xp_logs | Stoker and Stalkers: Back from the Abyss (Reply)

Tired and sore, they make their way to the medlab.

Nathan had given Moira enough lead time that something had happened and that both Kitty and Jamie where on their way down to the Medlab. She'd told him to direct them down to one of the examination rooms that was closest to her office. As she waited, reading the room, she couldn't help but be worried. Those were the last two she'd expect to have to patch up.

What on earth had happened?

The weakness and leathargy were not as unfamiliar as though ought to be. It was kind of terrifying, now that Kitty knew what was happening. She could remember the last time, the exhaustion which had left her almost ready to pass out on the train ride home, but now she could feel how strange and disconnected her conviction that it hadn't been something to worry about it had been. Leaning against Jamie as they made their way through the medlab, Kitty called out, "Dr. MacTaggart?"

"In 'ere, Kitty," Moira called, but met them in the hallway. "Ach, wha' happened?" They both looked like they had had a rough go of it, but Kitty was drooping something fierce and incredibly pale. Though Jamie had her, she still took her by the other arm and gently led them both into the examination room. "Sit, sit, bot' o' ye." Knowing them well enough, she drew two chairs side-by-side.

Kitty all but collapsed into the chair, sagging against the back she tried to explain for a moment but she didn't think she could say it. Leaning against Jamie's shoulder, she looked up at him, silently asking him to tell Moira.

Now that the adrenaline was wearing off, Jamie's hand was really starting to hurt, but he managed a reassuring half-smile for Kitty before turning his attention to Moira. "Kitty went out sleepwalking again, but this time she was talking, too, and it was . . . something was off about it, so I got Lockheed and we followed her. Down to the front gate. And there was this guy--Kurt's probably gonna be bringing him down here in a minute, when they're sure it's safe--and he . . ."

Jamie swallowed hard. "He had Kitty, and he was . . ." A deep breath, in and out, and the next words came out around gritted teeth. "He was drinking her blood. Like a vampire. So we stopped him." He looked up at Moira. "I'd called it in, and Mr. Dayspring got there and pulled me off him before I did anything too permanent. And you're our first stop for the whole, recovery tour, or whatever."

"Oh bloody 'ell." Taking a second to grab some supplies, Moira crouched next to Kitty. "We'll put 'im in another room, so ye dinnae 'ave ta worry about seein' him again." Reaching up she gently started to clean the "bite" wound on the her neck. "Hrm. There are puncture wounds an' ye are bleedin' but they dinnae seem ta 'ave punctured a vein. Good. Right, I'm goin' ta need to run some tests, but let me get ye two patched up." She gave Jamie's hand a look. "Stopped 'im, aye?"

She couldn't help but give a small smile.

"I grabbed my quarterstaff on the way out," Jamie said half-sheepishly, half-satisfied. "Also, my knee." He coughed, and uncovered the laceration on his hand. "And then I slugged him in the mouth. Kind of, um, forgot the fangs, though." He peered down at Kitty's neck. "So, wait, he wasn't really doing the vampire thing after all? What was he doing, then? Is she going to be okay?"

"I'll be all right," Kitty said, not moving from where she had her head pillowed on his shoulder. "I was las' time... Halloween," she clarified for both of their sakes, her words slurring slightly from the exhaustion. "I didn' remember what had happened, but he bit me, or did whatever, at the party. And Dr. B looked me over and said I was ok the nex' day."

Moira thoughted thoughtful. "I wonder. Th' boy is verra obviously a danger an' thinks he's a vampire. But right now Kitty's showin' signs of energy drain." Gently, she bandaged up the wound on her neck. "I maybe jumpin' ta conclusions but I'm seein' similarities between th' after affects wit' Marius' volunteers an' Kitty." Still, tests would have to be run. And she'd made damned sure these two had all their shots. No telling where their attacker had been--or who else he had done this too.

"Marius?" Kitty's eyes widened and she actually sat up, looking worried. "'S the new boy... yeah?" The idea that there was someone in the mansion who did the same thing really was not a comfortable one. The fact that she'd seen the hickey mark Rahne had been sporting didn't help, either.

Reaching down, Moira squeezed one of Kitty's hands. "Dinnae worry, sweetheart, th' biggest difference between these two is an obvious mental illness in th' case o' yer attacker. I've 'eard o' people bein' unable ta cope wit' believin' they were mutants, so they assumed they were aliens, Gods, now a vampire." But just to be save, she'd have a talk with Marius and suggest that he keep a wide birth until she was feeling more at ease.

Only sort of vaguely reassured, it was probably just as well that she was tired enough to also only be sort of vaguely worried. Nodding, Kitty leaned against Jamie again.

"We'll get ye two patched up right as rain again, though I'm goin' ta go ahead an' suggest takin' a day or two off--if ye can--Kitty. Ye'll need ta regain yer energy. Take some vitamins, relax, regain yer energy."

"Yeah," Kitty said, eyes starting to drift shut as the weariness began to win out over the fear. "Relax's good... Maybe'll call work 'morrow, take i' off..."

"Good." Moira turned her attention to Jamie and blinked at the sight of his hand. Cursing herself, she'd been so focused on Kitty that she hadn't seen how badly he was bleeding, she quickly started to clean and dress the wound. "Some injury there, Jamie, must o' been one 'ell o' a punch."

Jamie gritted his teeth and tried not to wince as Moira swabbed the deep cut. "Think I broke his jaw, anyway, but those fangs of his . . ." He peeked at the cut and ventured a sheepish smile. "I guess you'll both probably glare at me if I try to say it looks worse than it is?"

Moira snorted at him. "If ye even think tha', ye'll be 'avin' yer own medical instruments in th' freezer for a while, Mr. Madrox." She grinned, knowing that everyone by now knew of the infamous freezer where some residents had permanent packets of instruments waiting for their arrival.

Kitty decided that poking him was the best answer she could come up with. Besides, glaring would require turning her head, and her head was quite happy on his shoulder.

"'onestly, though, are ye ta goin' ta be okay?" Cleaning the wound, she grimaced, she was going to have to stitch it up. But she figured if she could keep them talking, she could do it quickly and send them on their way. "Ye bot' look ready ta drop so I know sleepin'

Jamie gave a one-shoulder shrug. "If Kitty's going to be okay, I will be. He didn't do anything to me."

"Sleep?" Kitty said, having caught at least that all important word. "Sleep'd be nice, yeah..."

"Then once I'm done wit' Jamie's 'ands, I'll draw some blood from Kitty and then tis off ta bed wit' bot' o' ye. I can run th' tests while ye sleep, nay need ta stay up any longer than needed."