My boyfriend says I'm lazy for simply stating that 'standard disclaimers
apply', but I've assured him that you all know precisely what I mean.
Just Lucky, I Guess 11/?
"Nathan, I have little doubt that these headaches are exactly what
you say they are- stress-induced migraines. I can write a prescription
for the pain, if you like, but given the nature of your abilities I must
recommend an additional procedure." Dr. Henry McCoy's handsome blue-furred
face was studiously neutral, but the staccato beat tapped on
the examination table by one sharp claw betrayed his concern.
Nathan, baseball cap clenched tightly in one hand, growled
suspiciously "What kind of 'procedure'?" As much as he respected Hank's
expertise, he was well aware that the X-Men's resident bio-chemist and
physician had a distinct proclivity for excessive testing and
experimentation.
Raising a protesting hand, the doctor chuckled ruefully "Nothing
too traumatic, I assure you. You should be well aware that it is now
standard procedure with telepaths in cases like this to conduct a full
psi-scan to verify that there is no psychic wound that conventional
examinations would fail to turn up. After Onslaught, we're not taking any
more chances." Blue eyes met brown in shared sorrow, and neither voiced
the unspoken 'If only...'
The older man ran his fingers through thick silver hair, then
nodded. "You're absolutely right- that's the least we can do. When can we
begin?"
The tapping changed rhythm as Hank considered. "The sooner the
better. Of course we need another telepath, and Betsy and Jean are both
very well versed in the technique. Pretty much any skilled telepath
will do- it's just a matter of whomever you feel more comfortable with."
Remembering his encounter with Psylocke earlier in the week,
Nathan frowned. 'Definately not that bitch.' "Definately Jean," he
decided.
Hank smiled. "I thought as much. In fact, I was going to suggest
our beloved Jeannie- shared genetics on top of the familial bond you two
share should make this procedure a proverbial snap! If you're ready now,
I'll go ahead and call her in-"
"Allright. Let's get this thing over with."
She delicately picked through her 'son's' mind, careful to
preserve as much of his privacy as possible. Some images were impossible
to ignore, but she sailed through them as best she could. Even in great
pain, his TO mesh was stabilized, and she allowed herself a proud smile.
'Redd' had taught him well.
She winced as her gentle probing set off another wave of pain. One
thing was certain- the disturbance was definately psionic in nature. His
entire mindscape was bruised. 'No wonder he's got a headache,' Jean ground
her teeth as she scanned his mind 'This is not good- Hmmm...what's
this?' The damage seemed particularly severe around a recently shielded
area of Nathan's mind. Anticipating the possiblity of her encountering
shields, Nathan had granted her permission to look beyond them if
necessary, so she felt no compunctions against removing the shielding to
examine what was inside. He'd told her "You're the only telepath
I trust enough to allow that, Jean." She'd understood, and warmed slightly
at the memory.
Focusing her attention, she began carefully peeling away layers of
shielding. 'Classic defensive shield,' she noted clinically. 'Thrown up
rather hastily, too.' She reinforced her psionic armor, took a deep
breath, and removed the final layer. 'Oh my stars and garters,' she
breathed, borrowing her teammate's favorite exclamation. A huge psionic
blister was at the center of the bruising- puckered and oozing, it
radiated pain. She narrowed her eyes and set to work.
Two hours later, she sat up wearily and took the proffered glass
of juice. "Thanks, Hank. How is he?" Separated only by the Beast's
considerable bulk, she and Nathan rested on identical examination tables
in the med-lab, both hooked up to Shi'ar monitoring equipment.
"He appears to be fine, Jean, though I was beginning to worry- had
you been out five minutes longer, I would have called Betsy in to pull
you out." They'd kept Psylocke on call just in case- with her newly
acquired ability to travel through shadows, she was available at
a moment's notice. "Tell me...what did you find?" Hank busied himself
removing electrodes, considerable intellect focused on the problem at
hand.
Jean described the blister and the psionic damage it had caused
"I was finally able to repair it. Though incredibly painful, the wound
wasn't really all that serious- I believe it would have healed itself
eventually. There should be no permanent damage."
"What would have healed itself eventually?" Nathan struggled to
sit up. "Jean- what was it?"
She inhaled deeply and swung her legs off of the table, holding on
to Hank's strong arm for balance. "Nathan- do you remember a discussion
we had a few days ago about you needing to develop better shielding?"
His face flushed slightly. "Yes."
"I apologize for that now. You're psi-linked to someone, aren't
you?" Hank's presence made her choose her words carefully.
He nodded, and she continued. "Apparantly, you suffered some sort
of mental backlash through that link- probably totally unexpected,and of
incredible intensity or the link itself would have buffered the
transmission. The intense shock caused a...well, for lack of a better term
a psionic blister. You instinctively threw up shields, but the blister
itself remained untreated and was the source of your headaches. I
repaired the worst of the damage, but you'll need to keep an eye on it
yourself until it's completely healed. There won't be any permanent harm,
since your shields handled the brunt of the pain. This case is hardly
unique- Scott and I have both had similar experiences, though neither
with damage as severe as this one." She stood to leave.
Hank took her hand and kissed it. "Many thanks, fair Jeannie."
She grinned "Don't let Scott see such chivalry- Summers men are
incredibly jealous." Pointedly raising an eyebrow at Nathan, she walked
out. 'By the way,' he heard as she turned the corner 'You may want to talk
to Hank about scheduling another procedure for Domino later- that
backlash burned through both ends of the link, and since as a non-psi she
doesn't have the caliber of shielding you do, she's probably got a hell
of a headache, even worse than yours. Call me when you talk her into it.'
Noting Beast's wry look, Nathan sighed. "Even if I weren't
telepathic, I can read your mind, Hank. You're right- the psi-link's with
Dom, which explains her headaches, too. Yeah, I guess we need to call
her in. Jean says that as a non-psi the damage will be more severe for
her, but still managable." The trepidation in his tone was unmistakable.
'This is *not* going to be easy.' The doctor's reply was a very succinct,
professional
"Okey-Dokey."
"You want me to do WHAT?" Domino's jaw dropped slightly in
disbelief quickly replaced with a cold "Uh-uh. No way. Ain't gonna
happen."
Hank sighed. "Please, Domino- I've explained what happened-in
great detail, I might add. The headache is caused by psionic damage. The
only way to repair said damage is to allow a telepath in. It's as simple
as that."
Domino scowled "I like you, Hank, I do, which is why I came to you
in the first place. I do NOT like doctors, I do NOT like hospitals, and I
do NOT like strange telepaths pokin' around in my head! The only person I
trust enough to do that is Nate and we're not even on speaking terms right
now, much less thinking terms!" Beast almost interrupted to tell her that
Jean was certainly not a 'strange' telepath, but saw the dangerous glint
in her eys and thought better of it.
Nathan had been conspicuosly silent. He winced at her last
sentence, but said nothing. Hank studied her for a moment, then blinked
in sudden understanding. 'My goodness! She's actually scared! All that
belligerance is disguising a genuine fear-' He held out his hand, palm up,
and changed tactics.
"Domino- you are an adult. I cannot force you to submit to this
procedure, nor would I. I appreciate the faith you've placed in me as your
physician, but the decision is ultimately yours. I've explained what's
necessary to repair the damage- it's up to you to decide whether or not to
accept the offer of assitance. I highly recomend it, but in the end your
wishes *will* be respected."
She looked suspicious for a moment then relaxed. In a calmer voice
she replied "Thanks, Hank. Can you give me a minute?" He smiled
gently, baring a gleaming canine. "Let me know when you make a decision.
I'll be in my office."
Cable stood to leave as well. She twisted a thick shock of hair
around her forefinger. "Nate- wait a minute." He stopped shortly, then
stared at her. "What do you want, Dom?"
He met her surly gaze. "How did this happen?" she demanded, and
in a pedantic tone he began the same description that Jean had given him
and that McCoy had given her. She stopped him mid-stream. "I understand
that, Nate, damn! Give me *some* credit. I meant- why? When did this
happen? Did you cause it or did I? I don't understand-"
He sat back down on one of the tables. "Dom...do you remember the
other night when I accused you of sleeping around?"
She arched a wry eyebrow, but he saw the anger still smoldering
in her eyes. "How could I forget? You're always so sweet to me."
He avoided her eyes. "Yeah, well, I wasn't just being possessive-
the other night, when you stayed out, I felt everything. When you were...
with him, I felt it. I didn't try, I swear, it wasn't a concious thing. It
just...happened. One minute I was just sitting in my room, and the next
I'm right in the middle of the biggst orgasm I've had in years- mind and
body both on fire. And afterwards, my head feels like it's gonna explode-
but I guess you understand that part, too. It's felt like that, on and
off, all week until Jean repaired the damage today."
Her eyes widened "You mean you...Oh, shit, Nathan, how
embarrassing." She looked down at her feet. "You felt everything?" she
asked softly.
His voice was rough "I felt enough."
She looked up "I was entitled, Nathan. Might I remind you that you
'had plans' that night?" He groaned "Don't remind me." She shook her head
"Uh-uh. I will remind you- you were out with Storm that night, so you have
no right to expect me to sit at home. I'm an adult, Nathan- don't presume
to judge me. You don't have that right."
He glared at her "I have every right not to expect you to screw
the first man you find willing!" He stopped short "Oh, shit Dom, I'm
sorry. I didn't mean that, I know it wasn't like that. I just-" He grabbed
her shoulders and bent down to face her. "Dom, imagine yourself in my
position right then- feeling that, feeling you, but knowing it wasn't me
you were with-" She broke his hold and stepped back from him, her face
even paler than usual.
She started to answer him, but stopped and put her hand to her
temple. 'Damn, it hurts-' He opened his eyes, amazed that she hadn't taken
head off. He saw her close her eyes against the pain and he felt traces of
it still lingering in his own mind. "Hurts worse when we argue, doesn't
it? I think that's because the link is trying to fire up- Dom, please-
I'm *sorry*." He drew back at the look of fury on her face.
She muttered "I gotta sit down-" He rose to help her, but she
shook him off "I have a headache, Nathan, I can still walk." She stumbled
very slightly, almost unnoticably, then righted herself. He reached over
to steady her, but she snarled "Leave me alone! I'm fine, dammit!" He
stood beside her, worry etched across his face. Her expression softened
very slightly "I'm fine, Nate. And," she promised "You'll pay for that
one one day-" 'Just not today,' she groaned, the pain more intense than
ever. She sat down opposite him on the other examining table, eyes
squinting aginst the light- even the slightest bit was agony. "Hank!" she
bellowed "Get in here!"
He appeared immediately, for he was listening on the intercom to
their discussion, ostensibly so he'd know in the future how to convince
her to accept treatment. He silently bemoaned the fact that Doctor-Patient
Confidentiality prevented him from sharing this particularly juicy bit of
gossip with the others. ''Partners' indeed!' he grinned. 'Is information
obtained when eavesdropping on your patients considered confidential?' he
wondered jokingly, but was careful to keep the thought heavily shielded.
It was only a joke- he knew that he could never betray his ideals or his
patients and friends trust.
His face was composed as he entered the room "Yes?" His brow
furrowed when he saw Domino. He bounded across the room and perched on
the corner of the bed "My dear, are you alright? Your face is
positively ashen-" She cut him off "I'm fine, Hank, and I'm gonna do it.
Do me a favor, though? Let's get this done quickly- I've got work to do."
Hank nodded, hiding a triumphant grin, and went to the other room
to call Jean. Domino and Nathan were alone. For a moment neither spoke,
then she broke the silence.
"I'm doing this on one condition, Nate." He answered softly
"And what is that?" She bit her lip unconciously. "That you'll be in there
with Jean- I like her, but I don't trust anyone but you alone in my mind.
There's a lot of dark stuff there, and, well...You've gotta promise
me that you won't let her see anything she shouldn't." She stared at the
wall, hands shading her sensitive eyes.
He swallowed "You got it."
To be cont'd.
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