Sam and Moira, Friday morning

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Backdated to Friday. Following his discussion with Kyle, Sam dashes down to the boathouse to talk to Moira about the rather disturbing theory his brain has provided.



Sam came up to the door of the boathouse where Moira and Nathan lived these days. He hadn't quite run over, but he'd definitely hurried. Knocking politely yet insistently at the door, he hoped yet again that the doctor was in, as they said.

Having been wandering around the boathouse, eyeing the ground for potential gardens though she was going to need Ororo's help, Moira caught the sight of an agitated looking Sam on her door step. Taking off the wide brim hat, she poked her head around the corner and frowned. She didn't think she'd ever seen Sam quite so...agitated before.

"Are ye lookin' for Nathan or myself, Sam?" she called, stepping all the way around.

Thank the good lord, Sam thought to himself. "Ah was lookin' for ya, actually, ma'am," he replied. Manners first, he admonished himself. Even if he was in a hurry, there was always time to be polite and mannerly. "Doc, if Ah asked ya...well, it ain't precisely a hypothetical question, but if Ah asked ya a question about somethin', would ya answer it straight for me without askin' me why Ah needed ta know?" By Sam's standards, he was being remarkably abrupt, but he was timing how long it would take Kyle to get back to the suite he shared with Jay in the back of his head.

Oh yes, now she was quite worried. "I probably can, though if it borders on medical need ta know, I might 'ave ta press ye a wee bit." Moira nodded towards the rocking chairs at the end and the pitcher of lemonade that had been a few cups with it. "Would ye like a drink while we talk?"

"Ah'd love ta, ma'am, really Ah would, but Ah don't have a lot of time." At least, depending on the answer, he'd know what he'd need to do next about things. "Could a mutant with a healin' factor contract HIV or AIDS?" he asked. And there it was, the question of the moment. "Ah mean, a healin' factor ain't nothin' but a giant turbocharged immune system, right? An' HIV an' AIDS attack the immune system..." He really hoped the answer was no. Not that Kyle's actions were any less irresponsible, but at least then the only damage Sam had to worry about to his younger brother was the emotional sort.

Moira stared at him for a second. Whatever was going on, the list of people that he could be talking about was suddenly, sharply narrowed down to a small handful. "Well, really, a 'ealin' factor is more than jus' a super charged immune system, far more advanced, really," she started, thinking about it. "But, actually, th' runnin' theory is tha' 'tis too far ramped up for HIV or AIDS ta stick, jus' like any other virus. It doesnae even get a chance ta attack th' white blood cells."

"The theory?" Sam fixated on the word. "So is it just a guess, or do ya know for sure?" Because where his brother was concerned, he'd like something a bit more solid than a theory. "Ah mean, have ya tested the theory in any way?"

"There 'ave been papers done on it but 'tis scattered research, really. Though everythin' considered, 'tis a verra, verra solid theory an' th' tests they 'ave done 'ave been 'oldin' it up." Moira shook her head though. "I 'avenae personally tested it though, HIV an' AIDS werenae my areas o' research. I cannae remember, actually, ever 'avin' a mutant wit' it in Muir."

If other people had considered the idea and done testing, that was enough for Sam. "Ah...Ah need ta go now," he said. "Ah really do owe ya one for this, ma'am." Kyle was on his own lookout, and could explain things to her his own damn self. Though he'd at least send the boy to Moira so he wouldn't be sitting around working himself up on the subject.

Frowning a bit, she decided not to push. It was rare that Sam was like this and she didn't want to spook him. But she could cash in on that favor. "Actually, about tha'," Moira replied, "I do need a favor in return. Ye've 'eard by now tha' I've gotten me own plane but though th' pilot in question is good, I still would like ta learn 'ow ta fly it. Would ye be interested in bein' th' one ta do tha'?"

Sam smiled. "Ah think Ah could manage that for ya, ma'am," he said politely, with a slight Southern gentleman style bow. "An' it's a good idea ta know how ta fly your own plane, yes. Ya never know what might happen, an' it's always good ta be prepared. Ah gotta run right now, but get with me sometime this week an' we'll work somethin' out?"

"Aye, I'll do tha'. I'll 'ave Cupcake flown near by soon, as well, an' we can take a look at it. But I know ye're in a 'urry so I'll let ye go. Take care, Sam, will ye?" Despite everything, Moira was worried about the entire situation.

Already dashing off, Sam tossed a "Sounds good, ma'am!" over his shoulder as he hurried back toward the mansion.