xp_logs | Monday afternoon

Kitty's work had paid off, she thought, although she figured she'd check the information she'd found against Doug's data and so she was wandering around, trying to find the boy. Popping her head into the rec room she spotted Angelo and immediately changed goals. "Heya," she said.

Angelo looked round at her and smiled. "Hey", he answered.

"How you doing?" she asked, stepping into the room. "It's good to see you out and about."

Angelo grinned wryly. "It was kind of forced on me. But it's cool. And I'm... a bit better, I think."

"The boys kick you out or what?" Her smile echoed his.

"Yeah", he said quietly. "But they were only trying to help..."

"I believe it," she said, nodding. "And I'm glad to hear you're doing some better. Was getting worried."

He smiled slightly again. "I know. Sorry 'bout that. I've been talking to... well, quite a few people actually."

"That's good to hear," she said. Moving towards the couch she perched against the arm, looking at him. "You've got nothing to be sorry about, you know. I heard a little bit about what happened from Jamie, and it's not your fault."

Angelo looked down. "Jamie probably knows more about what happened than I do, right now. I don't remember..."

Kitty nodded. "Which just proves it wasn't your fault. Trust me, I was helping Jamie try to deal with his flashbacks, and it's nothing you can be blamed for."

Angelo managed a smile, grateful for the reassurance. "Thanks", he said softly.

"Of course. After all, you helped me."

Angelo nodded, remembering. "How are you doing, anyway?" he asked.

Kitty shrugged. "I've been dealing. Spending a lot of time thinking, and some time not thinking. Working helps too."

"Dealing better than me, sounds like", Angelo muttered guiltily.

Kitty raised an eyebrow. "Maybe, but I've had longer. Given more than a week's worth of time and the chance to talk with Al and the Professor and everyone, I've got an excuse."

"I told Jamie I'd talk to them. And I really did mean to - still do - I just... haven't yet..."

Kitty nodded. "I definitely recommend it. It's... it helps, a lot." She sighed. "There's only so much you can do for yourself, and trust me, going around in your head about it doens't help that much."

That brought a sad smile. "So I'm beginning to figure out."

Kitty smiled wryly. "Yes, I thought that one might have occured to you by now."

"Took a while to get it. But then, I've been trying to not think about... stuff", he answered.

"Not thinking can be good, but only if you're already getting somewhere when you are thinking," Kitty said.

Angelo blinked, thinking about her words. "I'm... not sure I was."

Kitty considered him. "That would be where the prof could probably help the most."

Angelo smiled again, almost convincingly. "I'll go to see him. Promise. I always meant to..."

"Meaning to and doing are different things," Kitty said, not buying his weak smile for a second.

Angelo nodded. "Another thing I get now. But at least I'm out of the dorm. One step closer..."

"True enough," she said, nodding. "Baby steps and all that?" There was a hint of a smile playing on Kitty's face.

Angelo, suspecting he was being teased, managed a grin, then spoke seriously. "Not sure I can manage much more than that just now..."

"Yeah, I know," Kitty said softly. "We have to walk before we can run. And speaking of which," she added with a sigh, "have you seen Doug? I need to talk to him."

"Not recently", Angelo told her. "I'd like to see him soon, though. He e-mailed me, and... I guess we need to talk too."

Kitty glanced at him, then leaned over and gave him a hug. "I've got to go find him. But seriously, go talk to the prof or Ali. It'll help."

Angelo returned the hug instinctively. "I will. And thanks."

"Good," Kitty said before turning to head out of the room.