“I don’t like sitting around doing nothing,” Buck stated. “It makes me feel useless.”
Vicky placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’ve worked wonders with Eddie and the other newcomers that have found their way to us.” She peered deeply into his eyes. “Trust me, that is not useless.”
Buck lowered his gaze and shook his head. “They just need someone to listen.”
“And right now, that’s you.” She closed her bag and hung it over her shoulder. “You’re keeping notes, like I told you?”
He nodded. “I’m doing the best I can.”
“Good.” She gave him a broad smile. “You may end up becoming our resident therapist.”
Buck groaned. “I’d rather be the resident carpenter. Or plumber. Or electrician.”
“Nothing says you can’t do all the above—just not until your head heals.” She jabbed a finger at him. “Doctor’s orders.”
It was his turn to smirk. “I thought you enjoyed reminding us all that you’re ‘just a nurse?’”
She sighed as she reached for the door. “Don’t question me, kiddo, or I’ll prescribe a laxative that keeps your butt on the throne for twelve hours of the day.”
“Please, no,” Skeeter shook her head. “I do our laundry.”
“No worries,” Buck replied. “Both of you. I’ll do what I’m told.”
Vicky gave him a quick hug. “I gotta go. Early bird gets worms and all that.” Skeeter watched her leave then shut the door behind her. “You’ll do what you’re told, huh?” She gave him a mischievous smile. “Why don’t I believe you?”
Buck pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. “I’ll do what Vicky tells me because she’s the medical professional.”
Skeeter groaned. “I knew there was a catch.”
Buck pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. “I need to get going. We have a group meeting in a few minutes.”
Skeeter pulled him back to her and cupped his face. “I’m really proud of you. I know you’re out of your comfort range, helping these people, but they need you.”
Buck gave her a crooked smile. “Actually, Skeet…I think I need them more than they need me.”
Carol stretched and yawned, setting her notepad aside. “Are we done?” the man on the table asked.
She nodded. “I can’t think of anything else.” She glanced at the clock and groaned. “I am so late…”
“I can sleep now?”
She patted his shoulder as she lowered the lights. “Until the others return. I’m sorry, but it won’t be long, I’m sure.”
“Great,” the man groaned. He closed his eyes and pulled the blanket up as high as the bindings would allow. “Put up the ‘do not disturb’ sign on your way out please.”
She chuckled as she shut the door and snuck down the hallway to Broussard’s room. She cracked the door quietly and stepped inside, peeling away her outer clothing while he snored softly on the narrow bed.
She lifted the covers and slid in next to him, hoping that her own bed was still pushed tightly to his. She’d no sooner lay down and closed her eyes than he snorted and sat up.
“What time is it?”
“Shh.” She kept her voice low and pulled him closer to her. “Go back to sleep.”
He pulled his wrist to his face and squinted in the gloom, doing his best to read the luminescent hands on his watch. “I can’t…” He blinked and wiped at his eyes.
“It’s not time yet.” She pulled his arm down and cuddled it. “I’ll tell you when.”
Andre groaned as he lay back down. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “Are you just now coming to bed?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“What was so important that you’d stay in the lab?” There was no accusation in his tone, only curiosity.
“I needed his history.” She opened her eyes and saw him staring at her. “And I wanted to know if the man that Deborah shot was really her husband or a viral induced fantasy.”
“And? What did you find out?”
She sighed then sat up, facing him. “They were married. And he was messing around with the blonde…and maybe a few others.”
Andre raised a brow. “So he had it coming?”
Carol’s eyes went wide and she blinked at him. “Infidelity is not a capital crime.”
“In France…it used to be.” He smirked before he pulled her to him. “So you concluded that perhaps the good senator wasn’t entirely crazy?”
“Oh no. She’s batshit crazy.” She snuggled in closer to him. “At least, according to him.”
“And who is our new guest?”
“Aide to the Secretary of…something.” She shrugged under the blanket. “It’s in my notes.”
“A nobody, then.”
She nodded. “It pains me that we’re doing exactly what Higgins suggested.”
Broussard’s eyes shot open. “Excuse me?”
She sighed heavily and pulled his arm closer. “We’re using the others as guinea pigs.”
Andre’s head fell back to his pillow and he stared at the ceiling. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Neither had I.” She slid her hand down his arm and found his hand, interlacing her fingers with his. “Tell me we’re doing the right thing.”
“We are.” He leaned forward and kissed the back of her neck. “I hate that we have to keep reminding ourselves that we’re the good guys.”
Simon crawled from the mattress and began dressing. “Come back to bed,” Lana purred.
He patted her leg and nodded toward the windows. “Sun’s up.”
“So?” She groaned and rolled over, pulling the covers over her head.
“So, I have to go out and greet the other campers as they come out.” He patted her leg again. “I have to paint the proper picture for them.”
She waved him off as he stood and exited the bedroom. He paused at the door and glanced back at her. He knew in his heart that there was something not right with his beloved, but for the life of him, he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what his brain was trying to tell his heart.
He pushed the door open and stepped out into the early morning light. Veronica was stoking the campfire and hanging an old coffee pot
