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Post by havok on Aug 18, 2005 18:01:53 GMT -5
Alex knew Theresa was nervous, just like Alex was. Her voice was steady but her accent was thicker. Alex noticed it but wasn't going to bring any attention to it. All he wanted to do at that moment was pull her aside and make sure that she was okay. Nothing would make him feel better than to hold her and make her more comfortable, as well as himself.
"I have ta find tha ladies room. Excuse me," Theresa said directly at Alex after she stood up. Alex stood up also, this wasn't like her and Alex was worried. There was something wrong and Alex blamed it on nervousness. She was rushing to the bathroom and Alex had no hope to stop her before she got in there. He was frustrated, not at Theresa, but at the fact that he wasn't there for her when she needed him to be. This was his fault.
"I think I’ll join her. We ladies tend to travel to the bathroom in packs anyway," Jean said with a smile as she stood up from her seat. It was a more logical answer than Alex going into women's bathroom but Alex wished he could be there for her. Feeling helpless in the situation, Alex sat back down. There was nothing else he could do.
"We're only here for hearing," Scott started to move on with the conversation. There was no denying what had just happened but there was no need to discuss it. Alex thought it was pretty clear what was going on. "You said you were here for a convention. What sort of convention? How's it going? Any interesting speakers?" Scott started to throw out question after question. Is he nervous, too? Alex wondered. It was an awkward situation. After twenty years and they just run into each on the street. It was a strange coincedence but Alex was glad that it happened.
"I missed the speech when I was talking to you yesterday," Alex informed him. "It's okay, though, I can always read up on it. The convention would've been boring. Geophysics studies and findings, I'm glad I missed it," Alex exposed himself with a slight laugh. "I found a better way to occupy my time anyways," Alex couldn't help but keep thinking about Theresa and if she was okay. He needed to take his mind of of it and have some trust in Scott's wife, Jean, to be able to talk to her. "So how did you Jean meet?" Alex asked. He didn't even know if Jean was a mutant or not but if they were both attending this hearing, Alex assumed that she was.
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Post by Siryn on Aug 18, 2005 21:06:54 GMT -5
A few tears had fallen from her eyes by the time she heard the bathroom door open and Jean call out to her. She wasn't surprised the woman had followed her and Theresa figured that Alex probably sent her. "Theresa? It's Jean. Are you all right?" Jean asked. Theresa wiped the tears off her face and steadied her breathing before replying.
"Oh, I'm fine," she lied. Pretending to be adjusting her clothes, she added. "I had ta fix something that was bothering me. Ya didn't have ta come in, I'm fine."
She steeled her face into a fake smile and opened the stall door. Theresa's eyes rested on Jean immediately and just like she could never get away with lying to Tom's face, she found the same to be true with Jean. Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat at the sight of the other red head, she closed her eyes for a second before opening them and saying, "And ya don't believe a word I just said, do ya?"
Walking over to the sink, Theresa looked at her pale reflection then turned the cold water on. Running her hands underneath the water, she used just enough to dampen her face and wipe the tear spots away. The last thing she wanted to do was worry Alex even more. Turning off the water and taking a couple of paper towels from the dispenser, she dried off her face and hands, knowing she was stalling.
Leaning against a wall, Theresa looked over at Jean and finally said, "I don't belong here. I'm not sure what yuir husband has told ya but Alex and I just met. Things have been amazing and we just sort of naturally clicked immediately but he's seeing his brother for tha first time in twenty years! He said he wanted me here, wanted me ta be a part of it but it doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm intruding or something. Then there's tha scene yuir husband witnessed last night." At this point, Theresa felt her cheeks begin to burn again. It really was rather humiliating to think about.
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 18, 2005 22:56:26 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm fine," Theresa answered through the door. Jean frowned slightly. She didn’t really believe that. "I had ta fix something that was bothering me. Ya didn't have ta come in, I'm fine."
Jean glanced up with concern as the pretty redhead emerged from the stall. She had obviously been crying, though Jean was still confused as to why. Was it nerves? Theresa closed her eyes for a moment before swallowing hard and asking, "And ya don't believe a word I just said, do ya?" She then moved to the sink, washing the tear streaks from her cheeks.
"No, not really." Jean replied gently, watching her move to the paper towel dispenser to dry her hands. Scott had to keep busy too when he was uncomfortable. Jean had gotten used to being able to pick up the signs.
Theresa moved to the wall and leaned against it, looking at Jean, "I don't belong here. I'm not sure what yuir husband has told ya but Alex and I just met. Things have been amazing and we just sort of naturally clicked immediately but he's seeing his brother for tha first time in twenty years! He said he wanted me here, wanted me ta be a part of it but it doesn't feel right. I feel like I'm intruding or something. Then there's tha scene yuir husband witnessed last night." Jean listened as Theresa’s explanation came tumbling out. Now she understood. Theresa felt as if she was butting in on something too personal and feeling insecure about the other night. Jean would’ve felt the same if she were in Theresa’s position. It’s not exactly a sight you want your significant other’s family to see when they just meet you.
Jean leaned against the sink, replying softly, "If Alex didn’t want you here, he probably wouldn’t have asked you to come." Of course she had just met her brother-in-law, but he didn’t seem the type to ask just for the sake of it. "You can tell he cares about you a lot," Jean smiled. "And we’re certainly glad you came. It’s a bit nerve-racking, for all of us, but I think once our nerves settle everything will turn out fine." Jean included herself and Scott to let Theresa know that they too were feeling anxious about this morning. Theresa wasn’t alone.
At the mention of last night, Jean drew silent for a moment. From what Scott revealed to her, it did seem like Theresa was involved with the Brotherhood somehow, but she just didn’t seem like the type they usually recruited. And the encounter with this relative of hers was really embarrassing for her. Jean could feel how awkward she was feeling. She found a tissue box and took a tissue out of it, handing it to Theresa.
"That couldn’t have been very easy for you," Jean referred to the scene, her eyes sympathetic, revealing that she did know about what happened. "Family can be a royal pain at times, can’t they. Sometimes we can’t help how we react to things, especially when family is involved," Jean offered her look of understanding, hoping some of what she’d said would help. She didn’t want Theresa to feel as if she were intruding, and she was sure Scott and Alex felt the same. "We would like to get to know you better, if you still feel like having breakfast with us. We're not that bad, I promise." Jean referred to herself and Scott, giving Theresa an encouraging smile, hoping she would at least consider staying.
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Post by Cyclops on Aug 19, 2005 11:47:57 GMT -5
Luckily, Alex didn't seem to want to discuss Theresa fleeing the table either. Scott listened as his brother replied to his question, glad of almost non-personal subject. "I missed the speech when I was talking to you yesterday," Alex informed him. "It's okay, though, I can always read up on it. The convention would've been boring. Geophysics studies and findings, I'm glad I missed it." Alex laughed slightly, nervously. Scoot offered a brief smile and nodded as his brother continued. "I found a better way to occupy my time anyways."
The better way to occupy Alex's time was still in the bathroom, with Jean. Scott could feel sympathy and calm coming from his wife, which made him think their conversation was maybe going well. But it couldn't hurt to ask. < Honey, is she all right? > he asked softly through their link. His attention was brought back to the conversation with Alex's next question.
"So how did you Jean meet?"
Oh great, more personal questions he could only give half answers to. Somehow, he thought. 'After I escaped the mad scientist who ran orphanage, and almost being forced into becoming a criminal, Charles Xavier took me to his home, which he was turning into a school for mutants. Jean was already there, her telepathy had manifested during trauma and she was in a coma for four years. We met when he decided to start a superhero team and placed us both on it,' which was the truth, was not the best answer. He was not even going to begin to try and explain all that to his brother in a public restaurant.
He opted for an edited truth. "We're both teachers at the same private school in Westchester, New York," he replied with a shrug, dimly realizing how inadequate his answers might seem to his brother. He forced himself to relax a little. "She's the best thing that ever happened to me, Alex," Scott related quietly. "When she asked me to marry her, it was the best day of my life." He laughed slightly himself and smiled a bit, absently turning his wedding ring.
Then he sobered, and looked at Alex. He knew the ladies were not coming back, Jean would give him a heads up when they were. Something had been nagging at him since Theresa had bolted from the table. Besides his suspicions she was working with Brotherhood, he'd seen nothing in her behavior the night before that made him disapprove of her. Nor anything to disapprove of in the way Alex handled it either. "Just between you and me, I wanted hit her cousin, too," he admitted, adjusting his sunglasses carefully. "You handled yourself well last, night Alex. I can't say in your position, I would have resisted. You've got a good head on your shoulders." The meant the compliment sincerely, and offered a brief smile to hopefully show it.
Scott was starting to relax a bit. Alex was his brother after all, twenty years removed, he till seemed a good guy and it wouldn't kill Scott to let down his walls a bit for him. So he asked the question that had been nagging at him since he'd been told that his brother had been adopted out. "What is your adoptive family like?" he asked. He'd always hoped Alex had been adopted by a good family and had a happy childhood. Somehow, that would make up for what Sinister had subjected him to. Now he would find out the truth.
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Post by havok on Aug 19, 2005 12:58:28 GMT -5
"We're both teachers at the same private school in Westchester, New York. She's the best thing that ever happened to me, Alex. When she asked me to marry her, it was the best day of my life." Scott replied back. It was good to know that his brother was happy with his life. Jean seemed like a genuinely nice woman and Scott was lucky to find her. Alex was taken by surprise that Jean asked Scott to marry her. She did seem like a take charge kind of woman and it is rare to hear that kind of story. It's not shameful, just rare.
"I'm glad to hear that," Alex replied back to him. "Jean's a lovely woman and you have done very well for yourself," he added in. Their marriage seemed to be pretty strong which was refreshing to see and they're teachers. Their students have good people to look up to, good role models for their relationships.
"Just between you and me, I wanted hit her cousin, too. You handled yourself well last, night Alex. I can't say in your position, I would have resisted. You've got a good head on your shoulders," Scott complimented him which also took him by surprise. In Alex's mind, that situation wasn't handled well at all. Alex should have sent Theresa's cousin through the hole that he created in the wall. It would have been fairly to do. The temptation was still there and if Theresa allowed him to go with her to talk to him, he was sure to throw some punches.
"I really should have," Alex admitted to him. "Of coarse I would've leveled the building," he went on to say. He lowered his voice so that only Scott could here him. At this point, Alex wondered if the private school he taught at knew he was a mutant. The mutant species was not excepted very often but maybe in this case it was.
"What is your adoptive family like?" Scott asked finally. Alex knew that his foster parents would come up sooner or later but he didn't know when. Now was a good time to bring up where we had gone after the orphanage that had separated the two brother's for twenty years.
"They were great, good people. They expected a lot out of me and they treated me like I was a blood relative," Alex explained to him. The Blandings were a good family and Alex was lucky to have been adopted by them. "How about yourself? Where did you end up going after the orphanage?"
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Post by Siryn on Aug 19, 2005 13:57:46 GMT -5
"If Alex didn’t want you here, he probably wouldn’t have asked you to come. You can tell he cares about you a lot. And we’re certainly glad you came. It’s a bit nerve-racking, for all of us, but I think once our nerves settle everything will turn out fine," Jean began.
Theresa had no doubt that Alex cared about her but the rest of what Jean said was a surprise. They are glad she came? How could Jean know that Scott was glad? They probably didn't know she was going to be there until they showed up and she knew they hadn't had time to talk privately since then. Hearing that they were also nervous did help but still.....
Theresa took the tissue that Jean offered as she continued, "That couldn’t have been very easy for you. Family can be a royal pain at times, can’t they. Sometimes we can’t help how we react to things, especially when family is involved. We would like to get to know you better, if you still feel like having breakfast with us. We're not that bad, I promise."
Theresa couldn't help but laugh at Jean's description of family. Her family was so completely messed up it wasn't funny. "Tom's tha only family I have. My mother was killed in a terrorist attack when I was an infant and my father abandoned me after she died. Tom could have taken me ta an orphanage and been done with it. He was still young, a bachelor who had a future ahead of him. Instead, he kept me and raised me as his own daughter. I owe him so much and he really was just looking out for me last night. I should have handled it better but of course, I didn't see that at tha time and yuir husband was treated ta what happens when my Irish temper takes over," she told Jean with a wry smile.
It surprised her how easy it was to talk to Jean. There was something about Jean that made her comfortable now that she wasn't letting her panic take over. Still smiling at Jean, she said, "I never thought of ya as bad. I'm not used ta being around a lot of new people and I over reacted. There is no way that someone as sweet as Alex could have a brother that was 'bad'."
Blowing her nose in the tissue then throwing it away, Theresa closed her eyes one last time and took a deep breath. Releasing it slowly, she opened her eyes and said, "I'm ready ta go back in there now, I think."
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 19, 2005 19:36:36 GMT -5
Being able to spend time with Alex was important to Scott, and obviously Alex cared enough about Theresa to invite her along. Jean knew Scott would want Alex to be happy, and if Theresa did that then she could see Scott understanding the rocky scene the previous night. And she had a feeling Scott would want to get to know Theresa more, if she was going to be a big part in Alex’s life, which it seemed was the case. So Jean had a pretty good feeling that Scott was glad Theresa came to meet them, too.
Jean was glad to hear Theresa laugh. "Tom's tha only family I have. My mother was killed in a terrorist attack when I was an infant and my father abandoned me after she died." When she heard this, Jean’s smile sombered. In the line of work they were in and just because of who they were, she’d seen her fair share of terrorism and terrible parenting. Her heart went out to Theresa, and as she heard about him, took a kinder understanding towards her relative Tom.
"Tom could have taken me ta an orphanage and been done with it. He was still young, a bachelor who had a future ahead of him. Instead, he kept me and raised me as his own daughter. I owe him so much and he really was just looking out for me last night. I should have handled it better but of course, I didn't see that at tha time and yuir husband was treated ta what happens when my Irish temper takes over," Theresa smiled dryly. Jean stored in the back of her mind that Theresa was from Ireland as she nodded sympathetically.
"Tom sounds like a caring person." About Theresa, at least. From what she’d seen in her mind from Scott, Tom had overreacted, but he was trying to protect Theresa, at least from what she’d seen. It wasn’t okay for Alex’s room to be blast apart or call Alex names, but he probably thought his actions were best for Theresa’s benefit. Still, there was this whole Brotherhood question, but Jean didn’t bring it up. Maybe there’d come a time later to approach it.
"I never thought of ya as bad. I'm not used ta being around a lot of new people and I over reacted. There is no way that someone as sweet as Alex could have a brother that was 'bad'." Theresa smiled.
"I’m glad," Jean smiled in return, never having thought that Theresa thought they were ‘bad.’ She had been teasing when she said they weren’t that bad, to try to lighten the mood and ease some of the tension. They were all feeling unsure. At least she and Scott were, and now she knew Theresa had been as well. They all had their nervous days. "It’s the same with Scott. I couldn’t imagine him having a brother that wasn’t as incredible as he is."
< Honey, is she all right? > As soon as she spoke, his mental voice entered her mind. Jean’s lips tilted as she smiled. All she did was think, and he was there.
< I think she’s fine now, Sweetheart. We should be out in a little bit. > Jean sent back, seeing Theresa close her eyes. < How are things with you and Alex? >
Releasing a long breath Theresa opened her bright blue eyes and looked at Jean, "I'm ready ta go back in there now, I think."
"As long as you’re sure. I’m glad we were able to talk one-on-one for a while." Jean didn’t want to rush Theresa into leaving if she wasn't ready, but she rather enjoyed talking with her and learning more about her home life. It had helped Jean to understand Theresa more. "Ready?" Jean walked to the ladies’ room door, glancing at the pretty redhead, giving her an encouraging smile.
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Post by Cyclops on Aug 20, 2005 11:43:49 GMT -5
Scott was relieved to hear Alex had a good family and a good childhood. It somehow made up for what he had dealt with growing up in the hands of Sinister. He smiled briefly at his brother's confirmation of having a basically normal childhood. It was comforting in a way. Then Alex asked another uncomfortable question. "How about yourself? Where did you end up going after the orphanage?"
Scott nearly choked on his drink of water. He swallowed hard once again, thinking of the truth first. He could not tell his brother after he'd managed to escape the clutches of the evil mad scientist who ran the orphanage, he'd drifted around doing odds jobs, was almost tricked into becoming a criminal and was invited to join the superhero group that Charles Xavier was starting out of his mansion that would be a school for mutants as well. Part of him felt terrible about having to tell Alex half truths, as he knew his little brother was being completely honest with him. But he couldn't betray Charles and the X-Men, even telling his brother, especially in a public place. He adjusted his glasses again.
"I drifted from odd job to odd job until Professor Xavier offered me a job at his school," Scott said, trying to sound casual. "I teach mathematics." And supervise targeting practice, he added in his own mind. He hoped he didn't sound like he was holding back as much information as he felt like he was. He hoped Jean and Theresa got back soon. He wasn't certain how much longer he could keep up this conversation.
< I think she’s fine now, Sweetheart. We should be out in a little bit. > Jean's response to his question was a relief. < How are things with you and Alex? >
Scott resisted letting out a brief sigh, instead,doing it mentally. < Okay, although I'm having to leave out a lot of details, > he admitted. < I'm hoping he doesn't catch on to how vague I'm being. Or how nervous I am. > He paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose, then added, < Hurry back, okay? > It was almost a desperate plea.
He turned his attention back to Alex. "So you're a geophysicist?" he asked. "Do you work independently or as part of a group from a university?" There, the subject was off of him for a moment. Hopefully, Jean and Theresa would get back before Alex could ask him another question.
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Post by Siryn on Aug 20, 2005 19:56:19 GMT -5
"As long as you’re sure. I’m glad we were able to talk one-on-one for a while. Ready?" Jean asked her.
Theresa walked over to Jean and smiled, saying, “Yes, I'm sure. Thank ya for listening, Jean.” With that, she walked out of the bathroom.
Making her way back to the table, Theresa sat down in her seat next to Alex and reached for his hand under the table. Lacing her fingers in his and trying to ignore the tingle of sensation she felt when they touched, she looked across the table at Scott. Knowing she had to say something, if for no other reason then to make them both more comfortable with it, she gave him a smile and said, “I'm sorry about that. I also want ta apologize for last night. Tom and I are both very stubborn people and we have fought that way most of my life. Unfortunately, it went too far last night and I should have stopped it. For that, I am very sorry.”
She spoke slowly, making sure he knew that she was sincere in her apology. What happened, happened and there was nothing she could do to change that now. Looking over at Alex, she gave him a reassuring smile, knowing in her heart that he had been worried. Taking her cue from Jean's actions earlier, she looked at everyone at the table and added, “Since it is Christmas, what are yuir traditions?” She hoped it was a general enough question that would make everyone relax but she was also very curious about it. Tom used to tell her that her curiosity was going to be the death of her.
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 20, 2005 23:37:47 GMT -5
Jean could hear Scott’s mental sigh as he replied, < Okay, although I'm having to leave out a lot of details, > he admitted. Jean had suspected Scott wouldn’t be able to tell Alex everything, and that was hard. < I'm hoping he doesn't catch on to how vague I'm being. Or how nervous I am. Hurry back, okay? > The desperation in his voice sounded loud and clear. Jean had to suppress a smile, thinking of her poor husband trying to converse with Alex.
"Yes, I'm sure. Thank ya for listening, Jean." Theresa smiled and reassured her she was ready. "I’m glad to, Theresa," Jean followed her out the door and replied to Scott, < We’re right behind you. > A few seconds later Jean placed a hand on Scott’s shoulder and smiled, sitting down next to him.
Everything had gone well for the most part in the bathroom. At least Theresa seemed a bit more comfortable now than she did before. Jean knew how much this breakfast meant to Scott, as well as to her, so she hoped it would go well from here on out. After sitting, Jean reached under the table and slipped her hand into Scott’s, unaware that Theresa had done the same to Alex.
"I'm sorry about that. I also want ta apologize for last night. Tom and I are both very stubborn people and we have fought that way most of my life. Unfortunately, it went too far last night and I should have stopped it. For that, I am very sorry." Theresa was speaking more towards Scott, her accent not quite as thick. Jean held onto his hand for support and comfort.
After her explanation, Theresa glanced around at them all and asked, "Since it is Christmas, what are yuir traditions?" Jean looked at Scott before smiling at Theresa, "Usually we have a large Christmas Eve dinner and then open gifts on Christmas morning." 'If the students can wait, that is.' Jean didn’t mention anything about the school yet, wondering if Scott had said anything about it. She knew he left out a lot of details, but she didn’t know what exactly he’d left out. < Did you mention the Institute yet? > Jean asked via their mental rapport.
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Post by havok on Aug 21, 2005 7:33:17 GMT -5
Alex listened to his brother's explaination of how he grew up. It sounded like a lucky break when Professor Xavier offered him a job so he didn't blame him for taking it. And teaching was definately a beneficial profession. Alex was thinking about getting into that field of work once he perfected his containment suit.
"So you're a geophysicist? Do you work independently or as part of a group from a university?" Scott asked him. Alex's situation was odd, at best. It was hard to explain to most people but he had no problem with telling his brother, Scott already knew about the containment suit and that he was a mutant.
"Independent. Most of my work goes into trying to build a containment suit, adding modifications and making sure it works," Alex said wishing Theresa was there also. There was a lot that she didn't know about him but he wanted her to know. There was nothing he would hide from her. Just as Alex's thoughts went to the subject of Theresa, he saw her and Jean walking back from the bathroom. His face immediately lit up with anticipation of having Theresa beside him again. She sat down and placed her hand into Alex's, underneath the table. Alex placed his other hand on top of hers and gently rubbed the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry about that. I also want ta apologize for last night. Tom and I are both very stubborn people and we have fought that way most of my life. Unfortunately, it went too far last night and I should have stopped it. For that, I am very sorry," Theresa said when she sat down. All the worry that he had when she left was gone. She was back and less nervous than before. That was all that mattered. The beautiful irish red head was once again and to the only way to show her any appreciation at the moment was to give her hand a slight squeeze. "Since it is Christmas, what are yuir traditions?" Theresa took over the conversation which Alex didn't mind at all. Just hearing her voice was all he needed to calm himself down from his own nervousness.
"Usually we have a large Christmas Eve dinner and then open gifts on Christmas morning," Jean replied to her. Alex was glad that the two red heads had a chance to talk, they seemed to get along just fine. After Jean had finished replying, the waiter brought out their food and placed the correct dish in front of the person who ordered it.
"Do you two live at the school or do you live off campus?" Alex asked the two of them. If they lived at the school, it would be hard for them to get any kind of privacy from the students but it would also mean that they would always be on hand to help out the students at any time. Both options would be beneficial. Alex had no idea how dedicated they were to their jobs, though. "What subject do you teach, Jean?"
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Post by Cyclops on Aug 22, 2005 0:01:45 GMT -5
Scott nodded as he listened to Alex's reply, again feeling a surge of sympathy for his little brother. Having to wear a suit under his clothing at all times seemed overly oppressive. Sunglasses were bad enough.
< We’re right behind you. > He heard Jean's voice in his mind the moment before she laid her hand on his shoulder, then sat down next to him again. He covered her hand with his for a heartbeat.
Theresa sat back down next to his brother, and Scott was surprised when she looked at him. “I'm sorry about that. I also want ta apologize for last night. Tom and I are both very stubborn people and we have fought that way most of my life. Unfortunately, it went too far last night and I should have stopped it. For that, I am very sorry.”
Scott shrugged and he felt Jean take his hand under the table and squeeze it gently. He returned the gesture, offering Theresa a brief smile. "You have nothing to apologize for," he assured her.
He was glad when she changed the subject and asked about their Christmas traditions. Jean replied, telling them about the large Christmas Eve dinner and their tradition of waiting until Christmas to open gifts. Hopefully, they would be back at the mansion by then. He heard Jean's question in his mind. < Did you mention the Institute yet? >
Scott was about to respond when Alex partially answered her questions by offering a few of his own as their food arrived. "Do you two live at the school or do you live off campus?" he asked both of them, then asked Jean was class she taught.
He used the opportunity of the natural pause expected for getting napkins ready and arranging utensils to mentally answer Jean's question. < I told him we were teachers at a private school in New York, and that's where we met, > he told her, then mentally 'showed' her the whole conversation, that way their stories would match. Then he responded to Alex's first question.
"We have a large room with a bathroom at the school," Scott replied. "The owner of the school runs it out of his family's mansion." It had been two months since the Sentinels had sent him through the wall, hopefully, the hole had been fixed while he and Jean were gone. Most likely it had. Then he feel silent and started into his breakfast, glad of the excuse not to talk for awhile.
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Post by Siryn on Aug 22, 2005 11:33:19 GMT -5
Scott just shrugged off her apology and said, "You have nothing to apologize for."
Theresa frowned. That wasn't true and they both knew it. She was as much an instigator in that scene as Tom was. If she had just left with him immediately, everything could have been avoided. Granted, there was still one other that she blamed and she was determined to find out directly from him why he did that to her.
She didn't say anything else on the subject, there wasn't anything that could be said and Jean spoke up and answered her question anyway. "Usually we have a large Christmas Eve dinner and then open gifts on Christmas morning," she said.
A large dinner? With family and friends? Theresa wondered, not realizing that they were both teachers at a school. Does everyone but me have large families and groups of friends? She knew that Tom had kept her isolated but she didn't know why other then because of her mutant power and even then, that didn't manifest until she was eleven.
"Do you two live at the school or do you live off campus? What subject do you teach, Jean?" Alex then asked, breaking her out of her depressing thoughts.
She looked over at Jean with a mixture of expectation and curiosity. Jean was a teacher, no wonder it had been so easy to talk to her. She had practice dealing with people who were uncomfortable. Suddenly, Theresa wanted to know all about the school.
Scott answered so her focus shifted to him, "We have a large room with a bathroom at the school. The owner of the school runs it out of his family's mansion."
As the food was placed in front of her and while Scott tore into his like it was going to walk off his plate if he didn't hurry, she contemplated what they had said. Almost like she was thinking out loud, Theresa's eyes brightened and she said softly, “A school out of a mansion? That sounds absolutely heavenly. Tom talked about sending me ta private school a few times but he never followed through with it. I think once my abilities emerged, he was too scared ta do anything. What is yuir school like? Are there a lot of kids? How old are they? What sort of classes does it have?”
She hadn't even touched her food, her fascination over what Scott and Jean did for a living overtaking her hunger. Maybe if she really could go to college like Alex said she could, she would become a teacher too. Anything to be involved with something so wonderful.
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 23, 2005 19:53:19 GMT -5
Jean caught Theresa’s frown when Scott tried to reassure her she had nothing to apologize for, but the pretty redhead said nothing else about it as the waiter approached.
"Do you two live at the school or do you live off campus?" Alex asked, answering a bit of Jean’s question.
As the waiter brought out their food, Jean set her napkin on her lap while listening to Scott. < I told him we were teachers at a private school in New York, and that's where we met. > Used to looking like nothing else was going on, she ‘watched’ the conversation Scott and Alex had while she and Theresa were in the bathroom. It helped her to know just how much Scott was willing to reveal.
"We have a large room with a bathroom at the school. The owner of the school runs it out of his family's mansion." Scott answered him while he settled into eating. Jean hoped their room would at least have a new wall when they returned. It had taken these two months for Scott to recuperate, and though it was nice to get away for a while and she was grateful to spend time with Scott, Jean was glad they’d be able to go back to the Institute. She missed teaching and the students. She even missed gumbo, and that was saying a lot.
"What subject do you teach, Jean?" Alex asked as they began to eat.
”English & Literature.” Jean offered him a smile. “Sometimes the focus changes depending on what the students taking the course prefer.” She took a sip of water before asking him, “What interested you in geophysics?” Jean happened to glance at Theresa and caught the contemplative look in her eyes.
“A school out of a mansion? That sounds absolutely heavenly. Tom talked about sending me ta private school a few times but he never followed through with it. I think once my abilities emerged, he was too scared ta do anything. What is yuir school like? Are there a lot of kids? How old are they? What sort of classes does it have?” She asked softly, not having touched her plate yet.
Jean quickly swallowed her water before it could travel down the wrong pipe. There were a lot of loaded questions in her inquiry. Jean slowly set down her drink, thinking through the questions quickly.
”Well, it’s a boarding school,” Jean paused as she thought, “And there’s a decent number of students, ranging from elementary to high school.” The mansion took any person in need, and the age didn’t really matter. Usually the Professor was able to locate candidates for the school. The thought of Charles reminded Jean of what had occurred in the penthouse last night. Or rather, quite early that morning. She withheld a frown and the accompanying upset anger, not wanting to think about it.
“There are quite a few classes,” Jean continued, glancing at Scott so he could include information. He tended to be a stickler for details, so he would probably be able to name exact numbers if they didn’t have to be so vague about things.
”You seem really interested in school, Theresa.” Jean smiled at her fellow redhead, “Are you thinking of going to school to study?” Jean noted Theresa had mentioned Tom possibly enrolling her in private schools, but he never did. It was understandable, since a lot of parents and guardians were scared to send their children with 'special abilities' into the regular school system.
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Post by havok on Aug 24, 2005 16:06:04 GMT -5
“What interested you in geophysics?” Jean asked. It was a question that has been asked many times before but with Jean and Scott, he could actually be honest about it. It was a relief that they were understanding.
"I used my studies to make my containment suit," Alex started to explain. "I can't stop my ability to absorb energy so I have to block it out somehow. There is still energy that my body absorbs regardless of this suit," Alex finished explaining his situation pretty quickly. It was the easiest way to say it. The suit was a system to make him as normal as possible and as safe as possible. If there was a way to block out all of the energy his body could absorb, he wanted to know how.
Alex let the lovely ladies talk. It seemed like they were getting along just fine and Alex took this time to finish his meal. He listened into the conversation and waited for a chance to jump back into it but one didn't come up. The ladies did like to talk. It was nice. Alex knew Theresa would be accepted and now look at her, talking away, openly and freely. She was beautiful, an absolute miracle in Alex's life. It was no wonder why he cared so much about her through the small amount of time he knew her. Theresa's ability to be open and full of curiosity was astonishing and he wondered how long she would stay with him. If things got boring for her, would she leave? Alex took a sip from his drink but still paid close attention the conversation.
”You seem really interested in school, Theresa. Are you thinking of going to school to study?” Jean asked Theresa. Alex already knew the answer since they were just talking about it earlier that day. In all honesty, Alex had no idea how the two of them were going to pull off college and work and spending time with each other. It was going to be tough but ALex was more than willing to put in the work. To have Theresa by his side always, it would be worth it. It was just surprising to see that Theresa wanted to go through it. Does she really know what it would involve? Alex wondered. They really needed to have to talk about that. Hopefully, before they left so that Theresa knew exactly what she was getting into. Alex didn't want to ruin her life for the chance to spend his life with her. He couldn't do that to her, it was too selfish.
"I was thinking of going back into college but now I'm thinking against it," Alex admitted. He learned a lot already and he used that knowledge to make his current containment suit. He could always research what else he needed to know to improve on it. "Theresa is still open to go, though. I can support the both of us when I get a job."
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