xp_logs | Kurt and Maddie, backdated

The night before he and Amanda leave for Germany, Kurt goes to visit Maddie to say his goodbyes.

After his talk with the Professor, and some time spent thinking in the quieter places of the mansion, Kurt made his way directly to Madelyn's suite. The others, he could tell he was leaving with a post on the boards, or let the Professor inform them, but he wanted to let her know personally.

"Come in," she said absently at the knock on her door. She was curled up on the couch, going over taskforce reports and trying very hard not to think about Cajuns and temporary insanity. Her smile was almost relieved as she saw it was Kurt. "Kurt, hi. How's the ears?"

"Better", he answered with a rueful smile. "Not fully recovered yet, but the ringing is less at least."

"That's good. Have a seat." She watched him as he sat, taking note of the sense of unease about him. "What's up?"

That rueful smile wasn't going anywhere, it seemed, as he glanced down then looked back up at her. "I... Amanda and I will be returning to Germany in the morning. I would have told you before, but I did not know."

Madelyn's expression clouded a little, but she nodded. "I... It's for the best, I suppose. After what's happened. Does she know?"

"She knows that Alphonso is dead, yes. She no longer feels she can stay here, so she will be staying with the clan for a time."

"And you?" Madelyn asked. "Are you just going to see her settled, or is it going to be something longer?" There was a note of... something, in her voice.

He looked down again, suddenly unable to meet her eyes. "...I do not know, for sure."

"Oh." The single word was flat with regret, but Madelyn rallied. "I suppose you need the break as much as she does. It's been a rough month for you."

He heard the regret in her voice, and winced. "I am sorry. But yes... it has." He paused, then offered, "I will certainly return for visits, at the very least."

"Kurt, you do what you need to do - the only claim we have on you here is friendship, and good friends know when to let go." She smiled at him, although it was a slightly sad expression, and didn't last long. "A piece of advice, though? Don't tell Amanda you were there. Ever."

He nodded firmly. "Oh, that much I know. If we had had more X-Men who were fit for duty, I do not think I would have gone. But as it was..."

"Crap timing all 'round," Madelyn agreed, shifting her right arm carefully in the Damned Sling.

"We leave early tomorrow", he said quietly. "The tickets are all arranged, for an early flight, as it is a long one."

Madelyn nodded, still oddly dissatisfied, and remembered Remy's jibe about the Smurf Twins. He had to have been wrong, she decided. If either of them felt that way, surely she'd have noticed something. "You'll be in touch, though, right?" she asked.

"Of course", he answered without hesitation. "I will call when I can, and write..."

"I'd... that'd be good. You know how we worry." She smiled again, a touch wryly. "Amanda's lucky you're going with her - she needs someone that cares at the moment."

"She will find more person than one in the clan who does", he agreed. "Stefan, our mother, many who knew her as a child... and she will stay as long as she wishes to."

"People who haven't been involved in this whole mess," Madelyn observed, with a sigh. "Which she really needs, I guess - she's got a lot to process."

Kurt nodded sombrely. "Yes, she does. I am not sure when, or if, she will be ready to return here."

"There will be a lot of people sorry to see her go," Madelyn said, thinking of Angelo. She'd have to ask someone to keep an eye on him, with herself going away as well.

"I think... she may be inclined to doubt that, at this point. She does not think that no one will miss her, but I am not sure she knows that many people will."

"Well, that's something we can't force on her - either she'll realise it or she won't." Madelyn looked steadily at Kurt. "And she's not the only one who will be missed."

This time, he didn't look away. "I know. And I am sorry I must go. There are those here I will miss very much."

"You can always come back, you know. Both of you. When you're done sorting yourselves out." Madelyn had guessed Kurt needed the time to process as much as Amanda did.

"I know that, too", he answered, reaching automatically to squeeze her hand. "And one way or another, I will. Even if it is not permanently. And it may be."

She squeezed back. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it to be a permanent return. But I know you have to do this. Just take care of yourself, hon."

He smiled at the endearment, not releasing her hand. "I will. And the clan will take care of both Amanda and me."

"Family is good that way," she agreed.

"I will have to show them this place, someday", he said softly.

"It'd be one way of making sure you come back," she teased gently.

"Oh, one way or another, that is already assured. It is only whether I will stay that is in question", he told her again with a half-smile.