Haller and Scott: Post Return

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

When Scott heads into his office in the morning he finds an unexpected visitor who isn't quite what he expected.

duty roster personal bill DR schedule maintenance order personal school correspondence old DR schedule bill bill report product order unfinished roster medical order work order bill

"I..." Scott stared at the whirlwind of paper that was floating around his office, "not that I don't appreciate the interior design job but this isn't quite what I had in mind for my office."

The self-collating embodiment of Scott's administrative hell froze, still suspended in mid-air. "Sorry. I was waiting for you, so I decided now was as good a time as any to get a sense of how things stand." The tall figure behind the mass turned towards the door, and the papers settled back onto the desk.

"I can put them back how they were if you want, but nothing seemed to be in any particular order," said Haller. He turned his attention to the office's owner. "Hello, Scott."

Scott shrugged and smiled, "I put them in order and then some more paper arrives, I get behind in class and before I know it it all ends up out of order as I try hunting around for that one folder I saw somewhere two weeks ago." Scott shook his head, "you'd think we'd be more computerized, we probably should be, but it seems everything needs to be printed and posted up somewhere or given to someone. You know, business as usual." Scott cocked his head as his eyes flicked up and down taking in the appearance of his friend, "What happened to you? We tried looking for you but couldn't find you anywhere, and now, you look like someone really put you through the wringer."

"I'm fine. There was an astral battle; Rachel saved us from being scoured into oblivion. We were on the astral plane until recently. The grime is from hitchhiking back." The psi regarded Scott with impassive blue eyes. "I'm glad to see you made it. I've seen Charles. Did Emma survive?"

"Emma?" Scott paused a moment in thought, "she's ok. Been doing a lot of work with Frost Industries so I haven't really seen that much of her recently but last I heard she's doing well. Adrienne will probably know more  You hitch-hiked? Where exactly did you guys end up? And why didn't you call us? We'd have swung by to pick you up. People at the mansion, I'm not mentioning any names, were worried." Scott admitted.

"The location seems to have been random. Xorn left us with some knowledge of how the world works -- we didn't know what we'd find if we called, or if you would know us if you did. Besides, on the astral plane time is subjective; the two of us have been alone for a long time. The trip back gave us some time to acclimate." Haller shrugged. "Potential complications aside, I assumed you thought we were dead. I didn't see a reason to make it an issue until I knew who we'd be dealing with."

Scott shot Haller a confused look, "That...makes sense I guess, I mean it's perfectly logical but you know I'd have expected you to want to know what happened and to check in to see if every was alright. That's what you'd normally do, I mean I totally understand being tactical if the situation demands it but I'm not sure this is one of those scenarios." He echoed Haller's shrug, "I don't think we're giving anyone up for dead until we get proof they are," or unless they saw them die themselves.

"That's what Jim would have done," Haller corrected, without rancor. "It's true, Rachel and I prove that lost may not be gone, but I wouldn't hold out hope. As I understand it, there will never be concrete proof of death because those deaths didn't occur. Not in this world, anyway. It's unfortunate, but hope will only make accepting the losses harder."

"That's not true, I think concrete proof exists in the people we meet who are different from those we remember," Scott noted, "But the hope that someone like you walks in through the door, that's a precious thing. And Jim would have understood that... so that just leaves the question. Who are you cause I don't recognize you." the man before him was almost robotic, he gave of no facial expressions whatsoever.

The other man gave his head a slight shake of self-recrimination, arguably the most human response he'd shown thus far. "You're right. I'm sorry, Scott -- empathy isn't instinctive for me. Sometimes I need reminding. No, I'm not Jim, but I've always been here. I was there after San Diego, and there again in Genosha, and countless other times in David's life. Sometimes for minutes, sometimes for days. I'm not an alter; I don't have a separate identity, or a name. I'm just what steps in when Jim and the others go." A look that might have been the distant cousin of regret crossed Haller's face. "I'm sorry I didn't make that clear sooner. I forget my perspectives aren't yours."

Scott's brow furrowed, "You're the neutral, then for when none of them are, or can, engage?" he questioned. "That's, I'm sorry I never imagined anything like that, I didn't even know that David or the alters could switch off like that. So what do we call you?" It was surprising the kind of things Scott could take in his stride now.

Haller nodded. "You can call me whatever you're comfortable with. Like I said, I'm only a placeholder. Autonomy hasn't changed that. David or Legion, it doesn't matter. Just as long as it's not Jim, Jack, or any of the rest. None of those labels are accurate." He inclined his head towards the neat stacks of paper. "As you can see, I can access David's telekinesis -- and with greater control than either Jack or Cyndi. Unfortunately, I'm not a telepath. That's why I asked after Emma. With Charles and Rachel both damaged she's all that's left."

"Not quite all that's left," Scott allowed hesitantly, "There is also Jean, well Jean who's not the Jean you remember." he told Haller with a sigh. "I don't think she's as powerful or skilled, but we do have another telepath around if we need her." The X-man shook his head, "I hope we won't though, with all the emotion roiling around this place right now it can't be comfortable for any of the psionics."

Haller's impassive expression creased with a frown. "Jean?" he repeated, now studying Scott more intently. "I imagine it's you that can't be comfortable for."

"It's been...well interesting doesn't quite cover it. I'm surprised Charles didn't mention it to you when you saw him," Scott noted, "She's apparently been around around the mansion before so she knows a few of us, was pretty close to Charles too."

"I hadn't considered that," Haller admitted, his frown deepening. "I was more preoccupied with how we fit into the world rather than how the world fit to us. Did she know you?"

"She knew about me," Scott allowed, "We'd never actually met before but she's heard stories about me. I appear to still have my reputation."

"Uh huh," Haller said, obviously not placated by Scott's scintillating wit, "Under the circumstances does that make things better, or worse?"

"I...you know I, I really don't know" Scott replied sadly, "easier I think, I don't know if I could handle it if she knew me, if we had any kind of pre-existing knowledge. The mansion is small enough as it is."

"Even more than it was before, it seems." Haller's unerring blue gaze was still trained on the other man. Scott had a tiredness about him, but not the normal type he'd always associated with the man's position. It was something less tangible -- wearing, like shouldering a heavy pack day after day.

"Have you been talking to anyone?" asked the telekinetic. He waved a dismissive hand at Scott's desk. "Not about the work. About the changes, and everything that happened."

"Adrienne and I had it out in the danger room a while ago, and I've been trying to not let it pile up on me but," Scott sighed wearily, "the number of people I can talk to aren't that large in the first place. Garrison, Adrienne, and perhaps even Logan. I don't want to lay anything more on Charles, he's already coping with enough right now."

"Adrienne? That's one constant I'm glad to hear of." Haller smiled faintly at that, but the expression evaporated as quickly as it had appeared. "You and Charles are the same way -- so busy being a rock you'll let yourself be ground into gravel. Don't make yourself a martyr to duty, Scott. It's notoriously ungrateful."

"Little late for that, I've been putting duty first for, well, most of my life. Like you say not the best way to live your life, but then someone has to be the one to deal with all this," Scott objected, "but you know what, it's a new world, maybe it's a chance for me to do something different myself. Gotta find the silver lining right?"

Somehow the psi did not seem convinced by this enlightened position. "Well, if you ever have trouble finding that silver lining, feel free to stop by. The pool of potential confidants is small enough without voluntarily isolating yourself, and I'm built to resist pressure." Haller tilted his head. "We've lost enough people. I'd rather not lose another to self-inflicted stoicism."

"If I ever stray down that path then Adrienne has promised to throw me onto my backside again," Scott replied wryly before carrying on in an earnest tone, "Thanks...Legion...It's been tough without someone to talk to, everyone is wrapped up in their own issues and I don't wanna add to that. It conflicts with my, self imposed and no doubt stupid, decision to be the rock. Nice to be able to be honest with someone else."

The other man nodded, apparently satisfied. "I'll be around," he replied, his posture indicating he considered his current business settled. "Charles and I will discuss the next move tomorrow; I'll touch base with you after that. For now I'm going to check on Rachel and find a room. We both need some rest."

Though Haller didn't wait for Scott's response to start moving, as he passed he lay a hand on his shoulder and gave it a brief squeeze. It was only for a moment, but the gesture, small and familiar, said enough.