This is a sequel to What Snow Can't Cover and I would strongly suggest you
read it first. You might stumble through this okay, but it would be worth
it to read the first story before reading this one.
Disclaimer: Although a girl can wish, I in no way shape or form own Mutant X or any of the characters. Michael, Mari, Will, Nicole and Alex are mine though.
Part One: Sound
It had been almost six months since the twins had been born and things were about what you would expect. Unfortunately the advanced aging was still in place and couldn't be reversed for another six months which meant that these twins were actually around three years in appearance. Both were bright children, though quiet for their age. Adam suspected it was because of the twin bond that they rarely spoke up.
"It's time for their monthly check up Shal. Can you bring Mari and Michael down here?" Adam said into his COM ring.
"Sure we'll be right down. I was going to bring Michael down anyway. He's been acting strangely and hasn't spoken or responded to me in almost a week."
Adam had seen the problem but figured it was just a youthful rebellion. If Shalimar thought it was something more though, he was perfectly fine to check it out.
Ten minutes later Adam found himself standing in front of his youngest charges. "How are you guys today?"
"We're fine grampa. Why did you want to see us?" Mari said somewhat surprising Adam. She had been speaking for a while now and he had actually just taught her to read but he didn't remember her being that articulate the last time they spoke.
"It's time for your monthly checkup Mari. How are you Michael?"
Instead of getting a response though, it was like Michael didn't even hear him. Instead he got another response from Mariella, "He's fine too. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No I think that's all Mari, why don't you go find Emma or Will and play with one of them while your mom and I have a talk with Michael." He could see the flash of fear in Mariella's eyes as she understood what he said but she did as she was told and left. She knew what was wrong and wanted to protect Michael, not leave him.
"Shal, I think there is a problem with Michael. He's never this silent and Mari's never that protective." As Michael had a stronger feral side, the roles were usually reversed in that relationship. He was fiercely protective of Mari and to see her speak up for him scared Adam.
"What is it Adam? It's like he doesn't even know what we're saying most of the time."
"I need to run a few tests but I have my suspicions. You said this started about a week or two ago?"
"Yes, right after the children got over that virus."
"Alright. Give me a few minutes to set up the tests and then we'll see what we're working with here."
Thirty minutes later Adam's suspicions were confirmed and he was sitting in front of Shalimar about to explain the results, "Brennan should be here in a minute and I'll explain the results to you. I'd call for Mari too, but I suspect she already knows."
After a few minutes Brennan came into the lab and sat by Shalimar, picking Michael up and setting him in his lap on the way. "What's up Adam?"
"I have the results and while they may be a little unsettling, just remember that it's not the end of the world and that we will all work through this."
"Adam you're really starting to scare me, what is wrong with my son?" Shalimar said reaching for Michael and holding on to him protectively.
"Shalimar, Brennan, the virus that the children contracted a while back had a different effect than I realized on Michael. Because his body was changing so quickly, he wasn't able to fight off the virus. The results came back and I'm so sorry but Michael's deaf."
Disclaimer: Although a girl can wish, I in no way shape or form own Mutant X or any of the characters. Michael, Mari, Will, Nicole and Alex are mine though.
Part One: Sound
It had been almost six months since the twins had been born and things were about what you would expect. Unfortunately the advanced aging was still in place and couldn't be reversed for another six months which meant that these twins were actually around three years in appearance. Both were bright children, though quiet for their age. Adam suspected it was because of the twin bond that they rarely spoke up.
"It's time for their monthly check up Shal. Can you bring Mari and Michael down here?" Adam said into his COM ring.
"Sure we'll be right down. I was going to bring Michael down anyway. He's been acting strangely and hasn't spoken or responded to me in almost a week."
Adam had seen the problem but figured it was just a youthful rebellion. If Shalimar thought it was something more though, he was perfectly fine to check it out.
Ten minutes later Adam found himself standing in front of his youngest charges. "How are you guys today?"
"We're fine grampa. Why did you want to see us?" Mari said somewhat surprising Adam. She had been speaking for a while now and he had actually just taught her to read but he didn't remember her being that articulate the last time they spoke.
"It's time for your monthly checkup Mari. How are you Michael?"
Instead of getting a response though, it was like Michael didn't even hear him. Instead he got another response from Mariella, "He's fine too. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"No I think that's all Mari, why don't you go find Emma or Will and play with one of them while your mom and I have a talk with Michael." He could see the flash of fear in Mariella's eyes as she understood what he said but she did as she was told and left. She knew what was wrong and wanted to protect Michael, not leave him.
"Shal, I think there is a problem with Michael. He's never this silent and Mari's never that protective." As Michael had a stronger feral side, the roles were usually reversed in that relationship. He was fiercely protective of Mari and to see her speak up for him scared Adam.
"What is it Adam? It's like he doesn't even know what we're saying most of the time."
"I need to run a few tests but I have my suspicions. You said this started about a week or two ago?"
"Yes, right after the children got over that virus."
"Alright. Give me a few minutes to set up the tests and then we'll see what we're working with here."
Thirty minutes later Adam's suspicions were confirmed and he was sitting in front of Shalimar about to explain the results, "Brennan should be here in a minute and I'll explain the results to you. I'd call for Mari too, but I suspect she already knows."
After a few minutes Brennan came into the lab and sat by Shalimar, picking Michael up and setting him in his lap on the way. "What's up Adam?"
"I have the results and while they may be a little unsettling, just remember that it's not the end of the world and that we will all work through this."
"Adam you're really starting to scare me, what is wrong with my son?" Shalimar said reaching for Michael and holding on to him protectively.
"Shalimar, Brennan, the virus that the children contracted a while back had a different effect than I realized on Michael. Because his body was changing so quickly, he wasn't able to fight off the virus. The results came back and I'm so sorry but Michael's deaf."