Todd Wants Key's Face

Doctor: He may move too much - TWITCH too violently... or he may want to get cooler.

Sam: O-Oh g-god, y-you're r-right - I-I DO w-want t-to g-get c-cooler! J-jeezus I-I'M ON F-FIRE! D8>

Doctor: It's all in your head, Lieutenant.

Sarah: You're gonna be fine, Sam, just relax...

Sam: C-can't r-relax! T-t-too hot in here - can't you f-feel it?? D8>

Doctor: It really is all in your head.

Sarah: Sam, you're still shivering...

Sam: I-I-I d-d-don't know why I am - but it r-really IS t-too hot... p-please - y-you guys HAVE m-more ice packs, R-RIGHT? D8>

Doctor: I am not giving you a single one. <:/

Sarah: Sam, you're going to be fine, you just have to get through this. <:/

Sam: I-I-I don't know i-if I-I c-c-can... i-i-it's s-so hot... l-like a d-desert...

Doctor: *he waits*

Sarah: *puts her hand over his* Shh, it's okay... just wait a little...

Sam: *eventually calms down* O-O-Oh g-g-god... wh-wh-what w-w-was th-that...??

Doctor: It was just your mind trying to trick you.

Sarah: *gives Sam a sad look* <:( ...

Sam: I-I-I'm o-okay...

Doctor: For now.

Sarah: *looks at the doctor* How much longer do you think it'll take for him to recover...? <:/

Doctor: I already told you -a MONTH, IF he lives. And that's a very slim chance! >:/

Sam: D:> ...

Sarah: You could be a bit more polite about it, it was a simple question. >:/

Doctor: Well, this has become rather frustrating for me! It's like you two think time will go faster or something! D:<

Sam: ...

Sarah: It would if we didn't keep getting negative vibes from every doctor we talk to... You talk as if he was already dead. :/

Doctor: ... Do you know how many people survive severe hypothermia?

Sam: <:/ ...

Sarah: Not a huge number, apparently. But people still do.

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Sam: O-oh g-good... k-kay... u-uh... s-s-so wh-what a-are we gonna d-d-do w-with C-Celine? S-since I-I c-can't d-d-do th-that r-r-right n-now, ob-bviously...

Sarah: I'm not quite sure... If we leave her where she is, she might do some crazy stuff like put up the segregation policy again... maybe even something worse...

Sam: C-c-can y-you d-d-do s-s-something? Or b-b-bring her t-t-to me? I-I c-can't l-l-let her d-do s-s-something l-l-like th-that...!

Sarah: I don't know what I'D be able to do, but I can see if I can get her to come down here...

Sam: O-O-Okay... p-p-please d-d-do... oh n-no... th-the soldiers are s-still riot-ting...

Sarah: Ugh, you're right... I heard it was about pay cuts or something, do you think Celine was behind that too?

Sam: N-n-no d-doubt... i-it w-was half their s-s-SALARY...

Sarah: Jeez... it's like she's trying to make everything fall apart on purpose...

Sam: N-n-no... she has a p-p-purpose... she w-wants p-power, I b-b-bet, and g-getting me k-kicked out will g-g-give her that...

Sarah: That makes sense... What if I can't get her to come down here? You can't go over there yourself... <:/

Sam: ... Th-then j-just make s-s-sure she d-d-doesn't es-scape...

Sarah: *nods* Alright... I'll do my best. <:/

Sam: F-f-feeling k-kinda used r-r-right now... n-not a g-good feeling...

Sarah: Well, we'll deal with her soon...

Sam: Y-yeah...

Doctor: How's everything doing in here?

Sam: C-C-Can I not be t-t-tied up l-like this? D:>

Doctor: No.

Sarah: Why not? <:/

Doctor: Many reasons, all for Lieutenant Gatzsky's safety.

Sam: S-S-Safety...? D;>

Sarah: ...such as...?

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Sam: I-I-I thought-t those th-things would-d only appear on a sci-fi tv-show, or a movie or something... b-b-but i-in real l-life??

Sarah: Well, no one thought the apocalypse was gonna happen either, but it did... I'm honestly not surprised. D;

Sam: ... S-so that's wh-why I p-passed that st-tupid segregation law...!

Sarah: Yep! Everything makes a whoooole lot of sense now. Aaand... I kind of feel horrible for not believing you the first time. :C

Sam: W-w-well, c-c-considering how f-far-fetched the t-truth s-s-seems t-to b-be, I d-d-don't think I w-would have b-believed me either... y-you don't have t-to feel s-sorry...

Sarah: Well, I still will, so you're gonna have to deal with it. <:P At least we managed to sort all this out...

Sam: A-at l-least... S-Sarah, th-the d-d-doctors k-keep s-saying I'm g-g-gonna d-die...

Sarah: ...You won't. You can't. You've lasted this long already...

Sam: I-I-I know... b-b-but th-they w-were just so s-sure I w-w-would...

Sarah: ...I-I guess they just go with the worst-case scenario... just don't listen to them, okay? <:(

Sam: O-Okay... s-s-still c-cold though... d-d-dunno why I'm t-t-tied to the b-b-bed...

Sarah: Maybe they don't want you to move... <:/

Sam: I-I-I w-w-wouldn't-t m-move...

Sarah: *shrugs* I don't know, then...

Sam: M-m-maybe I-I-I c-c-can b-be asked t-to b-be u-unt-tied...

Sarah: Maybe. Whenever the doctor comes back in...

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Sam: I-I-If sh-she's c-cocky about-t-t i-it, sh-she w-w-won't r-r-run...

Sarah: Good, then. *sighs* she didn't give off any bad vibes or anything when you hired her..? <:/

Sam: N-n-now that y-y-you ment-t-tion it, I-I-I d-d-don't have any id-d-dea why I-I hired-d her... she j-j-just r-randomly c-c-came one d-d-day a-a-and I c-c-couldn't-t help b-b-but trust-t her...

Sarah: ...Maybe she was drugging you then, too?

Sam: M-m-maybe... wh-what was she p-p-putting i-i-iinside m-me...? Wh-what the hell d-d-does it-t D-D-DO...??

Sarah: I have no clue... maybe we should see if that doctor we went to ever figured out what it was...

Sam: ... Well... he's i-in this s-s-same b-b-building, s-so...

Sarah: Ah, right... well, is it okay If I go talk to him really quickly? I'll come right back. <:/

Sam: S-sure... t-t-tell me what-t he s-s-says...

Sarah: *nods* Of course i will. Be right back-- *heads out of the room, and searches for this doctor's office. When she finds it, she knocks on the door* ....

Doctor: *opens the door* Ah? Can I help you, Ms. Huntings?

Sarah: Yes, I was hoping that you had maybe figured out what the drug in the Lieutenant's system was...

Doctor: I actually ran some experiments on the sample I had from Lieutenant Gatzsky... I discovered something rather... curious. Some volunteers took a recreated form of the drug. Each one seemed to become out of sync with the world. When I spoke to them, they all agreed with me no matter what I said. Further testing showed that the subjects later still agreed with me in whatever we talked about, though at a subconscious level. So whatever was in the Lieutenant's system must have been a serum of some sort that could, dare I say it, control another human being's mind.

Sarah: Control their mind...? ...Thank you, doctor. <:/

Doctor: Of course. *goes back to work*

Sarah: *heads back downstairs, to Sam's room* So... you'll never guess what that doctor had to say about what Celine was putting in you.

Sam: Wh-wh-what-t d-d-did he s-s-say...? I-is i-it p-p-p-poison??

Sarah: Nope. It was a mind control serum.

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Harry: *slightly reassured* ... Okay...

meanwhile

Sarah: *heads to the outpost, straight to Sam's office. She intended to ask around, to see if anyone had seen anything suspicious the day Sam was apparently attacked. She knocks on his office door, hoping his assistant, "Celine," would be there*

Celine: *calls from inside* Come in!

Sarah: *enters the office, but stops as soon as she steps in. The woman sitting at the desk was none other than the woman she had caught Sam with--or rather, the woman who had attacked him and taken advantage of him. her eyes narrow, but she otherwise remains calm*

Celine: *looks up, and a brief look of fear flashed across her expression before turning into a pleasant smile* Hello, what can I help you with?

Sarah: I was just here to ask if you knew anything about the Lieutenant's disappearance... He said that the last thing he remembered was being in this office with you. Do you know anything about this?

Celine: *fear sets in--she knew* I'm afraid I don't, I'm sorry... He left early because he wasn't feeling well. <:/

Sarah: ...Right. Are you sure you don't know anything?

Celine: I would tell you if I would, I worry for the Lieutenant's safety too.

Sarah: ... *backs out of the office, closing the door. she was absolutely positive now--somehow, Celine had done it. she had manipulated Sam, then tried to kill him--she had to tell him. he heads straight for the hospital*

AT THE HOSPITAL

Sam: *he sleeps soundly, shaking, though not as badly as yesterday*

Sarah: *goes up to the receptionist, and is given permission to go visit Sam. when she enters the room, she smiles a little when she finds Sam asleep--at least he was resting. she stands at the side of his bed, putting her hand over his, very lightly rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb* ...

Sam: *not waking up from this, he smiles slightly in his sleep, relaxing a bit*

Sarah: *smiles when he does, and continues the gentle motion. she would wait as long as she had to*

Sam: *eventually he wakes up* Mnh...? Oh... hell-lo S-S-Sarah... s-still f-feeling c-c-cold...

Sarah: Better than before though, right? <:/

Sam: *he smiles a bit* Y-y-yes-s... j-just a l-little, th-though...

Sarah: It's better than nothing... <:) *her smile fades* ...Oh... I found something out today. I think I know who tried to kill you.

Sam: ... O-Okay... who t-t-tried to k-kill me...? A g-g-ghost?

Sarah: ...It was your assistant.

Sam: ... N-no... n-no w-way... C-C-Celine w-w-wouldn't-t d-d-do s-s-something l-l-like that-t...

Sarah: ...Celine is also the woman who's been drugging you and taking advantage of you, making it look like you've been cheating on me.

Sam: O-O-Oh my g-god... o-oh my g-g-god! W-why would A-ANYONE w-want t-t-to d-do th-that?? D8>

Sarah: I don't know, but she looked pretty damn happy sitting in your chair, in your office, doing your job. Whatever she wants, it isn't good. D:>

Sam: W-well, once I-I g-g-get out of-f here, I'm m-making s-sure she n-n-never work-k-ks at-t the out-tpost AG-GAIN! D:<

Sarah: *nods* That's probably a good idea. And you know, some jailtime for attempted murder might be good too. >:/

Sam: M-Much m-m-more than that-t - what sh-she d-d-did i-i-is T-T-TREASON!

Sarah: If she's smart, she'll run. I really hope she doesn't. She deserves punishment for this.

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Doctor: Supposedly a week, but... with his immune system at its worst, it could go on for a while...

Harry: *groans*

Claire: Alright... Thank you so much for coming... <:/

Doctor: Of course. I'll check up in a week to see if he's gotten better, alright?

Harry: Uhnngh...

Claire: *nods* Thank you. <:(

Doctor: *nods, then leaves*

Harry: ... Who was that man... why was he in our house...? D;>

Claire: That was the doctor, Harry, he was looking you over... <:(

Harry: ... When'll I get better...? I have t'go to the Outpost... an'work... we've gotta go work, Claire... *he's mixing up his time periods again*

Claire: It's alright, Harry, Sam's doing the work for us now. He's all grown up, remember?

Harry: No, I thought... I thought... no, he's only a kid... kid's can't run the military...

Claire: Sam's a bit older than you're thinking, Harry...

Harry: ... ... How much is a bit...?

Claire: Sam's around thirty now, Harry. ^^;

Harry: ... ... Oh. He grew up too fast...

Claire: Heh... I guess you're right.

Harry: *weakly, with a shuddering sigh* ... Too fast...

Claire: Well, That's just how it happens sometimes.. <:/

Harry: ... ... Were we good parents...?

Claire: ...I really hope we were. Sam doesn't seem to mention it often...

Harry: ... Maybe he doesn't mention it because we weren't good parents...

Claire: ...If something was wrong, he would have told us...

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Harry: *very weakly* ... Can't... can't move... *he closes his eyes again, the fever literally killing him*

Claire: D:> ... *gets Harry out of bed, slinging his arm around her shoulders and putting an arm around his waist* I need you to help me out a little bit here if you can, okay? *starts trying to walk towards the door*

Harry: *drags his feet like a drunkard out the door. Then he sees the steep staircase. There is no way in hell he'd be able to descend those stairs*

Claire: *realizes this as well--with an exasperated sigh, she turns around and brings Harry back to the bed* Okay, this isn't going to work... *grabs the phone and dials the hospital's number*

Receptionist On Phone: Hello?

Harry: *groans weakly in the bed*

Claire: Hi, my name is Claire Gatzsky, and my husband woke up with an extremely high fever--I can't get him down the stairs, would it be possible to get someone to come to our home and take a look at him?

Receptionist: Oh! Yes! Of course! Just hang on, okay?

Harry: *panting and sweating and burning*

Claire: *glances back at Harry* Alright... please hurry, he's not looking good at ALL...

Receptionist: Alright! *hangs up*

Harry: *suffering very much*

Claire: *hangs up and sits on the bed next to Harry, putting her hand on her forehead. she shakes her head, and runs downstairs to get an ice pack to at least TRY to cool him down*

Harry: *groans again, thinking (sort of) about the dream he had with Todd predicting his death. How he remembers that, Harry does not know*

Claire: *returns with the ice pack, and sits down on the bed again, carefully placing the ice pack on his forehead* The doctor's going to be here soon, okay? <:(

Harry: *weakly - he gulps, as his throat was already starting to get dry and itchy -* 'Kay... I feel really awful... right now...

Claire: I can tell, I'm sorry.... Just hang on for a little bit... <:(

Harry: M'kay...

*Soon*

Doctor: *shows up with all his tools. He places bags of ice all around Harry to cool him off, then he takes out a bottle of prescription drugs* These are for him to use once each day at morning and night...

Harry: M'kay...

Claire: *takes the bottle* Alright... Will he need these bags every day as well? What exactly is wrong with him? <:/

Doctor: It's an average flu virus... but your husband's immune system has gotten so bad that he can't handle an average flu anymore... all I can say is keep him on these meds and keep him completely iced and cooled.

Harry: Mhhnnn...

Claire: *nods* Alright... about how long should this last? <:/

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Sam: *he smiles at Sarah* I-I-I'd like y-y-you t-to s-stay l-l-longer...

Sarah: *puts a hand on his face, and rubs his cheek with her thumb* I'll stay then... <:)

Sam: *his smile widens* ... S-s-so... w-will y-y-you marry m-m-me, S-S-S-Sarah Hun-t-t-tings...?

Sarah: *grins* Yes, I will. For real this time. <:)

Sam: ... M-m-maybe we c-c-c-can have the w-w-w-wedding onc-c-ce I g-get out-t-t-t...

Sarah: That would be really nice... I'm so sorry for walking out on you the first time, though... I feel horrible...

Sam: A-a-as l-l-long as y-y-you're c-c-c-coming b-back... that's-s-s what matt-t-ters...

Sarah: <:( ... *gently kisses him again, lingering for a moment longer before pulling away* I love you, Sam...

Sam: I-I l-l-love y-y-you t-t-t-too S-S-S-Sarah...

Sarah: *stays close to him, her nose touching his, eyes closed. She missed being this close to him, and she wished the circumstances were better, or that she hadn't made that stupid mistake a few days ago...*

Saam: *he closes his eyes too, feeling relaxed. Happy. Even when he is as uncomfortable as he is. He doesn't even notice when he falls asleep*

Sarah: *opens her eyes to find his closed, his chest rising and falling evenly. smiling a little, she kisses his nose and pulls away to let him rest, leaving the room and heading home*

*a few days later*

Harry: *is burning up with a fever of 103 degrees. He's still asleep, but sweating and panting like a dog*

Claire: *wakes up and notices this--she puts a hand on his forehead, and her heart sinks* not now... D:> *lightly shakes him* Harry... Harry, wake up.

Harry: *groans in response, opening his eyes a crack to look at Claire, pained and sluggish, unfocused*

Claire: This isn't good... Harry, can you tell me what's wrong? D:>

Harry: *he can't focus. He has to think for the longest time before realizing that he can't. He wheezes his answer* ... can't think...

Claire: ...Okay, get up, we need to go to the hospital. *gets out of bed and quickly throws some clothes on, then goes to help Harry get out of bed*

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Sam: I-I-I'll b-b-be o-o-okay, D-D-Dad...

Harry: *continues to sob into Claire's shoulder until he forgets why he's crying, sniffles, and stops* ...?

Doctor: *and then he walks in* How is everything?

Sarah: Sam's awake...

Claire: *doesn't let go of Harry until she's sure he's done crying* ...

Doctor: Oh good. Sam, how are you feeling?

Sam: R-r-really r-r-really c-c-c-cold...

Doctor: Yes... I know. <:/

Harry: Why's Sam cold...? D;

Claire: Harry, shh... *to the doctor* ...How long will he take to recover....?

Sarah: ...

Doctor: If he survives, it would take a month for him to recover... but not many survive a SEVERE case of hypothermia...

Harry: Don't say that! D8>

Sam: *shivering and shaking. He stares at the doctor* ...

Sarah: *puts her hand over Sam's squeezing it slightly--he HAD to make it, he HAD to...*

Claire: But some still survive.

Doctor: SOME. As in not many. Here's how bad Sam was when you found him, Ms. Huntings - any longer in that snow and he would have needed his fingers and toes amputated. Longer than THAT, and he would've been dead.

Sam: N-n-n-no... no I-I-I-I would'n-nt b-b-be d-d-dead...

Doctor: Right... he's awake, but the fever's made him delusional. He actually believes he's perfectly okay, right?

Harry: *breaks down sobbing again*

Claire: D:! *glares at the doctor* I think we've heard enough.

Sarah: *is becoming very upset with the way the doctor kept making it seem hopeless--and here she thought she would be able to hold back tears*

Doctor: I'm just trying to be realistic, Mrs. Gatzsky - spend time with him while you still can. *leaves the room*

Harry: *sobbing*

Sam: *shivers. He doesn't want to see his father or mother or Sarah crying, so he looks up at the ceiling*

Claire: *hugs him again in an attempt to calm him down* ...

Sarah: ...I-I don't care what that doctor says... You're going to be FINE...

Harry: *isn't calming down*

Sam: I-I-I kn-n-now...

Claire: *rubs his back, whispering* Shhh... Harry, it's okay... don't believe what that doctor says, he doesn't know how strong our son is...

Sarah: *sniffles a bit, then puts her hand on his cheek and gently kisses him* ...Y-You're going to be fine...

Harry: H-he's not gonna die... he's not g-gonna DIE...

Sam: *weakly* I know... *gives Sarah a tiny, sleepy smile*

Sarah: *smiles back at him through her tears, somewhat reassured*

Claire: I know, I know, he's not...

Harry: W-we should go home... l-let Sam sleep... he n-needs sleep, right? D8>

Sam: ...

Claire: *nods* Sam needs to rest... *moves back over to the bed* We'll be back to visit tomorrow, okay?

Sarah: ...

Sam: C-c-could y-y-you b-bring more b-b-blankets...?

Harry: *sniffling*

Claire: *nods* Of course. <:(

Sarah: ...

Harry: *he limps out, trying not to cry again*

Sam: Thank-k you...

Claire: ...Feel better soon... *walks out with Harry*

Sarah: ...I'll stay longer if you want me to...

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Sam: ... I-I-I don't... d-d-don't r-rememb-b-ber much... w-w-was t-trying t-t-to work-k-k... C-C-Celine was-s-s there... n-n-next th-thing I know I-I'm tied up a-a-and in the snow... i-it was s-s-so c-c-cold... I-I b-b-blacked o-out q-q-quickly...

Sarah: ...Celine... I'll have to go talk to her later, see if she knows anything about this...

Sam: Sh-sh-she's-s-s always-s-s in m-my office... work-ks-s-s hard... I d-d-don't th-think she has-s an-nything to d-d-do about this...

Sarah: I'm not saying she did it, I was just hoping that she saw something...

Claire: *opens the door and peeks in, coming inside when she knows she's in the right room. She sees Sam, and her heart sinks when she sees it's worse than she had imagined* ...oh my god...

Harry: *makes a panicky sort of noise under his breath*

Sam: *smiles weakly at his parents* ... Hey Mom... Hey Dad...

Claire: ... *approaches the bed trying to hide how panicked she was now* ...H-Hey, Sam...

Sarah: *steps away to give Sam's parents room* ...

Sam: ... It's nic-c-ce t-t-t-to s-s-see you... S-S-Sarah f-found m-me in s-s-some s-s-s-snow...

Harry: You're BLUE...

Claire: ...Do you know how long you were in there...?

Sarah: From the sound of it, he might have been in there the entire night... m-maybe even longer.

Claire: Good GOD...

Sam: S-S-Sarah s-says-s she s-s-still loves-s m-m-me though... s-s-so I'm hap-p-py...

Harry: *glances at Sarah then continues staring at his son*

Claire: *glances up at Sarah, then back down at Sam* That means you'd better make it... so we can have a REAL wedding this time*

Sarah: *laughs half-heartedly*

Sam: *let's out a tiny, shaking laugh* ... wh-wh-what're y-you t-t-talking about, M-M-Mom...? I-I-I'm n-not g-g-gonna d-d-die...

Harry: *stares at Sam, scared for him. His hands shake*

Claire: ... *looking at the condition he was in, she wasn't entirely sure he was right... but she had to believe it* Good. Good.

Sarah: ...

Harry: ... What's wrong with him...? *looks at Sarah* ... Do you know?

Sam: I-I-I'm j-j-just c-cold i-i-is a-all...

Sarah: Severe Hypothermia... not surprising if he was stuck under t-two feet of snow all night... i-i-it's a miracle he's still alive...

Claire: ... *nods* ...

Sam: H-h-h-hypothermia...?

Harry: *puts a hand over his mouth, stress taking over. He shakes badly now*

Claire: ! *puts an arm around Harry, rubbing his shoulder* Harry, it's okay, shh...

Sarah: ...mhmm...

Harry: *lets out a sob, hugging Claire tightly*

Sam: ... D-D-Dad...? D;>

Claire: *hugs him, combing a hand through his hair* Shh... he'll be fine, he'll make it through okay...

Sarah: *looks away, lest she bursts into tears as well* ...

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