Chapter V

                                    

                                          

   Day turned to night as we reached the outskirts of the city. We followed behind the Humvee, Mackenzie chatting happily about Doctor Arthur. 
   "I haven't been able to talk to another doctor in so long. And a Virologist on top of it. With him on our side I think we may have a pretty good chance." She rambled on. What's so great about him anyway? He's a dork. 
   In front of us, the Humvee pulled over to the side of the road and stopped. I pulled up behind it before stepping out of the car. 
   James walked up to me. "We should bed down for the night. My teams getting restless and I don't like traveling at night." 
   I nodded. "Yes sir, we'll follow your lead." 
   He gave me a nod back before getting back in his vehicle. 
   "What was that about?" Mackenzie asked as I got back in. 
   "We're gonna look for a place to sleep for the night." I replied. 
   "Great, these seats are horrendous." She said. 
   "I'll be sure to have that taken care of, just for you." I replied sarcastically. 
   She gave me a little nudge. "Don't act like your ass isn't killing you right now." 
   I took a quick side glance at her, a small, humorous smile spreading on my lips. "Maybe, but you're not gonna hear me bitching about it." 
   Laila leaned forward between our seats. "Are you smiling?" 
   I shook my head. "No, I never smile." 
   "It looked like a smile to me." Mackenzie said. 
   The urge to smile grew, but I fought it off. "It was a grimace, not a smile."
   Mackenzie folded her arms over her chest. "If you say so... But, I think you're an egg." 
   I raised one of my hands. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" 
   "You have a hard shell on the outside. But, it's easily broken, leading to the soft inside. You put up these walls, but really you're just a big softie that's easily broken... An egg." She replied. 
   I shook my head. "... Fuckin' egg. You're an egg." 
   The car grew silent after that... until Mackenzie started to laugh, leading to Laila breaking out into laughter as well. 
   My lips quirked up, a slight chuckle escaping me. "Whatever. It was a smile. Just don't get used to it." 
   Mackenzie gave me a look, a slight smile still lighting up her face. "I kinda like it, though." 
   I felt a blush start to form on my cheeks as the Humvee in front of us pulled into the parking lot of a small building. 
   We pulled in behind it and I got out, looking back at Mackenzie. "If you tell anyone, I will smother you in your sleep." 
   She laughed, flashing me a wink. 
   I shook my head, closing the door with a little smile. Fucking egg. 
   James and his team stood in front of me. "You stay back with the civilians, we'll clear the building." 
   I nodded. "Yes sir." 
   He nodded back before leading his team into the building, rifles raised. 
   I leaned against the car, gun in hand, when Mackenzie stepped out. "I'm gonna go talk to Arthur, keep an eye on Laila?"