectacle. All Gene wants to do is wrap himself around Sam, cling to him and cry his own eyes out - say everything he's ever wanted to say and more. But at the moment he can't. While everybody's distracted, Gene repositions himself in front of Sam, shifting onto his knees. Knowing that nobody's looking too closely at this second, he reaches out to gently brush the tears from Sam's face, trying not to think about what's to come. Soon his skin will turn clammy. Sam's colour will fade and his temperature'll rise. He'll grow weaker and weaker until the infection takes him... And then it's just a matter of time until his empty eyes open and his body moves by itself, ripping apart anything and anyone in its way. Silently, Gene sits with Sam, consoling him through touch and presence and the water makes its way around. The racket from outside very slowly begins to ease as the minutes tick on, the blood fever that possessed the creatures wearing off and prompting them to gradually seek more attainable food - but it's slow going, and none of them are really even sure how many of them are out there. How many minutes, hours, days it'll take for the coast to be clear. If it comes to it, they'll have to try and find another way out. Gene scans the walls briefly and spots it - a grill, just above head height but definitely large enough for a person to fit through. That's their escape route, then. Their way out. Even though Gene can't even think about using it. Not while this is going on... Finally the water makes it back to Chris and as it does Gene holds his hand out, speaking to Sam as he does* 'Ere... Get some water down you. Should help a bit... |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 30 2015, 07:22 AM Post #108 |
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Gladys
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*Sam blinks as Gene brushes away his tears, tilting his head slightly and leaning into the touch. If these are their last hours (or minutes) together, Sam needs to make the most of it, and damn the others... The memory of this morning rises - it seems like a lifetime ago - and there's a pain in Sam's chest that is nothing to do with the hideous bite to his neck. That... That was their last chance then.... The thought threatens to completely undo him again. Sam leans back against the wall, raising his head to stare up at the ceiling, not bothering to wipe away his tears this time. Chris startles slightly when he realises that the Guv is beckoning for the bottle - he'd not even noticed it at first, thought he was talking to the Boss - but as he scrambles to get up and carry the bottle over to where the two of them are, he finds that suddenly, Ray is standing in his way. He isn't looking at Chris - his focus is on the Boss. "Don't," he says lowly, but still well audibly over the noises from outside. Eyes snap around and at him.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 30 2015, 02:54 PM Post #109 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Hearing Ray's voice, Gene turns around. What the--? Ray's standing between Chris and Sam. What the hell is he doing!? Gene blinks at Ray for a moment, the menacing sounds from outside the only soundtrack to the standoff until finally Gene speaks up.* Ray, give us the water. |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 30 2015, 03:07 PM Post #110 |
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Gladys
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*Sam stares back at Ray, his vision blurry from the tears. What's going on...? Ray's gaze flicks over to Gene, then back at Sam. It's hard to put this into words - especially when he's fairly sure he knows how the Guv is going to react - but it has to be done. He's been forced to watch this going on for long enough, and it's time to step in. Time bring the Guv back to his senses. So he takes a breath and looks at Gene again, gaze hard. "What's the point? 'E's practically dead, Guv. We need that water."* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 30 2015, 05:26 PM Post #111 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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...... *A stony look on his face, Gene pushes himself to his feet. Blood-covered hands balling into fists, Gene heaves a breath in and growls out his response. This is the last straw. Sam is... Sam is dying... And they'd deny him water?! Out of self-preservation!? He feels numb at the thought. They're supposed to be the good ones. The ones who don't screw over the rest of the living. It's every man for themselves out there, and water is precious as gold at the moment... but in here, in this group? They don't deny a dying man water. They don't deny Sam water.* Say that again. |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 30 2015, 05:43 PM Post #112 |
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Gladys
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*As Gene gets up, it takes Sam a moment to feel anything other than stunned at this sudden turn of events. But then.... Sam exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. Of course Ray was going to react like that - why should Sam have expected anything else? And besides... There actually is some logic to what he is saying... Ray seems to shrink back slightly as Gene gets up and glowers at him, knowing he's gotten himself into deep trouble. However, there is no backing down now - not with something like this which he deeply believes. So he takes together his courage, and all of his pent-up frustration and anger, to stand up to his Guv. "There's no point! We don't know how long we'll be in 'ere, we need every drop of that water! And Tyler...' e won't need it where he's goin'. " Ray shuts his mouth, exhaling heavily. Saying it out loud is hard, even the second time around. Because as much as he hates Tyler, for twisting about Gene so much, it's still clear that Gene himself is more than fond of his DI... So seeing him in agony over the man isn't something Ray enjoys.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 30 2015, 08:00 PM Post #113 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene's teeth grind together as he listens. He won't need water "where he's going"!? He takes a step forwards, his voice coming out in almost a shout, however unwise it is to cause noise. Gene just can't help himself, the volume escaping him before he can stop it.* Well, at the moment he's here! And he needs it now. So you hand that bottle over this instant! *Deep in his gut, Gene knows that Ray's making some sense... to the others it probably looks like wasting water on a doomed man... But Gene can't see it like that. His partner is suffering. He's suffering. It's consuming him.* |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 30 2015, 08:11 PM Post #114 |
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Gladys
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*Ray flinches as Gene practically shouts at him, and for the moment, he's too cowed to say anything - however, his grip on the bottle becomes stronger, as though he's daring Gene to wrench it out of his hands if he wants to have it. The others are watching with wide eyes, and it's easy to see that none of them are finding it easy to take sides here. Sam as well is watching now, and he's growing more distressed with each second that passes. This isn't good... it looks like the group is well on its way to falling apart, and that can't happen... he can't be the cause of that......! So Sam is about to speak up, hoping that his voice will be heared over the renewed hissing and snarling from outside, when suddenly, Annie kneels down next to him, and-- and presses a smaller bottle into his hands. "You can 'ave mine," she says, trying to look and sound strong, even giving him something that might qualify as a smile. She closes Sam's fingers around the bottle, making sure he's holding it properly, before getting up to her feet and turning around to face the others. She's silently daring them to say something, while at the same time hoping desperately that this will resolve this stupid horrible situation....!* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 30 2015, 09:29 PM Post #115 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene's about to reach out and grab Ray - haul him up by the lapels and order him to say something! To take it back and be a decent human being - be an honourable man, like Gene always thought he was! But the gentle murmur behind him halts him only two steps in. Annie. ...Of course she would. The rage he felt mere seconds ago fades under a blanket of gratitude and sadness, his fists relaxing and heartbeat slowing. Pride swells through him at Annie's defiant look - her daring anybody to say anything. He doesn't say anythig, though. What's important now is making sure that Sam's comfortable.... Gene can take this up with Ray later on. This betrayal... This revelation about his character... They need to sort it, but not now. There's nothing that matters now. With one last glare at Ray, the disappointment burning in his eyes, Gene turns back to Sam and sinks back onto his knees in front of him. He whispers a thanks to Annie and then takes the bottle from Sam, unscrewing the lid and offering it up to Sam once more. He needs to stay hydrated... If a fever's going to come then he needs to keep his fluids up. Even if in the end it won't change anything....* |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 30 2015, 09:41 PM Post #116 |
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Gladys
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*With the tension slowly dissolving, Ray's indignation doesn't fade - he turns his gaze away and turns around, stomping back to his corner. He saw the disappointment and his Guv's eyes - he'd been hoping he'd never have to see that directed at himself again... But this time , he feels he's in the right. No matter what happened, he still believes from the bottom of his heart that what Gene and Sam seem to have had all this time is wrong, and the fact that now Tyler is taking up everyone's attention, and indeed strength... It's hard to just let it happen, to stand by and not say anything. He does know, however, that if he says more now, he'll bring up the entire group against himself, and that is something Ray doesn't want. Bad enough that the Guv seems to have lost his good opinion of him entirely. Sam, in the meantime, doesn't know whether to be grateful or to just hand the bottle back. The decision is taken from him when Gene takes the bottle and unscrews it, then handing it back to Sam. He has no choice but to take it now... But Sam tells himself that this is just a small bottle, that the others still have enough left... Because silently, Sam does agree with Ray. He doesn't need the water, not anymore. What he needs is for Gene to be close, to be able to talk to him... But it seems he can't have that. So Sam silently takes the bottle, taking a few sips of the water. The swallowing motion sets off the bite, causing it to sting and pull uncomfortably, and Sam sets down the bottle with a slight grimace. Still, he holds onto it, not wanting for Gene and Annie to have made their points in vain. However... Maybe it's his imagination, but Sam already feels somewhat lightheaded. There's a slight burning behind his eyes, a pressure to the back of his head... But surely the fever can't already be rearing it's head towards him....?* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 30 2015, 11:38 PM Post #117 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene watches intently as Sam takes a few sips. He knows his partner well enough to have an idea of what he's thinking - that maybe he shouldn't drink and save the water for the others. But Gene's not going to let that slide. Sam is alive. He's alive and he needs looking after. The grimace catches his attention too, and it kills Gene that Sam's in pain and there's nothing he can do. Nothing to stop the bite itching, from burning - nothing to stop the fever... All he can do is watch as the love of his life fades in front of his eyes. A new feeling of denial rising in him, Gene's jaw sets. Maybe he can at least try and cool the bite down, make Sam feel more comfortable, at least for a few minutes... He takes the bottle from Sam and gingerly lifts the cloth from the bite. It's stopped bleeding now, pretty much. It's red and angry, though - objecting to the foreign substance injected into the site. It looks terrible. Resolutely NOT looking at Ray, Gene presses the clean side of the cloth to the mouth of the bottle and tips it up, wetting the material with the cool water. Then gently, Gene drapes the cloth back over the angry bite, hoping that the coolness will help and that maybe the water will go some way towards cleaning the wound. Infection isn't something they need to think about, Gene thinks bitterly. It won't have enough time to set in.* Hows that? Better? |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 31 2015, 06:35 AM Post #118 |
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Gladys
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*Sam frowns a little as Gene rakes the bottle and then the cloth, not sure what he plans to do... But then, when he realises it, a lump rises in his throat. Gene still is in denial... Whatever way you look at it, he seems intent to ignore all odds and do everything he can to make things easier for Sam... ... But that way, the final farewell will only be harder... The wet cloth feels like acid on the wound, and Sam can't help but flinch and wince, screwing his eyes shut. Whatever is in that venom, it doesn't seem to like water. After the initial shock, however, Sam manages to ignore the uncomfortable burning, breathing through it before looking at Gene again. He even tries to relax slightly, to give Gene a reassuring smile... But no, he can't go that far. Instead, there's an expression of resignation and possibly slight relief. * ... Yeah. |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 31 2015, 05:18 PM Post #119 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Sam's too easy to read, even when he's not in pain and scared. And this lie falls flat - Gene can see the lines of pain around Sam's eyes, hear the discomfort in his voice. Even with him trying to smile and brush it off, Gene can still see that his efforts haven't helped. Crestfallen, he nods and slumps down beside Sam, back against the wall. What can they do now but wait? Wait for Sam to go downhill, wait for the inevitable suffering and then Sam leaving. Waiting to be left alone. He takes a breath, his hand twitching with hesitation before reaching out and taking Sam's hand in his. He can't kiss Sam, can't hold him... But this he can do. And sod anyone who looks. They can go to hell and take it up with Gene when they join him there. And so they wait for a few hours. A few of the team try to catch a little sleep, some huddle together and talk, some raid their rations and eat... But all the while, Gene sits with Sam. Squeezing his hand and talking to him, trying to be brave and help Sam through these final hours while he's still awake and with it. But it's becoming clearer and clearer to Gene that once the time comes, once Sam actually goes... He's not going to be joining the others. Sam doesn't want to become one of those things, and who can blame him? He won't let his partner become a monster. When the others move on, he'll stay behind. To make sure. To make sure that Sam's wish is fulfilled. And if he can't do it, then... He'll deal with that when the time comes. Gene's eyes flick up to the air vent he'd seen earlier - the noise outside has died down enough to hint that the hoarde has dwindled enough for the others to try and make an escape. Maybe now it's time. With a squeeze to Sam's hand, Gene pushes himself up onto his feet, rubbing at his pale face before clearing his throat and getting everyone's attention.* Alright you lot... Sounds like things have calmed down a bit out there. I think it's time to start planning an escape. |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 31 2015, 05:38 PM Post #120 |
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Gladys
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*When Gene slumps down next to Sam, it takes all his remaining willpower not to lean against him. Gene isn't making a move in that direction, apart from taking Sam's hand, and so Sam won't force it on him... Won't risk the last bit of dignity he had left in the eyes of the team, even though that really shouldn't matter anymore. It's ridiculous and sad, the things that get ingrained in your brain... Still, the steady, comforting pressure to his hand does help. Sam squeezes back as far as he can, making a point of not just letting his hand rest in Gene's, his fingers curled around it. And he appreciates the attempt at normality, as far as that's possible with a hoarde of raging zombies on the other side of the wall. However, as the minutes tick by and become hours, the finality of his fate is becoming drastically clear. It's somewhat gradual, and far too obvious: at one point, Sam realises that the pain in his neck and shoulder have become steady, and are spreading. The burning behind his eyes has intensified, the fever starting to form. The nausea has taken up permanent residence as well, making Sam fall silent and only nod, giving monosyllabic answers to Gene. And when Gene finally rises to his feet, Sam finds he can't get himself to return that squeeze of his hand. His head is throbbing faintly, and he has to blink against the dim light emanating from the ceiling, his eyes having become sensitive to the light. He knows that the symptoms he's exhibiting by now aren't much worse than a common flu, but he also knows that this is just the beginning. The others look up when Gene clears his throat, but none of them speak up. It's obvious that he must have thought about this already, so they don't interject, needing to hear what their Guv has to say in full. Annie keeps glancing at Sam, the worry making her feel sick - Sam won't be able to go with them, that much seems obvious... But is Gene really going to leave him here...? * |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 31 2015, 05:54 PM Post #121 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*He swallows. Everyone's watching, waiting for his plan. Waiting for him to reveal what he's going to do about Sam. And he isn't sure that they're going to like what he's about to say. Sam definitely isn't, anyway. But he has to do it. He has to get this out. * I'm sure some of you've noticed the air vent on the wall opposite. For a building like this, it should connect to most rooms on this floor. By my guess, you follow the vent to the back of the building, you should be able to make your way out via the back exit. Should be free of zombies back there. It's dark now, so you should be able to get to the woods we were headed for before this all happened. Set up camp there for the night, then continue on at first light. *and here it comes... He turns his attention to Phyllis, his heart sinking as he makes it final.* Phyllis. You've a sensible head on your shoulders. You know how to do what needs to be done and put the team first. So from here on, you're gonna be ringleader. Carling, you're head of combat. You encounter any danger, you're in charge of strategy. *it's with mixed feelings that Gene looks at Ray - the betrayal from earlier sits heavily in Gene's heart, but he knows that Ray's the right man for the job. Without him or Sam, Ray is the next qualified to tackle the combat scenarios. And Phyllis should do a good job of keeping them all in line.... * |
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| Sam Tyler | Mar 31 2015, 06:17 PM Post #122 |
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Gladys
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*There is a sense of dread rising among the other detectives as their Guv speaks - it's like they can tell what's going to come next.... And the plan sounds good, just what they need - until.... Phyllis' eyes widen at the same time as a frown forms on her face, and Ray blinks, taken off guard. This... This sounds as if...! There is a moment of silence, before Annie manages to scrape together her voice, to speak out loud what is dawning on them all. "Guv, what...what about you and...." She can't continue, her throat closing up. She realises what Gene means to do, and it fills her with fear. The moment Gene appoints Phyllis as head of operation, even despite the fever starting to for his mind, Sam realises his partner's intentions, and it gives him a jolt that momentarily clears his head. Gene is planning to stay behind, to... To stay with him... But what then? Going on on his ownown would be far too dangerous, he'd be too vulnerable..... But Annie speaks up before Sam can voice his objections.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Mar 31 2015, 10:06 PM Post #123 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene squashes down the stab of pain he feels at seeing what his intentions are doing to them all - to Annie. He can't even look at Sam at the moment. He summons up as much courage as he can and speaks up. * I'm staying. *a hesitation as he forms the next word in his throat, so not wanting to face what's actually happening here.* Nobody's dying alone. *heart hurting and knowing that what he's about to say is untrue, Gene averts his eyes. He doesn't want his last conversation with his friends to be filled with lies, but necessary for their survival. They need to get ahead of the hoarde while it's split. Give the creatures more time and they'll form a mass again, and once that happens they'll be too formidable to take on. No, they need to move now and they need to head for the woods. What happened here already was a warning. One that they can't take lightly. They have to keep moving. Not looking at Sam, Gene turns and bends, rummaging for the map in Sam's bag before turning back to Phyllis and holding it out to her with a trembling hand.* According to this there's a hospital in the next village. It's probably been emptied already, but it's still the best place to find painkillers and bandages around here. Maybe tinned food, too. ... I'll meet you there. Find shelter there and wait half a day, give me time to catch up. Loot what you can and be ready to move. If I don't make it, you carry on without me. Whatever you do, don't wait for me after that, you hear? Head for the North, like we've been doing. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 1 2015, 05:55 AM Post #124 |
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Gladys
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*Something is wrong here, utterly wrong, but Sam can't get a hold of it, especially not as Gene's words fill him with a mix of guilty gratitude and anguish. He really is going to stay, to... To be with him..... But...!! Sam watches helplessly as Gene extracts the map from Sam's backpack and hands it over to a stricken-looking Phyllis. Some of the others are starting to mutter in protest, and Ray is starting to shake his head, eyes wide. "Guv, you can't...!" Because somehow, they all know that half a day is by far too short a time for Gene to catch up to them... Part of what their Guv is saying just doesn't make sense, but they all are too tired and anxious to really understand his intentions, to see through his lies properly.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 1 2015, 01:31 PM Post #125 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Fists balled, Gene interrupts. If he backs down now, he'll never do it. And he really doesn't have much choice, anyway.* I can, and I am. This is how it goes. *Gene looks straight at Ray, trying not to let his feelings get in the way this time. He still feels angry at Ray's behaviour earlier - at how let down he feels. But Ray is still his best mate... And Ray's the only one who can properly lead assaults and have a hope of militarising everyone. If they're going to survive, they need him.* You're going to lead like a DI. You're gonna look after every member of the group. Keep 'em safe. Keep the peace. Don't take risks you don't need to take. *A breath, and then he turns his attention to Annie.* You keep 'em all in line, Cartwright, alright? Remind everyone of the plan, in case they need it. *A lump in his throat, Gene nods at the map in Phyllis's hands.* And you keep that map updated. Log your progress. Might come in handy at some point. *If there's any way Sam can live on in their journey, this is it. That map that he was focused on recording their progress.* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 1 2015, 01:53 PM Post #126 |
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Gladys
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*By the time Gene has finished talking, it isn't just Annie who has a lump in her throat, and tears in her eyes. No, while she actually raises her hand and wipes at her face, nodding as Gene addresses her, some of the other men of their group have to turn away. Chris doesn't even try to hide his distress, and even Ray looks like he's having a hard time not showing his emotions too obviously as he nods, accepting the Guv's final order. Losing Sam in this way is bad enough already... but with the way their Guv is talking, he doesn't leave any room for doubt. This is the last they'll see of him. Phyllis is the strong one, nodding with glistening eyes and forcing out a "Yes, Guv" as she takes the map, handling it with a care she wouldn't normally exhibit. The team as well realise the significance of that map - the significance it bears to Gene as well. But while it seems that they all will accept this, there is one person who can't. Finally finding his voice again, Sam rasps out* Gene, don't....! *This is akin to suicide, and Gene, he isn't even infected, he can still carry on... knowing that it's Sam's fault, that Gene would destroy himself because of Sam, he doesn't want that... it would add insult to injury on a most fatal level.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 1 2015, 03:59 PM Post #127 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*That rasping plea... It hurts, and he knows that Sam won't be able to accept this however much explaining he does. But there's nothing else he can do. This is how it's got to be. Gene's already destroyed, whether he goes with the others or dies here with Sam. But how can he say that to Sam? He can't. Not in front of everybody. So rather than turning around, Gene stares at the floor and tries to keep his voice steady as he replies.* It's decided. It's done. I'll stay 'ere with you. Make sure... Make sure you don't turn. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 1 2015, 07:24 PM Post #128 |
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Gladys
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*Gene isn't even turning around as he speaks, and that alone tells Sam that there has to be more behind Gene's decision. It hurts what is left of his soul to realise that. And as though Gene's words make the threat even more real, a fresh wave of discomfort prevents Sam from opening his mouth again. Annie can't stop her tears from rolling now, and she doesn't try to hide it anymore, taking and squeezing Chris' hand, who seems even worse off. The others, with more than just heavy hearts, start gathering their things. Ray, however, fixes his Guv in a long stare before saying, "We'll see you at the 'ospital." And Phyllis as well keeps a strong mask, determined to live up to the responsibility Gene placed on her. * |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 1 2015, 11:32 PM Post #129 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene meets Ray's stare head on, determined to keep their last memories of him untainted by the weakness he so desperately is trying to hold back. Strong, unwavering and brave - that's how he needs to appear now. To give them all the courage to go on. He nods.* See you there. *It's clear now that it's time for everyone to say their goodbyes, and Gene knows that they're going to want to say goodbye to Sam, however painful it is to think about. That finality. But he steps aside anyway, allowing anyone who wants to to get close to Sam and make their farewells. Annie is first, squaring her jaw and bravely wiping the tears from her face as she walks forward, crouching in front of Sam and throwing her arms around him, squeezing tight. Her voice comes out shakey and distraught, quiet against Sam's ear. "I'm so sorry, Sam... I... Don't know what to say... "* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 2 2015, 05:51 AM Post #130 |
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Gladys
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*When Gene steps aside, Sam's eyes widen a little. This really is going to happen... He doesn't want it - this kind of finality, it hammering home the fatality of the situation, and Sam doesn't know if he can cope with it... And now Annie is rushing towards him, hugging him tight before he can so much as protest, and Sam realises that as much as it tears apart his heart even further, /they/ need it... And he needs it as well, like it or not. So, with a few seconds' delay, Sam raises his arms to cling to Annie, his grip far weaker than hers. Annie... Brave Annie, strong Annie, who supported him so much even at her own risk... Sam swallows with great difficulty and manages a shake of his head. He can't say 'it's alright', can't provide any kind of comfort to her, or himself... But there is one thing he can do, one thing he has to say... * *in a broken whisper* Good luck... A-and thank you... For everything.... *While this does a poor job at encompassing his gratitude and his sorrow, it's the best he can do... He hopes it will come across the way it should... Sam is the one to let go again, his hands sliding down weakly. He can't delay them... He can't be the cause of any more deaths in this group... Even though Gene's decision may well have doomed them all... * |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 2 2015, 02:54 PM Post #131 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Annie's reluctant to let go of Sam, but when she feels his arms sliding down, she knows her time is up. She presses a kiss to Sam's temple, whispering in return, "And to you, Sam... I'm gonna miss you... You've been a good friend..." Tears threatening to spill over again, Annie pushes herself up and turns away, overcome. Chris is next up, standing like a lost puppy in front of Sam, unsure of what to do. Eyes red-rimmed, he manages to hiccup, ".... I won't forget you, Boss."* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 2 2015, 03:23 PM Post #132 |
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Gladys
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*Sam is barely able to keep it together as he watches Annie get up and turn her back on him, somehow making this all the more final. This is... this reminds him of the hostage situation, many lifetimes ago, that moment before he thought he was going to be shot... ... but this time, there's nothing else to go back to... no hope of returning.... Chris comes to stand in front of him, looking no less heartbroken than Annie. But somehow, for Chris... for Chris, Sam manages to swallow down some of his own grief, to make the corners of his lips twitch.* .... take care, Chris. *And he extends his good hand, offering Chris one last handshake.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 2 2015, 10:27 PM Post #133 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*barely holding back the tears, Chris teaches or and takes Sam's hand, squeezing it a like too hard. He doesn't want to leave Sam here. The man is like his mentor. He's learnt so much from him and there's still so much more to learn. It's a tragedy. Finally he lets Sam's hand go and turns away, leaving Ray stood there with a grim look on his face. Ray doesn't agree with a lot of what Sam does. What he represents. He doesn't like the man's complicated way of talking or the way he stole his position as DI. He doesn't like his poncey clothes or the sarcasm. The way he can get the Guv on his side every single time. The things he caught Sam and Gene doing.... But however many things he dislikes about Tyler, he never ever wanted this to happen to him. He never wanted him to die. Especially if Sam dying means them losing Gene Hunt as well. He regards Sam for a moment, taking in the sweat on his forehead, the look of pain etched onto his face... And then steps forward, holding out his hand with a sympathetic but hardened expression. They may be down on water because of him, and what Sam IS may disgust him... But Ray isn't going to deny a dying man peace. "Good luck."* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 3 2015, 05:40 AM Post #134 |
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Gladys
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*It's as Chris steps away that Sam's headache increases, forcing him to close his eyes for a moment. And when he forces them open again, he can't help but feel slight surprise and alarm at the fact that it's Ray who's standing in front of him now. Strangely enough, there is only one thing that Sam is begrudging him at the moment, and that is the fact that Ray interrupted the two of them this morning. Their last chance, and he ruined it. However, he wasn't to know, Sam knows that... So, when the silence between them finally breaks and Ray offers him his hand, Sam takes it, his grip not as strong as he'd like it to be, but he holds Ray's gaze, feeling something like gratitude. They never saw eye to eye - far from it - but this at least proves that Ray is indeed a good man. * And you. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 3 2015, 01:19 PM Post #135 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Ray responds with a small nod before letting go of Sam's hand and hefting up his rucksack. It looks as though everyone's about ready to leave... Phyllis tucks the map away carefully into her backpack and then heaves it up onto her back, giving Sam a sad look. "S'not gonna be the same without you, Boss." She turns her head back to Gene, who is lurking by the wall and fumbling with his last pack of cigarettes, barely able to watch what's going on in front of him. Everybody saying goodbye like this? It feels too final. Horribly final. "We'll keep an eye out for you, Guv." Gene looks up and nods, jaw tense. What can he say in response? There isn't really anything to say. He could thank them all for their service all these years, tell them they've done a good job... Tell them that they're stars, each and every one of them... But the words get stuck in his throat. Scanning his eyes across all of them, all he can bear to say is something he hopes will give them the go ahead. His voice is tinged with sadness and gratitude, his eyes filled with resignation and pride.* Go on, then. Get out of 'ere. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 3 2015, 01:32 PM Post #136 |
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Gladys
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*Sam huffs in response and tries to give Phyllis something like a smile, though he doesn't quite succeed. Even she is holding back with her usual snide... It's hardly bearable. After this round of goodbyes, Sam feels horribly tired and exhausted. He can't help himself, he keeps watching them as the group assembles, gathering by the air vent. They've already removed the bars, and now there really is nothing that would stop their escape... And hopefully it will be a successful one. Sam hopes it with all of his heart. His gaze is drawn back over to Gene, standing in that corner,and once again the sight makes Sam ache. This isn't how it should have gone... Gene wasn't supposed to have to say goodbye to his group, not like this. There is one last, silent exchange, the team looking at their leader and his deputy... And the, Phyllis starts ushering them into the narrow tunnel, one by one. They can't look back anymore, not now. Guv's orders. And then, at last, Sam and Gene are alone in that room. Sam can't take his eyes off his partner - can't help but feel that this is all horribly wrong. Gene shouldn't have stayed behind for him... And yet, Sam can't get himself to say it, to talk at all. The words are stuck in his throat, won't even leave his foggy mind. Won't let him articulate the wrongness of the situation. * |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 4 2015, 12:05 AM Post #137 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene glances at the team's backs as they retreat and sadly clamber one by one into the vent. That's it. Gone. Every living human that he knows apart from Sam, gone and on their way, out of his life forever. It hurts. But in his heart, Gene knows he's done the right thing. Even if they'd all waited for the inevitable to happen to Sam so that he could go with them, he wouldn't have really been WITH them. After Sam, he wouldn't be fit to lead a team. If anything he'd be a liability - a danger. A hindrance to his group's safety. It was better to let them go. So that leaves him and Sam. Alone to face the next few hours together. Numbly, he takes a cigarette out of the packet and dips into his pocket for a lighter. Not many of those left now. Maybe he should have given it to the others, but he needs /something/ to help his nerves right now. Resigned to their fate, Gene wanders back over to Sam's side, sliding down the wall until their sides touch. With a grim smile, Gene takes a slow drag of the cigarette* Finally some alone time, eh? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 4 2015, 06:57 AM Post #138 |
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Gladys
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*Sam merely huffs , having followed Gene's movements across the room with his eyes. Now he has to blink, shut his eyes and rub at them - the burning is a constant now, thanks to the fever, and the dim light is hurting his eyes even further. Still, he forces them open again, glancing over at Gene. It seems he's properly resigned himself to his fate... And after the team is gone, their presences are strangely missing, leaving the room feeling emptier than it has any right to. And Gene is just... Accepting it. On the one hand, it makes Sam feel so grateful it hurts in its own right. However... It also makes him realise that he can't accept something like this. There is something about Gene that makes Sam think that for his partner as well, there won't be a tomorrow. Sam can't be responsible for Gene's death. So, finally, Sam opens his mouth, manages to rasp out* ... Gene, just... Go... You can still catch up to them.... *It hurts Sam to say it, but he forces himself to continue at any rate* We can make our goodbyes now, we can... We can end it... And then you can go on, be their Guv, lead them up North..... |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 4 2015, 05:16 PM Post #139 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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And then what? *the words escape him before he knows what's happening. Because that's the thing, isn't it. 'Then what'. What is there left for him if Sam isn't there to share it? Gene's lost a lot of people in his lifetime and always somehow managed to carry on. But not this time. He's tired of losing people. He's tired in general.* You think we'll say goodbye and I'll be free to carry on my merry way? *He shakes his head, exhaling a slow stream of smoke as he does. Maybe it's selfish of him to stay behind... But in his heart, Gene feels that isn't true. It was always going to go down like this.* Maybe I don't want to lead any more. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 4 2015, 06:10 PM Post #140 |
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Gladys
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*Whatever Sam was going to say, his words get stuck in his throat over how defeated, tired Gene sounds. And what he is saying hurts even more. He's given up completely... Given up because of Sam. He doesn't want to lead anymore. Sam swallows with such difficulty that for a moment he thinks he won't manage it at all. Gene doesn't want to carry on without him. His instincts are telling Sam to protest, to force Gene to follow the others, to bloody well go and live.... But, on a more selfish basis, Sam is desperately glad that Gene is here. That he won't leave Sam, not until it's over. Speechless and overcome with emotions, Sam reaches out with his good hand and takes Gene's, squeezing it as tight as he can - which isn't tight at all, but it's the thought that counts. * |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 4 2015, 11:06 PM Post #141 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene curls his fingers around Sam's in return, squeezing back with considerably more strength. This is it, then. How they'll spend their last few hours. Gene drops his head back against the wall, breathing out deeply through his nose. In the quiet that's followed the others leaving, the tiny glimmer of hope that Gene felt had also evaporated - that maybe this isn't really happening. Maybe Sam wouldn't get the fever. His denial is washed away, leaving him with the sickening knowledge that soon he'll be on his own. If only he'd done his job. Protected Sam. He'd been doing so well, they'd made so much progress. He'd even dared to think that maybe they'd both make it, once.* ... M'sorry I couldn't keep you safe, Sam. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 5 2015, 02:15 AM Post #142 |
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Gladys
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*Sam's eyes nearly fall closed in the silence that follows - the walkers seem to have calmed down as well, there's nothing to be heard from the other side of the wall - but when Gene speaks up again, he jerks slightly, forcing himself to pay attention. And what he hears threatens to undo him again. Sam gives a little choke in response, unable to look at Gene* Christ... Gene, don't... Don't blame yourself... *blinks with burning eyes*... I wasn't... Careful enough... |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 5 2015, 09:57 AM Post #143 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene winces at the choking sound. Making Sam upset is the last thing he wants to do, but... There are things he needs to say. Things that some people don't get a chance to say before their partner leaves, and he's lucky in a way that he gets to make sure that Sam hears them. Make sure that Sam feels no responsibility for this... Knows how loved he is.* There wasn't time to be careful. If you'd hesitated, we could've all been bitten. *squeezes Sam's hand again, swallowing against a lump in his throat at the same time. He can't cry, he won't. Not when he knows it'll probably break Sam to see it.* We made it this far though, eh? Further than most managed. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 5 2015, 05:40 PM Post #144 |
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Gladys
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*Sam can't reply for a while, having to fight down the emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He knows, of course, that hesitation on his side might have resulted in the hoarde catching up on them and swallowing their entire group. Looking at it that way, he was successful - the bigger part of their team get to continue their journey. And yet... Sam can't muster the strength to grip Gene's hand any tighter, even has to let up slightly. Still, he nods, because Gene is right. They did make it far. But now, Sam I out of the game, and what's worse is that he's taking Gene down with him. That is what's killing him. And yet, Sam can't bring himself to look at Gene. They're sitting side by side, but Sam is staring at the far wall, having to rub at his eyes every few minutes with his bad hand - it's gone uncomfortably numb, tingling and aching with something that feels like acid.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 5 2015, 07:54 PM Post #145 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Sam's silence is an indicator of how he feels, both emotionally and physically... But Gene can't just stay quiet, not now. There's so much to say and so little time to say it. And if he doesn't say it now, he'll never ever be able to again. He watches Sam sadly out of the corner of his eye, taking in the way his partner rubs at his tears... It's unbearable. Forcing himself to keep going, Gene looks back down at the floor.* ..... Jus' wanted to say.... you know... thanks. For bein' here. For... *He takes a breath, gathering the courage and trying not to let his own barrier of tears break* .... For bein' wi' me. For keepin' me happy all this time. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 5 2015, 08:10 PM Post #146 |
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Gladys
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*At first, Sam doesn't even react to Gene's words. Can't. Because, once again, this is all so wrong. Gene should be the one crying (even though he never cries) and Sam should be the one thanking him for everything (even though he never was able to properly tell him). Up until now, he hadn't wanted to believe that what was happening was real. That the future had somehow changed, shattered and become unrecognisable. That any of this was happening to the both of them. But now, with the infection taking up residence in his body, and Gene, Gene being... Gene saying..... Gene........ Tears start dripping down Sam's face again, but this time, he doesn't even try to wipe them away. When he speaks, his voice is a broken rasp.* Is that what I did? Keep you happy? *Because all this time, ever since the outbreak, Sam feels like he'd been sleepwalking, like he'd become distanced to even and most especially Gene, not wanting to accept any of it. The closest he'd come to feeling alive, feeling real, had been this morning. And now Gene is telling him that even so, even when Sam wasn't in it with all of his heart, it still made Gene happy? Gave him hope? It isn't Sam who should be crying, it isn't Gene who sould be saying his thanks, but somehow it is the way it is, and Sam can't change it.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 5 2015, 11:05 PM Post #147 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene sees the renewed tears drop from Sam's chin and he can't bear it any more. His own eyes are beginning to well up, and he can't stop himself from unhooking his hand from Sam's and looping it over his shoulders and around Sam instead. He pulls Sam in against him and holds him tight, clinging to him desperately.* *voice ragged and thin* 'Course. Every day. *It's true that Sam had become distant... Disturbed even, by what was going on in the beginning. But the apocalypse will do that to a person, and Sam was always a little special that way to begin with. But even though Sam was quiet some times and manic others, his presence still gave Gene strength. Having somebody to fight for. Somebody he'd die for, somebody he loved. The dry wit even in times of danger and stress, the capable hands at his back fighting off threats like a well synchronised machine. The wry grin whenever they got lucky, the smile that lit up Gene's heart whenever they made a good supply discovery... Yes, Sam made Gene happy.* ... Every day. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 6 2015, 08:40 AM Post #148 |
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Gladys
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*Despite the motions make Sam's limbs ache and his head throb, he goes with Gene, nestling into the embrace and clinging on as far as he's able, the tears starting to soak Gene's shirt. He's been such an idiot... Instead of losing himself and mentally fighting what was happening, he should have stayed with it, stayed with Gene. Appreciate what they had, that they still were together... Because now, it's too late for that. He'll die, soon, and he'll die with a massive pile of regrets. Just thinking that makes despair swallow him up, makes him press closer to Gene, not even thinking about the fact that too much contact might prove fatal for Gene himself. Pressing his face against Gene's neck and screwing his eyes shut, words start to spill over Sam's lips, broken and ragged* I'm... So sorry... So s-sorry...! I-I should've... I...... |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 6 2015, 02:45 PM Post #149 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene screws his eyes shut at Sam's distress, unable to just watch. He clings to Sam tighter, rubbing his hand up and down Sam's good arm in an attempt to soothe him - this isn't what he'd wanted... If Sam doesn't stop crying he'll tire himself out, and then...!* Shhhh, Shhhh.... There's... There's nothing you need to apologise for, you dolt. *kisses shakily at Sam's forehead, pressing his lips against the damp skin lovingly. This is unbearable.... * Just... Don't exhaust yourself. *Don't bring the inevitable even closer... Don't leave me... * |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 6 2015, 03:23 PM Post #150 |
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Gladys
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*Sam just shakes his head against Gene's skin, the tears flowing and flowing as though they won't stop until Sam's completely dehydrated. All this time he's done his hardest not to let his distress and panic over the chaos they encounter show, tried to keep it all to himself so that Gene wouldn't notice and get worried... And now it's lead to this. But at least they're close now. Gene is holding him. They're alone, and with the silence enveloping them, it feels like they're the only ones left in this world. Although his arms are starting to grow tired, Sam still clings to his partner, leaning into his embrace. And finally, he manages to rasp out a full sentence, to try and make up for at least a tiny bit of this mess* No, I... I'm s-sorry that I... Wasted.... So much of our t-time together... *sniffs, trying to open his eyes again* that I... That I didn't... Support you as much as I c-could've........ |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 6 2015, 11:33 PM Post #151 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gives Sam a small shake, squeezing his good shoulder and hushing against Sam's forehead. It's as though he can sense Sam beginning to decline, and despite the urge to break down and cry he has to stay strong... He has to make this easier for Sam. His partners last moments can't be blighted by regrets and grief...!* The world was turning to shit all around us... Can't... Can't blame you for taking time to adjust. *kisses at Sam's temple, his own eyes feeling hot and heavy* You... You 'ave nothing to regret. Nothing. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 7 2015, 06:33 AM Post #152 |
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Gladys
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*Sam wishes he could believe Gene fully, because his words sound so enticing... But Sam knows what he's been thinking all this time to himself. He knows that Gene can't know about what he's been thinking, and that is making guilt wash through him, guilt that won't just disappear. Still, it /is/ somewhat relieving to hear Gene forgive him... Even in this situation, Gene wouldn't be dishonest with him and say things just to please him, right...? So this time, Sam remains silent, merely pressing his face against Gene and trying his hardest to pull himself together now, to stop crying. Gene wants him to stop, so he'll do his best to stop. It takes a while to stop, though - once the floodgates have been opened, it's hard to close them again - and as the seconds and minutes tick by, Sam can feel himself growing ever weaker. It's that sinking feeling that makes him open his mouth again, because he needs to say something before it's too late... * *muffled against Gene's shirt, and still raspy* Gene... I love you...! |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 7 2015, 03:07 PM Post #153 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Keeps clinging on, fighting valiantly against the huge crushing weight on his heart, the despair clawing its way up his throat. Seeing Sam in this much pain and anguish hurts. There was no way it was going to be peaceful, not with a bite like that... They've seen enough people turn to know how it goes by now. The fever, the weakness... the inevitable despair as people realise their own mortality and what that means. Leaving everything behind for the world to carry on without you... It's terrifying. And it guts Gene that that's what Sam's experiencing right now. Muffled against Sam's hair, Gene whispers brokenly in return* .... I love you too. More n'anything. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 7 2015, 03:47 PM Post #154 |
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Gladys
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*Sam shivers in Gene's grasp, muffling another sob as he nestles even closer. This is it, their last hours together... And now that he's said what he absolutely needed to say before the end, Sam's strength is leaving him rapidly. He exhales shakily, tucking his head closer to Gene - but finally, he's unable to keep grasping at his shirt, and his hand slides down until it's limply hanging between their bodies. His head is burning with fever by now, his joints and limbs are aching distantly, and the bite has started to throb even more viciously, sending strange sensations down Sam's arm and back. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 7 2015, 07:56 PM Post #155 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene holds onto Sam even tighter as he feels the strength leave him, cradling him in his arms. If he let's himself think about it, he'll break down - so Gene focuses purely on Sam - on stroking his damp hair, wiping the tears away with his thumb. Whispering to him, recalling memories from the station, things from happier times - trying to take Sam back there, out of this room and onto a sunny Manchester Street, walking side by side back to the Cortina with a '99 flake in hand and banter and bickering flowing easily between them. That's all he can do now... Try and keep his own tears at bay and whisk Sam's mind away from this terrible, heartbreaking tragedy* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 7 2015, 08:41 PM Post #156 |
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Gladys
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*The tears stop eventually, and as Sam blinks up at Gene, he can actually see him, see his face. Gene's face, all drawn and dirty... and it does keep getting blurry, even though the tears are gone. And Sam knows what that means. Maybe that is why it's suddenly so easy to let Gene's words whisk him away... let him go back to happier times. Back when everything was still the way it should be. It doesn't make Sam forget the burn, the pain, the nausea... But it helps with talking to Gene, with doing his best to keep talking, responding, and even... even smiling, at one point. However, the more time passes, the fewer Sam's replies get, and the more often his eyes fall shut. Gene must be feeling the heat radiating off him by now - his skin is clammy, his shirt soaked with sweat. The bite has started to ooze a clear liquid, and Sam's breathing has become laboured. And then there is one moment, one of startling clarity, during which Sam opens his mouth out of context and murmurs* .... promise... p-promise you won't let m-me turn...... *It's the last thing gnawing at him, the one thing he needs to be sure off...* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 7 2015, 09:59 PM Post #157 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene blinks and looks down as Sam rasps out his request, completely unrelated to what they were talking about. It's an understandable request, for sure. Sam doesn't want to become something that kills. And Gene doesn't want that either. But to actually shoot Sam? To pull the trigger and send a bullet through his head, even if he's asleep? Or even if the creature's just waking up in Sam's body... How he's going to summon the energy to do that he just doesn't know. Gene knows that as soon as he elected to stay behind, that's what he was signing up for... But still, to seriously think about it... It's absolutely crushing. His voice is choked and shaky when he replies.* I won't. I'll stop it, I promise.... |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 7 2015, 10:05 PM Post #158 |
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Gladys
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*The corners of Sam's mouth twitch - he knows how hard this must be for Gene... But at that moment, already weakened and burning up, all Sam can do is believe Gene. There's nothing else left. So he nods, faintly* .... Cheers.... *a second later, Sam seizes up, face contorting into a grimace of pain. The bite is making itself known again, setting Sam's nerves on fire, making his head pulse with pain and heat. And Sam is starting to lose himself... It's getting too hot, far too hot, and freezing cold at the same time. He tries to concentrate, to open his eyes and focus on Gene, but just blinking them open a slit shoots shards of pain into his skull, so Sam's eyes remain closed.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 8 2015, 02:24 PM Post #159 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Oh god... Oh god, it's happening.... Gene clings to Sam as he seizes up, kissing his temple once again and trying hard to keep the tears back. Sam's eyes are closed now, and it dawns on Gene that the next time they open there could very well be a different creature looking out at him. And the thought of something else being inside Sam's body like that.... it's too horrible to even imagine. Voice thin and trembling, Gene whispers into Sam's ear* I'm with you, Sammy Boy... I'm stayin' with you, for as long as it takes... I'm 'ere with you... |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 8 2015, 02:35 PM Post #160 |
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Gladys
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*Gene's words reach Sam through the settling haze, and he wishes they would calm him more... But as it is, the pain and discomfort are growing steadily, making it hard to breathe - and Sam knows that Gene can't help him, not anymore. He's going to... going to......... No, the thought is too much to bear. Even if they're futile - to retain at elast some of his sanity, Sam concentrates on Gene's words. It would cost him too much energy to reply, so he keeps his mouth shut, merely trying to nestle that little bit closer into Gene's hold, to feel him until he... Slowly, Sam's conscious thoughts are going under, drowning in a sea of heat. Thoughts, memories, dreams - over the next few minutes, hours, they all become one, indistinguishable. Sam hasn't managed to open his eyes again. However, there comes a point when the images in his fevered mind become stronger, so strong that they're bleeding into what is left of his conscious actions. Sam is starting to talk in his fever haze, mumbling fractions of sentences.* ..... no....... why...... shouldn't....... s'all wrong............. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 8 2015, 02:56 PM Post #161 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene does all he can for Sam during this time - wiping his brow when he needs it, trying to soothe him as much as possible. There's not much else he can do, even though it hurts unbearably to know that. It's clear now that Sam won't be waking up or snapping out of the fever. Gene's losing him a little more, minute by minute. When Sam starts to talk in his sleep, Gene whispers back in an attempt to settle him. Hearing Sam's voice is something Gene desperately wants... but not when it signals such a decline in his partner's state.* I... I know, Sam... I know... An' I wish it didn't happen like this... |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 8 2015, 03:31 PM Post #162 |
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Gladys
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*However, that doesn't calm Sam down. His head jerks to the side slightly, face drawn into a frown, and he gives a moan that trails off into more words* ...... Fault.... My fault ....... Jumped.... Wanted to....... Never, never 'appened like.... Like this.... *Sam twists then, slightly, a droplet of sweat dripping off his face. Pictures of Maya, memories of a different future, it's all rushing at him... * My... My fault...... |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 8 2015, 05:32 PM Post #163 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*swallows, biting his tongue for a moment before replying in that same harrowed whisper* Wasn't... None of this was your fault... *Sam can't go out like this, regretting things that Gene doesn't even understand... * |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 8 2015, 05:53 PM Post #164 |
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Gladys
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*Regardless of Gene's words, Sam goes on, all the things he's been bottling up over the past few months breaking out at long last, and at the last possible moment it seems.* .... Didn't mean to... Honest... Jus' wan....wanted.... Be h-happy... Broke... Did i....... *Sam inhales shakily, pausing in his rambling as if to gather his thoughts*..... Did i b-break.... Future...... Never like this.... I-impossible........ *And once more he seizes up, a groan (not quite unlike the ones you'd hear from a walker) preventing him from talking further* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 8 2015, 10:36 PM Post #165 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Break the future? What's... What's Sam talking about...?* What... You didn't break anything... None of this your fault, Sam. *weirdly, it's like Sam feels responsible for the entire outbreak. But that's impossible. It was just a virus that went out of control. Probably something carried in from another country or something. Sam isn't responsible for how a virus mutated...! It must be the fever... Sam's dreaming things that never happened. He feels responsible for getting bitten, so he feels responsible for the whole virus. Trust Sam to think that way. Poor bloke always seems to have the world on his shoulders.* Shhhh, Shhhh... Don't hurt yourself, eh? *strokes Sam's hair, keeping his eyes closed as he does - he can't see Sam this sick... * None of this was you. S'just the way things are. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 9 2015, 05:58 AM Post #166 |
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Gladys
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*Sam gives a small choke, but then he exhales weakly, quieting down a little. An unintelligible murmur, a shake of his head - and then, his eyes flutter ever so slightly, opening for the tiniest of moments. However, there is no recognition in them. Sam doesn't even see past the reddish haze that is enveloping him. He shifts a little, but the movement is weak.* *softer than before*........ Jus'..... W-wanted to be... To be h-happy......... |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 9 2015, 11:51 AM Post #167 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Heart bleeding at the sight, Gene chokes back a sob and croaks out,* ... An'... I hope you were... At least in the beginning..... |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 9 2015, 12:10 PM Post #168 |
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Gladys
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*There is no reply. Sam keeps murmuring, moaning, but those sounds grow fewer, weaker. Soon, all that's heard from him his his laboured breathing, the fever still rising. Many hours pass like this, with Sam sometimes twitching in Gene's embrace, once or twice thrashing weakly, but then, at one point, even that stops. Sam's grown still.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 9 2015, 09:36 PM Post #169 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene keeps holding Sam, cradling him like the most precious thing in the world... Until he realises that Sam's gone still. He freezes. Nothing.... No twitches, no groans, no indication at all that Sam's still with him. Sam's.... Sam's gone. He's breathing still, just barely... And his skin is still pale, damp with sweat. He's still alive, but... Gene can almost feel it - Sam's not in there right now. He's... empty. This is it. Sam won't wake up now, ever. Within a couple of hours, Sam'll be dead. And then within another hour he'll open his eyes, blank and white. Something breaks inside Gene. The floodgates he's kept so firmly shut for Sam's sake fly wide open. He shudders, a broken gasp escaping his throat. A tear slips down his cheek, his vision suddenly blurred and his eyes stinging. And he sits like that for what feels like forever, his heart cold as stone. Sam is gone... Sam won't wake up. Gene knew this moment was coming, but still he wasn't prepared. Not for this. Not for this overwhelming flood of terrible darkness inside his heart. The feeling of his entire purpose and soul being stripped from him in one swift motion. The tears fall freely now. This is the end. Numb and empty, Gene cradles Sam for minutes which turn into hours - until he finally realises that Sam's temperature has fallen. It's time for him to move. Sam'll be waking up soon. Gently, Gene kisses Sam's cheek one last time and then props Sam as carefully as he can against the wall, stroking the tufts of his hair down and wiping his tears away as he does. Hand and legs shaking, Gene picks up his gun and trudges the few steps over to the opposite wall, sliding down it until he's seated limply at the bottom. He can't shoot yet. He can't. Not until he sees a twitch... Sees the sign that the creature's about to rise. And even then, lifting the gun and firing? How can he do it? How can he shoot his best friend? His life partner? Even if it's not Sam in there it still looks like him. He promised Sam he'd do it... But if he can't...? Terrified and more crushed than he's ever been in his life, Gene watches Sam, eyes never wavering despite the tears drying on his cheeks* Edited by Gene Hunt, Apr 9 2015, 10:32 PM.
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 10 2015, 05:43 AM Post #170 |
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Gladys
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*Sam loses himself for an indefinable amount of time. He's nowhere; floating in empty space, on the brink of non-existence. He's dimly aware of something happening... Of a fight that's being fought. But the result isn't his to determine... He can only watch and wait. He knows the fight is important, the enemy is terrible, but at the same time, Sam knows there's nothing he can do. So Sam waits. Until... Slowly, he becomes aware of things again. Very slowly, sensations are returning. Something solid behind him... Leaden exhaustion, distant nausea.... More exhaustion. He feels absolutely drained. Moving doesn't seem to work - he doesn't have the strength for it yet - but Sam does manage to take a weak, shuddering breath, releasing it carefully. With that breath, memories return to him. He should be dead. Undead. Sam's sudden shock and dread translate into his face pulling into a frown.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 10 2015, 11:09 PM Post #171 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*locked in a state of numb exhaustion, Gene watches Sam for what feels like hours. He's so still... Peaceful, almost. Horrifically so. He should be breathing, moving... There should be a colour to his skin. Sam's so still that when his chest finally does shift and Gene hears that shuddering breath, he jumps. A bolt of fear shoots through him and his gun raises automatically, aiming at the creature's head. At Sam's head. Memories flood Gene's mind - that smile, those deep brown eyes... And he has to blow all of that away. He... He can't do this... Gene flicks his focus onto his own gun, shaking uncontrollably in his grasp, out of time with his own ragged breathing. How can he use this? He has to, but... It's Sam. Whatever's in there now, it's still SAM in front of him. He can't shoot. Wide eyed, Gene stares back at the body in front of him. It's face is shifting now... Frowning. Getting ready to rise, to bare it's teeth...! Caught between two devastating choices, Gene suddenly changes aim, holding the gun up to his own head. No... He can't do that either... It's the cowards way out. For cowards who couldn't even fulfill their dying partner's last wish. Who couldn't see past the face they loved to see the monster that killed them. For the cowards who can't face the reality of the world any more. Still shaking, Gene holds the gun out once again, but limply this time. That thing's going to rise... And Gene's going to let it tear him apart. He's going to fail Sam, again. At least he won't be alive to have to live with it, he thinks bleakly. It'll be over soon... * |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 11 2015, 06:23 AM Post #172 |
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Gladys
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*Unaware of Gene's inner tragedy, Sam keeps breathing - it's harder than it should be - trying to make sense of the warring sensations and emotions. Everything is fuzzy, not making much sense... All he knows is that he's so tired. And that, somehow, he shouldn't be here. Sam decides to try and open his eyes. Slowly. It works - though Sam can't see much apart from blobs and blurry shapes... He squints, blinks - there's light, it hurts his eyes, Sam has to close them again. Almost automatically he raises a hand to rub at them, but there's a twinge, distant pain shooting through his arm, and Sam winces, letting it fall into his lap again. So he tries to open his eyes again, and this time, he manages to hold them open for a little longer... But he still can't see properly. There's a milky haze, blurring everything that's in front of him, making it impossible to tell what he's looking at... ... And it's so quiet. Shouldn't someone else be there? Shouldn't.... ... Shouldn't Gene be there? .... Gene. Sam opens his mouth, takes a breath, but then he has to swallow - his mouth and throat feel absolutely parched... * |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 11 2015, 02:23 PM Post #173 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*He's losing time... The body's moving, it's shifting... Opening its eyes...! A few seconds and it'll be over here, fingers grabbing and teeth gnashing... Gun shaking like he's experiencing an earthquake, Gene points it once more at Sam's head. He can't do it... He can't. But he'll go down at least trying.* *in a broken whisper* Come on, then... Come on... Get this over with... |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 11 2015, 03:13 PM Post #174 |
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Gladys
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*Sam hears the whisper, and though he can't make out the words, he still... He recognises the voice. Gene. It makes him focus, because he can hear Gene, he can... He can hear him, that fact alone seems like a miracle, because somehow, Sam knows that he shouldn't be, that he shouldn't even be alive. He blinks again, swallows again and once more, and then finally, he can see. He sees Gene - behind the gun trained at Sam's face. Sam can't swallow, this time. Instead, he rasps* ....... Gene? |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 12 2015, 12:12 AM Post #175 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*for a moment, Gene thinks he imagined that sound. The rasp of his name. It's his mind playing tricks with him... His fate whispering to him, welcoming him... But as he blinks again and stares at Sam's face, at the eyes that should no longer belong to him... He can see it. The spark of life. The gun lowering slightly, Gene continues to stare, pale faced. * .... S-Sam...? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 12 2015, 07:54 AM Post #176 |
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Gladys
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*The complete astonishment and disbelief in Gene's voice triggers something within Sam's mind, confirms that unsettling feeling he's had from the moment he woke up. And he starts to remember. The things that happened what seems to be a lifetime ago. He shouldn't be, but.... He's alive. Sam takes a deep breath, then nods. He can't believe it, but he's here. And for that moment, with that absolute knowledge in his mind, Sam manages a (somewhat shaky) smile.* ...yeah. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 12 2015, 03:48 PM Post #177 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*for a moment Gene thinks he must have gone crazy. There's no way this can be happening. It's never happened before - someone being bitten and then not turning? It's unheard of. The virus is lethal, there's no cure...! But here's Sam, apparently still himself even after going through the fever. It's unbelievable. Gene gets up onto his feet slowly, as though moving too fast will break the spell - will shatter this precious illusion and take Sam from him again. The gun still points, but his aim is fallen, the barrel quivering at Sam's feet* .... It can't be. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 12 2015, 04:17 PM Post #178 |
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Gladys
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*Sam knows he should be freaking out over this as well. He knows it feels like some weird dream, and just like Gene he's afraid that, if they do something wrong, if they touch, that this will all break away, and Sam will vanish. But above all, at this moment, the relief of being alive is overriding everything.* I... I know. *Sam wants to reach out for Gene - he needs to touch him, to verify that this is reality, but something tells him that with his gun still in his hand, Gene might get spooked, might... Sam swallows, feels slight hysteria starting to well up inside him. He's not dead when he should be dead, he can't believe it, Gene can't believe it - it's all starting to feel unreal. The relief is being replaced by... a mix of emotions, to entangled to be identified.* I-I... *Sam can't explain this, and words fail him, so he stares at Gene, taking in the expression on his face, its pallor, the... the tear-tracks......* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 12 2015, 10:41 PM Post #179 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*stunned, Gene drops the gun, the metal hitting the floor with a clang. This is unreal. How can this be real? He takes a shaky step forward, staring at Sam in disbelief. * You... How're you... *He takes another step forward, closing in on Sam now. He doesn't dare to touch his partner yet, but he's getting close. And the closer he gets, the more he can see the details of Sam's face - the eyes that still have life in them, the slight colour in Sam's cheeks, the expression on his face. This is real...!* ....how?? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 13 2015, 07:27 AM Post #180 |
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Gladys
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*All Sam manages is a shake of his head - this is too improbable to explain. The logical conclusion is, of course, that somehow, Sam's body managed to fight off the intruding virus. But this is unheard of, completely impossible. Sam's mind refuses to grasp that possibility. Instead, Sam takes a hitching breath, suddenly feeling dizzy. He puts his good hand on the ground to steady himself, and only now realises just how weak he feels. Another indicator that the fever did take its toll on him, and another fact that makes all of this even more confusing.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 13 2015, 06:15 PM Post #181 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Sam suddenly looking so weak and helpless serves to snap Gene out of his reverie a little, and he manages to take the couple of extra steps to make it to Sam's side. Gingerly and hesitantly, Gene lifts his hand to cup Sam's cheek, raising his face up to get a proper look. There are bags under Sam's eyes and he still feels a little too warm... But there's nothing like the raging fever of last night. He's beaten it! Some miracle's happened and Sam's beaten it! He's beaten the virus!* *in nothing more than a breath* .... You always were the bloody oddity...! |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 13 2015, 07:43 PM Post #182 |
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Gladys
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*Gene's hand on his skin gives Sam an odd feeling; it tingles where there's contact, and it's strangely cool against his skin... Sam focuses on Gene, searches his eyes. And this... Gene's touch, and his being so close, his eyes so wide... it's the final evidence that this is indeed real, and not just one last dream. At Gene's words, Sam gives a huff, his lips twitching into a smile - isn't this the ruddy truth. And only then - after another moment of hesitation - Sam lifts his hand (just as gingerly as Gene before) and places it on top of Gene's hand on his cheek. It's real. This must be the first time in months that Sam is glad of something feeling so real.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 13 2015, 10:58 PM Post #183 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene feels a disbelieving smile touch his lips as Sam's hand comes to rest on his own. They're touching and the dream hasn't shattered. Unbelievable. How they dodged this bullet, he'll never know. He was prepared to die a second ago... Turned the bloody gun on himself for a moment. Almost shot Sam. God, he almost shot Sam.... Trying to ignore that fact, he drops his gaze and scans Sam with his eyes. * You... How're you feelin'? You okay...? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 14 2015, 08:56 AM Post #184 |
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Gladys
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*There is something in Gene's face, in his expression, open and vulnerable as it is at the moment, that causes a twinge in Sam's chest - a moment of horror - but then he finally allows himself to lean into Gene's touch properly as Gene's gaze leaves his. Sam remains silent for a few moments, having to feel his body. What he finds isn't exactly uplifting, but it's far from being the horrifying experience that was the fever... What Sam can remember of it, at least. He realises he has no idea what really happened shortly after... After the others left. Pulling himself back into the present, Sam finally replies* ... Yeah. Feel tired... weak... Still a bit of a headache... But I'm fine. *and he can't help but smile at this, smile at the impossibility of the situation. He's alive, and he's okay.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 14 2015, 07:37 PM Post #185 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Tired, weak, headachey..... All things you'd expect from someone recovering from a fever. Not someone recovering from a zombie bite, though - how Sam's even alive, Gene can't get his head around it. He's not believed in a deity for a good long while now... But something like this almost makes him change his mind. He nods, giving Sam one more once over. Right. He needs to try and get him back up to full strength now... Needs to try and get him in a position to move on. If they can do that then maybe there's a chance they'll even be able to catch up to the others, eventually...!* Okay.... Here. *Gene turns, getting back up onto his feet and grabbing the single water bottle the others'd left them with. It's half empty, but in this situation any water at all is a blessing. With unsteady hands, Gene rushes to undo the lid and holds it up for Sam to drink from* After all that sweating you're bound to be dehydrated... |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 14 2015, 07:44 PM Post #186 |
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Gladys
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*Sam watches Gene move about, and when he returns with the water bottle, he very suddenly realises just how thirty he is. He'd not managed to drink anything when the fever started, after all, and now... Sam reaches out for the bottle - and that moment, when he takes a hold of it, is when he realises just how weak he is. His hand is shaking, and he barely manages to close his fingers around the plastic. He won't be able to properly hold it... Before Gene can let go of the precious bottle, Sam withdraws his hand, shaking his head.* I can't... *stops himself, and takes a breath. He's too tired to think about dignity, to grateful to feel shame.* ... I can't hold it. I'll need your help. *He knows it's worrying - they can't have many bottles left as it is (Sam doesn't know this is, in fact, the last one), and they need to be able to leave this place if they don't just want to starve... and that would be too ironic, after what just happened. Still, Sam tries to remain practical, if not positive. He needs to drink, and he needs help with it. It's simple as that.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 14 2015, 11:30 PM Post #187 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene's just too grateful that Sam's alive to let something like dignity or pride get in the way now - he closes his hand around Sam's, locking it around the bottle without a word. And from there he raises it, tipping the nozzle towards Sam's mouth. He just needs Sam to rehydrate - to get some colour back. If Sam's made it this far, defying all logic, he's sure as hell not going to die from something as ordinary as dehydration...!* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 15 2015, 08:18 AM Post #188 |
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Gladys
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*Gene's hand closing around his own sends a surge of warmth through Sam, and drinking like this suddenly seems to be the easiest thing to do. And God - the water going down his throat feels like balm, and he has to be careful not to drink too fast and choke. What a difference to before, when the pain from the bite wouldn't allow Sam to swallow... But now that he thinks about it, as soon as Sam lowers the bottle (with Gene's help), he glances down, trying to get a look at the wound. There is an irrational sliver of hope that maybe, just like the infection, it will have vanished... ... but no, Sam can see the angry red skin, part of the marks. He looks up again, focusing on Gene and exhaling. Then, he forces himself to smile* ... thought maybe it was all just a dream.... *He doesn't quite understand why, but seeing the bite... it's dampened some of his relief. It suddenly makes him think that maybe, the infection hasn't just vanished... maybe it's just dormant...* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 15 2015, 07:50 PM Post #189 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene catches Sam looking down at the bite and frowns, a sudden fear rising in him again.* What's wrong? Does it hurt? *It still looks raw and sore... But it's not bleeding any more, and that slimey saliva's gone from it now. It's not wet, it's dry... It should start to heal soon, but that's litte comfort when he feels that Sam's in pain right now. They need to get medical supplies... Dammit, they let Ray and the others take everything. Gene thought they'd both be dead by now, he didn't think they'd need to keep anything back. The hospital's the only place they can go now.... Try and meet the others. And if they're too late, at least Gene should be able to clean that bite up a bit more...* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 15 2015, 08:00 PM Post #190 |
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Gladys
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*Sam hurries to shake his head* No, no, don't.... don't worry. It's not too bad, just... it's there. *exhales with a silent sigh, already regretting having made Gene worry like that. They're both going to be on edge now, even more so than the last few months... There's going to be uncertainty. But then again, Sam could be dead now, or worse. Sam remembers how the gun Gene had pointed at him was quivering, and now that the fuzziness of the fever is slowly wearing down, he does understand the implication of that. The fact that Gene waited for so long to shoot. That, possibly, he wouldn't have been able to shoot at all. Sam wants to hug Gene. Instead, he reaches out, curling his fingers around Gene's hand and squeezing as far as he can. He's weak, horribly so, but that won't stop him from giving Gene as much comfort as he can.* |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 15 2015, 08:18 PM Post #191 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene looks down at Sam's hand, curled around his own. With how emotionally exhausted he is, he can't tell whether Sam's just trying to make him feel less worried or whether he really is okay. But in any case... It's Gene's responsibility to get Sam to the hospital safely now. With his partner vulnerable, Gene's going to protect him. Make sure that what almost happened in this room just minutes ago never happens for real. Giving in to a powerful urge that's been bubbling up inside him, Gene leans forward and goes to wrap his arms around Sam. He just needs to feel him - feel his partner's heart beat against his own.* |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 15 2015, 08:23 PM Post #192 |
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Gladys
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*Sam sucks in a startled breath as Gene suddenly goes in for the hug, and for a moment, he can't identify what it is that makes him hesitate, even though he's aching to reciprocate, to just curl up and let himself be enveloped by Gene, to kiss.... .... no. The realisation goes through him with a jolt, and a moment later, Sam is pushing against Gene's shoulders gently, but insistently.* Gene, no... don't... *It hurts, the realisation hurts and Sam can feel it chipping away at his general joy of still being alive, but with everything that's happened... they can't be sure of anything right now. But Sam doesn't wish to hurt Gene any more than what's already happened, so he tries to explain* If the infection is still there... we don't know if it's gone, if it's just dormant or-- *takes a breath* If it's still there, I don't want you... I don't want you to catch it. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 15 2015, 11:13 PM Post #193 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene stops short, confused and worried by Sam stopping him. What's the matter - is Sam in enough pain that he's worried he'll make it worse? Maybe Sam needs space right now... But... And then there it is - the worry that he's tried not to let himself think about. What if it's not over. Unable to stop his face from showing the disappointment and concern, he sits back on his heels, away from Sam. Does this mean he can't touch Sam now? Like he's radioactive?* .... You think that's what it is? Dormant? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 16 2015, 07:49 AM Post #194 |
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Gladys
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*Sam looks away, shaking his head* ... I don't know. I just don't. *clenched his good hand into a fist, frustration starting to bubble up inside him. He's starting to fully realise what this means... * .... I don't wanna risk it. Even if I'm an anomaly... That doesn't mean you are as well. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 16 2015, 06:07 PM Post #195 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Gene keeps his gaze on Sam for a moment, trying to process this. Sam really does mean to not touch him. And he can't even reason against it - Sam's doing it for his own protection. Sam could potentially be lethal to Gene now, and somehow that doesn't compute. He wants to go in for a hug anyway, screw the consequences- after what they've been through how is he not meant to hug him? But he realises that to force it may cause Sam more damage. He could panic, move the wrong way... Sam's weak enough as it is and Gene isn't going to risk anything just to calm his own hurting heart. So he backs down, dropping his hands and nodding reluctantly.* In that case we'd better think about moving, then. When y'feel able to. *Gene looks down at the half empty water bottle - they'll need more of that if they're to have a hope of getting to the hospital. He takes a breath.* This place must be hidin' supplies, big office building like this... I'll go check it out, bring anything I find back 'ere. Give you some time to rest up. |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 16 2015, 07:55 PM Post #196 |
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Gladys
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*Heart aching, Sam nods. Gene understands... But he doesn't like it. Fair enough - Sam hates it. Hates the thought that he could now potentially be a time bomb... Still a threat to those around him. Still, he's alive. He gets to watch as moves in front of him, gets to listen to his voice... That's got to count for something. Hell have to keep reminding himself of that.* Alright. *hesitates - but no, he has to say it, he can't keep it in... * ... Be careful. |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 16 2015, 11:02 PM Post #197 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*Not wanting to leave Sam alone even though it's necessary, Gene grunts in response. * Yeah. You stay put, I'll be back in a little bit. *It feels wrong to be leaving Sam on his own, especially when they haven't even given each other a hug after all that trauma... But Gene has a job to do. Now that Sam's alive and weak he's got to be the Guv again. Reunite his team and keep his partner alive and well. Not such an easy task. He makes sure the door's shut well behind him and edges out into the new vacant hallway. The undead are long gone, thankfully... But where exactly they've gone to, Gene isn't sure. Warily, Gene takes the stairs into the foyer and then up again into the offices. After rifling through the cupboards and canteen, he's found nothing but an old watercooler with a little puddle in still (which he bottles up quickly), some moldy bread (useless), a few lighters (extremely useful) , a tin of baked beans, teabags and a few packets of crisps. Not a great haul, but he takes everything minus the bread. On his way back down he encounters a couple of walkers. A swift kick to the front most one and the two creatures tumble down the stairs in a pile of limbs. Heart beating hard and eager to get back to check on Sam, Gene leaps on top of them and knifes them both in the head, swiftly dispatching them. With a grimace he wipes his bloody hand on his shirt and hefts his loot back onto his shoulder. Finally back at Sam's hideout Gene shifts his naff barricade and squeezes his way back in.* Not much up there, but it'll keep us going for a day. Should be enough to get us to the hospital. *trying to keep the concern out of his voice* ... How're you feeling? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 17 2015, 08:10 AM Post #198 |
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Gladys
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*Sam watches Gene leave until he's gone, then leans back with a sigh. In the silence that spreads, he finally has to properly think about what happened. He was supposed to die... He was dying. The fever was raging, he remembers that much... Sam frowns. The fever... What if that wasn't just the infection? What if that was his body fighting off the intruders...? If that was the case, then that must mean that the virus has been eliminated... ... But they can't know for sure. Not until they get somewhere with the means to perform a blood test. With a frustrated groan, Sam starts shifting. He only just woke up, but he's already feeling exhausted again... And his surroundings have started to pitch slightly, first in one direction, then the other. He needs to lie down. Carefully, Sam reaches for his backpack, starting to rummage... And there, there's that blanket he'd picked up a while ago. Balling it together so that it forms a veritable pillow, Sam lowers himself until his head is resting on it. And, yes.... That is much better. By the time Gene returns, Sam's eyes have fallen closed, but he blinks them open at the scraping of the door, and even heaves himself up on his good elbow a little. But it's only Gene... Relieved, Sam lets himself flop down again, a little smile showing on his face.* ... Still tired... I'll 'ave to rest for a while... *he notices the blood on Gene' 's shirt, and there is a little spike of fear in his chest* .... You alright? |
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| Gene Hunt | Apr 17 2015, 06:12 PM Post #199 |
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Detective Chief Inspector
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*It concerns Gene that Sam's lying down when he gets back - Suddenly he worries that he may have gotten worse somehow... The infection isn't coming back is it? He finds himself met with equal concern though, enabling him to relax a bit. In response to Sam's question, he looks down at his shirt - the blood.* Oh... Yeah, fine. Just had to put a couple down. *He drops his stash down next to Sam and leans over him, watching for any signs of pain. Really the food he found should be saved for the road... But with Sam looking so weak...* Found some food. You'll be sick of beans right now, but they might give you a boost? |
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| Sam Tyler | Apr 17 2015, 07:04 PM Post #200 |
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Gladys
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*So there still were zombies in the building... Sam frowns, his gaze drifting away from Gene for a moment. Sam isn't worried for himself so much as for Gene, now. He finds himself in the strange position of knowing exactly what having the fever means going through... And he doesn't wish that on anyone, least of all Gene. Not to mention that Sam would probably go insane should he lose Gene in that manner. Inhaling suddenly, Sam pulls himself into the present, only now realising that Gene asked him a question and is holding the can of beans up. The sight makes Sam's stomach clench.* Oh. Er... no, you're alright. I just... need rest. |
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2:12 PM Jul 11