After dropping off Addison's car at her house and stopping on their way through Zombie town to let Puppy out for a bathroom break they made the 10 minute drive to Z-tech.

Z-tech was a multipurpose building with several floors. The first floor served as a medical clinic, the second floor included labs and testing facilities, and the third floor was where all the offices were for high ranking employees. Z-tech was advertised as being dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of Zombies, but the interior of the building wasn't as friendly.

Zed parked his jeep and sighed as he turned to Addison. "Are you really sure you want to go in with me? I wouldn't blame you if you decided to wait here."

Addison gave him a reassuring smile. "I'm sure Zed, I'll be with you through as much of it as I can."

Zed nodded as he leaned over to peck her lips. "Thank you Addison, let's go get this over with."

The two exited the vehicle and Zed slipped his hand into Addison's as they walked through the parking lot towards the building. The automated doors slid open and the smell of disinfectant was almost overwhelming as the walked inside.

The waiting room was large but bland. The walls were white and there was little decoration except for the few health tips posters hanging on the walls. Zed led her over to the reception desk and the nurse behind it gave them a small smile. "Welcome to Z-tech. How can I help you today?"

Zed cleared his throat. "My name is Zed Necrodopolis and I have an appointment for 4:30 for a wellness exam and Z-band upgrade."

The nurse typed on the computer for a moment before turning back to them. "Ah yes, I have it right here. There is an exam room open so I will go ahead and take you back."

"Thank you." Zed replied. "Is it okay if my girlfriend accompanies me?"

"Well," The nurse studied Addison closely. "I suppose she can join you for the wellness exam but when you go for your Z-band upgrade they'll probably send her out."

"I understand." Zed replied, knowing better than to argue with the staff at Z-tech.

The nurse nodded and gestured for them to follow her. Zed held on to Addison's hand as they made their way down a long hallway. The hallway wasn't anymore cheery than the waiting room and was just big enough for Zed and Addison to walk comfortably side by side.

The nurse stopped and opened the door to their right and motioned for them to go inside. "Go ahead and get settled, Dr. Patey will be with you shortly."

Zed nodded and thanked the nurse once more as he lead Addison into the small exam room. The nurse shut the door behind them and Zed released a sigh as he took a seat on the exam table. "Dr. Patey, it had to be Dr. Patey."

"What's wrong with Dr. Patey?" Addison asked, taking a seat in the chair beside the exam table.

"He's a good doctor, don't get me wrong." Zed admitted. "He's just not very personable. He's all business and very by the book."

Addison nodded in understanding. "I get it. Just another reason this appointment will be less fun right?"

"Yep." Zed sighed. "But once it's over I won't have to come back for another year."

There was a knock on the door as it slowly creaked open. A man in his forties with black hair and blue eyes stepped inside wearing blue scrubs and a white doctor's coat. His face was stern as he studied the two of them before turning to Zed. "Hello Mr. Necrodopolis, I'm sure you know the drill by now."

Zed nodded as he slipped his shirt over his head and handed it to Addison. "Yes sir."

The doctor jotted something down on his clipboard before setting it aside and walking over to Zed. He spent the next few minutes attaching wires and sensors to Zed's chest as Addison watched curiously.

"You must be Dr. Patey." Addison smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Yes, yes." Dr. Patey replied. "Now please don't talk while I'm working. It's bad enough the nurse let you in. She knows I hate guests."

Addison was taken aback by the harshness of his words. Zed hadn't been kidding when he said Dr. Patey wasn't personable. "I'm sorry, I was just curious about what you are doing."

Dr. Patey huffed as he adjusted the last of the wires and flipped on the monitor beside the bed. "I have no time for your questions young lady. I need to go gather a few things and I will be back. Mr. Necrodopolis I suggest you make sure your guest remains quiet for the rest of the appointment or I will ask her to leave. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir." Zed replied. "There won't be anymore problems."

Dr. Patey nodded before leaving the two alone once more. The door shut with a slam and Addison scowled at the place where the doctor had once stood. "Rude much? I can't believe he just talked to us like that! And you went with it!"

"I tried to warn you Addy." Zed sighed. "When it comes to Dr. Patey it's best to just stay quiet and do as he says. I don't like listening to him talk to you like that, but please no more questions okay?"

"Fine." Addison sighed, a few choice words she wanted to say to the doctor still bouncing around in the back of her mind. "But why are you hooked up to that monitor?"

"Zombies have a naturally slower heart rate than humans." Zed explained. "Because of this we are more likely to develop irregular heart beats as we get older. So each time I come in for my check up they hook me up to the monitor and record my heart rate for the entire time I'm here to make sure there aren't any irregularities."

"I had no idea." Addison admitted in surprise. "You're healthy though right? No heart problems?"

Zed chuckled. "I'm fine Addy, I promise. If anything, playing football has made my heart beat faster, or maybe that's just you."

Zed flashed her a lopsided smirk as she laughed and playfully slapped his knee. "Zed!"

"What? It's true." Zed admitted, flashing her an innocent look.

Addison rolled her eyes at him as Dr. Patey entered the room carrying two syringes and four empty vials. Addison eyed the doctor curiously but kept her mouth shut, knowing if the doctor made another rude remark she'd snap.

Dr. Patey laid the items on the table beside the bed as he turned to Zed. "Well Mr. Necrodopolis we are going to need to take some blood for testing and you are due for your Tetanus and MMR vaccines. Are you ready to begin?"

"Yeah, I'm ready." Zed replied, holding out his left arm to the doctor as he slid his right hand towards Addison.

Addison took the hint and slipped her hand into his as she watched the doctor closely. Dr. Patey rubbed disinfectant on Zed's arm with a cotton ball before inserting a small hypodermic needle.

Zed hissed as the needle penetrated his skin and squeezed Addison's hand. Being tackled on the football field no big deal, getting a tiny needle stuck in his arm worst thing ever. He hated needles.

One by one Dr. Patey filled the four vials with Zed's blood before sealing and labeling them so they could be sent to the lab. He took the needle out of Zed's arm earning him another hiss of pain before bandaging him up.

"Alright Mr. Necrodopolis, we just have to do your vaccinations and then we can head upstairs to do your Z-band upgrade." Dr. Patey explained as disinfected the upper part of Zed's arm. "I will warn you these vaccinations will cause your arm to feel sore the next few days."

"Thanks for the heads up." Zed sighed, not looking forward to having a sore arm.

Addison gave his hand a gentle squeeze as the doctor injected the vaccines one after another before bandaging him up once more.

"Ow." Zed grumbled, rubbing his arm. "That last one stung."

"You'll be okay." Addison smiled, rubbing his knee. "It's all over now."

Zed nodded as Dr. Patey removed the wires from his chest before reviewing the results.

"Everything looks good Mr. Necrodopolis." Dr. Patey replied. "I see no irregularities and your heart beat is strong."

"That's good." Zed sighed in relief.

"Yes, now let's get a move on to the next part of your appointment." Dr. Patey replied, gesturing for Zed to follow him.

Zed held on to Addison's hand as they followed Dr. Patey down the hallway to an elevator. The elevator opened and Dr. Patey stepped inside, turning around to face them. When he saw Addison his eyes narrowed. "She needs to go back to the waiting room."

"Please let me come." Addison pleaded, tired of having the doctor tell her what to do. "I won't get in the way I promise, I just want to watch."

"I won't hear of it!" Dr. Patey snapped. "Go now or I will have you escorted from the premises!"

Addison stared at the doctor in shock as Zed stepped between them. "Look Dr. Patey I understand that there are rules you have to follow, but my dad couldn't come today so I brought my girlfriend Addison. I would really feel better having her close by. Can you please let her come upstairs?"

"No." Dr. Patey's voice was firm. "It is too dangerous for the girl to be up there with us and I will not be responsible if something happens. Tell your girlfriend to leave or I will call security."

Zed growled as he glared at the doctor. He was tired of trying to play nice and keep the peace. "Well then I guess we're cutting this appointment short today because I'm not going upstairs without her."

Dr. Patey's face reddened in anger. "Mr. Necrodopolis if you do not come with me willingly I will call the Zombie Patrol to force you. You know the rules."

"First of all, Mr. Necrodopolis is my father. My name is Zed, use it." Zed snapped. "Second of all, I am not going anywhere without Addison."

Dr. Patey's frown deepened as his anger boiled. "I warned you Mr. Necrodopolis. Security!"

Two security guards who had been stationed at the end of the hall came running towards them. "What's going on here?"

Dr. Patey pointed at Addison and Zed. "Remove the girl from the premises at once and have the Zombie contained until the Zombie Patrol arrives. He is refusing to cooperate."

The first security guard grabbed Addison by the arm as the second forced Zed against the wall and started to cuff him. Addison struggled against the security guards grip as she tried to get to Zed. "No! Stop! Let me go! Zed didn't do anything! Please stop! You're hurting him!"

Author's Note

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this chapter coming tomorrow morning or evening depending on where you live! -Meloetta246