Hank & Danielle (with Forge sleeping)

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

On the road to nowhere Oklahoma, Dani asks Hank The Question. Forge sleeps. A cow is tipped. Hank manages to respond coherantly, somehow. Decisions must be made.



Dani lay back in Dr. McCoy's convertible, top down of course, and let the wind blow her hair while she basked in the sun. It was so much nicer now that winter was almost gone. Forge had curled up and was asleep in the backseat, his discman making an unidentifiable noise. If she could only forget the reason for the trip she'd be set.

Hank glanced over at her... she didn't seem cold, although when he put the top down he'd insisted she put on her coat, just in case. He didn't want her getting a chill, especially not now when she was already upset. "How are you doing?" he asked, enjoying the wind himself as it ruffled up his hair and fur. "Tired? Thirsty? In need of a blunt instrument for later?"

"Mmmm?" Dani asked, opening one eye, considering her options, "I think I'm good. For once it's not being random."

Hank nodded. "Good. But I picked up some more water and crackers at our last stop, if you want them. They're behind your seat somewhere." He focused on the road for a little while, then glanced over at her again. "How are you holding up?" he asked gently. "As much fun as this part of the trip is, getting there won't be."

"Don't remind me," Dani groaned, pulling the lever to make the seat sit back up so she could look at him properly, "But I wanted to talk to you about that. I've been thinking...Shel's a jackass."

"You'll get no argument from me on that score." She'd let him read one of the letters. His fists had itched for contact with the boy's thick, selfish head for hours afterwards. "The offer to pound him for you stands, if you change your mind about it."

"I ain't bailing you out of jail," she reminded him firmly, "'Cause if you're in jail, who's gonna bail me out? But that's not what I've been thinking about," nervously she fiddled with her seat belt, "I've been thinking that maybe he has a point, kinda."

"About what?" Hank frowned. As far as he could see, the only thing Sheldon was right about was removing himself from Danielle's life before he did any more harm... and he wasn't doing that on purpose, it was just a side-benefit of his own selfishness.

"Adoption. I mean, I ain't even 18 yet, no job, well, not officially, ain't even finished high school yet. Even if I stayed at Xavier's...I ain't even stable half the time. Who knows what'll happen powers-wise after I have the baby," Dani listed her reasons, counting them off on her fingers to make sure she didn't forget one. Steadily, she refused to look at Dr. MccCoy.

"Are you sure?" Hank said slowly. He couldn't imagine giving up a child, if he was lucky enough to have one... even at Dani's age, he wouldn't have. But she did have several good points... "We can help you, you know, and we'll be happy to. Giving up your baby... that's a big step. And a permanent one."

Dani nodded, resolutely, "I talked with Ms. Blaire. And Ms. Dane. And Dr. Samson...but not you. And well, I'm not sure, but I think this might be best. I just...I don't want some stranger to have it who knows where. And he has to know his heritage, you know? So um...would you be interested?"

Hank was very proud of the self-control that meant the car only jumped a little, rather than screeching right off the road. He pulled over anyway, stopping on the side of the road and turning to stare at her. "I... me?" he asked, a little disbelievingly. It had never even occured to him that she'd willingly give up her child, let alone to him... "Really?"

Sniffing softly, Dani wiped her eyes and nose with her jacket sleeve, "Yeah."

Hank pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket, offering it to her. "Danielle, you don't have to do this if you don't want to," he said gently. "You know we'd give you all the support and help you need..."

Dani waved away the offered handkerchief, once more using her sleeve. After all, that is what it is for, "Yeah...but what happens then if I leave? Or or whatever? What happens when I wanna go to college? Or if I lose control again and hurt her? I can't...I can't do that. So yeah. Do you want to adopt him or her?"

"I..." Yes! Yes, I do! More than anything! "I think it's something we should both think about," he said gently. "It's a big decision, especially when you're under so much pressure otherwise. But... I am honoured that you asked me, and I... like the idea. Very much. But I do think we should both give it serious thought."

"Well, see, if you agree, then we can tell the judge that so Sheldon won't fight for custody, cause he said he would have me declared insane and unfit," Dani didn't want to admit it, but she was scared that she might actually be, "I'm not trying to pressure you...I just...I don't know!"

He reached over to draw her into a gentle hug, smoothing her ruffled hair. "Shh... I do think you should think about it further, because it's a very big decision... but I am perfectly willing to tell the judge that you've asked me to make arrangements for the baby's adoption, which is entirely true, even if I'm not the one who is fortunate enough to take him or her. That should suffice, I think."

Sobbing Dani nodded into his fur, "Thank you...but I mean it. I think you'd be a good dad."

"I..." He had to give her a little more time, to think about it.. but if she didn't change her mind, he knew what he'd say. "I'd do my very best," he said softly, holding her gently. "I've always wanted to be a father. Ever since I was your age."

Nodding, Dani smiled a bright, fake smile, "Good. So um...I gotta pee."

"It will be all right," Hank said reassuringly. "And I'm pretty sure I passed a Chevron sign a minute ago." He touched her cheek lightly, wiping away a stray tear. "And it will all work out. You'll see. I'll make sure it does."