Betsy+ Alison+Scott=Angest and Pane

[x-psylocke.livejournal.com]

This log took place early Tuesday morning at the tail end of Alison and Scott's morning run together.

This log has been dubbed,

The hidden beauty of New York was the seasonal change from summer to autumn. The refreshing color of the turning leaves and the brisk air was beyond beautiful. Though at the moment, Betsy couldn't enjoy the scenery and she found the air stifling. No one had taken much noticed of her these past few weeks, she'd remained quiet and reclusive. Though she was realized, it would only be a manner of time before someone discovered how much she was suffering.

Keeping a steady pace, Alison concentrated on her breathing as they ran, still preoccupied by her talk - or lack thereof - with Betsy the previous day. The absence of the link was oddly disturbing, and she wondered when she'd gotten so used to it, even though it had been kept inactive all this time.

Scott kept pace with Ali, trying to keep his thoughts at bay with the steady pace of the run. It was the only time he could really afford to /not think/, to let himself go and just /be/. But the day's planning intruded. Leaving with Marie, taking this sliver of time for himself, to say his goodbyes, kept intruding.

Betsy faced the oncoming joggers with an expression of worry, but it was gone before they could notice. She waited for them to approach her as she knew they would.

Scott caught sight of Betsy, the hair catching his eye, though he only knew the true color by what she had shown him, that one time. "Ali," he said, and nodded in Betsy's direction.

Alison spotted Betsy almost at the same time Scott spoke her name, and her lips tightened slightly as she remembered only too well how Betsy has been acting yesterday, and the past few days as well. She gave Scott an interrogative look, wondering if she should slow down so he could talk to her, or if she should stay.

Scott nodded, and adjusted his pace. "Betsy," he called out, though he knew she had spotted them.

"Morning." She greeted them with a small smile. "Enjoying your run?"

Slowing down to a stop, Alison took a deep breath, giving Betsy a careful look, still worried for her friend. "Morning," she answered calmly, taking a moment to catch her breath.

Betsy bowed her head at Alison's apprehension. Logic dictated that she should wait to have this conversation later, but lack of sleep, guaranteed that logic had left her long ago. "Believe me, it's for the best, Alison."

Scott stepped back, knowing this was something between the two of them, and he would be ... intruding.

"That's what you said yesterday," Alison said easily enough, worry still showing through. "In a very short and monosyllabical kinda way."

"Then, if not now, it will be." Betsy turned her head, feeling Scott's retreat, and sighed. She faced Ali's troubled form, "it wasn't healthy for us to stay connected when I could have easily removed the link. I had grown attached, Alison and the longer we stayed like that, the harder it would have been later."

"Attached." Alison turned over the words slowly, suspecting they revealed possibly far more than Betsy had perhaps meant to. Tilting her head, she gave Betsy a curious look. "You had grown attached?"

Betsy clenched her hands and stood up. "Perhaps attached is the wrong word to use. If anything, it was mild concern."

Alison shrugged slightly, offering a faint smile she knew Betsy would sense the presence of, if not see for herself. Yesterday had me a bit confused," she admitted, not letting herself wonder why Betsy will still so touchy. I was just worried about you." She didn't add that she still was.

"I've just been dealing with some personal issues of my own lately and it was affecting you. I couldn't think of anything else but to pull back." Betsy was obviously studying Scott, "Normal stress of the job, nothing more."

Eyes sliding over to Scott, and hearing the same dismissal as the previous day from Betsy, albeit phrased differently, Alison nodded quietly. "I have people I should hunt down," she sighed, not even bothering to find a good excuse to go.

Betsy said somewhat sadly, "Goodbye then."

Scott nodded at Ali, walking over to Betsy. "See ya," he called after the blonde as she headed away. You okay," he asked, concerned, reaching his hand out to touch Betsy's arm.

Betsy shook her head, reminding herself to reign in her emotions. "I'm fine, just alittle weary of misplaced concern." Though all she wanted to do was pull back from Scott's extended hand and collect her thoughts, by herself.

"I place just enough concern everywhere it's needed. And I haven't...seen you, since I got back. I'm sorry for that. I've got a trip today, and you are heading out for a few days, right? Can we get together when you're back? I have a few things I ...want to say. To talk to you about."

Something inside of her stirred, railing against the stone wall she put up for the last few months. "It's fine, you've been busy, I understand that. No need to apologize.” She took a moment before continuing, "I should be back in two weeks, but one never knows when dealing with ego. Do you mind broaching the subject now, while we're both here?”

Scott inwardly cringed. /Two weeks???/ Well, nothing to be done now. I can't, not just yet. There's something personal I need to do first. I know that might seem strange, but I just have to take care of, just do one thing. I didn't have the time until now." He knew he was making excuses, but he was purposely not apologizing again. "If I don't see you before I go, be well." He leaned in and moved to kiss her on the cheek.

She let him kiss her, if only for selfish reasons. She needed something warm to hold onto while facing the cold-nature of Essex and the fate that awaited her in his lab. When he pulled back, Betsy quickly wiped her eyes from under her shades. “God, I should probably get some sleep before my flight. You'll take care of yourself and be sure to get home safe and sound, then." Betsy left without another word. Her arms hugged her body, fighting the cold morning air. She headed back to the school, all the while, trying to remember how to breath.

Scott stood there and watched her go, keeping his mind carefully blank. Emma was right. Something was wrong. Ali and her conversation only confirmed it. But time, as always, was never on his side. Still, he would keep at her, seeing her constantly, when she was back. He'd make her come out of the shell, determined to break down the walls she had built up.



I love the dramatic, don't you?