Close Quarters

Chapter One

The long ride was getting a bit too much for Julie. She wished that she could ask R to take over, but from her recent experience with him driving, she knew that he would make a few too many mistakes. Plus it was night time and his mistakes were made in the daytime. She wanted to arrive to shelter in one piece. The rain was bitter cold and she feared that she would catch pneumonia. 'Why couldn't the convertible work?" she thought to herself. All she wanted to see was the exit sign for the last evacuated town so they could have some type of shelter. R had a worried look on his face and was wondering if Julie was ok. He didn't feel that cold, though he did feel a slight change in temperature which he wasn't used to. Ever since he met Julie… well saved her life from being eaten from his friends, he felt a bit different. He couldn't really explain it. He just knew that it was something that he wouldn't complain about because it made him feel more alive. He always wanted to fell more alive and felt out of place wondering in the airport for years with his over active mind pondering over life and the need to feel connected to something… someone.

"J… Julie…. are you ok?" R asked with worry in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine R. We should be there soon."

"You're sh… shivering."

"I'll be ok R," she said not so convincingly."

R wanted to hold her hand but feared that his cold ridged hands may make her more uncomfortable. He wanted to comfort her and keep her safe. In fact he silently vowed that he would risk his so called life to keep her safe. He felt a strong connection to her that was indescribable. It was like he fell in love with her the first second he saw her welding a riffle blowing off his comrade's heads off. It was only a few days ago that they met, but they have learned so much about each other. Though R didn't have much recollection about his past, Julie felt as though she knew his soul. For a dead person he had so much life and purest intentions. He only ate humans to survive and somehow Julie came to understand that need. It wasn't his fault that he was turned into a monster. She honestly had compassion for him and wanted him to have a better life. She hoped that by some miracle her father would let him join the compound once he saw that he wasn't a danger. Julie knew that this dream of hers was a bit farfetched, but she was prepared to make a strong fight of it. R saved her life… her father had to take that in consideration. Julie made a big sigh once she saw the sign for their exit.

"We're almost there," she said almost stuttering from the cold.

"Yes, we need to get you wa… warm." R still was having a hard time not stuttering his words. It was still difficult for him to pronounce some things though he could say them perfectly in his head. He would stammer a bit here and there, but his speech had improved over the last few days since they met. R assumed it was due to practice since she was the only one in years that he talked to for hours on end.

Julie took her eyes off the road briefly and smiled at R. R returned a smile but feared that he looked silly. Julie thought that he looked adorable with his odd grin. Some of his movements were stiff and exaggerated. But to her they seemed adorable because he was trying his best. Seeing his silly grin took her mind off of the fact that she was soaking wet and starving for a moment.

"I hope that there's food in the houses so that you can eat," R said without stammering.

"I hope so too. Are you hungry R you haven't eaten in a while."

"I'll be fine. I just want you s… safe. Not like you're gonna let me snack on your brain," he said with a sly grin. Julie giggled. "No R, I'm not gonna let you eat me." Julie's cheeks blushed suddenly thinking about what she just said… though her thoughts were a bit dirty. R gulped while watching her cheeks fill with blood. It wasn't because he wanted to taste her blood… it was because he too pictured eating her out. They both cleared their throat simultaneously and Julie tried her best to concentrate on the road.

A few nights ago Julie started having dreams about R. She didn't know if it was because of the fact that he saved her life numerous of times, or because he was actually handsome under all that pale skin and scares on his face. She definitely thought his odd ways were charming and sweet… for a zombie. Well for anyone really. Julie never admitted to any of her sexual thoughts about him. Her life was in danger… wasn't the best time to bring it up. Besides the fact that she was human and he was dead. It just seemed crazy. Sometimes she wished that something magical would happen and he would just be human again. Any time she dreamed of them kissing or making out he was human…. warm... eyes not zombie dead. Tough his silver eyes were eerily attractive. Julie guessed she just got used to them while gazing into them as they talked for hours during the last few days.

All of this was like a crazy long dream to her. But she knew it was real and copping with it was her biggest struggle. Julie just lost her ex-boyfriend Perry only a week ago. They just broke up a few weeks before their last mission to get supplies for the compound. He was the only guy her dad approved her to be with in the compound. Ironically he slept with someone else which broke her heart because she trusted him. Julie never told her father because he might have done something to harm him. Her father was a colonel and leader of the human survivors. He's a bit gun happy, so she kept the fact that Perry cheated on her to herself.

Julie started to grip the steering wheel tighter as she thought of the anger of trusting Perry. But she also missed him as well. They went to high school together and he was the first person that she ever had sex with. At one point she even thought that she loved him. Tears started to fill her eyes but it wasn't that noticeable because of the pouring rain. Julie didn't want R to worry about her so she tried her best not to wipe her tears away which was a normal reaction to do when someone cries. So much weight was on her all at once. She thought of all the family and friends that she lost over the last eight years because of the zombie outbreak. She was strong… had to be. Her father made it seem like she was weak if she cried about it. She almost became numb to it just to cope with everything. R looked carefully at Julies face and noticed a painful look that she was so desperately trying to conceal.

"Julie… are you ok? Wa… what's wrong?" R asked with true concern.

"I'm… I'm fine R. I'm just cold and tired. Can't wait to finally go to sleep."

"Oh… Ok."

R pierced his lips wondering if she was telling everything. He knew that she's been through hell and back. He just wanted to get her home safely. Even if that meant that he would never see her again. He just wanted her happy and safe. It wasn't like the compound was going to except him as a new resident. He hoped that would be an option but knew that it was just an unrealistic dream. R couldn't really blame Julie for holding a few things back. He felt a tinge of guilt as he thought of smashing Perry's skull in to eat his brains. He didn't have the heart to tell her yet that he was the one that killed Perry. Julie just knew that he died in the attack. It crossed her mind a few times if R was the one that ended Perry's life, but she also never had the heart to ask. More likely she didn't want to know. R had some of Perry's memories. That was a good and bad thing. It made him feel more alive as he ate him, experience his joys and hardships. R saw how amazing Julie was but also knew how hurt she was when she found out that Perry slept with Angela. He even knew that Angela could have been pregnant by Perry and that Perry was freaking out abo that. R knew that if he'd ever had a chance to be with Julie that he would never break her heart. He would be the most faithful and loving person.

R had his first dream since he was turned into a zombie the other night. It was an eventful experience to even dream because zombies don't sleep. He was excited to even experience sleep and dream for that matter, but he kept it to himself since the dream was about marring Julie and having a child with her. R didn't want to freak her out. 'Keep dreaming lover boy. No way in hell your dreams will come true,' he thought to himself.

Julie's eyes lit up when she saw the exit sign. It didn't take them that long to reach the deserted neighborhood. The rain had stopped as they were driving down the empty block. It was eerie with all of the houses in total darkness. The only light was from the headlights from the battered BMW that got damaged from their escape from the airport parking garage and the moonlight. "Thank God," Julie breathed as she pulled into a drive way of a home. R got out of the car and awkwardly walked over to her door to help her out. She watched him not sure of what he was doing. Once she saw that he opened the door and held out his hand realization washed over her face.

"You're such a gentleman R," she said smiling. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well I try to be." Julie giggled. "When are you going to stop shrugging your shoulders you big shrugger?" R was about to shrug again.

"Don't you dare!" she said laughing as she turned off the car.

"Ok… I…. I'll try to stop. It's a habit I g... guess."

The street was now only lit by the moonlight. Julie took his hand and he helped her out of the car. For some reason she couldn't look away from his sliver eyes. They looked like they were glowing. It didn't scare her one bit… just intrigued her because they also looked so kind. R held her hand as they walked up the steps. His hand wasn't as freezing cold as it was before but she didn't know what to think of that. She just figured that because her hands were freezing he felt different to her. R giggled the door knob and noticed it was locked. He kicked it in and Julie jumped a bit from the loud sound. R inhaled a few times to make sure that no one was in the building. "C… Come on. Let's get you warm and fed," he said looking back at her. Once they were inside Julie searched around and found an oil lamp. Then she spotted some candles and started to light them. The house was beautiful. Everything was modern and they had a huge big screen in the living room. Julie walked over to one of the family pictures that were on the wall. She raised her hand and touched it. Only a husband and wife were in the picture.

"I hope that they are ok," she said.

"I hope… so too."

R took a candle and walked to the kitchen and started to look for can goods. The pantry was filled with food. He started checking the expiration dates and all were ok to eat.

"Julie… come here. There's a ton of food to eat."

"I will R. I just have to get out of these clothes. Maybe the family left some here. I'll go upstairs."

"I'll go with you," he said quickly.

Julie giggled.

"What you want to watch me undress? You're a shrugger and a peeping tom huh?" she said playfully.

"N… No. I just wanted to check the house out more... make sure you're O… Ok."

A flash of heat radiated through her body as she imagined R seeing her naked. "Well ok… lead the way my great protector." R looked around awkwardly then started to head up the stairs. They went to the master bedroom. All the other rooms were just and office and an exercise room. Julie went straight to the closet to rummage through the clothes. She found a fluffy purple robe and laid it on the bed. Most if the clothes were about 4 sizes too big for her. She turned to look at R. It took a while for him to get the hint to look away. "Oh… Oh sorry," he said as he turned to face the wall. He started studying the wall paper to get his mind off of Julie's body that was going to be naked in seconds. Julie peeled off the wet clothes and laid them on the dresser to dry. She was wondering should she take off her panties and bra as well. They were cold as shit. With a deep sigh she started to take off her underwear. R desperately tried to ignore that he smelled her. He smelled her arousal before when she slept but tried to ignore it as much as he could. That was masked with clothing; this time it was just her… out there. It was killing him and he wanted to turn around so badly. He never saw her naked before but had a vivid imagination of what she would look like. R made a big gulp as he waited for her to put the robe on. He was hungry but not in the I need brains type of hungry. He couldn't get an erection because he didn't have any blood flowing through his body, but he damn sure felt horny. Julie quickly put on the robe but wished that he did see her naked. She knew her thoughts were silly. I mean… she would be like the first person ever to make out with a zombie. That just sounded ridiculous to her. What was even more ridiculous was that she was extremely attracted to him. 'God I need a psychologist,' she thought to herself.

"Ok, you can turn around now," Julie breathed. Her cheeks were red because she was thinking of the fact that she was naked in the same room with R. She just had a dream about making love to him the previous night.

Julie looked on the night stand and noticed a Polaroid camera. She hasn't seen one of those in years.

"Oh look… a camera," she said as she picked it up. She turned it on and saw that there was still film inside. She turned to face R and took a candid picture of him which took him off guard. His eyes were wide because he was surprised and a bit startled.

"Oh I'm sorry R. I'll take another picture… just smile ok."

"Oh… Ok," he said with an awkward grin."

"It's important to preserve memories. Our minds can remember things, but it's nice to have the memory in a picture that you can look at whenever you want."

Julie took a few more pictures of R. R also wanted a picture of Julie. He had no clue if he would be able to see her again after he got her home safely. Having a picture of her would be the most treasured item that he would have in his plane if he couldn't stay with her.

"J… Julie… can I take a picture of you?"

"Oh sure R," she said with a smile.

Julie ran her fingers through her wet hair to try to tame it. R thought that she looked beautiful and didn't have to do a thing. She smiled and he took a picture. He pulled the film out and waited for it to develop in his hands. Slowly he saw her face appear. As he watched the picture developed he felt a strong sense of attachment to her. He dreaded that this picture would be the only physical thing that he would have left of her. R loved Julie and wanted to be with her for the rest of her life though he knew that his wish was unlikely. R's smile grew wider as the photo developed. "Let me see," Julie asked. R handed her the picture and she smiled. "I like this picture. I want a picture with the both of us," she beamed. Julie hugged R's side and he aimed the camera to capture the both of them. Once the picture was fully developed they both stared at it for a while in deep thought. "Hey… let's take another one. I want one for myself. You can have that one," Julie said. They took a few more pictures… this time with a variety of faces. Some were just smiles… then the others they took with exaggerated funny faces. It made R laugh out loud. Julie was only used to hear him chuckle here and there as they talked for hours during the last few days. This was the first time that she heard him laugh so loud. "I love your laugh R." R really didn't know what to say. After a few seconds he just said thank you. Hearing Julie say the word 'love' stunned him for a moment. Julie thought that R would want to change his clothes. There were clothes that looked that they would fit in the closet when she was looking for something for her to wear.

"R… there's some clothes in here too if you want to change. They look like they would fit."

"Oh… Ok," he said a bit dumbfounded. He's worn the same clothes since he was turned into a zombie… though he couldn't remember exactly when that was.

"I'm going to see if the shower works ok."

"Ummm…. O… Ok," R stammered.

Julie walked down the hallway to the bathroom with a candle. She checked the faucets and they all worked.

"Hey the water wasn't shut off… it works," she said excitedly. You can take a shower too when I'm done."

"Ummm… Ok?"

'Hell when was the last time I took a shower?' R thought to himself. He smelled his underarm to see if he stunk. "I guess a shower would do me some good," he said in inaudibly.

Julie took a nice hot shower and let the water run over her body. She even got a bit excited that they used the same Dove body wash that she used at home. It's been days since she showered. R let her wash up in the plane with bottled water and soap from the bathroom. That was the best that she could do under the circumstances of killer zombies wandering around. She quickly washed her hair because she was a bit hungry. She heard her stomach growl and knew that she had to cut it short so that she could eat. After she stepped out the shower and covered herself with a towel she called out down the hallway to check on R.

"R…. you ok?"

"Yeah I… I'm fine," he called out from the bedroom. "Oh and I found some jeans and T-Shirt to wear."

"Cool… hop in the shower. I'm sure it will feel good."

R's eyes widened. Did she mean hop in the shower while she was still in there? Oh… that would be too perfect he thought to himself. He heard her tiny footsteps come down the hall. Julie stood at the bedroom door drying her hair with a white towel.

"I left the water on for you."

"Um… Tha… Thanks," he said awkwardly.

R tried to pass her in the door way. They were awkwardly bumping into each other as if they did not know which way to move. His movements were stiff and confusing due to the fact that he was more nervous than usual. Julie giggled then held both of his arms to keep him still. "Stay here and I'll walk past... ok. This can be done," she grinned. R nervously smiled back at her.

"I put a towel and wash cloth on the sink for you."

"Thanks Julie."

"No problem."

R walked to the bathroom and Julie sat down on the bed and placed her hand on her chest. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. "Great… I have a crush on a zombie," she said quietly. Julie finished drying off and looked for a pair of slippers. Luckily she found a pair that was under the bed. Strangely she couldn't help think of what R looked like in the shower. She knew that he had broad shoulders. He had a slim build but didn't know if he had abs or not. 'Seriously… what harm would it do if I made an excuse to go in the bathroom? 'What would I go in the bathroom for… what would I go in the bathroom for,' she thought to herself. Then it hit her. She didn't brush her teeth. She could just use her fingers if there wasn't a new toothbrush.

R was in the shower awkwardly washing his body with stiff moves. He never really paid attention to all of the bullet wounds that he had. To him they were equivalent to mosquito bites since he couldn't die from them. Only way he could be killed is if someone shot his head off. R shivered just thinking about it. He had a valid reason to live; to keep Julie safe and to get her home. Once that task was done… he didn't know what he was going to do with his life? 'Am I going back to the airport? At least M is there. My foreseen future is falling for a woman I can't have… then return to the drum life at the airport to eventually become a frickn' Bonny… great.' R snapped out of his daydreaming as he heard Julie's footsteps reach the bathroom door. "I just wanna brush my teeth… don't mind me," Julie called out. R instinctively covered his penis not knowing why since the shower curtain was closed.

"Sure… C… Come in," he said a bit too excitedly. Fuck… he cursed to himself as he noticed how it sounded. Julie stepped in the bathroom and looked around in the closet first to see if there were any new toothbrushes. Just her luck there were three.

"Hey, they have new toothbrushes. I'll leave one out for you too."

"Ok… thanks."

Julie opened both of them and started to brush her teeth. After she was done she realized how she could see his body and not be a creep about it. Maybe he needed help washing his back since he's stiff. I mean that was a valid reason. His first shower in God knows how long… she wanted to make sure that he was clean.

"Um… R?"

"Yes?"

"I'm willing to help you wash your back if you want. I know it may be hard for you to reach. I really don't mind."

'Shit… shit … shit,' R thought to his self. 'Are you frickn' kidding me? She wants to wash me!'

"R…?"

"Oh… Um yeah if you want," he tried to say as calm as possible though he was silently freaking out.

Julie opened the shower curtain and got the luffa sponge without looking down at his dick; though her peripheral vision saw it perfectly clear. All of a sudden she got really nervous but played it off well. It was long and huge to be flaccid. Julie could hear her heartbeat in her ears but tried to breath evenly to stay focused.' I mean this man saved my life more than once. It shouldn't be such a hardship to wash his back right,' she thought to herself. R just froze not knowing what to do. "It's ok R. I'm just going to wash your back ok." He shook his head yes quickly. Julie poured body wash on the luffa and looked up at his face. He looked nervous with his eyes wide open.

"Relax… ok,'" she said in a soothing voice."

"Ok," he said barely audible.

Julie looked down at his chest because she noticed some scares even though the bathroom was dimly lit with candle light. The scares were actually bullet wounds.

"Oh my God R! Are these…. were you shot this many times!?"

"Ye… Yeah," he said almost shamefully.

Julie ran her hands across his wounds as tears started to fill her eyes. She just imagined if R was killed and what that would do to her… even if she never knew him because she knew what a good person he was… despite his forced eating habits.

"Did they hurt?" she breathed.

"No… not really. Dead remember."

"You're not dead," she snapped.

Hearing him say that just struck a nerve with her. She cared about him so much that reality that he was a zombie was hard for her to hear. He wasn't the norm… he was special…. he was her hero.

"Julie… I am dead. Corpse… Z… Zombie… whatever yall call me. Something crazy happened to me… and it s… sucks but it's what I am."

"You're more alive than some people I know. Don't call yourself dead. You're so much more than that. I care about you."

"I care about you too," he said with a sad smile knowing he couldn't be what he really wanted to be for her. R's heart beated one time. He didn't notice it, just as he didn't notice that his heart beated the first night that he was with Julie. Being around Julie was changing him… not just emotionally but physically. He was only aware of the emotional change.

Julie's eyes traveled down to his stomach as she noticed more scars. She started to wash him trying her best not to cry. R could see the pain in her face regardless and held her hand that was washing him.

"J… Julie, you're a good person. And I'm glad that I had a chance to know you in my life... well in my death."

"Stop saying that you're dead R," Julie's voice quivered.

R picked up her hand and led it to his lips and kissed it. "Ok… I'll stop saying that I'm dead... and you stop trying to look at my junk," he said trying to make her laugh. It worked. "Whatever," she said laughing. Julie wiped a tear away with her free hand and sighed.

Washing R made her feel closer to him than before. She washed more than his back which was her original plan. Julie knew that it was a bit difficult for R to wash himself, so she also washed his arms, chest, legs, and face. It wasn't even sexual, though she did gaze at his tight ass for a brief moment and reveled at his six pack abs as she washed them. R felt at peace as Julie washed him. It took some time to get there though. The first few moments he was silently freaking out because she was touching him. He closed his eyes briefly because it felt so relaxing. He didn't really want to take his eyes off of Julie but it was a good thing that he knew every feature by heart… down to the small freckles that she had on her cheeks. R opened his eyes and looked into Julie's. She felt a chill go down her spine as he looked at her; he looked so sexy to her. 'Whoa… this is crazy. I can't feel this way about him, she thought to herself. Julie handed R the luffa when she was done.

"You can wash everything else," she smirked. Julie didn't have the guts to wash his dick and the crack of his ass; though she wanted to.

"Umm… O… Ok… I think I can handle that. Th… Thank you Julie... for everything," He said smiling.

"Thank you R. For Christ sake you've saved my life… more than once."

"Well… I ha… had to save you. Not that many zombies at the airport enjoy good… music."

Julie slapped his arm and shook her head. "A joker you are." R shrugged his shoulders on purpose. Julie rolled her eyes playfully and left the bathroom. He sighed. "Wow… that was amazing," he breathed. R looked down at his dick and started to wash it. He poked at it a few times a bit hopeful that it would react, but nothing. He figured he had to use Perry's memories of how he felt when he had se with her since he knew that being with Julie in that way was just a fantasy. Kissing Julie's hand in the shower was probably the only time his lips would touch her body. Yet he did notice she didn't pull away or seemed freaked out about it. Hope.

Julie was in the bedroom trying her best not to cry. All of this was too crazy for her to even consider. R was a zombie. Not an option to be her future… though she wished that he could be. She deeply sighed and went down stairs to see what type of can food was there for her to eat. She hated hearing R say that he was dead. She knew that he was different. But dead people don't ask in depth questions, or show so much emotion from just a simple look, or have profound feelings, have opinions, and defiantly don't save your life. Julie wondered if she could convince her father to let him stay in the compound once she proved that he wasn't going to hurt anyone. R needed to eat brains to survive. Julie wasn't that delusional. She thought that he could get used to eating the livestock that the compound was going to eat anyway. Her plan was to not be away from him at all cost. Julie thought that R's plan was to just get her home safety. R didn't know how exactly Julie felt for him. Little did she know that R felt the same way and wanted to be with her as well. Julie was terrified to even admit her feelings to R. It wasn't heard of for someone to fall for a zombie. The only falling people did was when they were about to be a meal.

R brushed his teeth around 10 times after he got out of the shower. He wanted to make sure that nothing was left in his mouth that would gross her out just in case he got lucky enough to kiss her. I mean kissing a human girl with reminisce of human brains could be a bit gross on her behalf. He also thoroughly flossed his teeth. He hated that his gums were a bit dark… but he couldn't do anything about that. He washed his mouth out with mouth wash and even put some cologne on that was in the medicine cabinet. What am I thinking? I'm acting like I'm going out on a date or something. Julie is not going to kiss me. Just give it up. I'm not that lucky… to actually have her feel the same way as I do. I'm going to die all over again if she rejects me... so just keep it chill. Don't be creepy… don't be creepy.

R joined her in the kitchen after he got dressed and had his long conversations with himself about yearning for Julie… which wasn't such a smart thing to do. But he couldn't help it. For all he knew... he was in love with her. Julie's eyes widen when she saw him in fresh clothes. He looked different… more handsome… clean, even looked like he had more color to his face. R noticed her expression and it made him feel a bit better.

"Wow… you really clean up nice," she said in awe.

"Thanks," R said with a big goofy grin on his face. Tone it down, Tone it down.

"You wanna try eating some of this?" she asked as she pointed to the bowl of soup.

"No… I'll just get sick," R said as he joined her at the table.

"Oh. I feel bad that you haven't eaten. I mean… Umm."

"It's ok. I'll be ok. I just want to make sure that you get home safe."

"Is it… is it true that you will die if you don't eat brains?"

"Yeah," he said shamefully.

"Have you ever eaten… animal brains before?"

"Sure… when humans are scar…" he stopped mid-sentence to not freak her out.

"You were about to say when humans are scarce weren't you?" Julie said grimly.

"We… don't have to talk about that Julie. I… I don't like the fact that eating people was a way I survived."

R had a flash back of the day that he saved Julie. He felt sick to his stomach to even think that she could have died that day if someone else got to her first. He started mindlessly shaking his head no.

"What's wrong R?"

"I just… I just. I was thinking of the day I saved you. I'm so glad that you… you were not hurt."

"I've thanked you so many times… and you've explained that you just wanted to protect me. Why was I the lucky one? Why me?"

"I… I don't know how to really answer that because I can't fully understand what happened. I mean… I guess seeing you… ch…changed something in me. I saw you and it was like something hit me… like I explained before… all I wanted to do was keep you s… safe."

"Ok," Julie said trying better to understand. "And I'm the only human that you did that for… not kill?"

R felt extremely guilty hearing her say the word kill. "Well… yes. You are the only person that I had no urge to kill at all. R started to fidget with his hands. 'I'm not going to tell you that I fell in love with you at first sight,' R thought to himself.

Julie wanted to know what was going through his mind the day that he saw her. But it looked like he wasn't going to admit everything.

"Well it's safe to say that we have some special type of connection," Julie said. "If we didn't I would be dead or a zombie."

"Yes… I guess you can say… say that."

Julie reached her hand out and grabbed R's hand. She wanted to kiss it like he kissed hers in the shower but he was too far away. She softly rubbed her thumb over his large pale hand.

"Thank you R," she breathed.

"You're welcome."

Julie yawned unexpectedly and her eyes watered up. She just realized how tired she was and wanted to lie down.

"Go to bed Julie… you need rest."

"Ok… you're coming upstairs with me right?"

"Oh… Oh sure."

"It's just that I'm used to you being in the same room with me. Plus you can lay down on the bed. I bet its way more comfortable than the seats in your plane."

R chuckled nervously thinking of them being in the same bed though they slept on the plane's floor near each other.

"It's ok R… the bed is big enough for the both of us."

"You know I don't actually sleep. You can have the bed and I'll just sleep on the floor."

R wanted to smack himself in the head. Julie just invited him to be in the same bed as her and he was trying to divert the idea because he would be too excited. Stupid, stupid, stupid he chanted to himself.

"I… I would feel more comfortable if you were next to me R."

"Oh… Ok." Thump Thump. R's heart beat again without him aware.

Julie was happy that R agreed to lay down next to her in the bed. Since she was saved by R he has kept watch over her while she slept from only a few feet away. At first R watched her intently while reclined on a chair on the plane. When Julie became more comfortable with him R started to lay down next to her on the planes floor with a respectable distance. It would seem weird if she was far away from him now. They both stood up from the kitchen table and Julie took the candle with her. R followed her upstairs trying not to focus on her butt… but it was there and there was nothing else to look at. Once in the bedroom, Julie looked through one of the drawers and found a large T-Shirt to sleep in. She didn't feel like sleeping in the robe. Actually she didn't want to be that covered up next to R. Julie took the T-Shirt along with her panties and went in the bathroom. She washed her panties out and hoped that they would be dry by the morning. If they weren't it wouldn't be the worst thing. Julie slid the T-shirt in and noticed that it wasn't that long. It must have belonged to the woman of the house. She didn't mind that it showed most of her thighs. Her nerves started to get to her. This was the first time that they were going to sleep in the same bed. Though when they slept on the plane, they were only a few feet away as he watched her sleep every night. Julie took a deep breath and brushed her teeth again. It was silly that she thought that there was a chance that she was going to kiss a zombie that night... but she wanted to be prepared just in case.

R sat still on the bed in deep thought. He loved Julie and wanted to be with her in every way. He wished that he could make love to her one day that wasn't just in his dreams, but his dick wasn't working because he needed blood flow for that. Most importantly, he would need her to agree to be with a dead man. R wished that he was alive and not a monster so that he would always be a part of her life. This night may be the last that he could be with her. He was taking her home… a place where zombies weren't welcomed. As wonderful as he felt just being with her… he also felt great pain. He loved Julie… and she was not going to be his. He would be a fool to think that she would belong to him in this world. In his thoughts Julie was his. In his reality he was just a decaying body guard trying to get her home.

Julie slowly walked in the bedroom. R was already on the right side of the bed lying on top of the covers. His eyes widened once he saw her thighs. He tried to play it off but she noticed and it made a tingling sensation go down her spine. She took a deep breath as her nerves got the best of her. Julie slid under the covers and wanted him to be under the covers as well. She knew he didn't need them because he didn't get cold. 'I guess its best that he stays above the covers… then he won't make me cold. But I would really love to feel him closer to me,' she thought.

"Good night Julie… ta… try to get some rest… ok."

"Goodnight R."

Julie faced the closet away from R and hugged her pillow tightly. She was mad that she didn't do or say anything to let him know that she had feelings for him. 'How could I become a punk now… when I'm sent on missions to gather things for my compound with 5 plus guns facing death every week. Why can't I just tell R that I want him? What's wrong with me?' Julie let out a frustrated sigh.

"You ok?" R asked raising his eyebrow.

"Yeah… I'm fine. Goodnight R."

Julie turned over and without much thought kissed his forehead. His skin didn't feel ice cold but that didn't register with her yet, she was still in a bit of shock that she just kissed him. "Oh… oh?" R stammered in shock. It was the first time he felt her lips on his body. His heart made another beat without him noticing.

"Sorry… I just felt like doing that. Didn't mean to take you off guard."

"N... No. don't apologize. I liked it."

Julie bit her bottom lip as she pondered on kissing his lips. Would she be bold enough to do such a thing? What would she have to lose? She may desperately miss this man in a few days. This may be her only chance to kiss him.

"R?"

"Yes Julie?"

Julie was silent as she tried to gather her thoughts. R's body was tingling all over with excitement. He replayed Julie's forehead kiss in his mind over and over. Thump thump. R's heart beat again.

"J… Julie. I care about you so much."

"I care about you too R."

"All I wanna do is get you h… home safe. I don't know what will happen to me. I… I may never see you again." Julie's brows furrowed at the notion of not seeing R. "Julie, once I get you home… I will have to leave. They might kill… me. But I will make sure that you get home safely if it's the last thing that I do."

"R… there has to be a way that we can… stay together."

"I… I would love that. But… but I'm different. I don't belong in your… world."

"You do belong in my world R. I can have them see that you're different in a special way. Don't say that you'll never see me again," Julie said as she started to cry.

R sat up and pulled her up in his arms and held her close to his chest. "I… I don't want you to cry. Didn't you just say that if your father saw me he would kill… kill me dead at the first chance? I'm shh…sure everyone is trained like that Ja… Julie. It's just what it is. Trust me, I would love to be with you… and try to live a normal life. But look at me…." R looked down at himself and spread his arms out to display that he was a zombie.

"R…. don't give up like that. I…. I…" Julie wanted to tell him that she loved him but didn't know how to actually say it. She crawled on his lap and caressed his cheek. This time it registered that his skin was warmer than usual; it baffled her.

"What is it Julie?" he asked as he wove his fingers in her damp hair.

"Damit… I love you," Julie blurted out.

R couldn't believe what he just heard. He was stunned for a brief moment. Julie looked at his frozen expression not knowing what to expect. "R… I love you." He finally blinked. Thump thump.

"Wow… I love you too Julie." He gripped her hair slightly and softly kissed her forehead.

R felt a painful jolt within his body as his heart took another strong beat. He had no clue of what was going on. But his mind was more focused on Julie snuggled in his arms pleading to be with him.

"Well then… trust me," Julie cried." We can be together. We have to be together. I want to belong to you."

R painfully chuckled due to her words and the confusion of what was going on with his body.

"You want to belong to a zombie huh?"

"No… I want to belong to R," Julie said as she moved in to kiss his lips.

R's heart took another strong beat. This time pumping more blood than the last through his body. The tingling sensation that he felt in his lions changed to a different sensation as he felt himself harden. His heart beat again and again. "J… Julie?" he called out. Julie jumped as she felt his dick getting hard from beneath her.

"Wha…" she said in amazement.

"Something's happening," R said alarmed.

"No shit!"

"No… I think my heart is beating," he said bewildered.

Julie pressed her head against his chest and heard his heart beating.

"Oh my God!" she yelled out. R… what the… how… your heart is beating. I hear it!"

"My wish came true," he whispered in awe.

R didn't want to take the chance if he was dreaming or not... or if this was real he didn't know how long it would last. "Julie… I want to make love to you," he breathed. Julie pressed her lips hard on his and positioned herself so that he could enter her. She didn't even hesitate about anything. She wanted him inside of her like the countless dreams that she had over the past few days. R took his hands and gently gripped her ass. His head was at her soaked entrance and he paused for a moment to look in her eyes. The room was dimly lit from the candle light but he saw the love that she had for him. With his first stroke she moaned out load and buried her head in the crook of his neck. "Oh God," she called out as she realized that he was much bigger than Perry. Julie held tight to R's body and she felt the heat of his skin as his blood flowed through his body. His touch was so warm. Every part of him was now the same temperature as her.

R made love to Julie as if it was the last thing that he would ever do. He was so loving and gentle when she needed him to be…. and urgent and dominant when she begged him to take her.

"Oh my God… Oh my God," she moaned in his ear as he started to move faster.

"Julie," R moaned.

"Yes… Oh my God you're gonna make me come!" she yelled out.

Julie grabbed his shaggy hair and held on to him tight. R rubbed his fingers on her clit and it drove her crazy. "God R!" He wanted to taste her so he brought his fingers to his mouth. "Oh my God Julie, you taste… so good." he moaned. Julie took off her T-shirt and R took his other hand and guided her breast putting it inside his mouth. She squealed as she felt his tongue run circles around her nipples. At this point R couldn't believe that he was actually making love to Julie. He couldn't fathom how his heart was beating and how his body was now covered in sweat as the woman he loved quivered in his arms as she came on him. 'This has to be a frickn' dream.' Instead of analyzing everything, R decided just to live in the moment.

They both lost track of time because time didn't matter. Julie lost count on how many times she came. When R came it was one of the most beautiful experiences she ever felt. She yelled out, "I love you," as he came inside her. Sweat poured from both of their bodies as they gasped for air. R was truly alive. Julie was truly alive.

"I don't want this to be a dream," Julie murmured out of breath from her orgasm.

"I don't want this to be a dream either. Don't know how to explain it… but… your love brought me back to life."

"Wow… R…. I… I love you."

"I love you too Julie," R Panted.

They held each other in their arms just listening to their breath and heartbeats. Neither one could explain what happened. Everything was a mystery anyway. From the outbreak… to how R was so different from the others. He was special and in some weird serendipity way… they were supposed to meet that day. If being loved was the key to cure the disease, maybe it was hope for others. R's friend Marcus helped them escape and he didn't want to harm Julie... so all zombies weren't destined killers. Julie felt the warmness of R's skin against her cheek. She wanted to stay this way for hours. She felt comforted as R gently rubbed her back. He slid his hand down and started to rub her ass. She felt his dick getting hard again from inside her; he had never left. She clinched her pussy on him and he made a sexy groan.

"Question… do you still have the urge to eat my brains," she giggled.

"I never had the urge to eat your brains. From the day I met you my sole purpose was to keep you safe. But there is something…. well something else that I would love to eat of yours."

"I wonder what that would be?" Julie said with a smirk.

R shrugged his shoulders; this time he did it on purpose and not absentmindedly.

"Lay down and I'll show you Ms. Grigio."