Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Great job today, everyone!” Elijah exclaimed as the team arrived back at HQ, “Now everyone get some rest. We've all been through a lot.”

He could say that again. Micah pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to push away his pounding headache. Looking around, he could see he wasn't the only person who felt awful.

Becoming a zombie was an… interesting experience. One minute you're you, the next the only thing that matters is following the alpha. You have no other thoughts anymore. Only the alpha.

And then once you're human again, everything comes rushing back, but you feel like you've been hit by a bus, or… a bunch of antivirus bullets in this case.

It made sense Elijah was so chipper. He hadn't been infected.

Micah sighed, pushing the thoughts away. He wasn't mad at his brother, he was just tired. It had been a job well done, and they had Elijah to thank for it.

Slowly, people began filing out of the Arxis room, after the medics had gone around and checked everyone, like they did after every mission. Micah followed the flow of the crowd. It dispersed as they entered the hall and agents went their own ways. Micah eventually found himself in one of the debriefing rooms. He slumped down in one of the chairs surrounding the table.

He could've gone to one of the rooms that was actually designed for relaxing in (or one that actually had a couch ), but he figured a lot of people would be in those rooms, and he honestly didn't feel like dealing with that right now. He wanted a moment alone to catch his breath.

He rested his head on the table, hoping to alleviate his headache. It helped a bit, but he still felt terrible.

Creak

Micah looked up slowly to see who'd opened the door, intending to tell them he was fine and to leave him alone, but he suddenly stopped himself.

“Oh, sorry, I didn't realize someone was in here.”

It was Michelle. The… the alpha… Or, well, she had been the alpha.

“I was just trying to find somewhere quiet, but I'll find somewhere else if you need me to,” she explained.

“No, you can stay,” Micah sighed, just glad it wasn't one of his siblings trying to get him to join them. They had good intentions, he knew, but he just didn't feel like dealing with that right now.

Michelle wordlessly nodded and moved to sit in a chair on the opposite side of the table as him.

Micah went back to massaging his temples.

After a moment, he looked at Michelle again. She looked tired and pale… even more so than himself.

And then it hit him. She'd been the alpha! If it felt this horrible to have been a regular zombie, he couldn't imagine what it must feel like to have been the alpha.

He asked the only thing that came to his mind.

“Are you… OK?”

“Huh?” Michelle asked, clearly being pulled from her thoughts, “Oh, yeah, I guess.” Then she grumbled, “As fine as I could be.”

Micah didn't know Michelle very well. She was new to the agency and the zombie infestation had been her first mission. Micah wanted to be kind, but he wasn't very good at small talk, especially with people he didn't know very well.

“What… what was it like… being the alpha…?”

Michelle glared at him.

“Sorry, that was dumb. I know you wanted quiet, I can be quiet,” Micah quickly blurted out.

Michelle sighed, “No, it's fine… It's just questions like that are exactly what I want to avoid right now… I feel like… everyone's staring at me… Like it's this massive elephant in the room… I became the alpha on my first mission … What a good first impression,” she rolled her eyes sarcastically.

“They'll get over it,” Micah tried comforting, “I mean, it's not like your evil anymore-”

He quieted as Michelle glared at him again.

“That's not what I meant!” He quickly exclaimed, “What I mean is I'm sure you're a good person and you had no control over being the alpha. People know that.”

Michelle sighed, “I know, but still. How are people supposed to trust me now?”

“I trust you,” Micah offered weakly.

Michelle actually smiled a little at that.

“You're Micah, right?” She suddenly asked.

“Oh, uh, yeah. You remember my name?”

They'd only met briefly and Micah didn't think she'd remember his name out of all the new ones she had to get down.

Michelle chuckled, “Yeah, you're the tall, green one.”

It was Micah's turn to glare at her, in a way that must've been a lot less intimidating than she had glared at him, because she just laughed harder in response.

Once she quieted down, she looked around the debriefing room in awe, “The agency really is incredible. I feel so honored to be here. I just hope I can make up for today…”

“Like I said, everyone will get over it eventually. We face dangerous stuff like this all the time. No one holds it against you.”

“Are you sure?” Michelle asked.

“Well, I guess I don't know how everyone is going to react,” Micah admitted, “But I know for sure my siblings will forgive you, if they haven't already.”

“Yeah?” Michelle asked, looking legitimately touched.

Then she sighed, looking almost embarrassed, “Thanks. I've just had a really rough day.”

Micah laughed, “Haven’t we all.”

Michelle's smiled, but it suddenly faded as she put a hand to her head.

Micah's own smile faded as he noticed how pale she was again, “The medics checked you, right?”

“Yeah, they said I'll be fine in a few days.”

“OK, good… Hey, how about I get us some waters?” Micah asked, beginning to stand up.

Michelle stood up too, defensive. “I can get my own water!”

“Then OK! We can both get water!” Micah exclaimed.

“...Can we come back here after though?” Michelle hesitantly asked, “I'm not… sure I'm ready to face everyone just yet…”

“Yeah, sure,” Micah replied, "You're sure you're OK with having me in here too?”

Michelle smiled a little, “Yeah, it's… easy to talk to you…”

Micah smiled back for a moment before heading to the door and opening it.

“After you, m'lady,” he bowed while holding the door open.

“OK, never call me that again,” Michelle retorted, “But I will go first.”

Micah rolled his eyes as Michelle exited the room, but followed her with a small smile.