There was an ever so slight pink flush to her cheeks, she was sure he'd have figured out she'd been talking to him, her eyes focusing on the ground. She was no good at lying, if he asked her if she'd disobeyed him she'd have to tell him the truth. It wasn't like she'd meant to do it on purpose, was there anything he could really do to her from a medical bed, he'd seemed harmless enough when she'd talked to him this morning. But then Beast wouldn't tell her to stay away from him without good reason, he had to have done something to have provoked Connor mustn’t he?
"Certainly my dear." There was a pleased and relived smile that lit up her plain face for a moment, her eyes flicking up to his. He didn't sound angry.. perhaps he hadn't thought over how she might know that Michael would like a volume of Keats. "Indeed if you wish to give it to him yourself you may do so He is just waking up if I am not mistaken." The confused, pale green eyes that belonged to the healing mutant shifted to look over at Michael, he didn't look very well, his face bathed in sweat, his body twisting slightly in his sleep. Beast started talking again, his words causing her to look back away from Michael again towards the doctor.
"You must forgive my forgetfulness. I should have contacted you sooner concerning Michael. It seems that he was wounded by accident rather than intent Indeed he was helping Connor and Madison back at the market when the incident occurred. I therefore have no objections whatsoever to you frequenting him I’m sure a friendly face would do him the world of good. He must be feeling rather lost I imagine." That was a wound? Her eyes widened slightly in shock, if Connor had done that by mistake to Michael then what would he do to someone if he really meant to hurt them. It was hard sometimes not to be intimidated by some of the people within the school, especially since her powers couldn't help protect her if anyone attacked her. She was surprised that Michael had survived his wounds, there had been so much blood everywhere. Michael had thanked her for helping save his life, but she hadn't really done anything, she was sure Talia could have done a better job than she had. She didn't think Talia was someone who would throw up after something like that.
She couldn't help wondering how Michael had got the scars that had riddled his thin undernourished body, had he been attacked in the past. How comes someone from Scotland had ended up here in America, there were so many answers she wanted to the questions in her mind but she knew to ask him would be rude. Her own life suddenly seemed so boring, get up going to class and then help out in the med bay before going to sleep, it wasn't really anything exciting or dramatic. If she knew even part of what he'd been made to go through she'd be horrified, she'd never thought for a second that people could bid for someone like that anymore. But then she had no reason to think that anyone would want to do anything like that to Michael, she had no idea's of any of the powers he had.
There was the sound of a strangled type of cry from behind her. Her body instinctively turned around to look where it had come from, taking a step back away from Michael, closer towards Hank as if Michael was about to launch himself off the bed at her even though Beast had just explained he was harmless. Her wide intimidated eyes peered at him over the top of the book, taking another little shuffle backwards as he looked across at her. There was a sob from him which caused her eyes to flick across to Beast, wondering what he was going to do. She felt suddenly awkward, she shouldn't be here, she knew men hated to be seen crying and she kept her eyes carefully averted from Michaels.
Re: Motivation.
At the sound of the boys cry Hank’s swung towards him, watching Michael’s traumatic awakening with eyes filled with unhappy understanding. However his long years of experience had taught him that sometimes intervening could only make things worse. Not everyone was reassured by the proximity of a large furred beast as they regained consciousness *Indeed in some cases I myself could be seen as a creature from nightmare* he acknowledged ruefully.
*However this does not seem to be one of them* he realised watching the relief flood Michaels face as he saw Hank and Paige standing before him, a relief so intense that it tore a sob from him as he ceased his struggles and sank back into the bed.
*Such terror *Hank thought sadly. *How long will it take till he can sleep without the memories of the atrocities he has endured coming back to plague him? I can mend some of the hurt to his body but how will we mend his mind?*
Hank rose smoothly and moved towards his patient’s bed, flashing Paige a look of reassurance as he did so. Michael had closed his eyes again, his hands half hiding his face as he breathed deeply, obviously fighting to shake of the remnants of his dreams and regain his composure. “Welcome back” Hank said softly, checking that none of the machines settings had been disrupted by Michael’s movements. “Looks like it was a rough trip”.
A faint smile crossed Michaels lips as he gazed up at the doctor “You could say that “. He sighed shakily “That was the mother of all nightmares. ‘To sleep; Perchance to dream’ as they say ‘ay there’s the rub.’ Well it certainly gave me pause. Nearly scared me rigid.”
Hank grinned back “Indeed the bard does have a quote for any occasion, even the most harrowing” he replied. “However I thought that Keats was more in favour today” he said with an amused glance at the waiting girl.
Michaels smile broadened slightly, some of the pallor leaving his face as he looked towards Paige. He would have preferred her not to have seen his disarray knowing that it must have been embarrassing to behold but to be honest all he really felt was an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for her presence.
Hank moved away from the bed giving the two youngsters some room *I think Paige’s visit might be the best medicine for this young man at the moment* he thought to himself *And it would certainly do Paige no harm to make a friend, she has far too few of them as it stands. I think discretion and perhaps a strategic withdrawal. is called for on my part*
“Paige why don’t you stay and keep Michael company for a while” he said innocently. “I’m sure he’d like that. As for myself I have things to do in my office You know where to find me if you need anything”. As he left the med lab he heard Michaels voice and smiled again.
“Paige!” Michael said gratefully. “You came back. I wasn’t sure that you would. And I see you brought a friend” he continued indicating the book in her arms. “Now that was kind. Do you have time to sit and talk ?” His expression was a little shamefaced as he added “You’ve probably gathered I could do with a change of ideas.”
“Welcome back” The apprehensive look on her face altered to one of calm again when she realised that Dr McCoy wasn't fazed by the reaction of Michael to waking up. She didn't make any move to step away from the desk, her pale eyes watching as Michael adjusted to his surroundings again after waking. He hid his face away behind his hands for a moment, as if he were composing himself, when he opened them again, the look of fear was gone.
“Looks like it was a rough trip”. Paige had never seen anyone awake with a look like that upon their face. He must have been dreaming something awful to have nightmares like that. There was an intense feeling of pity that swept through her as she looked at the crippled boy lying upon the medical bed, strapped into the machines that monitored his progress. She watched as they talked, wondering what had happened to Michael to make him this afraid.
“Paige why don’t you stay and keep Michael company for a while” There was a slightly nervous look on her face as she looked across at Michael, she was torn between not being overly happy at being left alone in a room with just the two of them and the embarrassment she knew she'd feel if Beast could overhear their conversation. She'd wanted to ask him if he'd take a look at her shoulder. The sling she was wearing had been on for three months now and she was starting to wonder if she'd ever be able to recover. Paige knew that she'd have set back her healing a little since she'd had to use her arm a lot when helping to operate on Michael, buts he wanted to know how long before she could remove the sling all together.
“I’m sure he’d like that. As for myself I have things to do in my office You know where to find me if you need anything”. She opened her mouth to ask Hank if he could take a look at her arm before he went but as he walked off she heard Michael talking to her. A silent little sigh slipped from her lips as she turned back away from the direction the doctor had taken.
“Paige!” ... “You came back. I wasn’t sure that you would. And I see you brought a friend” There was a little glance around her, she looked slightly confused, what did he mean. A moment later she caught where he was pointing and looked down at the book she was holding in her arms. There was a rueful little smile upon her lips.... yes that was about as close to a real friend as she was gonna get. “Now that was kind. Do you have time to sit and talk ?” There was a slow nod of her head, her lips curving up into a smile in response to the look on his face.
“You’ve probably gathered I could do with a change of ideas.” She bit back the desire to ask him what he'd been dreaming about, it was probably the last thing he needed at the moment. Instead her eyes dropped down to look at the book she was carrying.
'I brought this for you.. I thought.. that it might cheer you up.' Her cheeks suddenly flushed a light pink colour and she turned her head away slightly, looking back a moment later slightly more composed. Holding the book in both hands she held the book out towards him.
Re: Motivation.
A small smile lit up the girl’s nervous face, softening and animating her features at the same time. For a moment Michael saw curiosity deep within the pale eyes, a question half formed, and then swiftly taken back before it was asked. *I wonder what she wanted to know* he thought. *In any case it seems she thought better of it. Maybe it’s just as well. There are some subjects I’m probably not ready to talk about at the moment.*
The dream had shaken him badly, the awakening more so. It had seemed so real! As if he had physically been back in Brady’s lab. Even now there was a part of him that worried that maybe this safe haven was the illusion, his mind’s way of escaping from a situation he could no longer bear.
*Don’t be daft* he told himself sternly. *Not even I could have imagined all the events of the past few days. Its just post traumatic stress. Like I had after the accident.*
He remembered the nightmares he had had at that time, the countless nights the car had hurtled towards him, crushing, breaking. Even now they sometimes came back, wrenching him from sleep with a jerk.
*Hey* he thought with a bitter laugh*so now I’ve got the sequel to look forward to. Nightmare Two. Brady’s revenge.* Except it really wasn’t that funny. In fact it wasn’t funny at all.
* I just have to wait it out * he said to himself *It will take time but the dreams will fade and Ill get through it just like I did before.* But he wasn’t really convinced of this. There had seemed to be an intensity to the nightmare which scared him, a sense of malicious pleasure being derived from his suffering that he only ever felt before when his brother had been present during the experiments at the lab.
*Pull yourself together* Michael scolded himself.*Next you'll be hearing those voices when you're not drugged and then you'll really have to worry*
Paige’s quiet words pulled him gratefully back to reality.
'I brought this for you.. I thought.. that it might cheer you up.' she said shyly.
*Thank goodness she came* he thought *Maybe she’ll get me through this without falling apart. I just hope its not obvious how close to doing just that I am at the moment*.
The young girl held out the heavy book to him, its bulk obviously awkward to handle with her injured arm. Michael sat up, noticing as he did so the improvement in his injured side. *Dr McCoy was right these machines really do work miracles. At this rate I’ll only really have my legs to worry about tomorrow. That must be something to be thankful for.*
Reaching forward he took the book from Paige’s outstretched hands “Careful” he said, concern clear in his voice. “You don’t want to be hurting your shoulder again”.
He ran his hands lovingly over the book’s cover savouring its texture, the almost sensual feel of the leather. "This is beautiful” he said softly. “Thank you for bringing it. Thank you for thinking about me.”
He placed it almost reverently on the bedside table where it nestled against the volume of Dickens and the items Riley had given to him, the green com badge and room key clearly visible "I’ll save it for later, when you’re gone" he continued "Truth to tell I’m not sure my head's clear enough to do it justice at the moment."
"But it would be nice to talk. If you’re not to busy” he added hopefully . “I’ve not had much chance to do that recently” he added, a shadow crossing his face as he thought of the months of solitude from which he had just emerged.
He quickly shook of the feeling, asking “ Maybe you could tell me about the school? What’s it like being a student here, Paige? Do you think I’ll fit in?”
Re: Motivation.
She couldn't help hearing the bitter laugh that escaped his lips, she wondered what he was thinking. Her eyes flitted off in the direction Beast had left in, she knew he wouldn't leave her with anyone dangerous. What was she supposed to do now? She was no good at starting conversations, especially if she didn't know the person well. Her mind seemed to have gone strangely blank, her eyes staring at somewhere over the top of her head as she desperately tried to think of something to say.
“Careful” There was a surprised blink and her eyes focused in on him, he actually sounded as if he were concerned about her shoulder. There was a confused expression on her face for a moment as he leaned over and accepted the heavy book from her. She sighed slightly as the pressure she'd been putting on her injured shoulder was relieved. “You don’t want to be hurting your shoulder again”. Why was he concerned she might have hurt herself? Her eyes flicked down to her injured shoulder, she'd been hoping it'd have been better by now, it made everything she did more tedious, she'd never once complained however. She was secretly a little afraid that she'd never get the full use of it back again, she hadn't dared to ask Beast through in case he agreed with her. And if she couldn't use her arm then she couldn't work as a nurse.
“Thank you for bringing it. Thank you for thinking about me.” She felt her cheeks flush slightly as he spoke, liking the warm feeling that she got whenever someone praised her for good work. There was a slight shrug of her shoulders and she managed to give him a rather nervous smile. It was nothing, she'd just checked him a book out of the library, in fact she felt a little guilty at not lending him her copy, but then she didn't know him, what if he scuffed the cover or bent some of the pages. She suddenly felt bad about thinking that Michael might show that lack of respect for a book. She could see from the way he was holding the book she'd just given him that he seemed to know that books weren't things to be thrown around. The thought made her think back to the fact that Gypsy still had her book, she wondered if she'd ever get it back again or if she'd lost it for good.
"I’ll save it for later, when you’re gone" She watched as he placed the book she'd brought him down by the other items, trying to resist the urge to remind him it was a library book and she had to return it soon. There was a rather nervous shuffle of her feet, was she supposed to go now? "Truth to tell I’m not sure my head's clear enough to do it justice at the moment." Her eyes had fallen upon the small green communicator that lay next to him on the side table. She'd been surprised to be asked to be on a team, she didn't really have any sort of powers that could be of any help. She was sure she'd have been better off spending her time here in the medical bay. It was obvious even to her that their team was a bit of a joke when she compared it to other ones. Did the fact that Michael had been assigned to a team mean that he was a mutant, she'd not though before that he might not be. Most people who weren't used to such things had a fear of Dr McCoy but Michael seemed to be taking everything in his stride.
"But it would be nice to talk. If you’re not to busy” Her eyes wandered once again over to the bag she'd left next to Dr McCoy's desk, she did have things she was supposed to be doing. She had homework to do and she was meant to be writing an essay for one of the girls in her English class. Someone seemed to have told everyone that she'd written Max's history work and now people kept coming upto her and asking her to "help" them with their work. As a result the quality of her own work was slipping and she was sure it wouldn't be long before the teachers started questioning her. It felt like she was trapped between a rock and a hard place, on one hand if she refused to help people she was pretty sure they'd make life unpleasant for her but at the same time she was terrified that her parents would find out about her failing grades. She'd assumed be in so much trouble if her teachers discovered what she was doing, it hadn't occurred to her that they might be more concerned over the fact that she was being bullied into doing other people's work.
“I’ve not had much chance to do that recently” Why couldn't she ever say no to people? She had other things she should be doing but she found herself nodding in agreement, resigned to the fact she'd have to stay up part of the night to get her own essay finished. Michael was ill, she could hardly just leave him here when it was obvious he wasn't coping very well, what type of person would that make her?
“ Maybe you could tell me about the school? What’s it like being a student here, Paige? Do you think I’ll fit in?” Feeling very under qualified to tell him if he might fit in she crossed over to move a chair slightly closer to his bed. She felt horribly awkward, not sure what to do with her arms and legs, she always felt like this when talking to people she didn't know.
'You're staying?' There was a little pause, her eyes flicking over towards the door Beast had disappeared through, why did he have to leave her alone with Michael? If felt strangely as if he'd abandoned her, what was she supposed to say to a complete stranger, what could she possibly have to say that could interest him? 'Does that mean you're a mutant?' There was a flicker of interest that ran through her, wondering what his mutant powers were, they were probably super cool like Sean's or Connor's.
'I.. I guess the schools nice, all the teachers are really helpful.' Now she must be sounding like a complete geek... but then that was what she was wasn't it? A geek... a pushover... or as Max called her... a bookworm. It wouldn't be so bad if her mother would just let her dress like everyone else, she wouldn't stand out so much then... Before she'd been fading into the background but now people seemed to be singling her out for teasing.. following the lead of the ever popular Max. 'You'll be fine.' There was a nervous glance thrown at him before she went back to looking at her hands which she'd nervously placed in her lap.
Re: Motivation.
Michael watched as Paige drew the chair closer, her awkwardness not wholly due to her injured arm. 'You're staying?' she asked, her almost crippling shyness apparent in her voice and the way her eyes shifted towards the door to the doctors office as if seeking reinforcements. *This is hard for her* Michael realised. *Just sitting here talking to me. And yet she’s still doing it. Which is kind of brave when you get right down to it.*
He lay quietly, waiting for her to go on, not wanting to jump in and scare her off. 'Does that mean you're a mutant?' For a moment he thought he heard genuine curiosity behind the question and he smiled.
* I wonder what she’ll make of Hood* he thought to himself. *I suppose powers like mine are ten a penny here.* It suddenly occurred to him that Paige herself undoubtedly had some mutant ability and he felt his own curiosity beginning to stir. However his musing was cut short as Paige continued 'I.. I guess the schools nice, all the teachers are really helpful.”
* She sounds less than convinced* Michael thought* In fact that sounds like a description of my old school. Nice teachers, shame about the pupils*
*But that was because I didn’t fit in* he reminded himself.* And that was mostly because I didn’t really want to. Sex drugs and violence. Not exactly my scene. Not Paige’s either by the looks of things. Surely there must be more to this school than that? Well in any case I'm going to find out soon enough.*
“You’ll be fine” Paige concluded lowering her eyes once more,looking as if she’d rather be almost anywhere else rather than sitting there beside him. “I hope so” Michael replied “ because seems that I’ll be staying here for a bit. Like I said to Riley, I don’t have anywhere else to go" he said wistfully "so I’m really grateful to the Institute for taking me in."
"In fact getting rescued by the X men was the first bit of luck I’ve had in a long time" he added. Michael thought he detected a faint note of puzzlement on Paige’s face as he mentioned the previous nights activities. “They got me out of the market! Harmony Market?” he said expectantly. “Hadn’t you heard about it?
When it was obvious that she hadn’t he groaned slightly "It’s a long and pretty unpleasant story” he went on with a sigh, feeling he owed her some kind of explanation in return for her kindness. “Basically there was this auction, an auction of mutants and I was one of the items up for grabs." His voice was surprisingly steady as he went on “I’ve got this power you see. Apparently its in my blood. “
“Anyway I don’t get sick. Seems I produce antibodies at some phenomenal rate and that kills off anything before it gets a chance to get into my system. Sounds great, right?” he said with a smile. “Hard to see how that could be a problem.”
“Trouble is” he went on “some bright spark figured out that if you injected the disease into me then I catch it and produce a vaccine." He tried to sound casual about the whole thing, not wanting her to guess at the horror of the experimentation that had lead to this conclusion “Cuts out all those years of research. Worth a fortune in the right hands. Or the wrong ones if you see what I mean”.
“So once they were sure of their findings they looked around for someone who might be interested in buying such a useful 'commodity' and Bingo! A one way ticket to Harmony Market.”
He left who ‘they’ were a mystery, some things were still to painful to be discussed. Like being betrayed and sold off by your brothers for example. “Which is where I met Connor and Madison." he concluded. "And ultimately how I came to be here talking to you."
"As I said before, things are finally looking up."
Re: Motivation.“I hope so” There was another little smile ran over her lips, though it would be hard to see since she was looking down at her hands. “ because seems that I’ll be staying here for a bit. Like I said to Riley, I don’t have anywhere else to go" Did he have a home in Scotland? What about parents or family? Maybe they'd turned him out when they'd realised he had mutant genes, she'd heard of people doing things like that. Her own father was a mutant, so he and his wife had been expecting that their children might carry a mutant gene. They'd been right to think that, all three of their children had been blessed... or cursed with mutant abilities. Her brothers had been really popular at the school when they'd attended and they didn't seem to understand why their little sister didn't fit in the same way they had.
"so I’m really grateful to the Institute for taking me in." She didn't understand how he could talk to her so easily, as if he'd known her for ages. Paige found it a struggle to talk to people she didn't know very well, she'd always been quiet and withdrawn, though it had worsened slightly since she'd come to the school.
"In fact getting rescued by the X men was the first bit of luck I’ve had in a long time" She was confused by his response.. she knew that some of the teams had gone out the night Michael had arrived but Beast hadn't told her what they'd gone for and she hadn't asked. It was partly a struggle to understand what he was saying, his accent was making it a little difficult to follow him, especially when he talked quickly. “They got me out of the market! Harmony Market?” She didn't have much clue what he was talking about, she'd never heard of Harmony Market before, and since she didn't really talk to anyone she'd missed out on all the rumours that were flying around about what had happened there the other night. The confusion must have registered on her face since he felt it necessary to launch himself into an explanation.
"It’s a long and pretty unpleasant story” He had her attention now, her brows furrowed slightly as she listened to him. It was hard not to be curious about what had happened to him, she wouldn't have dared ask him though, she knew how she'd hate anyone prying into her own life. “Basically there was this auction, an auction of mutants and I was one of the items up for grabs." There was a shocked disbeliefe on her face, auctioning mutants ... people!! She'd never even imagined that anyone could ever do anything like that. Why would people want to sell mutants, it didn't register to her that it might be that people were after their powers. “I’ve got this power you see. Apparently its in my blood. “ It dawned on her that who ever was doing the selling was after a mutants abilities.. Michael must have a really amazing power for them to want to sell.
“Anyway I don’t get sick. Seems I produce antibodies at some phenomenal rate and that kills off anything before it gets a chance to get into my system. Sounds great, right?” ... “Hard to see how that could be a problem.” It sounded like brilliant power to have, especially since she had problems with her own healing.
“some bright spark figured out that if you injected the disease into me then I catch it and produce a vaccine." She didn't really get the fact that this had been done to him against his will, she just assumed someone had kidnapped him and then tried to sell him. “Cuts out all those years of research. Worth a fortune in the right hands. Or the wrong ones if you see what I mean”. She was horrified that someone had tried to sell him, she still didn't understand why Connor had stabbed him though.
“Which is where I met Connor and Madison." She expected some kind of explanation about what had happened between him Connor and Maddison. She'd always thought Connor was a nice person, he'd seemed concerned about her when he'd come across her in Max's room once. She'd been surprised to learn that he knew her name. "And ultimately how I came to be here talking to you." Obviously he didn't want her to know what had happened with Connor and she tried to accept that and not ask him why the other boy had stabbed him.
'Thats awful.. I had no idea people could ever do that to another person.' There was a little pause before she though she should perhaps say somehting tha tmight cheer him up a little. He didn't look to happy with explaining all that to her. 'You didn't have to tell me you know.. you don't have to justify why you're here....' There was a painfully shy smile thrown in his direction before she continued to speak. 'It's nice to meet someone who use their powers to help other people though.' It didn't seem to have occurred to her that he might have been injected with things against his will, she was used to suffering herself to heal people so there wasn't much thought in her head that someone else wouldn't want to go through pain and discomfort in order to help others. There was a type of newfound respect in her eyes as she looked at him, it was nice to find someone else who wanted to use their powers to help. 'It's just a pity whoever tried to auction you had to spoil everything, never mind... I'm sure Dr McCoy wouldn't mind helping you once you get up and about again.'
Re: Motivation.
Michael noticed the smile and the look in Paige’s eyes though his mind still struggled to understand what she was saying to him. What did she mean about him using his powers to help people? He hadn’t had a chance to do that yet.He had hoped, maybe after the training……..
Suddenly he saw what had happened, realised to late where the confusion had set in.
He couldn’t accept the respect he saw mirrored on her face. Even though every part of his being shied away from the subject he knew he had to set the records straight.
”"No You’ve got it wrong, Paige” he said quickly “though I really wish that you didn’t. It would help a lot if I could think that some good had come out of all those experiments. But it wasn’t like that.”
She had said that he owed her no explanation, no justification for his presence here and maybe that was the case. However this was different He didn’t want her leaving with a false impression. That wasn’t the way to start a friendship and he did feel that perhaps he could be friends with this shy girl.
“ It wasn’t all noble and self sacrificing” he went on quietly. It was just….cheap and squalid and ……….pretty awful actually."
He cleared his throat buying himself a few seconds to pull himself together before continuing. "You see before Dr Brady and the others got their hands on me I didn’t even know I could do it. I mean, I just thought I had a strong constitution It never crossed my mind there was anything weird about it let alone the fact that it could be a mutant ability," he explained. "Where I come from mutants are something you see on TV, not something that turns up in your living room."
For a moment he longed for the boring normality of the life he had lead before the accident had set this inexorable chain of events in motion. But that was all gone and there was no going back. Not after all that had happened.
"Anyhow Brady wasn’t exactly interested in saving lives" he went on forcing himself to stick to the subject. "He just wanted to make money and for that he didn’t need a volunteer he just needed a lab rat. And that’s exectly what he got."
Michael rubbed his eyes with one thin hand, the needle marks on his arm standing out starkly against the pale skin.The images were still there ,strong and powerful from the disturbing dream he had just had. He drew a deep breath and pushed them away, concentrating on the girl and his explanation.
"So you see I’ve never really used my powers to help anybody" he admitted. "I don’t know if I could now. All the experiments have kind of thrown it out of whack" he said with a sigh. "It takes longer and longer for me to recover nowadays. And to be honest the idea of having something else injected into me scares me witless."
"Maybe I’ll get over that" he went on. "I certainly hope so. I’d hate for them to have taken that away from me. It would be like they had somehow won and that’s something I’m not going to let happen” he said determinedly.
Suddenly a quick smile chased the serious look from his face,making him look young again, some of the haunted look leaving his grey eyes.Though the ever present pain remained.
"Sorry Paige” he said “Heck you only came down to bring me a book and here I am boring you with my tale of woe. I’m not usually this depressing" he added with a grin "Its med labs. They bring out the worst in me. At least now you know why.”
"No You’ve got it wrong, Paige” What had she got wrong? He didn't need to be ashamed of healing people... the look of respect faded away into a confused expression, doubt clouding her greeny brown eyes as she looked at him. “though I really wish that you didn’t. It would help a lot if I could think that some good had come out of all those experiments. But it wasn’t like that.” She struggled to understand what he was saying to her... he hadn't been helping people? It had been nice for a moment to think that there was someone else out there who used their powers to help other people without asking for anything in return.
“ It wasn’t all noble and self sacrificing” Was that what she was doing? It didn't feel much like it.. she didn't feel noble, but then what where her powers compared to the way Beast had opperated on Michael or the medical bed he was lying on at the moment. If she could only harness her powers better she knew she could help so many more people, she didn't like the guilty feeling that was lurking away at the back of her mind. "It was just….cheap and squalid and ……….pretty awful actually." She looked over his thin face, pity stirring inside her, he looked as if he hadn't eaten properly in a long time, and there was a type of deep tiredness in his eyes. There was a sudden strong urge to mother him that ran through her, her eyes looked away, dropping down to her lap once again, listening to him as he explained what had happened to him.
"You see before Dr Brady and the others got their hands on me I didn’t even know I could do it. I mean, I just thought I had a strong constitution It never crossed my mind there was anything weird about it let alone the fact that it could be a mutant ability," It was odd to hear someone saying they'd had no idea that they were a mutant, she'd been brought up to expect that she might be one, she'd lived around mutants her whole life so for Paige mutants were an every day thing. She'd never really thought much about how it might feel to just be told you were a mutant out of the blue. There were so many questions she was dying to ask him but she didn't want to upset him by appearing nosy. If he wanted to tell her then he would.
"He just wanted to make money and for that he didn’t need a volunteer he just needed a lab rat. And that’s exactly what he got." There was a gasp of surprise from Paige who'd suddenly grasped what he was getting at, they'd forced him into producing vaccines for them. How could they do that to another person. She couldn't help her eyes flicking to his arms as he lifted them to rub his eyes, her pale gaze lingering upon the needle marks that were all over his skin. Before she'd heard about his powers she'd come to the conclusion that they were there because he'd had some kind of addiction to drugs. She didn't have Beast's knowledge to realise that drug addicts don't mark their skin the same way Michael's was. She didn't realise how close her guess was to the truth though, he might not be addicted to heroine but he needed his painkillers.
"So you see I’ve never really used my powers to help anybody" It was hard not to feel stupid, she'd just wanted there to be someone else out there who used their powers unselfishly. Everyone she saw around her seemed to use their powers only for their own good but she couldn't use her powers for anything like that. She wasn't close enough to other people and a little too self puttying to realise that other people did use their powers for others, they just didn't go around telling other people about it.
"It takes longer and longer for me to recover nowadays. And to be honest the idea of having something else injected into me scares me witless." She could understand that, she wasn't overly keen on needles herself, especially since her body seemed to rebel against things put into it, and she often felt ill and lethargic for a couple of days after being vaccinated against something.
"Maybe I’ll get over that" She really didn't understand how he could talk so much, she was finding it hard to string together a couple of sentences and here he was telling her all these personal things. "I certainly hope so. I’d hate for them to have taken that away from me. It would be like they had somehow won and that’s something I’m not going to let happen” There was a note of determination in his voice that she picked up on, she was sure if she'd been put through what he had that she'd never have survived, she just didn't have the mentality for something like that.
"Sorry Paige” The sound of her name caused her to look up, a slightly surprised expression on her face, why was he apologising to her? “Heck you only came down to bring me a book and here I am boring you with my tale of woe. I’m not usually this depressing" There was a sudden attitude uplift as he continued on. "Its med labs. They bring out the worst in me. At least now you know why.” She could understand that, she wasn't overly fond of medical rooms herself when she was the one being treated.
'Thats ok I don't usually.... I mean....' Her eyes flicked back down to her lap again, biting back the words she'd been about to say. She didn't want him to know that she didn't get the chance to talk to many people. He didn't know who she was yet, she just wanted a little longer before he found out. As soon as he got out into the school she knew he'd find friends and fit in, he wouldn't need her anymore, just like Max hadn't and she'd be left here in the med bay all over again. Max had told her she should take a risk and open up to people and she had... to him and he'd thrown everything back in her face again.
There was a lump in the back of her throat and she stared down at her hands, almost painfully aware that there was a growing silence between the two of them. Her brain desperately tried to clutch onto something she could talk to him about. It wasn't like she had an amazingly interesting life. Not able to think of something she fell back into her old fail safe topics. The two things she knew best were the med bay and her lessons and she didn't think he'd want to talk about the med bay at the moment.
'H..Have you decided what lessons you're going to take?' Her eyes fell on the books next to him, struggling for something else to add to her question. 'English is really good ... and history.' Lame.. it was all so lame. Inside she was angry that she couldn't think of anything better to say. 'I take English.' The first snippet of information she'd volunteered to him since he'd met her. Her eyes were still looking at her lap, her fingers nervously fidgeting with a gold cross that she was wearing around her neck. Usually it was concealed out of view but when she was feeling especially nervous she tended to mess with the chain.
Re: Motivation.
When he had finished Michael waited anxiously for Paige’s reaction. He knew how bad the story sounded and yet that was the abridged version. The gorier details he kept to himself. What he feared more than anything was to see pity install itself in her eyes.
He had had enough of that after the accident. All the no doubt well meaning attention he had received from his family and friends. Still it had all boiled down to one thing. He had no longer been Michael Grant, the weird and solitary book lover. He had become poor Michael, the cripple. Whenever they looked at him all they saw were all the things he was no longer capable of doing not all he could still accomplish.
It had only made him more determined to prove them wrong and he had been doing just that, fighting his way out of the wheel chair, leaving even the seemingly inevitable crutches behind, when his brothers had handed him over to Brady and everything had come crashing down about his ears. Now as he faced the long battle for mobility all over again he didn’t want to see the same look in Paige’s eyes, categorising him as a victim and nothing more. 'Thats ok I don't usually.... I mean....' She sounded more awkward than before, obviously having difficulty finding the right thing to say. Michael didn’t blame her. He wasn’t sure how he would have reacted if someone had told him a tale like that. Horror? Indignation? Inevitably compassion. Yes, surely all that and more.
The silence stretched between the two young people, a chasm waiting to be bridged by words. Michael waited, almost holding his breath. His last comments had been a brave effort to lighten the mood but inside the fear and uncertainty that his memories dredged up hovered just beneath the surface, waiting to engulf him once more. So much depended on what she said next.* Maybe she’ll just go* Michael thought to himself. *After all this whole thing was a bit of an ordeal for her even before I started telling her about the lab.*
*That wouldn’t necessarily mean she didn’t know how to look me in the eyes now that she knows about it* he reasoned, preparing himself for this possible eventuality. *It might just mean that she has somewhere else to be or that she needs more time to take it in.*
But he knew how he would feel if she did go.* I’d feel shamed* he thought though he knew it was an illogical reaction.* I’d feel as if what they did to me had made me dirty, like they’d violated me somehow. That might be even worse than her pity.* He saw her draw breath to speak and felt his heart stop.
'H..Have you decided what lessons you're going to take? . English is really good ... and history. I take English ' '
No hurried exit. No outpouring of sympathy. Just two students talking to one another about their normal lives. The relief and gratitude Michael felt were almost overpowering He felt the tears fill his eyes and hastily blinked them back before she could see them.
"English and History” he said his voice a little husky. “Sounds great. That’s what I was going to study at university.” He forced himself into the casual mood of the conversation, hiding his emotions behind the everyday phrases he now offered her.
“I haven’t really had the time to look at this ” he said reaching carefully for the curriculum that Riley had left beside his bed. His side only hurt a little as he moved, an almost imperceptible murmur compared to the rising clamour of his leg.
“Maybe you could help me decide what to take?” he continued hopefully. “Point me in the right direction so to speak?
Suddenly the reality of the situation struck home."I don’t have any idea how the system works here in America. I might be way behind," he realised with a groan. "Hopefully not all the same. I mean we’re about the same age right? So it would be good if we were in the same class for some things” he smiled over at her shyly. "A friendly face is always a good thing to see when you’re at a new school after all"
She wondered what it would be like to be forced into healing people against her will… she’d made a conscious decision to help people, not that she’d thought that much about it, she didn’t feel she could be blessed with a gift such as this without sharing it with others. Paige’d be more than a little jealous when she found out that Michael had more than one mutant power. It had never seemed fair to her that some people like Connor were blessed with loads of really cool powers while she only had the power of healing… not that she thought healing was a bad thing.
"English and History” His voice sounded a little strange to her, her eyes managing to focus up from her black shoes and centre in on his face. “Sounds great. That’s what I was going to study at university.” She’d love to study English, it was her favourite subject, she found it more interesting than science and even helping out in the medical bay. She wouldn’t admit as much to herself, but she’d dearly love to become a writer. Of course going to university to study English was out of the question, she was going to become a nurse. She wasn’t sure how her parents were going to be able to afford to send her university, in the states the cost was outrageous, she hoped the school would offer some kind of scholarship.
“I haven’t really had the time to look at this" Her eyes followed his movement as he reached out to take the piece of paper that Riley had left on the side next to the bed. She remembered her parents showing her the same sheet before she’d come to Xavier’s. They’d been really helpful, sitting down with their youngest child and helping her decide what to take. Some things of course were out of the question for her to study, being home schooled there were some things that she’d never been taught, like Drama or Law.
“Maybe you could help me decide what to take?” This comment was followed by a nervous little shrug of her shoulders, he should just take whatever he enjoyed, of course there were some things he was going to have to take, like English, Science and Maths. She wasn’t sure she was going to be much help since she didn’t really know him at all.
"I don’t have any idea how the system works here in America. I might be way behind," She had no clue how things worked in England, perhaps things were really different over there, truth be told , she’d never really thought about it before. "Hopefully not all the same. I mean we’re about the same age right? So it would be good if we were in the same class for some things” He looked about the same age as her but then he didn’t look very well, perhaps he was quite a bit older than her. There was another burst of interest to find out more about his past, she knew it’d be rude to ask questions, especially since she’d only just met him.
"A friendly face is always a good thing to see when you’re at a new school after all" A smile blushed across her cheeks, it was nice to be called friendly, even if it felt like she was messing everything up. Trying to cover up the sudden embarrassment she felt she stood up and moved across to Beast’s desk, she picked up a biro and hurried back over towards him, holding the pen out towards him.
‘Uh.. here you can circle the ones you want to take… why aren’t you going to university anymore?’ The question slipped out without her meaning for it to do so, there was another blush flooding her cheeks. He’d think she was really rude now for prying. She needed have worried so much, asking questions was part of the way you got to know people and it wasn’t such a personal question.
Re: Motivation."why aren’t you going to university anymore?’ Such an innocent question and yet so hard to answer. *Why don’t I have a normal life? Why can’t I go home?*He didn’t know how to give her a simple reply and yet it was the first thing she had directly asked him about himself and he wanted to at least try to explain.
The pen she had passed him hovered over the untouched paper as he frowned slightly, thinking where to begin."It’s all part of the same thing really” he said slowly."I was supposed to start in September but I pushed it back a year because……”
* because I was stupid and gullible and I trusted George and Robert even though deep down I knew what they were like. And Brady. He suckered me in so well.*
Michael hesitated a little unsure how to continue. "I suppose you have to understand about the accident and everything to see how it happened." he finally said. He looked across at Paige, his gray eyes serious, before continuing. "I got hit by a car. Hit and run. They hit and I didn’t run." he said with an ironic smile.
No need to say more. George’s recent revelations were still too new to be fully assimilated never mind shared with any one else .It had been hard enough coming to terms with things when he had thought it had been an accident. Now that he knew he had paid for Georges debts with his health it was even harder to stomach.
* I will never forgive him for that Nor for all the rest.* Michael thought *The next time I see him, if I ever do see him again, he’ll be my enemy not my brother.* However he refused to dwell on George any longer, concentrating instead on telling Paige what had happened.
”Anyway the hospital did a great job fixing me up. Not as good a job as you could have done here” he said looking around at the alien equipment he nestled in “but a good job all the same. Still ” he said with a sigh "it wasn’t easy afterwards. I didn’t move as fast as I used to if you see what I mean." He knew she did. She had obviously seen the damage to his body when he had been brought in and he knew with her medical training she would understand the implications .
"So when Dr Brady….. he was one of the doctors who looked after me when I was in hospital That’s where he discovered what my blood could do”. he explained "When he came to me saying there was a new treatment available that could maybe help I jumped at the chance.”
He closed his eyes thinking of the consequences of that decision, shaking his head slightly at his own foolishness. "I phoned up the university and asked them to hold the place for me for a year. They were very understanding. Wished me luck and everything. Guess they’re still holding it but I won’t be going back."
He opened his eyes and looked at Paige. "It was a bad move. The ‘treatment’ was only an excuse to get me into a lab and the rest you know."
"So," he went on "here I am in the states with no papers, no money, no anything come to think of it. Certaily no way I can apply for a place in a university here even if I did have the grades."
He said it matter of factly as if it were of little consequence when in truth it was the end of a long held dream. "And I can’t go home cos Brady’s still out there somewhere and he’d not hesitate to start the whole thing up all over again."
"All in all,” he said with another sigh. “It looks like you’re stuck with me for a while." He glanced back down at the waiting form. "Which is why its important I get this right ."
Re: Motivation."It’s all part of the same thing really” She felt him take the pen from her, looking down at her empty hand and quickly withdrawing it to her side once again, fidgeting with the material of her trousers as she sat down. Did he mean that he couldn't go to university anymore because of what those people had done to him? Or maybe his family couldn't afford for him to go.... She didn't know that in Britain the Government heavily subsidised universities, thus enabling more people to go and do higher education.
"I was supposed to start in September but I pushed it back a year because……” She must be right, he must be quite a bit older than her if he was going off to university already. It sounded like he didn't want to tell her why he wasn't going, she felt horribly guilty now, she shouldn't have asked him anything like that. The role of a nurse was to be there when patients needed her, not to go prying into their lives.
"I suppose you have to understand about the accident and everything to see how it happened." She opened her mouth to tell him he didn't need to tell her and apologise for asking him in the first place, he obviously wasn't comfortable talking about this. "I got hit by a car. Hit and run. They hit and I didn’t run." There must have been an appalled look on her face, her eyes staring at him for a long moment before falling away again. Michael seemed nice and sweet to her and she didn't understand why people kept on wanting to hurt him. She knew she had a rather easy life, she'd never had anything really awful happen to her, if you didn't count Max that was, and it was horrible to hear what other people had been through. It was even worse that he felt he could add some humour to the situation, she knew nothing he could have gone through would have been that easy.
"it wasn’t easy afterwards. I didn’t move as fast as I used to if you see what I mean." There was no need for him to say it, the word 'cripple' seemed to hang in the air between them. She wondered just how badly his movement had been affected by the "accident," she'd seen his scars and knew his mobility must have been damaged but she wasn't sure to what degree.
"So when Dr Brady….. he was one of the doctors who looked after me when I was in hospital That’s where he discovered what my blood could do”. She thought back to what he'd said Brady had done to him, how could someone who was a doctor turn around and do that to someone? What about the hypocritic oath? To Paige doctors had always seemed like such amazing people, capable of saving lives.. but now all her views had suddenly been thrown into utter confusion. Her eyes flicked over to the door of Beast's office, could Dr McCoy do something like that? The next second she felt ashamed of herself, of course he would do anything like that, Hank was a nice person, he was always kind to her, even when she made mistakes.
"When he came to me saying there was a new treatment available that could maybe help I jumped at the chance.” She didn't really get that what Brady had told him was a lie, a lure to get him to agree to come with him. It was still hard for her to believe that anyone could do that, she didn’t like testing on animals…. But testing on humans was so much worse.
"I phoned up the university and asked them to hold the place for me for a year. They were very understanding. Wished me luck and everything. Guess they’re still holding it but I won’t be going back." It must be horrible having everything you wanted in life and then having it all removed from you like that without you being able to do anything about it.
"here I am in the states with no papers, no money, no anything come to think of it. Certaily no way I can apply for a place in a university here even if I did have the grades." He didn't seem to have a very hopeful out look on things, but then from what he'd said he didn't have much to look fowards to. She really wished she could think of something to say to make him feel better but she couldn't think of anything.
“It looks like you’re stuck with me for a while." She watched as he skimmed his eyes over the wide variety of subjects that the school offered. "Which is why its important I get this right ."
‘I’m sorry.’ It sounded so lame, she wasn’t even sure what she was apologising for, asking that question or for everything that had happened to him… perhaps it was a little of the both. 'Y..you know, a lot of students come here... under.' She was seaching for a word that wouldn't sound too bad in his ears. '...difficualt circumstances. 'I'm sure professor Xavier could help you.' There was a nervous little pause. 'Theres always the opportunity of scholarships, if you can't afford to go to university.'
Re: Motivation.‘I’m sorry.’ Paige said , compassion echoing behind the simple words ‘Me to’ he wanted to add inappropriately. If he gave into it, the treatment he had undergone had almost broken his heart if not his spirit. He could see his life lying in ruins around him and yet ……… This girl had nothing to be sorry about. She was part of the good things that had happened to him and they were too few to be put aside so easily.
'Y..you know, a lot of students come here... under difficult circumstances..' Michael almost smiled at the phrase *She must be studying diplomacy* he thought , his mind full of the classes he had seen up for offer,* to have chosen such an appropriate way of putting things *.However the reality of his position soon swept all traces of humour from his mind.
* I’m lost and alone in a strange country and I can never ever go home. There that’s more like the situation*.he thought desperately.
* I have powers that are both wonderful and terrible at the same time but which set me apart from the rest of humanity and there’s nothing I can do about it. Have I covered everything? No maybe not!*
Michael fought back the panic and despair that threatened to overwhelm him as his brain continued relentlessly to categorise the problems facing him
"I have no legal right to be here and if Riley or someone else doesn’t produce some papers for me then I will remain an illegal immigrant for the rest of my life. Oh God! I think I offended him! What if he never comes back? *
'I'm sure professor Xavier could help you” Paige continued her quiet voice breaking through his worried thoughts
* Oh I hope so* Michael thought* Because there are so many things I can’t deal with by myself.*
He hoped his sudden depression wasn’t too evident. He didn’t want Paige to realise how helpless he felt.* As long as she keeps talking everything will be alright* he told himself a little desperately.* It will mean she doesn’t know just how lost I really am.*
'Theres always the opportunity of scholarships, if you can't afford to go to university.' Paige continued much to his relief.
*I’m a better actor than I thought* he told himself *Still perhaps I should sign up for this drama class after all. *
He had almost returned to the relatively simple business of choosing classes when suddenly the stark reality behind Paige’s words sank in throwing him into further turmoil.
“I forgot” he said horrified “over here everything costs so much.”
He remembered all the American programmes he had seen on the TV * Medical bills.!* The words screamed at him, the immensity of the problem driving everything else from his mind.
* There’s no way I can pay for all that. If this place rejects me I’m done for*
“ I hadn’t realised” he continued , the words spilling almost unnoticed from him as his mind raced towards the inevitable conclusion .”There’s no way I can repay all this. No way at all”
Re: Motivation.
He seemed very quiet, all of a sudden withdrawing from their conversation, not even meeting her eyes anymore as she spoke. She felt like she was floundering trying to persue a one sided conversation with someone she didn't know. She didn't realise that this was how people often felt when they were trying to talk to her, like they were putting in all the effort.
“I forgot” There was a sudden horrified exclamation from him, the outburst made her jump a little, her large eyes staring at him. What had he forgotten? “over here everything costs so much.” There was a small shrug from Paige, she was used to everything costing what it cost. It hadn't occurred to her that things might be so very different over in England. She'd been taught that England was some kind of mini America so she'd assumed that life over there was very similar to life over here.
“ I hadn’t realised” Her eyes shifted over to look at DrMcCoy's office once again. She couldn't help feeling very under qualified to answer questions about the finances of life. She didn't know much about money, her parents gave money to the school to help with her education, she knew that much
and they gave her pocket money when they felt she deserved it. She'd been sadly lacking in cash since the Max affair, she wasn't allowed out much either, her parents seemed to think she was just going to run out and meet some other guy. They needn’t have worried, Paige still held the belief that if she waited for long enough that Max would realise that he did actually like her. There was a bitter thought thrown towards Garnet, Max only liked her better because she was rich and beautiful. Paige's fingers had moved back to fiddling with the cross around her neck.
"There’s no way I can repay all this. No way at all” Yet again she was finding it hard to follow him, he was speaking quickly and his thick Scottish accent seemed to slur his words together. It took her a moment to realise what he was trying to tell her.
'Ummm I think you should talk to DrMcCoy about that.. I just help out here.' She didn't know if Hank charged people, all she did was help him with things when he needed her. She felt a little stupid that she couldn't tell him what he wanted to know.. but then she didn't pry into the inner workings of the med bay.
Re: Motivation.*I can’t deal with this now* Michael realised abruptly as his thoughts threatened to spin off into turmoil.* I’m going to shove the whole thing into a small dark cupboard somewhere in my mind and lock it away till I feel better Then maybe sometime I’ll open it up again and take a long hard look.Try to work something out But not right at this moment Its all just too hard.*
*For now I’m going to concentrate on something positive and normal like classes and schoolwork and making friends.*
“You’re probably right” he replied to Paige’s suggestion that he discuss matters with the doctor. “I’ll talk to him later. Its no big deal anyway” he lied trying to sound convincing. *Maybe I should sign up for drama* he thought not for the first time *It would surely make moments like this easier.*
“ Right” he said with what he hoped was the appropriate amount of enthusiasm in his voice “so lets have a look at this timetable.” It was pretty special though. He felt genuine interest start to kick in pushing his worries to the back of his mind as he cast his eyes down the long list of possibilities.
“ Wow there are some cool things here”, he said to Paige “ I mean apart from the basics that is. International Affairs , Meteorology. Oh fencing! Now that could be really useful ! Not to mention fun!”
He thought of the short sword that was part of his Hood form. He had never had the chance to find out how good he was with it. In fact he had never even drawn it yet he knew how it would feel to hold it, could sense instinctively the subtle perfect balance of the blade and hilt. The sword was a part of him, another aspect of the wondrous being that was Hood. *Still I’m sure I could learn to use it better if I took these classes.*
“And acrobatics " he went on his excitement growing. "I think Hood might be good at that. He feels like he should be, sort of fast and supple………”
His voice trailed off as he looked across at Paige a trifle embarrassed."Don’t worry” he said “I haven’t gone crazy. Hood is….. well he’s part of my powers. The good part."
"Not that the whole healing thing isn’t good" he hastened to add "but up till now its caused me nothing but grief whereas Hood…… " He paused searching for words that would convey the whole miraculous nature of his gift. ”He sets me free”
“Astral projection. That’s the technical name for it” he explained. “It first happened just after the accident. They were taking me into the operating theatre and I just floated free of everything. Out of body experience they called it. I only knew that it felt great. Didn’t even mind that I looked a bit strange” he said with a mischievous smile.
“You see what came out wasn’t me Michael, it was what I wanted to be deep down inside. I'd like to tell you it was justbecause I was doing a project at the time ‘Robin Hood: Fact or Fiction’ that I ended up as Hood but I think the whole protecting the innocent, fighting injustice, romantic trip might have had something to do with it.”
So anyway I got the whole Robin Hood package." he continued with a self denigrating shrug of the shoulders. "Bow and Arrows. Sword. Got lucky and managed to avoid the green tights and the pointy hat with the feather but I still look like I’m heading for a fancy dress party."
"Not that it mattered at first. My astral form was invisible so only I noticed the change. Then I found if I tried a bit harder I could become visible. Transparent but visible. If I’d stayed in Scotland I could probably have made a fortune getting paid to haunt all those old damp castles."he added with a laugh.
"The best bit is that now I’ve learned how to materialise completely. I can actually become Hood" he said the amazement still clear in his voice. "Physically that is. Inside its still me. Its not Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde,"he reassured her.
"I can’t keep it up eternally but still …….its like…..shedding a skin. For a little while I can simply leave my body lying somewhere safe and become someone who can do all the things that I can’t. And that, Paige" he concluded "is simply marvellous."
Re: Motivation.“You’re probably right” .... She was? She was finding it hard not to wish that DrMcCoy was still here, she wasn't sure she liked talking to strangers like this. But she couldn't just really get up and leave him, not after the way she'd acted this morning.
“ Right” She pulled her thoughts back from her mind, looking across at Michael, his eyes were focused down on the paper in front of him. She watched as he scanned over the lessons that were written there. “ Wow there are some cool things here” She couldn't really remember a lot of the things the school had to offer, it had been several months since she'd seen the lists of lessons. She assumed he was going to take English and History, it would make sense. She attended both those lessons, her thoughts flitted onto Max for a moment, he was in both her lessons. She had no idea she'd be spending the next couple of days trudging around the wilderness with him. Paige was brought back to earth as Michael started talking about attending a fencing class. Perhaps he had more mobility than she'd assumed, or it might be that he was overly hopeful about his recovery.
"I think Hood might be good at that. He feels like he should be, sort of fast and supple………” She blinked slightly, had her mind started to wander again or had he just said something about a hood? Maybe it was just that she was going crazy? Michael seemed to have gone quiet, he looked slightly embarrassed, she wondered if he'd told her something he wasn't supposed to say. “I haven’t gone crazy. Hood is….. well he’s part of my powers. The good part." He had more than one power? His other power already seemed amazing in her eyes, the ability never to fall sick sounded pretty good to her. She couldn't help feeling sometimes that she'd got the raw end of the deal with her powers. She wasn't overly keen to tell him her mutant ability, not when it sounded so lame next to his. She couldn't even do that much with her power, her abilities were still weak, she was hopeful they'd start to improve soon, she'd not had her powers very long.
She listened as he described his power.. astral projection, she was finding it a little hard to grasp his meaning, her brown furrowed into a slight frown as she stared at him. “It first happened just after the accident ... Out of body experience they called it ... Robin Hood ... My astral form was invisible ... The best bit is that now I’ve learned how to materialise completely. I can actually become Hood" It sounded like a really good power, something in inside her was itching to ask him to materialise into hood right now, but she knew he was still ill, and he looked really pale even to her eyes. Now probably wasn't the best time to be asking him to do that. She knew how much of a drain it was to use her powers, she imagined it might be the same for him.
"Physically that is. Inside its still me. Its not Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde," So it was like Michael's mind in another’s body, her eyes slipped down to look at where his legs lay beneath the covers of the bed. It must be nice for him to be able to escape the confines of his own body. There was a note of reassurance in his voice that she didn't miss, why did he feel the need to reassure her? She'd assumed that Hood must be a good guy, he was part of Michael after all.
"I can’t keep it up eternally but still …….its like…..shedding a skin. For a little while I can simply leave my body lying somewhere safe and become someone who can do all the things that I can’t. And that, Paige" Her eyes moved back up to meet his again, saying her name usually got her full attention. She waited with slightly baited breath to hear what he was about to tell her. "is simply marvellous." There was a little silence while she digested what Michael had told her.
'It sounds like a really good power .. i .. is that why you're on green strike force?' Her green eyes flicked over to look at the small communicator which lay next to him. Her own was tucked away in her bag somewhere. 'I'm on a team too ... I don't really like it though.' She stood up quickly, moving away from the bed. She hadn't meant to say that last part, she hadn't told anyone she didn't want to be on the team she was on and she'd just told a complete stranger. There was a sudden blush to her cheeks, she hurried over to her bag, her back to Michael, pretending to be looking for something. Hopefully he wouldn't question her about what she'd said.
'Err so ummm.. have you decided what to take yet?' She said feeling like her cheeks were burning. She didn't want to tell anyone why she hated her team... Max had broken her heart, Garnett had kissed him, then Gypsy had stolen her book. Jess looked and acted like a bully and Rachael seemed morph into all sorts of weird animals that Paige was terrified of. The only person she felt anything near comfortable around was Casey and she'd never even talked to him, she felt he had kind of the same plight as her at being put in a team full of people who picked on you.
Re: Motivation.'It sounds like a really good power .. i .. is that why you're on green strike force?'.
It was a good question. One Michael wished he knew the answer to. He hoped that Hoods abilities were the reason he has been assigned to a team and that it was not just Connors way of making things up to him somehow for having stabbed him.
*Still* he told himself * Riley didn’t sound like the kind of guy who would place someone in a team out of pity or in order to do a favour for a friend. So maybe they really do think I’ll make good. I’ll have to prove that they were right to give me this chance*
Being given the opportunity to fight back meant a lot to him. It made him feel useful, as if he had something concrete to offer, in exchange for the life and freedom that had been restored to him
.* Maybe I don’t know how I’m going to repay these people financially for all the help they’re giving me, but at least I can show them that I have something to contribute to their cause. I only hope they don’t ask too much too soon.* That was his major worry as far as the team meeting was concerned. He was pretty sure that Hood would acquit himself well but that only went so far.
Although he could feel the strength seeping back into his body as the alien machines healed and nourished him he was all to aware of the growing pain in his legs that no amount of advanced technology was going to take away.* Great *he thought *I’ve only been awake a little while and already I’m looking for my next dose. That bodes well for the future*
Memories of his recent dreams forced their unwelcome way back into his mind. *If Dr McCoy gives me some more of those pills I’ll go back to sleep and I don’t want to do that. I know it was just a dream and that its only to be expected that I’ll have nightmares*,he told himself * Still Id rather not take the chance of another one like that just at the minute.*
*Besides I can’t go anywhere while I’m taking those*he reflected worriedly. *I’ll never stay awake long enough to get anything done. No* he realised, accepting the stark reality of the situation. *I reckon it will be back to the morphine whether I like it or not. And lets face it the problem is that I like it too much. Still it’s the only solution I can think of. I only hope my team leader doesn’t think its too much of a liability*
'I'm on a team too ....' Paige said jolting him out of his reverie. [b]“I don't really like it though”[/b] A surprised look flashed into her pale eyes as these last words slipped out and she moved hurriedly away from Michael, turning towards her bag and fumbling with its contents.* I never even asked her about her powers*. Michael thought suddenly* In fact I haven’t asked her one thing about herself. What do I really know about this girl who’s been patiently listening to my life story?*
*She’s not happy!* he realised, suddenly recognising in her the same sense of isolation that he himself had experienced for so many years.
The signs had been there all along, just waiting for him to read them The overwhelming shyness that caused her to stumble over her words and kept her nervous hands always in movement. The description of the school, her only praise for the teachers not a word of friends or fellow pupils. *She doesn’t feel she fits in here and its tearing her apart.*he thought.
Michael had dealt with the same problem in a different way, shielding himself with his books and his studies. However he had always had a deep rooted sense of his own abilities which not even the scorn and mockery of his school mates had managed to fully undermine.
He had become quiet but not silent, defending himself and others more readily with his words rather than with his fists. Which had not always led to him escaping unscathed but had always bought him some grudging respect. He was a loner. A weirdo. A geek. But not a coward and somehow that had been enough to get by on,even if it hadn’t been enough to make him happy.
He didn’t think Paige was a coward either. She had come back to talk to him, thought he knew she would much rather have been somewhere else. Anywhere else probably. She had helped save his life despite her injured arm, which couldn’t have been easy and merited anyone’s respect
.* But she doesn’t feel that, does she?* Michael realised.* I was always sure of myself even if no one else could see where I was coming from. I don’t think I could have got through these last few years if that hadn’t been the case. But Paige. She’s doesn’t believe and that’s why she’s lost .*
* I should have noticed it sooner* he chastised himself.* I was so busy thinking about my own problems that I didn’t see that maybe she needs to talk just as much as I do. Though I doubt even knows that.*
'Err so ummm.. have you decided what to take yet?' Already she was trying desperately to change the subject as he had feared she would. *What do I do now?* he asked himself . *One false move and she’ll fly off like a frightened bird. And yet she needs someone she can confide in, that much is obvious.*
He wracked his tired brainsearching for some way to he could help. *Come on Michael you’re supposed to be bright. Think! The least you can do is break the silence!*
"Not really but I’m getting some ideas." he replied.* Great That was an inspired beginning! Surely I can do better than that!*“Would you mind if I signed myself up for English and History at the same time as you. Like I said it, would be nice to have someone I know in at least some of my classes.” He risked another smile hoping she’s look up over at him again.
Suddenly it all became clear* I don’t need some fancy plan* he realised *Ill just tell her the truth.*
“ Paige” he went on his voice gentle “I want to you to know how much it has meant to me to have you come down and talk to me like this Or rather listen” he said with a quiet laugh.
” I guess I’ve been doing most of the talking. Which is strange, because I really thought Id have more difficulty telling someone about ….well about everything that happened” he admitted with a sigh.” And it’s not just because all of it was sort of sitting there waiting to come out. That’s true enough, but it doesn’t explain why I didn’t mind talking about it. That was down to you.” he said.
“ It must be because, although we’ve just met, I feel I can trust you.” he continued thoughtfully. "I know somehow that you’re not going to laugh or judge or run around telling everyone about what I’ve said. Does that sound weird?” he asked his eyes quizzical.” Well even if it does, it’s the truth. You’re a good listener Paige and that’s pretty rare.”
“Maybe this sounds pushy” Michael went on hesitantly , not wanting to say the wrong thing, "but I want you to know that if you ever need someone to listen or just someone to talk things over with then Id be glad to return the favour. If you’d like me to that is."
Re: Motivation.
She couldn't turn around, she knew her cheeks had flushed full of blood. She wasn't supposed to say horrible things about people, that would make her an awful person, and she'd almost said things about the people on her team. Any grievances she might have about people should stay inside her head.
"Not really but I’m getting some ideas." Paige wasn't sure what sort of a response he was looking for from her so she kept quiet. He didn't seem to mind though since he carried on talking to her. “Would you mind if I signed myself up for English and History at the same time as you. Like I said it, would be nice to have someone I know in at least some of my classes.” There was a shake of her head, still pretending to look for something inside her bag, waiting for her the blush in her cheeks to receded. She had no idea he was judging her and coming to conclusions about her as he spoke.
Her eyes flicked to a clock that was hung upon the wall, it was getting late and she still had English work to get done, her gaze hesitantly slipped to the door of Beast's office. She knew she'd feel bad about leaving Michael alone down here, maybe she could see him tomorrow, she needed to come down to the med bay to finish counting the medical supplies they had.
“Paige” There was something in his tone of voice that made her turn around, her eyes searching for his for a moment before she looked down at her shoes. “I want to you to know how much it has meant to me to have you come down and talk to me like this Or rather listen” She could feel the hotness returning to her cheeks again, she was used to being praised by her teachers about her work but hearing positive things about her from other pupils was a little disconcerting.
”I guess I’ve been doing most of the talking ... about everything that happened ... although we’ve just met, I feel I can trust you ... You’re a good listener Paige and that’s pretty rare ...'' If she was such a good listener then why didn't anyone want to talk to her? Why did people steal her things? and corner her into doing their work for them? Her eyes lifted to meet his for a moment. He might say this now but she was pretty sure that once he got up and about and mingling with the rest of the school he'd forget her as quickly as everyone else she'd helped heal in the med bay... as quickly as Max had managed to forget about her when Garnett had come along.
"but I want you to know that if you ever need someone to listen or just someone to talk things over with then Id be glad to return the favour. If you’d like me to that is." She didn't feel like she could share things that affect her with other people, especially someone she hardly knew. He could have been sitting here lying to her for the past thirty minutes ... on the other hand there was truth in all his looks and she could think of no reason that he'd choose to lie to her. She suddenly felt awful for even thinking that about him, she'd got no reason to think badly of him.
'I'm alright.' There was a little pause filled only by the sound of her own heart beating in her ears before she turned away slightly. 'I need to see Dr McCoy before I go.' Her eyes flicked down to her damaged arm, she wanted to find out how long it'd be before her wrenched shoulder was better again. She hesitated slightly before moving over towards the door to Hanks office, rather agitatedly knocking on the door, she always felt nervous about disturbing the doctor. It was hard not to feel a little intimidated when Beast so obviously dwarfed her, not to mention that fact that he had muscles that budged out of his arms rather alarmingly.
Re: Motivation.'I'm alright'*Right! Sure you are* Michael thought “I need to see Dr McCoy before I go.' Paige said and suddenly she was gone, turning from him to knock upon the doctors door.*
*There I lost her* he realised with a sigh Still it had been a bit much to ask that she suddenly sit down and confide in him when it was obviously an ordeal even for her to have a normal conversation with someone. Not that their conversation had exactly been normal at least not on his side
He suddenly wondered if he had scared her away for good with his sordid little story but somehow he thought not.
* Lets just see if she ever comes back to visit.* he said to himself *Maybe she will. When all is said and done I still have a hostage* he thought with a smile, looking over at the leather book she had left behind. *And if she doesn’t come to me then I’ll just have to track her down. After all Hood at least will be able to get out and about as of tomorrow.*
Reaching over he took up the book from the side table and turned it over in his hands. *What say you now Keats! Will your poems be enough to see me through the rest of this long
night? Well maybe you’ll help me fight off my demons for an hour or two at least. What more could I guy ask*……………………………………………………………………………………………….........................................................................................
The murmur of the two young peoples voices played on in the background as Hank carried on with his paperwork He smiled contentedly as the conversation lengthened. *Progress indeed* he thought to himself a little surprised. *I believe this the longest time I have ever known Paige to converse with anyone. Could it be that these two could be friends? That would be serendipitous to be sure*
He had long pondered on how to break down the barrier of shyness that surrounded his pupil but so far to no avail. The blue furred mutant knew that she was gradually coming to feel more comfortable in his own presence but while that was encouraging what she really needed was someone her own age in whom she could confide.
*It would make such a difference to her confidence if she could just find someone to trust. Always provided that the person in question was worthy of such an honour of course. *
Listening a little more closely he could hear that it was the boy doing most of the talking though Paiges quiet voice could also be heard from time to time .* It will do him good to talk too* the doctor thought sadly * provided he can bring himself to do so. After all he has been through it would not have been surprising if he had retreated into silence and despair but somehow I don’t think that he will Not that one*.
*His spirit is a lot stronger than his body. I only hope that my decision to let him go to this team meeting tomorrow is the right one.*
It had been a hard call to make. Every part of Hank's medical training urged him that the boy was not ready for such exertion and yet… Something in Michael’s eyes had told him how important the meeting was to him and Hank had found himself making preparations to watch over him as the mysterious Hood made his way out to meet his new team mates.
*I presume that Green Strike Force are not going on the training missions later tomorrow. That would be too much to ask of him. His astral form may be able to function correctly but his physical body is far from being ready.*
Already Hank had started preparing a programme of rehabilitation for the young man. It would be hard and painful going and he suspected that Michael knew that as well.*Perhaps Paige could help him with it* Hank wondered.
That too would be a delicate situation. *It may be that the boy would not want her to see how difficult things really are for him. It would be impossible to hide how much pain he is likely to be in during the sessions. I should probably talk things throught with Michael before suggesting it to Paige I would not want to do anything that would make them feel awkward with one another.*
*Likewise I must find some kind of drugs to help him deal with his condition* Hank reflected. *It will not be an easy balance to strike and addiction is unfortunately unavoidable but there is no other way round it.*
Suddenly there was a hesitant knock at his office door.*Paige?* he wondered.* It must be. I heard no one else enter the med lab.*
"Paige is that you?" he called "Come in, come in” He remained seated as the girl entered, knowing how his height and bulk could be overwhelming. He pulled off the gold rimmed glasses that had been perched on his nose, their frailty incongruous with his fierce feline features and flashed her a smile that was somehow reassuring despite his fangs.
‘Well, you two seemed to be getting along just fine. I’m sure your visit has done young Michael the world of good. Now what can I do for you my dear. You’re arm hasn’t worsened has it?” he asked, concern clear in his voice?
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