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Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 15
Thalia just stared at the greenish color of the water for a few seconds, then she took a deep breath, closed her eyes and jumped.The water was warmer than she'd anticipated. It completely engulfed her, soaking her clothes, her hair, her tired body. She kicked her feet, propelling herself to the surface, and squeaked in surprise when she noticed Dean's wet head right beside her."Are you okay, Doc?"She spat water from her mouth. "I'm fine.""Let's head in."They swam together side by side, Thalia feeling like a wet rat. She removed the braid from her hair and let it loose."Ugh. Nothing worse than wet pants," she said."Don't worry, you won't be wearing that for long. You can borrow Ina's clothes when we get to the beach house.""And how do we get to the beach house you're talking about?" Her suspicious gaze drifted to the trees. "Don't tell me we're going to walk again. In these wet clothes.""Our car is not far away," he assured her. "We'll get there on time too."But she just shut
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 16
Pierre revved the car's engine and sped off. In the front seat, the two men seemed to be whispering while talking, but after a while, Thalia stopped trying to listen to their conversation. Her eyelids are also heavy, a sign that she is sleepy. She said that she might not be able to sleep again, but maybe because of the fatigue, her body finally gave in.She didn't know how long she fell asleep, but it seemed like she was lost in the world for a few hours before she opened her eyes again. When she woke up, the sun was high in the sky, proof that she had woken up at noon.She lifted her head from Dean's duffel bag that she had turned into a pillow, and tried to figure out where they were. The winding dirt road seemed to be smack in the middle of the wilderness. The ocean must be nearby, yet she couldn't orient herself no matter how hard she tried.Eventually, she gave up and instead studied Dean's rugged profile. His hair is messy now and a little beard is growing on both of his jaws. H
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 17
They reached the front porch, but Dean suddenly remembered something. "It seems that those who died in Esmeralda were not accidental. I heard that the general said that the virus was deliberately released in that area. It seems that the general is not happy, because the said place is close to the MD International clinic.""So then, it's true that the U.S. has biological weapon testing there." Pierre said, shaking his head in disbelief."Looks like it." Dean leveled a stern look in Tatum's direction. "And one more thing, Captain, can you tone down your anger towards the doctor, okay? She's still mourning because all her colleagues died last night.""Pierre said the soldiers burned down their clinic?" Tatum's tone was grudging, as if he didn't want Thalia to feel his sympathy but couldn't help himself."Yes, the worst part is that they burned the innocent people inside the clinic. Thalia's close associates and their patients." His blood suddenly boiled at that thought. "They're going to
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 18
A few hours later, Thalia helped Ina put away what they ate while the three men were on the beach with Ina's son. For the duration of their dinner, Thalia silently observed the people who would be with her for a few more days. Although none of the men were officially part of the military anymore, Tatum still stood out as their leader. She noticed that during their dinner because Tatum was always the one who gave them the last word, as if he was the one who really made the decision. Pierre, on the other hand, was clearly at the bottom of the pack. At twenty-eight, he is the youngest of the three boys, and also has the lightest aura of the three. He's handsome, tall, charming, and he was like a matinee idol that used to be out of Tatum and Dean's character. As for Ina and her little boy, she could hardly believe how Ina captured Tatum's seemingly cold heart, because she observed that the love between the two was really great. She also deduced that Rafael is Ina's son from a previous
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 19
"I think we should just let Thalia contact her friend in Boston," Dean finally said. "We can send him the sample--""No," Tatum interrupted. "We can't let the sample out of our sight. If we're going to have it tested in Boston, at least one of us will go there.""I just went there," Thalia said. "Franco won't help unless I personally plead with him. He won't trust any of you, even if you use my name."Tatum didn't look the slightest bit pleased about the idea of sending her to Boston alone. Neither did Dean, who turned to her with a frown. "You can't go anywhere without backup, Doc." Dean said and turned to Tatum. "If she goes there, I'll go with her.""And while they take care of the lab part, I will search for more details about project Taurus." Ina said. "Project Taurus?" Thalia repeated. Dean nodded. "Do you remember when I told you that we were sent to Catalina? Well, we were ordered to extract a man named Roger Edison, he is an American doctor who was allegedly captured by t
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 20
She shook her head a couple times, trying to make sense of what Dean had said. Victor Ortez had been at the UFF helm for more than a decade before he was killed in a military raid three months ago. Thalia saw that on the news, and said nothing that he left behind a child. He didn't even mention his wife or girlfriend who was left behind. But that wasn't even the perplexing part. After spending an entire evening with Ina Reyes, Thalia couldn't really imagine how the smart woman had a relationship with a rebel leader. "Ina was just a teenager and idealistic when she met Ortez," Dean said. "It didn't take long for her to realize what kind of person he was." Dean shrugged. "She's been living on the run, too, ever since Rafael was born.""Maybe the thorn has been pulled out of her now since Ortez died."Dean's laugh was long and husky. "She was actually the mastermind behind his death.""You know I'm troubled. The news says that a unit of the elite San Jose military ambushed Ortez in his
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 21
The next day, Dean, Thalia and Pierre left the beach house and drove to a small town two hours north of the coast to pick up identification papers for Thalia. The men's contact had shipped the documents to a UPS office that seemed out of place in the town of Calina. Now, Dean opened the envelope and studied its contents, he couldn't help but be impressed. "Fernan did good," he remarked before extending the American passport, Boston driver's license and birth certificate in Thalia's direction. Their fingers brushed, and his groin instantly tightened at the feel of her warm, delicate fingers. He didn't look her in the eyes all morning, and when there were times when their eyes accidentally met, he would immediately look away from her. Because the kiss that happened between them last night was always in his mind. He couldn't remember the last time his body had burned so hot, the last time his heart had pounded that hard. In that moment, he'd needed Thalia Ricafort more than he'd neede
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 22
The man nodded back at Dean. He quickly glanced at Thalia before he shook his hand. Tatum says that Rick is one of the best pilots in the world. He is said to be a former pilot in the elite fighter unit of the Colombian Air Force. Now, he runs his own cargo airline, which was apparently his only legitimate business. His other business is somewhat questionable. "We're all set for takeoff," said Rick who obviously knows how to speak English. "Time to get you strapped in."Thalia looked alarmed. "Strapped in?" she hissed as they followed Rick to the back of the plane. After they went up the ramp to the cargo hold, Rick led them to a wide metal bench attached to its wall in the cockpit. "Buckle up. Flight duration will be six hours or so." The pilot said before he turned away. Dean placed his duffel bag under the bench they were sitting on. Then he fastened the seatbelt on his body. But he noticed that the doctor was not wearing a seatbelt. "Buckle up, Doc."She shook her head, then sh
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- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Epilogue
After Bhram left, Dean's full attention was focused on Thalia, whose cheeks were regaining some color. "How are you feeling?" he asked. "Surprisingly good. For me it's a miracle that you got the antidote on your hands."He nodded. "Dr. Lucas stole the antidote vial from D&N, and at the same time he also stole the virus. I went to him and forced him to admit where he kept the antidote."Thalia's lips twitched with humor. "And how did you do that?""I'm very persuasive," he said with a shrug. Just as Thalia was about to touch his cheek, he flinched, so he could see the surprise look in Thalia's eyes. "What's wrong?" she demanded."Nothing's wrong." He kept his tone light. "You're alive. That means everything is fine."She frowned. "Okay.""Alright, I'll tell your doctor first that you're awake."He started to stand up, but Thalia latched her hand on his arm and forced him to stay put. "Don't leave just yet. First tell me what I missed when I was unconscious.""Not much." He wanted to
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 54
Thalia couldn't answer Dean. But really, who was he trying to kid? He is not a doctor. She was. She knew for herself what exactly happened to his central nervous system at the moment. The virus was attacking it one cell at a time. Soon she'd be nothing but a motionless lump of dead, like the rats in Franco's experiment. Another giggle bubbled in the back of her throat, and soon she was shuddering with laughter because this was all so funny and - nope, she's having a seizure again. God, she was really tired. Those same shrill voices assaulted her ears again. Those same anvils crushed her body. This time she decided to just close her eyes. Maybe she needs more rest. She succeeded in the closing-of-the-eye part because everything went black, but when she heard Dean's husky voice again, she realized that sleeping at that time was a bad idea. Because what if she never woke up? "Go to sleep," he urged. "No," she protested. "But you need to rest.""I do not want."But she couldn't ope
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 53
After a long five-minute conversation, Dean came out of the interrogation room and shot Bhram an impatient look. "The antidote is stashed in a locker at his health club. Locker number fifty-nine-seven. Key is on the key ring you confiscated along with his personal belongings. Bhram Davies sucked in a breath, his face awash with shock. "Get me that damn key ring," Dean snapped on his way to the door. "Magallon, wait."He heard Bhram's footsteps behind him but he still didn't stop. "I'll dispatch a team to fetch it. You don't have to do it yourself."He just kept walking. "Damn it, Dean. Stop!"The next thing he knew, Bhram was in front of him, shaking his shoulder. As a wave of rage crashed over him, he shoved the other man away. "Don't touch me," he hissed. "And don't tell me what to do."Bhram got in his path again. "You need to be at the hospital. With Thalia. For chrissake, Dean, she's all alone there."His heart lodged in his throat. "I'll send people to the health club," B
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 52
Dean immediately let go of Bhram, and the man nearly fell over before managing to steady himself. With a wave of his hand, Bhram dismissed the guards who were warily monitoring the entire exchange. "Resume your posts, men. Everything is fine here." He turned to Dean. "You know I could have you arrested for this, right?""Five minutes, Bhram. I only need five minutes."Indecision flashed across the other man's face. "I know you're worried about Dr. Ricafort. Hell, I'm worried, too. I don't know how she got infected, but I promise you, the last thing I want is for that woman to die."Dean fought the urge to grab a gun from the hip holster of one of those guards and empty an entire clip into Bhram Davie's chest. The son of a bitch had given him that water, and now here he was, he acted like he had no idea how Thalia got infected with the virus. Acting like he actually cared about her well-being? "Take me to Dr. Lucas," Dean muttered. "Now."Silence prevailed for a few moments before Bh
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 51
The next ten minutes were a total whirlwind. Thalia can't remember when she was getting dressed, but somehow she was wearing jeans and a tank top when they stumbled out of the hotel. She doesn't even remember that they got in a car, but somehow she was in the passenger seat while Dean murmured soothing words in her ear and kept a firm hand on her thigh. Her skin was on fire. Blood was still flowing from her nose, she could almost taste the coppery blood in the back of her throat and she almost gagged. As Dean drove, she didn't hear a single word from him. "Maybe...maybe the CDC developed an antidote already," she said to Dean. He sucked in a breath. "An antidote.""Maybe," she murmured again. "Sometimes they can develop one fairly fast."Yeah, right. But that will take weeks, months, and even years. She knew that, yet she refused to give up hope. After everything she'd been through, her life couldn't be end this way. Lisa. Nadine. Marc. Kelvin. Theresa. Kelsey. NasirAnd she wil
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 50
They got out of the Jacuzzi and dried off, then they got dressed in a pair of complimentary robes instead of getting dressed. They both ended up ordering cheeseburgers and fries, along with the plate of onion rings to share. Probably wasn't smart to eat such a heavy meal at midnight, but they were both hungry, and Dean was happy to see Thalia eat well. She was always full since they were together, which was ironic considering they'd been doing nothing but traveling and hiding out in motel rooms. Still, no matter where they'd been, he'd encouraged the girl to eat right and it was obvious that she had already eaten much because his efforts showed in the rounding of her cheeks. "If you can work on a new foundation again, don't let yourself be overworked."Thalia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Who's going to stop me?""I will." Dean shot her a mocking look. "I'm not going to hide forever. Sooner or later, me, Tatum, and Pierre, we will also find out who ambushed our unit and who wants
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 49
Instead of going back to their motel room, Dean and Thalia checked into a hotel using Dean's fake identity. The only available room ended up being a suite with a huge Jacuzzi tub that brought a delighted grin to Thalia's face. Dean loved seeing her so happy, and she was much cuddlier now than usual. Linking arms when they walked, snuggling close during the car ride, planting a spontaneous and unbelievably passionate kiss on his lips in the hotel elevator. That kiss had succeeded in getting him harder than concrete, but neither of them had been in the mood for sex as they got settled in the suite. They haven't slept in the past twenty-four hours, so that's the reason why they just fell asleep when they got to their hotel room. When Dean's eyes opened a few hours later to find that it was dark beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, and he groaned with unhappiness. Thalia lay next to him, her warm ass wiggling into his groin. "What's wrong?" she asked sleepily."Imagine, we've been slee
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 48
An hour later, Dean was on board the chopper after their successful operation. A ground unit was bringing Escalante and the two surviving UFF soldiers for interrogation, while the deadly vials were taken to the basement to be airlifted to the CDC. A search of the house had not turned up any more vials, and according to one of Escalante's men, all the vials in the group's possession had been in the house. That only spoke to the disorganized and highly unprofessional tactics of the UFF sect. Escalante's planning had been shoddy, his security weak, his goals unrealistic. "Very good job," Bhram Davies boomed as he greeted him at the helipad. He slapped Dean's back, and the two men headed for the door leading into the building. The rest of the team stalked past them, Faust barking orders at his men as he wiped the black paint off his face with a cotton rag. Dean did the same, he also wiped the black paint on his face with a cloth. "A joint task force is being organized in San Jose. Ev
- Love In The Time Of Outbreak
Chapter 47
"We've got a visual on Apollo. I repeat, visual on Apollo. He appears to be asleep in the back bedroom, west side, clear shot." The hushed report came from the sniper positioned on the roof of the house bordering the terrorist nest. "Roger that. Maintain visual." Faust's voice, in that same monotone murmur, echoed in Dean's earpiece. "Visual on two tangos in the back bedroom, east side," the operative covering the side of the house whispered. "Andromeda One and Two. No movement.""Andromeda Three, Four and Five in the kitchen. Visual on back door," came another whisper. "Awake but no movement."From his position in the hedges separating the UFF nest from the neighboring home, Dean fixed his gaze on the front of the house. The light was on in the living room, and he saw someone lying on the sofa, a man watching television. The bluish light from the TV screen reflected off the glass of the large front window. "Tango in the living room. Awake but no movement," Dean murmured. "That mak
