A/N: Hi guys. Well a pretty long chapter today by my standards with some swearing toward the end so anyone who shouldn't be reading this had better not finish this chapter. Note that I really can't remember the exact dialogue when Warren is about to recieve his jab but I've got the gist I think. I know this chapter gets slightly sickly but trust me, it's temporary. Don't hate Evey just yet! Thanks for all reviews also - more are welcome! I know how many hits my story has hadso come on! Tell me what you think!
Chapter Two - Everytime I Try to Fly, I Fall.
Evangeline hadn't spoken to Warren since their argument. That had been four days ago and every half hour or so, she'd check her messages on her phone just in case he'd come around. But then leopards don't change their spots and Warren Worthington III never offered any peace first.
"Dr Abercombie? Mrs Thomas is waiting with Sooty in reception, can I send them through?"
The sound of the receptionist's voice broke Evey away from her daydream and she quickly stuffed her phone into the pocket of her jeans before pressing on the intercom to let Gina know Mrs Thomas could indeed bring Sooty through.
Evey went through procedure will dull mechanical actions. Usually, she was bubbly and chatty and didn't mind the questions about her gift for she loved her job and how she helped people and their pet's everyday but today Warren was clouding her thoughts.
"I think Sooty will be fine Mrs Thomas, she's recovered from surgery well so I'm just going to give her one last go and she'll be back to her old self again," Evey said, forcing a smile as she stroked the small black cats head. Sooty had to have a small lump removed from her stomach and while Evey could heal wounds, she couldn't remove cancerous tissue.
"That's great news doctor," Mrs Thomas beamed as Evey laid her hands on the cat's abdomen and felt the tell tale heat begin to flow from her hands into the animal. Sooty laid very still as if she were in a sunny meadow instead of on a cold exam table.
"There," Evey said after a few minutes of work. "Sooty's back." The small cat nuzzled Evey's hand as if to say thank you and Evey obliged by ruffling her ears.
"Thanks for all you've done for her," Mrs Thomas gushed happily, scooping her cat close to her bosom. "My little boy, he'll be so happy."
"It was nothing," Evey shrugged politely. "If there's anything else, don't hesitate to give us a call."
"I've recommended you to all my friends," Mrs Thomas gushed further as Evey followed her to the door. "I hope you're not going to get that cure they're talking about on all the news channels!"
The woman's words chilled Evey. If it was on the news then it would soon be readily available which meant Warren would soon be…normal. Evey stopped her thoughts at her last word in her mind. Warren was already normal. He didn't need a cure because there was nothing wrong with him.
"No, I certainly won't be," Evey smiled at the customer reassuringly and decided not to go off on a rant to poor Mrs Thomas.
"Good. Thanks again Evey," Mrs Thomas said and left the room with her beloved cat cradled in her arms. She watched her approach another one of the receptionists and noticed Gina, along with all the other waiting pet owners were studying a TV that nestled in a corner of the reception area.
Evey folded her arms tightly and swallowed back hard at the sight on CNN. It was Warren with his father and he was rattling on about his cure and how his son was going to be the first mutant in history to be cured.
"Warren," Evey uttered, shaking her head at him through the screen. He looked scared and nervous but his jaw was firmly set just like his father's was as a dozen microphones were shoved under his nose.
"Mr Worthington, can you show the world one last time what your mutation is?" A reporter asked loudly, almost inserting his microphone into Warren's nostril.
Warren said nothing and his father grinned on, loving the media attention and publicity he was getting for his company but forgetting his shy son next to him.
A woman appeared from no where and began easing Warren's coat off his shoulders like some very weird strip show. Warren looked equally as shocked as Evey did but didn't stop the painted lady as she slung his coat over her forearm leaving Warren in his light blue t-shirt in front of the crowd.
"Go ahead son, it'll be the last time," His father said in Warren's ear. Apparently his father didn't mind his mutation when it made him famous. Warren ground his teeth angrily as he surveyed the media circus before him all pointing their cameras at the first soon to be cured mutant.
He felt his wings straining under the cotton until he heard a small tear of fabric at his neck and before he knew it, his wings had escaped and his t-shirt was ripped off his body where it puddled in strips at his feet.
His magnificent snow white wings stretched across the stage and actually knocked a few people off. He beat his enormous wings once as he panted with rage, embarrassment and exhaustion at being victimised for being different.
The waiting patient owners in the reception gasped up at the television at such a magnificent sight, for Warren truly was. Evey covered her mouth with a hand for she hadn't seen Warren's actual wing span for years. It must've stretched at least sixteen feet across and the actual wings were massive and angelic.
Warren was practically blinded by camera flashes all dying to get an image for their newspaper of magazine. Different poses were being shouted out to him but they were ignored and met with a stony scowl.
Evey wanted to cry and she wasn't sure why. She had this protection instinct for Warren and it was clear how badly he needed it. She couldn't let him go through with the cure.
"Gina, I'll be back. Going for an early lunch," Evey said distractedly as she grabbed her bag and jacket from the cloak room behind the reception desk.
"Evey, it's eleven fifteen!" Gina called to her but she had already left and was sprinting toward Worthington Labs which was four blocks away from Willow Tree Veterinary Clinic.
The closer she got to the Labs, the harder it was to get through the crowds of mutants and humans. She found herself stumbling through the middle of a demonstration against the cure and it was a flurry of noise and bodies.
Evey pushed her way through but was met with police, more demonstrators and more reporters and camera men than she had ever seen. It was a circus and they had their entertainment. Warren.
"Warren!" Evey yelled as loud as she possibly could from the closest she could get. "Warren! Don't do it!"
She pushed through some Fox reporters and held on tight to the railings that had been put in place in front of the Labs.
"WARREN!" Evey screamed as he was about to be led away from the media and into the shiny blue glass building. He turned to look, recognising the voice as Evey's. He scanned the crowd as Evey waved her arms at him frantically in a bid to catch his attention. "Don't do this Warren! DON'T!"
Warren shrugged back at her, his eyes apologising for something that wasn't really his fault or his choice. This wasn't good enough for Evey. She rattled the railings furiously at the join trying to wrench them apart so she could get to Warren and rescue him from such an awful fate.
"WARREN! DON'T DO IT! IT'S YOUR CHOICE WARREN!" Evey screamed, kicking at the railings before they finally eased apart. She hurriedly squeezed through them, her behaviour catching the security's attentions. "No! Stop!"
Evey chased up the stairs to the stage and got really close to Warren before some very strong arms fastened themselves around her waist and heaved her backwards, away from Warren and his father who was looking extremely angry.
"Evangeline?" Warrens' father questioned and the cop loosened his grip slightly at the knowledge she was known to them. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Warren, think about this! Don't give up your gift, don't give into him! I know you, you don't want to do this to yourself!" Evey cried, trying to wrestle free. "Please!"
"It's too late Evangeline. Warren has made his decision. You know nothing of the pain this has caused us. You do not understand," Warren senior said sternly but Evey looked straight back at him defiantly.
"Oh yes I do! I'm a mutant just like your son! I'm the one who comforted him all these years when it should have been you but all you could manage was cruel words and the back of your hand!" Evey spat venomously. If the media went mad at Warren's wings then they were going absolutely crazy over this strange girl yelling at the president of Worthington Labs.
"I suggest that you stay away from my son and my home for we no longer associate with mutants," Warrens' father said coldly. "Remove her before she's cured, just like Warren will be."
"No!" Evey cried as the cop began heaving her away from Warren. "Don't do this to him! Can't you see? He's an Angel!"
"Funny, I don't see a halo," Warren's father spat back at her as Warren was ushered inside and cocooned around doctors and God knows who else.
"No more trouble," The cop warned as he led Evey away. "You heard what he said. Your boyfriend is going to be saved, its good news."
"He's not going to be saved and he's not my boyfriend," Evey said through gritted teeth. "There's nothing wrong with him, or me, or anyone."
"It's not you with the sixteen feet wings though is it?" The cop said, his tone changing. They had stopped and Evey looked at him carefully, he was tall and black with an easy smile. "We all have our demons and some of them are a lot more noticeable than others."
"You're a mutant too, aren't you?" Evey asked slowly.
"Not for much longer," The cop replied coldly and left her where she was standing.
- - -
"Did you know she was a mutant?" Warren's father asked him as they made their way up to an examination room in a large glass lift.
"Of course I did," Warren replied bitterly, looking at the floor. His harness had been strapped on again and his coat draped around his shoulders. "She can heal people and animals."
"I don't want you seeing her again Warren, you understand me?" His father demanded. "She is no longer welcome in my house or around my family."
Warren didn't reply. He didn't have to be banished from seeing Evey, she'd make it happen herself if he got the cure and quite rightly too. He shivered under his coat and tried to swallow back his nerves and calm his inward struggle against what was right and what was wrong. He put a hand on the cold glass of the elevator and looked at his reflection carefully, wondering if this was the person he really wanted to be.
"Come on son," His father said, putting a hand on his shoulder as the elevator came to a halt at the twentieth floor of the building. Warren allowed himself to be led from the compartment and along a corridor toward an examination room that was sunk into the very end of the long stretch.
Warren walked into the open door of the room and was greeted by the sight of a massive upright table with restraints attached either side. This made Warren incredibly nervous but before he could gather his thoughts, his coat was being slipped off and he was being led to the foreboding looking table.
"Hey Dad? I don't know about this," Warren said nervously as his arms were strapped down in place. The metal was cold on his bare skin and his wings were straining under his harness once again at the sight of a doctor advancing toward him with an over sized gun loaded with his cure. The needle was glinting viciously in the sunlight pouring through the glass windows of the room.
"Relax Warren, this is what we all want," His father tried to reassure and something inside him snapped. Warren's mind shot to Evey and how she was being dragged away by that burly cop when all he did was watch. Why hadn't he tried to intervene and help her?
Warren struggled against his restraints violently as the needle came close to his upturned arm. His strong arms and body fought against the table, his wings pushing and tensing with agitation when his wrists burst the cuffs and his wings spread across the room, making the doctor gasp in shock.
"No, it's what you want," Warren said coldly to his father who looked taken aback at the scene. Warren glanced about the room and did the most reckless thing he'd ever done in his life. He sprinted toward a large glass panel that made up the window and threw himself against it with all his might. The glass smashed into hundreds of tiny shards and the noise almost deafened him and just as he thought he was about to fall, he beat his wings forcefully and took flight above the crowds below leaving his father's shouts behind.
The noise above caused everyone to look up, including Evey who was standing at a loss with the hundreds of demonstrators all yelling and cheering at Warren's departure.
"Warren!" Evey cried involuntary as she covered her mouth in shock. Warren had very little experience in flying and she hoped to God that he was a quick learner. She watched in horror as Warren sailed through the sunny air with ease with his eyes shut and arms wide as if he were really a bird.
Warren flew lower toward the ground and Evey tried to struggle toward him, waving her arms and yelling his name as she did so in a bid to catch his attention again. Luckily Warren noticed her and landed not too far from her amidst the roaring crowds.
"Evey! Over here!" Warren called, reaching through the people for her hand. The crowds were getting more violent as the long line of mutants waiting for their cure got bigger and they weren't too moved by the flying boy and screaming girl.
"Warren! Are you alright?" Evey asked quickly as Warren grabbed her hand and heaved her toward him. He didn't reply but instead pulled her tightly to his chest and embraced her smack bang in the middle of a raging and roaring demonstration. Warren was at least head and shoulders above Evey so she had no choice but to lay her head against his shoulder and wrap her arms underneath his wings which were nestling against his back.
Warren rested his chin on the top of Evey's head and screwed up his eyes tight, silently begging forgiveness for all he'd done to her over the years when she'd been right all along.
"Warren, you're kinda crushing me," Evey said after a while and he released his grip. He looked at his friend and saw her cheeks were coloured pink and she didn't look up at him straight away.
"I'm really sorry Evey, for everything. You were right and I was very, very wrong. I can't give up my gift and I certainly can't give up seeing you," Warren said seriously and Evey felt her blush deepen. What was going on? Warren was making her blush?
"It's ok but you're hurt. Look," Evey said, wanting to get off the subject. Usually she loved it when Warren was wrong which wasn't that often. She pointed to many cuts and scratches on his chest and arms from the glass.
"They're fine," Warren shrugged off, wanting to get back to what he was originally planning to say.
"They're not," Evey argued and pulled Warren down so she could inspect a large gash on his shoulder. "That was a stupid thing to do Warren, what's going to happen now hmm?"
"You're going to tell me where that mutant academy is. It'll be safe there," Warren replied as he strained his neck to watch Evey heal his gash.
"It's safe here Warren," Evey replied, taking his hands in hers which were equally in need of some healing. "The academy is in New York, across the country!"
"I know it's a safe house for mutants and trust me; we're going to need one. I over heard my Dad saying that the army are being issued with the cure to use as weapons in case there's any problems. Look around you Evey, it's practically a riot. Dad is going to announce where the source of the cure is being kept later and that'll be one Hell of a target for these lot," Warren explained quickly, motioning around.
"We're going to need one? Warren, I can't come with you. I have a job and a life to lead," Evey replied seriously as she released his hands and grabbed his left forearm to heal.
"Evey, I mean it. If you stay, you won't have a life left. It won't be safe for mutants around here. I have no where else to go and I'd like it if you came with me for both our sakes," Warren said, pulling Evey's hands off his arm and grasping them between his own. "Please?"
Evey squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. It was all happening so fast and she wasn't sure what to do for the best anymore.
"How are we going to get to New York?" She asked, meeting his eyes finally.
"Fly," Warren said simply and Evey laughed nervously. "Seriously."
"I am not going to let you pick me up and fly me to New York Warren, that's madness," Evey cried, shaking her head and trying to pry her hands free but Warren gripped her wrists tightly and pulled her near.
"It's the only way Evangeline," He said seriously, his blue eyes now strikingly fierce and determined. "I'm not letting you stay here, not with this happening."
"Well tough luck because you can't just tell me what to do! You disappear from my life without so much the odd letter and then suddenly you're demanding things from me that I can't give you. Not anymore," Evey cried, her eyes prickling uncomfortably. She tried to pull her hands free from Warren's grip but he didn't loosen.
"You know why I did it and you know I was wrong. I know I was wrong but I'm offering it to you again Evey so please take it." Warren's voice had softened and his eyes went back to their usual pale blue. He held her hands gently and carefully within his own.
"I can't," Evey uttered sadly and slid her hands from his. She turned and began making her way through the crowds, trying not to cry and leaving Warren standing.
Warren exhaled deeply for he knew he would regret his next action but it was a wrath he was willing to endure. Evey had given him a lot of strength during their conversation so she would be tired and weak and Warren knew it.
He took after her, his mighty wings beginning to beat behind him and as he reached Evey, he grabbed her under each arm and let his feet lift off the ground. Evey screamed a mixture of swear words and his name but he ignored her along with disgruntled shouts from the protesters he had whacked with his wings.
He soared higher with Evey kicking her legs wildly and screaming more obscenities than he'd ever heard from a woman.
"Evey, quit kicking or I'll drop you," Warren warned in a bid to ease her. Apparently she wasn't as weak as he'd thought.
"Warren, you son of a bitch! Put me down this instant! I mean it!" Evey screamed back at him.
"Well, if you mean it," Warren shrugged and let her go in mid air. Evey screamed so loud that Warren was sure New York could hear them coming. He swooped with grace and scooped Evey into his arms so he could carry her properly.
Evey was busy hyperventilating so Warren stole the chance to talk.
"I'm sorry Evey but you had to come with me. I can protect you there but how can I protect you all across the country? I only did it for your own good so you can hate me or you can appreciate what a good friend I am," Warren explained carefully. "So you think I'm still an Angel?"
"Fuck you Warren. Fuck you," Evey said coldly, folding her arms angrily and turning her head away from him. She huffed loudly and Warren fought the urge to laugh for she'd never been good at a grudge.
"It's always the same with you," Evey said suddenly. Her grudge had lasted an amazing three minutes. "I blame your father for this. I blame him for many things but it's his fault you're an arrogant, spoiled bastard who's used to getting his own way just like he is."
"Hey!" Warren argued. "When do I ever get my own way, huh Evey? I was almost forced into having the cure for Christ sake. I did something rash just now but can't you understand why?"
"Because you're an arrogant, spoiled bastard who's used to getting his own way," Evey said flatly as she turned to him. She unfolded her arms and slapped him hard across the face. "Don't you ever assume you know what's best for me again."
Warren was silent. The slap had really hurt but he didn't want to admit it. He supposed he had deserved it and was lucky he hadn't had one sooner.
Evey was also quiet and had her hands resting in her lap. They were actually making very good speed and could be in New York within the hour if they didn't stop. Evey swallowed her pride and wrapped an arm around Warren's neck so she could remain giving him strength through out their journey. She clasped her other hand so both her arms formed a loop around Warren's neck.
"I'm sorry," She muttered after a few more minutes of silence. "You're far from what your father is. You actually care about other people than yourself."
"Forget it," Warren said tonelessly and Evey realised she had really hurt him.
"You are an Angel, Warren. You're my guardian Angel," Evey said softly, answering his question from ten minutes ago. "Your wings are so beautiful now, they truly are."
"Thanks," Warren replied in similar tones and this hurt Evey. "Evey? Do you remember when we first found out about each other?"
"Of course," Evey replied, the memory very fond in her mind. "You had cut off your wings and I fixed them."
"From that moment, I always wanted you to be the one who fixed me," Warren said, swooping through some low cloud.
"And I did. I always tried anyway," Evey replied, wondering where this was going.
"I mean, I always wanted you there next to me. That's when I fell in love with you Evey," Warren clarified, looking straight ahead. Evey felt his grip on her legs and body tighten and his heart began to bang hard against her own body.
"You, what?" Evey replied dumbly, certain she'd misheard. Warren loved her?
"You heard what I said Evey," Warren replied shortly. "I just don't know if I was right in thinking you felt the same."
"But before we went to college, before everything changed, you said no to me. I asked and you said no," Evey said tearfully, biting her lip. "You were seeing someone else Warren."
"Only because I thought you were a lost cause. It killed me saying no to you but my father…my father thought Kate was the right choice for me. He could see how much I cared for you but it didn't change his mind," Warren admitted sadly.
"You let your father talk you out of asking me out? What? I'm not good enough for you?" Evey asked angrily, hating his father more and more.
"No, it was because you had a mind Evey," Warren answered simply.
"God," Evey uttered, chastising herself for being so foolish. She was still very embarrassed about that particular conversation of theirs, the one which caused them to stop talking almost.
"I'm asking if you still feel the same about me, the way you did before college," Warren said boldly and braced himself for the reply.
"I don't know," Evey said earnestly. "I don't know."
Warren didn't reply. Instead, he pressed his mouth on the top of Evey's head and kissed it, letting his lips linger for a few moments longer than necessary while Evey fought the urge to cry and was losing miserably.