xp_logs | Kurt and Amanda, Saturday evening

Amanda comes by to see her big brother in the medlab, and finds out what happened before trying to offer what comfort she can.

"You know, Blue, the warranty on that healing job doesn't cover getting shot or diving through windows," came Amanda's voice from the doorway. "You're going to lose your deposit at this rate, I'm afraid."

Kurt turned his head carefully, peering at her. "I think the warranty was invalidated long ago by the life I live", was the wry response.

The witch came in, reaching out to touch the back of his good hand as she reached the bedside. "Broken hand last month, getting shot... you trying to beat a personal best or something?" she asked, still in that teasing tone, but her eyes were worried. "Summers called me, but I had the kids out today and couldn't get back until now. How're you doing?"

There were cuts on his face and the other visible skin, but not too many, and all of them looked minor. "...I have been better", he admitted tiredly. "But it will all heal."

She hooked a chair with her foot and dragged it over to sit close enough to hold his hand. "Yeah, it will," she said, sounding a little relieved. "Rough job, then? Summers didn't give me a lot of detail, just told me you probably could do with a visit."

"The job itself was not so bad... or half of it was not. Disposing of Magnetic North was easy... but they were not the only threats."

Amanda raised her eyebrows. "Nasty surprise?"

"The Brotherhood were there", Kurt said flatly. "Or some of them. I do not think Magneto attended in person, we did not see him... though none of them are who hurt me."

"The Brotherhood?" She frowned a little. "Which ones? Mystique's in China, or so our files say, so at least there wasn't that issue. And if it wasn't them, who was the villain?"

"Mystique is not in China", he corrected. "I know she was, but that was months ago. It seems things have happened between then and now. And they were the villain, I suppose. But it was my... it was Baron Wagner who shot me. My image inducer was not working..." He gestured helplessly.

"Wait, weren't you lot supposed to be guarding him? And Mystique was there?" Her hand tightened on his. "Fuck, Kurt, so much for the easy job. You all right? Not physically, you already told me that - you know what I mean."

"Mystique was there, with Toad and Nimrod", he confirmed. "It was... something of a personal mission for her, I think." He didn't know how to begin answering her last question.

Amanda was watching him carefully. "Tell me?" she asked gently, knowing there was something more here. "If I can help, you know I'm here."

"I do not know if I can..." But he'd told Scott. If he could tell his team leader, he could tell his sister. His eyes closed, then opened, looking very bleak. "He is my father."

"Wag... oh." Amanda sat back a little, taking this in. The shared dream came to mind, Kurt Wagner, son of the local baron. "Was that why Mystique...?" she began, not really sure what to say.

"I do not know what happened between them, except that it led to a pregnancy", Kurt said flatly. "And that she hates him very much now."

"Well, the bloke's made a point of saying how we're the spawn of Satan, and you don't get much more mutant than her..." Amanda sighed. "Hell of a mindfuck, Blue. Just tell me you're not blaming yourself for having two completely fucked up parents? 'Cause I'd have to poke you or something, and Voght would probably 'port me to Outer Mongolia or something if I did that."

"I..." He stopped, unsure of what he wanted to say. "I know you cannot choose your parents. But I need to think, when I can do so clearly."

"Rest sound like a good idea," she told him, squeezing his hand. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to make you drag it up." She gave him a wry smile. "Just get worried about you bottling stuff up."

"There will be rest, when I can sleep", he promised. "And I know you do." There was an unvoiced apology in there.

"Takes one to know one?" she suggested, smiling slightly. "I should let you get that rest, before they chase me out."

"Stay", he said, just that shade too quickly. "Until I do sleep, at least. It will not be you preventing me, I am sure."

She looked surprised - and then pleased - and she settled back into the chair, not letting go of his hand. "I'll stay as long as you want, then," she told him.

That got a faint relieved smile, and he let himself relax - as far as possible right now - against the pillows. "Thank you."

"You'd do the same for me." She rubbed her thumb against the light fuzz on the back of his hand. "And if you need help going to sleep, I could tell you boring stories about the not-so-glamorous world of spies? Like calling 'round post offices to check on postage marks on those Ahab notes? Talk about dull..."