#simplycontent

FIRST:

TP - The rain ended up stopping just like it had started; it went from a downpour to a steady fall, and then was suddenly gone. The dark clouds overhead promised more to come, but for the moment all that was left of the storm were the flooded streets, half-collapsed roofs, and the steady dripping of the men’s clothes.

AU - There were police at school the next day. None of the flashing lights or caution tape or anything - in fact, if he hadn't had a good deal of experience with police he might not have even noticed them to begin with.

LAST:

TP - "I'm out-voted, apparently. Just...hell, do not get yourself killed with a stupid jump."

"I'll be fine, trust me." Carter hopped down and backed up, swinging his arms.

AU - "I like Hiroshi; he's a good enough guy, if a little..." Adrian pulled a face, wiggling one hand, "eccentric, maybe. But it's gonna be rough on everybody involved."

NEXT:

TP - The distance between the two roofs probably ought to be more daunting; as it was, it looked like the equivalent of hopping onto a bench.

AU - "I'm guessing it'll be going on for a while, won't it?"

i did not get a prompt so

THE END:

TP - (I know how the story ends but I'll just do this chapter) The clouds seemed to be getting a little thinner. Carter twisted his newly-unwrapped hand, actually smiling a little when there was only a slight pull on the healed skin. No more pain, no more blinding headache, and for the first time in days they had ample supplies. He was a little wary to feel optimistic, but...hell, it was almost hard not to.

AU - (okay dangit I have no idea what this chapter is doing so I have no idea)

BEFORE THE BEGINNING:

TP - Steven's wife was the first person he saw turn. One minute she was bedridden, the next she was charging at him trying to rip his throat out. He was forced to kill her with what was most convenient - in this case, a terribly ugly 'decorative' metal vase.

AU - Sergio has very vague memories of his parents. He's still not sure if they were killed, went to jail, or just dropped him off. Whatever the case, he's been going through foster care since he was five or six.

POV:

TP - (Steven's encounter with a Smoker from Hank's POV) "We don't have time for this, Carter! Crowbar, now!" Carter looked more than a little confused when he handed it over and Hank wasted no time getting to the nearest car. It took two good hits to break the back window. He pushed the shards aside until he found a decent sized one and then went back to Carter, shoving the crowbar and his gun into the younger man's hands. "If that thing even shows a finger, you nail it," he growled. "Cover us."

He pulled himself up onto the hood the of the truck and then onto the roof. The metal bent a little under his weight, but he ignored that as he reached out to grab the red rope - that isn't rope, what the hell is that - and set to slicing through it with the glass. Part of his mind noted the stabbing pain in his hand from where the other edge was digging into his palm, but Hank ignored that too, focusing instead on cutting as deep as he could manage, on Steven's weak wheezing, on the way this thing was slimy and wet and hell, it can't be...

He felt the thing spasm after a few moments, and then it retracted as suddenly as it had appeared, letting Steven slip from its grip to the ground. The landing didn't sound particularly soft, but he was alive, at the least. For the moment.

AU - (Sarah and Sergio's first meeting, from Sarah's POV) She did this sort of thing a lot. For some reason the office staff had decided she was the best choice for showing new kids around, probably because she wasn't threatening in the slightest. It wasn't exactly the most exciting job, but Sarah wouldn't complain getting a slight change of pace from time to time. Anyway, she could be friendly. For the most part.

She spotted him immediately when she came into the office. The school wasn't extremely small, but she still could tell a newcomer on sight. This one looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. Pretty tall - though everyone was taller than her - dark hair, darker expression, and a slight crease on the right leg of his jeans that told of something underneath. Now why would you have an anklet?

Harris brought the boy over and she met the dark green eyes stubbornly, pleased when she caught a quick flash of surprise in them.

"Sarah Jordan - Sergio Balleseros." Portuguese pronounciation, that was interesting. She let herself tune out whatever else Harris was saying, as it didn't seem to be directed at her, and did another quick appraisal. This would be an interesting one. Everything about him spoke of hiding something, putting on bravado while keeping secrets as close to his chest as possible.

"Are we done then?" Sergio cut in. Harris nodded.

"Play nice, won't you?"

"No promises." He ducked around her into the hallway. "Don't really have any other options, do I?"