The ARC - Tuesday

[itsananomaly]

Now that Cutter had gotten some much needed rest, he was feeling a lot more alert and he wasn't cold anymore. It took a bit for him to reorientate himself but eventually he felt up to leaving the bedroom and see what was happening. As he put his jacket on and began to wander the hallway, he wondered where everyone was, there didn't seem to be anyone about. [preplayed with amazing anomaly_research_nerd. Adapted from Series 3 episode 5 'Future Epidemic'. CW for near character death.]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Once Cutter was resting comfortably and he had left, Connor made his way over to the main lab to see if the staff needed any help with clean up. They were already well on their way to getting things back in order, so Connor started working on some updates he needed to run on the ADD hub. And there was also the small matter of Danny being there since Becker was making his scheduled security rounds and dragging Danny along to keep an eye on him was not an option. So, while he worked, Connor kept sending glanced over at Danny, trying to make sure he wasn't getting into any more mischief, and still nit a hundred percent sure what he thought of the man.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny was looking curiously around the lab, not liking the idea of sitting still, "so what exactly are you doing in here?" he asked as he picked up a test tube filled with a liquid and he tried to look at it to see what it was.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It's a high tech secret government lab. What do you think we are doing?" Connor said glaring at Danny a bit as he walked over and grabbed the test tube away from him. "Don't touch anything! Ok? You aren't even supposed to be in here ya know?"
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny fidgeted impatiently but he did make an effort to keep his hands still, "okay fine I won't touch anything, still don't you think I should be read in for what goes on around here, especially if I end up hanging around a lot more," he gave a grin at Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"That is on a need-to-know basis... and frankly you don't need to know any of it" Connor said with a dry laugh. "You've already seen more than you should have, and I hope Lester figures out what to do with you." Connor sighed and looked over at Danny. "Look, if I'm stuck babysitting you while Becker is on patrol, make yourself useful at least and hand me that spray bottle" Connor said nodding to the bottle sitting nearby that had cleaning solution in it. "Work station needs a good cleaning after all of this!"
Danny(thearcfamily)	"You know one of these days you guys are going to be grateful for me being here," Danny remarked as he grabbed the spray bottle that Connor was indicating and handed it to him, "I would think after everything you'd be a little more welcoming,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Welcoming? After what, stalking us, arresting us, stalking us again, getting involved in our business, and then sneaking into the ARC? What did you expect, a red carpet and an all-access pass to the anomalies?" Connor asked incredulously. "You are lucky you are not the one in a jail cell right now; to be honest, I have no idea why Lester hasn't had you arrested yet!" Connor shook his head and turned his back on Danny for a minute as he started wiping down the table and work area.
Danny(thearcfamily)	"Well that would be because Lester can't arrest me ... soldier boy on the other hand ..." Danny gave a smirk and shrug, "I'd like to see him try, it would be worth it just for sneaking in here and besides I seem to remember saving your lives a few times and I pointed out the obvious flaws in your security system, your welcome," he added, folding his arms and looked at Connor as he did.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor glanced over his shoulder at that and gave Danny a looked before finishing wiping off the control panel he had been facing. Satisfied it was clean Connor wiped his hands on the damp rag and started checking the rest of the workstation. It was a lot of high-tech equipment and setups so it was one of the few things in his life he actually went a bit overboard with when it came to keeping the area clean and organized. As Connor bent down to check one of the lower shelves he saw what looking like a thick layer of dark grey dust coating the edge. Sighing to himself he reached out and ran his fingers along the edge and wiped it off and then brushed his fingers off on the jacket he was wearing. Connor went on his way with the cleaning, until his fingers started to burn and tingle a bit He tried to ignore it but it got worse and after a few minutes he looked at his fingers to see what the matter was and he froze in shock. "Bloody hell..." he groaned, his face showing the shock and the growing fear he felt. "This... is not good..."
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny was on alert in an instant, “oh shit…” he said as he got as close to Connor as he dared and looked at him in alarm, “they were spores weren’t they?”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was frozen for a moment his brain short-circuiting for a bit as he tried to process what was happening. "I... I..." he stared at his hand at the black smudge and his heart sank. The smudge was growing. This was so not good. "I think so" Connor said his heart sinking. Then suddenly his mind cleared and he knew what he had to do. He put his other hand out to Danny and glanced around trying to figure out what to do. "Don't get any closer!" Connor ordered as he started stripping off the jacket and balling it up to try and contain the spores on it. As he did he caught sight of one of the other labs and made a run for it. "Danny!" he managed to choke out, fighting back the panic that was rising inside him. "Go... go find Becker! And Nick!" Connor called out as he ran into the lab, slamming the door behind him and hitting the alarm as he did.
Danny(thearcfamily)	“I’m on it,” Danny began to make a beeline for the hallway to find Becker and Nick and ran into Cutter as he approached the lab. The concern and fear was evident on his face, “what’s wrong? Where’s Connor?” his Scottish accent becoming more pronounced. “I’m sorry, we have a situation…you can’t go in the lab Nick!” Danny tried to hold him back but Cutter was trying to shrug him off, “let me go, please I have to get to Connor!” he struggled as Danny tightened his grip. “You really are a feisty one,” he grunted, “uh …I need a little help here!”
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker had heard the alarm go off and had been down the hallway in no time. As he skidded around the corner, he saw Danny and Cutter struggling and ran up to them. "Alright easy there boys... break it up" Becker said as he tried to get Cutter away from Danny. He figured they had been going at each other because of the tension that had been building between them for the past few weeks. "We got bigger issues right now. We need to find out what this alarm is about and...." "It's... it's Connor" Danny said glancing at Cutter and then at Becker. "He's... he's in lockdown in the lab."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I need to get to Connor," Cutter gasped as he found himself struggling against both Becker and Danny, "please Becker, I need to see Connor ... I can't ... CONNOR!" he screamed in the direction of the lab, as he tried to free himself, he tried to throw his head back at Danny in an attempt to headbutt him so that he could get free from at least one of them.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"Nick, listen to me" Becker said as he tried to get him to stop struggling. "We're going to go see whats going on with Connor. Alright? Do you hear me? We are going to go check on Connor, but you have to stay calm and listen to what I say." Becker looked at Cutter for a moment and then to Danny and nodded for him to let go, which he reluctantly did. "Now, remember. Connor's in lockdown so there's a reason for that. We'll figure out whats going on... but you can't lose your cool Nick, please" Becker said putting a hand on his shoulder.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled but once Danny let go he started to calm down slightly and then slowly nodded, "Okay..." he said softly, "please I ... I ... I need to see him Becker," he looked up at him, pleadingly.
Becker(thearcfamily)	"I know you do Nick," Becker said softly and with a nod toward Danny to follow behind Becker and Cutter walked down the hall toward the lab. The alarm had gone off by this point as they approached the lab, Becker saw Lester and few other members of the staff had already arrived as well. Becker looked from Lester the Cutter then back to Lester. He didn't like the look on Lester's face. He let go of Cutter's shoulder. "Remember Nick, you can't go into the lab" Becker said sternly. "Not until we figure out what is going on." "It's the fungus again" Danny whispered to Becker and Lester as he watched Cutter run towards the large glass widow.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded and then made a beeline for the window and leaned against it, trying to see if he could spot Connor, "Connor ... it's me ... I'm here ... are ... how are you?" he wished more than anything that he could get into the lab. Lester watched Cutter in concern, "how bad is it?" he whispered, not liking the idea of Cutter's reaction if he knew it was the fungus.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor stepped out from where he had been standing back to the window. He looked at Cutter and tried to keep his hand hidden though it was hard to do with his jacket and shirt off, standing there in just the simple sleeveless undershirt. "Nick," he said, trying to keep the fear and concern out of his voice as he walked a little closer to the window."I.... I'm...." Connor swallowed. He knew he wasn't alright. Far from it. His hand was hurting bad and as he glanced at it quickly he saw the black smudge was covering a couple of his fingers and most of the back of his hand by this point. "It'll be alright Nick. We'll figure this out" Connor said as he looked past Cutter for a moment and met the worried gaze of Lester and the others.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny caught the worried look on Connor's face as he turned to Lester and Becker to fill them in on what was going on. "It's bad Guv" he said softly. "Boy's gotten himself infected. Was cleaning one of the stations. Wiped something off and well..." "Was some of the spores" Becker said grimly. Danny nodded. "Was already spreading over his hand by the time he noticed, less than five minutes. Locked himself in the lab and sent me off to find you lot."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"In theory? It should..." Becker said rubbing the back of his head. "I just... don't know if Connor can survive it." he said softly. "Nick barely survived and he wasn't actually infected. We're going to have to go a lot colder than we did before." "Gotta try though right?" Danny said looking between Lester and Becker. Meanwhile in the lab, Connor was up as close to the glass as he could get. "Nick you cant come in here" he said shaking his head. It... it isn't safe..." he said as he bit his lip and slowly let his hand fall to his side, sliding from behind his back where he had been trying to hide it. "I... I messed up Nick. Big time. I... I.... I'm sorry" Connor said as he laid his other hand on the glass and looked out at Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“No …” Cutter trembled, as he stared back in the window and saw what Connor had been hiding, “NO…” he banged his hand on the window as he stared at Connor in horror, “please … let me in the lab Becker, I want to be with Connor!” Lester was shaking his head, “I’m afraid it’s out of the question Nick … you know the lockdown protocols, Connor knows the lockdown rules … there’s no way around this, I’m sorry,” “I’m going in!” Cutter decided then and then he made a beeline for the door as he tried with trembling fingers to enter the code to open the door.
Danny(thearcfamily)	"Nick! No!" Becker called out as he tried to grab Cutter and stop him from reaching the door, but he just missed. Danny was right on Cutter's heels though, and got to him as he was trying to key in the code for the door. Danny ran up behind him and wrapped his arms around Cutter and started trying to drag him away from the door. "Listen mate, I get it" he said as he struggled to keep a hold of Cutter. "But going in there now isn't going to help anything. Alright? You know this... we have to figure out how to fix this... without anyone else getting infected!"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“Let go of me, I need to be with Connor, please,” Cutter begged as he tried to force his way back to the door, despite Danny’s hold on him, “I don’t want him to be alone, let me be with him … please,” and he kept struggling, he knew somewhere in the back of his mind that Danny was being rational but right then he was worried about Connor, he couldn't lose him, "I don't want ...please, let me be in there with him!"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	”Nick! Listen to me!" Connor called out, trying to get Cutter to hear him. "I'll be alright. Ok? I-I'll be fine." Becker glanced over at Cutter still struggling with Danny and then turned to Lester. "Sir, if we are going to do it , we have to start now" he said somberly. "We have to start lowering the temperature in the lab now before..." he couldn't bring himself to finish that statement but he knew Lester understood.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded and then made a beeline for the window and leaned against it, trying to see if he could spot Connor, "Connor ... it's me ... I'm here ... are ... how are you?" he wished more than anything that he could get into the lab. Lester watched Cutter in concern, "how bad is it?" he whispered, not liking the idea of Cutter's reaction if he knew it was the fungus.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor stepped out from where he had been standing back to the window. He looked at Cutter and tried to keep his hand hidden though it was hard to do with his jacket and shirt off, standing there in just the simple sleeveless undershirt. "Nick," he said, trying to keep the fear and concern out of his voice as he walked a little closer to the window."I.... I'm...." Connor swallowed. He knew he wasn't alright. Far from it. His hand was hurting bad and as he glanced at it quickly he saw the black smudge was covering a couple of his fingers and most of the back of his hand by this point. "It'll be alright Nick. We'll figure this out" Connor said as he looked past Cutter for a moment and met the worried gaze of Lester and the others.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester looked at Connor and then at Becker before glancing at Danny who had his hands full with Cutter. "Start lowering the temperatures," he ordered, "do it now," Cutter was crying now as he stared at the window, struggling to free himself, "please let me go to the window Danny, I promise I won't try to open the door again," he whimpered.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor watched as Danny nodded and let go. He pressed himself as close to the window as he could as Cutter walked over. It was only then Connor realized there were tears in his eyes as well. He was barely aware of Lester and Becker talking and it was only when the temperature inside the lab started to drop and he was able to see his breath after a few minutes that he realized it had started.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as he watched Connor in the lab, his hand going to the window, the words he wanted to say were on his lips but he couldn't say them ... not when they felt so final ... there had to be a way out of this, "Connor I'm so so sorry," he said softly, wishing there was more that he could do.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Connor just nodded, his hand going to the glass as well and gave a small nod. He was starting to shiver so badly he couldn't speak hardly. As he glanced down at his arm, seeing the blackness still spreading up his arm Connor leaned his head against the glass. "Nick... he said the best he could as he started shivering non-stop. "Y-you have to... to go colder... it's n-n-not cold enough..." Becker hated standing there, feeling so helpless, doing nothing but punching in numbers that would hopefully save Connor but that could just as easily kill him too... "We're at -25C already Sir" he said looking over at Lester. "That's... almost where Cutter was at" he said softly looking into the lab, trying to see how Connor was doing.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned helplessly against the class, letting out a sob at hearing Connor shivering like that, "please Connor ... I ... I can't lose you," he cried. Lester hesitated, he knew it wasn't going to be enough that the infection was getting worse but he knew if anyone could fight through this it was Connor, "if ... if Connor agrees, go colder,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded, unable to speak at that point. Moments later the temperature dropped again and he started shivering so badly he could stand. Shifting so his back was to the glass, Connor leaned against it, trying to stay on his feet, trying to stay awake... but it was no use. He slowly slid down the glass as his legs finally gave out and he ended up on the floor half sitting half leaning against the wall. The pain that had been radiating through his arm wasn't there any more and through the haze of the cold and exhaustion Connor had the brief thought- it was because it was so cold that he couldn't feel anything at all.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“Connor … Connor!” Cutter cried as he slowly began to slide down as he followed Connor's back slide down the glass, “Connor stay awake, stay with me please!” he frantically pounded the glass, wishing he could desperately be with Connor, “CONNOR! PLEASE! DON'T LEAVE ME!”
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker came away from the control panel and walked over to the glass where Cutter was. He put a hand on his shoulder as he tried to look into the lab himself. "We can't go any lower, Sir" he said glancing over at Lester. "We're at -35C already." Becker turned his attention back to the lab and watched Connor, the worry and concern evident on his face. Connor was in bad shape... and he wasn't moving, he wasn't even shivering or shaking from the cold anymore. "Sir?" Becker asked looking back at Lester and nodding towards the lab door.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter let out an anguished sob, he leaned his head against the panel and started crying, once he started, he couldn’t stop. Lester watched Cutter by the window and then nodded at Becker, “get him out of there,” he ordered, hopefully the cold had taken care of the fungus.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded and keyed in the code and opened the door, instantly getting hit by the extreme cold that came pouring out. The next instant he was inside the lab, Danny on his heels and dropped to his knees as he saw Cutter move towards the door. He looked at Connor, his heart dropping seeing how still he was and how much frost had gathered on him by that point. "Well?" Danny asked dancing from Connor to Becker. Becker gave Danny a look as he studied Connor closely, trying to make sure the spores were dying off and not spreading anymore. "Just a little longer... I... I think they're dying back. Just don't touch him."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor please," he dropped to his knees next to him, whimpering both at the cold and the horror he felt at seeing Connor like this, "no ...please ...I ... I love you Connor," he said softly, "please, come back ..." he trembled.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker watched Cutter and then glanced out through the window to Lester who was standing watching nervously. Looking back to Connor it looked like the spores were finally dying back, shriveling and disintegrating in the cold. "Alright... let's get him out of here!" Becker said as he shifted and started to pick Connor up. "I got his legs" Danny said as he slipped in front of Cutter and helped Becker pick Connor up and carry him out of the lab.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It took Cutter a few moments to remember that he needed to follow them out of the freezing lab, he trembled as he did, the occasional sobs escaping as he stood up. It couldn't end like this ... Connor had to be okay, he just had to be.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny helped Becker carry Connor out of the lab and laid him down on one of the work tables that had been cleared off. "Get those blankets over here now!" Becker called out as he got Connor situated on the table. By instinct, Danny's fingers went to the side of Connor's neck. He stared at Becker a moment, the glanced over at Lester. The shake of his head was barely noticeable but it where there. "No pulse..." he said softly. "Keep warming him," Becker ordered. "There's still a chance we can bring him back."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stood as close to Connor as he could, tentatively reaching out to hold his hand so he could be near Connor, desperately wishing that there was some response, “Connor?” he cried, seeing Danny’s shake his head that there was no pulse, “no … Connor … he can’t be … CONNOR!” he screamed, trying to gently shake him. “CONNOR!”
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker kept working on Connor glancing at Lester and then at Cutter. He had no idea what they were going to do with Cutter if this didn't go well... he had no idea at all. "Come on Connor... don't give up on us now..." he said, tasting worried glances at Danny as he did.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor, please..." Cutter sobbed, this couldn't be happening ... Connor had to be okay, after everything they had been through ... it just couldn't end like this, "please come back to me Connor ... I'm so sorry, please ...I love you, come back ... please..." his voice cracked as he couldn't speak and he kept sobbing.
Danny(thearcfamily)	Danny kept his fingers in place, his eyes going from Becker to Cutter to Lester. "Come on mate.... come on..." He said trying to rouse Connor as well. "Anything?" Becker asked, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. Danny hesitated and then his eyes went wide and he gave a small sigh. "I have a pulse" he said giving Cutter a nod.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter's knees buckled and he started to sink towards the ground, "Connor?" he could hardly dare to believe it, "Connor, can you hear me? It's me ... it's me Nick ..." he bit his lip, "please ... please wake up," he sobbed.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor wanted to open his eyes... he really did. But he was so cold and so tired. He just couldn't. "N-Nick?" he said weakly, his hand weakly holding onto Cutters. "It's... cold..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor?" Cutter's breath caught in his throat as he stared at Connor, "please, please open your eyes," he pleaded as he clung to Connor's hand, "please, can we get more blankets?" he looked between Becker and Danny and Lester.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Becker nodded and went to the breakroom to grab some more blankets out of the cabinets. He hurried back and got them over Connor and put a hand on Cutter's shoulder. "I... I'm ok... Nick" Connor said softly, not sounding all that ok but at least alive. Slowly he opened his eyes trying to get them focused on Cutter. "I'm.... ok..." he said as his eyes slid closed again.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor?" Cutter trembled, letting out another sob as Connor closed his eyes, "Connor please ... please stay with me," he was grateful for Becker's hand on his shoulder then, otherwise he would have collapsed to the floor then, "please ... I love you Connor," he said softly, "I love you, please don't leave me,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Connor fought to open his eyes but he couldn't. He was exhausted and so tired and now that he was getting a little warmer, everything seemed to hurt. "Let's get him someplace more comfortable" Becker said, looking over at Lester. He knew Connor would need quarantine after all of this- much more than Cutter ever needed.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester nodded, "we need to move Connor into quarantine," he said softly, "we need to make sure he's still not infected," he knew quarantine wouldn't be comfortable but it was necessary. "Please, can I stay with Connor?" Cutter looked over at Lester, "I'll do the quarantine again, I don't want to leave him," he sobbed. Lester nodded, he knew there was no way of convincing Cutter to stay away from Connor at a time like this.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded as he moved and scooped Connor up in his arms easily and followed Lester down the hallway to the quarantine room. He kept one of the blankets still wrapped around Connor and nodded as Danny grabbed the others and followed. "Quarantine is going to be a lot harder this time around, Nick" Becker said softly as he got Connor into the room and into the bed. "He's going to have to get blood tests every hour until they are clear. He's also going to get some different medicines to help him, but they are likely going to knock him out for several hours. He'll basically be asleep until we know he's clear and we can take him off the medication." Becker stood from the bed, and looked at Cutter, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You understand Nick?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled, "I understand," he said softly, "I still want to be with Connor, I don't want him to be alone," he was going to be there for Connor this time, when he needed him the most, "I want to be with him, no matter what,"
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded and finished getting Connor situated in the bed as the med team started getting everything set up. He made sure the chair was set by the bed for Cutter. There was also a cot on the other side of the room, though he had a feeling Cutter wouldn't be making much use of it. "I wont be far, Nick" he said when he was done and made his way towards the door. "I'll be checking in often and you can reach any of us if you need anything. Becker debated telling Cutter it would be a couple hours till he was able to check in again. He was going to have go into quarantine for a bit. They all were really... at least until they could get the all clear from the doctors. But he didn't want to worry Cutter with any of that right now.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, "thank you," he said softly, it wasn't just for helping set up the quarantine but for also saving Connor, Cutter knew just how close Connor came to not making it and Becker had saved him, "thank you for saving him," He was so tired both from his own experience being trapped in a lab and being exposed to the cold that he hadn't thought of everyone else needing to go into quarantine right then but he was so grateful that he was there and with Connor that that was all he could think of right then.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker gave Cutter smile and nod as he gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Connor's a good kid. Means the world to all of us" he said then turned and gave Danny a nod and looked towards Lester. "We'll go and check ourselves in now Sir" he said with a slight nod towards the other labs. "See you shortly?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Lester nodded, "be careful," he said softly, worried about Connor and his team, they weren't completely out of the woods yet so he wasn't going to relax until the medical team gave their all clear. Cutter trembled and took the seat by Connor's bed, it was going to be a long night but Cutter wasn't going to leave Connor, he was going to stay with him and be with him as he went through this and was going to be there when he woke up.
Becker(thearcfamily)	Becker nodded. He hated leaving Cutter and Connor, especially in the state they were in right now. But he knew he would be of more use to them and able to help them better once he was in the clear and not having to worry about himself and his men. "We'll be back soon, Cutter. I promise" he said as he left the lab, leaving Cutter to see after Connor and try and get as comfortable as he could while they waited. Becker headed off down the hallway, Danny following after.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“Okay,” Cutter said quietly as they left, he looked down at Connor asleep on the bed and reached out to take his hand, “I’m not leaving you Connor,” he said softly, “I’m going to be here when you wake up,” he promised.