xp_logs | Dani & Allison - Love Isn't About Reason

Dani goes to Ms. Blaire about one of the most important decisions on her life...and leaves both upset and with more options.

"Hey Ms. Blaire," Dani asked quietly, knocking on the teacher's apartment door, "Do you have a minute?" she was still shaken from the incident at the Tai Chi school, but was at least in control again. A night in the box would do that though.

"Come on in, of course I do, Danielle." Everyone called her Dani, but it had the feel of a nickname to it and until she was invited to use the shorter version... besides - the full name was pretty. She liked saying it out loud. "Have a seat, big huge chair over there to sink in forever..."

Collapsing in the proffered chair, Dani sighed. She might just have to stay there for a while. It felt very, very good on her back. "I was thinking last night. A lot. Well, I've been thinking really. But I made a decision," taking a deep breath she plunged on before she lost her nerve, "Will you adopt my baby?"

"You adopted Miles," Dani explained hurridly, "And see, I don't think I can be a mom yet, not and give her what she needs...and I ain't just gonna give her to some stranger. I know you're a good mom."

She was making weird noises at Danielle again, she knew. Taking a deep breath, Alison tried to get a grip on her surprise. And the latent terror at the thought of babies and everything that entailed, thank you very much. "Danielle... I can't. Miles - happened and I don't regret a single second of any of that but he was a little boy already and-" she stopped, blinking. "Danielle... are you sure you want to do this? Because," she raised one hand to forestall the first answer, "if you're sure, I might have an alternative for you. And not a stranger." The last was said softly, Alison biting her lip pensively.

"I think so," Danielle said just as quietly, curled up in the chair, "I mean, I've been thinking about it for a while. I talked to Ms. Dane too, a little. But...who else?" Slowly she uncurled, stretching.

A wistful smile greeted that, the result of seeing the longing on a dear friend's face oh so often. "Hank would give a limb for a chance at parenthood, Danielle. And I can't think of anyone with more love and affection to give to a small child. You've seen him with Miles, haven't you?" She leaned back, watching the girl intently to gauge her reaction.

She hadn't thought of that, although Ms. Blaire was right, she'd thought about the women at the school, not the men, assuming they wouldn't be interested in possible single parenthood. She was right though, Dr. McCoy would be perfect. "He ain't white," Dani said slowly, thinking about things, "You think he'd do it though? I mean, yeah, he likes kids, but that ain't the same as having one."

Alison blinked at that, lips quirking fiercely before she got it under control, managing not to glance down to check her own tone of skin. "When I said he'd give a limb at the chance, I wasn't kidding Danielle. I was talking him yanking out the saw and offering to detach it from his body himself, quite happily so." She would have worried about exagerating, only she somehow thought it all quite possible. "There's one thing I'm going to ask of you though, before this goes any further than this room."

Dani nodded, concerned, "That is?"

"Be sure. Well, as sure as you could be, considering..." she trailed off, lifting her hands in a slightly helpless gesture. "Be sure before you tell him about this, before you ask him to adopt your baby. Hank hopes. He'll try and not do so and he'll do everything he can to make sure you're comfortable with your decision, even if you back out at any point - and he will let you and respect that. But he hopes and I don't want to see him hurt, either." Alison smiled, though there was a hint of pleading in it. "That's all. I'll help too, Danielle. In whichever way I can."

'I...yeah," Dani nodded biting her lip, suddenly unsure. "I think adoption's the best thing...but I don't want to. Dr. McCoy would probably be a good dad, ain't it? I guess I have to think some more, but I just don't know if I'll ever be certain this was right."

"It's..." Alison shook her head a bit. "It's very big. No matter how you look at it, this changes your life. And the baby's too. Yes, Hank would be a wonderful parent - but no one is saying you couldn't be, too. Take more time to think about it, Danielle." Leaning forward, Alison offered her a small smile. "You don't have to decide now. Take your time. And whatever you decide - you will be supported in that decision."

Nodding, Danielle stood up to leave, "Ms. Blaire? I gotta have something for the court next week...but thanks for your help. I got more to think about now."

"Okay." Tilting her head to the side, Alison watched her rise to her feet - she was sure Charles had offered to help already with the legal side of things, but it never hurt to make sure. "Are you set with the legal side of things, there? I can help, if you like. Well. Recommend a good lawyer or the like, unless you already have someone you like."

Dani shrugged, "I got a local guy, he's okay. Ain't much to sort out, all I got is here and I don't want any of his stuff. And he won't fight the adoption, he wants it. But thanks. I've talked to Professor Xavier about lawyers too...he says he can use the same one who helped you with Miles."

"That's good then. Well, for what this is all about, anyway. So long as you're going to be okay..." She offered a small, apologetic grin at the awkwardness of the sentence, and a nod of farewell as Dani headed
for the door. "Have a good evening, Dani. Come see me again if you want to talk about this more."

Nodding one last time, Dani slipped out of the room, trying not to look as crushed as she felt.