Helena awoke to the sun on her face. She felt Remy's arm wrapped tightly around her waist. For the first time in 2 weeks, everything felt like it was in place.
She moved Remy's arm gently, getting up as she did so. She walked over to the vanity that stood parallel to the bed. She took a good look at herself; the first time in days. She was a mess. She'd lost weight since her mother's first phone call. All of the pudge around her belly was gone and she found herself missing it. Her hair wasn't as shiny as it had been, nor were her eyes as deep. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd put make-up on.
Remy turned over in the bed, remaining in his peaceful slumber. Helena walked quietly to the door and left the room, leaving Remy to sleep.
As soon as she started walking, she could hear the students in the War Room. She moved past it, walking instead towards Charles' office, where she could hear a heated discussion just outside the closed door.
"What are we going to do with her?"
"What do you mean, 'What are we going to do with her?'"
"How are we going to take care of the situation with Helena. There's obviously something bigger here. She we force her to see her father?"
"We can't do – "
Helena walked into the room, causing a collective gasp. Everyone looked at each other, not sure what to do.
"Well?" she asked. "Are you going to continue?"
"Helena, how are you feeling?" Jean attempted.
"Just peachy, Jean. Just fucking peachy."
"Now, now. No need for that kind of language in here," Charles said. "However, welcome to the discussion."
Logan placed his hand on Helena's shoulder, his way of acknowledging her presence in the conversation.
"We were just discussing the situation with your father. Have you decided what course of action to take?" asked Charles.
"What course of action? There is no course of action. I have no intention of seeing him. And, no, you can't force me."
Logan turned Helena to look at him. "You should go see him."
Helena's eyes watered, escaping his grasp. "What, now you're taking their side?!"
"Listen, if I was gonna take a side, it'd be yours. But for your own good, go see the man."
"My own good! Bah! I know what's good for me and it has nothing to do with him!"
"Logan is right, Helena. You need to make peace with your father." Charles added.
Helena moved away from the crowd, placing herself in a small corner. Tears flowed from her eyes. "I refuse!" she screamed. "You can't make me!"
No, we can't make you, Helena. But you need to consider this. It's highly important to your recovery.
But I can't! I just can't face him. Don't you understand?
No, I don't understand, the Professor replied. I could never understand what you're going through, but I know about recovery and it takes a certain amount of courage and forgiveness. You need to be the bigger person.
Helena looked up at Charles, tears still falling from her eyes. No one had dared approach her in the corner, afraid of a backlash. Charles peered back at Helena, neither of them breaking the gaze for several seconds, causing a certain amount of panic in the audience in the room.
Helena stood up slowly. I don't think that I can forgive him after all he did; and I can't forgive my mother for not believing me, she messaged back. I think that's what hurt the most.
"Time is running short, ma cher," Remy said. "Remy go wit you cher. Ah promise."
Helena's gaze broke from Charles, slowly moving to Remy. Her crying had stopped and she concentrated on him for just a moment before she moved towards him, lifting her arms to embrace him.
Remy took Helena in her arms, squeezing her tight. A sob escaped from her lips, shaking Remy from deep within.
"We'll go tomorrow, Remy," Helena whispered into his ear. "Okay?"
"Aight cher. We go tomorrah," Remy whispered back. "And we show dat sonavabitch who de boss now, oui?"
"Oui, petit. We'll show him who's the boss."
xxx
Hi! I hope you're all enjoying the story thus far. If you're a little confused, the sentences in italics are telepathic messages. I tried to differentiate them from just thoughts, but it's a little obscure. Please bear with me. As always, please review!