(Backdated Because I Was Braindead)

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Moira wakes up the morning after the link was broken and discovers that, yes, the Askani really is in her head.



The room was dark, thankfully, as Moira opened her eyes. She still groaned and buried her head, the pain in her mind still incredibly sharp. Charles had done all he could last night, there'd be no permanent damage. But the pain was still there and the knowledge that the link was broken hurt more than that. She hadn't wanted to sleep but something had been given to her and she had taken it without arguing.

#Moira?# Askani's voice. Faint, very faint at the back of her head. #Sister?#

She blinked. That's right...#Askani? Good, was worried ye werenae goin' ta be able ta anchor yerself ta me...#

#It's very weak...# There was a flicker of light at the back of her mind, almost like a candle. #I can't hold on too hard. Won't risk harming you...#

Moira was actually surprised there wasn't already damage. Not only from the link shattering but from all the times she pushed with it. Forming it and then giving herself nosebleeds later. Not to mention being knocked out twice. #I'm, well, nay fine but I dinnae think ye'll do much damage.#

#Xavier will tell me. If I begin to. We agreed.# The flicker of light was brighter, and for a moment there was a flash of sorrowful green eyes and red hair. #We will not lose you as well.#

#Won't. Ta bloody stubborn.# She grimaced as she rolled over, it still felt like her brain was in water.

#I lost a psi-link twice,# Askani said softly, after a long moment of silence. #Decades apart, but I still recall the pain...#

#It 'urts,# she whispered mentally, blinking away the tears. #'eads on fire...#

#I know. At least Xavier is here to help you...# Askani stopped abruptly.

Moira knew what she was going to say. #I'm scared for 'im. Terrified. They're nay 'elpin' 'im, tearin' 'im apart.#

#I tried...# Askani sounded as if she was trying to hold back tears. #Tried to do what I could. When they came after him, after he spoke to you. When they began...#

#I'm nay blamin' ye but--ye've done thin's wit' 'is body,wit' 'is powers before...?*

#Only for a minute or two at a time,# Askani said defeatedly. #And I pushed too hard in the fight. Lost my grip.#

#Oh.# Moira covered her face with a pillow, trying to will the pain away. #I know ye tried. Nothin' any o' us could 'ave done--at least I keep sayin' tha'.# Guilt still flickered among her emotions, though.

#He fought so very hard. So many of them, yet he still fought...#

#I dinnae think 'e'd back down easily.# A flash of memory, of him discovering her drunk, of the pain on his face but the unwillingness to back down.

#No... but he was overmatched,# Askani grieved. #Too many of them. Too strong. They enjoyed hurting him when he resisted.#

She shivered. #Evil people.#

#I should have stayed. Been destroyed, rather than leave him. But the others...#

#Nathan will understand.# This Moira knew. #Askani, yer a leader an' yer people need ye. 'e knows this.#

#A poor show of gratitude for the one who has done so much of us,# Askani said, her voice shaking. #And I have only delayed the inevitable, in any case. Some of the others are already fading from the astral plane.#

#Can Charles 'elp?#

#He is uncertain. But it is not a priority, Moira,# Askani said with a sort of bleak humor. #Nathan is alive. We are not. Retrieving him comes first.#

There was very little Moira could do to argue with that logic. #We'll find 'im. We 'ave ta.#