xp_logs | (no subject)

Alex goes to Betsy's office to pick up homework for a room mate and gets more then he bargained for.

In her office, Elisabeth Braddock sat at her desk with her head bowed and a scowl on her face. She leaned back into her chair after a moment and said, frustrated. "Four more days and it'll be over. He'll be back and I won't have to be the bad guy."

Sighing, Alex walks toward her office, skateboard under his arm. Having just come in from a little skating, one of his roommates had asked him to pick up an assignment from one of his brother's classes. Wondering why his roommate couldn't just do it himself, Alex knocked on the door.

Her head snapped back from it's propped position. She tried to wipe the exhaustion from her face and planted a cosmetic smile to her face. "Come in, Alex."

Opening the door, he stuck his head in. "Hey Ms. Braddock. I won't bother you long, I just came to pick up the assignments from Scott's classes for one of my roommates."

"It's alright. Come in, come in." She motioned for him to enter, as she shuffled through her desk and pulled out a folder for the student in question. "Here you go." She handed the folder over to him, her false smile still on her face, "So, how have you been?"

Alex noticed the false smile and gave an unsure one of his own as he took the folder, juggling it with his board. "Ummm..fine I guess. Just trying to stay on top of school and doing a little skating now and again. and how about you Ms. Braddock? Hope you haven't been to overworked with my brother suddenly leaving and all..."

Her face tightened, slightly at this. "No," she said alittle strained. "Besides, it's nothing I can't handle. But thank you, Alex. I'm fine." All the while, she shuffled more papers and reorganized her files. If Betsy kept her hands busy enough, she mused. She would keep from pounding her fist into the desk.

Frowning, Alex wondered if he dared ask what was wrong, afraid he was going to get his head bitten off. Well, he was curious. "Are you sure Ms Braddock? You seem a bit...tense." He wondered if that was the right word to use, but left it at that.

The sounds of ruffling papers stopped, instantly. Betsy tilted her head, as if she were staring him down. Her smile dissipated and her irritation at the whole situation became more apparent. "I'm just alittle tired. And it isn't too bad, Professor Summers will be back in a few days and it'll be fine." She hadn't realized that the folders were being crushed under her fingers, or that Alex was staring at her hands as she did so. She continued talking, oblivious to Alex's nervous glances. "I have no doubt you saw Sarah's last post. Well, I have half a mind, to let her go with him and leave them to it. No problem, at all."

Eyes wide, Alex wondered if he could slip out the door now, but knew he couldn't. And of course, he had to take a few minutes to think of what she was talking about. "You seen to have a bit of a problem with Dr. Essex don't you?

Remembering, her last conversation with the doctor, she released her grip on her folders and the false smile reinserted itself onto her face. "No, not at all. He's a great man of science, who is a damn stone wall." She wiped her brow and the shuffling of papers continued. "We just have a difference of opinion from time to time."

"Would time to time really mean all the time?" Alex hadn't really meant to blurt that out, but it came out all the same. His eyes grew wide. "I'm sorry Ms. Braddock, I didn't mean to say that..."

Betsy raised her hand in protest, "No, Alex. Don't apologize. I really shouldn't be talking to you about this." She paused. "I can't....it's...it's a complicated affair."

He nodded. "Alright...but can I ask you a question? About something else?"

"Yes, of course."

He looked down at his feet then back up at her. "Am I allowed to ask where Scott went?" His voice was laced with worry, his brother's sudden disappearance to an unknown location scared him, especially after Scott had told him about what had happened at the dam and all.

The dark sullen feeling sweeping through her, Betsy felt almost compelled to tell him, even though she knew it was not possible. She sighed, her hands giving up on their task and remained folded together. "Unfortunately, I can't tell you where he is. Though I can say he's fine, Alex. Just doing alittle reconnaissance for the Xavier, nothing to get him into any serious trouble."

Alex smiled softly. "Thanks Ms. Braddock. That's good to know." Biting his lower lip, he shrugged. "I worry about him, ya know? Don't wanna lose him again." He moved toward the door. "If there anything I can help you with until he gets back? If not, I'll be getting these assignments to thier owner."

"We all do." Betsy smiled at Alex, that comment would be the closest she'd make to making an admission about Scott. "But, he'll be fine. And you're right, I shouldn't keep you. Take care."

"Thanks again Ms. Braddock." He left her office, closing the door behind him and wondered what exactly Dr. Essex did to rile her up so much.