[happiest_in_shadows]

I make no claim to any DC characters used within this story after all they are trade marks and I don’t want sued. Also this story will contain adult content in time so if you are under the legal age to reach such things umm you know shoe scat go away. If anyone wants to tell me what they think of this you can send me a email or instant message at [email protected] or [email protected] either one is fine.

The entire world had turned against him at least that was the way Jack felt as he drove towards the hospital. Recounting all the things that had went wrong he shuddered his girlfriend had left him saying that his job was taking up too much time and she wanted more attention, his family was turning against one another as various disagreements that had been building over years tore them apart, he had lost his job at Lex corp the one that cost him his girl friend a week ago and now his closest friend in the world was dying of cancer. The injustice of it all was made even worse because he knew she hadn’t done anything in her life to encourage the development of cancer in her body however it had just happened.

A low growl came from him as he clutched the side of his pocket and felt the tiny vile laying within it. He might have lost everything else but he hadn’t given up any of it without a fight and as sure as he was alive he had no plans on giving up his friend. He only hoped that what he currently carried with him would be Kate’s salvation instead of her demise. Looking up at the massive structure in front of him he pulled into the hospital parking lot and climbed out of his vehicle his mind so focused on the task at hand that he didn’t bother taking his umbrella as he trudged through the rain.

“ Kate Stonecutter’s room please.” The nurse looked up for a moment at the dripping wet man who stood in front of her. Checking the computer screen for the moment she turned to faze him.

“ I am sorry sir Miss Stonecutter is currently in intensive care are you a member of the family or do you have an appointment.”

“ Appointment.” With that Jack pulled out his wallet and showed the woman his id who proceeded to check a list on the computer. Seeing his name she nodded towards him and began to bring up another list.

“ You may find Miss Stonecutter on the third floor in room 34.” Jack only nodded as the woman handed him a pass and rote down the room’s number on it. A few moments later a rather large male nurse showed up to escort him to the room. The hospital being one of the better ones in the city security really surprised Jack every time he visited as he imagined the rather large fellow in front of him could not only handle the most unruly of patience but probably doubled as security. The two took the elevator upstairs the whole time Jack resisting the urge to reach into his pocket and feel the bottle that it held within.

“ Here you are.” Jack was ushered into the room and the site that met his eyes nearly made him cry right there. Kate one of his closest friends lay in bed her skin a pale white her once athletic figure reduced to nearly skin and bones a iv provided a steady stream of pain killer into her blood stream. The door clicked shut as the nurse left leaving the two of them Jack walked over to her bed and pulled up a seat as her half dazed eyes turned towards him.

“ Hi there lovely lady.” A grin formed on Kate’s lips as she knew she was anything but lovely in her current state even her fiery red hair seeming to have lost its shine. Her hand moved out and Jack took it within his own.

“ Hey there what brings you here decided to come and pay be one last visit before I go?” The impulse to make small talk with Kate was there of course but as Jack looked at her he resolved the best thing that he could do was get strait to the point. He didn’t want to see her like this any longer then he had to. Standing up he began to search around the room as Kate looked at him.

“ Your not going to go anywhere I am not going to allow it.” Jack’s voice quivered a bit as he said this wishing that he felt as confident as he tried to sound.

“ That is so sweet of you.” Kate was glad to see her friend trying to comfort her but she knew that she was going to die the doctors couldn’t do anything for her after all the only thing they could even attempt to do is keep the pain away though even now the pain killers didn’t work all that effectively.

Did I tell you that I was fired recently?”

“ No you didn’t.”

“ Yup I was fired when my research project felled to produce any results despite the promising starting. Of course it didn’t help much the recent controversy over genetic engineering and the moral implication. So everyone on the team was let go or moved to another department well except the ones working on military research the lucky dastards.” Kate giggled as she tried to think of something to say but in her current state thinking wasn’t so easy. Finally Jack found what he was looking for as he walked over to her he held a needle and a shot in his hand. Placing them on the table he began to talk to her.

“ Kate you know that the doctors can’t do anything for you at least not without loads of money.” Kate nodded as she considered some of the more expensive options that she simply couldn’t afford anymore. A moment later she noticed a vial held in her face the contents a bright red. “ Inside this bottle is a vector virus loaded with a genetically engineered strand of dna it was what we were researching in my former project before a halt got put on it. In theory and in simulations it has the ability to go through out the body and enhance every single cell within it. If it works it would strengthen the good cells you have remaining and let you survive.” Jack’s lip quivered for a moment as he fought back his tears wanting to be strong for Kate but not wanting to lose his friend.

“ But it was never a success.” Jack vigorously shook his head no it was the one thing that he couldn’t understand. In most of the test it had worked but when they had actually tried it on people the results had been horrible. The hyper evolved cells had been meant to replace the old ones by cannibalizing them it should have worked but things had went wrong and instead every cell in the poor man’s body had turned against one another the result had not been pretty to say the least. It drove Jack insane as despite all his college and degrees he couldn’t find out what had went wrong with the drug. Little had he know that the project was doomed to the start by some of the older research members who had learned of Luther’s real nature and thus had ruined the project.

“ We were never able to get it to succeed out side of simulation but if only we had some more time. This is actually my own work I was able to get a few things before the lab was shut down and actually had to manufacture this at home that is why it took me so long to come and see you. Heee I have been up for two days strait now working on this trying to fix everything that I could think of.” Kate looked on at Jack only for a moment as she realized what he was getting out. He was asking her if she wanted him to try this untested refined version of a drug that had been a failure before hand on herself her teeth shown as she couldn’t help but smile more.

“ You know steeling from your company is illegal even if they fired you if I was in uniform I would have to arrest you. Jack I am dying and there doesn’t seem to be anything anyone can do for me if nothing is done I am going to be dead for sure. So I just have one question if this does kill me will it be less painful.” Jack shook visibly as he slowly shook his head no.

“ It will be far more painful for you if this does not work.” Kate didn’t like the sound of that still she much like Jack didn’t like the idea of giving up without a fight so it was only a moment later that he noticed Kate rolling the sleeve of her hospital gown up even further.

“ Stick me.” Kate didn’t exactly find it a hard decision to make at the moment she was assured a painful slow death if she didn’t do anything about it. At least with what Jack was offering her she had a chance though if it went wrong her death would be that much painful. Jack on the other had was suffering a moral dilemma as he wondered if he was just going to be putting his friend through a even more painful death he didn’t even stop to consider what would happen if it was discovered what he had done should she die. Looking at Kate’s eyes though he steadied himself as he prepared the shot the liquid feeling the syringe he injected the needle through the skin and slowly injected the liquid into her blood dream.

Kate didn’t flinch but instead simply watched the liquid vanish into her blood stream as she gave up any thoughts if it had been the right idea. There wasn’t anything going back now leaning back int her bed she turned her ice back to Jack as he withdrew the needle and tossed the now spent syringe in the waste bin. “ Well Doctor how long do I have before I know if it is working or not.” Jack smiled at her and look towards the clock before standing up.

“ It will take roughly 3 hours to start making any noticeable progress and in 5 hours we will know what is going to happen. “ Jack looked around only a second before finding the trey that was used to serve Kate her dinner picking it up he noticed it was full. Walking over to her he set the trey down next to her and began to prepare the items intending on feeding her.

“ No thanks I am not hungry.” Jack only grinned at her for a moment.

“ Well if you are hungry or not you are going to eat this because that drug is going to work and you are going to need the raw materials inside you for your body to effect repairs.” Kate started to protest but got a mouth full of jellow before anything could make it past her lips. Having only eaten a little over the past few days she still didn’t feel hunger but from Jack’s demeanor she doubted he was going to let her speak again until she had finished her meal. Jack watched as Kate ate her food feeding her another spoonful every time she opened her mouth. He only hoped that the little show of confidence he had put on would help put Kate’s fears to rest and prove to be truthful.

Kate ate slowly her body weekend by the cancer that had ravaged it and all. Jack didn’t mind though as he watched her carefully to see signs that the vector virus was doing its job. Of course he knew Kate’s weekend immune system wouldn’t be able to put up much of a fight so he expected to see the earliest signs that the drug was working some what earlier then usual. As Kate finished her last few bites of food Jack set back in his seat and closed his hands together. He didn’t bother saying another word to Kate as the entire conversation had been draining on her and she really needed to rest more so then perhaps she realized as the drug began to take hold.

As Jack looked upon the twenty two year old Kate he couldn’t help but run his hand through her hair and imagine that it looked just a little bit better then what it had before. Looking down he noticed Kate’s hand reaching for his taking hold of it he moved his chair closer and let her rest while he feel into his science mode. Though he held her hand his gaze began to travel up and down her form looking for any changes at all. The most important thing he kept his eye out for those was anything that would indicate her cellar structure was deteriorating at which time he would know that things weren’t going the way that he had desired. Kate slept through the first hour and the second without any indication that something was going on. The third hour rolled around slowly however as various nurses peeked in now to see how they were doing.

Jack would always wave them off and none bothered to question as they looked at Kate. In truth they all expected her to die so if it made her happy to have him around they couldn’t think of any harm she was on her final days now. At least that is what they thought however as the third hour rolled around Jack was nearly crying not from sadness but from joy as he noted there seemed to be no adverse effects within Kate’s condition. All others had complained of their bodies feeling hot and pain beginning to build within certain key areas. This was the early warnings that the drug was going to fell horribly. The only dilemma had though was that unlike the others Kate was currently on some very powerful pain killers so he couldn’t be sure if it was because of the pain killers or if the drug was working that she wasn’t waking up.

Jack never made it to see what the fourth hour held though as he leaned back in his chair the lack of movement and the sleep depravation of the last few days began to catch up with him. His eyes slowly slid shut and he drew away from the world as he fell into a sleep his hand still refusing to release Kate’s though as they both rested. Had he managed to make it past this point he would have felt a slight increase of temperature throughout her entire body as the fifth hour rolled around. As was the two ended up resting together the hospital staff choosing not to bother them.

Jack felt numb as he opened his eyes and began to look around the room. At first he didn’t know what was going on until he felt the grip upon his hand and looked down to see Kate still resting peacefully her breath slow but steady. A wave of fear went through him as he turned to look at the clock hoping that several hours had passed as it would mean Kate would have made it longer then the others did. As his attention turned towards the clock he felt a wave of excitement run throughout his entire being as he noted it was now four hours past the five hour mark that he had set earlier his eyes quickly returned to Kate and then the clock this was done several times as he assured himself that it wasn’t only wishful thinking.

Finally sure of what he was seeing he began to rub Kate’s cheek. “ Well you have made it further then anyone else I don’t know if your out of danger yet though. I guess we can only hope for the best though.” Jack stood up still looking at Kate’s sleeping form he took a moment to search his pockets before pulling out a pad of paper and a pin. Jotting down a few things for Kate to read when she woke up he gently lifted her head and slipped the tiny slip of paper just under her neck not wanting anyone else to come in and read it while she was out. Jack didn’t want to leave Kate especially not knowing if she was going to be alright but now that he felt she was at least safe then he could stop in later on.

Kate woke up a good three hours later with her stomach aching as she felt how hungry she was. As she moved around she felt the edge of the slip of paper poking into the back of her head as reaching back and removing the paper she began to read it. “ Sorry Kate I had to take off I need to get cleaned up I can freaking smell myself I am surprised you didn’t mention it yesterday. Oh and be sure to eat especially if you feel hungry after all you are going to need nourishment in order to get better.” Kate didn’t need his encouragement to eat though reaching around she found the call button for the nurse and gave it a light press a few moments later a nurse coming in.

“ Pardon me but I am feeling really hungry could I get something to eat?” The nurse looked at Kate for only a moment before agreeing to go and get her something. Kate smiled and leaned back into her seat suddenly feeling rather weak. Fifteen minutes later the nurse came back in carrying a tray and set it down next to Kate who found herself devouring her food far more quickly then she expected to. The nurse actually finding herself a bit shocked to see a person who was slowly dying eating so ravenously.

“ Could I get another trey?” Kate looked up for just a second as she hadn’t noticed the nurse had left a slight huff came from her. Pressing on the call button again the nurse returned a bit more slowly as she looked in on Kate a sheepish smile appeared on Kate’s face.

“ May I have another?” The nurse blinked for a moment before giving a hardy laugh and picking up Kate’s trey.

“ Sure thing.” Kate was actually surprised at herself as she realized that just a few hours she hadn’t wanted to eat anything and now every cell in her body seemed to be screaming out for nourishment. The vector virus having done its job very well it had managed to already alter several healthy cells while a few of them had been wasted on a attempt to alter the cancerous cells these were beyond help even by the introduction of the new dna and thus the now altered healthy cells instinctively set about the task of destroying the least fit ones. Even this would not provide enough energy for cells to fully under go the alterations that the dna introduced to them was calling for.

As the second trey was brought in Kate ate it only with slightly less tenacity then the first one though unlike the first it left her feeling quite full. Leaning back into the bed shortly after finishing her meal her stomach now being full to the brim she couldn’t help but give into the wave of exhaustion that ran through out her entire being allowing her eyes to slowly drift shut once again.

While Kate had spent the day resting, Jack had made his way home and gotten cleaned up and now spent a few hours sending in job applications to various companies. While he doubted he would not be finding a job at a place like Lex. corp again and doubted Star labs would be hiring someone of his age range or limited experience. He had actually been fairly lucky to get higher at his previous job he still had a good deal of training as far as genetics and computer technology. Actually he had spent seven years total in college had he wanted to he could have spent a few more years and specialized a little more and been a doctor but he really didn’t seem himself as a people person plus he had always been a little to easily nauseated.

Still he felt confident that it wouldn’t take him very long to find another job though he doubted he would be able to get one that had as many perks as the previous. At the current time he couldn’t help but feel he would be happy even if he was simply stuck repairing computers after working with such a large corporation with so many shady dealings he couldn’t help but think it would be better working with a small group that you didn’t have to worry about them having something going on behind the scenes so while he did send in applications to a few large companies he also took the time to send them into a few small businesses as well.

As he was beginning to prepare his dinner though a thought came to mind. Digging his wallet and checking to see if he had the money to spare, he resolved that he would bring Kate something nice to eat instead of the hospital food besides he really needed to make sure she was eating. Stopping by a local stake house on his way to the hospital he went with one of the larger stakes wanting to get as much protein into Kate as he could while only getting himself a chicken dinner. Arriving at the hospital shortly after he approached the receptionist who looked up at him having only seen him the previous day. “ Glad to see you, will you be visiting your lady friend again.”

Jack nodded as she handed him a form and proceeded to feel it out. “ I hope it is alright but I brought her a little something.” The nurse looked over the counter taking note of the carry out bag and the trays of food within she only nodded as once again a nurse was called to escort Jack to Kate’s room. Everything seemed alright as the door was opened at least until he stepped into the room and noticed four trays stacked up were the previous day there had only been one and it hadn’t even been touched. Kate still looked rather sickly as far as Jack was concerned but she didn’t seem to be in as much pain as she had been before actually over all she looked far more alive then she had only a few hours ago.

“ Well hello there.” Kate grinned as she looked towards Jack having spent the day eating and resting she wished for a moment that the trays had been removed before he came by. These thoughts left her mind though as the sent of the steak Jack had brought with him hit her nose.

“ Hmm is that for me?” Jack blinked as he wondered just how recently Kate had finished of the four trays he now found himself looking at and now she wanted more. Still he did tell her to eat so instead of saying anything he simply walked over to her bed pulled up the little table and began to lay her food out for her. Kate just grinned and watched as Jack placed her food out before her and even took the time to cut up her stake into little pieces she could do it herself by now but she didn’t mind letting him pamper her. Finishing this off Jack moved away and laid his own food out and the two begin to eat their meals Jack occasionally looking over his shoulder to check and see if Kate was doing alright.

“ So has your family come to see you.” Kate only shook her head as she currently had a mouth full of stake. They had been in earlier but not since Jack had started coming after all they all had a life and work to be done. This made Jack some what glad that he hadn’t gotten a job yet as it would allow him to visit Kate frequently and observe to see how she is doing.

“ They haven’t been around in about four days now but that is okay besides I am glad you didn’t have to sneak me that little nick earlier well with them in here. Jack do you think that I am going to live through this I mean I am feeling better the pain has gotten to be a lot less compared to what I was in actually I feel fine.” Jack fell into a thoughtful state as he considered how long it would take for the treatment to completely go throughout Kate’s system and deal away with every old cell within her body. The only reason she felt good right now was thanks to how bad she had been feeling earlier still he could at least make a guess.

“ Well you have made it further along then anyone else I will say that much so I think you are well within the safe zone now. As for how long it is going to take I would say in a week or two everything will have been completed though following the past behavior of the altered cells I saw during testing they are probably focusing on the cancerous cells at the moment trying to destroy them as quickly as possible and make use of the raw material to create more of themself.” As Jack said this a odd thought came to mind as he considered that all the people that the drug had been tested on had been healthy at the time while Kate had a good deal of her body is rather bad shape. This gave the now altered cells something to focus on other then simply replacing the healthy cells that hadn’t been altered. He couldn’t help but wonder if that wasn’t the reason the test had felled and why this one might succeed.

“ Well I am glad that it seems to be working… are you going to finish that?” Jack looked over noticing Kate had already finished off her entire steak dinner and was now eyeing what remained of his chicken dinner. Chuckling he simply removed her trey and placed what remained of his in front of her. Now feeling good enough to really eat Kate was not only making up for the last few days were she had hardly eaten a bite but also the demands of her now altered cells as they strove to make more of themselves.

As Kate ate Jack couldn’t help but laugh at how the hospital staff must be feeling at the current moment. A look of concern crossed his face though as he turns his attention back towards Kate. “ Kate I want you to refuse any more blood test.” Kate looked up for only a moment as she took time to consider why. She didn’t have to ask the reason as she remembered what had been done to her very well and only nodded her head. She didn’t like the idea of what might happen if the doctors were to take a blood sample from her and find a new strand of blood cells going through her entire system. As Kate finished up the chicken dinner she leaned back within her bed once again. As she did so she regretted her choice of actions as sleep once again over came her and by the time Jack looked over he noticed she had fallen fast asleep.

Grinning at this Jack walk over to her and gave her a slight kiss on the forehead. “ Sleep well pretty lady.” Throwing away the trays Jack made his way out of the room figuring that he would make visiting Kate a regular thing since her family hadn’t been by for a while besides once they started coming he imagined he would hardly ever get to see her at least until she got out of the hospital.

“ Unless you want taken to court you will get the fuck away from me.” The doctor blinked as he looked at Kate who had been rather close to death just a few days ago. Now the woman was not only showing signs of recovery but was showing an extremely quick temper which almost matched the fiery color of her hair. It had been three days since Jack had stopped by with the stake dinner and he had visited every day since then each time bringing Kate something to eat though the food had changed as Jack quit focusing so much on taste and went for what was the most nourishing for Kate. With each passing day Kate had felt better until the previous day she had removed the iv that provided her body with the pain killer no longer feeling she needed it.

“ Now miss we just want to get a little blood work done.”

“ I am warning you if you don’t back off right now you will be in court in fact I want to use the phone. I am feeling better now and I want to sign myself out.” The doctor couldn’t believe what he was hearing as Kate gave him a rather stern look he really couldn’t keep her though after all she was a groan adult and perfectly capable of signing herself out if she should desire to. So it was with a sigh that he did as Kate requested and handed the phone to her. Kate didn’t bother calling any of her family though all of them living rather far away instead Jack found his phone ringing waking him from his slumber.

“ Hey Jack would you mind coming and getting me from the hospital?” Kate’s voice came across the line quite clear and rather full of energy a bit of a surprise as he wondered if she had already recovered.

“ You already recovered or something?”

“ Or something I am still pretty weak to be honest but I am feeling better and these white coats keep trying to stab me.” Jack chuckled as he drug himself out of the bed and began to get dressed while holding the phone to his ear.

“ Sure thing still if you haven’t fully recovered yet I am going to have to insist you stay here for a while after all you are going to need someone to take care of you.”

“ Just how big is your apartment?” Jack as taken back by the question as he looked around the room. His apartment was a decent size but not huge despite his previous job Jack was a avid believer of a penny saved is a penny earned so he had chose a comfortable apartment but nothing to fancy and instead spent the time putting back his money and occasionally investing it still it was a nice enough apartment he still ended up being a bit shocked though when he told Kate the size.

“ What you have got to be kidding me I am not staying in that little apartment we are going to mine so you pack some of your stuff.” Jack didn’t have time to argue before Kate hung up on him not wanting to give him a chance to argue with her. Taken a moment to consider it Jack realized that he had never actually seen Kate’s apartment he had met Kate while she was attending college and had been in need of a tutor Jack had been so taken back by the stunning young lady that he had refused to allow her to pay him for the lessons he gave. They were all on campus though and when she did visit him even after college it was always at his apartment or meeting at one of the various restraints they frequented. They tended to speak online actually greeting each other about every morning.

Now as he prepared a few things he wondered just what he was going to see. Kate didn’t have to wait to long before Jack showed up at the hospital. Kate currently in a wheel chair did look a lot better but weak Jack imagining she looked about like she would if she had just went through surgery and was ready to come home. “ Well it is about time you got here slow poke.” Jack only grinned and moved to help Kate get out of the chair imagining he would lift her up then he remembered something about Kate. Kate was not a little woman at least by most peoples standards standing a total six foot tall and weighing in at 180lbs of very toned muscle. The cancer had taken a tole on her muscle mass but even then the computer nerd Jack doubted that he could actually pick her up.

Kate only laughed as she realized Jack’s dilemma and ended up having to help herself into the vehicle. “ So just were do you live?” A tapping on his seat belt buckle got Jack’s attention as he began to start the vehicle. Looking over he noticed Kate had buckled herself up already and expected him to do the same. Sighing he snapped the buckle into place as pulled out of the parking lot allowing Kate to give him directions.

Jack felt poor as he willed Kate into her apartment looking around at the large area he couldn’t help but think one thing. “ Alright young lady are you a crooked cop?” Kate burst out laughing the moment the words left Jack’s mouth as she had been wondering what he would accuse her of. In all truth she really couldn’t blame him she did have a rather pricy apartment that was for sure.

“ Of course not however my family is umm financially well off.” Jack grinned as he looked around resolving quite quickly there was no way she could afford such a nice rom without either doing something illegal on the side or as she had said having a financially well off family.

“ Oh and just how rich are you young lady, I imagine it was a real shock to your parents when you decided to become a cop.”

“ Yup that is quite true however we are not rich remember I said financially well off there is a difference.” Jack only chuckled as he pushed Kate’s chair over to a sofa and helped her out into it. Laying back a long sigh came from Kate as she smiled up at Jack who actually gave a slight yelp of surprise when her hand landed on the back of his neck. Kate didn’t yet have the strength to force Jack to bend down but he didn’t exactly resist as she pulled him down and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“ You have a real bad habit of stealing those you know.” Jack blushed as he realized that Kate hadn’t been fully asleep when he had taken the time too still a few kisses from her. Going by her body language though he really doubted she minded. “ My mom and dad take care of the rent for the place as well as the utilities.” Jack could only sigh as he wished he had parents like her still as he considered the past he realized Kate never seemed to complain about having a lack of money even as a college student. Kate grinned as she watched Jack wonder around for a few moments before speaking up.

“ There is a spare bed room that you can make use of since you are going to be my nurse for the next few days. Lucky thing for you I am strong enough to get around now. You will need to go grocery shopping though after all I have been a bit laid up.” Jack just nodded as he looked at his patient musing over how he thought the doctor was suppose to be telling the patient what to do.

“ Oh and Jack don’t worry I am not asking you to use your money to pick up the groceries just go into my room and check in the third dresser drawer down.” Jack started to ask which room that was when he noticed the direction Kate was pointing. Heading on in and checking the dress what he found truly surprised him as instead of a few pairs of socks and maybe a purse he found various lingerie items inside the drawer. “ Woops did I say third one down I meant on trop of the dresser in the little drawer.” Jack walked into the room a few moments later packing two hundred dollars bill blushing a bright red as Kate seemed strong enough to tease him at least.

“Alright young lady just how rich are your parents so I can decide if I need to ransom you or not.” Kate puffed up her cheeks for a moment as once again Jack accused her of having rich parents.

“ As I said my parents are not rich we are just very financially well off.” Jack grinned realizing that he had probably found something that Kate had probably been accused off before and never really gotten use to it.

“ Alright but still how does a financially well off girl like yourself decide to become a police officer.” Kate seemed to muse on the question for a moment as she tried to decide the best possible response finally she settled on a option.

“ I like being able to write tickets and give other people a hard time.” Jack couldn’t help but laugh at his friends comment which of course got a grin from Kate. “ Other then that I do it because I like the thought of helping out others and besides it was my pretty much what I wanted to do even when I was growing up heck it even lets me rebel against my parents a little bit as they wanted me to have a nice desk job.” Jack just shook his head as he walked into the kitchen and found a pin and paper on the fridge removing the pad from the fridge he began to search through the kitchen taking note of things that Kate seemed to have a lot of but had been eaten. As he did this he quickly began to notice that there was a nearly complete lack of any candy while an abundance of fruits vegetables and the remains of such as the stems of apples.

“ Alright I think I have a few things but you need to feel out the rest of the list.” Kate took the list from Jack’s hands as he returned to the living room. Looking it over for a moment she then took the pin and added in a few more items before handing it back to him. As he started to leave though a slight ringing got his attention turning around he noticed Kate holding a key out to him realizing that he had been so caught up that he had forgotten this simple but crucial item he took the key and proceeded to head on out the door. Taking a moment to insure that he could find his way back by writing down the room number as well as the address of the apartment complex just to be doubly sure.

As Jack left Kate simply stretched herself out on the cough and let herself fall asleep once again. All the moving around having tired her out a bit as her eyes drifted shut she wondered just how good of a nurse Jack would make over the next few days. Really she wanted to keep Jack around for more then a few reasons as she wondered just how far the drug he had given her would take her there was also the little matter of just how she was going to thank him for what he had done for her.

Jack was in pain to say the least it had been five days since he had arrived at Kate’s apartment and started taking care of her. During which time Kate had recovered far more quickly then he would have imagined it possible even under the influence of the drugs. While this was a good thing as far as he was concerned he found he didn’t like what the now nearly fully recovered Kate insisted on him doing. Kate being a avid fitness nut whom had no trouble passing the police physical exams had decided that he would be joining her as far as physical exercises went. It being the first day of such activities Jack felt like he was going to die. Still as he lay out on the floor he couldn’t help but admire the view as he turned his attention towards Kate.

Watching as she pressed the 150 pound bar he shuddered a bit as he watched the muscles in her arms work and realized that the only reason Kate was pressing a 150 pounds is that she was still some what drained from the whole experience and couldn’t go with her normal of 180 pounds. The thought that Kate was capable of bench pressing her own weight was actually a immense turn on for Jack as he admired her athletic figure. Having seen her in uniform most of the time he found he didn’t want to take his eyes off the red and black clad amazon that currently busied herself.

Kate’s arms and legs had always looked fit but now as he watched her he got a new appreciation for just how toned Kate truly was. The only odd thing he could really find with it though was the fact that despite Kate’s strength she didn’t appear bulky in the least rather she appeared to be built for swimming, long distance running or perhaps martial arts as he considered her job. Kate grinned as she felt Jack’s eyes on her as she rather enjoyed it when a guy appreciated a women with a little bit of strength. She regretted she wasn’t fully recovered though so that she could really show him up having noticed how Jack seemed to focus on her even more so after she topped him at every exercise.

While he could bench 100lbs she had benched 150lbs and could go higher once she had her full strength. He had managed to curl 20 lbs in one arm while she was able to do 36lbs and while he was laying out feeling entirely drained she still had plenty of energy to continue pushing herself. “ Hey Kate I was thinking shouldn’t of your parents have come to check up on you by now.” The sound of the bar being set down rang through out the room as Kate set up in her seat.

“ What you don’t like taking care of me.” Kate put on a pout that got quite a reaction from Jack’s loins as the mixture of the innocence in her face her powerful body and her emerald green eyes looking back at him seemed to over whelm his senses the only way he could define Kate would have been striking. As he attempted to stutter a response Kate giggled and feel backwards once again starting on the bar.

“ My parents called a few days ago when they learned that I had left the hospital you were just out then. I told them that I was fine and I had a friend taking care of them they offered to come down but I was able to talk them out of it. My mom and dad stay pretty busy with work so that it is hard for them to brake away without a plan. Which made it pretty easy to just stay home and relax.” Kate finally settled the bar down for the last time and climbed off the bench walking over to a counter she leaned against it so that her rear was shown nicely and used her right hand to pick up a bottle of water. As she drank she gave her rear a few shakes as she could see Jack’s admiring gaze through the reflection in the window. Some of the water sputtered out of her mouth as she noticed Jack quickly turn his head away from her as he realized what he had been doing.

“ Umm sorry about that.” Kate grinned as Jack apologized and pushed herself off the counter. Slowly she walked towards Jack’s still drained form and much to his surprised settle down on his stomach resting her firm tush against his chest.

“ Jack I take you into my personal exercise room and I put on a incredibly tight work out suit at which time I proceed to make you exercise when while you are laying on the floor I continue to prance around you and show off my body. Do you really think that I don’t mean for you to look at me.” Jack only blushed more as he felt the weight of this divine creature setting on top of him.

“ Well it still seems a bit rude of me.” Kate couldn’t help but laugh as she looked down at Jack and ran her fingers along his arms feeling of them. There wasn’t much tone there but she wasn’t testing for strength but rather potential and that is what she saw in him potential both physically and mentally. Jack gave a slight groan of pain as Kate bounced on his stomach lightly a moment later just enough to nock some of the wind out of him and keep him from talking for a while.

“ Oh come on Jack you know I like you and I want you to look at me I like the attention being a spoiled brat and all.” Jack went wide eyed and wished that his arms hadn’t been penned to his sides by Kate’s well developed thighs as nice as they felt he was feeling a little embarrassed having this woman come onto him so strongly. “ And besides I have other things I want to talk to you about.” Kate’s thighs relaxed as she blushed a little bit something that didn’t escape Jack as he looked up at her lovely face.

“ What do you need to talk to me about.” Kate gave Jack a large grin one that made him worry a little bit despite the fact that she seemed a bit shy about what she was about to ask.

“ Well we have been friends for a while now so it isn’t like we don’t know one another and to be honest I like you. So I was thinking that it would be nice if you moved out of that dinky little apartment of yours and moved into mine with me.” Jack could hardly believe that he had just heard it was true that he and Kate had been friends but he had never thought of going any further with that after all he had been dating at the time and also thought Kate was far out of his league. While she was a powerful built amazon he happened to be a computer addict with a complete lack of any tan or real muscle tone thanks to the amount of time he spent inside and now he had learned that Kate came from a financially well off family as she had put it.

“ I don’t know err I am not sure about that I mean we have been friends for a long time now.”

“ To true which is why I am asking you to go ahead and move in with me after all you have been with me for these last few days only going home to check on your answering machine. Besides I think it is time we got to know one another better and by moving in with each other we can get to know if are habits really match up besides.” Kate leaned in rather close allowing Jack to look into her green eyes “ Since you put that drug in my system will I ever return to normal?”. Jack swallowed a nervous look on his face as he realized that he had made the same mistake of several great minds and hadn’t considered what would happen to Kate if the drug did work on her. It wasn’t exactly something that would just be reversed after all weather he liked it or not Kate had been permanently changed right down to her very DNA.

“ No there is no way to reverse the treatment I mean you are the first success story and without being able to repeat the results there is no way we can reverse the effects.” Kate slowly nodded as jack state what she has expected the entire time. She wasn’t mad at him after all the treatment had saved her life and as far as she knew would have some other benefits but it meant they were going to have to be some changes in her life.

“ Just what kind of alterations did the drug make I mean will I get to be super strong, super fast umm maybe able to fly.”

“ Oh no nothing like that least as far as I know what the drug is meant to do is allow the body to better fight of illness and adapt to new environments more quickly. I really can’t say how effective it is but who knows perhaps you never need to worry about getting sick again.” Kate smiled as the thought did seem rather appealing to her but it still left a problem.

“ That is nice and I am grateful but you do realize that I can’t return to work without a physical especially since just a few days ago it seemed like I was going to be dead for sure. Thank goodness my parents aren’t a bunch of religious nut jobs or things would get really complicated I am just glad I was able to keep them away really. Still as I don’t want to be used as a lab rat when it comes time for blood work to be done on me I am going to need some help. Now I can take the physical without getting blood work done of course but you know I still need someone who can check me out and make sure I am alright and since we are keeping this a secret that someone has got to be you.”

Jack blinked for a moment as the words sunk in “ Woe woe I don’t have the degree needed to be a doctor I mean I got a pretty good deal in but nothing that advanced.”

“ Jack you were just telling me a few days ago how I have been changed all around so I doubt a normal doctor’s degree would do you any good in working with me. Though I really can’t force you after all I oh you my life but.” Check gasp as Kate’s legs moved back as she let her form fall down upon his wrapping her arms around him she pulled his face closer to her own. “ Please won’t you continue taking care of me.” As Jack laid there he quickly considered his option here a lovely woman who he at one time considered totally out of his league had her legs and arms wrapped around him, he had just found out she had a wealthy family and to top everything off she was already a very close friend it didn’t take him long to decide.

“ Alright but it still doesn’t need me to move in I mean you could just stop by for regular check ups.” Kate grinned as she rolled off Jack and then stood up.

“ Oh I know that but I get lonely living alone and besides I am going to help you get into shape.” Kate grinned as Jack’s face seemed to sink a little at the thought of exercise.

“ Now don’t give me that look the only reason why I lasted long enough for you to save me is I was in such good shape after all. Don’t worry I am not going to push you too hard but you really need to put on a little muscle tone.” All Jack could do was grumble as he couldn’t exactly disagree with her. Over all the deal was quite good though he knew he wouldn’t be getting in the sack with Kate any time soon. Actually as far as he knew Kate had never slept with anyone despite her charms and her teasing nature she had never let anything go that far. He was never sure why after all she could have had her pick of a good deal of men but she had always held back Jack had eventually learned that her religious beliefs which held her back as well as her own personal feelings.

“ We will get everything set up later but until then how about we just go relax.” Kate offered her hand to Jack who promptly took it allowing her to help him to his feat as they walked into the main room Jack was some what wobbly still getting a laugh from Kate who gave him a playful poke in the stomach. Jack soon took his seat next to Kate and couldn’t help but feel a little bit of excitement as he considered what had just happened. While at first he couldn’t help but think how strange it was for him to be moving in with her she had made a pretty good argument at least in his opinion and it did at least mean he had a chance with her. At least if he proved that they were capable of living together Kate might be willing to move things a step further.

Kate for her part had chosen to go ahead and skip to living together as in truth dating wasn’t really required between the two of them. Having spent so much time together simply hanging out she had a pretty good idea of Jack’s behavioral pattern and didn’t find anything particularly annoying.

Kate was up early the next morning while Jack was still asleep in the spare bedroom as she set on the phone she had a big grin on her face. Howard Low set at his desk when the phone began to ring as he picked it up he was surprised by the voice that he heard on the other end. “ Hi there chief I was just calling to let you know that I am out of the hospital.” Howard’s jaw nearly hit the floor as he heard Kate on the phone some of the department had sent her get well cards when they had heard the news but none of them had really expected her to recover.

“ Kate how are you doing I mean are you alright.”

“ I am doing just fine Chief well I was actually calling to see when I could start coming back into work.” Howard couldn’t believe what he was hearing not only was Kate on the phone and sounding just fine but she was also talking like she was fully recovered.

“ Umm Kate I mean how are you even at home I mean last time I heard anything about you well you weren’t in very good shape.” Howard could hear Kate giggling on the other end of the phone as she couldn’t help but find everyone’s shock as of late rather amusing.

“ I got better of course and I am wanting to know when I should start coming into work again.” Howard could hardly here his ears but resolved he wouldn’t push the issue any further but would rather to see if Kate was really alright.

“ Well why don’t you come in tomorrow if you feel able to and we can see just how you are doing.” Kate grinned as she flexed a bicep even though she wasn’t fully recovered yet she did feel more then able to return to work and she didn’t want to just leach any longer then she needed to.

“ Sure thing I will be in tomorrow.” As Kate hung up the phone a few moments later she mused over what she needed to do in order to get ready. She had already offered to Jack to have him move in so she figured that would be the first order of business for today. He would need to get hold of his land lord first of course and start closing his accounts while they would move his stuff to Kate’s. Jack probably would go ahead and finish paying up his contract rather then risk leaving anyone in a sour mood and if he didn’t do it on his own Kate figured she would just have to give him a push to do so. Leaning her head to the side Kate began to consider waking Jack up before changing her mind opting for a more pleasant way of getting him out of bed then just dragging him out.

Jack awoke quickly as the sent of eggs and bacon hit his nose he slowly rose from the bed. Taking in a deep breath of air he made his way to the kitchen finding Kate at the stove making a rather large breakfast as he started to ask her why so much though he recalled the changes her body was undergoing and opted to keep his mouth shut. “ Well good morning sleepy head I figured we should start the day with a good breakfast after all we have some moving to do.” Jack nodded as he joined Kate in the kitchen area and began to rummage around the cobnuts until he found a few glasses.

“ What do you want to drink?” Kate grinned as Jack went about helping her to prepare breakfast though she was nearly done already she was glad to see he was willing to help. Kate taking orange juice Jack found he didn’t have very many options as the health conscious Kate limited her beverages to milk, juice and water he finally settled for orange juice as well and took his seat opposite of Kate.

“ So you sure want me to move in with you?” Kate grinned as she took a few moments to finish chewing a mouth full of eggs.

“ Yes I am after all after what all you told me you’re my doctor now.” Jack grinned as he only hoped he wouldn’t have to do to much with Kate.

“ Hmm well then I guess the only thing I have to regret is that all the job applications I put out earlier have the wrong address.” Kate chuckled as she began to wonder just what she was going to do about Jack’s job a grin formed on her face.

“ Well if you live with me you could just be my 24/7 doctor.” As Jack looked at Kate she noted that he seemed completely shocked by what she just said.

“ No way I couldn’t ever do that I mean I am grateful that you invited me to move in after all this places is a lot better then my old one but there is no way I am could just stay and not help out. I am not a leech after all.” Kate couldn’t help but grin as she noted Jack still held onto the notion that a man was meant to provide and even faced with a chance to just lay around he had put it down so quickly. What was more is the shock he showed in his voice at least hinted at the fact that he was being honest of course his choice wasn’t purely based on old ideas. Having gone to college for 7 years and worked his fingers to the bone Jack had put a lot of effort into getting his degrees and he was going to use them.

“ Hehe alright well then I guess we will just have to find you some other work then. Who knows perhaps I can help you out.” Jack only nodded as he resumed eating noticing the wide grin on Kate’s face as if he had just done something that she approved rather strongly off. It was strange a few days ago Kate had been laying in bed near death and he had been the one taken control making the effort to help her. Now just a few days later with her health rapidly recovering Kate seemed to be making all the decisions for him. He couldn’t help but think it had something too do with her job though after all as a police officer she was probably use to taking charge of a situation.

“ Hello yeah this is Jack Hunter I am calling in regards to my apartment… yeah I would like to close my account…. no I will finish paying up this months rent… yeah I will be stopping by later today.” Jack felt a little nervous about what he was doing he had the money in his bank account to pay of the months rent and then some in all truth that being one of the reasons he didn’t feel worried about losing his job at least not as badly as some. Since he would be moving in with Kate he didn’t have to worry about that anymore though one part of him still worried about the trouble it would cause him should she just decide to kick him out. He felt he could trust Kate more then that considering how hard she had always tried to keep her word. Kate for her part was going over a checkless in her head to see how Jack matched up with what she liked and what she didn’t like.

He had so far done quite well except she didn’t care for the fact that he liked to sleep in late really sleeping more then 8 hours always left Kate feeling that she had wasted part of the day. Other then that he was doing well but the real test would begin in a few days now that she was entirely healthy. She knew that Jack would help around the house and take care of her while she was ill thanks to him baby sitting her while she was recovering but now she needed to see how he would behave other wise. “ Well then shall we get going?”

“ Sure thing whose vehicle are we taking.”

“ Mine I haven’t gotten to drive around in a little while.” Jack nodded as he figured Kate’s vehicle would do better then his anyway considering that she chose to drive a Humvee. Kate slipped on a clean pair of clothes deciding to bath when she got back while Jack put on a few items he didn’t mind getting messed up. As the two made their way down the hall Jack got another surprise when Kate didn’t go to the elevator by stopped at the stairs and took hold the back of his shirt.

“ Now don’t be lazy we are going to take the stairs.” Jack groaned visibly as Kate opened the door and they began to make their way down the steps. The whole time wondering if he would be stuck walking up them upon their return. This was Kate’s intention of course as she preferred to get a little exercise in on the side and really walking down the steps wasn’t all that good of exercise. Jack remembered to buckle up this time as they finally made it to Kate’s vehicle knowing that she wouldn’t leave until he was firmly strapped in.

Jack had at least been inside Kate’s vehicle before hand but he couldn’t help but take note of the interior and how particular Kate was about keeping it clean. It brought back other thoughts as well such as when even before she joined the police force he had went to throw a pop can out the window only to have Kate stop him. Kate had never been the type to pick up a sign and strap herself to a tree or anything but she at least tried not to make things worse he had found. So while she didn’t join with a large group and go pick up cans she made sure all hers ended up in a recycle bin it seemed to be the way she treated most things in life.

“ Aha I think I know another reason why you like to be a cop I just remembered every time I tried to throw something out the window you wouldn’t let me. Heck you even started insisting that I ride with you so that you could prevent such activities. I bet you like being a cop since you can help force people to clean up the roads.” Kate gave a rather large grin as she came to a red light she looked over at Jack.

“ Yup and I can also force them to donate to the city by writing them a ticket.” Jack grinned as he wondered if Kate was really as bad as she made herself out to be.

“ So do you always write people a ticket.”

Kate’s first temptation was to say yes but she knew that wasn’t anywhere near the truth. “ Naa actually I tend to let people off more often then write them a ticket so long as I don’t catch them going more then ten miles over the speed limit well and I like to write tickets on Wednesdays for some reason.”

“ What do you have against Wednesday?”

“ I think it is probably because it is the day when you are neither almost done with the work week or just starting out but you are write in between. Which means I don’t know if I should be happy or angry so I just opt for angry and become a real pain in the but.” Jack rolled his eyes at Kate’s answer as the two of them made small talk for the rest of the ride Jack deciding to try and find out just how strict Kate was at enforcing them law. When they finally arrived at the apartment complex Jack had resolved that she wasn’t nearly as strict as she made herself out to be rather they were just a few things that got her after someone quicker then others.

“ Alright I want you to go ahead to your land lord’s office and get things dealt with there I am going to go on to your room and get to packing your stuff.” Jack cringed as he wondered if he really wanted Kate going through his apartment and seeing some of the items he had. Though finally he resolved he didn’t have too much to worry about as despite being a cop Kate was a friend and she wasn’t on duty at the moment so he finally handed over his room key and they went their separate ways. No longer having Kate with him Jack took the elevator while Kate opted for the stairs once again.

As Kate entered into Jack’s rooms he looked around for a moment and let out a slight huff wondering why he chose to live in such a small apartment when she knew he made better then that. A worried look appeared on her face as she hoped she wouldn’t have to count Jack as cheep it might have seemed shallow but simply put little annoyances could become big problems if you were stuck living with someone. Then again as she recalled Jack had never went cheap on her when he took her out to dinner even though they weren’t dating and he had shown a strong incentive to provide earlier on. So she held back on this as she began to roam around his apartment searching his closet she found a carrying case for his clothes and began to load them up as well as a few other items.

“ You didn’t have as much porn as I thought you would.” Jack blushed bright red as these were the first words that hit his ears the moment he stepped into his apartment. The land lord having decide to stop by later on and make sure it was in the same state as when Jack had first began renting it.

“ Well of course not I have the internet after all.” Jack grinned deciding to play along with Kate who just laughed at his comment. As Kate packed his clothing out Jack wondered over to his computer and began to disconnect it having spent the last few days in the guest room he already had a few ideas of where he was going to put his stuff. It was kind of amusing as he considered that the guest room he was going to be moving into was bigger then his old one.

Jack couldn’t help but feel lacking as Kate helped him move out of his room not only could she pack more then he did but she was still able to move significantly faster. Of course she continued to use the stairs while he made use of the elevator but that didn’t really help things as he didn’t live far from ground level and to make matters worse Kate could more then make up for lost time in the parking lot. As the final items were being brought down Jack was surprised when Kate dove into the elevator with him having expected her to continue taking the stairs she smiled at the look of shock on his face. “ See didn’t take long at all to get your stuff with me helping out. I was thinking that you could start putting in job applications to a few businesses tomorrow. How many have you already put in though.”

“ Just a few I mostly put them into small businesses you know just little computer repair shops.” Kate looked at Jack for a moment as he mentioned this.

“ Now that is just silly why would you put in a job application when you know you would rather be in a lab working for a larger company.”

“ I don’t have that many job references though Lex Corp is a really good one I don’t know how much that will help me in getting other jobs though.” Kate rolled her eyes at Jack it was true that he probably wouldn’t be picked up right a way with his lack of experience but still.

“ Well you can forget that you are moving in with me now so unless you are getting a decent job you are just going to stay back and keep putting in applications.”

“ Lex Corp owns most of the good research jobs in this city and you know it so what else am I suppose to do?” Kate exited the elevator with Jack as it finally put down and they began making their way across the parking lot.

“ They are other companies to work for and really you put to much effort in college to just settle for something that wouldn’t require half as much education. Don’t worry if you feel bad about living with me then I will just start drawing up a tab.” Kate giggled as Jack smiled at her as Jack considered her option he felt a little bit of greed poking into the back of his mind. He could just leech of Kate for a little while and not feel to bad after all he would be looking for a job but still he didn’t want to take from a friend and he really hated feeling like he owed someone a debt so it was with a bit of reluctance that he responded.

“ That sounds fair so what utilities will I be covering?” Kate looked at Jack for a second as she had only been joking she didn’t plan on making him pay for anything though the offer was nice.

“ Jack I was only joking with you after all my parents have the utilities and rent covered all I have to buy is grocery clothes and a few other misc items there is no way I am going to let you start paying now. It is nice that you want to help out but it isn’t really a big deal now if I was some little poor girl then I would have to take you up on that offer.” Kate heaved the last of the items into her vehicle and helped Jack get a few of his into the trunk as well before she climbed into the drivers seat and he the passenger.

“ But I don’t want to be a burden and besides I hate feeling like I owe a debt.”

Kate giggled at the thought of Jack owing her a debt especially considering what had happened only a few days ago. “ Jack you know the only surgery that would have saved my life just a short while ago was beyond even my parents ability to pay for. Heck what we thought was needed was not only highly controvers

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