Moira and Xavier

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Moira started to knock at Charles' door but stopped and rolled her eyes. Instead, she nudged it open and stuck her head in. "Any wild parties I should be worried 'bout or can I come in?"

"Blast. And here I've just sent the bikini dancers for more drinks." Charles smiled. "Good evening, Moira; how are you?"

"Ye know," she responded dryly, closing the door behind her, "if th' students 'ear ye, ye'll ruin yer image for them." The end of the couch was quickly becoming a familiar place to sit. "An' I need ta talk 'bout Nathan. There've been some...interestin' developments over th' last few days."

"You forget, I know very well where all the students are." Charles tapped his temple and smiled. "And how is Nathan? Not finding your constant presence too unbearable a trial, I hope?"

Moira gave him a Look. "...ye realize one day I'll jus' indulge in temptation an' write on yer 'ead, right?" She settled back. "Nay, 'e doesna seem ta mind...'e could slap a shield 'round th' bloody thin' if'n 'e wanted ta, but 'e 'asn't. 'e's doin' okay. If'n ye forget 'bout angry women from th' future talkin' ta 'im an' 'im writtin' interestin' languages on me bathroom mirror in th' mornin'." The sarcasm barely hides the concern in her voice.

Charles frowned. "That does sound unnerving. Can you be certain that this woman was speaking directly to him, and not to the person whose eyes he borrows for his visions?"


"From what 'e said, she was speakin' right ta 'im. Verra angry an' he tried ta fight it." She paused. "She, whoever she is, tore 'is shields down. I managed ta reach him via th' link again an' I got a flash o' 'er face."

Charles' frown deepened. "Then . . . can we be certain that the woman was, in fact, part of his precognitive vision, and not a telepathic contact?"

"I dinnae know." Moira was frustrated with herself and the situation. "I wish I could tell th' difference but I dinnae even 'ave th' ability nay mind th' knowledge."

"I will be the first to admit I know little about precognition," Charles said thoughtfully, "but in the event that the incident was caused by a telepath in the present, it's not outside the realm of possibility that I might recognize the face, or the psionic signature."

She gestured towards her head. "Feel free. 'Tis nay like we'd get Nathan ta agree easily ta it." She frowned. "Guess I'm th' go between...at least it's somethin'."

Charles reached out carefully; the memory hovered near the top of Moira's disciplined mind, and he was in and out in a matter of moments. As his eyes came back into focus, he sighed. "I don't recognize her. The face reminded me of Jean, a little, but I can't be sure that isn't simply that I still miss her, and red-haired telepaths call her to mind. And the psychic signature, albeit filtered through two other minds, was completely unfamiliar. I wish I could tell you more."

Moira sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Nay, 'tis more than I started wit'. God, I feel so bloody -'elpless-."

He reached over and patted her hand reassuringly. "None of that, now; if you think a moment, you'll realize it isn't true. You, more than anyone else--even before your bonding--keep him grounded. I doubt very highly that anyone else, and I include myself, could have reached him so quickly or so well, without being perceived as a threat. By no means are you helpless."

She reversed her hand and squeezed his. "Thanks. 'Tis jus' so bloody frustrain' ye know? Especially wit' this..." She dug a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Charles. "This is what 'e wrote on me bathroom mirror this mornin'. Nay seen anythin' like it."

Charles glanced at it and smiled wryly. "Just as unfamiliar, I'm afraid. More of his language of the future? Has Doug made any progress with it?"

"I need ta ask him. Was 'opin' ye'd see somethin' I missed." She looked slightly crestfallen. "Nay a bloody base in Latin!"

"Yes, well, that would make things far too easy, wouldn't it?"

"...I need ta keep Tom Clancey novels in me pocket..."

"You'll need larger pockets, then. Make sure to let Alison know you need another shopping trip."

"Oh, tha's jus' evil."

Charles smiled. "Well, I try my best."

"Ye certainly do," she grumbled. "Any ideas o' what th' next step would be?"

"Very little, I'm afraid. Precognition is an imprecise art, and a rare and ambivalent gift." He shook his head. "I certainly never expected two at once. As for Nathan . . ." He paused for thought. "I think there is nothing for it but to wait for more information. Try to guide him through his visions when they appear--your link should help you there--and if anything useful should present itself, we may be able to move forward. If I can be of any help--well, you do know where I live."

"Aye, I'll jus' 'ave ta make sure I dinnae interrupt any stripper parties. Do ye 'ave a set time fer those?"

"Oh, no, they're quite spontaneous. I'd advise you to bring your bathing suit with you, so that in the event you won't feel left out, but I wouldn't want to make anyone jealous."

"I'll keep tha' in mind." Her lips twitched just slightly. "I always thought ye were doin' more in 'ere than work."

"Have I no secrets anymore? Dear me. I hope the sordid details of my personal life will travel no further. As you said, I do have an image to maintain."

"Ye know, nothin' in this bloody place will surprise me anymore. Strippers, aliens, 'enry turnin' 'is fur pink..."

"There's a horrifying thought. More likely to be one of the students doing it for him, however."

"...oh Lord, dinnae mention tha' ta Jamie..."

"You chill me to the bone. Consider my lips sealed."

Smiling, Moira stood. "Thanks, Charles, I needed a few minutes t' jus' relax. I need ta go talk wit' Nathan once Good Doctor II runs some tests on me brain like I promised ye she would."

"You are entirely welcome. Try not to be too cranky a patient, I'm sure Madelyn would regret having to sedate you."

"...oh, aye, she wouldna take any pleasure in knockin' me out. Quiet me down an' all. I'm nay a 'orrible patient!"

"Perhaps not. When compared to a Bengal tiger with a toothache, you're really quite sunny."

She glowered. "One o' these days, ye'll wake up with some bizaree 'at glued t' yer 'ead, ye do realize this, right?"

"As long as you realize what a lovely gerbil impression you might find yourself capable of. Please let me know how matters progress with Nathan."

She threw up her hands. "I give up, aye, aye! Bloody frustratin' man ye are, good Lord," she grumbled, heading out.