Amanda and Moira

[x-mactaggart.livejournal.com]

Amanda stops by with food for Moira as promised and they talk about tests to run after food has been had. Unfortunately, sometimes the body demands tests right that instant, regardless of hunger and Moira makes a discovery of the effects of the spell that was cast.



"Moira?" Amanda called, kicking at Moira's office door with her foot. The reason she was doing that was because her hands were full with a breakfast tray - juice, pot of tea, some of Rahne's apple and cinnamon oatmeal, and toast. "Brekkie's up. An' 'm s'posed t' be givin' you me brain for science purposes, apparently."

Opening the door the rest of the way, as soon as Amanda had put the food down (food, thank God), Moira gathered her up for a hug. "Always could use more brains ta add for science purposes," she said, as cheerfully as she could under the circumstances. "Speakin' o' which, how're ye feelin'?"

Amanda returned the hug tightly, glad for the contact. Friendly hugs of the non-nookie kind had been kind of scarce. "Been better," she said, which was a giant leap of trust for her - given the fuss that had been raised about the spell for Jay, she had been 'fine' to anyone who asked. "Still got a headache, haven't been sleepin' that well an'..." she hesitated before coming completely clean. "I had another nosebleed last night. Haven't had any today, tho'."

Not pulling out of the hug, but pulling away slightly to get a better look at her, she frowned. "Yer paler than normal," she said. "Nay a surprise, given everythin' tha's 'appened. 'ow's yer appeite been lately?"

Amanda gave her a wry grin - that was always a surefire sign of her not being well. "So-so," she admitted. "I've been tryin' t' eat, but haven't really felt like it. Been managin' t' fake it for the masses tho'. That Dani girl's scary if you say you're not hungry."

"So I've 'eard. I 'ear she's been wranglin' Nathan wit' th' whole eatin' thin'." Moira turned towards the couch, linking her arm through Amanda's. "Well, first thin' first--we eat. Th' bot' o' us an' catch up some. An' then I'll take yer donation ta science an' run a few tests. 'ow's tha' sound?"

Amanda nodded. "I'll try. T' eat, that is. Stomach feels all weird. An' I promised McCoy that I'd let you run as many tests as you like. Poor bastard's worried 'bout me, even with his own problems, an' who can say no t' that?"

"Henry's like tha', worries 'bout everyone else before 'imself." She grinned at Amanda. "Wonder why 'e got inta medicine?" Moira settled them down and started to dish out the food. Unlike Amanda, she was starving to death. "An' good, I got th' reports o' wha' 'appened from Madelyn. An' I 'ope ye know tha' Henry's message came across verra--badly."

Amanda accepted a glass of juice with more enthusiasm than the piece of toast Moira put in front of her. "An' then some," she said with a sigh. "We talked it out - he didn't understand 'm not s'posed t' use the magic for meself, and that tellin' people not t' ask me was basically cuttin' me off. An' I know he wasn't thinkin' straight. Still, it wasn't easy, seein' what people thought of me. Like I was some weak-willed moron who didn't know better than t' not let people take advantage. It was all prettied up in nice words, but that's what people were sayin'." Pushing aside the thought - it made her stomach hurt - she went on. "I talked t' Pete, too. Promised not t' do any major spells without talkin' t' someone first."

"Good, mainly because there are sometimes some factors ye jus' wouldnae know 'bout. Nay yer fault at all. Sometimes as a doctor, I stumble across factors I wasnae expectin' or 'ad nay clue existed." Eating a piece of toast, she thought for a second. "If'n 'tis 'elps, I dinnae think yer weak-willed, a moron or anythin' else. I think yer a bright, 'ead stron' young woman who wants ta 'elp those around 'er. Ye've got a lot o' power for someone yer age, a mix o' th' magic an' yer mutant power, wit' drawbacks ta bot'. Yer tryin' ta do wha' ye can."

"Yeah, I'm gettin' that whole 'other factors' thing. 'S just when J... when the person practically begged me for the spell... it felt like I was the only one who could do anythin', if he was comin' t' me in such a state. Arrogant of me, I s'pose." Amanda nibbled half-heartedly on the corner of her toast, then set it aside and had another mouthful of juice. Yum, cranberry. "It doesn't help that I've got all this power, an' all anyone can tell me 'bout learnin' t' manage it is t' not use it most of the time."

"Tha's th' problem...ye've got ta walk such a bloody fine balance tha' I know it cannae be easy on ye." Moira steadfastly refused to acknowledge the almost slip in tongue about who had asked. Who and what, she didn't need to know. "Especially when ye can feel it inside ye. From wha' I 'ear, stron' telepath's are like that as well...all tha' power an' ye need ta reign it in most o' th' time." She thought for a second. "Ye might want ta speak ta th' Professor 'bout tha', considerin' 'ow powerful 'e is."

Amanda blinked - she hadn't thought of that. "I'll try, yeah - if anythin', he might be able t' help with ways t' not make stupid mistakes 'cause I think I know best," she said, sounding a bit more optimistic. Everyone seemed to think of the magic as just another mutant power, and most advice tended towards the 'don't think you're special and don't use it' variety. "I've been managin' as far as the addiction goes, mostly. Even without doin' much magic - two big spells makes for lots of little ones, I s'pose. But the big ones're killin' me."

"They're sappin' yer strengt' an' yer reserves faster than th' wee ones," she mused. It made sense. A lot of little ones would result in the same thing as one or two big spells. "An' sometimes 'tis probably 'ard ta tell where th' mutant power begins an' th' magic begins, which means 'tis probably 'ard ta tell 'ow far ye can actually push yerself."

The witch nodded. "An' there's the fact the big ones are the ones I have t' be most careful of in terms of consequences an' rules an' the rest of it. But Tante said usin' magic when I can do somethin' the normal way just as easy is a bad thing too. So I'm damned if I do an' damned if I don't. An' if I just stop... well, then the power builds up too much an' I go balmy again."

"Ye'll get it mastered eventually," Moira said, confidence showing through her words. "It may take a while but ye'll get it in th' end. Problem wit' 'avin' ta learn ta control a mutant power an' usin' magic."

"Hmm." Amanda didn't mention the whole clash between the two again - it had been said far too often lately - and tried the toast again. Bleah. "Glad t' be back, then?" she asked instead. "Even with all the shite that's goin' on?"

The smile on her face grew. "Aye, I missed bein' 'ere. Muir's nay th' same anymore, or maybe I'm seein' it wit' new eyes. Missed th' work, th' company. Even wit' all th' problems, I'm glad ta be back. Missed ye somethin' fierce over there, as well."

"Was that a general 'ye' or did you miss this 'ye' in particular?" Amanda asked with a hint of a grin. "'Cause I missed you too. An' you're gunna have me chasin' around after you makin' sure you don't overdo it, either. I know McCoy's in serious shape, but you can't help him if you're flat on yer back." With a faint trace of guilt she added: "I already checked t' see if healin' magic would work - it can't. 'S down t' the genetic level, yeah? An' I can only touch that with Nate's help, like with Cain."

"O' course I meant ye in particular, wench." Reaching over, Moira poked her lightly in the ribs. "Watch me complain 'bout 'avin' ye around, even if ye will be buggin' me ta eat." She nodded at the last bit. "Aye, 'tis attackin' 'im genetically. An' I'm nay even sure if Nathan could do a repeat o' tha' particular trick without causin' 'imself permanent damage."

She couldn't help the pleased smile that came to her face at the first part of that. "Eatin' an' sleepin'. No goin' without either - 's bad for the sprog." She was about to go on, but there was the familiar tell-tale sensation in her nose, and she grabbed for the box of tissues on the coffee table, narrowly avoiding upsetting her juice glass. "Fuck," she growled as she held a wad of tissues to staunch the blood. "Just give it a bleedin' rest will you? Pun intended," she complained to the offending body part.

Quickly putting down her own food, Moira gently, but firmly, took Amanda by the elbow. "Keep one 'and like tha' an' dinnae tilt yer 'ead back," she said, though by now Amanda probably knew the routine. "All right, seems we're doin' those tests before breakfast is over wit'." Careful to watch the flow of blood, Moira headed them off to a medical room.

"Sorry," Amanda muttered more by reflex than anything, and made a mental note that as soon as the tests were over, Moira was finishing her breakfast. Luckily the bleed wasn't a bad one, dribbling to a halt by the time Moira had her installed on an exam table. "You don't think I've done somethin' permanent, do you?" she asked a little worriedly as Moira started with the penlight in the eyes to check for retinal bleeding. "Broken somethin'?"

"I'm nay certain but I seriously doubt tha' somethin's permanently broken," she said, making mental notes since her hands were currently full. "Ye would 'ave 'ad worse symptoms, I believe. I do think ye stressed somethin', though, wit' tha' last spell o' yers." Checking to make sure the bleeding had stopped, Moira had Amanda lay back slightly, the bed raised up so she wasn't completely flat. "'old still for a wee minute--an' dinnae apologize for a second or I'll get th' cold instruments--an' this'll be over in a few."

Amanda nodded and lay obediently still as Moira continued the examination. "I think I rushed it too much," she said. "Forge an' me have been streamlinin' some of me spells, makin' 'em more efficient, but I think there was some stuff that should've stayed in that one."

Moira kept up the chatter as she ran a variety of tests, including a few scans of Amanda's brain, just to be on the safe side. As Amanda was putting herself back together after the last one, she quickly studied the results, eyebrows raising slightly. "Well, ye've done nothin' majorly 'uge," she said, walking back over to the young witch. "But ye put yerself through quite a strain, an' 'tis obvious from th' results tha' ye did somethin' tha' maybe ye're body wasnae ready ta 'andle jus' yet."

"How bad a strain?" Amanda asked a little anxiously. "I can still do magic, right?"

Reaching over, she smiled at her. "Ye can still do magic. But right now, it looks like yer mind really needs ta 'eal an' it'll probably be about a week before ye can do it again. After tha', I'm recommendin' supervision for th' week after." An eyebrow went up at the look on Amanda's face. "Love, whatever spell ye did was a big one. Ta th' point tha' there's a wee bit o' nuerological damage." Turning the results around, she showed her. "Look 'ere--see this wee spot? I think tha's where th' particular spell came from. I dinnae think ye'll be able ta pull tha' trick again. There's a wee bit o' bleedin' inta th' brain, ye're eyes are blood shot ta 'ell as well from th' strain."

"That'd explain the nose bleeds too, yeah?" Amanda sighed as Moira nodded. "Fuck. I knew it was a big one, but I've done it before an' it wasn't as bad... Mind you, I was draggin' back someone I didn't have any connection with an' who really didn't want t' come..." She clamped her mouth shut at that, not wanting to spill Jay's secret. "So... if I try an' do another big spell too soon, it could cause more damage?"

Moira's eyebrows were now in the vicinity of her hair line but she stilled her tongue. "Pretty much, aye. Th' spell pretty much inflicted a wee bit o' brain damage an' if ye try somethin' tha' large again, ta soon, it'll 'appen again. Right now, ye willnae be affected much by it but if it 'appens again, an' again, then yer lookin' at some problems."

"Brain damage?" Okay, that was scary. "But..." She gave Moira an almost pleasing look. "What do I need t' do? T' make it better?"

"Rest. Body as well as yer 'ead. I know yer nay 'ungry but ye need ta keep eatin'. On tha' note, I'm puttin' ye on vitamens an' supplements. Even when 'ealthy, when yer eatin' yer normal fill, ye dinnae tend ta eat th' best stuff in the world." The look she gave Amanda was more amused than anything else. "An' do like I said, keep off th' magic for th' next week. Even th' wee stuff. An' then be careful wit' it for a while after tha'."

It was a conspiracy. It had to be. Amanda nodded meekly, biting her lip. "I'll be good," she said in a small voice.

Putting down the test results, Moira placed her hands on Amanda's shoulders. "Listen, gloamin', ye realize 'tis for yer own good, aye?" she asked softly. "I dinnae like makin' ye stop practisin' because I know ye need it. But I need ta make sure yer 'ealed an' dinnae damage tha' brain o' yers. I might get together wit' Dr. Strange an' see wha' else I can do for ye."

"I know. 'S just... Scary." Amanda gave her a wan smile. "I figured the magic's always hurt, so it didn't really matter, it was just somethin' I had t' get used to. It's a bit unsettlin' t' find out I could have been givin' meself brain damage all this time."

Moira poked her in the shoulder lightly. "I dinnae think 'tis supposed ta 'urt," she said, wryly. "Talk ta Dr. Strange 'bout tha', okay? He should be th' one ta know. God knows if magic gave ye brain damage for every spell, 'e'd be a bloody vegetable at this point."

Amanda nodded, not mentioning that most magic users weren't at the level she was at until they were in their forties and had plenty of time to adjust to the energy levels required. And tended to stick to the one discipline. "You're the doctors," she said, this smile a little less wan, but a touch forced. "Still, at least I'll have the chance t' catch up on my schoolwork, at least."

"Yer givin' me th' same look Nathan did th' first time I told 'im nay powers for a week," Moira said, shaking her head. As bad as she felt, she couldn't back down. Amanda needed the break from doing magic to let herself heal from whatever spell she had done.

"I already said I'd be good, didn't I?" Amanda replied perhaps a touch defensively. "'M not stupid, Moira. I'll do what you tell me to - 's lot like I want t' break me brain."

"I never said tha'," Moira said, voice calm and even, even though she was taken a bit aback by the defensiveness. She also didn't want to sound like she was being condesending, either. "I know yer nay stupid."

"You're givin' me that look that says I'm gunna turn right 'round an' do somethin' that'll hurt," Amanda pointed out. "An' 's bad enough I've got everyone else thinkin' I don't have any common sense, without you joinin' in."

"Amanda Sefton." The words were quiet but with Moira's hands at her hips, it was obvious she wanted her to listen. It was also obvious that had she a middle name, it certainly would have been used. "Whatever look ye think I'm givin' ye, I'm nay. I'm worried, aye, but God knows I worry anyway because tha's jus' 'ow I am. An' this wee one isnae 'elpin' me worry modes any." Moira pointed at her stomach. "Ye've plenty o' common sense. Ye make mistakes but 'ell, so do th' rest o' us. Look at me first 'usband an' I've got plenty o' common sense. Now, I'm 'opin' yer jus' takin' this out on me because ye've been badgered by everyone an' their uncle an' nay because ye actually think I think o' ye like tha'."

Amanda had the good graces to look ashamed. "'M sorry," she muttered, looking down. "Guess I am takin' it out on you - can't say anythin' t' McCoy, since he's sick, an' the damage is done anyway. Doesn't matter what I say, people'll go on thinkin' I let people walk all over me an' don't know any better."

"Henry feels bad, 'bout wha' 'appened," Moira said, her tone and her stance softening. "'e knows everythin' went all wron' an' tha's because o' whatever's 'appenin' up top. Is there anythin' I can do ta turn th' situation around?"

"Ask the Prof t' wipe everyone's memory of that bit?" Amanda suggested. It was a lame joke, but a joke all the same. Then she shrugged. "I don't know what'd fix it. 'S done, an' nothin's gunna change that. I'll just have t' work on showin' 'em it's not true, is all."

Reaching over, she put her arm around Amanda's shoulders. "It'll work out, ye'll see," she said. "In th' mean time, all this restin' o' yer magic means I get ye ta meself as me assistant." No, no gleeful look, not at all.

"I'm all yers," Amanda agreed. "Well, 'cept for the time when I'm lookin' out for Pete."

"'ow's 'e doin'?" Moira asked, looking concerned.

"He's shut himself up in his office since the news," Amanda said with a small sigh. "I make sure he's eatin' an' all, but... 'm worried. If he can't find this person who kille dhis dad... I don't know what he'll do."

She was fairly positive she knew what Pete would do--not that she could blame him, a part argued with her. "Jus' keep bein' there for 'im, tha's sometimes all ye can do when someone goes through nay only grief this stron' but anger like tha'."

"I'm tryin'. I just wish this was over an' done with, even if it means he'll kill this bastard." Amanda sighed a little. "I'm s'posed t' think that's a bad thing, but I can't find it in me. Pete's Dad was a mad old bastard, but he didn't deserve t' die - he didn't hurt anyone."

"Murders are one o' th' lowest scums on th' planet," Moira said, lips thin. "People tend ta get wha' they deserve, in th' end."

"I can only hope so," was Amanda's reply.