All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
Saturday 24th March.
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Being a lawyer meant on thing in day to day life was certain… people would call and the people who called would usually have problems, from common day problems to serious cases and all of which sought the diligent team of fresh on the market law students to help them on a budget more suiting their financial abilities. Jamie wasn’t the only odd case in the firm but that’s perhaps what made them so strong, they had diverse backgrounds and most preferred to keep their troubles to themselves until they felt ready to open up. The only difference with Jamie, or James outside his group of closer friends, was that his childhood had been rather publicised for the good of his father’s publicity. From 14 Jamie had lived in the attic area of the law firm that a colleague’s father owned and let the aspiring group run and manage on their own. While the attic was far from poorly set up, consisting of its own bathroom and not only a bed room but had another room which Jamie used both as a study and a lounge area which had access to an unsuit.
That didn’t mean it could replace the mansion and luxuries that the youth had grown up with, at least in the eyes of the other workers, especially Bruce who tended to try and pry into the reasons a ‘rich boy’ would live in exile from his family’s opulence. Still, wealth hardly brought happiness and James was always one to withdraw from interrogations as to the secrets of his muddled past.
Only the phone call that Jamie had received from Dr McCoy… for some reason it was both a frightful and an exhilarating call, fear and excitement so perfectly blended that Jamie couldn’t honestly pin point which was prevailing over the other. Any contact initiated by either brothers would result in Max’s removal from the family care and that wasn’t a choice Jamie could make for his kid brother, but if Max did choose to leave then sure enough his big bro would be there to take him in. Max never seemed to come for him and Jamie knew that it had to have been something their father had said to dissuade the kid from ever trying to find James. Then again, James made no effort to contact Max simply to avoid Max getting thrown out and as long as their father held his side of the deal then James would leave the past in the past where his father always said it belonged.
The elder sibling found himself invited to the school and while an obvious hesitation was clear the need to help Max was enough to drive away any concerns that may have prevented James from accepting Hank’s offer to visit. The taxi that dropped him and another off had been greeted by a young woman, brown hair and tanned skin, as fake a hue as Jamie’s own hair and eye colour, though it wasn’t shame that drove Jamie to cover up… law was a serious business and silver hair alone was definitely a bit of a wild streak that Jamie didn’t want people to assume he did intentionally. The matching silver eyes would likely hint at something more behind the hair colour but Jamie wanted to be taken seriously, and if contacts and hair dye helped that happen then so be it.
A school for mutants though… Jamie felt almost intimidated, the way his own father reacted to the ‘hiding’ of his mutancy was enough to always set Jamie on edge when around new mutants, though most out in the ‘real world’ understood the benefits of blending in. The whole mind speech with the girl sent to wait for him was a bit mind boggling to say the least, she seemed very polite despite her overly shy nature and Jamie tried to be as gentle in his mannerisms as possible in order to appease her shy nature. The grey suit he wore made the eldest sibling feel rather dressed for the occasion, work was his life and as his younger companion could vouch it was near on impossible to get the guy to relax, not when he felt as if a 16 year olds wellbeing rested solely on his shoulders.
There was no telling how many ‘Kevin’s’ were out there, but Jamie found one, the young boy a half brother of his from one of Steven’s many affairs, none of which were kept secret from his wife. It was most likely an accident, and Kevin grew up with not only that thought, his birth as unwanted as a rash in his mind, but also with the fact that Steven refused to see Kevin as family. Not that it mattered, from what Jamie said of their father Kevin was far beyond the wishful thoughts of reuniting with daddy dearest.
"Try and not break anything Kevin," Jamie cast a glance at the younger boy who gave a teasing roll of his eyes, "I’m serious, best behaviour ok?" The younger mutants reply came in an assuring smile, it wasn’t like Jamie was being paranoid without reason, on a bad day Kevin could be a real klutz at times. It was a little odd looking at them; one could more readily guess the half brother to be more related to Max then Jamie, merely because though of the hair colour and eyes, Jamie’s features still held something of both his kid brother’s likeness in them.
"Are we going to see him?" Kevin didn’t need to name specific names; Jamie knew he was asking about Max and the flutter that swarmed Jamie’s stomach increased ten fold. The look on the elder youths face hinting that he wasn’t sure what was happening, only what Hank said and it sounded… worrying. "Just wait outside for a bit while I talk, don’t wander off though." Jamie finished up with a stern glance over at the youth who had a tendency to do his own thing, sweet kid but still… Kevin did tend to neglect common sense at times, skipping simple things like telling someone where he was going or leaving messages if he’d be home late.
A slight silence followed the last minutes of their travel, their guide offering a motion of her hand towards the doctors door moments after the group entered the medical facility and another hand moved to gesture for Kevin to follow her further on to the waiting area. It seemed surreal… the silken black tie was double checked to make sure it was straight and his presentation acceptable before a nervous hand needlessly tapped against the frame of the open door.
"E.. Excuse me? Dr McCoy?" All the confidence he spoke with in the courtroom just melted away, the pretence of certainty flowed away, replaced by an anxiety and that was something he never felt comfortable with.
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
Parents weekend. Always interesting! Not to say problematic. For every student whose parents knew what Xavier’s really represented there were as many who lived on in blissful ignorance. And that was exactly how they wanted things to remain, the staff and teachers of the Institute. Though it had to be acknowledged that maintaining the illusion, especially on such an occasion was far from easy! Already there had been a wider distribution of holo imagers than usual transforming most the more exotic students into something a little more readily acceptable.
For Hank himself however this was a lost cause. Not that that was something he was in any way ashamed of. On the contrary . Still his blue fanged face was too much in the public domain to be hidden behind an illusion. Any website he had contributed too, any news conference he had ever participated in had seen him appearing unveiled and unrepentant of what he was. A mutant. With all that implied . The good as well as the bad.
He supposed that was one thing he had in common with Steven Chadstone. Possibly the only thing he was glad to say. The fact that neither of them were ashamed to be a mutant. Though even there the two men’s views were diametrically opposed. There was making a stand, saying loud and clear that mutants had the same rights as anyone else. Then there was declaring yourself superior because of an accident of birth. Hank sighed. No he and Steven would never agree on that subject. He only wished it was the only bone of contention between them. But of course that was far from being the case. Above and beyond all else there was his treatment or rather mistreatment of his son.
Lines had been drawn on that front the previous day, a declaration of intent laid out as forcibly as the doctor knew how. It stops now! The beatings. The psychological cruelty. Everything that he had sworn to protect those under his care from, even if that meant going up against someone as powerful as Chadstone undoubtedly was. But that was his battle to fight. Max had his own. It wasn’t easy to break out of a situation of abuse, harder still to do it on your own. Not that Max was alone, Hank was with him every step of the way, but it might take the headstrong student some time to realise that. After all when you have suffered the greatest betrayal of all at the hands of your own father it wasn’t easy to learn to trust again. Which is where James came in.Or at least where Hank hoped he would come in!
It hadn’t been an easy decision to make dragging the elder brother back into this mess. Especially if he had had a very good reason for leaving home at such an early age as hank suspected may have been the case. Then again….. Perhaps Max wasn’t the only one needing to be saved here. Perhaps James also lived under a shadow that needed to be exorcised.
Trauma buried unacknowledged tended to fester deep inside even if you didn’t necessarily realise it at the time. Yes he had got out. yes he had become successful in his own right and that was an achievement anyone could be proud of. But at what cost? If he had been glad to leave his father, what about the brother he had so obviously loved, if the engraving on Max’s watch was anything to go by? What had it meant to him to leave Max behind and how would he react to knowing what had been done to him over the years? All these were questions that would soon have answers.
Already security had signalled James’ arrival and Talia had been dispatched to accompany both him and his unexpected companion to med lab. The mere fact that he had agree to the meeting at such short notice showed the depth of the concern he felt for his brother. Hank just wanted to be sure that in triggering that concern, in trying to help Max he didn’t bring down James in the process. And unfortunately this wasn’t a situation where you could be sure of anything. All you could do was your best. He just prayed that it would be enough.
"E.. Excuse me? Dr McCoy?" Too late now for turning back. The young man was there, his resemblance to Max marking them clearly as siblings though there was at least at that moment a vulnerability to James that Max hid behind sarcasm and anger. But there was strength too, that much was obvious. It had carried him out of Steven’s clutches all those years ago. It brought him back now when his brother needed him.
Hank rose from behind his desk and walked the waiting lawyer. “ You must be James “ he said with a smile, holding out one large blue hand in greeting.” I am Hank McCoy. I’m sorry to have called you in at such short notice but.. I would like to talk to you about Max. And believe me when I say that this will not be an easy conversation. Although unfortunately I’m sure you will agree that it is a necessary one when you hear what I have to say.”
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
Dr Hank McCoy. The name was as infamous as the appearance that it was said to be branded to, and while Jamie had seen pictures of the doctor before it still was impressive to see. Part of the lawyer could instantly imagine his father proudly displaying his sons if they had turned out to look as striking as the well spoken doctor here did. What did Steven get out of repressing the human right on this planet? Even his own sons weren't so sure and while Max followed blinding the words of their father Jamie had not taken to the teachings so well. Having a non-mutant for a girlfriend in highschool had given Steven as much shame as anything else one could think of, not because Jamie was dating her, but because of how highly she was spoken of, as if she were so perfect, when in fact, according to the Jamie's mother and father she was nothing better then a prostitute. Humans were ok to take to bed, but respecing them... that was not something steven could tolerate.
Just dying his hair and wearing contacts was enough for Steven to be enraged with James and he'd dread to think what would have happened if he, like Hank, had inherited a mutation unable to be so easily hidden. And when a child was trying so hard to go by unnoticed, standing out was never a good thing. And James never hide out of shame, he just wanted to look more respectable, silver hair and eyes while trying to prove to other stiff lip lawyers you're mature and responsible..... it wasn't so easy to pull off.
“You must be James“ Even now James still felt distrusting towards people he wasn't sure of, people he didn't know... Growing up in a family that thrived off their pretense of cheeriness and happy-go-lucky lifestyle made James hesitant to trust what he sees, until proven otherwise he could easily think the worse of someone, and since he knew it was often his bitter outlook causing such emotions the lawyer never let his polite nature dwindle because of his unfounded suspicions. A large hand reached for him and usually Jamie's partner would deal with the meet and greets first and then be ready to offer Jamie a hand wipe while she distracted the others in the room with her rather noticable ambience of energy. James was hardly a clean freak, it was just something about the hands, the thought of someone's hand touching his... the things people did with their hands... god it gave him the creeps! He'd not usually be so hesitant but one on one people tended to notice his discreet attempts of cleaning his hands off with the hygenic wipes.
”I am Hank McCoy. I’m sorry to have called you in at such short notice but.. I would like to talk to you about Max. And believe me when I say that this will not be an easy conversation. Although unfortunately I’m sure you will agree that it is a necessary one when you hear what I have to say.” Something bad had happened. Something terrible had to have happened, no one has ever attempted to find him, how did Hank even manage it? Well... it wasn't like Jamie changed his name or anything but he did rather vanish from public eye and his hoped from place to place.. the business wasn't even in his name. Effort was put into finding him and fears of what could have happened to cause such strained attempts almost gave the eldest sibling tunnel vision and weak knees.
His hand moved forward, though missing the palm and instead grabbing at Hank's wrist, his other hand touching the back of Hank's hand as he shook and then quickly pulled away. He wasn't sure what he should do, standing there blankly was on the verge of happening but he hoped shaking the doctors hand would help roll things along, as long as he did break out into a panic...
"What happened?" He wasn't sure he could do this, he wasn't sure he was strong enough to hold out for too long. Max was supposed to be safe, but surely it had to be their father that had done something, otherwise why go to the trouble of finding him? This day was never supposed to come, James lived in fear of its arrival and yet he had always hoped it'd never happened. Steven promised... naieve as James was in regards to his father, the promise was sound, if Steven broke that promise then James could bring him down, his polished image, it would all be tarnished beyond repair and Steven knew it. Though James also knew how dangerous his father was... he'd not dare attempt such a thing without good cause, and Steven knew that, so as long as Steven behaved he was safe, as long as Max was safe.. so too was he. Why couldn't that man stick to his promise? Why couldn't he ever control himself?
It felt like everything was so drawn out, and while part of him wanted that, another part wanted Hank to just spit it out and be done with it... though either way James was pretty sure he was on the verge of being sick. All he had to do was remain focused, keep control.. he wasn't sure he could do this. He would, and he do it with every ounce of energy he had left, but it was going to be so hard... and all he had to do was listen, he dreaded to think what was to happen once the final words fell from the doctors lips.
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
There are times when actions really do speak louder than words and this unfortunately was one of them. A handshake can say a lot more about you than you might care to believe. Too firm and it can betray a need to dominate, too limp and it might indicate weakness or distain. Hank’s, when it was accepted that was, and that was far from being all of the time, reflected, like his nature itself, a conscious strength that was tempered by gentleness, the caring man that lay within the wrappings of the beast.
James’ handshake, or rather lack of it, too was a revelation. At another time, with another person, the doctor could have put his obvious reluctance down to all the usual reasons. Bigotry! Fear! A simple unwillingness to touch something so different from the accepted norm! These were all reactions Hank had come up against in the past and in all honesty, just for once, they were more palatable answers to James’ gesture than the one that crawled insidiously into Hank’s brain and refused to leave.
This young mans eyes hadn’t shown disgust when he had first walked into Hank’s office. Surprise perhaps, but then that was only to be expected. But not disgust. Nor had he seemed afraid, at least not of the doctor’s physical appearance. His anxiety about the meeting itself on the other hand was all to plain to see. And then there had come that moment, one hand outstretched waiting for another to join it and he had quite simply frozen, only for an instant, as if taking it was the most impossible thing in the entire universe. Then he was moving, forcing himself into action, though even then gesture was awkward, the hand itself avoided even if physical contact was made however briefly.
Any psychologist could rattle off a list of reasons why people avoided touching others. They ranged from obsessive-compulsive behaviour, through low self-esteem, paranoia, autism……. So many conditions. Only one though that moved clear up to the head of the list and sat there stubbornly, waiting for Hank to deal with it! Abuse!
Lord, he had been expecting it, even if he had hoped against hope that he would be proved wrong. But to see the signs of it still etched so obviously into this young man he had hauled back into this terrible situation was heartbreaking to say the least. Hank could see the effort it was taking for him just to be there, readying himself for what was to come. It took rare courage. Hank only wished that it wasn’t going to take every ounce of that courage to hear what he had to say. Though he inevitably knew that it would.
“What happened” A straight forward enough question! Answering it however would be anything but simple. “Please” Hank said his voice filling with concern as he noticed how pale James had become “Sit down wont you. This could take some time and will be far from pleasant I’m afraid.” Hank waited until the lawyer took the proffered chair, trying to give him time to settle himself mentally as well as physically before he went on. Then with a sigh he launched himself into the subject knowing that once he did there would be no going back for either if them. And that the road ahead was long and full of peril.
“Firstly let me assure you that Max is safe and well, as you will be able to see for yourself in just a little while. However this hasn’t always been the case I’m sorry to say.” There was no easy way to say this yet it had to be said. “Last week Max was found unconscious in his room by one of his fellow students. He had been beaten, badly beaten, and then left lying in his own blood. Now I repeat he is fully recovered. The medical facilities at the Institute are first rate and there are those here whose powers can be used for healing Nevertheless you can imagine our consternation and concern. ”
It was a massive understatement and they both knew it. Even now indignation and anger simmered just beneath the doctor’s calm exterior as it did every time the thought of what had happened crossed his mind. “Of course an investigation into what had happened was immediately carried out and it must be said that the findings were even more shocking than we had expected” Hank leaned forward and activated the computer screen on the desk in front of him, turning it so that James could see the images he called up. “This is the CCTV footage taken at the time of Max’s attack. As you can see there is only one person who enters and leaves the vicinity during that exact period. And I’m sure you can recognise him as well as I can. "
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
Outside Kevin found himself eyeing the strangeness of a medical facility, always having managed to avoid hospitals the most of his later life and so there had been little reason to see inside any rooms specifically made to heal the wounded or ill. Crisp. Perhaps that’s one word that came to Kevin’s mind the most, the blonde youth finding himself almost intimidated by the cleanliness of the area, even with all the likely traffic a school med room would face, it still managed to remain very well kept. If the youth had only known that there had been a day not so very long ago where all the items had been tousled and the room left to look as if the items were not glued on their spots then he might not find it so unnerving. Most people did associate hospitals and medical rooms with a sense of dread, most likely because the only reason people usually went to them were because of negative reasons and ones that were desired to be put far behind them. Good things happened to, and for the moment Kevin passed his time by trying to imagine all the different scenario’s that could have occurred in there, the most likely to the least.
Inside Hank’s office however Jamie didn’t have the luxury to daydream, something that Kevin had a severe tendency to do, and right now Jamie found himself yet again envying the simplicity Kevin seemed to manage when it came to breaking away from his pain. The young and promising lawyer seemed nothing as the capable young man he felt he was in the courts, now he felt like a deer trapped in the centre of a six lane freeway! Either end of which just bore yet more relentless congested and speeding drivers.
“Please” Dark eyes found themselves staring at Hank as if he were the only other thing in the room, no seats, no desk… no walls… Just this stranger standing there and trying to brace Jamie for what was to come. How bad was it? Is Max ok? What had happened? Surely nothing too bad, it would have been in the papers… wouldn’t it? Or not… especially not if their father was involved! That just ruffled Jamie’s nerves all the more as the paranoia of such a possibility had continued getting stronger and stronger. “Sit down wont you. This could take some time and will be far from pleasant I’m afraid.” For a moment it was as if James was declining the offer, the way he stood so motionless from the sheer uncertainty and shock of all that was happening right now. Eyes turned down to the hand that signalled the seat that was offered for the younger man to sit upon, though for a moment a slight frown creased his features as the hand was studied, the mean towards it’s outstretched posture studied in a brief pause of scrutiny. All but a flash as the mind clicked far too quick for any facial reactions beyond the slight furrow of his brow, the upcoming lawyer for the poor and downtrodden turning his head enough to catch the sight of the seat in the corner of his glance. An unsteady hand reached to help support the weight of his body as his weak knees strained to bend without buckling, to allow the untrained mutant some form of grace as he sat, regardless of how shaky it felt… and probably looked just as bad as Jamie felt.
“Firstly let me assure you that Max is safe and well, as you will be able to see for yourself in just a little while. However this hasn’t always been the case I’m sorry to say.” Safe! Oh thank god! Jamie’s shoulders slumped forward and hands raised to his face, obscuring the stir of emotions that overwhelmed him for a moment, allowing a thankful breath to be drawn into the lungs much easier, though he still felt so tight and restricted in the chest and numb all over. Fingers dragged down Jamie’s face enough to allow still concerned eyes to peer up at Hank once again, another breath taken in hopes of it steadying his nerves while the hands were lowered to the lawyers lap.
“Last week Max was found unconscious in his room by one of his fellow students. He had been beaten, badly beaten, and then left lying in his own blood. Now I repeat he is fully recovered. The medical facilities at the Institute are first rate and there are those here whose powers can be used for healing Nevertheless you can imagine our consternation and concern.” And again Jamie’s eyes seemed to just stare at Hank, as if the words were somehow delayed since his reactions most definitely were. Someone beat Max in the school? Who!? Anger seethed lightly inside of the eldest Chadstone, his body leaning back and his arms resting up on the armrests with clenched fists. How dare touched his brother? All those sacrifices weren’t made in order for some messed up punk to rough Max up! Only… if it were a student, why were they going out of their way to contact him? Even their parents would step in on some neurotic brat who thought they could just trash a Chadstone without repercussions of a most severe nature.
“Of course an investigation into what had happened was immediately carried out and it must be said that the findings were even more shocking than we had expected” Now James felt lost, who exactly was he angry at? What was with all the cloak and daggers? What exactly was going on? There was a stir of panic once again swirling around inside, what had started to subside and be replaced with a flicker of anger was already being overwhelmed and flooded with confusion and concern. Every action Hank made was carefully followed by Jamie, watching as the screen of the computer was turned to face him, the very real sensation of Jamie’s thudding heart loud enough to almost drown out Hank’s spoken words as Jamie watched what was being played.
It’s been a while since Jamie saw his father’s face, at least outside of his own nightmares, it felt almost repulsive to look at the elder man, even if right now he were but a hundred thousand tiny little coloured dots on a screen. The same face, the same walk, the sound of footsteps echoed in the back of Jamie’s mind from so many years ago, those swaggered steps, defining as they were frightening… so clearly recognized when the world around was dead and dark.
“This is the CCTV footage taken at the time of Max’s attack. As you can see there is only one person who enters and leaves the vicinity during that exact period. And I’m sure you can recognise him as well as I can." Hank spoke, though the words blurred lightly, sinking in and yet at the same time fading away so quickly, James couldn’t look at the screen any more, he couldn’t look at that face! That outline! Everything about that man on the screen brought a terrible knot to form in the pit of Jamie’s stomach, it hurt! Constricting, cold! It’s worse then when he walked into empty courtroom and stared across the room, knowing how much was being relied on him, knowing all the people were there, there to judge, there to fight, he was either a friend or an enemy, neither side would be merciful if he lost, he always felt nauseous during the lead up, but on the stand, that’s when he stood like an iron statue, indestructible to the last moment, till the Judge declares whatever has been decided. Here it was! Hank was the judge! His hammer shattering the silence that had become Jamie’s life. The sentence given, revelation! Condemnation! A life sentence! All over again, another trial, another twist of fate. James wasn’t sure he could survive this one though, it had always been easier to walk away, despite the pain and guilt and all that which dragged him down, the promise of Max’s safety had driven him on… that promise was broken and now retribution was demanded.
Anger… fear… James wasn’t sure what he felt it was as if everything rushed through him all at once, his hand moving to press against the mass of knots that felt as if they were forming rapidly in his stomach. His head spun, it had been so long since he saw that face… that horrible face… it haunted him at night, it stalked him during the day, why couldn’t that face just go away? Eyes closed, the younger mutant leaned forward, he felt sick but he was trying hard to calm himself, he wasn’t going to break down into a quivering heap just because of a video… but it wasn’t just a video, it was a reminder to all the things that had once happened to him, all the things he run away from, even if the departure wasn’t his own choice he never fought to return back to the estate. Nothing had changed though, everything was supposed to but nothing had! All these years of keeping back so that Max wouldn’t get their father’s anger focused on him because of Jamie’s personal choices, by not being there that anger was promised not to be dealt! But it hadn’t stopped! And unlike all the times before, Max didn’t have James there to defend him… What kind of obsessed maniac walks into a school and beats his own son?!
Tears of failure threatened to brim Jamie’s eyes, causing the face to remain downcast to the floor as he leaned forward, trying to collect some calm breaths though he was failing at that as well. A habit of Jamie’s was to rub his eyes at the instant of any moisture threatening to touch his eyes, he couldn’t help it though he hated the habit and it was always annoying to find himself rubbing his eyes, as he did so now, because his cheap contacts (the only kind he could afford, and by cheap they were still a dear price on his budget!) constantly got dislodged from their place and the irritation in his eye informed the fidgeting mutant of what he had done.
With as much discretion as possible, James tried to slid the contacts from his eyes as he remained leaned forward, the moisture forming helping slide out easily, they only lasted a month, but he still had two weeks out of that pair and he had no where to put them which just increased his frustration as each finger managed to slide the delicate soft lenses from his eyes in a very swift manner. Sometimes they were fiddly… sometimes not, sometimes they wouldn’t come out, and sometimes they came out easily, or too easily, as he’s lost a few in the last couple of years that had just fallen out in some rough bump or another. Fingers curled, closed, encasing the moist lenses within their grip and Jamie’s palms pressed firmly into his eyes as he sat for a moment longer. At least now he could rub them, it was always embarrassing rubbing his eyes and then having to blink a few times for the lens to get back into place. Elbows pressed into the knees as Jamie let his head hang there for a moment longer, supported by his arms still as the palms remained pressed against his closed eyes. It felt like years were passing, while at the same time it was also as if seconds were rushing by in a relentless fashion, action had to be made, it had to be made now!
Jamie sat up, his silver eyes opening though notably avoiding the screen. Reaching into one of the pockets of his attire Jamie pulled out his little packet of sanitising wash clothes, withdrawn to himself for a moment as he felt the filth of his father over him. Two were pulled out, one getting the contacts neatly tucked into it and placed back into the packet, while the other rubbed over his hands in a rough brisk wipe before being pressed firmly against his face again. A shaky breath was inhaled, the sweet fragrance of cleanliness drawn in with the scent of the fabric.
"He never liked Xavier or what this school stands for… but I would never have expected seeing something like this, not even from him." What an idiot people must think of him, but they didn’t know what it was like, the strange manipulation the boys grew up to, the weird lifestyle with even far more bizarre outlines of what was considered normal or not. But surely Steven knew this blithely open attack would have serious reactions, even he wasn’t untouchable! "…What…" This was so hard, his voice shook lightly, his mind racing and his metallic eyes seemingly glazed over with a hundred different forms of panic and concerns. The wash cloth was pulled from his face, to stop the words from being muffled, his hands resting down on his thighs as he continued uneasily "What sort of injuries did Max have… I want to know what dad did to him." Even the perfect citizen could have tainted thoughts, and Jamie was definitely not perfect. If Jamie had a loaded gun aimed at his father, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to stop himself from pulling the trigger, the thought scared him enough to keep the lawyer from obtaining a weapon, despite the seedy area he lived in and the even seedier cliental he was exposed to. Then again, at this point, Jamie was just a few steps away from lunging at the screen and beating it just as viciously as Steven had done to either of his children in the past. Might not be the real steven, but it would still offer some relief to see the hundreds and thousands of tiny pixels shattered apart on the floor, stomped and destroyed just like the spirits of the Chadstone boys who, in one form or another, all had to suffer from the rampage Steven wrought upon their lives.
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
The video hit James hard though that wasn’t really surprising. Nor was the fact that there was no shocked denial on his face when he saw his father on the screen, only a horrified recognition that said more than a thousand words. Hank gave him time to recover or at least to pull himself back together for the doctor suspected that sadly recovery was too much to hope for. This hurt ran too deep, the damage was to extensive to be easily repaired even after all these years and yet there was an undeniable dignity behind all the young mans suffering that merited respect. So Hank sat quietly while James slipped the contacts from his eyes, revealing their true colour, exposing the silver pupils that marked him as a mutant. Then once again the cleansing ritual was repeated, the fragrant towels passed over hands and face as if the mere sight of his father had somehow sullied him.
"He never liked Xavier or what th is school stands for…”James said softly, his voice still unsteady in the aftermath of so much unwanted emotion. “but I would never have expected seeing something like this, not even from him." Hank had to agree. This act went beyond mere arrogance. It spoke of a total regard for any moral code, as if wealth and influence had somehow placed Chadstone above and beyond any law or retribution no matter how justified. Well he was about to find out just how wrong he was on that score, Hank would make very sure of that.
"…What…" If James had sounded shaken before he sounded a hundred times more so now. The tone caught the physicians attention alerting him to the fact that what came next would be crucial and personal, that all that had gone before had been merely leading up to this moment. And yet the question when it came could have seemed banal. Could have but didn’t. Instead it sent warning bells ringing in Hanks head and opened a door he had prayed would stay firmly shut. "What sort of injuries did Max have…I want to know what dad did to him."*Oh dear lord don’t let this mean what I think it means* Hank asked silently but in his heart he already knew that it did. Because it was clear that physical harm, however dreadful wasn’t what James was really worried about. And that changed everything.
There had been no overt signs of sexual abuse when Max had been brought in that was certain. Indeed until it had come to light that he had received the beating at the hands of his father rather than as a result of an altercation with some of the students the idea that he could have been subjected to such an attack had never crossed the doctor’s mind. Afterwards though…. Hank sighed perhaps he just hadn’t wanted to believe it. Though to be honest he had found nothing to make him believe that such a thing had happened.
But if Max had been spared, it seemed likely that James had not. And sensing that made Hank wish that he had listened to his instincts rather than his intellect when he had seen Steven the previous day. Because right now nothing would have given him greater pleasure than to have seen the look of fear on Steven’s face that he must have seen on his son’s so many times in the past. Just before a very large blue hand made violent contact with his jaw.
But that was a matter for another day. James was here and now and needed help as much as his brother had when he had been brought into med lab. Even if it was help of another kind. “I have the dossier here” he told James gently. “Though I hardly need to consult it! The events of that day are rather clearly etched in my mind. So….” Hank shot a reassuring glance towards the young lawyer before continuing “Max suffered several broken ribs, multiple contusions to the face and body, slight concussion…. The worst injury was a badly broken arm but one of his fellow students intervened and used her powers to fix that almost straight away. I saw no signs that anything else had been done to him. And though, god knows, under normal circumstances I would hardly see that as cause for relief…………perhaps ” It was as much of a question as it was a statement.” in this case it is?”
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
Oddly enough James found himself in a moment where nothing seemed to happen, or more importantly nothing seemed to register. Steven was an eyesore and always will be, though deep down in a part that was almost sickeningly constant, Jamie found himself still surprised that their father could do such a thing, despite all that had happened and all that they had seen and been dealt, Jamie still realized there was a little black hole that still tugged a believe of love their father surely had held for them. It was stupid, and Jamie hated himself for even thinking such daft things, but it couldn’t be helped, he couldn’t block out the thought, no matter how faint and deep and vague that thought was it was still there and still whispering the false hopes of Steven’s decency that, if given a chance, was still able to come through and make him the father they all needed Steven to be.
“I have the dossier here” Hank’s voice drew Jamie’s attention towards the doctor, allowing the silvery gaze to stare over the unusual features with something of a blank look, taking in the peculiarities and yet not seeming to be phased by them either. At the mention of a file however James found himself watching the doctor with a bit more focus, needing to hear what was to be said no matter how much he wished something like this would have never occurred. It had now, and Jamie hadn’t been there, just like he hadn’t been there for so many years before, part of him had been so sure that if Max was still going through anything bad by sixteen his brother would have actively sought James out! “Though I hardly need to consult it! The events of that day are rather clearly etched in my mind. So….” In so many ways that just helped James realize how terrible it was… a doctor saw any number of patients over his day and even if one patient was more hurt then another there would always be something the doctor had to check usually to make sure that he wasn’t getting his patients muddled.. But not hank, not for this case, not concerning Max. God, what had James left Max to deal with on his own? How could he have so easily believed things had gotten better? Was this lawyer still so blinded and naïve towards his father as he had been as a young high-schooler?
“Max suffered several broken ribs, multiple contusions to the face and body, slight concussion…. The worst injury was a badly broken arm but one of his fellow students intervened and used her powers to fix that almost straight away. I saw no signs that anything else had been done to him. And though, god knows, under normal circumstances I would hardly see that as cause for relief…………perhaps” Something really set their father off! Steven always tried to avoid the face! Their handsome features were a great selling point in photos and their appearance of well-being was just as attention grabbing and the slightest scrape could mean an entire pyramid of cards falling dishevelled to the table. ”in this case it is?” All James seemed able to do was a drawn out shrug, taking a moment to initiate it and then seemed to slowly let his shoulders fall back into place, his eyes focused on the folder and then dropping to stare about the desk’s surface.
"I don’t know what to think at this point…" The young lawyer admitted feeling crushed and guilty, "…Father allowed Max to run the Panacea Hotel all on his own even after I left so I thought things were improving, I thought Max would look for me if he needed me." There was a pause as a light frown creased the forehead of the younger male. "Does Max know I’m here?"
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
The opening hadn’t been seized, his question with all its underlying implications lay unanswered as James struggled to come to terms with what had to be a horrendously difficult situation. It could have gone differently of course. The shock of realising that Max was going through something he himself had been forced to endure could have broken those bounds of silence and let the young lawyer finally talk about what he had obviously kept bottled up for so many years. But it was not to be. When James did speak again it was to direct all his attention back to his brother, his concern all to clear, as was his and confusion
"I don’t know what to think at this point…" he said quietly while the doctor listened and waited for him to come f to some sort of terms with all that he had been told. "…Father allowed Max to run the Panacea Hotel all on his own even after I left so I thought things were improving, I thought Max would look for me if he needed me."
Hank didn’t doubt the veracity of the statement for an instant. Sometimes it was essential to believe something you wanted or needed to believe rather than face the truth. Especially when you were young and the truth was black as night and ugly. as hell itself So, yes it was normal that James should have clung to any scrap of hope that his father’s behaviour had held out . After all, with his own life in shreds, it must have been comforting to think that at least his brother was safe. Even if buried deep in his heart there must have been a small voice that whispered that would never be the case.
Oh the doubt had been there all right, although James had tried to hide it even from himself. Hank had seen it etched in his face as soon as James had stepped through the door of his office. A fear the silver eyed mutant had prayed he would never have to face but which he always secretly known was out there waiting for him. And now it was here, staring him in the face and he would have to scrape together every ounce of his courage to deal with it.
Suddenly the young mans look changed "Does Max know I’m here?" he asked as if the question had only just crossed his mind, which given all the other problems that he had been forced to confront, could well have been the case. “No” Hank told him steadily. “No he doesn’t”
It had been a difficult enough decision to make, contacting James out of the blue like this without building Max’s hopes up at the same time. For if Hank had wanted to discuss the situation with Max’s elder brother he by no means wanted to oblige James to step back into the fray if he didn’t feel up to it. And knowing that his sibling was waiting anxiously for his arrival might have done just that.
“I thought that we should talk first, before I told him you were on your way” he explained softly "To be completely honest, despite our conversation yesterday I wasn’t at all sure that you would actually come. Though now that I have met you I can see my doubts were unfounded.It is obvious that Max means as much to you as you do to him!"
Hank sighed, and rubbed his hands over his yellow eyes before continuing, the action betraying at the same time his weariness and his true regret at what was going on. “Still if I had thought that I could have dealt with this myself I would have done so. Not through any desire to keep you and Max apart but simply because… well I think we both know that has the potential to become messy.
Oh Lord that sounds as if I want to sweep this whole thing under the carpet when in fact nothing could be further from the truth.” It was time to lay his cards on the table. He only hoped James wouldn’t think that he had overplayed his hand.” I paid a little visit to your father yesterday. In order to let him know of my disapproval of what he had done” The words were still restrained but the emotion behind them was clear enough. “Let us just say that I explained in no uncertain terms that if he ever laid a hand on Max again, all of this dirty laundry would be not only washed, but hung out to dry in public. I may even have added that I would personally make sure he regretted his actions, the huge feline added with a grim smile but that is by the by.”
“While I have enough forensic evidence to give more than pause for thought backed up by whatever reputation I may possess and an exemplary lawyer, ready to take this case and run with it as far as he possibly can, we all know that without Max’s testimony it would only cause your father pain but not necessarily lead to a conviction. ” Hank shook his head “ And although that threat may be enough to deter him in the end it isn’t the real problem here.”
“What matters at this time is that Max will not acknowledge that he has been wronged. Even to himself! For the question of stepping into court has never been raised. Nor will it ever be if he does not want it to be so. Unless it is the only way to keep him safe!
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
“No he doesn’t” In some ways that made things worse.. the knowledge that there was still a chance to walk away and Max would be none the wiser, though James would never do such a thing, he would never be able to follow through with the idea, but that didn’t mean a weak part of him didn’t want to entertain the thought. At the same time, knowing Max didn’t know he was here meant that there was so many things Max was facing alone, in a world that didn’t understand the lifestyle of a true Chadstone, even Kevin sometimes struggled to understand the world James had come from. No. Walking away wasn’t a choice… not now, not again, after all, hadn’t James already tried that? Oh sure, he could prattle on about how their father refused to let Jamie have anything to do with Max or their family, but that didn’t change the very real fact that James made very little effort to see Max, the best ever done was to look into their hotel’s status.
“I thought that we should talk first, before I told him you were on your way” James felt suddenly so confined, he wasn’t sure how to reply, as desperate as he was to stand up for his brother, he was starting to feel all the childhood fears he’d been running from building up like a fog about him. The struggling lawyer felt the knot inside of him growing tighter and larger and more complex as he sat there, forced to listen to the unfolding tale that was but the first few steps of returning to a world James had tried so hard to push behind him. Thinking Max had been safe had helped Jamie carry on… but now… what had he done to his little brother? All the times Max must have needed him, and yet James was too busy being a coward to be there for the kid. "To be completely honest, despite our conversation yesterday I wasn’t at all sure that you would actually come. Though now that I have met you I can see my doubts were unfounded. It is obvious that Max means as much to you as you do to him!" As Hank spoke James felt his heart get crushed at the very thought that he would ignore Max’s plight, then again, all the more painful a thought replied that.. in a sense.. hadn’t Jamie done just that these last couple of years? Causing yet another pained look as Hank continued on with a statement that Jamie felt unworthy of. I was so close to not coming… And then there was the fact that Hank mentioned the bond he and Max shared… did Max still talk about him? I wonder what he’s said. While Jamie longed to hear all the positives, he wouldn’t expect it, not after what he had done, what his father had accused him of doing and the very fact that Jamie had run off…
Breaking down into tears wasn’t going to help anyone, not himself, not Max… definitely not Max. Silver eyes shut tight for a moment, willing the emotions to remain at bay. You have to deal with this, stop being such a coward, stop hiding and worrying and feeling guilty for things that can’t be changed! It wasn’t helping, yelling at himself never did, but that didn’t stop it from happening. Watching the doctor left James seeing a man who put so much into this, he looked as if he had little more to give… then again, because a doctor, he probably had far more pressing things on then a squabbling family.
“Still if I had thought that I could have dealt with this myself I would have done so. Not through any desire to keep you and Max apart but simply because… well I think we both know that has the potential to become messy.” And James understood that all too well… people disliked messy. They hated it, strived with every ounce of power they possessed to fix whatever they classified as a ‘mess’. Being a lawyer meant that most people wanted you to fix up their messes, though James chose his cases, perhaps that’s why he didn’t do so well, it seemed the weaker and poor people were the only real ones that got trampled over constantly and there was only so much one could take from someone who has almost nothing to give.
”I paid a little visit to your father yesterday. In order to let him know of my disapproval of what he had done” You did what? The stunned eyes stared at McCoy, looking uncomfortable at the very idea which had been mentioned, going up against Steven had never been a smart thing to do, it always hurt, it always was twisted to a point where even doubting Steven’s word or authority was almost a crime. Because father knows best. And no child of his would say otherwise… not without serious whiplash. “Let us just say that I explained in no uncertain terms that if he ever laid a hand on Max again, all of this dirty laundry would be not only washed, but hung out to dry in public. I may even have added that I would personally make sure he regretted his actions,” He’s dead. Dad wouldn’t tolerate that. Now James blamed himself for putting this doctor in harms way, if only James hadn’t been so rebellious, then he’d not have upset Steven, and Max would never have been left alone, and… this guy wouldn’t have gotten involved. Then again, if Jamie never left the Chadstone’s Estate, he’d not have found Kevin, and lord knows where the wilful child of a suicide victim would have ended up. “but that is by the by.”
“While I have enough forensic evidence to give more than pause for thought backed up by whatever reputation I may possess and an exemplary lawyer, ready to take this case and run with it as far as he possibly can, we all know that without Max’s testimony it would only cause your father pain but not necessarily lead to a conviction. ” Not only father, but everyone involved, and James still somehow felt a swirl of guilt towards feeling responsible for this, despite not being directly involved, despite them all having gotten things started before calling him, in the end, James could see how if one looks far back enough they’d all see it was his fault for this… “ And although that threat may be enough to deter him in the end it isn’t the real problem here.” Deter him? Detour him from what? It wasn’t like Steven was someone that could always be scared into not doing something, if he could then he’d not have walked into this school so stupidly to hurt Max! He’d not have gone against a promise James had made him make… or was that it? Was Jamie’s own threats so diminished in his father’s eyes that Steven didn’t even see them as that? Maybe I’ve never been able to protect Max… and so blinded by my own bravado I couldn’t even see it. Shameful! What kind of brother was he? Oh, sure, he’s all willing and helpful and ‘big brother’ material, as long as he isn’t forced to deal with the big bad wolf.
“What matters at this time is that Max will not acknowledge that he has been wronged. Even to himself! For the question of stepping into court has never been raised. Nor will it ever be if he does not want it to be so. Unless it is the only way to keep him safe!” Max still couldn’t see? Max blamed himself! Of course he did, they were always such good little sons, and daddy could never be wrong, so if he told them off or did something, they had to believe it was the right thing for a parent to do, and if they so much and squirmed, then they might as well have spat in their father’s face. And perfect little sons never wished to spit in their father’s face, especially when their father was always right, and they were always tripping over one rule or another. Was Max still caught up in that? And how could Jamie even consider judging him on that, when every ounce of the young lawyer feared that he too was still every bit the fearful child eager to make daddy proud… even after all this.
"It’s hard to believe we are in the right when we’re told every day of our lives that all the things we ever choose to do are wrong, as long as we thought it up.. it had to be stupid." And that made him angry! Because becoming a lawyer wasn’t stupid, regardless of how angry his father was towards the choices James had made as he started down that path, the things he decided whilst still in school, all that lead to him doing something he wanted to do, and the determination to do it all outside his father’s company, another thing that enraged Steven. How dare his own son work elsewhere, instead of strengthening the family’s workforce. Working for the jerks who want him to do whatever he can to help prove them innocent of whatever foul play they made just because they have the money to pay for it never warmed up to Jamie and never will. "Max can’t admit dad’s wrong… it’d mean admitting that everything we know is screwed up," And if Jamie can’t admit such an obvious fact, how can Max, who is still living in that world and by that worlds rules? "Sometimes, when things got really bad… Max even forgot things, I used to think he was just pretending but he even forgot things that happened to me, it’s like he forced himself to forget." And back then James had stopped trying to bring things up with Max, leaving it only for Max to come to him, after all, if someone can forget something so bad, then what right did James have to force his brother to remember… Now of course Jamie realized how disturbing it was, but back then… back then Jamie looked upon Max’s ability to block things out almost enviously.
"If you go up against dad, he’s going to blame himself for whatever his ever done… unless Max is forced to face everything he’s put behind him, he’s going to think we’re over reacting, I don’t know if I could do that to him." His voice betrayed the anxiety and fear, regardless of how controlled Jamie appeared all things considering, he was slowly breaking, but as any good Chadstone he struggled to hang on until he was completely clear of outsiders and left alone. "What… what if, I-I…I…" Offer to take Max’s place… no, demand it, just say it! Perhaps if Jamie got involved then maybe Max could join if and when he was ready… ok, perhaps not really them most helpful, as Hank wanted to go after Steven’s assault of Max… but throwing Max into things like this couldn’t be helpful. It’d be a whole lot more helpful if Jamie could actually string together a sentence, but now that his hand was being forced … or at least that’s how it felt, Jamie was seeing all the tough talk he ever wanted to say piddle away to nothing, if he couldn’t say he’d go up against his father here and now, how in the hell could he go about actually doing it. Silver eyes stared at Hank’s face, though lips quivered, silence only followed, silence and shame, and for that Jamie let his face drop, his eyes closed and his hand raised to cover his mouth. "I don’t know… I-I don’t know."
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
"It’s hard to believe we are in the right when we’re told every day of our lives that all the things we ever choose to do are wrong, as long as we thought it up.. it had to be stupid." So James had realised that, had he? That his fathers words had done almost as much harm as his actions, pushing his own guilt onto the shoulders of his sons, making them feel responsible for his crimes instead of recognising themselves to be the victims they actually were. It was a major step towards recovery and perhaps the hardest to take, though it had to be said that none of the progress of healing from this sort of abuse was exactly easy.
And now here he was being asked to help his brother through the same earth shattering experience. It was a lot to bear and the strain was already beginning to show. But he was doing well all things considered, seeing perhaps all to clearly the gulf that lay between where Max was at the present moment and the place he would have to get to if he was going to break free from Stevens control. "Max can’t admit dad’s wrong… he said a little desperately it’d mean admitting that everything we know is screwed up," Hank nodded in understanding. It was all too obvious that the younger Chadstone was ready to defend his father against all comers. Even if in his heart he had to know that what was going on was wrong.
"Sometimes, when things got really bad… Lord, Hank didn’t even want to think about what qualified as really bad in Stevens household. Because if he did he might just pay another visit to the penthouse and that wasn’t the intelligent way forward. Even if he was sure it would feel good at the time. Max even forgot things, The doctors yellow eyes widened in shock. He had known that max had been traumatised by his ill treatment but he hadnt realised just how deep the damage ran. “I used to think he was just pretending” James went on “but he even forgot things that happened to me, it’s like he forced himself to forget." Which was of course exactly what he had done! It was the ultimate defence, the brains last ditch attempt at self preservation when all limits had been passed and life became too much to bear. And it spoke volumes of Stevens cruelty that Max had had to resort to it.
"If you go up against dad, he’s going to blame himself for whatever his ever done… There was a hint of panic creeping into the young lawyers voice though he still struggled not to let it take control. “unless Max is forced to face everything he’s put behind him, he’s going to think we’re over reacting, I don’t know if I could do that to him." James himself looked close to breaking point and it was entirely understandable. As was the doubt that now came flooding over him. "What… what if, I-I…I…" The so carefully maintained calm was gone now leaving behind another lost and hurt young man who needed help almost as much as his brother did. If not more. "I don’t know… I-I don’t know."
“James” Hank said quietly. “We don’t have to find all the answers right here and now. No one could. This problem is too big for that. But we can start looking for them.” The doctor’s voice was sincere and reassuring as he continued. “I didn’t ask you here to take this whole burden on yourself or to force max into anything whatsoever. I asked you to come simply because he needs you in his life at the moment. Just to be there. If he decides to confide in you then that is all to the better. But if he doesn’t….then that too is fine. Things like this take time and he must come to acceptance in his own way. What is certain is that your presence will give him possibilities he will not have otherwise. Like the possibility of having a loving family.And that James, is a gift only you can give him.”
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.“James” Pull through it! Chin up, eyes straight, body firm and hands by your side! That's what ran through Jamie's head as he struggled to figure out what was the best way to react, and yet what he thought and what he was doing were totally different. All the mid twenty year old needed right now was to hold on, to clear his mind of all his worries long enough to hold together. It was hard, but it's what he had to do over the years, it's what kept him going when he wanted to curl up and fade away.
“We don’t have to find all the answers right here and now. No one could. This problem is too big for that. But we can start looking for them.” Answers? Oh... Jamie had answers, he had some earth shattering ones as far as the almighty Chadstone's go. But did he have answers for Max? Where were you? Why did you stop talking to me? Why did you leave? Why didn't you come back? All the things his kid brother had a right to ask, all the things that Jamie just couldn't find a good enough reason to give..
“I didn’t ask you here to take this whole burden on yourself or to force max into anything whatsoever. I asked you to come simply because he needs you in his life at the moment. Just to be there. If he decides to confide in you then that is all to the better. But if he doesn’t….then that too is fine. Things like this take time and he must come to acceptance in his own way. What is certain is that your presence will give him possibilities he will not have otherwise. Like the possibility of having a loving family.And that James, is a gift only you can give him.” To be there? Just to be there.. It sounded so easy.. Maybe, at least for a moment in time, it could be? Easy that is. Just him, Max and Kevin.. a time where all three could get to know each other, where all three could be together, where all three could finally be exactly what they all wanted, and James had no doubt in the fact that's what Max too wanted. Brothers, family.. It sounded like a gold plated promise, all Jamie wanted to hope for was that the gold wouldn't flake off too quickly.
Taking in a deep breath, James got to his feet, whatever was to happen would eventually happen, but for now.. Max was going to have to contront not only James, but Kevin. And James was under no allusions that there may be some anger from Max.. but given time, and some carefully chosen moments, Jamie knew he could break through even Max's most foul of moods. He always had been able to in the past.. lets hope things hadn't changed.
"I'm not the only one he has, he's got Kevin too.. he just doesn't know it yet." The half blooded relative who wandered outside was torn somewhere between Max and Jamie's personalities, as if he couldn't decide to behave or misbehave. Some undescribable force tugging him towards mischief, and yet a noble side still keeping him from crossing the life of cruility. Hiding someone's school books from them was one thing.. beating them senseless for bumping into him, now that wasn't definitely another all together, and a line he'd not cross. But it meant that Kevin had a wider range of personalities he could meld with, and connecting with his eldest brother and the middle brother would be easier then if Kevin was too extreme either way. James also knew that even at his worst, Kevin still had a good heart, and somehow, sooner or later, he'd win Max over. For Max's sake, he just hoped that Max let them both in sooner, it seemed he needed the support... and Jamie needed to give it.
Re: All Roads Eventually Join: Taking the first Step.
If his words had sounded a little simplistic even to himself they seemed to have the desired effect. Oh Hank didn’t doubt that James was as well aware as he was himself, perhaps even more so, that moulding his relationship with Max into anything like a normal family one was going to be a long and arduous business. But it was something that could be done, something that perseverance and love could actually accomplish. And right now that was what James needed to hold on to. Not all of the terrible things that had happened in the past and which could never be changed, but the ones that could. The future he and his brother could have together.
Hank could see that realisation sinking in, bringing a measure of confidence and resolve back into the young mans features even if he still looked pale. "I'm not the only one he has,” he said softly he's got Kevin too.. he just doesn't know it yet."
Kevin? Hank cast his mind over Max’s dossier and came up blank. However, now was perhaps not the time to ask that particular question and besides if this Kevin was someone who could help the Chadstone boys through this coming trial then Hank didn’t really care who he was. Though he had to admit that he was curious!
Well no doubt he would find out soon enough. For if he intended to let the brothers have their reunion in peace he was certainly not backing out of this affair by any means. He had promised James that he would help whenever and wherever he could and that was one promise he didn’t intend to go back on. After all, someone had to place themselves between them and their father. At least until they learned that they could stand up to him on their own. And that was a position Hank had already reserved for himself.
Now though the only constructive thing he could do for them was give them a little space. And a gentle push towards reconciliation. “I’m glad to hear that Max has someone else he can count on.” he told James, reaching for the phone. “So , this seems as good a time as any to tell him of your arrival don’t you think?” To be honest he gave Jame’s little chance to reply for he was already punching in the number as he spoke. But then sometimes it was better to get thing over with quickly, like ripping off a bandade from a wound in order to let it heal in the fresh air. And this was one wound that would need all the air it could get!
“Max” Hank said in his best cheerful manner ,though inside he was almost as nervous about this as James was. For after all this was a series of events that he had set in motion, and if his instincts told him it was the best way to proceed, it still didn’t make it any less dangerous for all concerned. “This is Dr McCoy. No everything is all right. In fact better than all right! You have a visitor. Oh no…… I think that should come as a surprise. I’m sure it will be a pleasant one. In any case Ill have him taken to one the guest reception rooms.. emm Number four is free at the moment. Shall I tell him you’ll be there in about .....fifteen minutes?”
So it was done. For better or for worse the Chadstone brothers were going to be back together again. And what exactly that would mean for both of them only time would tell. Hank could only be sure of one thing. Whatever came they wouldn’t be facing it alone. And from where he was standing that surely had to be an improvement.
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