#jalim

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Give me the suffering, shuddering, thundering pain Take my visions, love, lungs away Tell me, how long until the bitter end? Until he takes you home? Until he walks you in? Praying those eyes open again Screaming "take me now, let me die instead"

--- If you know it in one glimpse it’s legendary.

What we thought was for all time was momentary.

Still alive, killing time at the cemetery.

Never quite buried.

I wish I could unrecall how we almost had it all

---

The other four were told in no uncertain terms that after today, seeing Jason would be impossible.

They all knew what that meant, but SIRA made it seem like he was about to be moved elsewhere.

Salim wondered how they could possibly know he was about to die. Unless they figured they had waited long enough. And they would finish Jason themselves now they knew their parasite was up to strength.

Jason wasn’t lucid. He transitioned from words to something akin to inane babbling, if he talked at all.

Salim always made him the most talkative. That was obvious. But for Salim, watching Jason in this condition was beyond painful.

Maybe he shouldn’t have been so scared of killing Jason when he had asked…

The four of them decided to stagger going to see Jason in irregular intervals. So it wasn’t obvious what they were up to. At least that’s what they all said.

Salim wondered if Jason would even fall for that. Perhaps only because of his current state…

They all gave each other allotted times, and split.

Salim should have followed Nick, however, when he walked down the corridor – it was Eric standing a little way down from Jason’s room. Clearly deep in thought.

“Eric? Are you okay?”

“I can’t believe we let this happen…”

Salim’s eyes downcast, and he swallowed, “I let this happen.”

“It’s bad, Salim.”

“I know.” Salim had seen it, watched closer than anyone else Jason’s condition deteriorate day by day.

“I don’t think he’s going to make it to the end of today. Let alone tomorrow.”

Salim stood silent for a moment, eyes staring forward but, at nothing, before he turned to Eric, and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

***

Salim was surprised to find Jason bolt upright in bed when he got to his room. His brown eyes were so dark now, he was losing the battle. But he was still fighting.

Jason looked up to Salim as he walked in slowly. Salim’s heart ached. He wanted to cry. But he couldn’t; not in front of Jason. Not now.

Jason’s hands reached out. He wasn’t talking, but Salim ran to him anyway. Gathering Jason in his arms he held him close.

For someone with a high fever, Jason felt cold. He felt fragile. Salim bit back a sob.

This is it - This was the last time he was going to be able to hold this man like this. Infection aside, the last week with Jason had been wonderful. Salim knew both of them had been falling hard and fast. Salim couldn’t have asked for anything else, except more time…

Jason still didn’t talk, but his fingers moved from around Salim’s waist, up his chest and to Salim’s neck. The Iraqi pulled away gently. “Jason, it’s okay. I’m fine. I promise I’m fine.”

He wasn’t. But Jason didn’t need to know he was lying. Salim could feel it. Something not quite right about himself. He told Jason he wouldn’t suffer alone and that was a promise he was going to keep. Clearly Jason remembered. Salim had hoped he wouldn’t.

He gathered the American to him again, carding his fingers through Jason’s hair Salim let him settle. He could feel Jason’s pulse. His heart hammered in his chest against Salim’s.

They stayed this way in silence for a few minutes. In truth, Salim didn’t know what he could say. Aside from assuring Jason that he’s okay. How did he say anything of comfort to him now?

Jason started to wiggle against Salim’s chest; at first Salim pulled back to give him air, expecting another coughing fit.

Instead, Jason was laughing. It was silent at first, but when it exploded it didn’t feel like it should be coming from his body. It was unusually strong.

Jason knew what was happening. With everyone coming to see him, and the way he was feeling. Of course they couldn’t tell him that he was about to die, but of course he was. He was in and out of consciousness so much he couldn’t even tell what was real anymore, or what was just a fever dream.

He couldn’t remember things clearly… was the kiss real? Did it happen? Jason found himself hoping both ways. He hoped he got to kiss Salim before it was all over. But, if Salim could be infected by kissing Jason… the black stuff… Fuck, he wished he could remember.

Jason knew he was having hallucinations, he knew he was hardly lucid. He knew he was laughing right now and must have looked like a maniac, because what reason at all did he have to laugh?

Salim was staring at him like he wasn’t sure whether to be worried or not. Jason took a deep breath. He was so close to death, it didn’t matter whether he was delusional or not. If he didn’t do it now, he’d never get the opportunity to say it anyway.

“I think I love you, baby.”

Salim backed up a pace; wondering if anyone could have possibly heard that. He’d not told anyone what he’d done.  Not about the kiss, not about anything. He turned bright red. Of all the things to say – Now!?! “J-Jason! That’s the fever talking.” How many things had he said that were nonsensical? How many people had been able to get actual words out of him? And yet here Jason was, insisting that it wasn’t. That he meant it. Salim stopped insisting, but only because Jason was fighting. Despite his appearance, and his obvious illness, he wanted to win the argument. The insistence that it was true.

Salim took a deep breath and held Jason close to him once more.

“I told you, Habibi, you don’t have to say anything.”

***

Lying on the floor of another observation room, shivering, Salim didn’t think this was one of his better ideas. They had dimmed the lights at least; Jason had been right – they were far too bright. Still, Salim kept his eyes tightly shut and head buried in his arms.

The floor was cold and didn’t provide much in the way of comfort, but the position he’d taken up was the only one where there wasn’t some sort of dull ache going on. His skin was starting to lose colour, breathing took more effort, Salim found he was cold rather than too hot and he hadn’t broken out in a fever. His throat was dry and scratchy, swallowing became harder, but he didn’t dare touch it. Just remembering what Jason’s had felt like under his fingertips made him shiver in a completely different way.

Whatever he’d been infected with from Jason was different. It had taken hold of Salim much quicker. The SIRA team had already moved him over from where everyone else was held to a different building. He recalled it being the dead of night – for obvious reasons – and the motion of the vehicle but nothing much else.

Salim wondered what had happened to Jason. If he was dead already. If he was still fighting.

He groaned, feeling the coughing fit building up. Placing his hands over his mouth Salim curled himself tighter into a ball to try and keep them quiet. Maybe even hold them internally. Even with his body betraying him, Salim’s best chance at making this work was to try and hold on for just as long as Jason had.

Jason’s symptoms were so different. He’d been relatively fine for days. Salim felt he was going near as fast as Rachel had. Salim was under more surveillance than Jason, too. No surprise there. He wasn’t exactly US military. Salim knew what both sides had done to POWs before. What was really the difference here?

He wasn’t going to be able to fight his way out in his condition, and even if he could, they would love nothing more than the opportunity to kill him. Salim wasn’t about to give them this parasite any sooner than he had to.

In reality he didn’t think it was going to take long. He was here alone. Aside from the initial test, the team hadn’t bothered doing anymore. Salim was more expendable even in research than Jason had been. The only way to keep Jason with him was in his head. Jason and Zain both kept him fighting, top of mind all the time. He wondered if anyone else even knew he’d gone. The only person who Salim thought would really care was on his own death bed. How hard would the other three fight for that information?

Jason - Salim’s heart ached just thinking about him. He would understand, wouldn’t he? Why Salim had to give himself like this. Jason… They were so close. ‘I think I love you, baby.’ Salim loved him too. He knew that much. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t love Jason… he wouldn’t have kissed him if he didn’t love Jason. They were almost there. In a different lifetime it could have worked, they could have been together. They almost had it all. Instead, now one – or perhaps if fate was truly cruel, both – of them was destined to die.

Salim opened his eyes slowly, eyebrows knitting together. They moved from the wall to the plastic flooring and down to his clothes. He thought twice about adjusting his positioning when pain shot through his neck again. No. That wouldn’t do. Salim sighed to himself. He was too stubborn to resign himself to death – but what else was there at the end of this?

Would he get to meet Jason again, after this? Was that going to be some kind of cruel consolation prize?

If it didn’t hurt to laugh, Salim would have.

***

Jason had become a little too used to thinking about his own death. Hard not to when he was a marine in an active war zone. A million ways to die. Before he factored in space vampires.

Honestly in all of his thoughts he’d always been going down fighting. Lying on the floor of his room quietly wishing for it all to end when he was in pain and feverish, while trying to push the pain away with thoughts of Salim, was not exactly top of the list. It also wasn’t the most heroic of deaths. Served him right, he guessed. Should have been prepared for something a little more like this given how he’d grown up.

He'd never wished for death, but waiting for it like this was excruciating. All he wanted was to be left quietly alone. All he wanted to think about was Salim.

Jason didn’t need anything else. Even the scientists had decided to abandon him so the parasite could finish the job. It was doing a damn fine job. He could feel the way it was settling into his body now. The fight Jason did have left told it to stop getting too comfortable too early. He was still here. His heart was still beating.

When Jason heard footsteps, he thought his mind was playing tricks on him. But a piece of him jumped in excitement that it might just be Salim. Even with what was happening to Jason now, if Salim would be there for it… maybe he would be okay with going out like that.

But the footfall wasn’t correct. Or at least Jason didn’t think it was. Sound echoed and bounced and distorted too much for him. When the footsteps stopped, Jason knew they were right in front of him.

Anger spiked in his body, rage he hadn’t touched for a little while. Seemed they did want to watch him die. Observe every painful second.

Jason wanted this for himself. Jason would like to die alone.

He cracked his eyes open, vision bleary, staring at the shoes in front of him as they came further into focus. He was surprised to find they were not accompanied by a hazmat suit. But they also weren’t Salim’s. Jason couldn’t really move, but his angle at least allowed him to look up enough to see who they belonged to.

What the fuck was Eric King doing here?

  The distain on Jason’s face was evident. That made sense, they hadn’t exactly seen eye to eye down in the caverns, but this was different. Eric crouched beside him slowly, “You really do look like death you know!” Jason bristled, and even in the state he was in, Eric felt he could still bite if he wanted to, “I really wanna kill you, but I don’t even have the energy to glare at you… can you please leave? I want to be alone.” “No can do, Lieutenant.” “…Fuck.” Jason couldn’t even push himself up onto his knees, “You really gonna make my last few hours a misery?” “And here I thought you were dying. Seems like you got some fight left in you.” “I’m just pissed!” Eric swayed his head to indicate understanding, although Jason could probably do with being nice to someone trying to save his life. Eric shifted around and produced his UV light. Jason’s eyes widened. There was NO way. “Actually; I’m here to save you.” Jason shifted as best as he could across the floor on his side to get a better angle to look at Eric from; “Geez; what took you so long, couldn’t you have done that earlier!?” “Lieutenant, I think you’d do better calming down.” “Yeah well if you were in this much pain, I think you’d understand!” Eric huffed a laugh, and waved the wand, “I can leave.” “That’s what I asked!” Jason wasn’t about to beg Eric King of all people, not even now, and his eyes narrowed.

There was a pause while Eric looked back to him. Jason definitely seemed like if he had the strength Eric would be being throttled right now. But sprawled on the floor, ash grey in colour, clearly struggling to breathe, only the look on his face was threatening. He was only hours from becoming a real threat, though. Eric wondered if Jason was already a lost cause, if he would even be able to survive this process. “You mean Salim was with you the whole time and didn’t say? They took all my equipment away, just like our weapons. I’ve only just been able to get near it.” Jason looked away as he processed this information, eyes narrowing, suspiciously, “Just as I’m about to die? Like, right now? That seems awfully convenient… Are you sure it works?” Eric wondered if these were busted too. If they’d actually removed the power cells so they wouldn’t be threatening to Jason’s state anymore. “I dunno, let’s check.” He turned the light on, Eric’s body shield the majority of the UV glow, but Jason could still feel his whole body go cold in involuntary fear. That wasn’t his own. That, in itself, was horrifying. He could feel himself being pulled away from the UV. Again, his body was acting independent of his own thought. “Oh yeah, I think that’ll do it.” Eric could see the way Jason’s mannerisms had changed; and how it quietened when he turned the light off. For a moment they looked between the UV and each other. “Is it gonna be hell?” Eric checked the light over once more, “Well, you’d have to ask Rachel. I think so, but it’s better than dying, isn’t it Jason? Or becoming some sort of test subject; I wasn’t going to let that happen.” Jason’s voice was flat, but Eric thought it was sarcasm. “You’re too kind.”

Eric rummaged around again, and Jason found himself sarcastically thinking how glad he was that Eric felt like he had enough time to do this. “Oh yeah, you might need this, buddy.” Jason thought that was the last word he’d use for Eric, but when he produced Jason’s knife from another pocket, the lieutenant was intrigued. “Oh, you couldn’t get me this earlier, either!?” “What did I just say?!” He held it away from Jason, just in case he did got the idea to lunge in a death throe for Eric with it. “Fuck those guys.” “Yeah, well, we can worry about them after we’ve done this.” “Don’t ask if I’m ready Eric, just fucking do it.” “Okay, but you asked.” Eric brought the light between them as he turned it on this time. The UV was dazzling. Jason put his hands up to shield his eyes and felt his body immediately convulse at the presence of it. Fuck-! Suddenly – on impulse – he found the strength to push his body up in an attempt to scramble away. This wasn’t coming from him, he felt trapped in his own skin with some invisible force shuffling him along. Although he knew what it was – that parasite was very real. Jason was still weak. The movement was still laboured. In killing him, the parasite had killed itself. Something akin to steam or smoke escaped Jason’s mouth and he started to feel sick.

Even if he didn’t know what was coming, he thought his body would make him vomit at just the feeling of the parasite pulling all the tendrils it had been burying in him back to its own body. Jason didn’t think there was an adequate word to describe it, repulsive simply wasn’t strong enough.

His body lurched again, as Eric held the light closer; the strange thick black saliva came first but it was followed very quickly by the parasite itself. The whole ordeal was vile. It was one thing to feel it, but to see it too? Jason immediately wanted to throw up once more; coughing up more black liquid.

He felt queasy and horrifically weak, but that didn’t stop him from grabbing the knife that Eric held out and darting forward. He plunged the blade into the parasite; which shrieked before it lay still.

Jason immediately collapsed, finding himself coughing up more black goo. His body shook, forcing out as much of the infection as possible. Eric turned his UV off, and moved the few meters Jason had travelled. “It’s okay… it’s over. It’s over now.” “Fuck!” Jason’s voice was hoarse and he gagged as his eyes flicked to the parasite again. Somewhere between a worm and a crustation with a bunch of tendrils. “I’m never going to eat shrimp again in my life!” Eric couldn’t help but laugh at Jason’s immediate personality bounce back. “Was that awful?” “I would not wish that on my worst enemy.” Jason rolled onto his front, and Eric helped him scramble up into a sitting position, steadying Jason’s body against the polytunnel plastic. He was still incredibly weak. When Jason reached over and took his knife out of the squishy body, it was also covered in black liquid. “That’s disgusting…” “You’re telling me. I just had to watch that happen twice. Never again, thank you.”

Jason almost laughed, it was right there on the tip of his tongue, he was even halfway through smiling before his entire face fell. “Shit!” Eric looked over to Jason’s new sudden change in mood, expecting Jason to be sick again, but instead Jason stared back. There was an urgency behind that dread. “Shit, Eric! Salim!”

Eric raised an eyebrow, “What? What about him?” “Where is he!?” The panic was set into Jason’s voice. Flashes came to Eric quickly; the way they looked at each other in the star chamber, the fact Jason went back, the way he touched Salim in the elevator… It wasn’t surprising that the first person Jason wanted to see now was Salim. He scrambled to try to stand before Eric even had a chance to respond, and Eric had to grab Jason’s shoulders and force him back against the plastic sheeting. “Hey, woah! You’re not strong enough to do anything yet!” He was right, Jason didn’t have the strength to even shrug Eric off. But Eric let him. “What’s up with Salim?” Jason definitely wasn’t panicking for no reason. “Eric!” Jason spoke with a frustrated urgency, “He’s got one too!”

Eric couldn’t help but frown, stunned silence followed before he attempted to speak again, “Wh- No! No-! He- he didn’t show any symptoms like you did! There’s no way…!”

Jason shook his head, “No, he didn’t get it down there. He infected himself! Using me!”

“How—!?”

“He-” Jason froze; he didn’t know how to say it. A look crossed Eric’s face like he understood.

Jason got a horrible feeling in his stomach, settling his hands in his lap he looked to the floor without seeing it. “I’m a US soldier and they wanted to experiment on me… Eric they’ll—!” “Stop-!” “Eric!!” Eric racked his brain; if there was a way for Jason, there had to be a way for Salim too. He had his UV now. Eric had done the hard work distracting people to get Jason out of this. He had all the answers.

But once Jason mentioned it, he hadn’t seen Salim since yesterday outside Jason’s room. “Stay here.” “Huh!?” “You’re still supposed to be dying. Act like it.” Eric stood, “Rest up. I’ll be back.” Jason looked back to the parasite, “Fine. Can you do something about that?”

Eric sighed, hands on his hips, glancing between the lieutenant and the entity. Jason looked a little pathetic; but also more determined than ever.

Yeah, sure, he had an idea.

***

When Eric returned, Jason had managed to move himself. Now propped up in his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. There were still no SIRA agents in sight. If they expected Jason to be dead, they were cutting it fine to let an infected human start terrorising the place. Or maybe that was half of the experiment; get out of here and see what Jason did to his friends and colleagues. Eric had walked past Salim’s room twice; it was pristine. There was nothing there. It’d been cleaned up and packed away. Rachel and Nick hadn’t seen him either. He was just gone. Although SIRA could pull the disappearing act that easily, Eric knew that wasn’t the answer.

Under his arm Eric had a laptop and map. When he enquired as to if Jason felt any better, he received a scoff in return. Eric threw him a bottle of water and an energy bar.

Jason studied it with some scrutiny – muttering under his breath how he hoped it was the chocolate one. As if he was in any position to complain.

Eric dragged the little table over that was previously housing medical supplies and unfolded the map, opening the laptop he typed away for a little while. Jason watched from his bed curiously, but didn’t rise until Eric jabbed the map.

“Here.” Jason was still unsteady on his feet, leaning against the bedframe to avoid toppling over. He opened the bar with his teeth, deciding Eric probably had the right idea. Jason squinted at the map; realising it was of the whole complex. Eric was pointing at another building.

“How d’you know?”

“I’ve been making myself indispensable.” He gave a grim smile, “Only way to access the systems.”

Jason was right to look wary.

“I’m doing it for us as much as anyone else. The less I look like a threat the better.” He typed something else into the laptop. “Looks like they’ve got him locked up tight. His surveillance looked worse than what they had for you.”

“…Why?! How would they know?”

“Maybe he did start showing symptoms. I mean he was hardly infected the same way, right? Think about Rachel, Clarice.”

“Rachel was damn near asymptomatic.” Jason chewed the bar and walked around the map; Eric was surprised he knew a word like that. But Jason had a point, up until she collapsed in the star chamber nobody would have known. Jason jabbed the map exactly where Eric had, “So what is that, a few minutes ride away?”

“Give or take. You’re still going to have to act like you’re dying to get us over there.”

“Don’t worry, I still feel pretty bad.”

This would just require some reverse engineering. If Eric was trusted he could simply say that he’d been asked to bring – a still infected – Jason over, so the two could be contained together. Hoping that Jason could at least act sick if they asked to see him. Then they’d have to find Salim. And use the UV light? Sunlight, maybe?

They could figure it out when they got there. Eric kept digging through the files; he needed exactly where Salim was. The more they stumbled around over there, the more likely it was they would get found out.

 As the schematic loaded and Eric continued typing, there was silence between the two of them. If Jason glared any harder, Eric expected the map to start burning up. Once he finished the snack he started on the water.

Eric looked up, too curious not to ask. “Do you really love him?” Jason froze again. Eyes staring at the wall, his gaze moved to the floor and the table as he visibly decided his response. His eyes eventually locked back with Eric’s; and there was a spark there that let Eric know Jason was more than ready for this.

“Well, I didn’t fucking lie.”

***

Reckless.

Salim knew the choice would be. He’d been reckless before, at least to the point of being dead set once his mind was made up.

And his mind was made up.

In the moment, Jason was his only thought. Salim had a last-ditch effort to do it. Regardless of getting himself infected so Jason wouldn’t go through this alone, the infection could do something else.

Not one of the five of them had demanded to see any of the SIRA agents. So when Salim did, it was at least taken seriously.

He was told to wait in his little plastic room. He had time to change his mind. But he didn’t.

Once they turned up, they seemed wary. And Salim already knew, that for Jason’s sake, he didn’t have the time to waste.

“You need to let Jason go.” It clearly wasn’t a request. And the statement hung in the air almost threateningly. Salim narrowed his eyes, “You want a test subject? I have a better one for you.” They looked to each other, clearly disbelieving. Salim indicated to himself. “My body, your parasite, Jason’s freedom.” Their voices indicated they were ticked off, like he was time wasting, “And how the hell would that work? He’s already growing one just fine.” Salim dismissed them; “I already have it.” Intrigue; “Prove it.” “You tested him, didn’t you?” There was a laugh, but once they realised that Salim was serious, silence fell again. “What’s to stop us using you both.” Salim’s eyes fell to the floor, “I cannot stop that.” He admitted, “But, even you must realise it’s a preferable end. You get your ‘best of the best’ Marine back, you get a parasite, and it’s one less Iraqi to worry about.” The two agents gave each other a look, the silence at least meant they were considering it.

Then came a question Salim wasn’t sure if he expected or not. “Why?” Salim merely raised an eyebrow. After the past few days, wasn’t that a ridiculous question. He was simply surprised they even cared. ‘Because it’s my fault’ he thought. Did he deserve this after all; Jason wouldn’t be in this situation if he'd have just pulled him out of the way.

Because I…

The two agents turned to each other once more, “We’ll have to test you first.” Salim scowled, impatient, “Then you best do it quickly. Jason is dying. But I don’t think he is beyond help. All he needs is sunlight.”

He couldn’t guarantee these people’s word. He couldn’t guarantee Jason’s safety. But Salim chose to believe that this was going to work.

Jason could be saved. He could. And Salim could still do it. Even when he couldn’t before. Even when he didn’t before.

Horrifically, if it did go down differently now… If they still let Jason die…

There was something ironically romantic about dying together like this.

***

Eric had calculated a last-ditch effort; he just hadn’t factored in Salim’s self-sacrifice for Jason. It seemed like stupidity. Two plans, same outcome. Converging in the worst way possible.

But he hadn’t realised it until it was too late. Jason had the missing piece of information.

Now Salim was halfway across the campus and the plan to get him out was half baked at best and completely reckless.

Eric was glad he had Jason back, although the man was hardly at his best. Hell, he should have still been in recovery.

Neither of them could be sure how long it would take Salim’s infection to set in, nor when he would have been moved out. They didn’t have time to plan this any more than they had. They didn’t have time to sit and find out the answers to their questions.

Eric backed the truck right up to the doors of the complex. The sun was still bright but, Jason wouldn’t venture into it, at this angle everything was shaded. Less chance of being seen in shadow.

Jason was crouched behind a pillar, studying Eric’s map again. His job was to be as quiet and sneaky as possible. That made him glad of his smaller build and stature, for once. He half smiled to himself remembering Salim’s joke.

Eric knocked on the other side of the pillar, voice hushed. “Ready to go?” “Uh huh.” Jason stood, stepping cautiously out of the shadows; “Let’s get him back.” Eric led him to the truck, where the back was already opened up and indicated for Jason to step up. “Time to find out if you’re a good actor.” “Well,” Jason sighed, hoisting himself up, “Nick says I’m a terrible liar.” Eric sighed, wondering if this plan was even going to make it off the ground. That’s exactly what he needed Jason to do. “Just… cough a lot. You just spent the past week ill.” “Yeah, trust me, I know.” Eric rolled his eyes, and threw the sheet over Jason’s head. “You’re dying, Kolchek. Remember?”

The back of the truck slammed shut and Jason was left in darkness and silence. He tried to find a good place to set himself up, given Eric had to drive them out to where Salim was held. Jason laid on the floor, curled up under the sheet.

If something happened to Salim, Jason thought he might as well die.

As the truck began to move Jason wondered how he was supposed to act sick; wouldn’t SIRA want to check that. His skin was still pretty pale, but he wasn’t sweating - he placed his forehead against his arm - or particularly warm. If he was outside in the sun for a little bit he’d surely start to sweat, but the truck was relievingly cool. Coughing and acting weak was fine, but he couldn’t shiver on command unless he was cold. He pulled the sheet fully over himself, curling into a tight ball. If he could get his temperature as high as possible over the next few minutes that would be a great help…

Jason wasn’t counting the time, but eventually Eric banged on the back wall of the truck. “We’re approaching, Kolchek, gonna need those acting skills now!”

Eric pulled up; unsurprised that the SIRA guards looked confused that he was over here with a truck. He took a deep breath. “Colonel King? You don’t have permission to be here.” “Actually they told me to bring the infected Marine over here too. Guess they want to keep all the experiments together.” The guards looked at each other. “We haven’t heard anything about this, Sir.” “Well I came straight over as soon as they called me, it’s probably not come through the system yet.” There was a pause as they conferred. By the looks on their faces they hadn’t been privy to all the information the whole time they’d been here. Eric had to say, Jason was doing a wonderful job in the back – Eric was almost worried about him. He checked his watch, “Gentlemen, he’s probably less than an hour from death. Do you want to be responsible for them not getting the research they want because you kept me outside?”

That prompted action, and they let him go right ahead. Telling him exactly where to park to avoid any sunlight.

Eric pulled up and knocked on the back of the truck again. “Alright, Jason, we’re in the clear. Let me get out first.” He anticipated more people to be around, but then, he wasn’t actually expected. And the less people the better. He kept on constant alert as he moved to the back of the truck and opened the door.

Jason was sitting in the back, still huddled up in the sheet. Everything was damp. “…Should I… ask?” “It’s water!” Jason pulled back the sheet so his canteen was visible. “I had to imitate sweat somehow.” “What?!” Jason narrowed his eyes and stood, “They might have asked to check me out. See if I was legit.” He jumped down to Eric’s level, catching himself as he staggered. Still not 100%. “I tried to get my temperature up too, but I guess it didn’t matter.” Eric scouted around one more before turning back to Jason, so far so good at playing these people at their own game. “Nice acting!” Jason raised his eyebrows, “Acting!? I was fuckin’ choking man!” Eric almost snorted, “Water?” “Yeah!” But he was glad Jason was laughing too.

As they moved further into the building it was clear that SIRA had set things up in here very like before. Eric kept talking about needing to be careful, Jason narrowed his eyes – yes, obviously! – but always stayed silent. His eyes constantly sweeping for security and cameras. They were sneaking around outside just fine but given they were now faced with the same polytunnel type structure, it was more than likely that they would be faced with numerous challenges in there. Least of all, lack of space.

“You ready?” Jason’s breath out sounded less than sure. “It’s less that, more we don’t have a choice.” “You could just leave him.” “Hey!” Jason’s tone was sharp and he turned Eric towards him, “I already told you down there, I ain’t leaving him!” Eric wasn’t going to be upset about triggering that response. It was the kind of fight Jason needed right now. Even if there was a choice, for Jason choice was out of the question. “Well, I think the best way to do this is split.” “Split!? Why!?” Eric craned his neck in the other direction outside the polytunnels, tapping the internal map he’d found in the computer files. “There’s got to be a security centre or something. Cameras. You think they won’t be watching him at least!? If you’re going to do this with any stealth, I’ll need to take those out.”

Jason nodded as he considered it. Honestly, he wouldn’t mind going all guns blazing, but Eric had a point. “Oh yeah,” Eric rummaged in his pocket and held out an earpiece, “Figured you’d need this back.” “Well, let’s hope they work this time.” Jason took it, fitting it to his ear. Eric’s laugh was nervous; he didn’t want to think of that possibility.

They sat for a few more minutes, staring at the map. As if Jason hadn’t memorised the marked room numbers already. Neither was entirely sure what they were waiting for, Jason would be fine to lead, but lead himself? He was waiting for Eric’s go ahead, it was his plan. When a few more minutes of silence passed, Jason had to voice it. “I hear you thinking.” Eric hesitated. “Do…” Jason prompted with his hand. “Do you think this is too easy.” Jason’s eyes widened as he gesticulated in frustration. “No, I- Listen. We’ve had almost no resistance. Getting that UV was too convenient Jason, they’ve had my kit under lock and key. Suddenly it’s just easy to find and take? I’ve been getting in with them but…” “What’s the point of even think- FUCK!” They both froze as Jason exclaimed a little too loud, pausing for just long enough to see if it caused a commotion. “What?” “He- did he…” Jason couldn’t imagine it. Couldn’t imagine SIRA having the opportunity to experiment twice and be fine with reducing it to one. When Jason was so close? “Did he what?” Eric knew Jason meant Salim. “It doesn’t matter, but we need to go now! No turnin’ back!” Jason was right. Eric let himself be dismissed, and looked back to the plastic structure, now he was going to have to play them at their game even harder, if they were expecting this rescue mission.

Which they must have. He had to assume that. Jason was fierce when he defended Salim in his interviews. Eric had heard him from three rooms away.

Unless they assumed Jason would be too weak and the other three wouldn’t care about the Iraqi enough to attempt it…

“You got your knife?” Jason patted his utility belt, “Don’t you think you shoulda asked that before we left?” “I’m just making sure you’re prepared lieutenant. You might run into a few people in there.” Jason was quite prepared to have to beat some people up. It would be worth the dishonourable discharge. The knife was for that thing that was growing inside Salim. “I got this.” His answer was almost cocky. “Try not to kill them!” “For Salim? No promises.” Eric sighed, lowering his head into his hands, Jason just smiled back sarcastically.

That just left one thing to do. Eric unclipped his UV and held it out for Jason to take. “Unless you think you can get him into sunlight without being stopped, this is your only hope.” Jason took it, checking the switches and giving it a wave around. Eric almost hit Jason himself, “Will you be careful!? Do NOT destroy that!” For one, if Jason broke it now, he would have no chance. For another, given one was now back down in hell, it was the only one Eric had here. And who was to say if they’d need it again.

Eric patted Jason’s arm, “Good luck, go get him. See you on the other side.” “You too Colonel. Semper Fi.”  Eric was surprised to find himself faced with a genuine smile, and gave one back. “Semper Fi.”

***

Despite the fact Jason was quite prepared to get violent if he had to. He was treating everything like a stealth mission. Watching out for all staff and all cameras. This wasn’t exactly his forte, but he’d always been quick. He wondered if it would have been better the other way around. If Eric would have been able to wander around in here no problem. Jason was supposed to be dead by now. Probably.

Eric’s revelation stuck with him. If this was all a ruse, they’d walked into a trap. The key now was not to trigger it.

He kept pushing further in, acknowledging all the markers for the rooms as he went. Theoretically this building was much smaller, but to Jason this tunnel system was just as much of a labyrinth.

It certainly didn’t help his unease at feeling like a lab rat about to be caught in some kind of spring trap mechanism at any given moment.

Was Eric even sure this was the right building?! What if all the maps were a decoy…

Shit! Jason! Stop!

He shook his head, as if that was going to make the thoughts go anywhere at all.

There was a small sound on his radio like static interference. Eric! Jason sped up; these cameras could go back online pretty quickly. He had to get to Salim, now! By the numbers indicated on the sheet walls, he was close.

By the time he got there, Jason didn’t need numbers. There was muffled coughing, but not in a way that was disguised very well – and Jason followed it all the way to finding him.

Salim was curled up on the floor of – to say the least – a sparse room. Face buried in his arms to hide himself from the lights. Jason understood. “Salim!!!” He found it weird that despite the situation, he couldn’t hide the joy in his voice. There were cameras in this room, none of them had a red blinking light and Jason had to assume he was safe as he crouched next to Salim.

“Hey,” Jason touched his shoulders delicately, “I’m here…” Salim shivered under his fingertips, but uncurled himself so he could look up at Jason. Jason watched him struggle to focus; there was uncertainty on his face. And whatever he started muttering was Arabic not English.

Jason placed a hand to Salim’s forehead, but Salim was cold in the way Rachel spoke about; there was no fever. He wasn’t lucid that much was for sure.

“Darlin’, I’m sorry, I don’t understand, but I’m here. I’m okay!” He took Salim’s hands, pulling them gently to his arms, “I’m real.”

Salim took this as an invitation to slide his hands further up Jason’s body and Jason crouched a little further down. Salim’s fingers slipped across Jason’s heart and then – as expected – up to his neck.

In any other situation Jason would have actively jerked away from hands all over him like this. Especially with how erratic Salim’s movement was as he struggled, Jason knew exactly what he was feeling. Salim needed to know; so Jason kept still. He placed his hands over Salim’s, helping him find the strength to guide them where he needed to.

Jason let Salim keep his fingertips there, “It’s okay baby, it’s gone, it’s done. I’m feelin’ much better.”

Salim’s eyes scrolled up to Jason’s face, he blinked hard. The American took Salim’s hands gently from his throat, but kept them in his.

Salim once again swallowed back his coughing, relief flooding his face, “They cured you.” “Well, I’m not sayin’ it was nice. But, yeah, Eric did.” Salim looked momentarily surprised at the mention of Eric’s name, and spoke something else in Arabic, before removing one hand from Jason’s to place it on his cheek. Again, Jason didn’t flinch away. “Jason… I…” He could tell from the laboured breaths that this was hard for Salim. Whatever way Salim infected himself with that kiss, it set in a hell of a lot faster than what Jason had. When he paused Jason was patient, he didn’t prompt. “You need to kill me.”

That wasn’t what Jason expected, and his expression fell. He didn’t expect the man who wouldn’t kill him to ask for a return of the favour. “What?!” “You need to-” “No! No way! I’m not doing that!” “You must!” “No offense, you ain’t in your right mind right now!” “Jason!” Salim’s look was stern, “If we were back down there, you wouldn’t have hesitated. Please… While I can still remember you and Zain. Please.” That made tears prick at the side of Jason’s eyes, he didn’t like hearing Salim talk this way, “Stop! I won’t let you talk like that! I can fix this!” Salim did his best to laugh, “Ever the optimist,” He pulled Jason in and placed their foreheads gently together, “you need to let me go.” Jason chuckled, rubbing Salim’s arms, “Like you let me go?” “That was different.” “It absolutely was fuckin’ not.” Jason untangled himself from Salim’s grasp, reaching back on his tool belt, “If I’m survivin’, you are too!”

When he produced the UV, Salim was shocked. “How-!?” “I told you, Eric.” “How did you get it here?!” “Don’t even worry about that. Worry more about this being an unpleasant experience.” Jason’s expression pulled into one of apology, “I’m sorry.” “Jason, I-” “I know, and fuck ‘em.” Jason flicked the switch on, “They can’t have you.”

As he flipped the UV on, Jason wasn’t even subtle about holding it close to Salim like Eric had phased it in with him. Salim’s body gave one, massive, juddering heave before he started gagging. The liquid that poured from his mouth was more of a grey than black, but it made Jason wince all the same. Salim gagged again, and this time it was the parasite that came free – it was a lot smaller than the one that came out of Jason. He found himself almost gagging at the sight of it: so they did literally grow inside both of them. Salim started coughing, spitting out more grey fluid. Jason’s stomach gave a very uncomfortable lurch; he’d only been through this himself a few hours ago. He knew this wasn’t nice for Salim in the slightest, but Jason was just glad it was out of him. It definitely didn’t make it any less satisfying to slam his knife down into the ejected parasite once more.

“That’s the last one of those things I ever wanna fuckin’ see!” Jason kicked it to the side with his boot and crouched back by Salim. “You okay, sweetheart?” Salim shook his head, which made Jason laugh. “I know. It’s a lot.” Salim shook his head again, eyes raising to Jason’s. “You came back for me?” His voice was weak and scratchy, exactly how Jason’s had been. Jason pulled the canteen from his belt – hardly enough after his escapades in the truck. He helped Salim sit upright and offered him what water was left. “Duh!” “You’re an idiot.” “You’re welcome.” Salim raised an eyebrow, before sighing gently. There was maybe half a heartbeat, before Salim spoke again. And even though it was in Arabic, Jason thought he understood it this time. Jason saw Salim’s little smile coming before it did, and he couldn’t help but grin back. “It’s okay, darlin’, you don’t have to say anything.”

I love you, too.

Semper Fi. Right? Of course he came back for him. Like he did in the caverns. Like he would do over and over and over again.

***

Jason gave Eric the same radio click signal back, but this time Eric came across in a hushed voice. “You okay?” “I wouldn’t say we’re okay.” Jason replied, given what they’d both just been through today, “But we are ready to get out of here.” “Salim?” “UV worked great. This is a labyrinth though Eric, any shorter options?” “Uhhh,” Eric clipped out for a moment, “Okay, let me see if I can get you through on surveillance.” Jason was about to shoot him a sarcastic comment, so Eric interjected, “Don’t worry it isn’t recording.” “Where are your SIRA friends?” “I’m handling it.” Jason knew he has no option but to trust what Eric was saying. He looked back to Salim, “Think you can walk?” “Just about.” That would have to do.

Jason had to support Salim, with one arm over Jason’s shoulder, all the way back. Now Jason certainly thought he was finally able to repay Salim for looking after him so well. They go slow, quiet, but it also made stealth harder. Jason was listening hard to Eric’s every instruction, and by the time they all met back up again, they were by the truck.

Eric embraced Salim gingerly, as if any harder would break him. “How you feeling?” “I’ve felt better.” Salim admitted. “It’s good to have you back. You’re one of us right, that’s what Jason said.” Jason turned a tint of red as Salim looked back to him, and his eyes darted away from the conversation.

“We should probably leave before the alarms start going.” “Well, I get the feeling it’ll be a while.” Eric reopened the back of the truck and Jason helped Salim climb up. “Oh yeah? They’ve just lost their parasite. Twice!” “Yeah. But they’d have to check on him in person.” “…I’m not following.” “Just like chess!” Jason eyebrows furrowed in confusion, even if he understood the analogy. Strategic movement, a game, to be played and won. “I, uh,” Eric continued at Jason’s expression, “I put the cameras on a neat feedback loop.” “Well, let’s hope no one is patrolling then.” Eric nodded, “We should be long gone by then, just got to stop off back where we started first.” “Why? What’s goin’ on?” Jason found himself pushed back into the truck and the door closed on him. “Stop asking questions Kolchek, just trust me.”

Jason turned back to Salim with a quirked eyebrow, the Iraqi had settled himself against the side of the truck, and gave Jason a small shrug in return.

Jason sighed as the truck vibrated under him as the engine started, and crawled over to him. It’d been a long day. It sounded like it was only going to get longer. He settled next to Salim, resting his head on his shoulder without even thinking. Salim barely hesitated – looking down at the American; under Jason’s cap he couldn’t see his face. Salim placed his head gently on top of Jason’s too.

The younger man stirred slightly, as if getting comfortable, but he didn’t move. Still, his hand crept across and settled itself against Salim’s. The Iraqi smiled, taking the initiative, linking their index fingers. Even without being able to see his face, he’s pretty sure Jason was smiling too.

***

When the truck stopped again Eric tapped on the back door. “Listen, I’m going to be 10 minutes max. Stay here, stay in the truck out of sight. Anyone comes over, do not open it.” Before Jason could respond Eric was already walking away, so he turned his look on Salim instead, “What if they try to open it or drive off?” “I guess he’s technically given us permission to fight them.” “Man, I’m itching for a fight. Thought I might get to do some rescuin’ you, actually.” “Jason.” “Geez, you take everything I say so seriously.” Jason tipped his head back against the side, to stare at the ceiling of the truck. There was nothing much there and it was pretty dim in the back with no windows.

“Why did you do it?” Salim was almost startled by Jason’s voice in the silence. Because now he does sound so serious. “Pardon?” “Why did you kiss me?” “You know why.” Jason couldn’t stop the half smile, but he pushed it back down as soon as it appeared on his face. “Let me rephrase then; why did you infect yourself.” “It was the only way.” “You have a son, Salim!” Salim almost snorted, “What? Can’t I also be reckless sometimes?” “You’re supposed to be the level-headed one.” Jason’s eyes fell back to him, “You almost died for me. I was already dying.” “That’s why I did it. So, you wouldn’t.” “There was no guarantee-” Salim folded his arms, “I was right.”

Jason didn’t have a retaliation for that, because so he was.

A few seconds passed of them staring at each other before Jason moved his free hand, pulling Salim into an embrace. “I’m so glad you’re safe…” Salim almost sinks into his shoulder, winding his free arm around Jason also, “Me too, I was so worried I would lose you, Jason.” Jason cracked a grin, “Thanks to you, I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Even if Eric had been the one to get the parasite out, Jason didn’t think he’d have the opportunity if it wasn’t for whatever Salim had bargained with SIRA. Eric knocked a few minutes later to let them know he was back, but instead of allowing them get out, they heard the engine start and they were soon on the move. The two sitting in the back gave each other the same expression. And when Salim asked where Eric could possibly be taking them now, Jason had no answer.

The truck stopped again at what Jason calculated to be a few miles up the road. And this time, when Eric got out, he opened the back doors. Both of them shielded their eyes from the light, but once they adjusted, Jason could see they are indeed on public roadway. “Eric, what the hell!?” “I told you I had a plan.” Jason climbed down, “We’re off base!? You’re going to get me killed! MIA!? This is all I have, man!” Salim stumbled down after him, still a little weak from his ordeal but able to pull Jason back by his shoulders to stop him from lashing out at his superior officer.

“It’s necessary, Jason. What do you expect SIRA will do to either of you when they find out you’re both cured? Let you go? This is the only way. I’ve got some friends I can call in a few favours with.” He turned back in the direction of the base, “Also my wife is CIA, so…” “Rachel is in on this!?” “In a manner of speaking.” Jason’s face fell suddenly in contemplation that he’s never going to get to say a proper goodbye to her, or Nicky either.

“What the fuck…” He whispered in disbelief, Salim gripped his shoulders a little tighter. To stop him from lashing out again, or to balance Jason in case he was more dramatic about it and his knees gave out.

Sensing this could go one of two ways as well, Eric held out the keys to the truck to the Iraqi. “Figure you’re a long way from home out here, you could probably use this.” Salim and Jason were clearly surprised by this gesture. “What about you?” Eric blew it off as Salim took them gently, “It’s not that far of a walk back, I can make it.” “Eric-!” “I’ll be fine.” He was reassuring, but appreciated Salim’s concern.

“You do have to do me one favour, before you take it out your way.” Salim nodded, expecting to be told to ditch the truck, which he would have planned on doing anyway, what with American insignia around here. Instead, Eric indicated to Jason. “I need you to take him to the airport.” Jason looked between Eric and Salim, “What!?” From his back pocket, Eric produced a set of folded documents, and Jason’s passport. “Like I said, I got friends who owe me favours. It’s a bit around the houses, Jason, I’m sure you can appreciate why. But it’ll get you home. My friends’ll be checking your progress.” Jason took the documentation and unfolded it, reading just how many flights he was going to have to take, he thought ‘round the houses’ was putting it lightly. “Thanks man.” Jason squinted before looking back up, “You did all this in a couple of hours!?” “You think I didn’t have things in place before I took a UV light to you? I’ve been planning this all week. Just like him.” He nodded back to Salim, “We just never talked.” Salim gave a half laugh, “An oversight.”

“What about my stuff?” “I prepped the essentials in a backpack for you Jason, I’ll get the rest mailed to you securely.” He could see Jason’s doubt already crossing his face, “I promise.” That didn’t stop him, and Jason waved the paper, “You really think this is going to work?” Eric re-explained, this time adding further context, “Air force buddies owe me, that’s how you’re getting out. They’ll cover your tracks.” “What, only to have SIRA find me at home two weeks later?!” He sighed, “You think I didn’t calculate for that?! Look, we have no time to argue, get going!”

Salim agreed with this statement, letting Jason go to give Eric a firm handshake. But Jason still wasn’t satisfied. “Fine, we all get home. I’m still a Marine, or I’m not? Are you expecting me to disappear?” “Let’s worry about getting you back first, Rachel and I-” Jason rolled his eyes, “I get it, ya know people…” But there was something more pressing on Jason’s mind, “How the hell am I ever supposed to see you again?” He pointed to Salim, who was on the verge of speaking, but Eric even had an answer for that. “Jason, his son is going to University in London. Meet him there.” “Fuck!” Jason grinned, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” Eric and Salim shared a look, but said nothing.

After saying goodbye to Eric, Salim climbed up into the driver’s seat of the truck, but Jason idled outside. “You sure you’ll be alright? They ain’t gonna kill you, are they?” “I guess I can’t be certain. But it wasn’t my priority today. I made myself invaluable. How are they going to run Caelus without me? Sure, it needs fixing but what if they want to find more like this?” “You make sure they don’t find more shit like this, okay!?” Eric laughed, and then the two men shared a warm handshake. “You’re one hell of a lieutenant, Kolchek. You know that? They really do mean best of the best.” Jason bowed his head, with a genuine smile, “Thank you sir, you’re not so bad yourself.”

There was a pause, Eric took a breath. “You wanna hit me hard or not?” Jason knew why he was saying that. Eric was going to stage this for SIRA like the two of them somehow coerced him. Then when the time was right, jumped him and stole the truck. Jason wasn’t sure how Eric was going to make this good with the Marine Corps, but he also wasn’t sure how many times he was going to get to punch a senior officer without repercussions. He answered a little too enthusiastically, “Fuck yeah!” Eric’s expression almost made Jason laugh. “I- I mean, for authenticity—!” “Just do it, Kolchek.” Jason at least sounded sincerely apologetic, “Sorry, Colonel.”

Salim already had the engine running when Jason hopped up into the truck cab. There was a map up on the dashboard of exactly where he needed to drop Jason, and a small list of instructions. Seemed like Jason was going to be met by some people Eric trusted. Salim had to trust him on this too, he guessed. While waiting for Jason and Eric to finish, Salim had been studying the map himself, figuring out the best route home. The truck was almost on a full tank, so he should make it easily.

“Nice punch.” Jason laughed, picking up the backpack Eric left him and rifling through it. “Not too often you get to do that and, by God, at points did I sure want to!” Salim drove off, one hand out the window in a final goodbye to Eric, who waved back. “It shouldn’t take too long to get you where you need to be, do you have everything?” “The important shit. Just going to have to trust him, huh.” “I trust him.” Jason supposed he wouldn’t argue with that. Salim spoke again, “You really think he’ll be okay?” “I don’t know what that organisation is capable of. But we’re here now. That has to mean something. He mentioned Rachel and the CIA specifically. I think… I think he’s got this.” No use in worrying when they would be unable to do anything, at the very least. “It’s admirable. What he’s done.” Jason nodded, “Yeah. Guess he owes us too.” Salim’s eyes flicked across to Jason, who was now staring out the window. His words held much more weight than just what happened down in the caverns. Salim knew he’d not been privy to what the Marines were actually supposed to be doing in the Zagros mountains, but Eric was their leader.

Eventually Jason turned back; it was a quick movement like he’d just remembered something. “You get to see Zain!” Salim let out a burst of laugher, and grinned, “I’m very excited. But he must be so worried!” “I bet he can’t wait to see you! It’s going to be a great surprise!” “It will!” Salim nodded, “We will have to celebrate his birthday, even if it’s late.” “Well, if you’ve not celebrated yet then, I can wish him a Happy Birthday too, still, right?” Salim beamed at the smile on Jason’s face, and his heart swelled, “You can.”

Jason smile grew, before once again he began scrabbling around as if he just remembered something. “Ah ha!” He pulled a pen out of a pocket, taking Salim’s hand and writing on it. “This is my number. I wouldn’t call it for a few days given Eric’s stupid flight itinerary, but… You should have it.” Salim studied his hand momentarily, before indicating for Jason to hand the pen over. Balancing the steering wheel between his knee and one elbow – the road had no one else on it – he held Jason’s wrist delicately.

Jason watched as Salim also wrote down a series of numbers. Even though he’d just done exactly the same thing, Jason’s heart started racing. “And this is mine. When you get back, we can arrange that trip to London.” Jason nodded, “For sure.”

For a moment they stared at each other, smiling, hands entwined. They made it out of hell, twice. And Eric had guaranteed they’d be able to see each other again. Right now, in this truck, neither of them had anything to worry about. Jason moved his backpack into the footwell, before sliding over in the seat, removing his hat – which he placed on his knee – he resumed the position he’d taken in the back of the truck, with his head on Salim’s shoulder. “Oh-!” Salim’s voice was gentle, soft blush adorning his cheeks, “I get to see your hair again.” Jason laughed gently, before he closed his eyes. “Don’t get too used to it.” 

Salim didn’t think Jason should get too used to this either, he could see planes in the distance, the airport wasn’t too far away. “I’m just glad you’re safe, Habibi.” “There’s that word again.” Jason mused, stretching, “Is it a good word?” “It’s a very good word.” “Well then, Habibi.” Salim was surprised to experience a delightful little shiver at hearing Jason try to pronounce it correctly, “I’m thankful you looked after me.” “You are the shield to my sword, Jason, I will always look after you.”

Jason didn’t respond; just smiled. Salim leaned over, kissing the top of Jason’s head softly.

It was going to be a hell of a road, but it’d be worth it. Salim was looking forward to spending the rest of his life getting to know this American.

--- Tell me that it's gonna be alright Even though we never know If we're gonna make it out alive But when it comes to me and you, I can't not try

---

It all happened so fast. But the more that he replayed it in his head the more Salim thought that if he’d reacted faster – and dammit he had time to – he could have saved Jason.

It’s all he could think about. And stuck in quarantine like this, gave him a lot of time to just sit and think.

He didn’t know how much time Jason had. From the notes he read it took Mary four days; but Salim wasn’t exactly sure how she was infected. Rachel and Clarice were closer to 5 hours.  But they were both directly infected by Vampires.

He wished Jason hadn’t been so nonchalant about the whole thing. It wasn’t a joke, but Jason had been content to make it one. He’d hit the ground pretty hard as the fossilized vampire had crumbled, surrounded by dust, debris and some kind of green gas.

Salim had too quickly found the whole idea of fossilised vampires very interesting. They must have been here much longer than they’d originally concluded if they could get into this condition.

Jason’s coughing snapped him out of it, but after a while the cough sounded more like a laugh. Jason was still bent double, but he swivelled himself in place, “Oh man! Did I just get high on literal space dust!?” He cackled, “Oh my god. I don’t think I’ve had a better trip, hold on…” still laughing, Jason reached out for Salim’s arm to steady himself, the Iraqi moved closer to stop Jason from toppling over, “Didn’t someone say something about their saliva and Psylocibin!?” He giggled, and Salim found his accent was getting thicker, “Yeah, naw, that is clearly the real high here.” Salim frowned, getting increasingly worried about his new friend, “Jason this isn’t funny!” That seemed to snap Jason out of it enough to act serious, “I’m fine man.” He cleared his throat, hands up, “I’m totally cool.”

He clearly wasn’t. Salim shouldn’t have believed him at the time. But realistically what could they do. Salim had a handful of pain medication in his bag but even if he’d offered it to Jason, he doubted the American would have taken it. The cough got worse, in intensity and frequency. Even when Nick – his professed best friend – pointed it out, Jason waved it away with the same joke about getting high. It was a hit to him and nothing more. Jason sounded stupidly proud of it.

The only real comfort that Salim was able to offer him after that was physical touch, rubbing his back whenever Jason coughed and letting him know it was going to be okay. Salim wasn’t sure if it was okay. And now he was certain it wasn’t.

Maybe they did both just try to pass it off as ancient dust in his lungs, something this cough would expel and he would be okay. Maybe they had wanted to believe anything over it being something much more serious. After all, once they really got into trouble escaping and with the eclipse, Jason had stopped coughing. He’d been able to run and fight without any problem. There was no indication this was an infection.

Until they were all back at Camp Slayer. Forced into little pods to answer questions, the plastic tunnelling didn’t offer much in the way of privacy. Jason was a couple of thin synthetic walls away, and Salim could hear how much worse his cough was getting from his room.

This was his fault. And the guilt pressed down on him. If he hadn’t been so distracted by the fascination of the vampire, of the structure they were in, in spouting cool science facts, he could have pushed Jason out of the way. Jason would have been okay.

And now they were sectioned off into their own rooms, spaced further apart for further testing and ‘research’ before they were allowed out into the world, faced with silence and that looming guilt – it was about all Salim could think about. SIRA agents patrolled the corridors, meaning the five of them could only leave their rooms and only go to certain areas within a strict time frame.

Salim hadn’t been able to see Jason yet. None of them had been. So he knew this was serious.

Salim wasn’t going to hide it or deny it; he cared about Jason more than anyone else here. He just wanted to make sure the American was okay. He wanted to be able to give Jason reassurance, to touch him again, to hold him again…

There was too much to worry about. Too much to wonder. For Jason, he had to endure it.

***

Jason hadn’t needed any scientific results to come to the conclusion that he was truly sick. In reality he hadn’t been told anything either, but he knew. He could feel it, inside himself; a bit like when he’d been on the edge of a cold before with no way to stop it. Only this was much worse. The science team were handling him with the upmost care, but Jason felt much more like they were studying him under a microscope rather than treating whatever was wrong. If it was even treatable.

He could see the pity on the faces of his friends; burned into his mind. But the worry too. There had been no way that once he’d started coughing images of Clarice weren’t playing in everyone’s head. Jason was glad no one had got trigger happy on him – though the irony wasn’t lost.

He was starting to struggle to keep warm too. Spending any time someone wasn’t trying to take medical readings from him huddled up on his bed in a blanket.

They had taken a biopsy from his throat – concerning place to begin – before they’d even really began interrogating him. He wondered if anyone else had been subject to the same treatment. He hadn’t seen any of them since they were separated. He wondered if they were staying away from him out of fear… That would make sense. Rachel had already been infected once. She didn’t need whatever this was as well. Jason was on his own again. He just didn’t find it as easy to shoulder this time.

He placed his hand against his throat, paranoid. There was nothing there; although he winced a little as he touched the tender spot where the biopsy had been performed. “Got a problem with needles, Lieutenant?” Jason had scoffed back “Have you seen my fuckin’ arms?”

He chuckled, particularly proud of that one, before leaning against the plastic wall behind him, it gave a little under his weight, and he found himself sinking into it. Blowing out his breath Jason tipped his head up, looking at the domed white plastic of the ceiling, tracing the ribbing that held everything together. It swept down and his eyes fell on the guard posted at the entrance to his room, clad in the dazzlingly bright yellow hazmat suits.

This guy told Jason what he could and couldn’t do and right now Jason was confined to this room. He was bored. ‘Maybe everyone just forgot about me…’ It wasn’t exactly a hard conclusion to draw. If Jason was honest, he wouldn’t have blamed any of them.

The only legitimate concern for his wellbeing so far had seemed to come from his interrogator. Although Jason wasn’t sure if the concern in his voice was for Jason himself, or the fear of getting just as sick.

***

The testing was near constant. The only reason that Jason didn’t mind it was it’s nice to actually have some company for once. But they don’t really talk to him. That didn’t stop him from trying to crack lame jokes. But when they’re standing in their hazmat suits with full face masks, Jason can’t even tell if he has been able to make them crack a smile.

Sometimes Jason wondered what they could possibly be concluding from the tests they do. It feels like a regular doctor’s exam, but that health check-up he only needs about once a year. This is once every few hours.

It would be alright if Jason thought they were helping him. Bringing him some kind of medication. But the best he got was a glass of water when he had a coughing fit that was particularly bad.

The tests were repetitive; he was poked and prodded in the same places. They took mouth swabs, blood samples, tested his physical strength, took his temperature and paid close attention to his mouth and throat. They shine lights of different brightness in his eyes and they ask how he feels. He wonders how many times he has to say ‘fine’ before they believe him and leave him alone.

Even if he clearly isn’t.

Jason’s already realised what’s going on. Or what they think is going on. 

He was agitated, met with walls and walls of silence, he didn’t have his friends… Jason realised he was an experiment.

But he isn’t just any experiment. And they certainly aren’t testing him to find a cure.

They can’t find live samples… He’d heard the team lamenting this when they were still stuck in those damn interviews…

Jason just brought one right to them.

His frustration grew, and he’s not sure if it’s a symptom or himself - he dodges the questions they ask, he pushes back, he refuses to let them stick any more needles in him.

Jason was sometimes downright aggressive. And it wasn’t just his voice. It was the force he used.

The team didn’t dare touch him when he’s like this, or restrain him, or force the tests on him. At first Jason thought it’s because they’d just add it to their notes later. As if pushing him this far was just part of the experiment. Or because if he did something drastic and infected them with whatever he had, it’s the last thing they want.

It doesn’t take him too long to reason that they won’t touch him because they don’t want to risk damaging whatever is going on inside him. Whatever is growing inside him.

Today he sat in silence, staring the latest scientist (he assumes they are scientists) down. He wondered if it was the same person every time or not. The voices were too muffled, but Jason thought he could pick up subtle differences. They shifted uncomfortably under his stare, and Jason couldn’t help but get a kick out of that.

This morning he hadn’t been so compliant; but he was feeling a little better now. It alleviates the boredom for another few minutes. But he teases them, makes them wary of him. All Jason has to do is act a little unsure about the needles, gives them funny looks, back up a little. He doesn’t care about making them scared of him; ‘Good’ he thought, ‘if I’m their experiment, I’m gonna fuckin’ make them work for it’.

After all, if they aren’t interested in taking care of him, why should he reciprocate?

It was mercifully short and he thought they were trying not to test his patience this time. They packed up swiftly and turned to him. “We’ll be back later, Lieutenant.” He breathed out, leaning back against the plastic wall again, “Whatever.” They seemed to be waiting for Jason to say something else, but he continued staring at the ceiling folding his arms.

There was sudden commotion out in the corridor. Jason sat up, alert, and the examiner put their kit down slowly, walking cautiously to the entrance to Jason’s room. He followed them.

“Let me see him-!” “That’s not possible.” “You can’t just keep him in there!” “Sir, please go back to your room-” “Not until I’ve seen Jason!”

Jason was hit with sudden elation. His body forced itself forward in reaction, and he sprints. The examiner and the guard posted to his door were both far too slow to stop him. “SALIM!” It felt so good to yell his name, Jason couldn’t see where he was immediately; just met with white polytunnel, but he hears him ahead. “JASON!?” Following the call around the corner, and hearing the footsteps behind him, Salim came into Jason’s view, held back by no less than four SIRA agents. “SALIM!” He yelled it again, in further elation, and two agents quickly switch from holding Salim back to keeping Jason away. Jason notices they keep their hands to his arms and shoulders; rather than his abdomen. “Get the fuck off me-! Salim!!” “Jason!!” More agents suddenly crowd them, pulling each of them back from one another. Salim’s expression was stuck between worry and relief: “Are you okay!?” “Aside from the fuckin’ medical every five minutes, I’m…” Salim’s eyes widened from Jason’s response. And Jason didn’t think he had it in him to try to tell Salim he’s okay. He wasn’t. But Salim’s presence helped.

“Back up. Both of you.” The agents were trying to gain control of the situation again. “Oh come on man. Give me a couple minutes-!” Jason wiggled his arm free, reaching out for Salim. Salim reached back, but they were both being held far too far back from each other now. Jason tried to push forward again. He expects to get nowhere, but he pulled the agents with him. He only stopped in shock – he shouldn’t have the strength to do that! They react quicker, meaning it still wasn’t enough to get him to touch Salim.

Had his friends been trying to see him all along?! Was everyone else still here? Was it just them? Jason wasn’t alone?

“Get back.”

Neither of them fight it this time, they at least both know each other is still alive. Both of them are worried about the consequences the other will get into because of their own actions. And Jason allowed himself to be walked back to his room.

At least someone here was okay…

***

Jason’s problem was now he knew the truth. It wasn’t that the rest of the team didn’t want to see him; it was they were being prevented from seeing him. Jason didn’t think that was for anyone’s own good. Although he supposed no one could be quite sure how the infection was spread. More likely because it meant they could conduct their experiments in peace. Maybe they thought it would make Jason more compliant.

Maybe they had been right. But it was a big mistake now.

“Why won’t you let me see my friends?” He didn’t expect to be met with anything other than silence, but it still irked him. He jerked away from today’s assigned scientist. “Hey! I asked you a question!” “It’s for your own good.” Jason glared, “Bullshit! It’d do me better to have some conversation! God knows you ain’t givin’ it to me!” “Lieutenant. Please calm down.” “Don’t tell me to fucking calm down! Let me see Salim.” “That isn’t going to happen.” They tried to grab his arm again, but Jason pushed them off. “Let. Me. See. Him.” “Lieutenant Kolchek. I will use force if I have to.” Jason’s eyes flicked to the box of medical instruments. Yeah? Well, he could do that too.

This time when they came at him Jason’s shove was much more aggressive and the scientist stumbled back. Apparently, this time the guard was attentive enough to the commotion to enter the room. But it was already too late.

Jason was quick; he grabbed the scalpel and pushed it against his throat. “Let me see Salim.” “Lieutenant, don’t be stupid.” “Stupid?” Jason scoffed, “Yeah, I bet ya think I am.” He pressed hard enough for the blade to leave an indent in his skin, “I kill myself now and you lose all your precious research.” “Kolchek!” “Don’t take another fuckin’ step!” “You’re not going to kill yourself.” “You wanna test that theory? Let me see Salim!” There was a slight hesitation in their movements, but they took the step Jason told them not to, “You motherfuckers think I’m joking!?” He pressed the tip in a little harder, and did his best not to wince, he was definitely drawing blood, “What happens, huh? If I try to cut this thing out of me.” “Kol-” “You’re growing one in me, aren’t you? You never did tell me my biopsy results.” His smile was bitter, “I’m already dying. What happened to Clarice, and Rachel, it’s happening to me it’s just slower.” Jason felt cold admitting that to himself, “So I can just do myself a mercy. Or you can let me see him.”

Unbelievable. They were clearly about to test him to his limit. Both of them remained in close proximity. No one moved an inch. Jason sighed, “Fine.” He pressed the blade a little harder and began dragging it. The line of red now beginning to form and drip down his neck had the other two yelling. It was only a couple of centimetres but it’s enough for them to know Jason wasn’t fucking around.

“Okay, okay! We’ll arrange something.” “I meant now!” Jason barked like he was ordering his own squad around. That sent one of the two running. Jason made sure the footsteps were out of earshot before he’s satisfied enough to toss the scalpel, sending it clattering to the ground along with droplets of his blood. “Took you long enough.”

***

When Salim arrived, flanked by another two ‘guards’, Jason was sitting back on his bed, swinging his legs. He’s bored again.

“Jason!” Relief flooded Salim, running to his friend, who rose just about in time for Salim to embrace him. “Hey… Are you alright?” It took Jason a few seconds to recover enough to hug Salim back. “We’re all okay. They’re just holding us here until they figure out what to do, I guess…” That isn’t what Jason asked, and the look on his face as Salim pulled back expresses such. “I-” The Iraqi’s eyes leave his momentarily, “I’m fine. I was worried about you.” “Well, as you can imagine, I’m doing just great.”

Salim placed his hand to Jason’s forehead and the American paused. Jason didn’t feel like he was burning up yet. That was something Salim remembered from Mary’s records. “And your cough?” Jason grimaced, “Yeah fine when I don’t think about it.” “Oh, I’m sorry.” As if on cue, Jason reeled into a coughing fit, pushing Salim back with his forearm. It was definitely getting worse, Salim found himself rubbing Jason’s back again like he did down in the star chamber. When Jason straightened, Salim didn’t remove his hand. Salim studied him a little closer, and he hated that the more he looked, the more he saw. Jason was pale, he looked like he was struggling but trying to bear it. There was also now a plaster stuck on the left-hand side of his neck. Salim reached out with his free hand, fingertips hovering over it, “What…?” Jason waved it off, “It was necessary. I did what I had to.” Salim was immediately concerned, “Jason, you can’t put yourself in any more danger!” He was met with an expression of defiance, “And I could just sit here. But I die either way, right?” “…What!?” Salim looked around the room, not expecting – and definitely not wanting - to hear that. “They have medics here, they-” “Salim, we both know what they’re really doing to me.” Salim tried not to glance to Jason’s throat, but his reaction was automatic. And he was angry.

Jason’s body was a vessel. He’s a living incubation chamber. They must have had some indication that a parasite was growing, or going to grow, within him. The only thing they cared about was that the infection remained intact. That was why Jason went for his own throat.

Salim realised it for himself; they needed Jason specifically. They want to study this parasite, and despite the fact they’re still going to the site, they haven’t been able to collect a live specimen.

To SIRA, Salim was staring at the most important person on the entire complex.

They weren’t wrong. Jason was the most important person here to Salim, too.

Salim doesn’t think he’s been this angry about anything in his entire life.

***

Once they allowed Jason and Salim to reconnect, it was almost impossible to keep them separated again. Although they kept all medical instruments well out of Jason’s reach. It only took him one look if they refused Salim entry to his room at any time for them to back down. The infection was making him volatile. And Jason knew that too. He’s agitated and he found it a little too easy to snap.

These are things that Salim could take in his stride watching, but were not things he often found himself subject to by Jason. He constantly hovered while Jason was being examined and he’s been close enough to try to memorize what he can read on the paperwork. It seemed theoretical. Something they found in the biopsy was telling them that within Jason’s body was the same genetic material found in both the vampires and the parasites. They theorise he’ll grow one, they just don’t know the timings. It made sense to Salim. To him, Jason was no different than Mary. She hadn’t seemed to be infected directly either, and it took her days. It’s taking Jason just as long – and the SIRA team have no reference point for what the duration could be.

Salim took it upon himself to do some of his own testing. Jason was much more receptive to this. Salim would rather think that this could be because Salim was so much gentler with him, he’s polite. And not for any other reason that Jason may be receptive to anything Salim does.

His first priority was to monitor Jason’s temperature, he was warmer than he should be, but he’d not got a fever. He’s still lucid. When Jason was feeling good, he cracked jokes, when he wasn’t he was quietly compliant with Salim’s gentle requests. He didn’t want to touch Jason’s throat at all, but occasionally when checking everything else his fingers brushed there. Salim was hyperaware that he couldn’t see or feel anything yet. Nothing moved under his fingertips in reaction and Jason never jerked away from the movement. He couldn’t say he exactly knew what he was looking for when he shone a light into Jason’s mouth either. But Salim’s logic was, if he can’t see it, it’s not growing yet.

Salim’s priority was what SIRA’s wasn’t. Jason’s own health. He made sure Jason rested as much as possible, but also made sure that he got to finally interact with the rest of the team. They were all so glad to see him. But Salim could see the concern etched into all their faces at Jason’s appearance, and his persistent cough. That does get worse. Salim also made sure that Jason kept hydrated and kept eating. If it was an infection, then Jason would need the strength to fight it. If there was any way to get him out of this – and Salim thought he could name one or two - Jason was going to need every ounce of strength he could muster. Trying to purge the parasite was no good if the procedure was only going to kill him!

Jason almost cackled when Salim turned up to his room with an old box fan, extra blankets, and pain medication he’d clearly pilfered from someone’s medical kit. The extra blankets were from Salim’s own bed, but he wouldn’t let Jason protest. Salim wanted to be prepared for every eventuality. In other circumstances, Jason wouldn’t let anyone look after him like this.

He struggled with the blurred line of if it was the situation, or if it was because it was Salim trying to help him.

In a particularly quiet moment together – they seemed to be a little more relaxed on guarding Jason now his friends were allowed to see him, but they still set frequent patrols – Jason couldn’t help but ask. He’s not annoyed about it, but it was something he needed to point out. Salim might be helping Jason to be as healthy as possible now, but it was feeding something else. “Why are you helping me? You’re helping them…” There was logic to Salim’s supposed madness; beyond his own reasoning, the more he looked like he’s complicit in their task, the more likely SIRA were to let their guard down. They’d already relaxed so much. Salim knew he had to keep pushing. “If you can’t fight it, how are you meant to beat it?” Salim checked around before lowering his voice, “We saw what happened with Rachel. I’m thinking we can do that with you.” Jason frowned at him like he was insane, but he didn’t voice it. Salim’s voice trailed, it seemed like an afterthought he wasn’t meant to voice out loud, “I don’t want you to die, Jason…” Even if it means that we don’t kill the parasite before it forms. If it means a little more time… if I get to have you with me a little longer…

Jason’s heart twinged; he didn’t know if he was meant to hear that, or if he should act like he heard it. He opened his mouth but hesitated, looking quickly away and up to the ceiling again. He let it sit. As if that would make a difference to the way the sentence made him feel.

“I guess I’m not going to complain too much,” Jason began, “besides I get all this extra time with you.” When Salim looked over, he could see the smile that’s spread across Jason’s face, he’s trying not to show it, but he’s positively beaming.

***

There are times where the four of them gathered without Jason during the day. Everyone always wanted updates on his health, and Salim was the only one who had something close to ‘access’ to the medical records. Besides, they had all decided they weren’t going to talk about it with Jason around.

They were all trying to keep his morale up.

They met out in the courtyard of the building, in sunlight. As if it somehow made them all feel a bit safer.

Salim was anxious about the number of days, the more they tick on, the more the infection sets in. They were at Mary’s four. And he was worried that something would set in suddenly, and they would lose Jason faster than he was prepared to. Salim was kidding himself; he wasn’t prepared at all. He’d grown far too attached to his American friend. Attached in ways he shouldn’t be, but he wanted to be.

It wasn’t just a question that Salim had, they all voiced how long it was taking to happen. The only frames of reference happened within hours. And there’s no record of exactly how Mary got infected. If Jason’s was entirely different, they could be looking at another period of time. There was a lot of morbid curiosity, and Salim realised that he had information the others didn’t.

“…Well, he didn’t get infected the way Rachel did.” Salim nodded to her, “He wasn’t attacked by a vampire.” Salim recognised that perhaps her parasite was another thing he could have prevented. She squinted at him, “What do you mean?” Salim looked away from her, how much of everything they had been through was his fault? Jason accused him of it when they had found themselves alone. The whole damn thing. But Rachel’s infection… and now Jason’s? “…I’m sorry.” Nick pressed a little gentler, “What? Salim?” “This is all my fault.” It didn’t feel any better to him out in the open. “What are you talking about?” Salim took a deep breath, he tried to raise his eyes, but he couldn’t. “I’m sure you all noticed before you met up with us the amount of older, fossilised Vampires around? Well… Jason he… I could have…” “What happened?” “He touched one.” Eric didn’t laugh because it was funny, but laughed all the same, “And got infected from that? Jason doing Jason things, doesn’t sound like your fault.” This time Salim could make eye contact; “No! The vampire crumbled; Jason inhaled… something. I could have pulled him back. I was right there… it all happened so fast and now he’s… and it’s all my fault.” Rachel folded her arms, “So an Iraqi kills another American soldier?” Perhaps her reaction was pure instinct, and Salim tried not to let it sting. But his look to her was sharp, his voice full of conviction: “I would do anything to save Jason.” He sounds threatening, dark. It wasn’t aimed at Rachel. But the situation. It sure didn’t seem like it when Salim was staring at her so intensely. Rachel just stared back, her eyes wider, but she said nothing. Salim seemingly came to his senses and turned to Eric, he at least had a plan, “I thought the UV? You did it for Rachel.” Eric shook his head solemnly, he wished he could give Salim better news. Salim could feel his heart hit the floor before Eric even spoke; “The first one was busted. I dropped it down there.” He ran his hand over his forehead, “Ahhh… And they took all my equipment. I don’t even know where. I wish I could help, Salim. Jason’s a good guy.” Salim very nearly collapsed against the wall; this was his one plan. UVs and sunlight – and he guessed SIRA would stop him long before he dragged Jason into that. Salim had just watched those plans crumble to dust. Now he had nothing. His voice was quiet, and his look haunting: “Then there is no hope.”

Nick’s voice was panicked, “There must be SOMETHING!?” He didn’t want to give up either.

The four were thrown into a silence that’s uneasy.

Maybe there was, but it would require some thinking, and time they were fast running out of.

***

While everyone else was free to wander outside and get some fresh air and sunlight, sun was the last thing Jason was allowed to be outside in.

Though Salim thought it would significantly boost Jason’s morale to at least get a glimpse of the outside and get some fresh air. It’d certainly do his body some good. He just about managed to convince the monitoring team of that.

Everyone else was a lot happier. Salim got Eric to help weigh in on his argument, and that meant Jason was allowed to sit in the fresh air in the most shaded part of the camp. Salim sat right next to him and didn’t leave his post. They were heavily guarded. And everyone watched Jason’s every move. If he so much as got an inkling to go sprinting towards the sunlight, it’s more than likely they’d lock him up.

It was teasing. Jason found it unfair to be able to see the sun but not be out in it. But he could admit the fresh air was great. And anything was better than having to stare at white plastic for hours on end. Despite it being Salim’s idea, the Iraqi wasn’t sure if he was happy SIRA went along with it. In natural light Jason seemed even worse. His skin tone was so much lighter; he looked sick. Like he hadn’t seen sunlight in months let alone days. He looked truly terrible. And it hurt Salim to see him this way.

They sat mostly in silence; it’s very warm but Jason didn’t even really seem to notice the temperature. Salim tried not to stare at him too much. Jason already had enough pairs of eyes on him as it was. He took long deep breaths; and Salim supposed that Jason was trying to take in as much fresh air as he could before he was sent back. Eventually Jason placed his hand on top of Salim’s. Salim wondered if it was a mistake; his hand was just sitting on the bench between them after all. Easy for Jason not to have seen it and look for a free space instead. But Jason didn’t pull it back. Salim wondered if - in his state - Jason even realised what he’d done, and didn’t dare jerk away or draw attention to it. He kept very still. Jason’s skin was so warm…

The American suddenly winced, lifting his other hand to his forehead. Lowering his face away from the sun he brought the brim of his cap down further over his eyes. “Jason…” For a moment Jason didn’t respond when prompted, and then he made a noise of complaint. It was accompanied by a squeeze of Salim’s hand. “Jason?” “I- it’s like a headache. I… can I get out of the sun, please?” Salim didn’t try to remind him he wasn’t in the sun, but he stood up, “Sure.” Jason stood slowly, stumbling enough that Salim had to catch him – he was still clutching his head, “I need, I need some dark.” “Okay, okay. It’s okay. We can go back.” Salim kept hold of Jason’s elbow to make sure he didn’t collapse onto the floor.

Jason straightened, steading himself against Salim’s shoulder. “Uh,” He seemed embarrassed to voice it, and his eyes didn’t meet Salim’s, “I might need some help.” Salim nodded, letting Jason slide his hands to where was comfortable to support him, before helping him hobble awkwardly towards the polytunnels again. Once out of the heat of the day and the light, Jason’s condition seemed to improve. Salim tried to unwind himself, but Jason insisted he still needed Salim’s support. “Do you think you need some medication?” “I think I still have some from before.” “I can always find some more.” “Steal some from medpacks you mean?” Jason cracked a smile before wincing, rubbing the side of his head again, “Shit. Goodbye sunlight I guess.” Salim wasn’t ready to give up on him just yet.

By the time they got back to Jason’s room, Salim realised that Jason was walking normally, almost as if he didn’t need any support at all. There was one key difference. Jason was holding Salim’s hand. He hadn’t let go the whole way here, and Salim had stopped supporting his body a while ago.

Jason was clearly hoping that Salim wouldn’t notice. But Salim did. They stopped abruptly in the entry way to Jason’s room; Salim was just staring at him expectantly.

It took Jason a little while to acknowledge it, eventually looking over to him. “What?” Salim’s expression voiced his disbelief. Jason still hadn’t dropped his hand, instead he looked around the area, before returning his eyes to Salim’s, confused, “What?!”

Salim nearly rolled his eyes at the American – he’s oh so close - but instead Salim yanked Jason into his body by his hand. It’s like Jason had only just realised they were holding hands at all. His eyes widened in genuine shock, and he started stammering for excuses. Salim assumed they were meant to be excuses from the faint blush in Jason’s cheeks. It was the most colour he’s seen in Jason for a while.  

Salim smiled, “It’s okay, you don’t have to say it… you don’t need to say anything at all.”

***

Sunlight very quickly wasn’t the only problem Jason had with lights. And Salim realised his worst fears were coming true.

In isolated incidents none of them seem like big deals. But when added up. Jason was deteriorating faster in hours now.

It wasn’t really something massively noticeable when Salim realised. Not in isolation, at least – Jason didn’t react violently or try to escape the situation. The SIRA medic didn’t even think it was worth noting down until Salim told him it was – after what happened in the shade in daylight it certainly was.

Jason was shielding his eyes from the medical lamps, and also the lights in his own room. “Geez, can you turn those down?!” The brightness wasn’t any different than it had been, and Salim also had to insist that to Jason. The American got quiet, and Salim realised that Jason had come to the same conclusion. This wasn’t good.

Everything in these tunnels was considerably dim, especially the lighting situation. If Jason was finding these an issue…

“Perhaps you have some yellow bulbs, instead of bright white, somewhere?” Salim suggested; and the medic agreed, “We can arrange something.”

As he walked off, Salim rushed over to crouch by Jason, who was still quiet, looking at his hands. “Am I fucking dying? Now? Is this… how it…” “Hey… hey… you can still fight this. I know you can.” Salim rubbed his hand soothingly over Jason’s thigh, but Jason wouldn’t look at him. “Jason, you are so strong. You can beat this!” Jason covered Salim’s hand with his own, to stop the motion, but he didn’t push him off. “I don’t know.” He responded quietly, “I don’t think I can beat a parasite from space by myself.” “You aren’t alone, Jason,” Salim leaned up, taking Jason’s face gently in his hands his pressed their foreheads together, “I’m right here.” Jason put his hands against Salim’s, keeping him there for a moment longer. Salim’s fingers slipped to Jason’s throat, and he could feel the pulse under his fingertips quicken. “I don’t want you to get sick.” Jason’s voice wavered in worry. “I’m not going anywhere.” “Salim…” He whispered.

Jason was unnaturally warm.

***

The temperature hit before anything else did. He skyrocketed to near the 100 mark. And the fever symptoms followed close behind. Jason seemed lucid, but Salim knew they were nearing a point of no return.

Jason goes between burning hot and cold. One second sweating and needing a fan, and the next not even all the blankets Salim had managed to amass for him were enough.

If the team didn’t figure out something soon, it wouldn’t even matter how Salim tried to help comfort him.

Salim wished he could remember exactly what the papers said about Mary. How Randolph and his medic had tried to help her. Dammit! Was this even the same? Salim would like to conclude that the symptoms were universal, but he had no reason to believe that was true from what he’d seen so far.

All he could do now was make the whole process as painless as possible for Jason. Without a UV light Salim had to figure out another way to get this thing out of him. The sun was right there, but it wasn’t portable. And Jason didn’t even want to be near normal light sources now, let alone the actual sun. Salim thought he’d find it as hard to drag Jason into the light currently as he would fighting past anyone from SIRA trying to stop him.

Whenever he wasn’t by Jason’s side, Salim was in his own room consumed with his own thoughts. Constantly trying to compare Jason and Mary’s medical records from memory. And if SIRA had Mary’s they sure weren’t showing him. Even when he’d try writing them out comparably, there are too many anomalies. There’s too much that’s fuzzy. Salim wished he didn’t have to remember any of this.

When he relayed all this to the other three, he was leaning up against a pillar in the courtyard. His voice flat. Salim wasn’t sure if it was his anxiety or his stress, but he asked Nick for a cigarette. Salim kept it between his fingers, but he couldn’t bring himself to light it.

Do you have a plan? Eric was the one to ask, but Salim could only shake his head. He wished he had answers.

He didn’t want to watch Jason die. But, without a solution, it was looking increasingly likely he would have to face that prospect.

None of them seemed to be able to offer a plan either, but he wouldn’t blame them. He’s not surprised, they’re all exhausted. Jason was wearing on them and Salim would be a fool to think otherwise. They barely even saw Jason except at night now and he was not in a good way. He didn’t eat or drink much more than Salim could force him to. His movement was sluggish; he looked like he should be spending his time mostly in bed.

It wasn’t that Jason wasn’t fighting, simply, he was losing the will to fight.

  Tonight Jason didn’t even come to dinner. Salim walked by his room, but he wasn’t there. He assumed that Nick would have collected him instead, or Jason would have made his own way down there.

And Jason’s definitely not in bed, where he probably should be.

But when Salim got to the makeshift dining room, Jason wasn’t there either.

He swivelled in place, wondering if he’d missed anything. “Where is Jason?”

Nick was the first to look up, “I think they sent him to the showers?”

Salim stared at him, measured for half a second. Before it looked more like he was about to call Nick insane.

All of them had been subject to scalding hot showers since they got here for germ and contamination related reasons. That wasn’t bad normally.

But Jason had a stupidly high fever.

“A hot shower!? In his condition?!”

This was asking for disaster. But of course, SIRA didn’t care. As long as the parasite was intact, they’d let whatever happened to Jason happen.

Salim rushed off towards the shower block; what kind of insanity was this!?

He could hear the shower running as he entered the changing room. Steam creating a fog that clung to his throat as he breathed it in. “JASON!?” He didn’t get a response. The running water could easily be too loud, but it just made the dread seep into Salim a little more. He ran through into the shower room, and despite the heat, it’s a wave of cold that hit him.

Jason had already collapsed onto the tiled floor, his limbs were at awkward angles, and Salim could bet it was a nasty enough fall. His right hand was angled to push himself up off the tiles, but he’d either not got the strength to do it, or he wasn’t conscious. Salim cursed in Arabic, running across the wet floor to turn the water off as quick as possible. His hair and uniform were soaked in the process, but Salim didn’t care. He crouched beside Jason, first reaching for a pulse point. He found one, which meant his worst fear could dissipate. Jason moved under his fingertips, and his eyes opened. Jason made noises but he sounded disorientated. After making sure he was safe to move, Salim placed his hands under Jason’s arms and lifted him, leaning him gently against the wall. It was the first time he realised Jason was lighter than he expected. This wasn’t the same marine Salim had been dragging through an ancient alien spaceship.  “It’s okay, you’re okay.” He studied Jason’s body carefully, a once over inspection highlighted there were bruises everywhere. But this man was military and he’d just spent two days falling in holes and ancient temples. Salim couldn’t be sure they happened when he collapsed. At least nothing looked broken. There was a cut on the right side of Jason’s head, could be worse – but it was bleeding. “Hold on…” Salim got up again, rushing to grab a towel before returning to wrap Jason in it carefully. Repeating, ‘it’s okay, you’re okay.’ and he wasn’t sure who needed to hear it more, himself or Jason.

Salim placed his hand against Jason’s forehead gently. It wasn’t good news. “What happened?” Jason was at least oriented enough to ask a question. “You probably overheated,” Salim winced at how hot he was, “You’re really burning up, sweetheart.” Jason was immediately curious about the nickname, but as Salim pulled his hand away, he was distracted by something else, the thin red lines now running down to Salim’s wrist. “Ah shit, I’m bleedin’.” Salim shook his head, “It’s just a little cut, you’ll be okay.”

Jason wondered how much Salim truly believed that. Or how much he thought just saying the words would make it come true. Salim was clearly looking around for something, or perhaps wondering what to do next, but when he looked back to catch Jason staring at him, Salim couldn’t help but chuckle, and make idle conversation. “Heh, I think this is the first time I’ve seen you without a hat.” Jason raised an eyebrow, “Really? Do you not like my hair?” “That’s not what I said.” Salim wondered what it looked like when it wasn’t flat and slick with water. He guessed he’d find out before the end of the day. Salim wanted to run his hands through it, but he stopped himself. Jason’s eyes wandered too, “You’re wet.” Salim shrugged, that was the last thing he was worried about, “Jason it’s a uniform.” “I’m-” “Don’t even finish that thought.” Salim looked back to the entrance to the shower block and listened. It’s still quiet out there. They needed quiet right now.

He shifted his weight, moving himself closer to Jason. All of his questions were slow, clear and gentle. “Do you think you can move?” Jason tipped his head, looking at his own body, “Well, I don’t hurt anywhere more than I normally do.” Salim gave a nod, “I’m going to try and lift you now, alright?” Jason didn’t protest. “Alright.”

Salim wrapped the towel tighter around Jason’s body, before placing his hands under Jason’s arms and legs. He confirmed Jason was so easy to lift, built a little smaller than Salim, but still he would have expected some weight to Jason, even now. Salim wondered how much the infection had played into that. Or perhaps, Jason had always been this light for Salim to carry. It’s not like he’d done that before. How damn easy would it have been to have just pulled him out of the way! It wasn’t easy to keep that thought out of his head.

Salim walked past several benches, deeper into the room to give them some further privacy, before he placed Jason gently down on one. Luckily the heat was dissipating, but the further he got from the shower room, the cooler it was. “First I’m going to find something for your head.” Salim made an attempt to walk away, but Jason’s hand shot out and grabbed his.

Salim expected Jason to ask him not to leave. Instead, Jason stated something much worse. “I keep hearing things, Salim.” He got quiet, forcing Salim to crouch down to his level, Jason was struggling, but he pushed forward anyway. “And seeing shit… like Rachel says she did.” Jason moved his hand to his throat, “…I think one is growin’ inside me.” “Jason.” Salim couldn’t bear to hear it. “I don’t know how long I can make it.” “Jason!!” The very last thing Salim wanted was for Jason to give up. Second on that list was letting SIRA get what they wanted. Especially when it meant growing their parasite inside someone he loved so dearly.

But Jason could feel it; something pulsing beneath his skin. It wasn’t like he witnessed in Rachel and Clarice; yet. But he knew that’s where he was heading.

Salim made Jason look back at him, “We are not letting this beat us. You’ve fought it all the way here. I think we both know you can take it all the way.” He refused to let Jason contradict that, no matter what he had just said. “I think you hit your head too hard.” The amusement in Salim’s voice wavered at his paper-thin excuse for Jason’s voiced sorrows. Salim pushed Jason’s hair back, “I definitely need to do something about that. Are you okay here for a minute?” Jason huddled himself in his towel and shivered, “Yeah.” For that matter Salim better find him some clothes, “Your locker open?” “Right now.” Salim nodded, “Okay, just get yourself dry. I’ll be right back.”

Salim cut straight across the room to Jason’s locker, ‘Lt. Kolchek, J.’ which indeed opened when he pulled the latch. He always marvelled at how neat Jason was, which made it easy to find a spare change of clothes. Hanging on the inside of the door was something that caught the light, and Salim’s attention. There were pictures here – Jason and Nick, and Jason with marines Salim doesn’t recognise. There’s several handwritten notes, Salim thought they were poems before he realised they were song lyrics. What caught his attention was a silver crucifix.

He catches it between his fingers to stop it from spinning in place. Salim knew Jason held his faith in high regard, but also that he never wore a cross. Now he had his answer as to where it was.

He raided Jason’s medical kit and found more medication to help with the fever, as well as bandages. Shutting it back up, he returned to Jason with his spoils. The American was sitting still, concentrating on drying himself, slow and methodical. “Do you need help?” Jason didn’t jump as Salim placed everything on the bench. “I lied. Everything hurts. Everything always hurts.” Salim took that as a yes, grabbing another towel he helped Jason finish off. Once he was dry, Jason let Salim tip his head back to bandage up the cut on his forehead. It almost matched the one healing up on his throat. Jason thought it was funny and ironic that technically he did both to himself. Salim told him to stop joking. “I think you need to change too.” Jason gathered up the clothes, looking back at Salim pointedly. “I need to know you’re okay first.” “Salim, I’ll be alright.” “Do not move.” “I’ll be right here.”

Salim swore him to it, but he only got a few paces before he turned back, throwing something at Jason. The American caught it; the pendant digging into his palm. “I thought you might need this.” Jason let the cross fall to dangle on its chain, and blew out a breath, “Oh, I think we’re a bit beyond prayin’…” Salim wasn’t perturbed, “I’m still going to pray for you.” His eyes rose slowly from the necklace, “You pray for me?” “Every day.”

By the time Salim returned Jason was dressed and drying his hair. Salim thought about chastising him for standing up and moving before he got back, but… if anything was going to help Jason’s determination to fight this, it was being able to do things by himself.

Salim folded his arms, leaning against the wall to let Jason finish up, watching closely. The American wasn’t himself, that much is obvious. The movements feel heavy, just like watching him dry off. Jason’s fighting with all the strength he has left.

As Jason studied himself in the mirror, there’s a flash of something that caught the light under his shirt. Salim smiled to himself knowingly, it’s good to see Jason was still listening.

***

Are you trying to kill him!?

They’re words that have an obvious answer: a concern that will always fall on deaf ears. But it was a question Salim thought he had every right to ask; if Jason died before the parasite was ready then their little experiment was as good as dead.

No one in this American organisation was going to listen to the Iraqi though. Not when Salim was trying to keep Jason alive, and they wanted him to constantly get worse.

But once Jason had accepted that he could feel the parasite within him, he couldn’t un-accept it. He didn’t want to be near anyone. And before he knew it, that wasn’t even his choice anymore. Jason’s condition worsened to the point where he was no longer strong enough to leave his room, let alone walk around. Worse, Jason was barely able to leave bed either.

The only time Salim ever left his side was when he was forced to, by curfew or SIRA. Even then, he didn’t stay away. This was what Salim remembered from Mary. Except in that situation at least they actually tried to save her and keep her comfortable. Jason was being left to suffer. All Salim could do was keep his hydration up, but Jason barely wanted to drink and he wouldn’t eat. His temperature was scorching, and his heartrate climbed far too high.

What the hell could any of them do now?

The issue was it got worse. Somehow it just kept getting worse. When Jason coughed now it was accompanied by the thick black saliva the Vampires had. Salim remembered Rachel throwing this up along with her own parasite. It was all sample collection and needles with SIRA. Business as usual. As if they weren’t even dealing with a human being anymore. Jason was already their experiment; and they know he’s close. Salim could only protect him from so many circling vultures. This was killing Jason mentally. Salim might keep him fighting, but with the way he felt, with the physical signs, Jason wanted it to be over with. If no one was concerning themselves with getting it out of him, he wanted to die.

Salim wondered if his wish for Jason to live was selfish at this point. The American’s breathing was laboured and hard to listen to. It’s agony to watch Jason in this state. He was a shadow of the man Salim met in the catacombs. Jason grasped for his hands and Salim took them gently, there’s still strength there enough to reach for him, but Jason’s grip was loose. “Salim.” Jason’s voice cracked all over his name, and Salim tried to hush him. Carding his fingers through Jason’s damp hair to keep it off his face. “Don’t try to speak, you need to save your strength.” “Salim.” Jason’s voice was more urgent, and it forced Salim to look into those pretty brown eyes again. There’s still life there even with the way Jason looked, there was a spark of defiance which – ironically – Salim thought would never die. “Jason.” The American swallowed hard, “You… I need you to…” He coughed again, and Salim used his free hand to rub Jason’s shoulder; this was exactly why he shouldn’t be speaking. Apparently, this seemed to give Jason renewed determination, and he tried again, “I need you to kill me.” Salim froze. His eyes widened. He had a sudden awareness of how cold he had become.  

Of all the outcomes. This could possibly be the worst.

Jason stared at him, letting the statement hang in the air. Salim knew he was searching for a response. But Salim wasn’t sure what the appropriate response could possibly be.

Salim considered slowly.

“How!?” Jason shrugged, “There’s gotta be something. Fuck, I don’t think it’s gonna be hard.”

Hard!? Salim stared back at him; Jason had no idea how hard this would be for him. Just because Jason’s strength was waning didn’t mean Salim had the strength to do it.

“Jason, do not ask this of me…”

“Then who else?!” Jason rubbed his eyes, like wiping sweat away, but Salim is shocked to realise that he’s crying. “If you don’t, all I’m going to be is like Joey, and Clarice. Some human-vampire parasite thing! I can’t end like that. Not some horrific test subject for them! Salim, please…”

Salim’s heart twisted. This had to be one of the hardest decisions he’d ever had to make. “Jason…” It was hard to even make the words form, “If I do not stab you through the heart, or your head, I don’t think it can work. An overdose? Smothering you? The parasite will simply take over your body and I have no weaponry…” Nothing that would make it quick, or painless. And Eric’s UV is out of the equation. Salim cannot bring himself to be another source of pain for Jason.

He slid his hand up to Jason’s neck…

Theoretically it was the one thing that could kill both at once.

Maybe…

Salim placed just a tiny bit of pressure there; whatever was underneath Jason’s skin convulsed. Salim pressed a little firmer. He could feel the movements under his fingertips and he felt sick. Jason began coughing violently again and Salim pulled his hand back. Even if that would work, there would be no way Salim could keep his hands there long enough if he had to feel that. And Jason must be feeling it under his skin all the time.

Killing Jason would be pointless. It would end the same way. SIRA would get exactly what they want.

Salim realised he was crying too.

“I can’t… Jason… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

***

Salim made his decision. It wasn’t easy to make. But with the information he had, it’s the only one he could.

It was the here and now and what he could do that mattered. He’d spent all night thinking about his son. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get out of here again. Eric, Nick, Jason… they all knew.

Someone would probably do something. Get word to Zain somehow.

He hoped.

Right now, he couldn’t be thinking straight.

Salim ran to Jason’s room. The American wasn’t being guarded. There was no regular patrol. No one keeping Salim from him like they had been. Does it even matter now? Jason was as good as dead.

The American was not in his bed when Salim arrived. Somehow Jason had managed to crawl out and was huddled up in the corner of the room, head buried in his knees. He was still coughing, and there were splashes of black over the floor and Jason’s own skin.

Salim was sad to even think that Jason looked beyond terrible. His skin wasn’t just pale, Jason was grey. He had no fight left anymore.

But, someone with the means, could still fight for Jason.

Salim crouched beside him. He knew what he had to do.

“Jason…”

His hands were tender, on Jason’s legs, his arms, behind Jason’s neck.

“Wait-” Jason looked up, his voice faint, and he struggled to find words. Jason wasn’t sure that was because of his sickness. “Salim- I-”

Salim was too close. At this point he was far too close. He couldn’t catch it. Whatever this thing was Jason wouldn’t let it happen to him to. Salim had too much to lose.

But right now, Salim had his own ideas. And he’s just as reckless as Jason.

He leant forward; Jason’s hands flew out to push back but it was too late. And he’s not strong enough. Would it even have made a difference? Salim’s mind was made up.

Their lips brush, and Salim’s tongue glides gently over Jason’s lips. Jason’s response was unfortunately automatic and he parted them – he couldn’t stop himself.

Now Jason really couldn’t talk.

“You’re not going to be alone Jason.” Salim’s hand still grips the back of Jason’s neck as he placed their foreheads gently together, “I promise.”