Okay, everyone, I've updated this one now. Nothing to worry about, just a few minor changes.

As neither this chapter and the previous one were very long, I decided to be nice and post them at the same time. Thanks for reading.

Anatui

Chapter 4

Later that evening, after retrieving her tape recorder from her patient's room after Kitty Pryde had left it, Dr. Carlson listens to the recording of the session, including the part in which she had been a participant. And, after the door closes behind her, she pays very close attention.

--

The room was silent for a while, but John's fingers tapping lightly on the headboard sounded through the room. Neither said anything for quite some time, but, eventually, John couldn't resist speaking. "Why did you agree to this?" he asked coldly.

Kitty's voice was collected but a little hurt when she responded. "I wanted to see you," she explained. "I wanted to make sure you were all right."

"Yeah, I'm fucking all right," he snapped sarcastically, probably rolling his eyes at the same time. "I'm only incarcerated and being pummeled with questions by some rich, snobby psychiatrist who absolutely refuses to assign me any drugs. Apparently I'm not 'stable enough' to have them."

"No, I don't think you are."

"Oh, thank you so much for supporting me here, Kitten."

"How many times will I have to tell you not to call me that?"

"As many as it takes for me to get your name right, I guess. You know I'm not a big fan of doing things right."

She laughed humorlessly. "Yes, I do know that. And you know that I'm not a big fan of having to wait for you to see the error of your ways." She heaved a sigh. "Why don't you just tell her what she wants to hear, John? You'll probably be able to get out of here sooner."

"Hah! I don't think so, Kitten. I can understand her interest in the Brotherhood and the part I played in that. Considering her job, that is her business. But there are just some things that I want to keep for myself."

"Yeah, like what?"

He shrugged. "Like what happened that night in the motel. That's personal, and it really has nothing to do with the Brotherhood. It's really none of her business."

"Yeah?" She sounded angry and hurt now. "Well, if that's so important, then why didn't you ever talk to me again?"

He shushed her, probably pointing out the tape. He had intended to keep that a secret, didn't he? "Look," he said, "if you think I had any other opportunity after that to sneak away, you've got to be kidding me. Besides, you never seemed all that fond to be with me, considering what I was."

"Of course I wasn't happy with your position," she snapped, "but that doesn't mean that I'm not terribly fond of you."

"Yeah, well…." He sounded nervous yet happy.

--

Hearing his voice like that gives him a whole new meaning to Dr. Carlson, and she rather wishes she could have been there for the exchange, but she doubts very much that it would have occurred in her presence. Taking Kitty Pryde in there to talk to him is probably the best thing she could've done.

The next couple minutes are mostly silent, until Kitty's voice comes on again, saying, "I should probably go now. I'll come back and see you again… if I can."