OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
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ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
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FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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OPEN MODERATOR POSITION
outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
"You don't ever need to apologize for that ADA, I promise you."
A little lift happened to her mouth then. Interestingly enough, she found her head twisting towards him as she studied his profile. "Have I told you how fond I am of this little nickname you've given me?" It was honest, sincere. She had gotten the typical nicknames her whole life. Bryn, Lee, B, Red. More annoyingly 'Little Red'. A few kids in middle school liked to call her 'soulless' and she took full advantage of that. But ADA was unique. It was different to her. And it was something he had given her all on his own. No prompting, never asked for it. It was something he felt about her and it warmed her chest to think about it.
Bursts of laughter left her every time the vehicle seemed to skid one way or another. As they cleared the next hill and then started taking climbs that made her think there was no way they were making it. Her heart worked like a jackhammer in her chest as she stole glances at him from the passenger seat. Gauging his reaction to each climb before her eyes were back out the front of the vehicle. By far, this was the most daring and fun date she had ever been on. And it had only just begun. Her hair bounced with each downward pull of the vehicle and she couldn't wipe the smile from her face if she tried.
By the time they reached the top, she was breathing irregularly and though her hands were tight on the door and her seatbelt, it was clear she had enjoyed what they just did. Dark eyes flashed to him as he told her to hang tight and then disappeared. She sat for a moment in silence, taking calm, deep breaths to try and calm herself before she reached up and ran her hand through her hair. She didn't think it had been that rough of a ride, but this was a date. She wanted to look good for him and show that she cared. Her hands worked on the seatbelt as she heard the shuffling behind her and she peeked over her shoulder to try and see exactly what he was doing, but he was already to her side. The door opening and a hand being extended her way.
Brynlee took his hand and hopped down, skipping any sort of foot rail that might have been their for her ease and she flashed him a bright white smile. Easily falling into step with him as he explained why he had chosen here. With the ladder down, she climbed up, her face softening as she saw the arrangement of pillows and blankets that waited in essential the bed of the military vehicle. She paused a moment, something rushing over her in that moment, even as she heard him continue to talk. No one had ever done something like this for her. Dinners, sure. Movies, yes. But dinner under the stars and where they could curl up to watch any flights pass over head? It touched her.
She heard him coming up behind her and she moved forward, finding a spot and pulling a blanket over her shoulders as she sat down on a pillow, making herself comfortable. The moment he was up with her, her eyes were looking at him as if she had not seen him before. As if he was suddenly casted in a new light and the affection she had for him was clear on her face. "No, I think I'm just fine." She responded, looking at him for a brief moment before she completely settled in.
"I have to say, you always seem to take me by surprise. No one... has ever done something like this for me." She gestured almost aimlessly around them. Gesturing to everything and yet nothing all at once.
The hand that snagged out and rested on her hip was a total distraction. Enough of one that she almost found herself drawing him into her. Reaching out and pulling him to her to kiss him in her kitchen. Though they wouldn’t get very far if that started and he seemed to have had some things planned. He went through the effort of dressing up in a uniform and the large vehicle that was parked in her driveway. Her eyes flickered down his chest then back to his face. Behave. Yes, that was a good idea, and it would probably allow them to get out of her kitchen in the very least. So when he released her, she let out a breath and didn’t chase after him.
“We are definitely prime time daytime drama,” She teased as they left. And then it was up and into the vehicle for her. She had to say she was impressed. They were in and out of her door in no time. No lingering in the doorway, not grabbing one another and finding the stairs up to her room. They had acted like adults and now she sat in the passenger seat and chuckling at the idea of Bath and Body Works trying to make things that smelled as good as the food in the cabin of the vehicle. “If they made scents like this, I would be hungry all the time.” She chuckled.
The kiss to the back of her hand had that grin remaining on her face as they got on the road. Her opposite hand absentmindedly running her fingers of where her skin was still on fire from where his lips touched her skin. Brynlee had never really done the dating scene too much. She didn’t like bringing people home to be scared off. She did things more in secret than anything else. Which meant she normally just didn’t do anything. She didn’t have the time really to be rushing after others. But with blonde over there... she wanted to give it a shot. That smile he gave her the first time they met. The flirtation that he tossed her way while still seemingly so... pure, it all sucked her right in.
After a few minutes, the mention of getting into the backseat had her burst into laughter. “Oh, so my earlier guess of getting in the truck wasn’t too far off then. See? This is why the bar is low.” She laughed, her eyes flashing over to him for a moment. Biting the bottom of her lip before she looked back ahead. Watching the warning signs come up as they got closer. Her interest peeked and she started leaning a bit forward in the seat to try and read the signs before they even passed by. Just where exactly did he plan on bringing her?
Before she knew it, he was asking her to get into his backseat. At first it didn’t register as anything, until he seemed to stumble over the words. Which just made her chuckle as she unbuckled and got ready to climb over the center console. “If that’s where you want me, blondie.” She whispered as she pressed a kiss to his cheek before she slipped into the back area. Brynlee wasn’t exactly sure where to go, so she slid her butt to the floor behind his seat and pressed her back into the back of the drivers seat. Listening to the exchange between Kane and whoever was outside the vehicle. Her head turned as she tried to catch a look outside. But she couldnt’ see anything. Which meant she just had to sit there and wait.
She climbed back to the front when he told her to. Trying her best to not shove her body into his as he drove. Her arm brushing his and her hip bumping his shoulder lightly. A small apology falling from her before she settled back into her seat and tossed him a look. “I can handle a rough ride. Punch it!” She teased, her hands securing the seatbelt as she sat back and prepared for the ride. And whatever twists and turns awaited the two of them along the way. Her hand gripping the door when a few bumps sent her jarring one way or another. Though a laugh always seemed to leave her. “I hope you secured that food down, or else its all going to be tossed.” She laughed.
"And rob me of seeing you in those jeans? Not a chance."
A smile came across her lips as she purposefully gave a slow turn for him, so he could 'examine' said jeans on her. Only stopping once she made a full 360 and was facing him once more. "Definitely an upgrade from the scrubs you are used to seeing. And a better color if I do say so myself." She smoothed her hands down the front of the jeans for a moment. She wanted to wear different color scrubs, but something about everyone looking 'uniformed' at the hospital made it that they had to stick to one of two colors. And maybe, if they were in a celebratory mood one month, allowing them to have one day of 'wacky scrubs' day. You know, to boost moral during the rough times.
She shrugged at his comment of low bars. "Listen, I just like to be prepared. Because these are definitely not my trunk jeans. Which means I would need to go change and I just like to try and be prepared. Even though we seem to fly by the seat of our pants when together." A quick little quirk of her brow sent his way, biting back the smile. ADA, she liked it too much. Almost too much overall. Brynlee chuckled lightly at how he had faith in her figuring it out. She hadn't done it yet, but maybe she'd go in and push to fix it that much more now. As if she wanted to prove that his faith in her was a correct one.
There was no hesitation on her end when he motioned to the door. She was quick in her steps, following him as if he would vanish if he got too far ahead of her. She only paused long enough to pull on her jacket and lock the door behind them before she was eyeing the vehicle as they approached. Taking in the size of the beast and the overall armored look of it. What exactly did he have planned for the night that needed this heavy machinery? Whatever it was, she was sure that she was going to love it. The wild side of her was making her heart race as he pulled the door open and offered his hand to her. Which she took. Any excuse to touch him really, and she was taking it.
Kane's explanation of the vehicle made her grin as she settled into the seat and looked down at him. "And I'm assuming that smell is just a really good air freshener?" Oh, she smelled the dinner and she was excited. Her eyes followed him around the vehicle until he was pulling his door open, before she was moving her eyes over the dashboard. She really didn't feel like she should touch anything. He did say it cost half a million dollars to make the vehicle and that was a bit out of her price range if she was to break things. "Not a chance in hell, blondie." She replied, reaching over and with her hand, she'd guide his hand to the throttle with a bright smile. Her hand squeezing his. "Let's see what trouble you are getting us into," She almost bounced in her seat with excitement.
"Hey there. Don't worry someone is already there. What's your name?"
Her head rested on the ground for a moment, eyes closed as she tried to form what exactly she needed to do next. Which was get out of the truck. She groaned lightly as she applied pressure to her hip once more. Feeling warm liquid cover her hand. Knowing that wasn't good. None of this was good. "Brynlee Valentine... I work up at... Lethford hospital." She wanted to press again on the other driver, on her sister. But her head swirled for a moment. Just long enough to make her pause.
She heard him yell, making her force herself to pick her head up and look at him as he looked back inside the truck. She must look bad. She took a deep breath, focusing on how it filled her lungs and then started off. "Four cars, right? Me and the Honda were in the middle. It was... uh, I think a sliver car that hit me from behind? And then the other one hit Eloise's car when we were pushed through the stop sign... Or maybe they hit my car. I..." She stopped as she closed her eyes. Why could she not remember this, it just happened! She should be able to pull it all up in her head. But it was so fast. Everything happened so fast.
She heard his voice then, and tears filled her eyes. Why was he back so soon? Where was Elosie? Why wasn't she talking to her to? She cleared her throat. What had he asked? Oh her pain... where was it? "I don't know." It was a bone chilling realization as she realized that suddenly she couldn't feel the pain. She was going into shock. A soft groan left her. It was too early for shock. She certainly hadn't lost that much blood already had she? "I'm bleeding from my side... I know that my left leg... was numb when I came to. It was the one... pinning me to the... seat." A soft gasp leaving her as she struggled to breath. "And easily... a collapsed lung." And who knew what else. She was pretty sure she had a busted eyebrow at least.
She felt pressure on her hand suddenly, and she shifted just enough to look back at Kane. A soft, sad smile crossed her face. "Hey blondie," She said lightly. "Funny running into... you in a place like this." She rolled her head to rest against the roof of her truck again as she felt dizzy. Her body too warm suddenly. "Eloise... where is.. she?"
A light blush broke out under her freckled cheeks at his comment. Though the smile didn't dim on her face. She wanted to look good for him. Enough of the times of him catching her with her hair falling halfway out of its pony tail or braids, or her day olds scrubs that she would desperately need to change at some point. It was about time that she showed she could clean up decently. And that she had a look outside of 'permanently exhausted' for her face. His comment on his uniform had her lifting a brow as he stepped inside her home.
It was nothing super fancy. But it was very homey. Hard wood floors, a simple couch in the living room with perhaps one too many fluffy blankets over it. A coffee table that still had a forgotten coffee mug on it from where she had curled up and watched a movie on her own that morning. Pictures scattered across the walls and end tables throughout. Pictures of her and her family, a few friends. Perhaps a photo of her in her bartending days as well, leaning over the bar to squeeze into a photo with friends who were visiting her. She was definitely a hit in college. The friend who worked the bar and could make a mean drink? Favorite. "Does this mean I have a matching outfit in the... vehicle?" To be honest, she wasn't sure what that thing was, but it looked like fun.
"Or are you going to be smuggling me in the trunk somewhere?" A glint of mischief shined in her eyes as she looked over to him. Watching him move through her space. There was something comforting at the sight. Though also something very nerve-wrecking. The place was still pretty new to her, she had gotten it in the past year. And now that she really thought of it, he was the first person outside of her sister that had been in her place. A small laugh left her when he mentioned that PET scanner. It was not a laugh of amusement. "That thing. Will be the absolute death of me." She mumbled, her hands gently laying the roses down on her counter as she looked under her sink for a vase.
"I still cannot figure out why its showing these odd results. I pushed back several times that the results were accurate, but after the fifth patient... well. It's hard to believe that all five non related cases were showing the same thing." She finally dug one out and set about rinsing it out and then filling it with water. "So needless to say, thats a bill the hospital is not quite able to afford after everything recently." Her hands worked to get the roses into the vase and a ghost of a smile landed back on her lips. This boy brought her flowers. One point to him right out the gate.
"I'm glad we're finally getting to do this."
Brynlee turned back towards him, her hands resting beside her on the counter top as she looked back at him. Kane freaking Shelby. Who would have thought... "I am too." For once she didn't have smart remarks for him because she was genuinely happy about it. But his next questions had her tilted her head at him, eyes widening a bit in complete amusement and yet question. Brows pulling slightly together and lips tugging upwards at the corners. "I can swim, though I am not sure how much I want to do that in this weather." She laughed and then shrugged at the second question. "And, with the exception of possibly an expired tetanus shot... I think I am good." She answered, slowly pushing herself off the counter to walk towards him. Eyes bright as she looked up at Kane, stopping only a breath away from him. "Just exactly what kind of trouble do you have planned tonight blondie?"
Brynlee didn't actually think this day would come. For some reason, she felt like their entire relationship, if it could be called that, would only exist in run ins and her treating him at the hospital. That seemed to be their track record to date at least. But finally, today was the day. She hadn't forgotten about it. She had it marked in her calendar in her phone. She temporarily blocked her works phone number, just so she wouldn't get guilted into going into work if they dared call her. This was important to her. Even if she wouldn't tell Kane the extent of what she did to ensure her night was free.
Actually, she most definitely would not be telling him. No need to embarrass herself for seeming that excited for the date.... or maybe if she did tell him, he'd grin down to her and that might be worth it. She bit her lip and shook her head, focusing back at herself in the mirror. A pair of dark jeans on, something Kane had possibly never seen her in. Actually, he had always seen her in scrubs, hair a mess, and probably looking exhausted. For once, she was so happy that she had gotten some sleep. No bags under her eyes, hair freshly washed and down in soft waves. A dark gray sweater on top of a tank top. Combat boots to top it off and she was ready to go.
She tried to not pace around while she waited. He had plenty of time still, and yet she was nervous. What if something came up? What if he got called away again and she had gotten her hopes up? She couldn't be mad at it, just upset. She was pretty sure she had walked a whole ditch into her living room by the time she heard the knock on her door. Her heart leaping into her throat as she tried to not run to the door, opening it and unable to stop the bright smile that spread over her face when she saw him. Decked out in a military uniform, cap and all, with an arm full of roses.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes," She said, leaning her shoulder against the door frame for a moment to look him over. He was really there, and judging by the fact that he brought her flowers, it was not to tell her that he got called away for a job. "Do you want to come in while I find those guys a home?" She asked, nodding to the flowers. She honestly couldn't remember a time that someone had brought her flowers, and it made her heart flutter in her chest. If he agreed, she'd hold the door open for him.
Brynlee didn't hear the sirens. She desperately wanted to get out of the truck and as she hung upside down she was scrambling to find her usual mind. The one that she switched into at work, focused, determined. But all she could feel was the panic. Her mind focusing on the fact that she couldn't feel the toes on the leg that held her pinned to her seat. She felt tears sting her eyes as she caught movement out her broken window. Her freckled face turned towards it and a soft, pained groan left her. Not you, I don't want you to see this. She could almost cry.
Especially as she watched his mouth move and nothing come out. No, it was her. Her ears were not picking up on them. She stared at him, those blue eyes looking at her. Her heart was breaking. The light made her flinch, and her head turned back to her lap above her. To where she was pinned. She pushed against the steering wheel with her hands and a frustrated cry left her, "I'm stuck, my leg... Kane I don't know where I'm bleeding from." She was trying to focus. She really was, but the red clouding her vision was
"...check on Eloise okay? I'm going to be right back."
Suddenly she heard him, as if someone switched her hearing back on with a flick of a light switch. Those brown eyes moved to him as she saw him move away. She wanted to ask him to stay. She was scared. For the first time, she showed her fear on her face and that rattled her. Watching Kane's retreating form, watching him approach Eloise's car. It pushed her to focus. Her face turning towards her lap once more, a hand wiping away at her eyes to try and clear some of blood from her sight. And when she went to work on getting herself free. Shifting the one leg she could feel, she shifted her body.
A small cry leaving her lips as pain radiated through her. But once she felt that she could move her right leg, she slipped her hand under the steering wheel. She knew there was a button somewhere under it that controlled the position of the steering where. So if she was able to push it and lift, she could hopefully get enough room to wiggle herself free. With a few tries, her fingers just hit it and then pushed it. She came slipping out of the seat. Her body hitting the roof hard and she laid there stunned for a moment. She told herself to get up. To move. To drag herself out the window... her head tilted back to look at it. She didn't think she'd fit. Her breathing was ragged and she felt like the truck itself was sitting on her chest.
Brynlee wanted to know about Eloise. And the fact that she had yet to come running over made despair grow in her stomach. She started shaking as she turned over to her stomach, hearing someone approach from the outside. A sharp pain radiated from her hip as she rolled, a hand flying to her side. Red hair tangled, and she looked at the boots on the outside of her window. "Help Eloise first... the driver in the Honda. I... I am okay." But was she? She tried to lift her head but dark spots were suddenly clouding her vision. No, not now. Pull it together Bryn.
The Valentine family tried to meet up once a month for dinner. At least. Even with the current situation, even with several of the siblings working in the medical field or with the public, they tried to keep up with it. Brynlee had skipped the last two. There was too much going on with the hospital and everything that was going on in Lethford. It was just too much and she apologized to them. Even going as far as FaceTiming them during the dinner from a supply closet just to be able to see all their faces together. But not this month. No phone screen's for this red head. She was going to wrap her arms around her parents and hug them tight.
And she did just that. The five siblings immediately burst into witty comments, sarcasm, and banter as they sat around their parents dining table. The two older adults just shaking their head but so happy to see their children all together. Healthy, happy, and now home. Filled with good food, lots of jabs, and even prying questions that made almost each sibling look away from others. Brynlee included though she quickly redirected that conversation. Eloise did not allow her. "Mom, no listen. Brynlee has a boy." A hard look was cut across the table as the younger red head burst into laughter. "Oh I'm sorry, a man. He's a man. What's his name again? Officer..." She pressed, propping her head up with her hand.
This caught everyone's attention. Brynlee knew she would be going after a few of her coworkers after this. Someone ratted her out, someone who must have seen her when she was curled up in Kane's room when the raid's happened. Or perhaps they had seen the two and the way they interacted when he was not in the room he was supposed to be in. So whoever was the traitor was at work, she was going to go after them. "I'll... bring him around soon enough, okay? And it's Kane." She knew that she was going to have to give some kind of information or else they would be hounding her the rest of the night. As it was, they reminded her about five more times before her and Eloise made it to the door to leave.
A swift kiss to each cheek, their mother sent them out with her love, their father standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder. The girls knew that this was always hardest. Saying goodbye, Not knowing what laid in wait for the Valentine children every time they had to clock in at work. The girls had rode out separately, Brynlee leaving later than Elosie had. But they agreed to follow each other home. Bryn, being the bigger sister, following behind the smaller sedan. With the windshield wipers on, Brynlee was careful with driving. Making sure to keep distance because with the weather the way it was she knew that things could get out of control at any moment.
And then they did. Except it wasn't her. It was the car behind her. Instead of being safe, they were speeding, not fully paying attention to the fact that they were coming to a 4 way stop in the road. It wasn't busy, never was near that part of town, but when Eloise hit the breaks, and then Brynlee, the car behind her hit ice. Car spinning out of control, trying to overcorrect and as she caught the movement in her rearview window, Bryn tried to move her truck. But the other vehicle hit hers, spinning it into Eloise's car. And, like a perfect storm, someone else had failed to pay attention to the four way stop and then slammed into the front of the sedan. Four vehicles scattering across the roads. Bryn's truck flipping the moment it hit half of the ditch and the weight was thrown off by the steep embankment.
Brynlee blacked out at some point during the commotion and crashing. She saw a flash of Eloise's car. Bright lights in her rear view. Glass shattering and... grass outside her windshield? Her eyes slid shut again. And then she gasped, her body jerking as she realized everything hurt. A strangled moan left her mouth as she started to process what was happening. She was upside down. There was something dripping up her face, it was thick and... she smelled iron. No. That wasn't good. Her medical side kicking in knowing that wasn't good. She opened her mouth, realizing she saw her sister vehicle. "Eli?" Her voice was strangled and she realized she couldn't breathe right.
She reached for her hips that were above her head, trying to find the seatbelt release, fumbling as she realized that her breathing was off. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She had to have a collapsed lung. But where was the blood coming from? She found the button and pressed it, the fabric yanking back and hitting her face in the process. Another groan left as she tried to draw in a breath. But she didn't move. She expected to fall to the roof of her truck, but she didn't. No... she realized she couldn't feel her toes on one leg. A soft cry left her lips, finally finding it in her to look up. Her left leg was pinned by her steering wheel to the floor. Her truck was twisted in a way that it shouldn't be. She needed her phone. Anything. She had to think. But all she heard was a scream. One she knew too well and chilled her to the bone. "Eloise!" She tried to yell back, but it was barely above a talking level. Her lungs screaming at her for daring to try and push out and pull in that much air.
'It's in your head Brynlee, you can breathe just fine. It's a collapsed lung.... but why?' She was shaking. The blood hitting her lips made her want to cry. Why was she bleeding? Her head twisted as her hands reached over her head and pushed against the truck roof, trying to see if she could get her leg unstuck. But it wasn't helping that she had lost feeling in the leg. Possibly shock. She prayed it was shock. Her eyes opened and stared out her busted side window, barely able to see the backend of Eloise's car. Dear heavens, please let her be okay.
Brynlee had not seen her brother in far too long. And by that, she meant two weeks of her life. Things had been absolutely chaotic after the hospital break in and then, even though she had seen him since, it was still something they hadn't fully dove into. She was okay, and that was all she really wanted to share about it. Yet there was truly so much more to that then just 'she survived'. But eventually, she would talk to him about it. About what happened and how a certain... cop saved her rear end.
So when she pulled up in her truck, she hoped out with a smile. Her bright red hair fanning over her shoulder as she jogged up the steps to the door and didn't bother knocking. It wasn't her style. Not with Dean or her parents. She just let herself in. Right into a dramatic scene from Star Wars. She smiled brightly on her freckled face. "Darth Olivia-r... I pictured you more as a sister figure." She teased, moving to scoop the two into her arms. "And how are my little monsters?! Dean!" She hollered into the house so he'd know she was there.
"You do and you're right… I didn't consider that."
She leveled her stare at him. "I might not have to dodge literal bullets, but it isn't exactly a cake walk. And the only time I was dodging bullets you were here to save me." She glanced around in almost a teasing manner, suddenly her mood elevating from cautious into full on typical Brynlee. "Which I hope that means I won't be doing that today... I've already had a long shift. And last time you didn't fair too well. But at least you know where some good jello is at." She winked at him, remembering the time they spent together curled up on the hospital bed.
The moment the words were out of her mouth about liking him, about her feeling the same way about the damn man that she hadn't even gotten one proper date with yet, his grin was across his features and making her own spread. Her cheeks hurting a little at how wide her smile was and she shook her head, biting her lower lip to try and contain it as she looked at the table between them. All the times she thought of him, she had not expected this if she ran into him again. She expected him to possibly rub the back of his head and offer a sorry, or for her to yell at him and walk away. End of it. She talked a mean game in her head and yet... her she was, grinning at him.
"Is that date still on the table?"
She reached forward, pulling a napkin from the little dispenser on the edge of the table and reached for the pen in her pocket. Clicking it quickly and scribbling down 'date' onto the paper. Then clicked the pen once again, tucking it back into her scrub pocket and pushing the paper towards him. Though she kept her finger tips on it, in case he tried to take it too quick. "It comes with stipulations. If you chose to accept it, that is." She let her eyes linger on his, mischief shinning in them. "I already offered you a date, fully planned. This time? It's all on you, blondie." She said, lightly pushing the napkin before she released it and left it there for him to take it or leave it.
When he bickered about returning to the room, she rolled her eyes at him. Standing up and placing her hands on the table to lean towards him. Let out a sigh as she did. Some of her red hair falling over her shoulder. "Kane, I swear. Just get up there, let me examine you and we will talk about me discharging you earlier than I should be." Her brown eyes leveling with him, knowing that she was right. That she was telling him the truth and also telling him he wasn't going to have her signing any papers on him. Not when he was a SEAL who was undercover. No way in hell was her name going to be on that report if something hurt him further.
When he brushed off his leg as being fine, she wanted to press. She remembered how it looked. How really a lot of him looked and the shrapnel protruded from his limbs. The way she had to make a good tourniquet for his leg, shoving the cloth between his teeth before she pulled it tight. The distractions he asked for her to talk about as she pulled the pieces she could from him. The ones she could safely pull out without having him sedated and with a surgeon doing it. Brynlee was not a surgeon, but she damn well felt like one in that moment. And then her aggressively going after the one who tried telling her that he wouldn't come help and prep a room for Kane? The man was still terrified of her to this day.
"Ada."
That simple nickname he had given her after that incident brought her attention fully back to him. His apology was one that she didn't think she needed, but hearing it was a whole different thing. She visibly softened, she wanted him to call. Hell, she wanted a text message to just know he was alive. She had a few moments of doubt where she thought he just didn't want to see her and he had chosen to taking the path of ignoring her. But his next set of words clearly said otherwise.
"I like you Brynlee. A lot. If I was a normal guy we'd probably be married already."
A small burst of laughter left her, a hand raising to push back the pieces of hair that fell forward into her face. It was a bold statement. Even for her. And yet she welcomed it with open arms and found herself glad to hear him say it. Glad to know she wasn't the only one who was feeling the way that she was. Brynlee let that thought settle for a moment as he pressed on. Though her brows wound up tugging together as he went on and ended on the whole 'a girl like you deserves better' note. "A girl like me?" She was repeating a lot of his words this interaction. Apparently her quick wit had escaped her the moment she saw him.
"Kane." Her voice was almost a scold. Her brown gaze pinning him to his seat as she looked at him. "A girl like me would never want some white picket fence life. I can handle a lot more than you'd think. All a girl like me asks for, is a heads up. Or at least a 'hey I'm back' when you do resurface. I have a busy life too." She gestured around them at the hospital. "I can disappear for a few days at a time. I risk my life being here. Not the same way you do out there." Her hand gesturing out the window at the world that was outside. "But it doesn't mean I let others decide what is best for me. I know what I want. I decide my own happiness, blondie." She crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in her chair.
"There is only no future if you decide there isn't one to go after. But I'd argue that there is one. A tangible one." Suddenly the cafeteria felt too small for this conversation. Too open, too public. A deep breath let her and she turned her freckled face towards the ceiling for a moment, as if a sign would fall from one of the tiles and tell her what to say to him next. Of course it didn't, but her mind made up for that. "I like you Kane, a lot. So... as chivalrous?" She questioned, a light laugh leaving her as she returned her eyes to him. "As your offer was of 'you deserve better' may have seemed, I think it's a load of shit. So save that for some other girl. Not me." Her gaze serious as she pointed aimlessly towards the hallway into the hospital. "Now. Get back to your room so I can properly discharge you."
Brynlee was still trying to wrap her mind around seeing him again. Her breath in her mask became too much all of a sudden and she pulled it below her chin. She stared at him, her gaze unmoving as she did. And that little grin on his face only flared that temper of hers further. Her eyes flickering to his lips and then back up to him. He was absolutely infuriating. And yet it made her want to wrap him into her arms and pull him to her chest. Hug him hard to know that he was not only fine from the previous accident he was involved in, but he was back in the field.
"Well I'm here now. You still want me in bed?"
She let her head hang for a moment in front of her. Her hair falling forward, well what little had fallen out of her pony tail. She had her eyes closed for a moment before she lifted her head and looked at him. She caught the way his eyes lingered on her lips and she couldn't help the small twitch of a smile briefly claim the corners. "Unbelievable. You ghost me, before even taking me up on the date I had planned for us, and you want to now come flirt with me while I'm at work?" She asked him, raising a brow.
"I'm sorry I haven't been by lately. I had to go out of town for a while."
Brynlee slowly sank into the chair across from him. Her fingers flicking his folder to sit right in front of her as she folded her hands on top of it. She stared at her fingers for a moment, the way they laced together over that manila folder of his. She wanted to tell him that it was fine. They had a few heated moments of flirting and kissing, he saved her life, she saved his. Nothing more. She wanted to tell him that she had forgotten about him after he disappeared. But, it wasn't true.
She thought about him more than she should have. "Duty calls right?" She tried to shrug it off, her anger still there but much less hostile. "How's your leg?" Brynlee asked, she wanted to reach across the table. But she didn't. Instead she glanced over at the others around them. Before she turned her eyes back to him. "I am going to have to get you into a bed. Whether you like it or not."
Brynlee didn't think she'd see him again. After learning he was a Navy SEAL who was undercover, she thought that maybe he had bene reassigned somewhere. That with her knowing, they had removed him. Except he had her number, so why didn't he call her? Text her even? 'Hey I'm okay.' or 'Hey I was moved, sorry about that.' Hell she would have taken a 'hey I'm not interested' over the silence that she had gotten. So maybe there was a hurt that was personal lingering underneath the hard gaze that she had pegged on him. It faltered just a bit when he smiled at her.
"I didn't know they'd be sending their big guns after me. I concede."
She was barely within steps of him when he started, his hands raising up in surrender. She wanted to laugh. Bryn wanted to wrap her arms around him and hug him close to her. Instead, she came to a halt in front of his table in the cafeteria and looked him over. Judging by what she read in the file, he should definitely be resting up in a bed somewhere. Not relaxing at a table in the open cafeteria with the stuff they called coffee. She stared at him still. What did she even have to say at that moment? 'Where have you been?' 'Thanks for communicating.' 'I missed you.'
It all sounded way too stupid and the words made her throat dry. So by the time he gestured to the seat across from him, her eyes moved to it and lingered on it for a moment before looking back to him. Watching him grimace at his ribs as he moved in his seat. Right. He was hurt and in need of medical attention. Just like he did last night. "You concede?" As if she didn't hear his offer for coffee. "You are absolutely unbelievable." Her voice was supposed to sound angry. Like a stern doctor who was lecturing her patient for pushing themselves too hard. Instead, she sounded almost breathless.
She placed the folder down on the edge of the table and leaned into it. Her dark eyes staring at him as she could feel her breath in her mask. "You have broken ribs. You need to be in a bed waiting for your doctor, which is me, to go over the test results with you." She lectured further, finally starting to find her voice once more. Dear lord she forgot how handsome he was. It was worse now that she was closer to him. She could see the brightness of his eyes and the dimple in his smile. It was overwhelming in a way, but she wouldn't let that distract her. Not yet.
