(no subject)

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Moira finally tracks down Jack Leary on the phone and they talk about Nathan. Jack, thankfully, agrees to take the probably rather difficult patient on.



Moira had finally shooed Nathan away from her office so she could make the call to Jack Leary. It was understandable that he was nervous about it but she needed him out of the room so that it didn't leak down the link during the conversation. She flipped through the small book of address' she kept in her desk drawer until she came upon his. A frown crossed her face, he said he had moved into New York proper, she hoped this number still worked as she dialed.

The phone rang three times before it was picked up. "Hello?" a warm, if slightly gravelly male voice asked on the other end.
She smiled at the voice. "Jack? 'Tis Moira, 'ow are ye?"

"Moira!" His voice, if anything, grew warmer. "An email and a phone call all in one day... this is a pleasure." He chuckled. "And I'm very good, actually. Michael's team trounced the opposition royally tonight. He magnanimously let Gramps take him out for some well-deserved ice cream."

"I know I've been terrible 'bout keepin' in touch," Moira admitted but she smiled as she listened to him. "An' congrats on yer grandson's victory. 'Tis sounds like 'e 'ad fun if'n 'e let ye take 'im out for ice cream."

"Ah, Michael's his mother's child. Stubborn to a fault. I can't imagine where Susan got it, of course." His voice grew a little more serious as he went on. "So. You sounded quite worried in your email, Moira. What's happening?"

"I am. 'Tis Nathan. Jack, there's thin's goin' on tha' I cannae 'elp 'im fix. Like I said, an' ye guessed th' rest, I'm ta emotionally involved. I want ta 'elp but I'm afraid I'll mess this up. 'e's skittish around doctors, except for meself, but wit' good reason."

"Doctors should never treat their loved ones," Jack pointed out kindly, "at least not when there are alternatives available. You've not really told me all that much about him, Moira, or his background..." He trailed off, clearly leaving her the opening to elaborate.

"I promised 'im I wouldna an' tha's why I've never really told ye much 'bout 'im." Moira bit her lip and mulled over in her mind what to tell Jack. Nathan had given her the go ahead to fill him in, to give him a chance to "run away" before he showed up on his doorstep. "Nathan's a telepat' , a telekinetic an' is, or was, a preco'. I'll let 'im explain tha' 'imself because it gives me a 'eadache. 'e 'ad a bloody rough childhood--'e jus' managed ta tell me 'bout it an' it took some doin'. Ran away when 'e was 12 after knockin' 'is father out an' was picked up by an agency tha' grabbed mutant kids ta turn them inta soldiers. Did 'is time an' ended up gettin' a virus tha' I 'elped 'im learn wit' 'is teke. Decided ta get out an' 'is family payed th' price." She took a deep breath, she was trying to stay in control as much as possible through this but it was hard. "Been on th' move since doin' merc stuff an' those are th' years 'e was comin' by. Lots o' stuff 'as 'appened lately, Jack, ta make this stuff try an' break through." Another pause. "Ye ever 'ear o' a psychic link?"

Jack was silent for a long moment. "I've read some literature about it, yes," he said finally, his voice even but sounding definitely troubled.

"Tha's another reason I'm sendin' 'im ta ye, Jack," Moira said quietly. "We're linked an' 'tis 'ard enough bein' 'is primary physican."

"My goodness, Moira," Jack said with a sigh. "You don't pass on the easy ones, do you?" There was a flicker of humor in his voice, but it faded as he went on. "He's comfortable with the idea of seeing a stranger? Someone with a background like that... it would be quite a step for him."

"I think Nathan's realizin' 'e needs ta go. Part o' 'im wishes I would continue ta do it but there's conflict o' interest comin' out me ears. I promised 'im I'd come for the first few or as lon' as 'e wanted me t', I'd sit out in th' waitin' room for 'im. 'e's nay goin' ta be an easy one, Jack."

"No, I imagine not." Jack stopped, clearing his throat. "But I'm certainly willing to take him on as a patient, Moira."

"Thank ye." Moira sunk slightly into her chair, incredibly relieved that he was willing to help. Jack was her best option though there were others if he hadn't worked out. But she knew that Jack was probably the only person Nathan would have gone to this willingly.

"He and I should meet, of course... probably soon, from the sounds of what you're telling me. Shall I call him back tomorrow to set up an appointment?"

"Aye, tha' would probably be best. Nathan an' I'll talk more as well, I think 'e needs a wee bit more soothin' or else 'e's likely ta bolt out yer door after five minutes."

"All right, then. I'll do that." Jack chuckled. "And really, Moira, you and I ought to have lunch and catch up soon. Since we're in the same time zone and all."

She grinned. "Aye, we should...I'll probably owe ye a dinner after all this is done. Love th' man but 'tis like tryin' ta pound sense inta a sloth sometimes."

"The decision to face one's past traumas head-on is a very large and important first step," Jack pointed out. "Stubbornness can be a very positive thing, as well. Try not to worry too much, Moira?"

"Would I do tha'?"