Unfortunately, it left more mess for Alice and Lara to clean up.

“What’s this?” Lara asked as the others wandered away. 

“Brains…ummm…skull bits…” Alice pushed her girlfriend gently on the arm as Lara pressed her fist to her mouth, coughing and nearly gagging, “You go, I’ll finish this.”

Dinner was a subdued affair that night. Bette and Helena had not seen one another for hours when they finally sat down to eat. 

“Is the stuff all together?” Helena asked quietly. Bette nodded, reaching for a glass of water. “Needles, beakers, burners…”

“I don’t see the point though. This isn’t my area. I won’t be able to just randomly figure out a cure. I can’t even remember what this DC2 stuff is. What did Abby tell you before he died? What did El Wray tell you?” They spoke softly, not wanting anybody’s hopes to rise too high. Bette would take lab equipment, blood samples from the zombies, blood samples from Bette and Helena themselves, even blood samples from people who had seemed immune to the infection.  Jenny and Shane’s blood, completely normal after a dose of the antidote given to them by the previous doctor, held clues for a final cure.  Helena and Bette’s health was still in question, their cellular structure worth studying in itself. “There are too many variables.” Bette added with a snicker. “too many variables…I’m soooo smart…”

“Well you are dammit. You’re the one who actually went to university. What was your first degree in?” Helena could never remember.

“Physics and chemistry.” Bette shrugged. “I preferred art history.”

“Physics and chem…” Helena growled and nipped at Bette’s arm as it reached across again for the salt shaker. “sexy.”

“No…sexy is when you put on one of your little…shows.” Bette’s face turned bright red. She looked around, but no one heard her. Down the bench, Peggy fed Caiohme, pretending to be oblivious.

“Noooo…” Helena moved her mouth higher, above Bette’s shoulder and against her neck.  Bette wore her hair up in a pony tail, granting Helena access.  She stilled as Helena’s tongue darted out below her ear, before her teeth pressed lightly against the muscle on the side of her neck. “Sexy…” Helena murmured, “Is when you give me one of your patented examinations.  And when you say, ‘spread your legs for me…’” She growled, mimicking the sexy low voice that Bette took on in those little games. Helena sighed gently, her breath tickling Bette’s ear, as Bette’s hand moved warmly against her thigh.