Log:A Blessing or a Curse: Paragon Lives!

Pay It Forward 2014/11/15 Porter Paragon

2

834 Bayside Dr.

It's a cloudy cold day, and things have been...hectic. Non-stop. Crazy. And Third is still human. And a bit fatigued. She's curled up on the couch, rolled up in a blanket, and sniffling slightly. She woke up feeling warmer than...well. Warm isn't even normal for her. But warmer than her warm living body has been so far. And a bit coughy and sneezy, which is all new to her.

With his past ideas of dates, semi-formal and even just hanging out not really working out so well, staying in seems safer. Also warmer, which is more of a worry now that Para's more susceptible to it. Sure, brisk was fun for a while, but it gets freezing after a while. And now she seems to be already with sniffles.

So, that means a nice quiet day in. No demons, or monsters, or anything else. Not in the house. He hopes. "Guess brunch outside wasn't so great an idea, huh?" Porter asks as he walks to the couch with a fresh cup of coffee for Third. "I mean, the cold, not ...everything else."

ACHOO! Third sniffles and covers her mouth. "I guess not," she says sheepishly. "It seemed fun at the time. Maybe eating outdoors was the problem," she suggests as she reaches out for the cup of coffee with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Partner. Maybe that weird Mantis Demon gave me a cold?" she jokes.

Porter frowns at her sneezing. He's not sure if he's really known her to sneeze that much. Ever? Of course, this whole living and breathing thing is sort of new. For this long a stretch, anyways. "I'll get you some tissues, too. Maybe some tablets or something, too..." He has to go grab his cup, anyhow, so he heads to the bathroom and returns with a box of tissues, a bottle of cough syrup, some allegry pills, som... Ok, so he brought the whole damn cabinet. Minus bandaids, since those are used faster than he can buy them. "Here..."

While he's not used to seeing her skin so flushed, it looks flushed even for anybody else. Reflexively, he puts his hand on her cheek. And blinks. "Holy crap, Para. You're burning up..."

The new breathing thing seems to be giving Third some trouble for the past few hours. She wheezes a bit as she lets him deposit the tissues and medicines into her lap. "Thanks, Partner," she smiles weakly up at him and averts her head as she coughs a bit. Cough syrup is definitely needed. It's a wet, wheezing cough. "Aren't I supposed to be warmer now that I'm alive?"

"Yeah..." Porter can't deny that, "but not TOO warm. I think you caught something. You're sick. Good thing we stayed inside. And you're going to be staying that way for a couple days. Until you get better..." All this comes with a concerned, firm look at tone.

Third takes a sip of her coffee, then opens the cough syrup bottle and takes a swig of medicine. And pulls a face. "Bleechh," she sticks out her tongue and looks really unhappy. Coffee chased with cough syrup is an awful combination. Once she recovers, she looks up at Porter, surprised by the firmness of his tone. Grounded. Again. And without villains currently out for her. "If you think that's best," she responds compliantly.

Porter winces as she makes the face. "Sorry... should've warned you. It tastes terrible." Right. She probably hasn't been sick. Not in any time she can remember. Why now? Oh, right. Because she's like this, and for longer than either of them expected. Which he really thinks is wonderful. So of course she catches a cold. Porter starts to sigh, but then it catches in his throat as he thinks of what else happened recently. He needs to follow up on Mrs. Markham. Porter tries not to frown and forces it the other way, nodding. "Yeah. You need o take it easy. Getting sick isn't fun, but you'll get over it. I mean, really, you'll get over the cold and it'll go away."

Third nods weakly as she caps the cough syrup bottle and drops it into her lap and grabs an tissue, sniffling. "Terrible isn't even the word for it," she says unhappily. "But you shouldn't apologize for not warn...nnnn..." she tries to restrain a cough, but the tickling in her lungs turns into a violent coughing spasm. She covers her mouth with the tissue, and it takes several seconds to recover. When she lowers the tissue, there's specs of blood on it.

"Sorry..." Porter frowns. He can't stop it, but his eyes go to the tissue after her cough. Because he was just thinking of... damnit. He frowns more and gets up. "Here, let me see if there's something else. Maybe that doesn't taste so bad... I'll be right back." He heads back to the bathroom. So he can make a call. If Para caught whatever the lady had, then the docs already have a headstart, right?

Third nods gratefully and sinks into the couch in exhaustion. "Thanks," she smiles before he heads to the bathroom. She rests her head back and closes her eyes, trying to save her energy. She coughs a bit again and covers her mouth, opening her eyes again. And that's when she notices the blood herself...


 * CB Hospital** "Colonial Bay Hospital, How may I assist you?"

Porter already brought out everything he could find, which was really just sundries that he brought in the past or somebody happened to drop in. Ally rebuilt the place for Para, and neither of them really had to worry about colds. So he just dials up the hospital where they took Mrs. Regent to check on her. Sure, there's those HIPPO laws and stuff, but they should at least be able to tell him she's Ok. Or at least a room. He could visit to check on her.

"Er, Hi. I was calling to check on a patient. Janet Regent. Could you tell me how she's doing, or if she's still there?"

"Janet Regent, I will connect you to the intensive care ward." A pause takes place and music plays, then "CBICU desk, May I ask who is speaking?" the female voice on the other end asks.

That doesn't sound too good. Or maybe it means she's getting the best treatment? I mean, would anyone want to be in the 'Half-assed Care Ward?' "Hi. Me? Porter, James Porter. We brought Janet Regent to the hospital the other day because she was sick. I wanted to see how she's doing."

"Mr. Porter..we have been looking for you, you and an unidentified woman brought Ms. Regent into the Hospital correct?" the voice asks..

"Yes..." Porter is certain of that. The hesitancy is because they answered a question with a question. That's never helpful, and usually not good. "Is she Ok?"

The viice says, "Mr. Porter, we need you and the woman who brought Ms. Regent in to come in immediately. We cannot speak about Ms. Regent, but given her condition, we need you and that woman to come in for some tests.."

Porter sighs. Of course. So it's not good. But it makes sense. He's seen all those viral outbreak movies. Even the low-budget ones on the sci-fi channels have tests and quarantine things. "Ok. We'll come right in." Maybe he should've thought of this sooner and done it anyway. Just in case.

"Thank you Mr. Porter, we will send a vehicle for you. Is the other person with you or should we send another vehicle for her?"

"A vehicle? Like an ambulance or something?" Porter wasn't expecting that. "Yeah, we're both here. 834 Bayside Drive. So, what is it? What kind of tests?" They're sending a vehicle? This just keeps getting better and better. Meaning the opposite of that.

"Eight Three Four Bayside drive. Very Good Mr. Porter, the vehicle will be there in a few minutes, Do not bring anything with you, we will provide everything you will need." she says, "It will be a quarantine vehicle, there will be approximately 15 people there. Do not be alarmed, this is a very normal protocol for a situation like this. A doctor will be on the scene to debrief you, are either of you displaying signs of illness?"

Porter sighs. Again. "Some sneezing and coughing, but could just be a cold, too..." He is going to stay optimistic, here. Could just be overreacting. Even if it is a doctor making a house call. With more staff than you can expect in an entire ER on a busy night... "Um. Yeah, don't be alarmed..." Everybody knows doctors don't really make house calls anymore. "Very good Mr. Porter...We'll be there in a few minutes, please remain where you are." "Right. Thanks.." Porter isn't exactly thankful. Then again, the alternative if he didn't call makes him less guilty about calling. Slightly. He hangs up and heads back for the living room. "Uh.. Para? Sweetie?" No, he doesn't really call her that normally. Not that sweet. But she did pull this on him not long ago, too. "Didn't find anything, but...um.. we're going to have visitors. And I guess we won't be staying in tonight..."

Sweetie? That can't be good. Third struggles to sit up more properly on the sofa and coughs lightly. "Visitors? Not staying in?" she sighs tiredly. "What's going on? Is it Dr. Destroyer? Event Horizon? Or...does someone need help?" She leans forward and slowly rises to her feet.

Porter sighs and heads to her as she rises. "No no no. Sit down. And it's us that needs help. I talked to the hospital. Couldn't tell me how Mrs. Regent was doing, but they want us to come in. For tests. And they're sending a doctor and a vehicle here for us. So I'm guessing it's not good."

The sound of an ambulance is heard in the near distance...

Third stares at Porter in momentary confusion. Then her head perks up at the sound of ambulances. Her gaze drops to the bloody tissue in her hand. Her eyes widen in sudden comprehension and she falls a step back from Porter. "You're...you're not sick. You should stay back. Don't get close to me!" she says at the realization, worrying for him. She starts having another coughing fit, doubling over slightly and covering her mouth with the tissue.

"Para..." Porter doesn't hesitate to step forward to help, if just to try and keep her from falling over. "If you've got it, pretty sure I do. I was there. I've been here. And if I don't, then it won't hurt me being around, will it?" Not entirely faultless logic... but it's close? "I'm not going anywhere. Well, except with you. Besides, they want both of us to get checked out."

The Ambulance...is out front, there is activity all around the house, if the monitors are on, they show about 10 people in white quarantine uniforms they seem to be armed, but are seemingly securing the perimeter, 3 others approach the front door, while 2 extend a plastic tube from the back of the vehicle, which is NOT an ambulance, and more a large box truck.


 * KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK* monitors will show 3 people in yellow body suits with silver face masks.

"Port......Por--" Third coughs and wheezes, unable to even get his name out in warning as he tries to help her. After the coughing fit passes, Third is left trying to catch her breath. There's more blood staining the tissue.

"Damnit. Hold on!" Porter's yelling at the door, but he's also trying to hold Third. "C'mon. The door's not far. Then the docs can take a look at you. Give you something to fix it." He'll help her towards the door. Because he needs to answer it, they need to go out it anyhow, and he's not letting go of her.


 * KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

Third gets assisted to the door with Porter's help, leaning on him a bit as they go. She keeps her mouth covered with him so close. "O-okay, Partner," she wheezes on the way to the door.

Porter opens the door once they reach it. "Keep you pants on. We're right here..." Of course, now he hasn't the slightest idea of what will happen next. Well, other than from what he's seen in those movies. Which this looks a lot like. Scarily so.

The three at the door look at whats going on, The center person tries to step between Porter and Third. "Sato, take Mr. Porter to the vehicle, and begin tests. Ohara, help me with the woman...get the med kit, we need to test the patient..she is showing signs of infection." he says from behind the silvered faceplate.

Sato takes hold of Porter's arm pulling him...

"Is Porter going to be okay...?" Because of course Third is more concerned for him than herself.

The man in the silvered mask says, "Mr. Porter will be fine, as will you Ma'am. Please let us help you to the vehicle, we need to help do some tests on you."

Porter is resistant and reluctant to let go of Third, but not violently. "Do I have to right now? We're all going, right?" After a few moments of indecision, he does finally let go. Once the suits have Third so she won't fall over. "I'll be fine, Para. Just let them look you over, make you better." He doesn't try to tell her not to worry, because he knows it wouldn't work. "I'm just getting checked out, too. Just be right over here..."

Third nods softly to Porter and complies, watching him get escorted away. "Okay, Partner..." she says softly. Finally, she looks to the men trying to test her. "I'll cooperate in any way I c--...can..."

"Ma'am..come with us.." he taps something on his wrist and says into it, "This house needs to be cleansed..." he looks back up to third, "Ma'am, we're going to help you.." he says attempting to lead her back to the vehicle.

Third goes along with the medical staff without resisting. "Do you know what this is yet?" she asks with a sniffle.

Silvered Mask says, "I'm sorry ma'am, there will be time for that later, right now we just need to check for positive or negative results on the tests, lets get through that first, then we can talk about the rest." his tones are quiet.

Sato takes Porter to the vehicle, it is a truck that is outfitted like a medical unit. "Mr. Porter, please sit down.." she says as she leads him into a sealed glass room..

Porter goes with Sato, still looking to Third over his shoulder. "It'll be Ok, Partner. I'm here." And he plans on staying that way. He just has a bit of a head start to the truck. "I'd ask what it is, but I'm guessing you're going to say the same thing he did..." Still, he goes into the glass room, without throwing stones, and takes a seat. With a sigh.

Sato starts to hook him up to a number of machines, "We will need a blood sample Mr. Porter..will that be ok?"

"Ma'am..come, we will be putting you in a room, you will be able to see your friend, he will be firth next door to you."

"Alright. Whatever you require," Third says to the man who spoke with her. She goes along to the room they want to put her in.

Porter nods a little absently, looking back towards the house for Para. "Yeah, that's fine. Oh, and don't worry if you get some weird readings or whatever. Machines don't always like me..."

Silvered mask leads her to the vehicle through the tube, Ohara closes the tube behind them and brings it back to the vehicle. Mr. Silvered Mask takes Third to a glass room across from Porter, he lays her down, and begins to hook her up as well. "Ma'am, I am Dr. Frank Matsuda, we are from the Covington International isolation group. We are on loan by Covington International to deal with this possible outbreak to the Colonial Bay Hospital. We will run some tests, the same one your friend there is taking, hopefully this will be nothing..but one can't be too safe.."

Third lays down on the observation gurney they have set up. "Hello, Dr. Matsuda. Outbreak? Mrs. Regent..." she murmurs. "Outbreak of what?" she asks as she cooperates with whatever tests they perform.

Dr. Matsuda nods, "Don't worry about Ms. Regent, we are taking care of her to the best of our abilities." he says non committally. He starts an IV drip, and begins to take some blood from her. "We need to do some tests..please relax."

Third nods weakly and tries to relax, moving as little as possible so they can perform their tests. Without her armor, it's easy to get a blood sample and insert the IV, which causes her to wince slightly.

Porter's attention stays pretty much on Third. She's in worse shape. Which he still hopes is just a really, really badly-timed common cold. "Covington. So it came from there? Or she brought it there?" He's thinking the first one. Again, movies. Most of them prove the outbreak was caused by some kind of secret military project or research. "Yeah, what exactly broke out?"

Sato says nothing except, "Mr. Porter Please...just relax." she presses a button on the side of the machine. A huge sedative is injected into the pair.

Third looks over to Porter to see if he's okay, still looking worried for him. Her eyelids start to droop as the sedatives hit her. In her weakened condition, her super strength doesn't really help all that much. Her eyes fall closed and her head drops back as she falls asleep.

Porter sighs, which doesn't really relax him. Now he gives Dr. Sato a look. "Ok. Seriously. I know you're just trying to do your job, but... Outbreak, coughing up blood, and quarantines don't exactly go with relax." Then again, neither do chaos demons, undead queens, elemental gods, and... whatever happened last week. They all kind of run together. He sighs again. Ok, now he does seem more relaxed. Very relaxed. Wow, that was one... good ... sigh..zzzz.

The pair wake up in the hospital sometime later, with Third in bed in a quarantine ward. Porter is ready to be released after having tested negative for whatever it is they were looking for.