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Sabin shook his head, confounded. "I was working off of what you gave me... you gave the green flag to try the directed combination... we hadn't foreseen, and the tests hadn't been conclusive about the side effects of the post transformation psycology. But maybe we can fix it... hell....in future experiments maybe we can even even eliminate it alltogether from the get go.." Sabin risked a twinge of hope there. There were so many more possibilities, after all.

"And of course I want my position back. I just said that." He huffed. He wasn't going to cower, but there was no point in obscuring that, yes, he did want his job back. He had been bored recently, the tedium of the day to day jobs was gettign to him. Not that most of it wasn't at least relevant to some interesting work, but that compared to being there and developing the serums themselves. It wasn't quite the same."

"And many of the other subjects have been exhibiting negative reactions to the serums as well. Many who had potential for psychosis seem to have it brought out. But it's hard to say if that's the chemistry of the serums, or just the predicament that they're in. But we had been working on that.... I would hazard from some of the ... descriptions of some of the other islanders that there was some sort of live test of that research since I've been out of the labs...."

Moreau laughed "It's a good attitude to have. I like men who are willing to work. As far as you go Mr. Bloodstone all I can say is you everything you are to Dr. Duvert. He even hand picked you himself, if that suprises you."

Moreau nodded "Of course there is the matter of what to do with you... both of you." Moreau turned the lights on behind the glass so they could get a better look.

He looked up at the camera, the one linked directly to Dr. Lockheart's hospital room. "Darling? You catching all this?" Moreau smiled.

"I'll let you decide what to do with them both, so whatever their fate they'll owe it to you."

Aubrey blinked at her uplink, not expecting that.

"Me, sir?"

She looked over at Zach, a frown pulling at her lips. "Now?"

She placed a hand on her blanket over her wounds. Never before had she been so close to death...and it was his fault.

"Take Mr. Bloodstone to a holding room.... and make him more comfortable please. I'd like to discuss this with Dr. Duvert personally if you don't mind."

Sabin scowled at the lack of privacy, and gave Zach a parting wince, hoping that he realized that he WAS standing up for him, despite the fact that he was the source of his scaly condition. There was a reason he had kept his mouth quiet about Zachary's location that night, but apparently it was fruitless. Besides, Moreau would have found someone to blame, and if it wasn't Zach it might as easily have been Sabin himself.

He sighed, looking up at the panel where Aubrey's voice was eminating. "This certainly is 'personal'." Sabin grumbled, glancing over to the hawk-eyes of the redheaded doctor looming over him. He knew Moreau normally at least had access to watch him whenever he wanted to, but it was an entirely different matter when the doctor was physically there and visable. And he was still cuffed, and couldn't even SEE Aubrey. He had never seen her injuries or how badly she had been hurt.

It was one of the few 'hospital' rooms in the labs. Like most of the laboratory it was cold and stale. There were no flowers or cards, just a little crayon picture that looked like it would have been done by a child pinned to the wall. One side of the room was a single bed, a makeshift desk cluttered with files and a laptop computer where Moreau had been camping out the past few weeks. Aubrey was one the other side of the room, looking shockingly sickly. Aubrey was usually an animated, confident woman. However, she looked pale, with bags under her eyes. Her hair was dry and pulled back in a frizzy ponytail. She has lost several pounds - while still not looking 'thin' per se she had definately noticably lost weight. Big, intimidating machines surrounded her, beeping out and displacing her vitals and other things Sabin wasn't quite sure what they were doing. An IV was hooked to her arm, and a few tubes coming out from under the blanket on the far side of her.

Despite the ironies of having become a lab technician in probably what was one of the most high-tech laboritories in the western hemisphere, Sabin never cared much for hospitals. It set the hairs on the back of his neck on edge - everything from the smell of antiseptic to the lingering feeling of sickness and injury that clung to the room no matter how many times they were cleaned.

Sabin edged into the room, rubbing his wrists where the manacles had been only moments before. Another thing that he did NOT care for. Between the room, the manacles, his unsure future, and looking Aubrey in the eye for the first time since she had flown out of the labs that fateful night after slapping him across the face. She was not looking well, and by the amount of bandages, tubes, and how the woman whose firey spirit could surge to fill a room now looked smaller, weaker.. it seemed wrong.

He gave her a weak smile as he walked over and took a seat besides her bed. "Hey, Doctor.... how are you feeling..?" His voice was softer than normal.

Aubrey forced a smile. "Been better," she said honestly. There were visable bandages over her neck and shoulder, but of course her most extensive injuries were covered by the hospital blanket. "I have a bone to pick with your pet. I think he may have to be put down." Her voice was soft, but a hint of a smile played at the corner of her mouth

Sabin swallowed at the tone, despite the smile, Sabin at this point wasn't sure if that was a joke or a scent of contagious sadism from Moreau. "Aubrey... I... I know it wasn't his fault. I was just speaking with him... he doesn't want to be violent. Hell, he seems frightened of his own shadow - especially recently - I'm sure the news that he was the one responsible is going to give him a boatload of issues by itself... I..." He slowed down as he reanalyzed the smile.
"I.... I'm sorry... I think Moreau might actually think... that is a viable solution given how he reacted... before. I... I'm glad to hear that you've been recovering..."

"Barely, Duvert. I want to show you something." Aubrey pointed to a file sitting on the desk. "Thats my file, I want to show you what he did."

The file was thick and full of medical reports and gruemsome medical photographs, x-rays, and sonograms. It certainly wasn't for a weak stomach and spared none of the details from Aubrey's injuries. Up-close pre-op photos showed how the doc looked like when she came in, covered in mud and blood, her neck chewed up. After being flushed and cleaned for operation, the deep gashes across her abdomen were violent haunting. Flesh rended with innards nearly on display. More and more photos of her intrusive surgery, and post-photos documenting her extensive stictes and graphing going on under AUbrey's bandages.

Sabin picked up the heavy file and paged through it solemnly. He was no doctor, but the photos spoke volumes. He...was all too aware that the images and descriptions normally described fatal wounds. It was likely a combination of the cutting edge medical research and still a large chunk of luck that she pulled through.

A wince was written over his face, and he slowly set down the file. "Mon Dieux." He shook his head. "I... wow, I'm sorry, Aubrey. This... I had no idea you were hurt this badly."

"Its a miracle I'm alive," she said, frowning. "Without Moreau... " she shook her head. "Seriously. I shouldn't be be here."

She sighed. "I don't know what to do. About Zach. I mean, I've heard him say some... not so nice things about me before. How can I be sure, somewhere, this wasn't... directed?"

Sabin nodded. "The only times I've seen wounds like these its been on corpses... or people that would soon be that..... er..." His eyes widened as he just realized what he said. "I'm so sorry! I... merde, I don't exactly have the best bedside manner. There's a reason i'm not a 'real' doctor." He said wtih a playful tone to cover the anxiety.

He took a breath about Xach. "I... I don't know what Zach said to you.... but I honestly don't think he'd consciously hurt anyone. I... I'm frustrated about the serum side-effects.... but one of the real reasons I chose Zachary for the experiment was that he is a nervous, meek man. I... I think maybe that with the research that has been going on with the serums might help...? I.. I just have been out of the labs for so long I don't know the progress that has been made." He gave a frustrated sigh.

"Help him with what, Sabin? Turn a meek man into a dragon?" She motioned. "A man-eating dragon? How do you know he's not... I don't know. LIke Jamal."

"But... because... I mean. If anything it's a chemical imbalance!" Sabin protested. "It's VERY different from Jamal. Jamal shouldn't have ever come here, let alone be changed into a predator - which is MOREAU's fault- not mine. ANd besides, even when he is coherent, Jamal is dangerous. I have heard him plotting the injury or death of staffmembers when he is of a sound mind. The tiger for him is just an excuse. I do not see the reason for his complaints. He was rescused from the cops and jail - perhaps a death sentence- and given beautiful, powerful animal."

"Not staffers -" she spat out bitterly. "Me." She sneered. "I tried... I tried so hard. They're going to kill me one day..."

Sabin gave her a weak smile. "Well...... They got awfully close..." He shook his head. "I'm sorry... I just mean... it's because you are the only one they usually see. I... I do not talk to them unless I need to or know that they are one of the few relatively satisfied with their predicament. I... I know I ...." He shook his head. "nevermind."

"I am surprised that at least some of them aren't more appreciative of you. I know how much you stick up for them - to Moreau even."

"Yeah well..." Aubrey gesticulated, causing the new rock on her hand to glitter in the light (probably not an accident on Aubrey's account. "It amazing they didn't kill you. Dressed like that,. especially." She looked him over. "Something you want to tell me, Sabin?" She waved her hand limply.

Sabin's eyes lingered on the stone, and he threw a hesitant glance at Aubrey. He... remembered one of the last things they had ... argued about. And from the appearance of Aubrey's fight with Moreau, it had been a doozy that he had only glimpsed a small portion of. For the moment, however, he kept his mouth shut. The last thing he needed was an argument with her when he was trying to argue for Zach's life and his position.

He smirked. "What... you do not think it suits me? I... was in disguise. No self respecting lab tech would dress like this, no?" He held the serious look for a moment before it broke and he laughted. " In all seriousness, my clothing was ruined from the storm. I stayed with people I trusted, and had to borrow clothes from Avery. It... is also very obvious that Avery and I do not even wear the same size, not to mention styles."

"Yeah, pretty obvious."

Aubrey twisted her labs in her lap. "Dr... do you really think Mr. Bloodstone is not a general danger? Even if someone made him mad? Please be honest - this is an actual matter of life and death, Sabin.."

Sabin took a breath, thinking about this. "I... I've seen him argue with people after his changes... and he seems... coherent. I... The drastic personality effects seem to be tied with his transformations. You see... I was actually trying to keep him in the labs for observation for this change... but...the power out... I'm sure you heard what I told Moreau. And... I would... suggest that, barring more unexpected powerouts, we could continue that... with his further changes...?" He asked tentatively.

Aubrey looked distinctly uncomfortable. "He also murdered me, Duvert..."

"Well he... he didnt' really... I mean... he was acting out of sorts. I'm... I'm certain with some precautions that we can keep him managable. I know what he did... that he nearly... how badly he hurt you. But killing him wouldn't make your wounds go away. And if we can save a man's life through some precautionary measures, then why do anything else...? And.... this probably sounds laughable... and I'm not saying that he is more valuable than your life at all.... but I guess you wouldn't understand what crafting a real... well real as can be created...dragon means to me?"

"That sure does sound like you're valuing his life over mine" she sneered/

Sabin sighed in exasperation. "Look, that is not what I am saying. I... grrr.." He took a breath and tried to start again. "I just mean that I do not think it is fair to kill him over something that can be fixed."

"I know," she sighed. "Anyway, I couldn't do it regardless. I'm not a murderer. It just... it just it feels so ... wrong without doing something. A slap on the wrist for nearly killing me? What if I can't walk again, Sabin? Or have children?"

He winced, looking down at the sterile floor. "I don't know. But likewise... how can you punish someone for doing something while they weren't under their own ... control? Because of something they didn't even do to themselves...." He trailed off, mind going to Billy and the whole Colche/Drugs afair. And what Aubrey did to him. Admittedly, Billy was a cokehead and a murderer to begin with.... but there was a lot of existing suspicion as to how that occurred to begin with.

She chewed on her bottom lip. "I know you're right, Duvert. I just... I had to talk to someone about it. But he's comepletely your responsibility. I want weekly reports on his behavoir, and I want him brought in months for a complete neaurological exams. You'll be in charge of that, and if he hurts anyone else, Sabin, you'll be administering the punishment yourself."

"I understand, Aubrey. And that is fair. I had been keepign close tabs on him, but it's.... problematic to say the least when I was given restricted access. Especially when I was supervising a lot of research into the sources for the mental side effects." He reached over and patted her on the hand.

"Maybe we can help him - I can explain to him what we're doing. I ... I am sure that it's eating him up what he did to you."

"It better be," she said with a shake of her head, squeezing his hand abit. It felt good to have some human contact. MOreau was around, and she saw Colche.. but she felt so alone sometimes. She missed people. She missed the beach. And to be honest, she missed working. "I'll speak to Moreau about full reinstatement. I don't think I much like this Robin lady anywho."

Sabin quirked a smile at that. "I... thank you." He sighed. patted her hand again. She did look out for people, try to work Moreau for them. Things... things couldn't last smootly forever. Even with a ring. Moreau was too much of a control freak.

"Is... is there anything else I can do...?" He winced. "Maybe... I could bring beastie in here to keep you company? He's sweet...?"

"Beastie?"

"well... he owes his life to you, after all. The.. uh... cat?" He made little wiggly motions with his fingers.

"Oh... yes..." She smirked. "I don't know if that would be a good idea. Kind of...well, I don't want Moreau.. you know.. its still kind of a sore spot." Subconsciously she fiddled with the ring on her hand.

"Ah." He said curtly, and looked again at the ring, this time more obviously. "I... well.... hrm.:" He bit his tongue. He wouldn't say anything. He wouldn't say anything. Moreau was almost assuredly listening in. But he really, really wanted to say something about the ring. About the fight. And something along the lines of 'I told you so." But instead he just shook his head.

She raised a brow. "What?"

"Nothing!" he commented quickly an octive higher.

"You're a horrible liar," she said, narrowing her eyes.

He sighed. "I heard that before." He wagged a finger. "But.... I'm not saying anything." He added more pointedly.

"Why not?"

"Because!" He retorted with a laugh.

She smiled contageously. "Something to do with this?" She waggled her left hand in front of his face.

"Perhaps..." He drew it out, reaallly trying not to say anything.

She cocked an eyebrow.

"Please." He added. "I don't particularly want to discuss that right now. But... I hope you're happy."

She frowned, a wave of self-consciousness flooding her. "Thank you," she said solemly. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."
"I know. Believe me, I know. We're all here because of him." And not leaving because of him..

"Thats not what I meant," she sighed. "He hasn 't left my side since I came in. He's been working non stop to make sure I turn out okay."

Sabin nodded, listening. "Then.... then I'm happy for the two of you." He looked back up to her with a tiny small.

"Thank you..." She returned the smile, shifting carefully. "Now.. I think you have a few things to discuss with Mr. Bloodstone.."

Sabin nodded. "I understand. And I wish you a speedy recovery." He stood up and patted her shoulder. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

She looked back to the file. "Duvert - show him that. I want him to see it."

Sabin nodded quietly, picking up the file. "I... very well."

"Welcome back, Doctor."

He smiled wider. "It's good to be back." He pantomimed a tip of a hat, and strolled out back into the hallway. As soon as he was out of sight, Sabin did a stupid little dance. He had his job back!

The guards at first tried to send her away, but after a moment Aubrey's familiar voice came over the intercom. "Hey there, Colche, I'll be down there in a minute."

Low and behold, a few minutes later Aubrey emerged from the front of the labs. She looked a bit better than last time Colche saw her - some of the color was back in her face and she had managed to get on a change of clothes (shirt, at least, as her bottom half was covered by a blanket) and put her hair up in a bun. She was in a fancy-looking wheelchair which allowed her to move around the labs at relative ease. It felt great to be able to come out of a single room.

She blinked into the run and rolled over to the gate, opening it. "Hey there, baby!"

Aubrey hugged Colche gently, nuzzling her and stroking her hair. "Its my wheelchair. It helps me get around why I finish getting better." Aubrey pulled the blanket up just enough so Colche could see the large bandages on her stomach. "Still not completely better, but getting there. But for now Mommy can't use her legs... hurts too much."

Aubrey took in the scent of the flower. "These are beautiful Colche, thank you!! And tell Ambrose thank you for me..."

Aubrey took the note and unfurled it, reading. "From Chubbs?"

"Zach didn't mean to hurt Mommy... but you be careful around him."

Aubrey stroked her hair at her side as she read over the note. The smile she had on her face slowly faded as the note when on, and a very odd expression came over Aubrey's features. One that Colche had probably not seen on her too often. A mix of annoyance and guilt, her eyes glazing over a bit and her cheeks and tips of her ears getting a bit of color to them.

The hand stroking Colche stopped and she pulled in back into her lap, folding the note carefully and taking a breath.

"Colche, hun. Do you hang around Chubbs a lot?"