I do not own Warm Bodies. It's just awesome.

Human

Takes place after R is shot and they have ridden away in the Hummer, presumably to get medical attention for being shot.

Chapter 1: This is Even Better

"Well, um, it would appear you are, um just fine. Aside from the gunshot wound, that is. Heartbeat, blood, pressure, pupil dilation, respiration, reflexes. All normal. Um, how do you feel?" the attendant in the emergency medical tent inquired, somewhat shyly.

R smiled. "Human." He grimaced a little as he instinctively shrugged his shoulders. "Shot."

The attendant nodded. "We've removed the bullet and, uh, cleaned the wound. It should heal easily without incident. A light painkiller, which I've already administered, is all I can give you for right now given your low body weight and, uh, previous condition."

Behind R, Julie giggled. She seemed to keep shifting back and forth between stunned silence and delirious giddiness. R was alive! She was both shocked that he was and dumbfounded at the notion that he hadn't always been. Had it only been a few hours since he kissed her and her dad shot him? The sun had been coming up when they splashed into the reflecting pool and it wasn't yet noon. Whoa.

The attendant kept peering at R inconspicuously over the top of her glasses as if she couldn't quite seem to grasp the situation either. Finally, she sighed.

"Look, there's absolutely no protocol for this. All your vitals seem strong and stable. We have a lot of wounded coming in soon. Do you feel safe, er, comfortable, leaving for today to rest and coming back tomorrow for a follow-up exam? I know you're not a guinea pig, but you're the first and if there are going to be more like you, we'd like to understand you better to help them, um . . ." Realizing she was rambling, the attendant stopped talking and took a deep breath.

"I won't force you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. You're just, um, amazing!" The attendant stopped again and anxiously shifted from foot to foot. Behind him, Julie suppressed another giggle at the gawking attendant.

R felt his energy draining by the minute. "I'd like to help. I'll come back tomorrow." R agreed kindly, if a little tiredly.

"Afternoon. Late." Julie rested her small hand protectively on his broad back. He's no lab rat. "He needs to rest."

The attendant nodded gratefully. "Thank you. Please eat and drink in small amounts because your stomach is probably empty. I think. Kind of like Holocaust victims. When they ate too much too quickly, their bodies experienced severe reactions. Take it slow."

R nodded again and flustered attendant let them leave, still astounded at the dramatic turn of events. Someone yelled for her and she shook her head, bewildered, and hurried away.

As Julie and R left the shady tent, Julie noticed Kevin with a couple of other guards. She walked over with R and said, "Hey, Kevin."

"Julie. R." Julie smiled distractedly and R nodded, suddenly feeling too weary to socially interact with any more gawkers. He simply stood there, trying not to sleep standing up.

Mmmm, sleep. Wait, where am I going to sleep?

"Kevin, they've checked him out and he's fine. I'm taking him home with me to rest. We'll come back tomorrow and follow up with the medical staff again. Tell my dad, okay?" Julie tugged on R's arm and started away.

"Wait, um, Julie, shouldn't we clear this with your dad first?" Kevin inquired.

"Nope. We're tired. Bye." And off they went.

"Ok, in the shower with you." Julie pushed him gently toward her bathroom for the second time in twelve hours. "I'll get you some clean clothes to sleep in."

R staggered into the bathroom. Another shower.

Warm, soothing shower. I will not fall asleep. I will not fall asleep. I will not, yawn, fall asleep.

And he didn't. Mostly. He jerked out of an oncoming shower stupor when Julie knocked on the door after ten minutes.

"R? I've got some of my dad's clothes. They're a little loose for you but they're warm and comfortable."

She dropped them quickly on a chair just inside the bathroom door then closed the door for his privacy. R brushed his teeth (ooh, so clean), hung up the towel (didn't even drop it once thank you), and slipped on the clothes (ooh, warm and comfy indeed, I love you Julie). He staggered out the door and right into Julie's arms. She grabbed him by the shirt, giggled, and gave him a quick kiss before letting go.

"My turn. I'm so icky. Be right back." She smiled and stroked his face gently.

Julie closed the door and R dropped onto the couch.

Mmm, soft. Being human is great. So much to, yawn, feel.

He laid his damp head back and closed his eyes.

Closing the eyes, still new. Cool.

He drifted away into the peaceful ether.

"R? R?"

"Mmm . . .?" Oops, maybe a little Corpse inflection there.

"R, I want you to sleep with me."

Sleep with me, sleep with me. Wait a minute. What?

Drowsily, R lifted his head and pulled his eyelids open, revealing bright blues and gazing into bright blues. Julie was kneeling in front of him with her hands on his knees, her lovely, damp, blond head tilted to one side. He stared at her, much the same way he had done when she had informed him she was laying her clothes out to dry.

"Huh?" Confused. Sleepy. "What?"

Julie giggled and shook her head a little. Then, patiently and without any pretense at all, said, "You've been shot. You've just turned human. You're exhausted. I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed and I want you to come with me. I want you to lay down in the soft bed with a soft pillow under a warm blanket and sleep. I want to snuggle up next to you if it doesn't hurt your shoulder. I want to sleep with you next to me."

R processed this for a second and pushed himself, somewhat regretfully, off the couch. "I don't know. Nothing could be better than that couch," he sleepily mumbled at her and sort of grinned. She giggled again.

Ahhh, what a sound. It made his healthy human heart expand almost painfully in his chest. Mmm, that's new too. I like it.

Julie sat on the left side of the bed and patted the right. Gingerly, R lowered himself onto the bed on his back. His head found the pillow. Julie carefully snuggled up next to him with his right arm cradling her. She pulled the blanket up over them both and lovingly stroked his face. He sighed deeply.

"No, you were right. This is even better," he whispered as he drifted off into deep sleep.

This is my first fanfic. More to come if you're interested. R still has lots more human stuff to discover and enjoy.

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Thanks to Isis1917, Dragon-Wolf-Mustang Rider, Arrowshot, VickyDetos, ceharrold, UndeadOctopus, deathnoteno1fan-codegeasslover, Silent Sparrow, Owlcitygal, Tournage, Super Hero Geek, HeartsBurstIntoFlame17, Jordan091294, xoier118, GreenDayU294, WiideAwake, and Lady Shaye for your support. You're all lovely.