How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
An hour after leaving X-Factor investigations behind along with the rest of his life, James Arthur Madrox was pulling his 1950s convertible up in front of the Institute, reopening a chapter of his life he thought long sealed shut. It'd been nearly a decade since he'd set foot on the grounds and years since he'd spoken to any of his old friends at the school. Taking in the finely detailed landscaping and the impressive architecture, he couldn't help but whistle.
"Completely different..."
"...but exactly the same." A voice from the back seat finished the thought. It was something that never ceased to amuse Jamie, being able to finish sentences and having them finished for him with such dead-on accuracy. It was a good thing he was so good humored about it, because it was an inevitable event for the Multiple Man.
After leaving his rundown District X office with one of his duplicates in tow, Jamie had created a second replicant to help pass the time. The three had chatted amiably, voicing excitement over starting over and concern for what he'd left behind. Still, it remained a lighthearted conversation. Jamie couldn't help but set himself up to deliver witty lines. And even though he could see it coming, it was always a riot none the less.
"Hey, fellas, you wouldn't mind...?" Jamie turned to the duplicates with a hand outstretched, asking the same question he always would when it came time. If there were extreme circumstances, compliance was assumed for the greater good. When possible, however, he did his best to be civil about it.
"Not at all," came the reply in stereo. The duplicates reached out to for Jamie's hand at the same time and the moment contact was made they were gone. Jamie alone in the driveway with no indication it'd been otherwise just seconds before.
"Thanks for the company." The replicas were a part of Jamie once again, and that part of him was who he muttered to. Climbing out of the car, Jamie scooped up the government issued green canvas sack out of the back seat. His other bags weren't so important and so would stay in his trunk for the time being. As it was, Madrox was being a tad presumptious. When he'd spoken to Scott the previous day, he'd never mentioned moving back to the Institute. As far as the legendary Cyclops would be concerned, this was just a social call. Unless, of course, the 'old man' was still able enough to detect otherwise.
The grungy mutant swung his luggage over a shoulder and headed for the front door, peeling off his aviator sunglasses as he did so. The shades were hung neatly from the collar of his ratty yellow T-shirt. Dressing up for this occassion had crossed his mind, but when it came down to it Jamie was just more comfortable in a pair of ripped jeans and Converse All-Star sneakers than anything else. Summers would be understanding if not approving of the dress.
Completely different, but exactly the same. Jamie hadn't recognized the voice that buzzed him through the gates. Nor did he recognize the young lady to meet him at the door. But the halls were familiar. He'd tried to decline the woman's assistance, but had it explained that guests weren't allowed to roam the school freely. Unable to argue, he allowed himself to be escorted through the office hallways. He was, in the end, glad to have the guide. The corridors were a little more confusing than he remembered.
Too some doing, but Jamie was able to convince his chaperone to leave him outside the office for a few minutes to collect his thoughts. He did, however, get the impression she'd only gone so far as around the first corner, that she was still keeping tabs on him as much as possible. As a former P.I., Madrox could appreciate that.
Steadying himself(his nervousness was unwarranted, he knew better), Jamie cleared his head as hell as his lungs with a hard and slow exhale. He'd simply go in there, catch up with ol' steady-as-a-rock, never-change-nothin' Cyclops, and see what he could offer the Institute and the X-Men. Pumping up his ever-present smile, Jamie tapped out the first half of "Shave and a Haircut". Would Scott humor him and finish the jingle? Either way, Madrox had centered himself in his happy-go-lucky frame of mind.
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
It had been a surprise but a pleasant one hearing from Jamie again. Lucky too that the phone call had come when it had instead of a few days previously.Karma maybe. If you believed in such things. One last opportunity to catch up on old times before it was too late.
Leaning forward across the desk to fetch some paperwork, Scott brushed his right arm against it, the slight contact setting off waves of pain that took the breath from his lungs and the sight from his eyes.* Dear god just let it pass* he prayed waiting for the barrier Hank had erected with his carefully dozed cocktail of drugs to fall and claim back his sanity. And it did. Though it left him pale and shaken in its wake. *Wait Wait* he told himself.* Sight will come back *
He could tell the difference now between a real attack and a mere incident. A screaming scale of pain that went from the merely excruciating to the unliveable with no time at all. This was just carelessness. A stupid inability to adjust to having only one workable hand.
* Learn fast*. he told himself as he leaned back into his chair the discrete sling cradling his useless arm against him.* Learn real fast Summers because this is not something you want to go through again* The pain was subsiding now still bad but nothing he hadn’t dealt with countless times before. Likewise his vision cleared behind the now ever present visor which had replaced his more casual glasses.
Would Jamie notice that? The sling he couldn’t hide that was for certain. But would his old friend remember how much he hated the visor trying at every opportunity to remove it? Doubtful. Scott had always kept such things to himself. Nothing should ever have been seen to ruffle the legendary Summers self control.
Well it had been ruffled now. In fact it had been trampled underfoot and left for dead.. All that was left was a fragile façade. Though given the circumstances it was a miracle he had been able to maintain that. Most people would simply have crumbled before the severity of his condition unable even to contemplate going on. But he wasn’t most people. He was Cyclops and if he could no longer be on a team then at least he was still capable of helping Jean run the school. Whatever it cost him to do so.
*Though we could sure use some help* he admitted. Even leaving aside his illness things had been bad recently. Professor Xaviers condition meant that Jean had had to take on all the responsibilities of running the school a heavy enough job without her having to deal with personal heartbreak at the same time. Logan’s son was missing and they seemed no closer to finding who was responsible than they had been five days ago; And Hank. He was overworked as usual. Med lab alone was more than enough for any one to handle. Add to that the security system and the danger room programming and things began rapidly to get out of hand.
*He could do with having Jamie’s powers* Scott thought with a ghost of his old smile finally returning.* But there are times when we all could.* Still. This was supposed to be a happy reunion not a blatant cry for help. Lets not look too needy here Scott reminded himself. *An old friend should be able to drop in without being sucked back into our problems. Lets just sit back and enjoy his company. And let that be enough for now*
As if on cue there came a cheerful knocking at the door. Scott knew the answer he was waiting for. He also knew the effort it would have taken to rise and give it to him. With a sigh he uncharacteristically admitted defeat.* I’d rather appear to have no sense of humour, god knows it wouldn’t be the first time, than drop at his feet *he reasoned . “Hey Jamie Come on in its open” he called instead.”Welcome back"
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
“Hey Jamie Come on in its open"
*Ah, just like Scott. Too much on his plate to afford a sense of humor.* Of course, considering what was on the plate it was understandable. A stone-faced and straight-laced leader like Scott was an immeasurably better leader than a funny man. Jamie himself was prone to joking in tense situations and that's what kept him from being a leader like Cyclops was. *Cyclops, Reed Richards, Captain America...* Jamie made a comparative list in his head, *A good commander barks orders, not witty banter.*
Madrox pushed the door open and stepped in fluidly, wanting a bit of a flourish to his entrance. Just for the hell of it. His luggage, the canvas sack, landed with a heavy thud on the floor. It'd been a move planned minutes ago with the logic that Scott would take note of the bag anyway and subtlety was overrated. Perhaps it would stir the X-man's curiousity if not announce Jamie's intentions. Coupled with the expression the multiplier had struck, however, the gesture probably only highlighted his shock.
”Welcome back"
It had been a needle of annoyance that Scott handn't at least been standing near the door waiting to greet Jamie. Not that Jamie was so pretentious, but a handshake and a slap on the back or something would've been nice. More than that, his sweep into the room had been meant to bring him close to awaiting Scott, the proximity adding that much more to the entrance. This was stiffling his showmanship.
The thump of his bag matched the startling notice of Scott's being. Not so much the small signs of wear or aging, but the sling.
"Jesus, Scotty. What'd you do to yourself this time?" It was a quick recovery for Madrox. "No no... let me guess..." He pressed his fingers to his temples in mock concentration. "I suspect... Juggernaught ... In downtown Manhattan ... with the candlestick!" Why he felt compelled to reference the old board game Clue was beyond even his understanding.
Grinning as he closed the distance to the desk, Jamie managed enough tact to offer his left hand in greeting rather than taunt Scott with his right. He flopped into a seat in front of the desk. A mind extremely susceptible to distraction, he fondled the arms of his chair.
"Niiiiice..." He eyed the rest of the office for quality. The simple fact that Summers had an office was foreign. When Jamie had stayed at the mansion all those years ago, the X-men were young. Most were still refered to as "students," even. Now, to walk down the office hallway and see those names on doors, mingled with a number of unfamilars, was strange. After Jamie left, the contact they kept and they're meetings were kept relatively free of such signs of aging. It was almost disturbing to see these signs now. It meant they were getting old. Ipso facto, so was he.
Catching sight of his bag, Jamie refocused himself and reinforced his smile. It was too unusual for him to just brush off, so he gave a slight nod towards it.
"After you and I talked on the phone and set up this get together, I ah... realized I'd scheduled it on laundry day. Well, rather than reschedule or fall behind on my cleaning, I thought to myself, 'Self... you're going to a mansion slash prep school, a clever cover for a very high tech and avante garde operation responsible for saving the world *and* universe countless times, not to mention the protection and training of more than a handful of the next generation of similar world-savers... surely they have a washing machine.' So I packed up what I viewed to be all my important possessions and came here. I hope I wasn't jumping the gun at all."
Perhaps the reason Jamie hated subtlety was because he had no knack for it.
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
He had expected theatrics and he wasn’t disappointed.* Just as well I don’t answer the door* Scott thought wryly.* Getting knocked over by a bag is hardly a good way to end my so called illustrious career.* Still it was good to see his old friend hadn’t changed. *Not that the same can be said for me* Scott realised as he saw Jamie’s expression, Multiple man’ eyes lingering for a moment on the sling before he slapped his grin firmly back into place.. "Jesus, Scotty. What'd you do to yourself this time?" he asked masking the flash of concern behind his ever present good humour. "No no... let me guess... "I suspect... Juggernaught ... In downtown Manhattan ... with the candlestick!"
Typical Maddox. Turn everything into a joke. And why not. As far as he was knew it was just another one of the many knocks that they all came up against in their lives as X men. No more no less. Certainly something you bounced back from with a smile. *Guess what Jamie* Scott thought to himself *Went down Didn’t bounce. Isn’t that a bummer?* He wondered how he was going to break the news that this wasn’t something he was going to walk away from. Well if he’s only passing through then maybe I wont have to. But all in all Id rather he hung around. Even if it does mean things are going to get serious for a while. The luggage certainly makes it look as if he might. *But then this is Jamie.*Scott reminded himself. *It could be full of party hats and streamers for all I know.*
Although some of his thoughts might have been less than cheerful there was nothing except genuine pleasure on Cyclop’s face as he shook Jamie’s proffered left hand. appreciating the gesture even if he hated the fact that it had to be made. It seemed that the office met with his friends approval. "Niiiiice..." Jamie murmured taking in the bookcases, the leather chairs, the photos of Scott’s family that lined the shelves. It was too. At least Scott thought so. It reflected his character, organised, responsible, but still comfortable for all that. The office of a man who was sure of himself and his capacities, strangely personal for someone as reserved as Scott always seemed to be. The sort of office Professor Xavier had had when they first came to the Institute. That he still had though, sadly it hadn’t been used for too long
Scott had always known that he and Jean would take over the running of the Institute when Xavier retired. The Professor had groomed them for it over the years knowing they shared his vision and would take good care of his legacy. But it wasn’t something they could do alone. The Institute was too big for that.
There were more and more students pouring in every day, each one with their own individual needs and problems. Jean had been trying to take on all the responsibilities over the last few months and already the strain was telling on her. Now Scott was there to help with the administrative side in a way he never had before but they both knew f was only a matter of time before his health broke down to the point where he wouldn’t be able to do even that. Which was why now more than ever before every friendly face was doubly welcome and every offer of help a godsend.
With this thought in mind Cyclops glanced over at the impressive bag resting in splendid isolation in the middle of his hitherto uncluttered office. Jamie must have caught the slight movement of his head because he to nodded towards the offending object "After you and I talked on the phone and set up this get together, I ah... realized I'd scheduled it on laundry day" he started, the words bringing a groan and a smile simultaneously to Cyclops lips.A Jamie explanation! He had almost forgotten how far fetched they could be.
But his memories came flooding back as he listened to this latest one. Fortunately he knew how to read between the lines and what he read there made the smile widen. This wasn’t just a passing visit. Jamie was planning to settle in. At least for a while. Though maybe he would change his mind once he heard what was going on. Scott didn’t think so though. Behind the clown there was someone who didn’t back away from a problem. Or even a whole bundle of problems sush as the Institute had at that point in time.
"So I packed up what I viewed to be all my important possessions and came here" Jamie concluded . "I hope I wasn't jumping the gun at all?" .”"“Oh I think we can scrounge you up a washing machine all rightWe might even be able to find a room for you to stay in while you wait for them to dry. Might be a good idea you know.” ” Scott replied with a grin. "After all . We have ten years of gossip to catch up on . It could take some time. Any idea where you’d like me to start?”
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
“Oh I think we can scrounge you up a washing machine all right. We might even be able to find a room for you to stay in while you wait for them to dry. Might be a good idea you know.”
If Jamie's lips could have split any farther apart, spread from ear to ear, they would have. A Madrox grin, however, had very few settings save "off" and "smile like you've just gotten a Botox injection." What he fully expected to be the most awkward part was over. A ridiculous explanation from him met with a humoring acceptance by an old friend and - bammo! - he was back. Sure, there'd be a more serious conversation down the road, maybe with Scott, maybe not, but for now this was all that was needed.
For the briefest of moments, Jamie wondered if he were really a welcome addition to the complex organization the Institute was. Faster than Quicksilver, he reminded himself this was the X-Men - no help was ever turned away. He also reminded himself to call Quicksilver and see how his old X-Factor teammate was doing, but that was just a side note.
"After all . We have ten years of gossip to catch up on . It could take some time. Any idea where you’d like me to start?”
Jamie chuckled the sort of head back, shoulder bouncing chuckle you knew could erupt into soming much more with little provocation. "Ten years! Shoot, I can't believe we're old enough to have that much to catch up on. But I then again, with the business we're in it's hard enough to keep up with our own lives let alone each others'." Basking in the humor of the idea, Jamie eyed the room some more. This time the family photos caught his attention. They brought about a slightly more serious note. "Time does seem to fly, don't it?"
"How's Jean and the family, man?" Genuine curiousity and concern sparked the question. Scott had chosen an extremely dangerous profession to raise a family in. If anyone could do it, it was the amazing Mr. and Mrs. Summers, but assuming anyone could do it wasn't necessarily a wise bet. Besides, it seemed like a good place to start the gossip. Start with those closest to Scott and work their way out to compare notes on mutual acquaintances. Assuming the conversation would go that far. As organized as Scott kept his desk, years of running his own office made it easy for Jamie to recognize what he called a "three dupe" workload. And of course he couldn't have expected Scott to clear his calendar just for a what was made out to be a social call, anyway.
Still looking over the pictures, Madrox made another side note to track down Alex "Havok" Summers as well, another former teammate. The two hadn't always seen eye to eye, but when you face life and death on a daily basis you tended to form a bond none the less. At least this much was true for Jamie. Storing the mental note away, he inwardly laughed at himself. Why didn't he just organize a dang reunion?
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th) "How's Jean and the family, man?" It should have been an easy enough question to answer but now…..* Face it* Cyclops told himself *Everything’s going to be tricky till I get down to telling him about my condition So either spit it out or work up to it but do it all the same. But then again why not give him some good news before we get down to the bad stuff. Otherwise this reunion is going to turn into a wake *
“Well we’re all older like you said” he began with a smile “Not that you could tell to look at Jean.” Awkwardly he picked up the photo that he kept on his desk and held it out to Jamie. ”Sean’s all grown up” It was true. He had only been nine when Jamie had seen him last. Now the picture was that of a confident young man, with his father’s dark good looks and his mothers disposition. ”He’s well and happy” Scott said proudly. "Got himself his own quarters at the institute and a nice girlfriend to share them with. I think it might be serious between them.” he added with a smile ”And yes before you ask, it does feel weird. But nice as well”
“Anyway his powers are under control, more than mine ever were, and he’s on a team now. In fact he’ll be leading one pretty soon unless I’m much mistaken.” Funny how everything eventually came back to the teams but then it always had. They underpinned every aspect of life at the institute whether the majority of the students realised it or not.
“We’ve got two other members of the family in teams now as well. My nephews, Taylor and Alex’s son Lachlan. Taylor's a real live wire. Literally” Scott said with a laugh. ” He channels electricity. He and Sean are great friends again just like they were when they were small. As for Lachlan well he’s into surfing in a big way. Show that kid a killer wave and he’s in paradise.”
That reminded Scott “ His father may be dropping in some day soon." he told Jamie. "I’m sure he’ll be glad to catch up with you as well. Which brings us to Jean. Well she’s still…… Jean”
He didn’t have to say anything else. He had loved her since they were teenagers and time had only made their bond stronger. Anyone who knew them all knew that. “Though she’s swamped with work at the moment.”
Time now for some of the less pleasant news unfortunately. “She’s running the school at present Jamie. I hate to announce it out of the blue like this" Scott said gently "but the professors in a coma. He has been for some time. Hank has tried everything. Jean has used her powers But nothing we do seems to make any difference. He just won't wake up.”
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
“Well we’re all older like you said. Not that you could tell to look at Jean.”
Jamie readily accepted the photo. They'd taken it recently as far as he could tell. It was all he could do not to whistle as he took in Xavier's favorite redhead. Scott had spoken the truth, not just a lover's dreamy sentiment. Her bearing seemed different, more mature and even matronly, but then again they all probably held themselves a little different than they had ten years ago.
”Sean’s all grown up. He’s well and happy. Got himself his own quarters at the institute and a nice girlfriend to share them with. I think it might be serious between them. And yes before you ask, it does feel weird. But nice as well."
At that came a choked snicker. The son of straight-and-narrow Scott Summers was shacking up with a girl, and Scott was not only allowing it, but seemingly supporting it? Oh but that would be the source of much teasing in the coming months. Jokes were already forming in the back of Jamie's head. Of course it didn't help that Jamie still thought of Sean as a prepubescent boy. He'd left just before Sean's powers emerged, if he remembered correctly, so he'd only heard about them since.
“Anyway his powers are under control, more than mine ever were, and he’s on a team now. In fact he’ll be leading one pretty soon unless I’m much mistaken.”
Save for the live-in girlfriend, it certainly seemed like Sean was taking after his father. Same dark features, seemingly the same path in life. No doubt the leader of the next generation of X-Men, when the offspring and other young'ns would rise to take the place of older heros like Scott and ... himself? It didn't feel right, placing himself on the same level. If you knew of Cyclops, you knew he was a legend. Multiple Man? Not so much.
“We’ve got two other members of the family in teams now as well. My nephews, Taylor and Alex’s son Lachlan. Taylor's a real live wire. Literally” Scott said with a laugh. Jamie shared the chuckle. One of the most enjoyable things about mutants was the built-in puns. ”He channels electricity. He and Sean are great friends again just like they were when they were small. As for Lachlan well he’s into surfing in a big way. Show that kid a killer wave and he’s in paradise.”
Poor kid. What were the chances of finding a good wave in New York? Or most of the East Coast, for that matter? Still, it was an interesting hobby and it was always good to see someone invest their passion in something positive. Jamie wasn't sure how to react towards Lachlan... his history with Theresa was awkward enough before she'd become pregnant. Of course, a strained relationship with the mother didn't mean he had to have a strained relationship with the son. *Maybe,* Jamie decided, *I'll get to know the sprout a little better while I'm here.*
“His father may be dropping in some day soon," Scott noted, "I’m sure he’ll be glad to catch up with you as well." *Absolutely.* Despite their history, Jamie felt much more comfortable with his old teammate. They'd developed a mutual respect in battle and late-night drinking. It also helped that no Madrox ever kindled a relationship with the younger Summers.
"Which brings us to Jean. Well she’s still…… Jean."
*And I thank God for that!* The involuntary thought made Jamie glad Scott wasn't the telepathic half of the X-Men's iconic couple. He could probably deliver a mean hook, even with his left arm.
"Though she’s swamped with work at the moment. She’s running the school at present, Jamie. I hate to announce it out of the blue like this" Scott's softening tone gave just enough of a warning for Jamie to brace himself. "But the professors in a coma. He has been for some time. Hank has tried everything. Jean has used her powers But nothing we do seems to make any difference. He just won't wake up.”
Madrox perked up instantly, pulling himself straight in his seat. Charles Xavier was the oldest and dearest friend Jamie had, the third and final point of human contact Jamie had had for the first half of his life. He was a man Jamie had risked his life for and a man who's ideals had weighed heavily on Jamie's choices.
"So what's next?" It was a stupid question and Jamie already knew the answer. His grin was fading quickly into a straight-faced mask of concern and seriousness.
"Ah... right. The waiting game." A thousand different answers came to mind, from sticking the Professor's hand in a glass of warm water to sending him to their allies in the galactic Shi'ar empire. But mentioning any of them would be insulting. Xavier laid in the hands of the X-Men. Jamie had no doubt that they'd expended every option in the name of their leader.
Jamie took a moment to collect himself, almost as though he'd intended to play that waiting game right there in Scott's office.
"Chuck's stable at least, I'm guessing. It's just a matter of finding the cause and then the cure ... Do you think I could get a look at Hank's work? I'm, uh, studying medicine in New York. A couple colleges, actually." No, he definitely wasn't hoping to top the great Dr. McCoy in any intellectual arena. The more he knew about the Professor's condition, the more accepting he'd be of the situation. Jamie was the gawker type - even if he couldn't do anything, he wanted to know everything just for the comfort of knowing. Normally he wouldn't recall any of his travelling duplicates, but they'd probably be willing given the circumstances. Besides, they weren't meant to stay away forever. Just until they'd earned a Ph.D or two. This was just cutting their studies a little short.
"Gotta say, Scott, you know how to bring a guy down. Got any other rays of sunshine I've been missing?" Hopefully they'd really be rays of sunshine. Weddings, births, the introduction of a bikini uniform... Jamie's fingers were crossed. But that's just not how life as an X-Man worked, was it?
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
Jamie took the news well all things considered though the bright façade did slip letting his real concern shine through. They were close he and the professor, even if life had got in the way, keeping them apart for years at a time. Scott knew what he must be feeling, he felt the same each time he looked down ad Xavier’s motionless body. Helpless. Frustrated. Angry at whatever unknown cause had stepped in and struck him down.
"So what's next?" Jamie asked, immediately looking apologetic for having spoken the words out loud. But it was the question they were all asking themselves wasn’t it. All the usual avenues of research had been exhausted and yet they were no nearer to knowing what was wrong with him than they had been on day one. "Ah... right. The waiting game."*Yes but some of us wont be able to wait for much longer* Scott thought to himself. *Some of us are running out of time*
Jamie however was already trying to put a positive spin on things. "Chuck's stable at least, I'm guessing. It's just a matter of finding the cause and then the cure ... He made it sound inevitable, as if the possibility of failure was out of the question.
Cyclops had been like that himself at the start But now time had passed and Charles wasn’t the only one that there didn’t seem to be a way to help and he had to admit that his optimism had taken a pummelling recently.All the more reason to be glad of Jamie’s return. He seldom let things get him down and his cheerfulness was infectious. However that didn’t mean that he wasn’t all to well aware of the serious nature of the situation It was just his way of dealing with thuings and all in all it wasn’t a bad one.
But it seemed that he had more practical help to offer as well. ... Do you think I could get a look at Hank's work? Scott glanced up surprised by the request. I'm, uh, studying medicine in New York. A couple colleges, actually."Now it made sense Well as much sense as things ever did given Jamie’s unique lifestyle. So he was tackling medicine now was he ? That could only be useful even if the chances of him actually stumbling on the reason for Charles’ condition were little short of zero.Still miracles did happen and let’s face it they could do with one round about now. "Gotta say, Scott, you know how to bring a guy down. Jamie went on Got any other rays of sunshine I've been missing?"
Ahhh where to start! Scott sighed as he thought about all the things he had still to tell Jamie, hardly any of them good whether past or present.” If you’re sure you really want to know…” he started quietly. “Though I have to warn you it doesn’t make for easy hearing. He hesitated again not knowing quite where to start. "Ten years is a long time he said finally A lot of things have happened and I admit I don’t know whether you’ll have heard about them or not.But we have some major problems going down at the moment., so maybe I should fill you in on them first."
Scott leaned back in the chair his tiredness showing as it never had in the past. “Logan’s son Conner is missing. And that in itself is something Ive had to say far to often these last years. It seems that all those government agencies that found Logan so fascinating are just as interested in his kids.Though whether that’s whos taken Connor this time or not we don’t know yet.”
A sudden thought crossed Scott’s mind a past tragedy brought back by these reminiscences.” Damn Jamie you don’t know about Michele do you?” Michelle. Logan’s wife. The only woman he had ever looked at as he once looked at Jean.”She was killed nine years ago.Cyclops said his very real sadness at her loss still clear as he spoke of her “Anti mutant thugs. They attacked her while she was out with some friends. Beat her so badly that there was nothing even the shiar machines could do to save her. Logan….took it hard.
That was an understatement. Scott had seriously thought they had lost him that time only Wolverines love for the children permitting him to claw his way back from the pit of despair and anger he had fallen into. “In fact I don’t think he ever really got over it. Anyway he’s been bringing up the kids by himself ever since and it hasn’t been easy to say the least. And he blames himself everytime something happens or someone gets their hands on them. So you can imagine what he’s going through at the moment ”
Hes out looking for Conner right now. Scott wondered if Wolverine had managed to find any leads It was frustrating not being able to do more to help but all Scott could really contribute at the moment was research and prayer.And those he gave moet readily. “ Jean and the others have been helping with the search but……”. he sighed again and then went on .”to be honest we’ve got problems of our own. I didn’t get this fighting with Juggernault Jamie “he said indicating the sling that his friend had already commented on. ”I’m sick. Sick enough to have retired from active duty as of yesterday. It still didn’t seem real. Though his body reminded him constantly that it was.”And to be honest I’m not going to get any better.”
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
"Got any other rays of sunshine I've been missing?" It was one of those questions that one had to ask, but only wanted an answer to if it were the right one. It was slightly twisted, that if the answer was pleasing it wasn't so important and could live life without knowing. It was when the answer wasn't what you wanted to hear that you really needed to hear it. Despite knowing better, Jamie still hoped for the right answer.
Scott hadn't even said anything before Jamie's spirit sunk once more. The deliberate breath Summers had taken been enough.
”If you’re sure you really want to know… Though I have to warn you it doesn’t make for easy hearing." Of course not. It was the unwanted but necessary answer. It was never the pointless but pleasant answer.
"Ten years is a long time. A lot of things have happened and I admit I don’t know whether you’ll have heard about them or not.But we have some major problems going down at the moment., so maybe I should fill you in on them first."
Scott leaned back in the chair his tiredness showing as it never had in the past, and for a moment Jamie regretted making Scott dredge up the unpleasantries. There was always more than enough going on without having to rehash it all. Jamie quickly swore he'd hold his tongue, let Scott do the bulletpoint list of all things evil and unfortunate, and worry about gathering details later.
“Logan’s son Conner is missing. And that in itself is something Ive had to say far to often these last years. It seems that all those government agencies that found Logan so fascinating are just as interested in his kids.Though whether that’s whos taken Connor this time or not we don’t know yet.”
Madrox's brow furrowed in concern. Who was more in need of prayer, Wolverine and his kid, or the poor schlubs that decided to pick a fight with the baddest man to ever chomp a cigar? Not to mention the Michele. What was the old adage about coming between a grizzly bear and her cubs?
”Damn Jamie you don’t know about Michele do you?”
The self-replicating mutant's gaze had drifted down to Scott's desk, not focused on any item in particular. The exclamation from Scott made his gaze shoot up once more. No chance she'd won the lottery, was there?
”She was killed nine years ago. Anti mutant thugs. They attacked her while she was out with some friends. Beat her so badly that there was nothing even the shiar machines could do to save her. Logan….took it hard."
Jamie's fingers dug into the smooth leather arms of his chair. Had he really lost touch with them so quickly? How was it nearly a decade had gone by before he heard? He hadn't been that close to Michele, but he knew her well enough. He also knew how important she'd been to Logan...
The tenseness shot from his clutching digits through the rest of his body. Genosha. He'd spent a year or so there after X-Factor was disbanded, working for Xavier doing recon and the like with Forge. And they'd run more than one mission with Logan. Was that before or after Michele was killed? It was just like the feral mutant to not say a word. Shock washed over Jamie at the connection, followed by anger at Logan for not saying anything. Seconds later that too passed. Logan had been the one to really suffer. Jamie had no right to be upset about the man's way of grieving. His body drew even more tense before relaxing, his shoulders lightly slumping as the frustration drained away. The cheer was unfortunately gone as well, replaced with a cool attention that nearly mirrored Scott's own more tired awareness.
It was not in Jamie's nature to allow his problems to burden others, especially when they had their own. His mission was clear now - to do whatever he could for the friends he'd neglected for so long. What exactly he could do was something he hadn't figured out yet, but once he did it would be accomplished with a zeal like none other.
Scott had continued his somber monologue, something Jamie found much like an oration of the week's obituries.
"...to be honest we’ve got problems of our own. I didn’t get this fighting with Juggernaught, Jamie."
Madrox almost cracked a smirk at the reference to his own smart remark. It was,once again, the tone that kept him from doing so. Deep in the back of his mind, a high whistling began to grow.
"I’m sick."
The whistling was louder, now. Closer.
"Sick enough to have retired from active duty as of yesterday."
It like a tin whistle in his ear, a single note sinking ever lower on the scales.
"And to be honest I’m not going to get any better.”
BOOM! A million questions exploded into existance. What was Scott sick with? Since when? Why? How could he be so sure he wasn't going to get better? Who's leading the X-Men in the field? Jamie chewed on the inside of his cheek as he waded through the unknowns, looking for and calculating the best reply. He kept his shock well in check this time, knowing it was hardly appropriate or constructive to make a scene while Scott was right there.
Scott tactful, as always. With such a bomb being dropped it was very mindful to allow a moment to recoup and respond. It took a moment for Jamie to choose the right question, the one crucial to how life would continue from this point on. And hidden in that question were the dozens of questions unasked.
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
It wasn’t pleasant to watch his words having their effect on Jamie, wiping the easy humour from his face as he had one bombshell after another dropped on him. Yet Scott respected his friend enough to know that he wouldn’t want half truths and reassuring platitudes. Despite the care free attitude Madrox knew as well as any of them what life could be like for a mutant. How many enemies lay waiting in the shadows. How many difficult tasks they had to face each and every day.
And yet it wasn’t an enemy that was going to bring Cyclops down. It was his own body simply rebelling against the idea if staying alive Though no one could work out why that should be. So when Jamie asked "Are you going to be getting worse? that answer too was one Scott knew he wasn’t going to want to hear.
Still he smiled as he gave it, though there was little humour in the expression, only acceptance of the facts as they stood and a steady determination not to let them break him. “It certainly looks that way” he admitted openly.”The last attack left me like this. The next one….well lets just say its not going to be pretty. If I survive it that is” It was odd to be talking about it so complacently after all the months of hiding his condition, refusing to see it for what it was. But now that option was neither fair or possible. Scott had always put the Institute first even if it meant he hurt himself in the process.
So, hard as it was to let people see behind the carefully honed mask of his self control, it had to be done. What people didn’t know about they couldn’t factor into their plans. He was no longer able to assume the duties he once had. His arm was useless, his eyesight uncertain and the least knock could send him reeling into a world of pain. Not exactly the profile you needed to run a team in the field. And he well knew it. So he had done what any leader would have done in his place. He had stepped aside. Though giving up his place had felt like cutting his heart out. But that was something he wasn’t willing to share with anyone.
Now he merely stated the facts as he knew them. His colleagues deserved that much from him at least.“Hank’s doing everything he can Scott told Jamie. but he’s not holding out much hope for a cure though he has managed to slow the progression down. At least for now.”
It didn’t sound like much. Not unless you had felt the disease raging through you and then the blessed relief as the drugs kicked in. It was the difference between being in hell and being able to sit chatting to a friend. Being able to lie beside your wife in bed at night. And that was a great deal, that was everything.
Not that the doctor saw it that way. “Still not being able to do more pretty much tearing Hank up inside. You know Beast He’s already saved a handful of lives in the last few days and he’s given me back what’s left of mine. But that’s still not enough. He’s overrun in med lab plus he’s more or less working himself into the ground doing the research into what’s wrong with me and Charles. ” Then there was the one piece of good news in all this litany of woe. “But I’ll keep that to last” Scott thought to himself “ Like a bit of candy after the bitter medicine has been swallowed.*
“Now if anyone could do with your help its McCoy"he went on practically. "Though to be honest theres a thousand and one things that need to be doing round the institute. ” It was true. There were always so many problems , always so much trauma that the little things got overlooked Till suddenly they were the straw that broke the camels back.
Still Hank's workload was certainly a major cause for concern at the moment so Scott filled Jamie in on the picture. “We’ve had to step up security measures recently so he’s got all that on his plate as well and since you’ve now got medical experience….or at least you soon will have once the boys come home then I’d say you’ve got at least one job waiting for you if you want it.”
There was a hint of mischief in the smile now as he revealed the only happy bombshell on his list. It had been a long time coming and no one deserved it more. “Because on top of everything else …….Hank is in love.”
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
"Jamie! Welcome back! Have a seat. Chuck? Coma. Michele? Dead! Her kids? Two words for ya: 'constant peril.' In fact, Connor's missing right now! And me? Tsh... dying."
So Scott hadn't been so nonchalant about it. In fact, he'd been an appreciated blend of compassion and forthrightness. It had to be told. But with the load he was heaping on Jamie, he might as well have saved his breath and gotten it all out.
"Hank’s doing everything he can," Scott told Jamie. "But he’s not holding out much hope for a cure though he has managed to slow the progression down. At least for now.”
It hadn't been another crushing blow, simply confirmation of Jamie's fears. Scott had always done his best to be the pillar on which the X-Men were built. His pains were his own and any faultering steps he may have taken were kept out of sight and mind of the others. If Scott had been on the road to recovery, if this was the worst it was going to get, Jamie felt sure he would've found out about the illness in due time. From someone else, most likely. Someone Scott hadn't been able to keep the secret from. The fact that he'd chosen to be so candid with Jamie had been a sign in itself.
“Still not being able to do more pretty much tearing Hank up inside. You know Beast He’s already saved a handful of lives in the last few days and he’s given me back what’s left of mine. But that’s still not enough. He’s overrun in med lab plus he’s more or less working himself into the ground doing the research into what’s wrong with me and Charles."
Of course. Most people would squander a gift like Jamie's. They'd have maids and servants and little more than an average life. There were few people on the face of the Earth that were truly in need of a gift like Jamie's. Many of them resided here at the Institute. Poor Hank... a certified genius that could probably cure cancer or find the lost city of Shangrilah, if only he had the time. If only he could be in as many places as his mind was, work as fast as he thought. It certainly wasn't easy, being Blue.
“Now if anyone could do with your help its McCoy. Though to be honest theres a thousand and one things that need to be doing round the institute. We’ve had to step up security measures recently so he’s got all that on his plate as well and since you’ve now got medical experience….or at least you soon will have once the boys come home then I’d say you’ve got at least one job waiting for you if you want it."
Jamie had slowly begun to lean forward as Cyclops spoke of all the work needed to be done, opening up the subject of what Jamie could do. It was one of the few things that might have cheered him up at all. For the better part of his life, Jamie had sought to be the center of attention and appreciated by his people, his friends, allies, and peers. There was no way the earthshattering realizations would be forgotten about quickly - surely at least one of him would dwell upon the subject - but this was a good way to keep himself preoccuppied and otherwise happy. Maybe Scott had intended it as such. He obviously had something brewing in his sharp mind. For that reason, Jamie held his tongue a few seconds longer.
“Because on top of everything else …….Hank is in love.”
Madrox couldn't help but let out a guffaw. While he'd expected none of what he'd been told thus far, the idea of the fuzzball twitterpated with some woman was far and away the most ridiculous. It was one of those wacky scenarios Jamie would have teased Hank mercilessly about. McCoy was a scientist. He didn't fall in love. Reigning himself in to the occassional titter, Jamie took on a genuinely concerned expression.
"Tell me it's not Tilby." Jamie'd been in and out (mostly "out," admittedly) of the loop for ages, especially the past decade. But it was impossible to talk with anyone about Hank without mentioning Trish. If not for her, he probably would've spent even more time in the lab than he did anyway. She was pretty much the only part of his life worth gossiping about. The rest - though admirable work - was, on the hole, considered quite dull. Simply shaking his head, Jamie dismissed the matter.
"Good for him. Everyone deserves that kind of happiness." Not many in the unusual circle Madrox and Summers ran had been able to hold onto that happiness. Those that found it had seen it torn away prematurely... Scott was lucky to have gotten the time he did with Jean.*Shut up.* Jamie chastized himself. *Shut up! He's not dead yet! If anyone on the planet could beat whatever Scott's got, it would be him! Hell, Jamie... odds are the stubborn so-and-so'll still outlive you.*
"I'll give me a call right away. I'm gonna flip when I tell me Hank's got a new girl." English teachers would faint if they heard Jamie talking about his duplicates. He'd spent so many years getting comfortable with himself and his others selves that the normally awkward sentences rolled off the tongue. "I'm sure I'll get me together and send a memory man... a merged duplicate of all the duplicates studying medicine," Jamie tried to explain it simply, "to help out. Probably get here sometime tomorrow."
"And I could look at security... I know Hank's probably already started on things and has better ideas than I could ever come up with, but I've been doing the P.I. thing for a couple years now, so I've got some ideas too. I mean, a second opinion couldn't hurt, right?"
"And all those little things piling up around the mansion? Gimme a "To Do" list, Scotty. I'll take care of all that small stuff too. Wax the floor, " Madrox found himself sitting on the edge of his chair, eagerly looking over the paperwork that covered Scott's desk. He'd actually begun to mentally re-sort it all before he caught himself. Part of it was his habitual desire to please, to get a scratch behind the ear and a bit of appreciation. His enthusiasm often made him overstep his bounds, but part of it this time was that he was hurting. Confused and unsure what to do about the list of traumas befallen the X-Men, he wanted to focus on what he could do. Jamie eased himself back to a less aggressive seating.
"I mean..." He wanted to gush now, let out all his feelings twices just to make sure they were known, to make it known that he wasn't a vulture, picking meat from the bones of others' misfortune. He wanted to apologize and sympathize with everything, but he knew better. None of that was going to help. It certainly wasn't going to make Scott feel any better. "I''m hear to help, Scott."
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
Sometimes when there was nothing constructive to be said the kindest thing a friend could offer was silence. So Scott appreciated it when Jamie did just that, putting the bad news to one side, or at least not forcing Scott to rehash it for the time being, and concentrating on the positive instead. He even managed laughter, affectionate and sincere when he heard about Hank.
"Tell me it's not Tilby." he said when he had finally got himself under control. Scott could understand why he thought it might be Hank and the journalist had been an on off item for years and not always a happy one,though they had finally fallen from an uneasy love hate relationship to a more steady if distant friendship.
But in all the time Trish had been in his life Scott had never seen the passion he now saw in Hank’s eyes when he talked of Zia. It was the look of a man who had been asleep and who had now woken up to find that the world was exciting and vibrant. His relationship with Zia was never going to be anything other than high drama from the sounds of things and in some ways Scott worried about his friend It had been too sudden It was moving too fast But then sometimes love was like that , lightening striking out of the blue and changing your life in an instant. "Good for him. Everyone deserves that kind of happiness." Jamie said, unconsciously echoing Scott’s own thoughts on the subject. Life was too damn short and chances like this didn’t come along every day. Whatever may come of it in the end Scott was glad the doctor had decided to take this one.
"I'll give me a call right away. I'm gonna flip when I tell me Hank's got a new girl." It was always weird hearing Jamie talk about his duplicates as if they were all members of one big eccentric family, which in a way Scott supposed they were, as well as an integral part of his own being. He wondered if he should tell Jamie now that Zia wasn’t exactly a girl for all she seemed to be in her earliy twenties. No. He’d leave that part for Jamie to find out for himself. It would be more fun that way and lets face it they needed all the fun they could get at the moment.
So he sat back listening to Jamie’s multiple offers of help, feeling some of the tension ease from him not only as he realised how much help would actually be forthcoming but also because he had got all the unpleasantness out in the open. It was a relief there was no doubt about it. And it was good to see that Jamie didn’t seem inclined to treat him like some kind of tragic ghost that had to be looked after and whispered about behind his back. Because that was the hardest thing to take. The change in peoples attitude once they realised he was dying. He should have known Jamie would deal with it It was in his nature. Which was why it was so great to have him back.
And yet Scott couldn’t help but wonder why he had come back The phone call, while welcome, had come out of the blue and it was obvious from their conversation that Madrox hadn’t been aware that the school was in difficulty when he had made it.
Eager as he had been to get the thorny business of the Institutes problems over and done with he hadn’t yet had a chance to ask Jamie about his own life. Or lives in his case. So much time so many possibilities. And all of them had led him back here today. There had to be many stories to tell, good and bad no doubt. about Multiple Mans' many and varied adventures. And Scott wanted to hear them all.
"Sounds great Jamie" he said with a smile.” I’ll be sure to take you up on all your offers. But hey, you’ve been getting our tale of woe. Now its your turn. What have you been up to these last ten years? And what brings you back to the Institute in our hour of need?
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
"Sounds great Jamie" he said with a smile.” I’ll be sure to take you up on all your offers. But hey, you’ve been getting our tale of woe. Now its your turn. What have you been up to these last ten years? And what brings you back to the Institute in our hour of need?
And so the spotlight was on Jamie. He nearly felt guilty for that, as Scott and the school were having so many issues. What did he have that was comparable to that? What facet of his life was more important or pressing that the troubles Scott was facing? The answer was simple - nothing. There weren't any earthshattering issues. And perhaps sharing that bit of relative tranquility would be his first step in helping.
"Me? Ah, well you know me, Scott. Been doing a little bit of everything." He was the gosh-danged Multiple Man, after all. A minor pause was given to let the nuances of the saying sink in. "Afraid I can't quite remember when I last checked in with you fellas. After X-Factor broke up, I did a little freelance for Chuck in Genosha. Don't know if you heard about that. Nothing critical, mind you, just some updates from the streets, really." Surely Scott could gather what those years were like. They'd all had experiences with the mutant nation formerly controlled by Magneto.
"And then there was the whole 'X-Corps' incident..." The longtime X-Men ally Sean Cassidy, Banshee, had taken a more militant approach to Chuck's dream with the decision that mutants should police themselves. He'd shanghai'd a number of mutants with less than stellar histories, and nearly got himself killed for it. Jamie'd joined primarily just to be closer to Theresa, not that that had worked out well. She'd spent most of her time in the field or back at the Institute, even, looking after Alex. He'd been most of Sean's support and tech staff. When the criminal mutants revolted, the X-Corps' base city, Paris, had nearly been levelled in the resulting chaos. It was a sad fact that many Madri had been a part of the tragedy, telepathically manipulated by one of those revolting mutants. It was a legitimate sore spot with Jamie.
"After that embarassing little incident came X-Factor Investigations. I'd gone to visit Guido in District X and basically just decided to stay. They're our people, ya know? And they need more help than just the 'Saved the Word' sort. They have everyday problems... you know, 'lives.' You wouldn't believe the things that go on there... well, *you* would. But the average joe certainly wouldn't." One my first cases - I was still calling the business 'XXX Investigations.' I've heard all the jokes, so don't start - involved a guy cheating on his wife through astral projection. The guy was so desperate his spirit was actually sneaking out at night to get some action!" Jamie laughed and shook his head. There were so many stories he could tell.
"Well the idea sorta caught on... had a couple old friends join up. Guido, Rictor, Rahne... Monet, one of your younger generation, enlisted. Spoiled brat. And Theresa was usually around to do what she could." Another tittering signaled a new story coming to mind. "When I saw all these people interested in helping out, I realized it couldn't be a nickel-and-dime operation, ya know? So I was a little devious about getting funds. You ever watch 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'" Jamie didn't wait for a reply. "Yeah, I won it. Had a dozen of me sitting at home on laptops, waiting for that 'phone a friend' option."
Jamie touched his tongue to his lips, suddenly realizing how parched he was. He nearly shrugged it of to continue rambling about District X and the P.I. life (he hadn't even touched his other lives) when a thought struck him. Leaning over into his bag, he rummaged around for only a moment before pulling out a thin flask. In all his experiences, Jamie'd learned that a little alcohol on hand never hurt.
"Hope you don't mind..." Jamie twisted the cap off before the need to defend himself kicked in. "I know it's early, and believe me I usually don't at all. But this here's a special occassion." He flicked open the bottle and took a satisfying swig. Then he held the potent whiskey out across the desk. "Care for a hit?"
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
There was an old adage that said if you don’t want to know then don’t ask. After a couple of minutes Scott was beginning to think he should have followed it. He had of course been aware of most of the things Jamie told him about but it was one thing to have seen the reports and another to actually listen to the more than chequered resume of his friends exploits.
For his own part he had always considered Jamie to be an X man during the years he had spent in Genosha. Cyclops had worked with Charles on the infiltration mission regularly checking in to make sure things were going well Or at least as well as things could go under the circumstances.
Nor had his decision to join X Corps come as a significant surprise even though Scott hadn’t necessarily approved of it. Still Jamie had spent a lot of his life on Muir island with Banshee It was little wonder that when he set up his own team the Irish mutant had looked to Multiple man for help .And the idea had not been as far fetched as it might have seemed. Keep those mutants who actively sought to cause destruction under control Effectively use other mutants to clear up the mess on their own doorstep A laudable enterprise many would have said. An alternative vision to Xavier’s one of rehabilitation and understanding. Well he wouldn’t have been the first to think that the Instituts was too lax
And maybe they were right There had beeen many times in the past when Scott had wanted to take Logan's view of things. Some menaces just kept coming back no matter how much you faught them or reasoned with them or locked them away. How much misery would have been spared if they had just killed Mystique when they had had the chance for example? Her followers wouldn’t have been able to wreck most of Paris that was for certain. How many lives would that have saved. Scott didn’t even wantto guess.Maybe X Corp would still have been in business as well, for it had been her intervention that had brought them down.
But no matter how tempting it was sometimes to do just that To eliminate the threat once and for all Scott had always held back respecting his code of honour too much, respecting himself too much to cross that line Because once you did there was no turning back No matter how much you wanted too.And Jamie had never crossed it either no matter how much trouble he had gotten into. Which said a lot in Scott’s eyes. The years had gone past but the same kind generous Jamie was still there.
And now he had gone into the private investigations business. Well why not After all mutants had many more possibilities of committing crimes than the common of mortals Why not use someone with at least a basic knowledge of what they might be capable of to track them down again. And the cases sounded….interesting. So astral projections were, how could he put it, fully functional were they? Or at least some of them by the sounds of it. He wondered if he should tell Michael or if the boy would find out for himself soon enough. And when he did would it make things easier or harder? Now that was the real question wasn’t it.
But if that was indeed a problem it was one for later on. For now it was Jamie’s definition of ‘devious’ that was giving Scott a headache Though he supposed it wasn’t technically fraud After all Jamie had come up with all of the answers himself It was just that there was so much more of himself out there than had been foreseen in any rulebook. Still what was done was done and at least he was surrounded by friends in his new enterprise Scott was glad to hear that Strong mans heart condition hadn’t stopped him becoming a part of the team It was a hopeful sigh and he took it as such Someone else who had faced death and come up fighting. He was sure as hell going to try to do the same.
But if things were all going so well that didn’t explain why Jamie had let it all drop to come back to the Institute No, something wasn’t right He just had to wait for Jamie to get round to spilling the beans.Which was something he wasn’t going to do without a little help The liquid kind. Scott didn’t have anything against alcohol though he seldom drank to excess. Still there was a time and a place for it and this was too early in the day in is book.And it seemed that it showed, for Madrox instantly went on the defensive saying "I know it's early, and believe me I usually don't at all.”[/i]*Then why carry it around with you Ja Scott thought cynically. “But this here's a special occassion." You didn’t have to be Logan to smell that it was whiskey in the flask and Jamie took a long hard pull at it before he offered it over. "Care for a hit?"
“You know me Jamie” Scott said coolly, trying to keep the flicker of concern out of his voice. “ Not while I’m on duty. And I’m nearly always on duty Even if I have retired”
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
((Don't know if you care to continue the thread, but this post's long overdue. A million apologies for the wait.))
Scott's refusal had, of course, been expected. Despite time and the world, the man had a sense of propriety unusually strong and unfortunately rare. Even if the alcohol might help lessen the burden, be it the physical pain or simply stress, Scott knew it was not the time nor the place. Jamie admired that. And so it was with a silent toast to Scott's decency that he took a second drag from the flask before tucking it away in his bag once more.
"I'd love to sit here and tell you the only reason I'm here is to help you guys out, but frankly, I haven't been so happy-go-lucky. Ya know I'm a dick ... by which I mean a private eye." The clarification was made for the sophomoric Jamie's sake rather than Scott's. "It's one of the best lives I've yet to live. But for every life I change for the better there're a dozen I ruin. For every worthwhile case I get, I photograph 6 or 7 folks cheatin' on their spouses. Scotty, I'm wadin' through the scum to give the good ones a chance and it's damn depressing." And how many of those 'good ones' ended up in his office time after time? How many lives did he helplessly watch take a downward spiral? One bad decision after another until there was nothing he or anyone else could do...
"I think I've been looking at life too closely. I want to back up and look at the big picture. I want to be a hero again. Doin' what I was in District X, I wasn't any kinda hero. I was a snoop. A meddler. If I saved someone's life, it was incidental. And that ain't what I want to do." It sounded good, didn't it? Jamie Madrox wanted to save the world. Then again, X-Factor Investigations had sounded like a good idea as well. Getting out onto the streets, shoulder to shoulder with those he'd be helping. A bastion of good in their unfortunate lives. But spending day after day looking at the world's flaws, it was inevitable that he should start having a hard time appreciating the beauty of it. Perhaps he really had just burnt himself out. Maybe he just needed a vacation. Something, however, told Jamie it was more serious than that.
"I want to do bigger and better things. Save and change lives. I want to help shape lives. I want purpose. Hell, Scotty, I want this." The emphatic statement was accompanied by outstretched arms, reaching as if he were trying to capture the entire room or even the whole Institute. It was just a piece of perhaps the best example Jamie could ever hope to give. "I'm living a hundred lives, and they don't hold a candle to this."
"What do I want?" The question was meant to refocus himself. There was little doubt in his mind that he being unclear, despite his efforts. This was what happened when Jamie thought out loud. "I guess what I'm sayin' is I want you to help me help you."
Re: How many Helping Hands do You Need? (Thursday, 15th)
It had been a long time since Jaimie had been actively involved with the X men, that much was obvious. Listening to him talk about them was like listening to one of the new students, filled with eagerness and enthusiasm. *Or maybe Im just getting cynical* Scott thought wearily. *Is that really what we do though? Change the world, There was a time when I thought we could but now……*
He had seen too much. Done too much! And yet it never seemed to be enough. Twenty years of fighting and the mutant community didn’t seem to be any more integrated than they were when the X Men had started their crusade. *Well one things for sure. Charles’s dream won’t come about in my lifetime.* Scott realised sadly. *But if we give up it sure as hell wont happen at all.*
Maybe Jaimie was just what they needed in more ways than one. It never hurt to have someone with his experience tell you that you were getting somewhere. That you were making a difference. And lets face it with the situation as it stood an injection of energy and enthusiasm would do everyone a whole lot of good. And these were two qualities Jaimie had in abundance.
Well don’t forget that things round here can be a bit like your last job at times. Scott said with a smile. "Save the world on Monday, got the whole damn thing to do again on Wednesday Still…. I guess we do change lives At least those of the students. Which like you said is no small thing. And we could certainly use your help doing it."
“Come on” he said getting up. "Lets do the tour so you can see what’s changed since the last time you were here. Or maybe we should drop that off in one of the rooms first.” Scott nodded towards the bulky suitcase as he spoke “And before you ask, you’re carrying it yourself!”
It was said lightly, jokingly, no sense of self pity in the voice as Cyclops made his way towards the office door. The subject of his illness had been opened and just as swiftly closed. The aura of serenity and self assurance that always accompanied him was back in place, steadying and reassuring those around him as it had since he had first joined the X men.
“Seriously though” Scott went on turning to his friend “we do have several areas where you could really help us out. Like I said security is a major issue at the moment. Things have evolved….. and not in a good way. Though I’m sure you noticed that out on the streets. We’re not just having to deal with government agencies and misguided mutants. Now we have all manor of supernatural beings taking an interest in the Institute. Vampires. Demons . You name it. Things we never had to try to either detect or protect against in the past.”
It was a serious problem and one they were only just beginning to realise the magnitude of. Hank was dealing it as best he could but he couldn’t come up with means to deal with the problem and run the security side of things at the same time. Not on top of his duties in med lab. Still with Jamie around…
"McCoys been talking about reorganising security for a while now, not just the actual system but the way its run" Scott told Multiple Man as they made their way out into the Institute. "Ideally he’d like to be able to concentrate on the research side, coming up with new and better ways to keep the students safe without making the security system too intrusive in their lives." That had always been one of the major concerns, trying to walk the fine line between protection and turning the Institute from a school into something which resembled a prison. It wasn’t easy and it was getting harder with every day that went by and every menace that emerged.
Obviously he’s got Forge to help him there but as you can imagine the two of them have other things on their hands as well as that little problem. At the moment though Hank has to handle the actual running of security as well, arranging the rotas, making sure every new student is met on their arrival, dealing with every emergency situation that springs up, whether he’s in the middle of an operation at the time or not. In Scott’s opinion they had been lucky up till now that the weight of responsibility Beast was under hadn’t led to tragedy. It couldn’t last and they were all too well aware of that, Hank himself more than anyone.
Now if he could delegate that part of the business to someone who has previous experience in that line of work. Say ….. an ex private detective…. that would certainly take some of the pressure off. What do you think? Head of security, a grand enough title for a returning hero? Or was school janitor more what you were hoping for??
Topic Commands
Click to receive email notification of replies
Click to stop receiving email notification of replies
