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There had to be an answer somewhere. The 4400 abilities were caused by promicin, promicin was a neurotransmitter, the answer to who would survive the promicin shot turned out to be in the brain, surely this would be too? He just had to look in the right place.
“Kevin?”
Tess sounded like it wasn’t the first time that she’d called his name. Kevin tore his gaze up from the scattered pile of brain MRIs that covered his desk to see her leaning against the door frame.
“What time is it?” Kevin asked, trying to remember if there was something he’d agreed to do today and missed.
“Just after six.” Tess pushed herself upright and came into the office. “How’s it going?”
“The answer is in here somewhere, I know it is. I just have to find it.” Kevin managed to avoid looking back down at his desk. “I know I said I’d be out of here for dinner, but I am close to something here. I know I am.”
Tess just laughed. “Don’t worry Kevin.” She held up the basket that he’d not spotted she was holding. “I figured that rather than try and drag you away from your work to eat, that I’d just bring dinner down to you.”
“You didn’t have to.” Kevin protested as Tess set the basket down on one of the few clear spaces on his desk.
“I wanted to.” Tess pulled a couple of plates from the basket. “Anyway, I thought I might join you. If that’s okay?”
It was always okay. Tess was the only person that Kevin had ever met that didn’t grate on his nerves after a few short sentences. She was the constant source of brightness in his life, always lively and kind. She was far too young and good to be with a socially inept, workaholic neuroscientist like him. Sure, in theory Tess was older than him, but it was just a technicality as Kevin hadn’t been out of the timeline for fifty years like she had.
Kevin watched as Tess unpacked a mini picnic for them both, showing again how special she was as the only person who had ever been able to interrupt his research and not only gotten away without being shouted at, but Kevin was still keen to have her stay.
He knew that one day Tess was going to realize just how much more she could have in life than Kevin could offer. And on that day Kevin was going to experience a heartbreak like he’d never felt before. At least it would give him something interesting to study about himself while he recovered from the loss.
Kevin accepted the plate that Tess handed to him, noting that the meal she’d brought was all food that could be eaten with his hands if he was alone. Yet another example of how much she considered others, at almost striking odds of her ability to bend any mind to her own will.
“So what are you working on?” Tess asked as she picked up her own sandwich.
“A test to see what type of ability someone might get if they take the shot.”
“You think that’s even possible?”
Kevin had to admit that he wasn’t sure. “In theory. Promicin is a neurotransmitter, and with every other neurotransmitter we can predict how it will work within the body. There’s no reason to suggest that promicin is any different.” He paused, chewing on a carrot stick before continuing. “So far we’ve not seen a genetic link, or even that much repetition in abilities - but that will probably change now that so many more people are taking the shot.”
Besides, Kevin had a theory it was possible as the people in the future that had abducted the 4400 had been able to predict that those they’d taken would be able to handle the shot and that their abilities would save the world. He had to believe they knew what would happen.
“Jordan won’t like it.” Tess commented.
“It’s a good thing that I don’t care what Jordan thinks.” Jordan Collier might not feel guilty about the tens of thousands of promicin deaths, but that didn’t mean Kevin didn’t either. He may struggle with empathy but he wasn’t a complete narcissist with a messiah complex.
And he was not going to have another Danny Farrell on his conscience. Kevin had vowed to give people all of the information about how they would respond to the promicin shot and let them make their own decisions.
“I know. I just worry about you.” Tess put her sandwich down and fiddled with the edge of her plate. “There was actually something else I came to ask you.”
Kevin just watched and waited, trying not to worry.
“Christmas is coming up.” Tess paused and Kevin made no attempt to fill the silence.
“I’ve been thinking, I’d like you to come with me when I visit my grand-niece this year.”
Kevin was stunned. “But that’s your family time.”
“Sometimes Kevin.” Tess leaned across the desk and took one of his hands in hers. “You’re one of the dumbest men I’ve ever met. You are my family. And I want you to meet the rest of them.”
He didn’t know what to say. Kevin loved Tess, there was no doubt in his mind about that. White they’d been on the run and hiding as fugitives in the 4400 Center their relationship had been special, but it had also been hidden. Meeting Tess’s family would mean being public together. Being open together. Being… real.
Tess was watching him closely and suddenly burst into a smile. “I think you’re finally starting to figure it out. Will you come?”
How could he possibly say no? He nodded and Tess’s grin got even wider, lighting up her whole face. She kissed his hand and jumped to her feet. “I’ll go and start making the arrangements.”
Just before she disappeared back through the door she turned around. “You won’t regret this Kevin, I promise.”
As he watched her leave, Kevin allowed himself a smile of his own as he finally started to believe it. “I know.”