xp_logs | (no subject)

As Alex continues to dive into guilt over Scott being missing, the grandparents arrive just in time to at least give him something more positive to think about

Even though he had announced to the rest of the mansion that he was home, Alex hadn't exactly felt social. So since Shiro had returned, Alex had been hiding in his old room, playing with the puppies who constantly came in to check on him and reading up on some research Dr. Rocca had sent. Thank god she was understanding about the situation or Alex didn't know what he would have done.

The knock on the door drew him out of his reading. After a moment, it came again, almost urgently. "Alex?" a soft, very familiar voice called from outside in the hall. "Sweetheart?"

When he recognized the voice, Alex sat up quickly, before darting to the door. He paused a moment to make sure he was at least fully dressed before pulling the door open before latching on to Deborah in a hug.

"Oh, Alex," his grandmother said worriedly, hugging him back tightly. Phillip stood just behind Deborah, and reached out and laid a hand on Alex's shoulder, squeezing tightly, his eyes concerned. "Are you all right?"

"No." His voice was muffled due to his face being buried in his grandmother's shoulder.

"Let's go inside," Phillip murmured gently, nudging them both back into the suite. "No sense standing out here in the hall." Deborah immediately steered Alex over to the couch and down beside her, as Phillip closed the door behind him. "Charles called us," his grandfather said, sounding and looking ten years older. "We thought we'd better get on the next plane down."

"These weren't the circumstances we wanted to be visiting under," Deborah said with a little catch in her voice, reaching up and smoothing down Alex's hair.

Alex hadn't let go of his grandmother even as they moved and had laid his head on her should once they sat down. "I'm glad your here...even if I wish I wasn't." He paused then added, "I mean...you know. I wish I wasn't here because I wish I was in Hawaii and not kidnapped and used to get Scott." He let out a small sob. "I'm sorry..."

"Son, you can't blame yourself," Phillip said, his eyes full of a sorrowful understanding as he sat down with them. "From what Charles said, these people knew precisely what they were doing."

Deborah kept smoothing his hair. "And you know your brother would do absolutely anything to protect you," she said, her voice shaking a little again. "That's the way Scott is, Alex."

"He shouldn't have too..." Alex mummer softly before picking his head up to be able to look at both his grandparents, even if he didn't let go of Deborah. "Still...this isn't the first time this has happened. I can't help but feel totally useless..."

"I'm just so relieved you're not hurt." Deborah's hands were shaking slightly as she took Alex's. "It must have been terrifying."

Alex could only nod in response, as he'd been too drugged to really be terrfied but they didn't have to know that. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"We're going to stay," Phillip assured him softly. "Charles has been good enough to offer us a guest suite, so we'll be right here. There's..." He hesitated. "There's a second room, he says. But if you'd rather stay here with your friend..."

Alex couldn't help but panic for a second. He'd never told his grandparents about his nightmares and him sleeping in a room alone next to them would certainly have them find out. "I, uh no I'm fine. Shiro offered and I would hate to say no since I don't get to see him that often."

"Shhh," Deborah said soothingly, then gave him a quick hug. "Whatever you want, Alex. Believe me, it's all right with us. Your grandfather was just making the offer."

"I...sorry. i'm a bit...jumpy." It was true so it woudl work for an excuse at the moment

"Of course you are," Phillip said, looking sad and tired as he reached out and patted Alex's knee. "Charles says he's doing everything he can to find your brother."

"I know. I just....I miss him." And he felt responsible still but he couldn't take anymore of his grandparents placating him. This was his fault no matter what anyone said. He was just glad they were there.

Phillip and Deborah exchanged looks, before Deborah set her jaw in a familiar stubborn expression. "Have you eaten?" she inquired, firmly if still somewhat gently.

Alex nodded. "Lorna won't let me not eat. Unforunatly, she knows what I like." He almost wished she wouldn't but he couldn't refuse her anything, even now.

"Good. One load off my mine," Deborah said in that very pragmatic way she had, and Phillip chuckled tiredly.

"Deb, you're incorrigible."

Alex looked between the two of them while a slightly worried look.

Deborah noticed it, and patted his hand. "Not to worry, dear. We've both just been so worried..." Her eyes flickered to Phillip for a moment, then back to Alex, giving him a warm smile.

Nodding, Alex put his head back down on Deborah's shoulders. "I'm so glad your here..."

"And we're not going anywhere," Phillip said.

"Not until both of you are here and safe, at least," Deborah added.