Jean and Hank

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

Jean wakes up in the box



Hank had tried monitoring Jean from outside while he watched over the other patients. For some time. Now, though, he was worried enough to do it the other way... he'd rigged a remote connection to his laptop so he could monitor Nathan and Sam from in the box. He wasn't sure what had upset Jean so much, or caused her to retreat, but clearly the silence of the Box wasn't helping her. So he'd moved to sit by the bed he'd tucked her into, holding her cold hand gently and projecting warm, soothing thoughts. Maybe that would help... he'd always had good luck with soothing her when they were young...

Slowly the warm feelings percolated through to Jean's abused consciousness where it was hiding out in her mind. Nothing was out there that could hurt her now... She couldn't quite remember what had hurt her in the first place, but whatever it was was gone. She blinked her eyes open, unsurprised to find Hank by her side. She smiled slightly, and tried to say, "Hi," but her raw throat wouldn't let out more than a croak.

Hank smiled at her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Welcome back," he said softly. "Need some water?" She nodded, and he filled a cup, sliding a hand under her head and neck to support her as he lifted the cup to her lips. "There we go...."

She let the water soothe her throat as the feeling of his calm mind soothed her psyche. "Thank... thank you." Jean glanced around, finally registering where she was. "Hank, why am I in the Box?"

"I have no idea," Hank said, frowning a little. "You stormed past, slammed the door behind you, screamed, and collapsed. You've been unconscious for quite some time. I take it you don't remember?" He set the cup down, taking her hand again. "This amnesia thing is a bad habit to get into, you know. Next thingwe know, you'll be the New Nathan.... he's famous for spraining his brain, around here."

"Ah..." Jean said, the words forcing her to face up to the memory she was hiding from herself. Her lips thinned and her eyes narrowed as she said, "No, I remember." It was clear she was not interested in explaining, although she knew she probably couldn't get away with that for long.

Hank nodded. She looked upset again. He would like to know what was up, but... first things first. "Would a hug help?" he offered, perching on the edge of the bed and holding out his arms. "And the reassurance that I will always love you, no matter what?"

... first things first... Jean curled up into his arms willingly, feeling his curiosity and concern wrap around her. "And today started so well," she muttered.

He folded his arms around her, holding her close and smoothing her tousled hair with one big hand. "I take it that the day didn't live up to its early promise," he murmured, still projecting soothing calm. Between Jean and Nathan, he was getting a lot of practice at this lately. "Is there anything I can do? Would you rather not discuss it yet?"

"You are getting better at projecting, yes," Jean answered his unspoken thought, "and it is much appreciated. As for the other..." She hesitated with a sigh. "I should probably speak with Charles, but... Not just yet."

"Is there nothing I can't do brilliantly?" he said teasingly, rubbing her back gently. "Sometimes I amaze even myself. And to think, I've never been offered a command position around here. I can't think why. I'd handle it with the same dignity, aplomb, and sheer class that I do everything else." Impishly, he projected an image of himself in blue spandex shorts, an admiral's hat, and wielding a field-marshal's baton. "Don't you think?"

Jean giggled. "It would definitely be... You would make a most dashing commander, most certainly. I can't imagine why you've been overlooked all this time."

"I think it's because everyone around here actually knows me," Hank admitted, smiling. Giggling was a good sign. "It's a terrible drawback. I'll have to leave and come back disguized as a ninja or something."

giggling was a good... Yes, Jean thought, it probably was. "We could dye your fur red," Jean mused. "It would be an excellent disguise and if it didn't work, well, at least the Doctors Four would all match."

Hank laughed. "A delightful notion, my dear, but I fear I would still be overshadowed by the other three." He sighed mournfully. "Surrounded by beautiful, red-headed women. Every day. Woe is me." He winked at her again. "But I bear it bravely."

"I think we've gone over your brave bearing of the trial of beautiful coworkers before, my dear Hank. You will have to come up with some new mat..." Sitting up in the bed she felt it shift and broke off. "That was odd." Squriming about, Jean peered over the edge of the bed, then glanced back up at Hank, eyebrows raised. "I bent the bed..."

"And all by yourself, too. I thought I was the only one who did that." Hank grinned. "And I LIKE the trial of beautiful coworkers. I just complain to hide how much I'm enjoying pretending I have a tiny matching harem."

Collapsing back onto the bed and feeling it shift again she snorted. "One of these days I will have control again. And I'm going to tell Moira and Madelyn that you've referred to us as your 'tiny matching harem'."

"I did say I only pretended that you were." Hank grinned. "And what single guy wouldn't, surrounded by such brilliant, feisty beauties as yourselves?" He tickled her side gently. "And yes, you will have control again, as frustrating as I know it must be to be back at square one."

Jean swung her legs off the bed, glancing down at them. "Nope, no good as an excuse. Still going to tell Madelyn and Moira. For one thing, I am far too tall to be part of anything that's considered tiny."

Hank hung his head. "I can't even daydream a harem?" he said mournfully, giving her the sad-puppy eyes. "A ltitle one?"

"Nope, too tall." Standing up, Jean grinned wickedly and added, "Although Maddie's not as tall..."

Hank blushed. "You promised you wouldn't say anything to her," he said a little reproachfully. "She's... a good friend. I don't want to jeopardise that, for any reason."

"We're in the box, she's not around, so I'm still being good." Jean laid a hand on Hank's shoulder. "I understand, really I do. There are definitely things too important to risk. That said, I think she'd be good for you."

Hank nodded, and smiled at her, covering her hand with his for a moment. "I... well. Maybe one day I'll work up the nerve to tell her how I feel. Eventually. Until then... I value her friendship, and her trust."

"And anyone would be lucky to have those from you," Jean said with a smile. "But I think it is time I went and found Charles..."

"Indeed." He gave her another gentle hug, and kissed her temple lightly. "But if you want to talk to someone else too, let me know. I'm always here for you."

"I know, Hank," she said. "Thank you."