Chapter 2

Fog of War

Everything hurt. Skin, muscles, bones, even hair. There was an incessant queasiness lingering fitfully in Monty's stomach as well, and he could feel his pulse in the puncture wound on his neck. He hated blood transfusions.

"I can't," A grumpy sigh at the bunk next to him pulled Monty's attention away from his self-pity. He turned to see Miller toss a book to the side and bury his face in his hands, "The words are making me want to puke."

"Sorry man, but everything's gonna make you want to puke today," Monty summoned up a small, pained smile.

"I can't believe I let Jasper talk me into this," Miller looked up at Monty and rubbed his bandaged neck, "Remind me why we're doing this again?" The words came out in a soft undertone that Monty had never heard Miller use before.

"Because," Monty dropped his own voice to a whisper, suddenly worried about being overheard. He slowly got up and moved to Miller's bunk, "We're buying ourselves time. If Dante thinks we're cooperating he won't lock us up."

"Monty," Miller's dark eyes were red-rimmed and his face had taken on a sickly, ashen tone, "We're making ourselves weaker. It'll be harder to escape if half of us are sick."

"I know," Monty's eyes dropped to his hands nervously. He couldn't meet Miller's gaze, "But it's better than being in cages." He twisted his fingers together.

"They're not putting you in a cage," Miller whispered angrily, "I mean," He cleared his throat, suddenly flustered, "They won't put any of us in a cage without a fight."

"Right," Monty let the surprised smile linger on his face, secretly very pleased by the thought that Miller felt protective over him. Not that he needed protection, but the thought was nice.

"How can you smile right now?" Miller nudged Monty's shoulder with his own, "I feel worse than a hangover, and I didn't even know that was possible."

"I don't know about that," Monty chuckled, "Remember those jobi nuts?"

"Oh, god," Miller covered his face with his hands, "Don't remind me."

Monty laughed, not even minding the way the noise made his brain pound in his skull, "I went through every tent in camp, because I thought the moon was hiding in one."

"Really?" Miller raised a surprised eyebrow, "I had a philosophical debate... with myself," He placed a hand over his face in embarrassment.

"Good times," Monty nodded, standing up and moving back to his own bunk.

"That day..." Miller's words faded into nothing, as if unsure of what he was about to say, "That was the first time you ever talked to me," He nodded.

Monty thought very hard before the pieces fit together, "Oh, yeah," He laughed, "I was half-way stoned and you had a head injury."

"Yeah," Miller nodded, "It'd been a rough day. I snapped at you. I wanted to say sorry, but then... you know... the jobi nuts had everyone bombed out of their minds."

"It's alright," Monty waved it off.

"Well..." Miller fidgeted with his hands, "I'm wiped. I'm gonna take a nap," He turned away from Monty and laid down.

"Alright," Monty leaned back in his own bunk. A nap would be a good idea. Unfortunately his brain was occupied. He and Miller had spent a lot of time together in Mount Weather. Miller was quickly becoming a very close friend. They got along much better than Monty would have ever guessed, and they even managed to have fun despite the dire circumstances. That alone would have been fantastic. Yes, Miller was easily the most attractive person Monty had ever seen, but true friends were rare. It was enough, and Monty didn't expect it to be anything more.

But then again.

There were times when it seemed like Miller was about to say something. There were times when he did say something. Something that made Monty think just maybe Miller wanted to be more than friends. It hadn't been enough to act on, so Monty let it slide. He'd hate to guess wrong and ruin a good friendship. Story of his life, really. One thing, however, went without questioning or speculation. He really wanted to know Miller's first name. It was becoming increasingly strange to him that he didn't know it, but it was also becoming harder to ask the question. How do you tell someone you've known for months that you don't know their name?

Remember Me

Monty was flustered to say the least when Miller had broken open the wall with a giant hammer. If anyone tried to tell him it wasn't hot, he'd be obliged to call them giant liars. Miller being destructive was a sight worth seeing, and the joke about the size of the hammer had been just too much. Monty couldn't even think of a clever response at the time, he was too tongue-tied in the face of that much hotness. In his defense, it hadn't exactly been the best time for long conversations. Imminent danger and all.

But it had been a watershed moment. The suggestive look Miller had given him was unmistakable. Monty was done with guessing and wondering. He was going to confront Miller. He was going to be mature and honest and just tell the boy that he liked him, and let the chips fall where they may. He was more than a little sure the feeling was reciprocated, but there was enough doubt to make him terrified. Everything would be so much easier if Miller had just said something outright.

Monty had never exactly been the type to take charge, but sometimes it was necessary. Like getting the message out of Mount Weather so the Ark camp would know to look for them. Some things were worth the risk, and Miller definitely was.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," Monty tried to shrug away his heart palpitations. Right after he finished this, he'd walk up to Miller and ask him on a date.

He chuckled under his breath as he slipped into the radiation suit. Five minutes in the control center and the message would broadcast. Then he could get to his personal matters.

Assuming nothing went wrong.

Coup de Grace

Limping back to the dormitory should have felt like a victory. Instead it was every bit as terrifying as the cage. Jasper was telling everyone to pack up and get moving, but Monty could hardly stand. Suddenly large hands were on his face.

"You alright?" Miller's eyes bore into Monty's, as if looking away for even a moment would risk him disappearing, "Monty," Miller seemed to need a verbal response.

"Yeah," Monty nodded, but his voice broke and a tear slipped down his cheek, "Harper," He tried to turn towards the girl. She needed more help than he did. She was far worse off.

"Monty," Miller repeated in a whisper, sounding very near panic. His eyes were wide, taking in every part of Monty's face, inspecting every bump and bruise, "I thought... I thought you were..." His deep voice wavered. His eyebrows furrowed and he moved his hands from Monty's face to his shoulders, "Thank God," He pulled Monty close.

The hug was careful. Miller's strong arms seemed to barely brush against Monty's wounded frame, while still managing to keep him from falling over.

"I missed you too," Monty tried to sound light-hearted, but it came out rather pitiful.

"Alrighty," Jasper cleared his throat awkwardly beside them, "We, uh, we need to get moving before the guards change their minds," He raised his eyebrows playfully at Monty, though still throwing a worried glance to the door, "I'll let you fill me in on this whole situation later," He nodded and turned to grab clothes from his bunk.

"I guess I managed to wander off in an enclosed bunker after all," Monty managed a pained smile when Miller finally pulled away.

"Yeah. You said you wouldn't do that," Miller tried a scowl, but his heart was clearly not in it, "So until we get back to our people, I'm not letting you out of my sight."

"Deal," Monty nodded slowly, "On one condition."

"Anything," Miller mumbled the word softly as he took Monty's hand in his. Miller's fingers seemed to tremble just as much as Monty's, though Miller didn't have the excuse of being drilled for bone marrow.

"You tell me your first name."

Miller's answer was drowned out by a commotion that shook the dorm. The guards in the hall had locked them in.