Fandom WWZ - IC

[Safton]

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Jonah looked over the crowd that approached, his eyes taking in a myriad of details. There was the cold, calculating bit that assessed the threat they might pose: analyzing the weapons they bore and their overall demeanor. Attacks by looters and bandits on military & civilian installations alike were far from unheard of on this side of the Rockies, after all. It wasn't hard to imagine that this group might be less than pleased at their situation and looking to improve it by any means necessary. However, he also took note of how healthy they seemed: any sign of malnutrition or disease, for instance, or the state of their clothing. They didn't seem to be on death's door, but more than a few of them were worse for wear.

As the older man stepped forward to speak, Jonah felt a pang of sympathy. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "We're not a relief convoy. We're on a critical mission. I'd like to help you if we can, but our own supplies are also limited."

NanLia ​

 

[NanLia]

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The crowd quieted as Decker started to speak, however as the words left his mouth advising them they were not there as rescue the hush turned into an angry deafening roil. The 'leader' said nothing, only shaking his head as he was certain that he and only a select few heared the end of his sentence. He raised his hand and the crowd started to quiet enough that he could speak again. "See, that's a disapointment to hear because it is certainly not lost on us that you have two whole cattle carts rammed full of bovine, two horse trailers I imagine have horses and a school bus there that looks plenty full to me." The people behind him were nodding in agreement with each added point.

"So if you're not here to rescue us and you have 'limited' supplies, I wonder what are you really about?" Once more there was a rumble of agreement in the crowd, though none moved to raise weapons or move any closer to the military force. "Are you truly even part of our Nations Army? Maybe you're not even American, maybe you're well and truly Canadian and they've finally come to take over our lands?"

From behind Jonah Charlie made his way through the enlisted men until he reached Deckers side. He leaned in and spoke softly. "More have been spotted, coming up behind and to the sides - more than we can handle without help from the civs."
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Jonah tilted his head, hearing Charlie's warning. His heart began thumping in his chest, a cold sweat forming on his brow as he glared at the apparent leader of the strangers. "Those bovine are critical resources. We're under orders from the National Command Authority to transport them. Those orders don't include you." He paused, turning to scan the faces of those arrayed in front of him. They were scared, desperate people -- not soldiers, and hopefully not murderers. He hoped to avoid any bloodshed... and that meant bluffing.

Jonah took a step toward the man, nearly coming nose-to-nose with him before speaking in an even, deceptively calm tone. "You should tell your people to stand down -- the ones you have moving up on us. There are two ways out of this: one, you try your luck with a gun battle. We both lose. Maybe some of you are still alive at the end of it -- unfortunately you won't be one of them -- but I promise you with the noise we make you won't have more than a couple of minutes to scavenge what's left before the dead arrive." Decker gestured toward the heavy mounted machine gun aboard their lead Humvee, the Soldier manning it eyeing the strangers warily as his thumbs hovered at the trigger.

Jonah's tone lightened and he backed slightly away, palms open. "The other option is you back off and we'll share what supplies with you that we can. Share whatever information we have about safe zones in this area and you let us go on our way. It's your choice," Decker remarked with a shrug that was far more casual than he felt. As if on cue, Royce -- standing patiently on his leash a few feet away thus far -- growled lowly, the sound reverberating in his chest as Miller watched the encounter play out.

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[NanLia]

"You don't get it," The man countered just as softly as Decker had spoken to him. "I might be the one standing here talking to you, but I have no power over these people, the freed people of his country." He shook his head and continued. "You're not really in a position to negotiate; I would suggest simply surrendering your arms and your supplies and walking away." He glanced past Decker to the other armed men and women of his convoy, including those on point. "We might need to keep some of the folks you've got along with you, you understand, as a measure of good will; we don't want y'all coming back later to try and reclaim what you've lost."

"You're call." He said a little louder for more to hear. "Stand down and walk off, or we'll be forced to press the issue."

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Katie sat in the passenger seat of her truck - Miller having stepped out to follow the other officers and army men to see what was going on and to handle the issue. She kept turning back in her seat to silence the boys; they were both very bored with their long lasting road trip. They were excited for the aciton, trying to push each the other out of the way to see what was happeneing. As the two started to rough house for the thrid time she turned in her seat with a glare and a hushed whisper. "That is enough!" They looked at her a moment, still giggling. "This is very serious, I'm not going to have you two risking yours-" The door clicked open beside her and she turned to see a strange man standing there, looking equally surprised to find her there.

Katie reacted first turning to scramble over the console between herself and the driver's seat. "Get out!" She shouted at the boys and neither waited to argue, popping open the door and jumping out onto the roadway. Katie managed to open the drivers door before the man caught her by the ankle, dragging her back and elisiting a scream of terror. The boys ran, turning down the road and heading toward where the military had set off.

Ginny heard Katie, as did the kids, just as she head the passenger side door's hand click. She looked up in time to see her two nephews dashing down the road towards her. "Stay down," She cautioned her own kids as she slid along the back seat to the door and popped it open as they came closer. Both boys dove into the truck breathlessly, both speaking over one another. "Stop!" Ginny said, "Brent, go."

"Mom. Is in. The truck." He said between gasps. "Someone opened the door and caught her up." He managed to get out in a single breath, returning to panting.
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[Safton]

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Jonah's hands clenched into fists at his side as the representative of the ragged band of refugees changed his tone. He wasn't even bothering to veil his threats at this point. Decker could see in his peripherals his troops along with those opposing them tensing up, anxiously eyeing the weapons of the others. A gunfight would be nothing short of a clusterfuck at this distance... but he would not and could not submit to what this man was suggesting.

A scream cut through the air, emanating from behind Jonah. He whirled around to see the source: Katie's truck. He turned to Miller, nodding curtly. "Go!" The MP needed no further encouragement, dashing off toward the sounds of struggle. Jonah turned on his heel to face the leader, hand slipping down to slip his sidearm from its leather holster at his belt. He cocked the hammer back, stopping short of aiming it at the self-proclaimed leader of the refugees. The military personnel and even some of the civilians alongside him also brought their own guns to bear, eyes wide.

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As Ronald made his way toward Katie's truck with Royce's leash in one hand and his rifle in the other, he wasn't sure who was leading who. The canine seemed to sense the urgency of the situation, practically tugging at his lead. As they came around the passenger side of the truck, Miller took in the scene: a stranger, struggling with Katie as she fought to get free from the cab of the truck.

"Stellen!" the Soldier hissed the Dutch command and released his grip on Royce's leash. The dog shot forward -- all rippling muscle and fur as he dove into the passenger side door and clamped his teeth around the meat of the assailant's lower calf, firmly taking hold and tugging him backwards away from Katie, his growls muffled by the limb in his maw. The man shouted in pain and alarm, scrabbling for a handhold as he was unceremoniously dragged free of the truck. Miller reached in with his now-free hand to grab the back of the stranger's collar, yanking him out and then pushing him down to the ground, placing a knee in the small of his back before turning toward Royce and lightly tugging at the hound's collar. "Los."

NanLia ​

 

[NanLia]

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As Decker commanded the officer away with the dog it was clear already their sentries where already closing on the convoy, the scream was unexpected - they hadn't known they would leave people unattended in the vehicles and it was an under sight on his part. The crowd started to quickly disperse, turning to run back to their buildings and hovels and hiding places. The confusing set some of the civilians off, the armed working hands firing after the would be thieves as they ran, soon drawing counter fire from the refugees.

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Katie was panic driven as the strange man continued to attempt to drag her out of the truck, even going as far as the climb in behind her to get a better hold. She held desperately to the steering wheel and middle console, crying out for help. She was relieved to hear it arrive, in the form of a growl. At first she was confused, thinking that her attacker was making the noise when he bellowed behind her. She was soon released and she pulled herself into the drivers seat. Looking back she watched Miller drag the assailant out of the truck and pin him down, Royce pacing near by. She felt relief but it was only momentary as she heard gunfire not far off, she ducked down in the truck.
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The next several moments were a frenzy. For a moment Jonah began to relax as the refugees and would-be looters saw what had happened to their man at Katie's truck and at least some lost their nerve. Many turned to leave, only for Jonah to flinch as a sharp crack sounded behind him, followed soon by a cacophony of gunfire. He didn't know who had started it or why, but he knew better than to sit here and slug it out. "Break contact!" he shouted up and down the line to the nearest vehicles, barely being heard over the sound of shots. "Doc, back to your vehicle!" he turned to say to Doc Moore, who was already moving.

Ting!

Jonah muttered a curse under his breath as a round ricocheted off the chassis of a nearby vehicle, another kicking up the dirt at his feet as he ran. He saw Miller and Royce climbing into Katie's truck, calling out for the woman to take the wheel as he rushed past. Jonah made it back to Ginny's truck, seeing her nephews there having piled into the now-cramped space. "Drive!" he called out to Ginny, letting her slide into the driver's seat before taking her own, slamming the door shut and repeating his previous command over the radio. Within seconds the convoy was lurching forward, sounds of shots still being exchanged.

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[NanLia]

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With the addition of her two nephews into the back of the truck Ginny has slipped into the drivers seat, hearing the click of the passengers door. She glanced to the window to see Jonah's face appear and swiftly unlocked the doors to let him in. She didn't hesitate as he commanded her to drive, to start moving, already hearing metal pinging off of the truck's metal exterior. She turned the ket and immedatley pulled out, passing Katie's vehicle to see her in the drivers seat.

Katie shook but nodded as Royce and Miller both pilled into the truck's cab with her. He was shouting at her to drive but couldn't - not without knowing where her kids were. As she turned to argue so heard Ginny's truck turn on; distracting her from her plight she momentarily couldn't believe Gin would be running but as her younger sister passed she could see her son's huddled with her own niece and nephew in the back seat. She didn't need any further encouragement, pulling the truck and trailer out behind Gin as she passed, keeping low in her seat.
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Jonah didn't bother trying to return fire at the looters as they drove, instead physically covering Ginny and the kids with his body to the best of his ability, urging them to huddle down as low as they could. He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that -- cowering in the vehicle with adrenaline pumping -- but the sound of gunfire dropped off quickly. Slowly he sat up in his seat, turning to see Ginny with her eyes on the road, the kids in the back shaken. "Is everyone okay?" he asked anxiously, ensuring that each of the children answered affirmatively before turning to Ginny. He brushed her hair back, searching her for any signs of injury and finding none. He paused as he saw a streak of blood in her hair, frowning until he realized the source -- the warm fluid was pouring down his left arm.

He saw a tear in the fabric at the top of his sleeve. He ignored it for the time being, instead fetching the radio and asking for a status report. Slowly, each vehicle in the convoy reported in. There were a few minor injuries, but no fatalities.

NanLia ​

 

[NanLia]

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Ginny nodded as Jonah questioned if she were okay, looking to the mirrior and over her shoulder to the kids to make sure that they, too, were well. She was thankful that Jonah had made it back to the truck, though after his hand left her ear she felt hot liquid swiftly cooling on her skin. She reached up to touch it, her hand coming away bloodied. "Jon." She said carefully. "Where are you hurt?" She did her best to keep her eyes on the road but reached across the console to tug at the man's shirt, lifting it from his waist to search for his wound.

Unable to find it she tossed the radio from the man's hand back to her eldest nephew. "Tell them that J-- Decker has been injured. That we'll be pulling over to the side of the road that that we need the doctor to come check him out." The boy nodded and did as she asked. Ginny started to slow the truck, pulling over onto the side. A quick glance in the side view mirrors told her that Katie was following suit along with several other vehicles.
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Jonah tried to protest Ginny's concern, especially where stopping the convoy was concerned, but he was overruled in short order. His jaw clenched as Ginny guided the vehicle off to the side of the road, the others doing the same. He sat there silently, clutching at the wound in his arm. It wasn't long before Sergeant Moore was jogging up to the passenger side of the truck, medical bag in-hand as she pulled the passenger door open to help him out of his shirt and begin examining his injury.

"Doc, it's not bad. We can j--" Jonah started, but was silenced as Haley shot him a withering glare.

"Don't you start that macho shit with me, Sarge. You're lucky it's not a bullet; could have severed your axillary and you'd have bled out in minutes. Looks like it's just glass or metal fragments. It's not to deep; I'm going to have to remove it here and now or else it'll do more damage every time you move that arm. Stand by, I'll give you something for the pain."

Jonah shook his head. "We don't have the supplies to spare. Just do it."

Moore looked up at him, lips pursed, before slowly nodding her head. She sterilized the wound site before preparing a pair of forceps. Once she was sure he was ready, the medic carefully probed the wound. Decker grunted with pain, eyes clenching shut as his free hand instinctively shot out to find something, anything to hold onto. He found Ginny's, squeezing it instinctively.

"There," Doc Moore remarked moments later. "That's the last of it. I'm going to secure the incision for now, but I want you to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected." Jonah nodded as the medic finished up, collecting her equipment before returning to her own vehicle. Jonah remained in the passenger seat, shirtless, his upper arm wrapped thoroughly in gauze. He had released Ginny's hand sheepishly. "Sorry about that."

NanLia ​

 

[NanLia]

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With the truck and trailer safely on the side of the road Ginny watched as Katie didn't hesitate in jumping out of her own truck and dashing for her's. The boys were ecstatic to see their mother, each reaching out for her to hold onto as she stood in the open doorway. Ginny smiled and leaned back over the seat as Katie reached for her and hugged her awkwardly, thanking her. Ginny waved it off, wiping tears from her cheeks as she knew how much Katie would have worried about the boys - just as much as Ginny would about her own kids if the situation had been reversed.

She watched as Moore worked at Jonah's wound, waving her kids back into their seats as they became worried and curious all at once; they certainly didn't need to see this. Her own face twisted with pain and worry as Jonah was being tended to. He was far too self righteous so far as she was concerned, turning down the pain relievers was idiotic to the core but she said nothing, she didn't have a right to. Soon enough Moore was done and Jonah remained quiet in the seat next to her, releasing her hand. He apologized and she slowly shook her head in an attempt to dismiss it but couldn't stop herself.

She moved, leaning over the console of the truck to lift a hand to his cheek. She tiled his head towards hers and pressed her lips against his own, kissing him for a long moment. She could hear Liza-May giggled softly, and Jacks make a noise of disgust but she couldn't help herself. She had thought it would have been far worse, that her ally, her best friend as it were, was going to bleed out in her truck in front of her and there was nothing she could have done. She flushed deeply and leaned back into her seat. "You can't die on my Jon, you just can't."
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Jonah, with the "distraction" of his injury taken care of for the time being, glanced over to see that Katie had been thankfully reunited with her children, Miller standing not far away. Even Royce seemed to be basking in the positive outflow of emotion, standing by with his mouth hanging open, panting happily. After he drew his hand away from Ginny, he was surprised as the woman leaned back toward him. Her hand found his cheek and he froze, staring into her blue eyes. Her hand wasn't smooth and soft -- it was calloused, the hand of a woman who worked to put food on the table for her family... and it was no less soothing for it.

Nor was the kiss that followed.

Jon was taken completely by surprise as Ginny's lips found his own. After a moment, he gave into the contact, closing his eyes and leaned into the kiss until Ginny finally drew away. He stared at her, dumbfounded, face flushing much like her own. The sounds made by the kids in the backseat only added insult to injury... but they did nothing to dull the fire in his chest, the swelling of his heart at the contact. It had been something part of him had wanted to do since he'd gotten to know Ginny back at the farm, but he never allowed himself to consider making any sort of move.

As the woman forbade him from dying on her, he smiled meagerly. "Yes ma'am," he murmured. The radio squawked as the convoy began to move again and he turned to glance back at the road. With a smile, he nodded to Ginny before allowing his hand to slide slowly over, laying over top of hers on the center console.

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[NanLia]

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Ginny flushed deeply as Jonah spoke his simple reply to her command, to her need. She hadn't been able to control the outburst, as it were, a sudden need to tell him in some way, just how she felt about him before it was too late. To do so publicly, and within full sight of her children, was more than a minor mistake. The kids didn't comment, she was thankful, remaining quiet for the moment as they got back onto the road and one their way once more. It was full dark out now and with no road or street lights it made driving quite eerie. She was thankful for Jon's simply touch; his hand over hers, as they moved on. The kids eventually started to drift off, the excitement over and done with. She didn't speak, uncertain of what to say in truth.

She jumped as she heard the radio crack soon followed by the convoy head announcing they were pulling over into a new, secondary location to rest until day light. She followed the rest of the convoy onto the side of the road of the deserted back road highway. No rounding up the carriages tonight, no hot meal for everyone. Tonight it was as simple as get as much rest as possible: they would have to move on at first light. She turned off the engine and sat quietly for a minute before speaking softly. "I'm going to grab some blankets and sleeping bags from the back." She paused, though didn't look up at Jonah before she continued. "Can you help?"
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[Safton]

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Jonah remained silent as the drive wore on, the adrenaline of the ambush and its immediate aftermath slowly working its way out of his system and leaving him weary. The pain in his arm had dulled to a stinging throb, but he ignored it as best he could. He had kept his hand on Ginny's, no need for words, doing his best not to dwell on the kiss they had shared. Still, as darkness fell he began to slowly drift off, head lolling to the side until the radio suddenly cracked to life confirming that the lead vehicles had found a suitable spot to set up "camp" for the night.

Jon glanced over at Ginny as she shut off the engine, her eyes averted even as she spoke. He wondered if he had made her uncomfortable, if she regretted whatever it was that had happened between them earlier. "Sure," he answered quietly, removing his hand from hers and climbing out of the truck to meet her at the back. He rummaged around quietly in his bags until he found a replacement shirt, pulling it on as carefully as he could with only one arm, covering his torso that was bare except for the bandages.

NanLia ​

 

[NanLia]

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Ginny stopped at the backdoor of the truck, quietly opening it to step up on the side rails and lean in to check on her kids. They were both sound asleep though she didn't doubt for a second it was more to do with the excitement that had passed than actual sleepiness. She unbuckled each of them, helping them lay out along the bench seat with their pillows and blankets before stepping down and closing the door once more. She made her way down the side of the truck and around the back to see Jonah there with a new shirt over his shoulders. Her cheeks flushed immediately and she was thankful for the growing darkness to hide it. She was about to speak when Charlie arrived to speak to Jonah.

"We've already worked out shifts, Sergeant." Charlie said quietly, lest their voices travel through the darkness. "No civilians tonight, just a few of us setting up on top of the trailers to keep watch. Everybody is settled into their vehicles: they know no noise or light." He glanced to Ginny briefly before turning his attention to Decker. "Doc Moore says you're out of the rotation tonight, you need your rest." He stepped back and delivered a half salute before turning and striding away.

Ginny had been busying herself with rummaging through the items loaded in the bed of her truck, pulling out a couple of sleeping bags for herself and Jonah to use as blankets within the truck. Even being inside the vehicle she knew it would get gold over night and with gas rationing they certainly couldn't use the heat unless it was emergent. After Charlie left she paused, glancing to Jonah. "I'm sorry, Jon." She said quietly, having difficulty meeting his gaze. "I really shouldn't have done that. It was inappropriate." She winced and shook her head. "I know you're here, just doing your job and I let my emotions get away from that. I hope it doesn't cause you any trouble, I really do." She was well aware that Charlie had already started the rumors of their relationship being inappropriate and she had just made those rumors true.
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[Safton]

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Jonah turned to see Ginny round the back of the truck, pausing to address her but finding himself incapable of summoning the words. He was thankful to hear footsteps approaching from the opposite direction, despite the fact that they turned out to be long to Charlie. The man informed him of the state of affairs for watch-keeping and Decker nodded, returning the man's salute. He didn't have it in him to argue Moore's assessment, not that it would do any good when it came to the stubborn medic.

Jonah was surprised as Ginny spoke up, frowning at her clearly pained tone and the expression to match it in the moonlight. He felt a pang of regret in his chest, though he didn't dwell on why. He swallowed deeply, forcing a smile. "You have nothing to apologize for, Ginny," Decker remarked quietly. He wanted to say more, to find some other way to reassure her. Instead he sighed inwardly, turning to gather some blankets and a sleeping bag and tucking them under his arm. Jonah turned to walk back around the opposite side of the truck before pausing. Oh, hell with it.

Jonah called back over his shoulder, barely more than a murmur, "Besides, it sorta lets me off the hook. I've been wanting to kiss you for a while now." He flashed her a small smile, cheeks flushing deeply as he moved back to the front of the truck with the bedding materials.

NanLia ​

 

[NanLia]

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Ginny's heart ached as she heard Jonah dismissing her apology; it had been as she has suspected - inappropriate and unfounded. She turned her focus on finding everything she thought they would need for the evening, not wanting to risk exiting the truck in the dark in search of anything as Decker started to walk away. She heard his mumbled, at first thinking it hadn't been meant for her to hear but then who else would he have been speaking to? She frowned after the man as he returned to the passenger side of the truck and inside of it. She could feel her cheeks flushing, her heart pounding in her chest. Was he joking with her? Just to make her feel better about her apology or had it been the truth?

She gathered up the rest of the blankets and bedding before heading up the other side of the truck, stuffing the items back in to the drivers side before climbing in herself and locking the doors once more. She knew the dead couldn't open the doors but who knows if the people would be back, if they had the ability to follow them or not. She turned her attention back to the kids, both soundly asleep, giving them extra blankets for the night; they wouldn't be able to use to truck's heater without making too much noise. She settled into her seat, tucking her sleeping back and blankets over her, uncertain what to say. "I can get some pain meds from Doc Moore if you need them." She said after a long silence between them, hoping to break the awkward tension.
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Jonah returned to the cab of the truck, still flushing furiously from his spur-of-the-moment remark and mentally kicking himself for it all the while. Head tucked low against his chest, he busied himself laying out the bedding on his side of the truck, careful to not put undue strain on his injured arm. Once he was finished, he climbed inside, followed shortly thereafter by Ginny. He glanced back at the kids, hoping against hope that at least one of the two were still awake to act as a "buffer" between the two in the awkward space they found themselves in.

As Ginny asked whether he needed any pain meds, Jonah simply shook his head, unable to meet her gaze. "No, I'm fine, thanks."

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[NanLia]

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Ginny nodded as Jonah declined medication - not surprising, but she had hoped for an excuse to exit the truck and little longer and avoid the awkwardness. She settled into her seat, pulling the blankets around herself, thankful for the low light as she could feel her cheeks were still flushed and knew, beyond a doubt, that she was still blushing. She couldn't bring herself to say more, terrified of triggering Jonah into backtracking, instead she reached across the center console of the front seat and found his hand. She interlaced her fingers with his own.

***​

Ginny wasn't certain when she had fallen asleep or how long she had been sleeping but she woke in the dark. Something was off, a noise or movement our of the ordinary. She heard it again from the backseat: one of the kids shifting within the blankets. She kept still and listened, waiting for them to settle and their breathing to slow again. Instead she heard the first few telltale coughs. Ginny was moving before she was thinking, reacting to what she knew would come next. She popped her door open and stepped out into the night, pulling the backdoor open and dragging Jacks out. The boy retched, gagging before emptying the contents of his stomach onto the road next to the truck.

She gently patted his back and rubbed small circles as the boy continued to throw up only to be startled as she felt a strong grip on her upper arm, pushing her back towards the truck. She turned to fight - immediately assuming it was one of the dead but soon saw it was Miller crowding her and Jacks back behind him. She lifted her son back into the back seat hearing the fear educing groan of the dead as once approached. She didn't see what had happened but heard a slight scuffle before the body of the dead collapsing onto the ground. Miller patted her arm to give her the all clear, Royce padding on as they continued their patrol.
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Jonah tensed slightly feeling Ginny's hand find his own, but immediately relaxed as her fingers interlaced with his own, squeezing her hand lightly as his breathing slowed and he gave himself up to sleep within minutes.

***
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Jonah awoke in a hazy blur, hand reaching out instinctively for Ginny's but not finding it. He felt a cold draft of air, turning with surprise to see the driver's side door open along with the back door behind it. He heard the groan -- all too familiar -- and immediately threw the blankets off of himself and hastily shoved the door open, rounding the hood of the truck in time to see Miller and Royce moving on, the once-animated corpse now in a heap on the ground. He nodded to the MP, who returned the gesture grimly before moving off into the darkness with Royce close behind, panting anxiously at the encounter.

Jonah approached Ginny and Jacks quietly, looking them both over. "Are you two okay? What happened?" he asked, guilt in his chest for not being alert enough to keep them both safe.

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Ginny nodded to Jonah as he came around the drivers side of the truck - no surprise to her that he was up and with them; they had been less than quiet. She could hear the concern in his and she spoke softly, attempting to dispel any worry. "It's okay, really, Jacks is just - " She paused hearing her son cough once more. She stepped out of the way and gently pushed Jonah back from the open doorway as the boy leaned over an vomited once again. He groaned quietly, upset and crying. "It's okay baby," She crooned softly, once again rubbing his back in slow circles. "You'll feel better once it's all out." She could feel the heat emanating off of him, even through his sweater and night shirt.

She glanced to Jonah, "He's feverish," she kept her voice low, knowing how well noise traveled at night. "Can you check on Liza-May please?" The girl had been quiet all this time and Ginny worried she was sick as well; still sound asleep on the opposite side of the truck.
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Jonah looked at Jacks with a mixture of sympathy and concern as the boy vomited, his skin seeming pale even in the sparse illumination of the moonlight. Ginny confirmed his fears soon after and he bit his lip until she asked him to check on the boy's sister: one person who would have been in near-constant contact with him all this time.

Jonah quickly nodded, rounding the truck and leaning inside to look over Liza-May. The girl was sleeping soundly, blissfully oblivious, and Decker gingerly placed a palm to her forehead. Relieved to find no sign of a fever, he was withdrawing his hand when her eyes rolled lazily open. "What's happening?" She mumbled, still half-asleep. Jonah glanced over at the open door where Ginny and Jacks stood. "Nothing, sweetheart. Go back to sleep, okay?"

Liza-May frowned slightly, but soon closed her eyes as Jonah closed the door and returned to Ginny's side. "I should get Doc Moore. She'll know what to do," he murmured. The statement was more to convince himself than her: Sergeant Moore was dedicated and good at her job, but she was a combat medic -- not a pediatrician, even putting aside their limited supplies.

NanLia

 

[NanLia]

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Ginny gave Jonah a sympathetic smile as he returned to the driver side of the truck. His offer to get Doc Moore was kind but she shook her head. "No, there isn't anything for her to do in this case." She spot softly, gently running her fingers through Jacks hair as the boy rest against the seat, his eyes closed. "Thanks for checking on Liza-May, but I'll take it from here." She nodded back to the front where he had been sleeping. "You need your rest, I've got this." She nudged the boy over along the bench, climbing into the back of the truck, she pulled Jacks up onto her lap, hugging him close before wrapping the blankets around him to keep him warm. "We'll be alright," She assured Jonah. "Get some sleep Jon." She shoo'd the man away from the door so she could close it again.
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Jonah hesitated at Ginny's gentle command, tempted to argue the point, but he knew better. Besides, there was precious little he could do for Jacks and wasn't sure if Doc Moore would have any meaningful answers, either. He took a deep breath before nodding, beginning to turn before pausing and turning on his heel. He pressed a hand to Jacks' shoulder bundled beneath the blankets, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Hang in there, bud," he said quietly.

Turning to look up at Ginny's eyes in the darkness, he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek, his lips brushing briefly against her own as he drew away, quietly shutting the door behind him before rounding the truck. He climbed back into the passenger seat, turning around to offer the two of them a solemn smile before slowly leaning back against the seat and closing his eyes.

NanLia