Like A Prayer{CALLIE}

[Sam Myers]

Luke decided to take a vacation to Alaska. He had grabbed Emma and taken a small Piper Jet

[/color]. He knew how to fly. He'd taken lessons growing up and was very familiar with it. Emma was snuggled in the backseat, enjoying the view. They were flying about 10,000 feet. High, but not high enough to be trouble. Luke had the ear phones over his ear. While there wasn't anyone in the airports to direct, he wasnt' worried about any other planes in the air at the time. He grinned at Emma.

When they landed at the airport, Luke carefully lowered the door. There were stairs that slid down. He carefully made his way down them. With Emma behind him. They were both wearing heavy parkas. The temperature was cold up here. Luke wasn't sure if there were zombies up here. He always kept a scope rifle slung over his shoulder incase. The airport was quiet, which caused his red flag to go up and his guard. He grabbed Emma's hand and they slowly made their way toward the terminal.

He had heard rumors that the vaccine wouldn't survive up here because of the chilly air. Luke knew that several 'virus' didn't tolerate the extreme cold. This was probably one of those times. Luke entered the terminal. It was still quiet. He was suddenly a little leary and wondered if they shouldn't have left the safety of his plane.[/blockquote]

[callie]

Callie searched threw the gift shop of the Alaskan airport as she searched for anything that would help her situation. Despite her fathers approval, she fled to Alaska. With the help of the CDC she was transported to the one place rumored to be safe from the virus. Spending the last few years within the company she was sure there hadn't been anything new to her. She had been so use to watching scientist work on the living dead. She watched them test cures and she watched people die. She hadn't planned to fall in love and have a child with a man apparently destined to be a re-animater. Callie refused to watch her father work on mark like he was a test subject and when he officially died she realized she didn't want to raise Anabelle around all of it. She had been convinced she coul live life normally in Alaska despite her fathers warning. She would no soon after arriving realize he was right. Her plan had back fired and she was now stranded with her one year old. The only thing she could do was retreat to the airport and hope she could snag a ride from anyone passing threw.

For two weeks Callie had been living off of whatever she could find in the place. Luckily there was a lot to chose from; the gift shop, an in door restuarnt, and even a small McDonald's but there wasn't much acceptable for Anabelle. She had the little girl bundled up with a coat and blanket as she carried he threw the hall ways. Luckily she hadn't had more than three living dead encounters but she was growing worried that her luck had run out. In the next terminal over she could hear footsteps and her alert went on high. She placed Anabelle in a seat closest to a window where she would be okay. The one year old was asleep, so Callie wouldn't worry about her running off. Cautiously she removed the handgun from her gun holster and aimed as she looked around. She hadn't seen anyone yet and she tried to be quite but that was easier said then done. As she went to turn the corner she ran into a garbage can, making a loud bang. Callie bit down on her lower lip as she quickly turned around. She was running in fear and her first instinct was to protect her daughter.

[Sam Myers]

Luke heard the loud 'clang' of the garbage can. Immediately, he gripped his rifle. As he came around a corner, he spied a young lady running. He could tell immediately that she was human.

"hey! it's ok I'm human" he called to her, holding his hands up in a defensive position. "Im' not going to hurt you! I've come with a plane"

he glanced to Emma. He hoped this woman wasn't 'wild' and crazy, but he didn't think so. Luke spoke again, keeping his tone gentle and soothing, in a non threatening way.

"My names Luke and this is my niece Emma. We're heading back to Cemetery gates" he said.

He hoped maybe she would want a lift back. Clearly this place was decelate and was not inhabitable. Luke took a few steps forward so he could see her better. She was quite lovely. What made things seem more heartbreaking was that she had a one year old daughter with her. Luke's expression softened immensely. He hadnt seen a child or baby in a long time. He had forgotten how precious they were. He raised his eyes back to the mothers.

"Would you like a lift back?" he asked her and waited

[callie]

As she ran back go Anabelle, Callie stuffed the gun back into it's holster. She didn't care much for weapons anyways. She used them as little as she could. In fact, these past two weeks had been the first time she used a gun. Working for the CDC, killing the living dead wasn't a priority. Instead they kept them like pets, testing on them to find a cure. She wasn't against that either. She knew better than anyone that the re-Animaters use to be human. They use to be apart of someone's family. Some were even fathers like Mark and she didn't like killing them. She cried the first time she shot one in the airport a week ago. Callie wasn't even that good with them. She had been low on ammo and had no idea how much longer she would have lasted.

She quickly scooped Belle into her arms and help her close. She was about to bolt until she heard the voice of a man calling after her. Despite being human, she was hesitant and slowly walked towards him and his niece. Quickly an overwhelming amount of relief overcame her, knowing this was her way out. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. She let a few fall as Luke mentioned Cemetery Gates. That was in Maine and that happened to be her home state. Call it luck or whatever you will, but Callie had been given a break. She quickly whipped the moister from her cheeks as she stopped before them. The man was like angel. He was good looking and he was her savior. At least from this desolate place. "I would very much like a lift." She nodded softly. She brushed her long auburn hair to one side her shoulder. Callie was sure she looked like snow ball with her large, puffy jacket. "I'm Callie. This is Anabelle." She introduced herself while shifting the little one in her arms. "Sorry about that..." She referred to her running. "I thought you were something else." She admitted knowing he'd catch her drift. Her cheeks were flushed out of nerves. She wasn't great with meeting strangers and she was so overwhelmed with emotions that she held back tears again. She had regretted coming to Alaska since the moment she arrived and for moment she lost hope of getting home.

[Sam Myers]

Luke smiled and nodded.

"It's fine. I don't blame you" he said softly. He waved her to follow him.

Once onboard the plane, Emma took to the coach section and curled up on one of the seats. She dozed off. Luke had Callie sit up front with him. He told her that she could place Bella in the back in a makeshift playpen. Luke taxied down the runway and soon he pulled the nose up and rose into the air.

He leveled the plane out about the same height he had before. He put the auto pilot on and turned to Callie.

"How did you get stranded here?" he asked her concerned. He studied her face. She seemed relieved that he had come. Luke didnt want to know what would've happened had he not come at that time. Eventually the food in the place would've run out and they could've starved. Fate seemed to be working with him now.

He turned his head to look back at Emma and Bella. He glanced at Callie, his face inches from hers for a brief moment before his eyes returned on the windshield.

"Cemetery gates is still thriving if you could believe that" he said with a twitch of his lip. "Emma's parents were killed just before the vaccine turned. She's like my daughter now

[/b]"

His tone softened and became even more affectionate. He smiled at Callie. "Bella's adorable" he added.[/blockquote]

[callie]

Callie followed the man to his jet plane and placed Anabelle in the play pin. She had no idea if leaving with him was the right thing. She wasn't sure if she could trust him but in a world like this everyone needed to take chances. Luke had been the only one to land at the Alaskan airport in two weeks and if he could fly there she was sure it was safe flying back with him. As for trusting him, she knew that he would grow on her fast. It was like her to give chances. She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt and he was no different. Sometimes she tried not to trust so much because some used it against her but there was a comforting vibe from the man she sat next to in the cockpit. She constantly glanced back at her daughter and listened for any cries from her but she was pretty sure the one year old was still asleep.

Callie watched as Luke lifted the plane and placed it on auto pilot once at a reasonable altitude. Clearly he knew what she was doing. He was lucky to have he jet at his disposal. He could go where and it was safer than being on the ground in most places. "I...um heard it had been untouched by the virus. I fled there hoping it was live able. I guess I was wrong." The brunette spoke softly out of nerves. She glanced out the window, feeling a lot less stressed. She glanced back at the girls as Luke spoke of Emma. "Im sorry. She's lucky to have an uncle like you." She knew what it was like to lose people in this world and there was nothing easy about this. She did have high hopes of home though as he spoke of cemetery gates being quite inhabited. "It's nice to know some places are decent. I'm originally from Maine." She admitted knowing that she and her father had traveled all over the state.

Her eyes drew back to Luke as he commented on Belle. "She's my pride and joy." She offered a warm smile but quickly looked away realizing how much she had been staring. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to come up with something else to say. "T-thank you. If you hadn't shown up I don't know how we would have got out." Callie looked down as she fiddled with her fingers.

[Sam Myers]

Luke smiled. He waved his hand dismissively.

"I couldnt leave you there. That would be cruel and I couldn't live with myself" Luke said softly. He motioned to the little back pack beside the seat.

"There's water in there for you as well as some crackers. Once we land back in Maine, we can have a better hot meal" He said to her softly.

He listened to her story. Most of the population had run to Alaska for hopes of the virus not being there. But apparently, it had reached the borders and spread just as bad as it had in the US. Luke nodded.

"Yeah. I don't know how that 'virus' survived in the cold temperatures like Alaska, but that might give us something to worry about" he said slowly.

The vaccine might be mutating and changing. That was not a good sign. Things seemed to be getting a bit more harder, if what Luke was thinking was what was happening. Most virus die off in extreme temperatures. This one thrived. He chewed on his lip thoughtfully and fearfully but smiled at Callie.

"Do you have a place to stay when we land?" he asked her. "You could always stay with us. I have a whole second floor" he offered and waited

[callie]

Callie offered a soft, warm smile as he eyes fell upon the back pack he mentioned. She reached down and unzipped it, grabbing a bottle of water. She untwisted the cap and took small sips despite being dehydrated. Most of the found she found while at the airport Callie gave to Anabelle. She cared more about her daughters survival than her own and still the one year old needed proper food for her growth and development. "That would be nice." She spoke quietly as she glanced back at the girls in the back. Both were still sleeping and very content. It amazed her how innocent they were despite the kind of world they were living in. It was actually sad. Both deserved a better life. One that wasn't in consang fear or with death all around them. The laid her head against the seat, long auburn locks falling past her shoulders as she let out a small sigh. For the past two weeks she had been stressing about survival and now she had the opprotunity to relax. She definitely owed it to Luke for saving them and giving them a second chance.

"Yea, it's definitely a concern. I'm sure the CDC wouldn't mind hearing about this." Callie slipped knowing that she would need to tell her father about Alaska. Clearly he had already had his doubts and had warned his daughter about going but there was no way they could have actually known that the virus was evolving as with standing extreme temperatures. This would something they needed in ther development of a cure. Surely they would have to collect some re-Animaters from the area for testing.

"Oh I don't want to be a burden on you than I already have." Callie bit down on her lower lip and she said this. Finding her father would be quick or easy. It would take time since he was all over the place so she would need a place to stay. "Anabelle can be a fuse at night." She was acting as though she was looking for excuses but she didn't want to appear dependent on him. They had just met but under the circumstances he seemed to understand.

As she waited for his response, Callie looked out the window out of nerves. "Emma seems like a very sweet girl. You've practically raised her most of her life right?" Her eyes scanned over all the flashing lights on the dash in front of them before looking to Luke.

[Sam Myers]

Luke shook his head dismissively.

"You wouldn't be a burden really I insist. There's plenty of room so don't worry" he said softly. The plane began vibrating a bit. "Don't worry, it's just a bit of turbulance" he said to Callie.

Luke pressed some of the gates and pushed the wheel down a bit so that they descended. The pitch blackness beneath them was unnerving. The only lights that were really working were the runway ones. The sun had set now and darkness was beginning to roll in.

Pink and orange clouds could be seen in the horizon. Luke spied the run way. His radar was showing there was clear landing. Luke dropped the landing gear and he could hear them with a soft thump as they dropped.

Luke descended more. Once the rear wheels touched the ground with a jolt, and then lowered the nose. He pulled into into a gate and shut down. The engines powered down. And Luke unbuckled his seatbels.

He grinned at Callie. "Welcome to Maine" he said lightly.

He got up and headed to the back. He gently nudged Emma awake. She groggily opened her eyes and yawned, stretching lazily. They climbed off the plane and Luke began leading Callie and Bella through the terminal. Once outside, Luke stood in front of his GMC Arcadia.

"You could spend the night. It really wouldn't be a bother" Luke said and studied Callie

[callie]

Callie waited out the turbulence, slightly nervous at one point but eventually relieved once they landed safely. She followed Luke to the back of the jet and picked Belle up from inside the play pin. She wrapped her arms safely around the one year, as any protective mother would and made sure she was covered up once they were outside. It definitely wasn't as cold as Alaska but there was still a crisp breeze blowing in the air. The brunette took in her surroundings, never actually having been to Cemetery Gates before. She had been all over the state as well as a few others but ever since the apocalypse, she hadn't seen a place as inhabited. So maybe there weren't other humans wandering around like the vaccine hadn't hit but there was something about the town that made it more lively. Maybe it was the fresh smell of the wilderness or the beautiful scenery but either way she felt more content by the minute. Callie followed Luke and his niece to their and listened has he offered up some rooming space. He had already proclaimed that it was no problem and that she wouldn't be a burden. She believed every word realizing he was a very kind hearted man who just wanted to help.

She studied him for a moment before shifting Isabelle in her arms. Being completely dependable wasn't her style but she knew they had no where else to go. While she may have had plan in mind, Callie couldn't be certain how long it would take to find her father. She would need a place to stay until then. "Okay." She finally gave in. "I appreciate it." She offered a smiling feeling very grateful. She definitely owed Luke but she wasn't quite sure how she would make it up to him. After a few moments she got into the passenger side of the car and buckled herself in as she cradled her daughter in her arms. The one year old was starting to open her eyes from the much needed nap. Callie kissed her on the forehead and glanced back over at Luke. "Maybe I can make something to eat for all of us? It's the least I could do." She suggested knowing it was a small token of her gratitude.

[Sam Myers]

Luke smiled.

He left the terminal and headed to his house. Once in his driveway, he shut off the car and hopped out. He helped Callie out of the car and led her into his two story victorian.

Luke turned to her. Emma yawned and said that she'd take a nap before dinner. Luke leaned in and gave her a kiss on her forehead before she gave Callie a huge grin and gently touched Bella on the cheek before heading upstairs to her room.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to change. Make yourself at home. I do have some extra clothing for you if you'd like to change. They were my late wife's" he said to her softly.

Luke headed into his bedroom and pulled on a pair of gray jogging pants and a plain white tee shirt that hugged him nicely. Luke returned to where Callie was.

"Sure. Emma says my foods poison sometimes" Luke cracked jokingly. He sat down on the couch. "You can put Bella on my bed. It's large. "

He watched Callie. He certainly liked her a lot. She was down to earth and sweet, which clicked with him. She was beautiful too.

"Do you mind me asking what happened to your huband?" Luke prodded gently, not knowing if she wanted to talk about something like that. If not he understood completely. His wife was killed just before the apocalyspe. He was hoping he would find someone special again, knowing that Laura wouldn't want him to be alone or dwell on things.

[callie]

As Callie followed them into the house she admirers the place inside and out. It was large and slightly old fashioned. It felt very homey and she loved it. She always imagined living in a house like this. A place where she could raise Isabelle without any worry. Maybe one day it would happen but not any time soon. Not in this world. Callie gave Emma a warm smile and watched as she gave a soft touch to the baby's cheek. She watched the young girl walk away and thought about how surreal this all was. She hoped some day Belle would be an older sister for another sibiling. She had always wanted more than one child. Two at the least and she never really put a number on the most. She just wanted a family. Well at the moment all she wanted was for everything to go back to normal. For the CDC to find a cure and for everyone to relive their lives without fear. Clearly there would need to be a rebuild of the population but it could be done. As long as the number of lives didn't continue to decline.

Callie continued to review the house as Luke walked away to change. She still held Belle in her arms as she walked around the living room. She liked the little details and the comforting feeling the home had. "Okay I'll be right back." She smiled as her cheeks flushed slightly at the sight of him. With his looks she couldn't care whether he was a good cook or not. She walked into the room had had come out of and laid the one year old on the bed. It was big and even though the little one was dozing off again she places pillows around her like a barrier. Once she was confident that her daughter wouldn't be going anywhere she got rid of some layers until she was stripped down to a pair of jeans, a white tank top and a knitted sweater.

She walked back out of the room and stared scanning threw the cupboards, unsure of what she wanted to make. The brunette paused for a moment as he carried on conversation, asking about her husband. Well, Callie's father. "Mark wasn't my husband," She corrected as she pulled out a bag of noodles. Not that the couple hadn't considered it. It wa just difficult to get married while there were other important things to worry about. "I meet him three years ago at my job. We had Isabelle a year ago and not long after was he attacked by a re-Animater." She looked to Luke shrugging slightly as if it didn't matter but that wasn't true. Callie quickly turned away as tears welled up in her eyes. She held them so she didn't appear to be an emotional wreck. "What happened to your wife?" Callie spoke softly as she placed a pot full of water in the stove, remembering that he had mentioned a former wife while offering her clothes.

[Sam Myers]

Luke listened to her intently and nodded. "Ah I see." he said to her warmly as he added some spices into the spaghetti sauce. Luke had his back to her, but he could feel her eyes on him. Though she couldn't see it, heat was creeping up into his cheeks.

Luke cleared his throat and responded about his wife.

"She was killed by drunk driver" he replied softly. "It was basically a hit and run. The guy was never caught. At least I got some satisfaction knowing that he is dead right now. That doesn't sound horrible does it?" he asked her finally turning around to face her.

He hoped she didn't think he was some kind of horrible person, cause that was far from the truth. He continued making dinner. Once it was finished, Luke dished it out. Emma was feeling a little off so he brought her dinner to her room.

Luke and Callie sat in the living room, happily eating and watching TV. He flipped the channel until he found a good movie and looked at Callie.

"Have you seen this movie before? It's hilarious" He said as he put on GROWN UPS. The movie always made him crack up terribly. Luke took a sip of his soda and waited patiently for Callie to reply.

[callie]

"I'm sorry." Callie quickly turned away and retreated to stirring the noodles in the boiling water. She felt bad for what happened to Luke's wife but even worse that she asked about it. In most ways it's important to know the history of the people they met in this world. It built trust and that was important with very few people around anymore. She bit down in her lower lip as she took in small breaths. "No. It's understandable." She nodded as she kept her head down. His comment didn't bother her in the slightest way. It was just how he felt. She understood that mixed emotions brought up different thoughts when losing someone. There had been many assumptions running threw her mind after Mark was turned. How she wished she could have stopped him from leaving that day or how sometimes she was with him in a better place because she wasn't sure if she was capable of being a single mother. Callie was more than afraid to be on her own and the worst thought crossed her mind was blaming her father. Blaming the CDC for the virus but the twenty-five year old was quick to take it back. She realized she couldn't blame anyone.

After dinner was ready she took a spot on the couch with Luke as they began to eat their food. "No I haven't." She replied as she took small bites, despite how hungry she was. She was trying to be a lady. "My dad tended to shelter me from reality my whole life." Callie shrugged, trying to give some excuse, which was true. She could never really settle in one place with how much they moved around. She lived in very few houses as well. Instead she slept in the comfort of CDC bunkers. Callie really had no choice but to follow her father around at a young age. She never had a mother around bring her back to reality. She was sixteen when the apocalypse hit so there wasn't ever room for her say. At least until now and of course the one decisions she made on her own failed horribly.

Once she was done with her food she collected their empty dishes and walked into the kitchen where she out them in the sink. For some reason she was nervous around Luke and wasn't sure why. Normally she was a bit more at ease with people. Maybe it was because he was a guy. A very good looking guy. Callie fluffed her hair in the reflexion of the microwave and brushed herself off as if trying to impress. She stepped around the corner and leaned against the wall as she stared at Luke as if she wanted to say something. "Luke..." She started before hearing the soft cries from his room. "I'll be right back." She let out a soft sigh as she turned away and headed down the hall.

[Sam Myers]

Luke nodded and heard the soft cries as well coming from his bedroom. He quickly washed the dishes, deciding that he didn't want Callie to do any work, being she was a guest here. He wouldn't ask her to do anything like that. When Luke was finished with the dishes, he returned to the living room, waiting for Callie to return. He got up and checked on Emma. She was sound asleep now. Smiling he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.

He headed back out and sat down on the couch. He grabbed the TV remote and turned it on.

He glanced up as Callie entered the room.

"Everything ok?" he asked her concerned. He sensed she was a bit shy around him, which he thought was cute. He never had a girl be shy around him before. It was kinda cute and refreshing. Luke patted the couch beside him.

"I do have some formula in the fridge if you need it" Luke offered Callie. "I don't know why I had picked it up, but something had told me to get it when I went 'shopping' several days ago" He said to her smiling at her. He pulled off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He gently slipped his glasses back on and studied Callie. He realized he was beginning to really like her a lot. But he wasn't sure how she felt toward him. Even though they'd just met, Luke felt comfortable around her and she reminded him a lot of Laura. he swallowed thickly, causing his Adams apple to bob