Moira and Amanda

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Moira wakes up to find Amanda in her room. In part to watch over her, but also to try and do a locating spell. They talk about hope and make an effort not to cry all over each other.



Moira rolled over in the bed, reaching out to snuggle up to one of Nathan's pillows. She didn't cry this time, just simply buried her head into the pillow and breathed deeply. With two exceptions, she'd pretty much stayed in her rooms. Any other time and she'd have been kicking herself for hermiting. But with everything that had happened, no one was complaining that she was, at least, attempting to rest. Though it was more like worrying while horizontal. Vaguely, she remembered someone mentioning that someone else was going to stop by soon, but her mind was still fuzzy from the concussion and she couldn't really remember.

Amanda looked up from where she was sitting on the floor, a large map of North America spread out before her and a small bowl of something that looked like ordinary sand. Seeing Moira was stirring, she climbed to her feet. "Hey," she said quietly, sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching out to Moira with no sign of the usual awkwardness. "Sleep at all?"

Blinking as she found herself enveloped in a quick but tight hug, she thought about the question. "Nay nightmares so whatever Maddie an' ye gave me seemed ta work," she answered finally, forcing her eyes open all the way. Distractions worked wonders, she knew, and focused on the objects on the floor. "Wha' are ye doin'?"

Amanda followed Moira's gaze, and squirmed almost guiltily. "Location spell," she said. "I dunno if it'll work or not - those ones are always bloody dodgy for me for some reason - but I figured it couldn't hurt. An'... I needed t' do somethin', even if it isn't much." The girl's voice broke a little on the last word, and she looked down, concentrating on not bursting into tears. Again. "I need somethin' of... his, t' make it work," she added, when she could. "Was just gunna see what was lyin' around when you woke up."

Moira stared at the map and bit her lip, especially after hearing the catch in Amanda's voice. "I--'ave somethin' ye could use," she said, shifting around. She reached the little end table by Nathan's side of the bed and pulled open the drawer. What she was looking for was sitting right on top and she took it out. "I got this for 'im a while back. Dinnae know if'n this'll work but wha' th' 'ell, aye?" Turning she handed Amanda an engraved pocket watch.

Amanda's fingers trembled as she took the watch, the metal cool against her fingers. "Should do," she said, closing her hand around it, the weight reassuring. She didn't move to complete the spell, however, preferring to sit near Moira for a bit longer. "Can I get yer somethin'? A cuppa?"

"I think I'm startin' ta get all tea-ed out," she said, smiling a little. "I jus' really need th' company right now, though." Company meant no nightmares or dark thoughts. Most of the time, anyway.

"I'm English - 's a reflex. Crisis, so must make tea in large amounts." Amanda smiled a little, the expression doing little to ease the wan look of her face, the dark circles under her eyes. There hadn't been a lot of sleep, even with Manuel taking away some of her distress. There was just too much. "Company it is, then."

She shifted again so that she was sitting closer to Amanda. The blanket followed, it seemed like she couldn't get warm after yesterday. The blankets were piled on the bed and she still shivered underneath them. The map looked out of place on her floor so she concentrated on that. "Thank ye," Moira whispered. "For tryin' this."

Amanda snuggled in closer to Moira, sharing her warmth but also because she really needed the comfort. They both did. "Dunno if it'll work, yet," she said. "But I figured these government types never really believe in magic, so whilst the X geezer can't track him, maybe I can." She held onto that thought, it was the only thing that was stopping her from breaking down completely. "We'll find him."

Slipping an arm around the younger woman, Moira nodded, closing her eyes tightly. "I keep 'oldin' onta tha' 'ope." She didn't want to mention the phone call to her but if the location spell was going to work, then she probably should. "Try...Canada," she said quietly. "'e called, got away for a bit, Charles managed to work out tha' 'e was in Canada. I'm nay sure if'n tha's where 'e still is, though."

"He called?" Desperate hope filled Amanda's eyes. "They hadn't... He was himself?"

She nodded. "For th' time bein', anyway," Moira said sadly. But that was a few hours ago and time was against everyone in this race. "But they were comin' for 'im when 'e 'ung up th' phone."

Hope died. Amanda slumped against Moira, ducking her head so the doctor couldn't see the tears welling. She had to be strong, look after Moira. "Canada," she said, when she knew her voice was mostly under control. "'S a start."

Moira nodded and gently braced her chin on top of Amanda's head, holding her. "Aye, it 'tis. An' even if it doesnae work? Ye tried an', trust me, tha' means a whole lot right now."

"It does?" That wobble returned to her voice, as much as she tried to stop it. "I just can't... I can't not try. Nate would, if it were me. I just... I just want him home, Moira. I'm scared t' death of what's happenin' t' him."

She wiped the tears away from they fell into Amanda's hair and nodded. "Same 'ere, love," she whispered, tightly. "We'll get 'im back, we 'ave ta."