Title: Refusal
Fandom: Jeremiah (TV)
Characters: Mr. Smith, Kurdy Malloy
Rating: PG13
Length: 604 words
Challenge #203 pair
Summary: Smith wants to pair up with Kurdy


The little figure in the old, too big coat jumped up when Kurdy stepped put of Markus' office.

„Where do we go first,“ he asked eagerly, grabbing for the backpack which was leaning on the wall beside him.

Kurdy sighed inwardly; he knew the answer wouldn't be welcome.
„Markus thinks, there is no reason to change existing teams. Jeremiah and I will go to a next mission soon. And you... Markus allows you to stay in the Mountain overnight, but tomorrow you will have to leave.“

Smith blinked, once, twice, as if he needed a moment to let the words sink in.
„But this cannot be! God says it's important for the future of our world that we two pair up.“

The big guy almost felt pity. For sure it wasn't easy for Smith; always on the roads, always alone; one of the lost souls the Big Death had left behind. Fifteen years already, when the virus had taken over the world and had changed everything. Only the children did survive. The stronger ones learned quickly to live with it, started to look forward, not willing to give up. The weaker ones needed a refuge; when they were lucky, they found a place like the Mountain, where they could stay at least until they learned to survive on their own. Others almost lost their mind, clutching desperately at every straw which seemed to offer at least some hope.

Like Smith had taken refuge in the phantasy that he was God's messenger.

„God has sent me to save your life,“ he had told him when they had met first.
„And he says your fate and mine are bound together.“

Kurdy couldn't blame Markus that he didn't take these words very serious. He was responsible for all the people in the Mountain, man, woman, even some children; all of them trusted him and believed in the better future Markus had promised.

Kurdy and Jeremiah had been a team since the day they had shown up at the Mountain about four years ago, and they had proved more than once that they did work together well. Though they weren't always in complete agreement, Kurdy knew that he could count on Jeremiah when it was necessary.

And to be honest, he had felt relieved about Markus' decision. He knew, his last sole mission had gotten out of control and without Smith, he would probably not be alive anymore or at least badly hurt. But the thought of spending hours and hours together with the little guy on the road, caught in in the jeep, and to listen to his weird prophecies gave him the creeps.

„Look, I'm sorry,“ he finally said.
„Take some rest before you go back onto the road. The cafeteria of the Mountain isn't bad; you should try the jelly-o. And for the night Erin will provide you a bed in a guest quarter.

That's all I can do for you.“

Smith smiled sadly.
„Thank you!“
He slightly tilted his head, and it almost looked as if he was listening to someone only he could understand. Finally, he turned back to Kurdy.
„Be careful when you go to Clearwater. Trust no one.“

Kurdy watched him going down the hall, the backpack over his shoulder, not looking back. Suddenly an idea crossed his mind.

Markus had kept the next mission secret because it was a delicate one, not everyone would appreciate. Only Kurdy and Jeremiah knew about it. So, how could it be, that Smith knew that their way would lead them to Clearwater soon enough?