“I’m worried about Cameron. He’s just getting so…” Ezza started to say, then dropped off.

“Chunky? Pudgy? Fat? Overweight?” Zas supplied. He was in a bad mood. Another round of antibiotics and his rash was still no better.

“Zas! He’s just more cuddly. Maybe he’s having harder issues than we thought in living with us. Maybe it wasn’t so good for him.” Ezza pondered.

“His attitudes fine, and if he wants to get more ‘cuddly’, then that’s his choice. You Love, should be more worried about me. I’m a sick man.” Zas said pulling Ezza down for a kiss.

“A very sick man actually.” Ezza said matter of factly. Then she giggled and pretending to take his temperature she leaned down and kissed his forehead. Zas made a growling sound and then they both slipped further under the covers.

 

 

Cameron looked up as Zas plunked his food down on the table beside him. He had work and then the I.P. Training today. Zas had work too, but Cameron wasn’t so sure he should go. His rash was getting really bad.

Figures, as soon as Pretty Baby’s dizzy spells stop, Zas’s rash gets worse Cameron thought.

“So…how was your morning so far?”Zas asked Cameron. He was trying to hide his smile, after all it wouldn’t do to be too happy in front of Cameron right now the poor man was eating himself into oblivion over his divorce.

“Not apparently as good as yours was.” Cameron responded. He smiled to himself, he was happy for them, he really was, he just wished that they’d be happy a little more quietly.

The two of them continued to talk until Zas realized he was running late and took off running to get ready for work. Cameron sighed, as he watched him run out the door. He picked up his plate, and started taking it out to the kitchen. He didn’t work until later, but he had a busy day ahead of him. There were chores to get done.

Cameron was exhausted. He’d gathered all the laundry and was scrubbing his little heart out. He didn’t understand what Ezza saw in doing the laundry this way. Honestly, just buy a washer and be done with it. He sat back and rubbed his stomach. It probably didn’t help that he was getting so out of shape. Sighing, he struggled to his feet and grabbed the mass of clothes out of the tub, and began to hang them.

 

After finishing the laundry, he had time to kill. So he read himself a book, and then started building an app on his computer. Anything to get rid of the boredom and loneliness. Working at night had it’s perks, but it sucked during the day by himself.

 

 

“Did you finish the laundry?” Ezza called out. Cameron groaned a little, sometimes he thought the only thing he did lately was the laundry. Ezza fixed her ponytail and then started heading out the door. They had turned a portion of the side yard into a calisthenics and game area a couple of months ago. Zas came out walking through the living room, he had on his gym clothes and started heading out the door. As he did, he called back to Cameron.

“Maybe you wanna do something a little heavier than yoga? I can spot you for crunches and stuff if you’d like?” 

“Yeah, no.” Cameron said joining him at the door. “I’m not feeling all that well today. I think I might just meditate.” 

“Guys come on!” Ezza called from the side yard. Zas looked at Cameron one last time in concern and then went out.

Cameron knew that look. He’d been seeing it for months. It wasn’t that he wasn’t worried, but he had been to the clinical doctor and been told that rapid weight gain was nothing to worry about. It was perfectly legitimate side effect of the study. He was assured that after everything had run its course the weight would just slough off. He was waiting for that to magically appear. 

 

Zas and Ezza were already stretching on their mats,

Cameron walked over to the stool. He felt like something was inside him just wiggling around and trying to get out. It was a gross feeling, another one that the Dr.’s said would eventually stop. He needed the calm now more than ever. So he sat down and crossed his legs and let his mind wander through his thoughts.

 

“Who could that be?” Ezza asked as they heard the doorbell go off. Both her and Zas were mid pose. Sighing Cameron struggled to get up.

“I’ll get it.” He said finally up and moving towards the back door.

Cameron was surprised, Travis hardly talked to him at work, and never outside of it. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, something was telling him to be cautious. Opening the door he smiled.

“Travis how good to see you. What are you doing here pal?” Cameron asked him jovially.

“Oh, I was in the neighbourhood and thought I’d stop by. After all, you haven’t been… feeling yourself lately.” Travis said giving Cameron the once over. Cameron sighed, everyone was all up in his business lately.

“It’s understandable, considering the circumstances. I mean, I wouldn’t want to work with my Ex either. The way Akira keeps coming over to your space for little things? I’m surprised you haven’t taken time off of work.” Travis said with a laugh.

“Look I have to pee,” Cameron said crudely. “Why don’t you come in and we can talk more inside.”

Cameron left Travis in the family/dining room and went to the washroom. Unsurprisingly, when he came out Travis was on his computer in the office.

“Sorry about that, I got bored waiting. Sweet digs by the way. So, what are you up to tonight? I thought maybe you’d like to hit the gym, or go for a drink? Maybe both.” Travis suggested.

“Actually, my friends and I are doing something.” Cameron said. Travis’ face split into a wide grin.

“I’d love to join you! After all, I’m sure they’re amazing people if they’re your friends.” Travis stood up and motioned for Cameron to lead him. He wasn’t being very subtle, it was sloppy. It was also a message, Cameron was sure of it. We know, and we are watching you was what it said. Troubled by his thoughts, Cameron came around when he heard Ezza inviting Travis to join them for a game of cards. Excusing himself once more to go the bathroom, he back tracked into the office to see what Travis had been up to. 

Travis’s work was very sloppy, just like at work. Cameron easily tracked where he’d been, and what he’d been looking at. He had run a simple program to find deleted files and such. Cameron laughed quietly to himself; as if I’d be caught by something so simple. 

Taking one last look around the office to make sure papers were where they were supposed to be, he went back out to join the others. Zas and Ezza dealt him in, and then stood up when he settled in.

“We’re tired and thinking of heading to bed.” Zas said. He was staring at Cameron a little hard, but Cameron understood his message. He just nodded in reply.

“Do you want me to make you something to drink before we go? We don’t get to meet your wonderful coworkers very often.” Ezza said smiling at Travis. 

“No thank you. I’m good.” Travis said. Cameron shook his head no, and the two of them wandered back into the house. Cameron picked up the deck of cards left behind and began to shuffle and deal as Travis sat himself down.

“Lovely couple, how did you say you met them?” Travis asked casually, as he checked out his cards.

“I didn’t.” Cameron said as he organized his. 

“Ah. My mistake.” Travis said.

“Yes. It was.” Cameron said. Two could play the not so subtle message game. 

As the night wore on Cameron and Travis played more cards, while Travis asked him questions. He’s as subtle as brick being thrown in a glassware shop, Cameron thought. The question was, why would anyone send him to gather information from anyone? He wasn’t that good at it. As the thoughts circled around in his head, Cameron felt the urge to go to the washroom again. Sighing, he stood up and excused himself. Travis stood up as well.

“I should get going. It’s late, and we have work tomorrow.” He walked back into the house with Cameron. As they reached the front door, Cameron smiled at him.

“Say hi to Su for me when you see him next.”

“Sue? Who’s she? Already moved on have you? Good for you!” Travis said happily clapping Cameron on the shoulder.

“Tetsu actually. I assume you’re seeing him next?” Cameron said matter of factly. He saw Travis pale a little. Idiot. 

“What…what are you talking about? Whose this Tetsu?” Travis stuttered out.

“Right. We’ll have a good night, give my regards will you?” Cameron said then closed the door in Travis’s face. He went to the washroom, then laid in bed rubbing his stomach and thinking. If Su was onto them, it was time to change tactics. He’d signal everyone tomorrow. With Akira’s find they had stumbled onto something great, they just had to be more careful while they dug into it now. Feeling something in his stomach shift, Cameron sighed and rolled on to his side. It was going to be another long sleepless night.