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Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 26
"We're good friends. Every time I have a break, I actually come here to visit him at school." She seemed to be shaking when she said this to Dean. "Do you think they will also be watching Franco so that I might be able to come here?""Yes. That's why we should be careful." He said. "And so I don't look like a fool when we meet this guy, maybe you could tell me what microbiologists do?"She cracked a smile, knowing he was trying to take her mind off the scary scenarios he'd just painted. "Well, Fanco's expertise actually lies in virology, which is a subfield of microbiology," she explained. "Basically, he studies viruses.""How viruses work, how they spread - that type of stuff?""Pretty much, except it was more complex than that. He also focuses on the virus's evolution, the way it interacts with the host organisms, the way it reproduces. And along with that, he tries to develop more efficient ways to isolate a virus and culture it so it can be studied." She laughed. "Most of it is wa
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 27
Franco stared intently at the vial. "What's this?""That's what we were hoping you'd tell us," Thalia said flatly."I'm confused here, Tali. I thought you weren't coming here for another six months. Why aren't you at the clinic?""First, I need to know, has anyone come around asking about me?" she asked, shooting him a grave look. "Like cops, military, government officials?""What? No." Amazement trickled from his voice. "Should I be expecting someone?""Maybe," she admitted. "People might be looking for me, sir Franco. And if anyone comes by, you can't tell them I was here.""All right. Now I'm worried. What's going on, Tali?"With a heavy breath, she gave him the short version of the story. He interrupted more than once, and several times his eyes widened or his mouth fell open. She knew how farfetched it all sounded, yet to Franco's credit, he kept his skepticism to a minimum."Are you sure those people died from a virus, Tali? You said so yourself, you never saw the bodies."Dean
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 28
Two days later, Thalia paced the carpeted floor in the hotel room, biting her bottom lip and forcing herself not to panic. Eight hours had passed since Franco's last call and she was really worried. "Why didn't he call again?" She said to Dean. Dean was lying in the center of the bed with his arms propped behind his head, wearing nothing but a pair of gray sweatpants. His bare chest gleamed beneath the dim ceiling lamp, but not even his deliciously tight six-pack abs could ease her distress. "I'm sure he's just running some more tests," Dean replied. "Isn't that what he said yesterday, do you remember?""Yes, I still remember. But if I'm basing it on his voice, Dean, he looks scared. I heard his voice the same way earlier. It must be the results."Sinking down on the edge of the mattress, she studied Dean's unruffled expression and shook her head in dismay. "Why don't you seem worried at all?""Because we don't gain anything from worrying. I don't operate on what if's. I just focus
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 29
Thalia also panicked while they were on their way to Harvard. She was really nervous because Franco didn't even mention a little detail about the water sample. Whatever he discovers, it doesn't look good. Sure enough, when they got to the lab after twenty minutes, the frantic look in her former professor's eyes was impossible to miss. That afternoon he was wearing a white coat, and Thalia noticed the stain of blood on his right breast pocket. Where does the blood come from? "Thanks for getting here so fast," Franco said and the professor led them to the back of his laboratory. Thalia felt the color drain from her face as they approached a table with half a dozen cages on it. The cages were small and covered with protective plastic wrap, and each one contained wood chips, a plastic wheel, and a dead mouse. But maybe the mouse is not dead and it is just sleeping. Maybe she thinks it in advance. But Franco's forbidding expression said otherwise. "It's bad, isn't it?" She immediatel
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 30
"I need coffee." Thalia said as she unbuckled her seat belt and turned to Dean, who looked as anxious as she did. Ever since they found out about Franco's findings, she hasn't been at ease anymore. This virus looks even more dangerous than she thought. Cell degeneration within twenty-fours of infection? Death after twenty-eight hours? It was really alarming especially that humans have the same effect on rats. "Shall we go to the coffee shop on the other side of campus?" Dean suggested in her declaration earlier. "Please," she said gratefully. After a few minutes, Dean parked in front of the coffee shop. "I'll risk the ticket as long as I get a caffeine fix," he explained after seeing Thalia's shocked face. "And of course, food. We need to buy some food."They entered the coffee shop, and Thalia inhaled the fragrant aroma of coffee, the scent of freshly baked bread, and fresh fruits. Thalia saw the barista blending fruits to make a smoothie for the waiting customer. She and Dean
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 31
Dean, on the other hand, seemed to have no problems with his appetite. Because he finished his sandwich in a matter of minutes, he ate three more muffins before drinking his coffee. She tracked the movements of his strong, callused hands as he wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, as he brought his cup to his sensual lips, as his throat worked to swallow his coffee. Dean is definitely an attractive guy. So masculine and so magnetic. Everything about this man intrigued her - his messy black hair and his seductive eyes. She could look at that sexy, rugged face for hours. Catching her staring, Dean's lips quirked in a grin. "Do I have a dirt in my face?""Nothing. I was just thinking about how sexy you are," she admitted honestly and felt her face turns red. "That's why I really wonder why no girl is obsessed with you.""Maybe because I'm easygoing," he said with a shrug. Something about his tone brought a tug of suspicion. "Are you? Are you really easygoing, Dean, or...or are
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 32
Thalia's mouth fell open. She then grabbed the remote from Dean and turned up the volume. "The network just received a video from the United Freedom Fighters, a revolutionary group based in San Jose," the male reporter continued. "Just minutes ago, this network as well as several others received a video from what is believed to be a militant faction of the UFF. They claim to have splintered from their counterparts and are taking full responsibility for the deaths in Tuxie, New York.""What the hell is going on?" Dean burst out, raking a hand through his hair. "How could any member of the UFF be linked to the virus?"Thalia had no answer for that. He just stared at the screen, feeling more and more anxious by the minute. "The tape is currently being edited by our producers, as it contains content that may not be suitable for all audiences," the anchor was saying. Dean quickly changed the channel, until he found the network that was speedier with the airing of that tape. A man's fumi
Love In The Time Of Outbreak Chapter 33
After he end the call with Tatum, he stood up from the chair, and walked over to Thalia. "Come here," he said and suddenly he hugged her. His arms came around her waist, sliding up the bumps of her spine and stroking the center of her back. "What's this?" she murmured as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. She breathed in the scent of him, wondering why he always managed to smell so great. "You look too pale," he replied. "You look so scared, so I thought you might need a hug."Even though it was true, she couldn't help but laugh softly, and wrapped her hands around his body. "I don't think hugging is the solution to the fear I'm feeling right now, but it helped somehow.""Good." He said and gave her a quick kiss on her lips. Then he pulled her to sit on the bed. She sat next to him while their hands were still holding each other. "So who is this person we can trust?""Bhram Davies. When we last spoke he said he was working in the deputy secretary's office of the Departme
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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
