Marie, Paige and Cheerios

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"Just the girl I'm looking for." Marie, looking remarkably ill-slept, stopped in the doorway of the galley kitchen where Paige was pouring herself a bowl of Cheerios.

Paige looked over her shoulder, giving Marie a little smile. "This must have been the last place you looked for me, then. I'm hardly ever seem to be here." She closed the box and put it away as she walked over to the 'fridge for some milk. "What can I do you for, Em?"

"Well, I wasn't expecting to /find/ you here," Marie pointed out. "I just... look, first, did you check the journals last night or talk to Shinobi this morning?"

Eyebrows drawing together, Paige shook her head. "No. I was... busy last night and have been training this morning. Why?"

Marie sagged against the doorframe. "Oh. Shit. Look, Angelo and I went out to dinner last night and some of the boys from town decided they didn't like someone like Angelo being out with a girl like me. They jumped him and then recognized him from the mall. Banged him up a little."

"What?" Paige had suddenly gone as pale as the jug of milk in her hand and perfectly still.

"Oh, honey..." Marie was overcome with guilt. "I told Shinobi and I was kind of messed up myself and I didn't... god. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. He's got a bump on the head and a load of bruises but it looks worse than it is. He'll really be okay."

Paige laughed suddenly and shook her head, setting the milk down on the counter before her hands could start going the same. "Gracious. They're going to have to set up a sign in the medlab for that boy. 'Angelo Free for Blank Days'."

"Oh god, Paige, I feel horrible. There's no excuse. I saw S was looking for him so I told him where we were and I posted in my journal and... I'm so sorry."

"These things happen," Paige said with a smile, going to find a spoon in the cutlery drawer. "As long as you're not hurt and he's not hurt, everything is okay. We're very lucky."

"These things don't just happen," Marie said with frustration. "If it weren't for Logan, Hank would still be picking shattered glass out of my face and hand. And... fuck. Paige, hello? Feel free to have a freak about now."

Paige turned around, a spoon in hand, and shut the drawer with her hip. "See? We're very, very lucky, then." Paige paused, setting the spoon on the counter next to her bowl of Cheerios and the jug of milk. "Freaking out isn't going to solve anything at this point, Marie. Thank you for telling me, though. Less shock when I see Angelo today."

"You know what, Paige," Marie said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I am the Princess of Not-Okay and you are seriously tarnishing my tiara here."

Paige couldn't help but laugh at that. "Sorry. If it makes you feel any better my Ma taught me how to polish silverware when I was quite little. I'm sure it could transfer over to your tiara. Or you could steal my cute crown from Sarah." She shrugged ith a grin, pouring her milk into the cereal and walking back over to the 'fridge.

"You're not," Marie said firmly. "But it's your deal. He'll be in the medlab until this evening. And, so you know, because I feel very weird about it, we had a kind of incident and he ended up in my head."

Paige turned and shrugged. "What had to be done was done, Em. I trust you not to go sucking up people's thoughts for no reason."

Marie sighed, leaning her head on the doorframe with a small thud. "Yeah. Sure thing, Paige. Anyway, just so you know. I do feel weird about it. It doesn't feel right, I didn't like doing it, and he'll be fine physically but I don't know about the rest. Like I said. I'm sorry I didn't tell you last night, I just... wasn't myself."

"Chickpea..." Paige replied in a soothing tone, "It's all right. Okay? Nothing to worry yourself about. I probably just would have lost sleep about it if you'd told me yesterday evening anyway. Now I won't."

"Fair enough." Marie pushed away from the doorframe. "I'm sorry for the cranky. And thanks for not being mad."

Paige smiled, the warm, motherly one that she saved for times like these. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, and I probably shouldn't eat." Marie held up her hands. "Someone says or does the wrong thing, it'll come right back up. Save the momness for yourself, okay? Fair's fair. I'm trusting you to take care of you."

Paige stuck out her tongue and flicked a Cheerio in Marie's direction. "I generally do. Make sure you get some sort of nutrition, though. No fainting spells for you."

"I'll eat when it'll stay," Marie promised. "I can't get away without." She made a face at that.

"Good gal. Now. Do I have to abuse you about getting to classes or something? I'm on a roll here." Paige grinned and dunked her Cheerios with her spoon.

"Nope." Marie shook her head. "I'm skipping training so I don't put Piotr through a wall and I'm going to try and study some more. I'll see you later, okay?"

Paige gestured a wave with her spoon. "You know it, darlin'. Have a good day." She waited until Marie had left the room before setting pouring her Cheerios down the sink.