Work Text:
...
Ben placed a hand on Tory's forehead as he stood next to the cot they had brought her to. They were in the bunker and Tory looked like she was on her deathbed. Unlike the others, Tory had not gotten better. Her fever was getting dangerous now.
Hi and Shelton looked just as worried as he felt. They had to decide what to do now. Without Tory being able to make decisions being the leader fell onto his shoulders. He never wanted to take the position.
Shelton said suddenly, "We can't keep this to ourselves anymore. Tory is going to die if we can't get her fever down. Nothing has worked so far and she hasn't woken up in nearly three hours."
Hi put in, "It's not like we can take her to a hospital. They will treat her like a rabid dog."
They had agreed not to tell anyone about what they had gotten themselves into. There was too much of a chance of being used as guinea pigs. But with her condition, they most likely would have to risk it. Otherwise, they would have to watch Tory die.
At his side, Ben's hands clenched. He couldn't just stand here and watch her die. By the look on the others' faces, they felt the same way he did. Carefully he considered their options. There was only one person who might be able to help them. One who interrogated them just a few days before.
Marcus E. Karston might be their only hope in saving Tory. He knew that the man had the most knowledge of the disease. He had created it after all.
Shelton looked between him and Tory. Then he nodded. They didn't have much of a choice. It was either take her to a hospital or take her to Karston. His choice.
Finally, he said, "Come on. We have to get to LIRI."
...
Marcus rubbed at his forehead as he closed the file. All of his work was going to be for naught if these kids didn't tell him about the wolf-dog. He knew that they had broken into the lab and taken it. What he didn't know was if they were infected. He knew that there was a chance that the virus had become contagious to both canines and humans. A chance did not make it certain.
If these kids did get sick he would need a more effective treatment than what he had for the dog. Unlike the dog, there were people who would look for them. If they died or disappeared then the parents would never stop looking. It's not like he actually wanted anything to happen to them. Marcus was many things but he was not a killer. Nor was he heartless.
Then a knock came at his office door. A frown crossed his face as he called out, "Enter."
The door was thrown open a second later and three ragged-looking teenagers half-carrying another burst in. It only took seconds for him to recognize them. Speak of the devil and they shall appear. Stolowitski shoved the door closed as soon as all of them were inside.
Markus was stunned and slightly angry that they would just come in unannounced. Until he saw the one that they had half dragged in as they laid her on his couch. Victoria Brennan looks like death itself.
Without preamble, he asked, "What happened?"
He didn't wait for an answer as he moved to look her over. Fever made her flush and he could hear that her breathing was labored. None of the other teenagers would meet his gaze.
Ignoring them for the moment he picked up Brennan's arm. Fingers pressed into the pulse point he counted the beats while checking his watch. Too fast. Too thready.
Blue answered after a moment still not meeting her eyes, "You were right. We were all sick. But Tori isn't getting better. If anything she is getting worse."
"You didn't go to the hospital?"
Blue growled, "Given what we have I didn't think that would be a good idea."
So they did have the dog. He then ordered, "Tell me everything."
And they did. By the end of it, Marcus felt exhausted. These kids were truly something else. With their help, he got Brennan down into of the unused rooms. He set her up on antibiotics, fever reducers, and cool saline. Dropping her fever was most important.
Not only did they explain their actions, but Marcus also did too. While they were dubious at first the more he explained the calmer they got. That didn't mean they trusted him though. While they were okay with him saving Brennan they wouldn't let him examine them.
Once he stabilized Brennan he had to make a phone call. As much as he didn't want to he had to call his subordinate. Kit Howard so that he was aware of where his daughter was. The tongue lashing he received was not one of his finer moments. Though the man had every right to be angry. It was just a waiting game.