Blood Heritage

Jace Markings bolted upright in his chair, nearly knocking over the microscope that he was looking in. He quickly steadied the microscope, before he lost his sample that he was looking at. He turned and looked at who owned that voice. It was none other than his lab assistant Char Wilkins. She was very young, brilliant and beautiful. She had golden yellow hair that kissed her shoulders and deep blue eyes that could grab any man's attention. She was tall, at least six three and legs that seemed to continue forever. Her skin was beautifully pale and flawless; lips were full and red. It was such a shame that she was already married.

"Char, you scared the living shit out of me. Don't do that while I am working, I almost knocked over this sample.”

Intrigued, she walked over and looked at the microscope. “Why are you using such a fossil? Just scan the sample? What can this thing tell you that a scan can't? I mean, this thing can't still work…can it?”

Jace chuckled to himself, amused at such young innocence. “This fossil, as you so delicately put it, is nothing more than the use of glass and mirrors, easily enough to fix. Now there used to be a light to help illuminate the sample, but I don't need it. So yes, it works just fine.”

Char folded her arms across her chest. “Ok, but why use it? What can it tell you that a scan can't?”

He took in a deep breath and exhaled before answering. “I have no idea. I am desperate. Time is running out. If I fail, at least I want to be able to know that I did everything that I could before I die.”

Char placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. She completely sympathized with what he was feeling. They were all dying. The war between them and the Weres had taken a turn for the worst. Vamps used to be the ones in control, the ruling ones. Now the Weres wanted that position, and the Vamps would not give it up. War was inevitable, but when the Weres started in on the biological warfare, game over. They released a virus that only attached to Vamp blood and after approximately thirty days of infection, death. The virus fed off the red blood cells, starting off slow, but increasing at an exponential rate till the person literally suffocates. The blood becomes useless and can no longer carry oxygen to the body. It is nothing pretty. Her father died of it, the last few days of his life was spent coughing up spent black blood, and muscles were seizing all throughout his body. There was nothing that her family could do. Just sit outside his containment area and watch. He refused any medications or assistance in hopes to prolong death, hoping that she could help find a cure in his suffering, but she has failed so far. Feelings of helplessness plagued her mind as there seemed there wasn't a whole lot that she could do.

What she did do was take notes, as many as she could, document everything in hopes that something can be learned and her father did not die so horribly for nothing. She gave Jace everything she had in hopes that it would help him along. So far, nothing.

She noted that he was paler than usual and his lips were dry. “How long has it been since you last ate?”

A little taken by the quick change in subject, he raked his hand through his hair and said, “I really don't know. Why?”

"You look like crap.”

"Thanks, I think?”

She smiled, couldn't help herself. “Come on, let's go eat. You have been here long enough for the day. Wearing yourself out to the point that you cannot think clearly will not help anyone. You are using a fossil for crying out loud! Once you get some food in you, then we can talk and hopefully figure something out, a new test or road or something. You just need a break.”

In a way, he knew that she was right, but that was time that might be spent finding a cure. The hour that he spent eating could just be what he needs to figure something out, anything. He could not waste time with eating.

Char rolled her eyes and took his arm and pulled him out of his chair. “I see what you are thinking. You are a brilliant man and know that you cannot do proper work if you are hungry and tired. You will most likely miss something important if you stay here, so I am not going to tell you again, let's get some food.”

Raking his hands through his hair again he said, “I know what you are doing and I promise that I will eat. But I can tell that you have already eaten and there is no need for you to eat again. Not to mention, what will your husband say? Aren't you supposed to be home with him enjoying his company?”

Her smile dwindled and her face became serious. “I had lunch about six hours ago. You must be really hungry if you think I look I have just eaten.” She grabbed his elbow and led him out of the lab. “There is a diner just down the street. They have everything from sandwiches, hamburgers, wraps to steaks. Whatever you want.”

He did not argue just followed her to the diner. He did note that she never commented on his little snide about her and her husband. Perhaps there was trouble at home. His mind started to wander about the multiple possibilities that could have transpired. A fight about their sex life, perhaps one wanted a dog and the other wanted another child, maybe he was cheating on her or her on him. He quickly wiped the last thought from his brain. That was not a possibility. He was so focused on the possibilities, that he did not notice when they entered the diner. He only came out of it when she gave a sharp tug to his arm and asked, “What is wrong, go ahead sit. My, you really do need a break. You are completely out of it.”

A little embarrassed, he sat down and mumbled that he was sorry. He was not sure why he was wasting time thinking about someone else's love life. Granted he did not have one, no time, but he was not dead yet. He had his fantasies and his crushes. He was man. Now, though, he needed food, drink and talk about what they need to do next. A cure was what was real important. He needed to focus.

"Sorry Char. You were right. I obviously need this. Thanks.”

A small smile appeared on her face. “Glad you are starting to listen to reason.”

He returned the smile and grabbed the menu that was on the table. Char was right. There was a little of everything on this. There were beef sandwiches with a side of dipping sauce, hamburgers that could be cooked if wanted and optioned a bun too; also there was steak and that was what he was going for.

"Don't forget to get some veggies with whatever you're going to get.” He lifted his head from the menu with a look of disgust on his face. “Do not give me that look. Your body is starved and needs a little of everything. Oh and have a couple glasses of red and you'll be fine.”

He barked a hard laugh. “Yes mom.”

"Do you two know what you would like?” Jace and Char looked up at the waitress that appeared at their table. She was eyeing them, silently telling them to hurry up. Jace looked at Char and she just nodded saying that she was ready. “Well?”

Jace suddenly had an urge to stick this waitress's head in a cold bucket of water.

"Go ahead Jace.” Char motioned for him to go first.

The annoying waitress eyed Jace and started to tap her foot. “I would like a steak, cooked rare. A side of mash with gravy and a side of green beans. Can I also have two glasses of a medium red and a small glass of water?”

The waitress let out a sigh and looked at Char. “I would like a burger cooked medium, no bun but a side of dipping sauce and a side of corn. I would also like a small glass of water and just one glass of light red.”