So what is Human?

Chris woke with a start-sitting upright with a cry of pain, his eyes darting around the room quickly as he reached over for a gun that wasn’t there. In his mind, he was somewhere else. His breathing came in uneven ragged gasps as he tried to fight through the nightmare.



The inhuman eyes of the man that had caused all his trouble glared over him…



Beth had gone to check on the ’suicide watch’. Her bosses had told her to make sure the man lived, which was why she had been glad when she found out that he was in the brat’s wing, meant she wouldn’t have to deal with him. After all, she had no patience for invalids. People wondered why she still had her job after all the lawsuits against her that kept disappearing after a few days. After all the people she worked for only cared that she did her job when needed.



She had been checking the monitor, making sure that the man was still stable. When he sat up, she backed up rolling her eyes. Looking the man over she couldn’t figure out what Madison saw in him. The guy was closer to Beth’s age, and she figured he was some sort of grunt with how he was built. They were usually the easiest to break, but the bosses wanted him in tact, which meant she couldn’t try to break his mind.



The younger nurse would be back any minute; she was helping Clueless Susan in the nursery with a set of triplets that had been born a few hours ago. When the man’s eyes focused, she decided she’d at least talk to him. Try to figure out why the man was so important to the doctor. “Relax, you’re in the hospital.”



He looked to the new woman, blinking a few times, and slowly eased himself back against the bed, noting silently that she didn’t move to help him, not that he needed it. His eyes narrowed slightly. The woman had to be Beth, she was pretty, in a more traditional sense, her scrubs were plain white, and he didn’t look to see if she had a matching skirt or not. Chris was sure that it was, and that the woman was used to men drooling over her just with how she held herself. Though the second she opened her mouth he knew he’d rather share a French kiss with a Licker than even touch her. Part of him wondered where Madi was. At least she didn’t make the room ten degrees cooler with her presence.



Beth ignored him for the moment as she finished checking the equipment. “Looks like you’ll be fine for a while. If you behave, I’ll give you more meds.” She gave a cold smile. They wanted him whole, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t have a little fun with him. Ice blue eyes looked him over. She couldn’t break him, but she could help him along a little with the self-pity bit.



“You always so pleasant or you have to take classes on being so frigid?” He arched a brow at her. Probably wasn’t the best idea to torment the nurse, but he didn’t feel like being nice to someone who looked at him as if he was something she had stepped in.



Beth glared at him a moment. She knew she’d enjoy picking at him, now she wished that she hadn’t gotten the kid involved with his wellbeing. “Had to take lessons. Madison’s still new, she’ll learn it all soon enough. She was probably too sweet with you wasn‘t she?” The woman’s voice was filled with distain.



“What can I say? Personally I like the human compassion.” He smirked slightly. “I take enough shit from work; I don’t need it when I’m in pain too.” The look she gave him reminded him of a rabid mutt he had seen once. “And I bet you were the top of your class, or at least first in show.” He just barely managed to keep from barking at her.



She rolled her eyes and decided that the bosses could go to hell with their ‘go easy on him’ order. Walking over to the table she had left his meds on she picked up the alcohol and a cotton swab as well as the needle. “You know, tough guys are trained not to bitch about it though. Aren’t they?” She slowly drew the dosage into the needle, making sure he could see what she was doing. Tapping the needle to get the air out she looked down at him smiling a little.



“I like it a little rough, but not hard enough to break teeth.” He sighed watching her knowing what she was planning.



Beth smiled coldly. “Oh, this is going easy on you. If you had just broken a leg, I’d already have you walking the hall.” She knew exactly what she said, hoping that it would piss him off. Would give her a reason to have security strap him to the bed.



She didn’t see the small blonde coming through the door behind her. Madison had hoped that Beth had been elsewhere, and from where she stood, she knew she wouldn’t be able to cross the room before the older nurse could give him the injection.



“Something tells me you’d try to have me crawling if you could.” Yeah, Chris didn’t like the woman, he had caught sight of Madison and hoped the smaller woman would stay back, something about Beth told him that she’d take out her frustration on the smaller nurse if she could.



“It’s a good position for tough guys you know.” She growled low as she stuck the needle in his arm making him hiss.



Madi crossed the room grabbing Beth’s arm as the older woman pulled the needle from her arm. “Beth, I think you need to go deal with the Hendersons. They want to talk to the nurse in charge about their son.”



Beth swung around, almost hitting the smaller girl. Madi had back stepped out of the way just in time.



“Looks like I’ll see you later then love.” Chris blew her a kiss waving her a one-fingered salute. He saw the girl relax a little as the door slammed shut behind her. “You know Madi,” He sighed as she came up to him. “It’s people like her that make me question why I put my life on the line.” He looked at her questioning if she was okay.



Madison bit her lip and nodded a little. “She… she wasn’t that hard on you was she? She has a habit of bruising people who piss her off. We’ve complained about it, but the administration won’t get rid of her.” She bit her lip chewing on it a little.



“Well you can add my name to the list.” He growled a little, getting a hold of himself still a little rattled from the nightmare.



“I’ll try to make sure I’m nearby until you’re able to leave then.” She had changed clothes since he had seen her that morning; instead of the skirt she had been wearing, she was in a pair of tastefully worn jeans. The scrub top she wore was covered with little cartoon cops and firefighters. She blushed remembering she hadn’t changed tops. “Sorry, my nephews got this one for me for my birthday… Snagged it since I was in the nursery.”



“It’s cute. I was sort of a cop once.” He smiled at her. His fingers were starting to feel tight and itch, he ignored it knowing it would be a while before he could get a nicotine fix. After dealing with Beth, he didn’t want to bother Madison with trying to get him some.



“I know, it was in the file. I just… Didn’t want you to think I grabbed it because of…” She reached out touching his hand lightly. She had seen some junkies in the hospital before, and since he didn’t have track lines, she figured his poison came in a carton. “Take it you’re a smoker.” She gave a frown. “I’d say those things will kill you, but have a feeling that goes in one ear and out the other. Not to mention, Beth’s more dangerous.” She gently rubbed the back of his hand, as if to try to calm him. “I can check with Rayes to see if you can have a patch, but I can’t bring in a lighter for you. Too much oxygen and all that.” She was rambling again and gave a flustered sigh and a little foot stomp, just making her look much too young to be working in her field.



He chuckled a little, it was clear her nerves were just as shot as his were. “It’ll pass. And if I was a petty man all I’d have to do to make sure she didn’t come near me is throw a fit because she mentioned making someone walk to me.” He shrugged a little, but gave her a thankful look not minding her attempt to calm him. “At least I’m not a chain smoker.” He flashed a smile to her, getting a faint one in return. Reaching over he patted her hand. “I’ll be fine.”



Madison frowned more; she had heard it of course. “I can’t believe she said that. Her lunch date must have gone bad, which means she’ll be hell the next few days.” She looked down, the striped locks falling into her face again. “I’ll try to make sure I stay closer then. That is… if you want me to. Not like I have a life out of here.” She blushed more. It was true though, other than work, she had her own apartment, but she was renting the basement apartment from her oldest brother, and spent more time either with his kids or at the hospital anyway.



Chris thought a moment, did he want her close? The kid was a friendly face, and someone that seemed to really want to help him. Maybe she’d be able to help keep his mind off what he had agreed to do. “If you can, I don’t want to take all of your time.” He watched her; the kid looked even younger when she was blushing. “It’s not like I’m going to run off.” He flashed another smile to her, trying to make light of the situation and cheer her up a little.



She returned the smile. “I’m the one in charge of this wing. And well you’re the only patient I have, so not like I have much else to do.” She tucked the hair from her eyes again. Her eyes went serious. “I didn’t get the chance to ask you about what the doctor wanted. I know, it’s really none of my business, but I got a creepy feeling from him. And from the woman with him.” She rubbed her arm a little, as she spoke.



“Bodyguards are supposed to make you feel that way.” He frowned, he had thought something was a little off about the man, and she had only confirmed it. Chris wondered how observant his little caretaker was. He knew she was quick thinking, or at least had reflexes enough to move out of the way when someone took a swing at her. He looked down. “It’s classified.” He decided he didn’t want her getting in any deeper. The kid reminded him too much of his sister, and of Chambers. “I might be getting a new treatment.” He was going to leave it simply as that for now. “I wish I could say more, but even I don’t know all the details yet.” He gave a small smile. “But maybe, when I do…”



She nodded. “It’s okay, and don’t worry, I won’t poke around. I mean, after you warning me to be careful, then your friend when I was leaving to get to class… He wouldn’t tell me why though, but I can tell I’m in something a little too deep aren’t I?”



She thought back about the conversation with the man as she had headed down in the elevator to the garage. Leon had been careful not to tell her what was going on, but he did warn her to be careful. Looking up she sighed a little. “Take it, out of this room, be careful what I say right? I mean, I know how to watch my back. I grew up with six older brothers. Mike would be there to keep the others off, but he wasn’t around all the time.”



Chris nodded to her. “You got it. And seems like you have a little edge. Just, try not to be alone with those two okay?” He smiled more at her. The kid really was like Rebecca. She was a little older than Becky had been when it all started, but the way she held herself, he knew if she was dragged in, there was a good chance she’d be able to handle herself. “There’s something about them…” He shrugged, not sure how to explain it.



“Your friend said that too.” She tucked the hair out of her face. “I don’t plan on being alone with them. I have a radio on me.” She pulled it from her pocket. “I’m used to carrying it. Most of the other patients I get seem to think since I’m smaller than they are; it’s okay to try to over power me. I’m hard to pin down.” She frowned slightly. After all, she had started carrying it on the head of security’s request, since one of the patients she had been stuck with had managed to pin her down. Her hand went to the small scar that was hidden, a reminder of how close she had been to getting killed. Just because she happened to be ‘nice’ to a patient. “Most of the other patients get strapped down on Beth’s recommendation. I, managed to get to security first. Unless you attack me, they’re not going to listen to her.” She said calmly.



He grinned at her. “I think I can handle not hurting you.” She smiled and he continued. “I may be on watch, but I’ve got no plans on staying dead. People like Beth make me question, but people like you remind me why I love what I do.” He reached up tucking the hair from her face, only making her blush more.



“Then… I hope his treatment works. I have a feeling, that this is something you would not be able to adjust to.” She looked down. “It’s okay, I know not everyone can.”



He nodded a little. “It’s just not in the Redfield blood to sit back.” He looked down his shoulders sinking a little as it started to sink in again on what he was about to do. “We’re a stand up lot.”



Madison smiled a little. “Well I hope you’ll be able to humor me and allow me to treat you to a walk. I can go get a chair and wheel you around. I promise, we’ll take it easy.” She grinned a little. “I know that the beds lower enough so we can move you to the chair without a problem. And it would get you out of this room for a bit. You wouldn’t feel like a prisoner.” She put her hands behind her rocking on her feet a little. “Or I could get cards, but I really suck at card games. However, some of the other patients hadn’t minded. Since they won.”



Chris smiled knowing she was trying to cheer him up again. He hadn’t felt stir crazy since she had mentioned getting out of the room. “Walk sounds good.”



He almost laughed when the smile brightened. Yeah, he could get used to her handing around. So far, she had managed to keep him from fully getting depressed over things. Her personality alone made it hard to be upset.



“I’ll be right back then. Huh… You don’t mind if I bring someone with me do you? It’s only because you’re a lot bigger than I am… Height wise.”



“I know it’s alright. I’m no skinny emo kit.” He winked at her. At least she was being careful to dance around his condition while still treating him what he figured was normally.



“Yeah, glad your not. They’re the ones that usually try to shove me around. I think I’d be scared if you tried to push me around.” She gave him a small smile and went to grab an orderly and a wheelchair.



The moment she walked out the door was the moment he felt it. The crushing despair he was crippled, useless. Oh, he could remember so many people that made it on TV and all the sensitivity training when it came to handling people with different conditions, the handicapped. He remembered the talk of them leading full lives. He tried to envision himself aging unable to do what it was that he loved what he lived for. His eyes burned quickly he dragged the back of his hand over his eye to force away the tears.



***



Stepping out of the room, she felt a hand on her shoulder and almost shrieked. The hand’s owner gently spoke.



“It’s just me.”



Madison relaxed and glanced to the nurse’s station seeing that Beth and Susan were both elsewhere. Her hand went to her pocket, but she didn’t hit the button, after all, the man had promised he wouldn’t hurt her. She nodded letting him lead her away from the door.



“How is he?” Leon asked once they were down the hall a little ways. He watched her frown a little and toe at the ground as if trying to figure out how to answer it.



“I, he’s okay, I mean physically… I don’t know what’s going on in his head.” She chewed on her lip. “I know I’m going to have to stay closer. Beth’s taken to reminding him his current condition.” She rubbed her arm a little and chewed on her lip watching the nurse’s station. Shaking her head, she looked up at him.



“The ice queen?” Leon asked remembering seeing Beth harass the kid earlier when she had heading out for class. When she nodded, he frowned. “I’ll stick around too so don’t worry. Chris is an old friend, my boss would understand.”



“I was going to get him out of his room for a while. I can’t move him from the bed to the chair…” She blushed.



“I’ll do it. Would let me talk to the two of you. Have a feeling Chris isn’t going to like it but, the doc and his companion, with how you tried to protect him earlier, might take you as a threat. I don’t think they’d hurt you, but you’re involved now.”



“I’ve been since I agreed to help him.” She sighed. “I remember what you told me this morning. I even took the bus to class instead of driving there. Only place I’ve really been alone is in the hospital, even then… I’ve had my radio, and it’s on the frequency you told me to put it on.” The young woman looked up.



“I’m hoping that you won’t have to use it.” He couldn’t fight the urge to ruffle her hair. She scowled and pulled it out of its tie, only to pull it back up into the messy bun she had it in before. “So, we were going to get Chris out of there for a little while?”



***



When Madison returned, Leon held the door open for her so she could wheel the chair in. The teen was smiling a little, laughing at something that Leon had told her.



“Looks like you still managed to find an emo kid.” He shook his head but smiled to the pair. Leon wasn’t that bad, but Chris had that ‘brotherly’ duty to give the man hell.



“Hey, I’m not a kid. You’re not that much older than I am Grandpa.” He scowled, though a smirk still hinted at his lips. Leon could dish it out just as well as Chris could.



“You did look all emo sitting in the lobby though. Madison giggled as she moved the chair next to the bed and helped Chris sit up before she started to lower the bed.



Chris took a few measured breaths expecting it to hurt, though, Madison clearly knew what she was doing, other than a little stiffness in his back, he couldn’t even feel the bed move. “He’s good at that, so was he sitting there his head bowed down with his hair all in his face?” He could almost see Leon sitting there in his mind’s eye. “Probably with a pained thoughtful look?”



She nodded. “Like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.” She slid the side bar down. “You’re back’s not hurting right? I mean even if there’s a little pain, tell me, because these chairs aren’t that comfortable. I’ll get some extra pillows for you to rest against.” She smiled hoping to make him feel comfortable about it.



“Hey, could you two stop talking about me like I’m not here? I had a lot to think about that’s all.” He glanced back to Chris. “She’s right I’m not helping to move you if you’re in pain man.”



Chris rolled his eyes, he knew she was doing her job, but Leon wasn’t. Besides, he was only stiff from being in bed so long. “I would let you know, I’m a baby when it comes to real pain.” He smiled at her to try to ease her mind.



“Okay then. Mr. Kennedy, could you help me here?” She asked locking the chair in position. “And think when we’re walking around we can avoid pediatrics, I’d rather deal with the big baby in the chair than the ones in the cribs.” She shot Chris a grin letting him know she was just teasing him.



“And here I thought all girls liked kids.” Leon helped move Chris and laughed at the scowl she gave him.



Chris had helped as much as he could. “I’ve never liked them. You know there’s a sound that makes everyone want to hit a baby… Babies crying’s that sound for me.” He shuddered slightly.



“Ah, I don’t know, if your sister had a kid, I bet it would be cute.” He held up his hands. “No way I’d be the dad though, we’re just friends. Had a feeling if I slept with her you’d kick my ass.” Leon then frowned; he hadn’t meant to word it like that. It was still hard to believe that Chris was paralyzed. He ran a hand through his hair trying to figure out if he should apologize or let it slide.



Madison spoke up. “So, you have a sister? She must be the real baby in the family isn’t she?” She hoped it would distract the two from Leon’s slip. She unlocked the seat after making sure Chris was ready. Pushing him towards the door, she waited for Leon to open it for her.



Chris noticed she didn’t seem to struggle with it. The kid was stronger than she looked at least. He still felt the need to protect her though. He decided to let Leon’s comment go and nodded. “She’s my little sister, and only other member of my family left.” Their family had never really been big, and performing crazy stunts was something that ran deep in it.



“She’s lucky then. I mean to have a brave older brother.” She shot Leon a glare when he coughed. “I mean other than my oldest brother, mine are all cowards.



Beth was back at the nurse’s station and glared when the trio exited the room. “He shouldn’t be out of bed.”



Madison’s face went serious. “You’re not qualified to make that decision. I already checked, Dr. Rayes said it would be fine as long as we were careful and didn’t pop any stitches.” She growled without meaning to. The older nurse glared at them, starting to move closer.



Leon caught her hand balling into a fist and was about to step between them, when Chris spoke up.



“Maybe I need some air. The room was starting to feel like a coffin.” He stressed the last bit making her shut up. Chris knew enough about suicide watch that if the demands were reasonable, the patient got what they wanted.



He felt Madison’s hand on his shoulder, and realized she was trembling slightly. He had a feeling that the only way someone could tell was if she touched them though, glancing up he saw the anger in her eyes.



Beth glared at them, and then focused cold eyes on Madison, as she wheeled Chris past her and to the elevator.



Chris wasn’t the only one that needed fresh air. It was a sunny and warm day, and there was a small flower garden on the roof. Most of the time if they let patients up there, they’d lock the greenhouse so that they’d be stuck inside, but she knew her patient wasn’t going to jump. She figured it would be a good idea to take him up there.



“Hold the elevator for me will you?” Leon asked as he went to talk to Beth. She nodded keeping the door open with one hand until the other man caught up with them.



When the door closed, she sank against the wall with a small sigh. “I, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to piss her off. Means I’ll have to walk on eggshells the next few days. I don’t think she’ll take it out on you though Chris.”



Chris listened to her and frowned a little, seemed like the kid was on the ice queen’s bad side a lot. “I can handle it. Don’t worry; you were just trying to do your job.” He grinned. “Not your fault she’s a bitch.”



Leon chuckled a little, it was rare for Chris to speak ill of a woman, but he had the same thought about her.



Chris figured he was either really starting to lose it, or the woman really had rubbed him the wrong way. Considering how she had almost hit Madison, just for doing her job, he really had wished he could have hit her, though something told him that would have made things worse for Madison and himself.



“She reminds me of the nurses I usually get. Man, Chris I’m jealous, you get the cute sensitive ones.”



Madison touched Chris’s shoulder again. “She’s not that bad most of the time. Just with guys who have that ‘dominating aura’. She frowned knowing she didn’t sound like a doctor now. “That’s why the hospital sticks me with the hard cases, to try to keep lawsuits down. They figure if I can keep the patients calm, then Beth won’t be tempted to raise hell with them.” She hated how tired she felt. Part of it was the fact she had pulled a double before being assigned to Chris. She didn’t want to try to get a nap though, not until she was sure, Beth wouldn’t hurt her patient. Another jolt of caffeine would keep her going another hour at least.



“It’s alright, I just can’t stand women that take one look at me and think I’m either an idiot or abusive.” Chris sighed a little, her small hands were kneading at his shoulders and neck, Chris figured it was a nervous twitch of hers, but wasn’t going to complain, it felt good.



I doubt you’re an idiot. They don’t let idiots fly planes.” She smiled a little feeling him relax.



“And the only woman I ever saw him hit was completely by accident. Though really, I still wouldn’t want to arm wrestle you Chris.” Leon said as they walked out of the elevator.



“Then that would go double for me. You look like you could break me in half easy.” She giggled a little tucking the hair from her face again.



Chris nodded. “Yeah flying is a rush.” The thought saddened him though, without the injection it was something he would never be able to do again. The more he thought about it the fewer chances he had.



“I’m happier on the ground thanks.” Leon walked beside them as she wheeled Chris down the hall towards the last door, which opened up to a beautiful greenhouse.



Madison chewed on her lip. “I, I haven’t been in a plane since I was little. Dad was going to take us kids out to the lake house. It was going to be my first time out there.” She slowed her steps as she talked. My oldest brother had just gotten his license, and he had just turned twenty, so Dad thought it would be good for one last weekend as a family before my brother went to Europe for art school. Flying was his hobby though.”



She chewed her lip again, part of her mind telling her to stop, though she continued. “There was a freak accident, Dad was the pilot. I was sitting up in the cockpit with him and Mike, my other brothers were in the back playing cards… I remember the bird hitting the windshield and…” She shook her head fighting the emotions down. “Guess it’s why I went into medicine. After the bird hit, Mike shoved Dad my way and, I didn’t know what I was doing, but I just held him. Mike managed to control the crash…” She closed her eyes remembering the four hours the three of them had been trapped while her other brothers had huddled scared in the cargo hold. “Apparently what ever I did worked, it kept dad alive until they got there to pull us out.” She gave a small smile about that. “It’s also why I get the hard cases… My brother, well, he didn’t go over seas. The crash paralyzed him like you are… from the waist down. I’ve been living with him since, because, I couldn’t stand to look at my other brothers. None of them even came to make sure the three of us were okay.” As she spoke she rubbed Chris’s shoulders again, the motion clearly a way for her to deal with whatever was going on in her head.



“Most people would have the first idea on how to handle something like that.“ Chris closed his eyes enjoying the touch, “I’m not complaining that you got into medicine. You remind me of our team’s medic.” She gave a small smile as he spoke. Chris knew then he’d rather see her smiles then her frown. The kid didn’t look right when she was all serious.



“I… I was seven when it happened. Mike hadn’t even wanted me to go. He thought I’d be bored.”



Leon nodded hearing him comment about her reminding him of Chambers. “Though, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Becky in scrubs, come to think of it, I don’t think her bedside manner’s as good. Or, might just be me she likes poking at.”



Madi shook her head. “I’m not a combat medic; I get sick whenever I have to help in the OR… I can handle helping with the recovery at least.” She shook her head. “I’m just glad that I’ve managed to not get sick while assisting with an operation yet. Or in the ER. I do what I have to do, then as soon as we’re done, I’m usually bolting for the bathrooms or the lounge to try to calm down.” She shook her head.



“I can’t even hunt. Hitting someone is one thing, but killing something is another. I know I wouldn’t be able to do what you guys do because of that chance…” She realized what she had been doing and shook her head again. “You’re really tense mi… Chris.” She managed to correct herself before calling him by his last name again.



Chris tipped his head back looking at her. “Guess that comes with the job. And Leon used to be a cop; I don’t think he ever expected to handle anything worse than minor domestic disputes.” He grinned a little. “Becky was only going to do light field work until they opened a position in the labs for her. You never know what you can do until the moment comes and you have no choice.”



She nodded. “I know, it’s just… Really, I don’t think I could hurt anyone. That’s one of the reasons I carry the radio with me.” She glanced at Leon a moment, knowing if she needed it; it wouldn’t be the locals coming to help her.



“Yeah, well, didn’t expect you guys to leave such a warm welcome for me.” He smiled a little. “Hell of an initiation.” Seeing the look on Madi’s face, he reached out touching her arm lightly. “Don’t worry you’ll be fine.”



She shook her head. “I’m not worried about me… Not really, I’ve gotten into trouble with Beth already. It’s the creepy doctor. I’m worried what he’s going to do to Chris. I know, it’s foolish, but I just get a bad vibe from him.”



“Well he is a creep, but it’s not like he works for Umbrella or anything.” Chris chuckled a little. “Probably hasn’t gotten any time off in a while and recently got dumped by his right hand.”



Madi giggled more. “Why do I get the feeling it was that ant that the batteries died?” She bit her lip hoping she hadn’t grossed them out with what she had inferred.



Leon coughed trying to hold in a laugh. The kid would fit in perfectly with their little outfit at least, if her humor was just a taste of her personality, though he had been watching her most of the day, and knew the friendly attitude she had wasn‘t just an act.



Chris broke out laughing. “You got that feeling off him too?”



She nodded glad he had laughed. “Yeah, I didn’t want to say anything with him there, mostly because I think his bodyguard wanted to tear me in half when I stopped them from entering. Get the feeling she likes to watch.” The young woman shuddered slightly. “We could go to the outer garden if you want. Or stay here, the view’s about the same, it’s okay, but not the greatest.”



“Let’s stay in here.” He didn’t want to confess that going out and being seen in a chair was something that scared him. “I’m sure that’s not all she likes.” He went back to what they had been talking about. “Leon, have you ever worked with them before?”



***



Leon shook his head. “Not in person at least. I’ve seen her a few times before; she’s supposed to be some sort of genius when it comes to getting information. Something tells me she’s the kind to use force.” He fought the urge to glance at the kid. “The guy’s brilliant in the lab, though, his people skills are lacking.”



Madison nodded as she wheeled Chris over to a small seating area that happened to have shade from potted banana trees. “That better?” She asked wondering if she should really be hearing what they were talking about. “You guys aren’t saying anything that will get me into trouble are you?”



Chris shook his head. “I don’t think so.” He shrugged. “Nothing has really been mentioned that would be classified. Least that I know of.”



Leon shook his head. “As far as I know, we haven’t said anything yet. Besides, if we do say something, I’m sure we can keep you out of trouble. Okay?” He smiled at her. “Have a feeling Chris here would do the same thing.” He fell into a chair across from them while Madison sat next to Chris tucking her feet under the chair. Her hands went to her lap as she leaned back a little.



“I come up here often to escape duties for a while. Just, when things get stressful.” She grinned. “Or they try to put me in the nursery. That’s Susan’s job, not mine.”



“Already told you how I feel about them.” He shook his head a little. “Well same thing goes when I try to play an instrument.”



Leon groaned. “Just hearing about that from Becky was torture enough Chris… And I know she went easy on me.” He smirked a little.



She quirked a brow. “That bad?” Grinning she sat up a little. “I can play the piano a little. Took lessons until the accident. Then, when I moved in with Mike, he didn’t have room for one. Therefore, I stopped. He’s been trying to get me to pick it up again.” She blushed a little. “Is always saying that there should be at least one artist in the family.” She knew she was rambling again, but couldn’t help it. Part of it was because she wanted to keep Chris’s mind off what was going on, the other was because she was tired.



Chris knew what was going on and wasn’t going to try to stop them. He was thankful for the distraction. However, at the same time he wondered what the two were thinking.



Leon glanced over to Madi then shook his head. “I’m starting to feel like a third wheel here.”



She blushed a little. “I’m sorry.” Sighing she stretched. “I need some caffeine, you guys want any? I’ll go get it so you guys can talk, just don’t tell any of the hospital staff. I’m really not supposed to let you out of my site unless you’re in bed. Tea? Or something else?”



“Coke’s fine.” Chris wasn’t one for tea, it always seemed too stuffy for his taste.



She looked at Leon. “And you Mr. Kennedy?”



He waved his hand. “I’m good.”



Both men watched her as she turned the corner and headed back to the elevator to head down stairs.



Chris turned to Leon after a moment. “Thanks, for hanging around I mean.”