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Maybe they were being too... Suspicious. On the other hand, Zelda was a paranoid freak. It was something she freely admitted to to just about anyone who asked. She was up-tight, she had little to no social media presence, she had alarm systems built into her home with cameras over it. She was in general an entire conspiracy theorist. It shouldn't be too surprising if her nerves were extra jumpy & she was acting strange in a whole new timeline.

Zelda chuckled, "That's what all the patients say. Next thing you know, they're in anaphylactic shock shock due to some allergy they didn't list - like Latex." It was like drugs. They never would list if they were on some type of illegal drug, despite the fact that as a doctor, we do not report them to the authorities. It really interfered with their ability to do their job.

Zelda eyed the phone as she took Sveta's blood. She was going to keep one vial, just to get the X-Gene sliced into a virus. It would be extremely hard for anyone to track the X-Gene back to her, then. Then she was going to destroy the samples. Maybe all of her samples - after all, she did have most of the X-Genes sliced into some type of virus by this point. It would be a setback to not have the supply anymore, but it would be the safest bet.

She had no idea if the message would get out since they were in a different timeline. But, it would be saved onto her phone, and a large exclamation point will show up beside the message saying the message failed. She could simply resend it once she got back into her timeline. Hopefully, Sveta knew she would do that. That was under the presumption she even made it back into her timeline.

>> "You know, I read somewhere dat a lot of inventions happen accidentally while someone is researching something else. Maybe you will find something equally important. I bet you have met all kinds of fascinating mutations already..."

Once she completed the blood sample, she wrote on the dust on the table as she answered Sveta's comment to make sure it didn't seem weird:

The message will save on my phone, I'll send it once I get back. Put it in the notes app, if you want to be sure.

"That is very true. Most great researchers never realize they find something until they have that 'eureka moment.' We'll see if it happens to me or not. I appreciate the optimism, though." The next part of her comment was totally a SUPER question - they were interested in her subjects, too. That couldn't be good, at all. "Actually, most of them are fakes - they pretend they have something, believing they'll get some type of compensation for volunteering. But this is exactly that - volunteering. No compensation." That was a complete lie. Well, except for the compensation part. They would only get compensated if the research is used to create a commercial product - there was no reward for volunteering, though.

And she had tons of interested mutants. Most of them had had hinted at some type of family member that was going through some illness they believed she might be able to help with if her research passed muster. Of course, it would take years for any product she creates to be commercially available but at least people in future generations will have access to it.

Of course, all of her research was looking less likely now. She began to move the blood samples into the storage coolers she brought along. "We're pretty much done here, let me pack up and then I'll escort you out of the building." Packing up, of course, also meant wiping their communications off the dusty table & putting the furniture back in its original place.  

>> "My family is from Russia."

Zelda nodded. Vague, but her question was vague too; that wasn't too surprising. Sveta still didn't say they were from here though. Although, after Sveta mentioned Russia, she definitely realized that her accent was Russian. Zelda was a bit curious about the woman's back story - how did she end up in New York City? Better yet, how did she end up on this side of the rip?

 Zelda nodded, "Yep, hopefully something will turn out good." She had no idea if any of her experiments would work and really, it was all hinging on Sveta's X-Gene and her ability to replicate it alongside other X-Genes. Over the next couple weeks, Zelda had a pretty intensive research schedule just for this research. It really was perfect time to get the samples. 

After Zelda's little outburst, her suspicions were pretty much confirmed. She knew not to doubt her intuition. She should have stayed on her side of the rip. Zelda watched carefully as Sveta took her purse and folded it open to reveal her cell phone. Zelda stared at the cell phone for a minute. She knew what it meant but she was a bit surprised. That phone was bugged. Every single thing they had said to each other was being recorded or listened too. Why did Sveta show her this, though? She felt guilty about having to do this? Or maybe she was trapped here? Or maybe this was part of their tricks. She had read all the conspiracies on the internet, so it wasn't too hard to connect the pieces. The only agency she could really think of that would want to find her information & would send an undercover agent too would be SUPER. The only other one would be the Syndicate, but she felt like they probably operated in different ways. 

Her mind raced with what to do next. They needed to communicate but they couldn't speak.

>>  "Well I am happy to help a project dat helps other people. And I really appreciate how careful you are with privacy. Do you keep all your subjects anonymous? Even from yourself?"

She nodded, "Yes. All my volunteers are anonymous. I don't even see their faces." That was partially true - she saw some of their faces, just not most of them. She saw Doc Prof and a few others, but that wasn't something that needed to be said loudly.

"Oh, I need to set up a table here so I can put the syringes and vials here. I have a hunch your right arm is going to be easier for us to draw the blood than the left one. I'll also need your arm to lay across the table." There was already a table to the left of Sveta but she had already cleaned it off. Zelda moved over and pulled a new table over - one that was covered in dust. It was a good thing they came to this abandoned place - and even better that it was so dusty. She wrote, with the tip of her nail:

R u in danger?

She had to make it quick. Now, she needed to stall some more so Sveta could get what she needed wrote down into the dust. She paused, "Let me switch my gloves... They're a bit dusty now." She took them off and put some new ones on and then 'accidentally' knocked a couple of the vials off the table. "Oh, sh*t," she muttered, hopefully just loud enough for her phone to pick it up. "My nerves are a bit jumpy, like I said earlier, this timeline gives me the creeps. No offense, or anything, it'd probably be the same if you were on my side of the rip," she semi-joked. She shrugged and began digging into her bag, "I know I brought some extra." She had, but she was stalling as much as possible. 

After that, she waited until Sveta could finish her message. They didn't have much more time to waste. Once Sveta was done, she had her plastic rubber band like material to slow the blood circulation from around her right arm. "Alright, this might be a bit uncomfortable." She also began to dab the crease in her elbow with alcoholic swabs. They didn't have time to keep talking and she was sure the agency that she was representing was getting suspicious at this point. 

Zelda continued to get things set up. She dusted off a stool and pulled it over next to Sveta. They had some time it seemed and she was a bit curious about this timeline anyways. She pulled out a box of latex free gloves & some hand sanitizer from her bag. After she sanitized her hands, she put the gloves on.

>> "You get used to it I think. So... what is it dat you do in this project? It's that... you know what my power is. I want to make sure it is not used for... anything bad."

Zelda was already a paranoid freak. And it didn't help that literally every single one of her senses were telling her to get the h*ll out of this timeline. Eve worse, they were literally in an abandoned basement of a hospital in another universe. Timeline, whatever. Zelda sighed. But Sveta's comment immediately made Zelda's eyebrow arch. It gave her chills for some reason - or maybe she already had them? In either case, what did she mean she she got used to it? Zelda's mind quickly tried to piece the puzzle together. As a doctor, Zelda was trained to understand those 'hidden messages.' A kid, woman, or even a man, might have been victims of abuse and can't say something flatly without fear of reprisal. This probably wasn't that bad, though. Right? It either meant she was from the other side of the rip - and for some reason staying in this one? Or had she met someone else from across the rip that had similar feelings upon being in this timeline? 

Zelda contemplated her next words very carefully, "Do you have any family around here?" Zelda had noted her accent, "Where are you originally from?" She had wrote it down on the form, but Zelda was trying to analyze her voice, to catch any clues about what the heck was going on. Hopefully, the woman would catch on to what she meant by 'Here.' As in, this timeline. If she said no, it would mean she's from the other timeline. Granted, that was a pretty vague question. Hmmm... But that still would leave out why she was here...? Why did she make Zelda come to this timeline? Upon that realization, Zelda definitely got chills. Something wasn't right and it wasn't just because this timeline is a freaky. Or maybe she was just being extra paranoid. Either way, Zelda had to take a couple breaths to calm herself down. In either case, since Sveta was being passive, she decided it would be best not to go into too much details. They were relatively safe in the basement - no one could see or hear them. Zelda checked the door one more time, just to make sure it was locked. 

"It's to help develop medicinal properties for humans and mutants, for diseases like cancer, and wounds caused by gunshots or stab wounds, that kinda thing." She smiled, "Nothing evil." She paused, thinking for a moment, her eyes locking on Sveta's, "It's crazy how some people will go so far to do something... Evil. But, you know, as a doctor, I'm trained to help anyone and everyone to the best of our abilities, especially if their in a medically difficult situation. Or in a difficult situation in other circumstances, like child abuse, spouse abuse, etc." If the girl was in trouble, hopefully she knew that Zelda would help her. If not, it didn't matter & the woman hopefully knew she was not doing any type of harm to anyone with her research. 

Zelda stared the girl down before she seemed to catch on to the Brittney thing. It was something that usually took people by surprise. Everything in this timeline seemed... Wrong. The people ordering coffee, nothing seemed like it was right. The woman before her didn't give her nearly as many shivers as pretty much everyone else in this timeline. She shivered a little.Was it colder in this timeline?

>> "I'm doing okay."

Zelda gave her a reassuring smile. "That's good." They could have more conversation when they were in the basement of the hospital, away from crowds and public places. Any one of these people could have some type of bug on them, could be a creepy organization, could be this and that... Zelda was so paranoid and nearly all her instincts had been flaring since she entered this timeline. Zelda knew she didn't belong in this one and couldn't wait to get out.

Zelda collected her signed paperwork, put in her folder, and stashed it back inside her bag. 

>> "No, I do not drink coffee. My powers are enough for that. I am curious about the project... but I know it is confidential. I am happy to play a part... Do we go somewhere else from here?"

Zelda smiled and nodded. Less money for her to have to spend - and she only had a little bit more in cash anyways . That would probably barely cover their cab ride to the hospital. Most people were curious about the project. It was something she would give them a brief explanation of, to appease their curiosity, and then she did her best to never have to contact them again. That is what she was hoped for today, as well. 

"We can talk more, but for now, please follow me." Her eyes made a paranoid look across the coffee shop before she stood up, motioning for Sveta to follow her. Once outside, she motioned down for a cab. She opened the door for Sveta to get in and then she got in. After about 15 minutes or so, they arrived at the hospital. "Please follow me carefully." She vaguely knew where the cameras were and how to get into the basement without being totally detected. Granted, there probably was a Dr. Gray here, too. After running into a couple of janitors, they arrived at the entrance to the abandoned rooms - and it looked like they still were. Whew.

"Alright," she mumbled, "We'll find out if my badge works in this timeline..." She waved it over the key card and about 2 seconds later, it blinked green. YES. She opened the door slowly - it was abandoned, right like in her timeline. Perfect. She flipped the light switch on and hurriedly rushed Sveta inside. 

Zelda stared blankly ahead, occasionally taking a sip of her coffee. She really hoped this wasn't a bad idea - the dark web tended to tell her to this side of the rip as much as possible. This was the first time she had ever came to this side of the rip. It felt... Wrong. Like something wasn't right. She imagined most people felt that way when they weren't in their own timeline, though. 

Zelda almost jumped when she saw an attractive blonde woman slide into a seat in front of her.

>> "Zelda Grey?"

This had to be the volunteer. Zelda nodded and gave her a warm smile, "Yes, I'm Zelda. How are you today, Brittney?" She smiled again. That was one of her primary security features - she did not want to know any information that could be used to identify them. She had already designated a code name for the blonde woman, 'Brittney Hoppings.' Hopefully the woman would catch on quickly. She seemed pretty smart, especially since she was able to reach over the rip. 

She leaned formed and whispered, "I have a few forms I will need you to fill out before we can get started - it's going to contain very personal information, please answer honestly." She reached into her bag and pulled a folder out. On the top, it was written:

Patient Volunteer, Research X9037135: Brittney Hoppings

Her form did go into several details - her code name had already been filled out on the form where it asked for name. The rest of the information was typical questions a medical form might ask - weight, height, sexual experiences, any diseases/chronic issues, parents disease history, etc.

The next form she needed a signature. She always brought 3 of the forms to make sure they signed their code name, not their real name. This was the 'You cannot tell anyone else regarding this research under any circumstances, you authorize Dr. Gray to take a sample of your blood, yatata.' 

The last form simply asked for her cell phone number, preferably a personal one. Underneath that, there was a few words about 'Data Breaches' etc. It was one last fail safe Zelda had built into her research - if an organization, individual, etc tried to steal any of her research, all volunteers would be notified via designated code words from an untraceable number somewhere in California. That way they know that the information has been breached & to take necessary steps to protect themselves. 

Usually, she could explain these rules and guidelines to individuals when they first meet out in a public place, away from people. She usually even asks them to cover their faces so she can't make out their details - but she was trying to be extra cautious, especially since she was in this alternative timeline. She couldn't say 'cover your face and use this fake name' in an email to her. There couldn't be any type of written records like that.

So, they had to be a little more risky but with different fail safes.

She gave another warm smile to the woman, "Would you like me to get you some coffee? Do you have any questions before we head to our destination?"

Zelda was enjoying there little moment in the cute, retro diner. She had never been here before, but it seemed like a decent place to eat. She guessed she'd find out in a few minutes when they bring her food out, at least. She listened to Nate's order and nodded. Sounded pretty good, actually. Actually, she was kind of craving the corned beef hash now but the little blonde had already ran off to the kitchen. No point in changing her order now.

Once the blonde came back and poured her coffee, Zelda let out a small sigh and took a small sip of the black coffee. She savored every taste. She had become a total coffee fanatic since she started medical school all those years ago - there really wasn't any other way to power through things except through, well, less than optimal and illegal drug sharing. Had to do what she had to do, though.

>> ”I don’t know, Zelda. This could be one of those situations where we agree it was a very fun night-slash-morning and move on with our lives,”

She gave a brief shrug. She was fine with a move on with their lives. It would be easy, less complicated, fast. No mess, no issues, nothing. Zelda felt a little weird that she she had opened her research to this person just for them to never speak again but if that is what he wanted, Zelda would provide it. A bit disappointing, but she was sure he had his reasons and nodded her respectful agreement in the end. She could find a different f*ck boy, anyways. She really could find someone else pretty easily - this was a big city full of people who would love to get inside her pants. She knew she was attractive and knew how to get a guy - or girl - where she wanted. She wasn't know why he was refusing - morals, maybe he was actually married with 3 kids? Maybe he wasn't all that much of a player like she thought he was. But then...

>>  ”Then again, there really isn’t much harm in exchanging numbers… you know, if you have the occasional ‘itch.’”

When Nate looked back up, Zelda made sure his eyes locked on hers. She giggled, "Good. Do you have your phone handy? I'm sure it won't be too long." He didn't have to tell her twice, after all. She knew she liked him and she knew he liked her - they had a very compatible bangarang in the supply closet back at the hospital. Poor interns. She probably should have put a sock on the door or something, so they wouldn't even think to come by. Too late now. She pulled her iPhone 7S out of her pocket and tapped the app to add a new contact. She typed Nate in to the first name and put F*ck boy for the last name. She didn't remember his last name, if he even told her, so that should make it easy for her to recognize who it was. Now it was just waiting for his number. 

Zelda chuckled as she pushed him into the supply closet. She locked the door behind her. She wasn't done with him, not yet. Her skin shivered as she felt his hand move up and she began to unbutton his shirt, a devious grin on her face. Once she felt their lips touch, it was a whole new world...

---

Zelda yawned as they sat at the Wallflower diner. It was early, about 6:30am or so. Her hair was a bit disheveled from their little escapade but she had managed to put it into a relatively stable ponytail. She looked over the menu as a chirpy blonde girl came over and asked what they would like. How was she so unbearingly happy this early? Zelda's eyes had some bags under them by now. She had a whole day to go, too. 

"I'll take some black coffee, uh... I'm ready to order my food, too. Waffles with strawberries." Simple and yummy. 

She crossed her legs and leaned onto the table and started talking quietly, "So... I'm not looking for anything serious. My work is my relationship. But I'm totally down for a friends with benefits kinda thing. If you're up for it, at least." She gave him a wink and leaned back in her chair. She waited to see his response. They did just bang inside a supply closet at a hospital, so she was pretty confident he didn't have a problem with her proposal but it would be awkward if they didn't set boundaries up front. "I work a lot. And prefer that. But if you ever have an itch." She felt like she needed to explain a bit more, but decided that was good enough. The ball was in his court now. Zelda wouldn't mind getting in a supply closet again with. Several times.

She shook her mind back from her memories of the couple hours before, excited for her coffee to arrive.