He grimaced at his words.

"It's why I let my mother try every fucking thing she could think of on me. But it didn't work. None of it worked." Slowly his head shook from side to side in anguish. "I still turned into―this."

"I'm sorry."

Shyly, she placed a hand on his large one and he didn't flinch.

"She is still in my life."

A pang of fear, curiosity, and nerves, jolted her.

"Who?"

He averted his eyes embarrassed. "I don't think I should say."

"Is it Kaya?"

"No, no. None of that! I was truthful when I said what I said about her. About us."

"Then who? I must know her if you don't want to say."

He felt silly. Especially because it had been a lifetime ago and now, not only had Teal just met her but also knew about them.

"I grew up with her. At sixteen, maybe seventeen, we flirted and liked each other. We even went out a few times." He ran a hand over his forehead and eyes. "I know something would have happened between us. I was going to tell her, but that's when all this happened." He opened his arms in exasperation. "I contracted the virus. It was impossible to continue anything after that. She was truly lost from me, for eternity."

Teal looked at him with tears in her eyes. He was not good at sharing and the effort he put forth, coming to her room, and expressing himself, did not go unnoticed. She sat stretching her arms open. He leaned into her and Teal wrapped them gently around his frame.

He relaxed welcoming her touch. Then, he hugged her fiercely. With hunger and need. Teal understood because she'd felt it, many times in the past.

"Gisela."

"What?"

"Gisela. It was she, who I loved. She never looked at me the same way after I turned."

He spoke against the crook of her neck.

"I feel like a jackass saying this to you, as many years have passed. She's my brother's girl now." His head shook gently. "I just found out about it a few days ago."

He groaned.

"I know it brought back the old feelings of wanting to be human. Feelings of loving someone so much, it hurts. Feelings, of sickness to be this- this thing most humans despise and fear, and separates us as a family. As friends. I couldn't help but feel jealous of my brother being immune. Their normalcy in the middle of this putrid life. This chaos, I've learned to cope with."

"Do you still love her?" Her voice was small against his hair.

"No," he whispered without hesitation.

Marc realized he'd been released from those feelings he once felt, at that very moment.

"Not romantically. I think, that when I saw the love in their eyes, the humanity, how much they care for one another, it brought the distant memories back. For a brief instance, I wished it'd turned out differently for me."

He sighed.

"I am happy for them, but I can't help the feelings of frustration. I'm sad I didn't get that chance as a human."

Teal nodded understanding the meaning behind his words. She'd never been human, at least not all of her. She couldn't possibly understand what it felt, to have been one, and then not. Many times as a child; once she learned about them, she'd wished she was one.

She'd wished her father, mother, and Jax could be healthy and that they were, a normal family. One who wouldn't have to worry about sunlight, or eating dead body parts. Most of all, she wished her parents could be, who they once were.

"In many ways, I understand. I've wished that for myself and my family."

For a while, they were lost in thought. In the stillness of the morning hours, there was comfort.

"You could have that now, as a zombie. With me. If you allowed yourself." Her tone a sweet caress. "We can work together. I can be part of your team. I'm a quick learner. Smart and strong. Let me be part of your life."

"I think I want to, but I don't know that I could. I thought I'd desensitized myself from everything and everyone. I find it a challenge when it comes to you. I can't understand it. My brain tells me one thing, but my body reacts differently. It's never happened before."

He turned his head to her neck and she could feel the coolness of his breath on her flushing skin. Her respiration went shallow. Teal hesitated, expecting his next move. He kissed her neck, and a tingling wave electrified its path all the way down to her core.

Teal's heart faintly began to pump.

"Plus, your mother would kill me. She trusted your safety with me. I think it's been broken."

"Marc," she whispered in his ear. "It's not her decision to make." stretching her neck to the side, Teal felt comfortable with the warmth, his cool mouth offered. "Plus, she knows me and understands my decisions, are all me."

Marc chuckled.

He felt good between her arms and his touch, ignited her heart.

Her heart. She'd forgotten about it.

Teal gently pushed him away. Taking his hand between hers she placed it on her chest, above her left breast. He sucked in an audible breath, excited to touch her so intimately, realizing, she shared her beating heart.

"Teal! I thought your heart-" his eyes opened wide in delight and surprise.

"It first beat days ago. At the border when I was scared shitless for my life." She laughed nervously. "I'd forgotten about it, until now."

"Pretty fuckin' amazing, Teal." He smiled shaking his head in disbelief.

She nodded, with an amused expression on her face. "I know the reason it beats tonight."

He said nothing, expecting her to fill the void.

"You."

Her bold statement dismantled him. Marc's eyes turned glassy and he stared back at her lips, with longing.

"Teal, don't tempt me."

His voice was restrained. Quiet.

"Why not?" she whispered breathlessly.

"I live a no-nonsense kind of life." Desperation filled the expressive dullness in his searching pupils. "I know you're brave. I know you mean well, but you've been sheltered. The reality is different than the books you read."

"I know that," she said defensively. "I mean, look at me."

He shook his head. "We wouldn't be able to turn back time if you regret it."

"Regret it?"

"Me. My lifestyle."

"Why would you think I'd regret it?" Determined, her small figure inched closer lifting his face to her.

"You don't truly want me, Teal. I'm no good for you."

His lips were so close, they almost grazed hers.

"How would you know this?"

"You're young and want what only a human can give you. You are more human than me. Hell, you're more human than most humans! I can't promise you anything. I can't give you love, or romance."

"I admit, I did want those things. I realize romance lies only in the pages of the Fairy tales I've read. I still want love. After my birthday, I realize it was the kind of love my parents lived as humans, and in many ways, still do. Unconditional."

Her body slightly relaxed, "I've started to look at our situation through different eyes. The eyes of a realist. After my near-death experience," her lips teasingly brushed his, "I accept what you have to offer."

Teal whispered against their fullness.

"Besides, where would I find a human who'd want me?" She teased, a twinkle in her eye.

Who were they kidding?

After his heroic rescue, Teal was hooked on Marc. That, was true love, even if that stubborn zombie didn't realize it yet. What he'd done for her, was the absolute most selfless, romantic act she'd ever known. If he didn't want to believe his actions were romantic, or loving, she was good accepting his naive oblivion.

He'd almost died for her and they weren't in a relationship. What would he do if they were?

Those actions showed commitment and integrity, earning her tiny, pumping heart forever. In her eyes, Marc showed her more of a romantic gesture than any heroine or hero in any of her mother's old books.

Why? Because he'd done it for her.

Leaning forward his tongue licked his own lips, before placing a longing, lingering kiss on hers. His breath quickly deepened and he noticed his breathing improved.

"That's 'cause they're stupid." He smiled, looking into her eyes. "You truly want to give us a try?" He was unconvinced.

She scooted back and looked him square in the eyes, "I never thought I'd find a zombie I had anything in common with. Let alone one I would come to care about or enjoy their company. Until you."

Grabbing him by the shoulders, she pulled him closer to her face.

"At first I couldn't comprehend this. Why was it so easy to spend time with you? Talk with you? Be with you? I accept your terms because even though you don't believe it, I am the one getting so much more in return. It's what my life has been missing, all these years."

He was taken aback by her answer. "What? You can't be serious."

"You are smart, chivalrous, selfless."

"I am not." He interrupted embarrassed, lifting his hand attempting to stop her.

Gently, she pressed two fingers to his lips.

"You are. I know. I've witnessed it." She winked at him like he did the first time they met."Besides, it doesn't hurt that you're attractive," she purred.

Maybe, just maybe, he could give her more than he was willing to admit. He'd never had to before. If there was someone who deserved it, it was Teal. However, Marc did not want to make promises he might not be able to keep.

Gently, his fingers brushed back the hair from her face, lovingly caressing, the translucency of her skin.

"You're different Teal. I would not be able to forgive myself if I hurt you."

His lips feathered hers in an attempt to keep the connection he craved and felt deprived of. As much as the words coming out of his mouth negated any feelings, his actions spoke differently. A language, Teal clearly understood.

"I'm a big girl," she encouraged.

Marc's stronghold wrapped around the small of her waist bringing Teal closer to his brawny torso. The coolness of his touch brought peace and comfort to them both. Teal lifted both palms to his chest spreading her fingers wide. Her fingers swirled, tracing the blue of his veins until they reached the scar on his shoulder, which she kissed.

Teal enjoyed the touch of his rough, naked skin. Hungrily fusing their lips, Teal sucked at the pulpy, purplish flesh, delighted in their taste. Curious tongues sought the flavor of the other, twisting playfully. Exploring the unknown.

An explosion of feelings overcame them, and small moans of pleasure, with heavy breaths, seeped through their throats. Marc felt the reaction he always did when they kissed. One of jubilation and euphoria. Only this time, the feelings intensified.

Resistant to the, whatever this is, cannot be, no longer, inhibitions were let go of, and his body took from hers, the remedy to his ailments.

" Teal-" Marc was overwhelmed by sexual, raw emotion. "If I wasn't almost dead, I'd say you're killing me, Baby."

She chuckled lightly, adoring his humor. "We're not dead. If we were, then, why would I feel so alive?"

Wrapping her arms around his back, Teal slid her hands lower, pulling the tapered part of his body, closer to hers. The smallness of her breast squashed against his chest and her heartbeat quicken. A heated wave rose up her neck reaching her temple, and small beads of sweat formed and rested above the skin.

Running his fingers alongside her jaw, he followed the bone with his open mouth, biting downward gently. Marc's teeth grazed down her neck and her shoulder, placing a trail of kisses upon them. His tongue reveled at the deliciousness of her salty flesh, whilst mms and ohs filled the silence.

Alternating between suckling and tasting he came to realize, there was no turning back. He desired her. His loins not only told him so, but they also showed him. If he walked away from her, he'd be lying to himself and that was something, he wasn't willing to do.

However, she had a humbling purpose in life. One greater than the two of them together. He knew this, and would never distract her from it.

He was already feeling the much known and needed healing sensations her sweat and saliva provided. And that was something she could offer the world. He would never stop her from completing her life's purpose. The potential for Teal to become a cure, and collaborate with the human doctor, was too important to ignore.

"Teal, look at me."

He grabbed the delicate, heart-shaped face between his hands waiting on her eyes to focus on his.

"You are right. There is something between us, I cannot deny. Something that could be good for both of us, and again, you were right all along. Helping the zombie population and finding Dr. Olivias should be our priority."

It was the first time Marc mentioned the human doctor's name.

She smiled.

The feeling that overtook her was overwhelming. Teal knew, if she was human, she would describe it as what it must feel like to start falling in love.

A feeling of elation, mixed with sexual desire, and heart.

"I won't get in your way," he continued, "I can't. I'll help you cross as soon as you are ready and if you can live in sunlight."

Her eyes filled with tears and he kissed them off her cheeks.

"Your words make me the happiest zombie to ever live!" She wrapped her arms around him. "What made you say that?"

"Kissing you has the power to make me feel better. Heal me in many ways. You're an antidote. My breath improves, I feel stronger. I assure you, I don't need the crutch any longer."

Her eyes rounded in shock and pleasure and more tears she'd been holding, spilled.

"I can't wait to help the world!" The darkness around her eyes brightened slightly. "But, that doesn't mean we can't explore something between us."

"Let's take it slow. I don't want to distract from your main purpose."

"It won't."

Kissing his lips with force, she melded unto him.

"If it does, I will never blame you for my decisions. Trust me on that."

Nodding slowly, he agreed, "I do."