Moira and Paige

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Paige finds Moira in the library. They discuss powers training. Moira has been talking to people as she is already well aware of Paige's problem with over achieving.


The e-mail in Paige's inbox had been rotting there for ages. She kept meaning to write a reply back, something quick and clever, but it never happened. Eventually, it was buried under heaps and heaps of other e-mails until Paige forgot about it. Well, pretended to forget about it. It wasn't until Moira's post on Scott's early morning bugle calling that Paige finally realized that she was being a baby about all this, and that was hardly her style. So, she decided the only reasonable thing to do, was so seek out Moira herself. And where might Moira be? Why, the one place Paige always was herself, of course. The library.

With one book on chemical reactions in various mutations tucked firmly under her arm, Moira flipped through another book, this one a study of bizarre diseasese. Never let it be said that what she read was light reading material. The sound of the door opening broke her concentration and she leaned backwards in her chair, trying to catch a good look through the stack of the books. But it wasn't that hard to decipher, she mused...the library, at this time of the evening? "Paige?" she guessed.

Her question was met with a light laugh as Paige closed the door behind her. "Got it in one," she answered, coming around so they could actually see each other. There was a pleasent look on her face, if not respectful. "Catching up on your summer book list, I see."

"Got it in one," Moira returned, setting her chair back down onto all four legs with a light thump. The books were returned to the small, but growing, stack on the desk in front of her. "Wha' about ye?"

"Came to see you, actually." Paige pulled a chair from another chair over and sat down, placing her hands in her lap. There was a faint tug of nerves at the corner of her mouth; there was something in her that wanted so badly for this woman to like her. “About powers training.”

Moira beamed at her. "Thank God, thought I'd 'ave ta stake out everyone's rooms or somethin'." She grimaced. "Nay tha' I've been any better 'bout gettin' back ta ye lot after me offers. I'm glad ye were interested in th' first place."

Paige blushed a little, ducking her eyes before regaining her confidence. “Well, I knew that I’m generally out in the morning. Riding, you know. And, it’s not like I really replied to your e-mail. I’m sorry; it was rude.”

She waved a hand at her. "Nay worries, Paige. Nay 'arm, nay foul. I'm nay surprised in th' least tha' ye wanted extra 'elp." Moira smiled brightly. "Ye turn down somethin' similar ta a class?"

“Never,” Paige said laughingly, thankful that Moira had accepted her apology. “If the world suddenly ends, you’ll know that I have.”

"I think I'd jus' 'ide im me lab until th' fallout went past," she replied. "So, I know yer interested in doin' more wit' yer power. Wha' do ye 'ave in mind, exactly? Ye dinnae really 'ave control issues." Moira quickly amended that before Paige could take offence. "Nay tha' I'm 'bout ta turn down someone who wants ta learn, I jus' need as much information as I can get."

Paige waved off the apologetic tone before it could continue. “No, I have my fair share of control issues too, I just practice myself half to death, that’s all. But I’d like to see if I could step it up one. Maybe see if I could focus the mutation to perhaps narrowing down the husk to certain limbs or, if I dare it, something other than myself in an element?”

She blinked and then rubbed her chin, thinking. "...tha's an interestin' idea." Mentally, she conjured up as much of Paige's file as she could remember off hand. "We'd 'ave ta practise in th' Danger Room...ye attemptin' ta turn inta elements would be chancey." Moira glanced up at her. "'ave ye 'eard Nathan's 'orror stories 'bout me trainin', yet?" she asked, smirking a little bit.

“No, I must have missed that,” Paige replied, just managing to keep her smile. She liked Moira, she didn’t have to like her significant other. Maybe in time… “But, I trust you. Besides, my mutation isn’t that dangerous, not with testing it out I mean. Messy and chancy, yes, but not really dangerous. The worst that could happen is I go and turn myself into a powder or something.” There’s a pause as Paige considers this. “I think.”

"Note ta self, keep test tubes an' a 'and broom near by." Moira caught the slight freeze at the mention of Nathan's name and filed it away. No need to mention it now, not until it came up. "I can 'andle messy, God knows I've 'andled enough messy mutations in me time. When's a good time for ye ta start workin' wit' me on yer powers?"

Paige shrugged and gestured a little wildly, even for her. “Well, other than summer classes and, oddly enough, a portrait sitting with Piotr on Saturday, don’t ask, I’m pretty much free. So, whenever is good for you.”

She watched the younger woman carefully. "I'm pretty much free, 'avenae nailed anyone else down yet. Give me time, though, I'm verra stubborn when it comes ta this sort o' thin'." Moira thought and then rusteled around in her lab coat pockets. "Nay tha' I 'ave ta give ye a copy, but 'ere's a copy o' the Periodic Table. We'll get together in a day or two but until then, see wha' looks good for ye to shoot for. Wee, easy steps are th' best way ta take this sort o' thin'."

An embarrassed look came over her as Moira spoke of small steps and she couldn't help but smile, looking sheepish. "All right, who's been talking to you?" She took the slip of paper, not bothering to agree that she didn't really need it. "But sure. Sounds good. Sounds fantastic, actually. Having another mind on my mutation is a dream come true."

"I know th' look o' pushin' yerself, Paige," Moira said, gently. "God only knows it doesnae go away wit' age. But sometimes, as 'ard as it might be, th' best way is ta build up ta somethin'. An' like I said, I'm glad ye came ta me. I think I'm goin' ta really enjoy workin' wit' ye."

“Thank you,” Paige replied, looking pleased and nodding at the same time. “It’s going to be excellent working with you, I just know it.”