Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except Katie. Everyone else belongs to whoever they belong to.
Notes: I don't like how this chapter turned out really. I like how the ending turned out, but not the first part... Never mind. I hate this chapter! GAH! But thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter.
Fragile Hope
When I open my eyes again, I am immediately bombarded with dark feelings that make me want to curl up into a ball and throw the covers over my head, like when I was a child. My memories of last night return full force, and I can't stop the whimper that escapes my throat. I hate feeling like this, so helpless and scared.
I force myself out of bed, and get dressed. I freshen myself up, and when I look in the mirror, the only thing that seems out of place are the dark circles under my eyes. My cheeks flush a little when I remember how I fell apart last night. They needed me to be strong, and I completely lost myself to the overwhelming feelings of grief and fear. I look my reflection right in the eyes and mutter to myself," Never again...." Moreau will never make me cry again.
I take a deep, calming breath, and then leave my room. When I encounter Skinner in the hallway, I am not surprised to sense his caution. I give him a cool smile and say," Good morning Skinner." When he hears the sudden strength in my voice he relaxes, his body visible due to the fact that he has donned his jacket once more. I reach out and pat his arm, trying to offer him some sort of comfort.
He nods at me and then continues on his way. I am slightly relieved when I feel his spirits slightly raised. The next person I run into is Henry. He looks like he hasn't slept a wink, dark circles under his eyes, his hair slightly mussed, his shirt untucked. When I enter the library his eyes are immediately drawn to mine. He too relaxes when he sees that I have composed myself. I approach him, and quietly say," Thank you for taking care of me last night." He flushes slightly and responds," I-it was no trouble."
" Would you care to join me in a walk?" I begin, cursing myself when I hear how shy and uncertain my voice sounds," Some fresh air might do us good." By proposing this, I am trying to show him that I'm not afraid to leave the safe haven of the building around us. I want to restore what my outburst last night seems to have destroyed. I don't want what's left of the League thinking that I am useless to them, too emotional to be any help.
" I-I'd be delighted." Henry replies, giving a rather silly grin which I can't help but smile back at. He tells me to wait by the front door for him, saying that he needs to freshen up and inform Allan that we'll be out for awhile. I'd completely forgotten about informing Allan first, and am relieved that Henry thought of it first.
I have to admit that for the first few minutes after leaving the building, I am more than a little nervous. I glance around us for several minutes, until Henry speaks up and says," Don't worry. I'm sure Moreau won't try anything in broad daylight." Just to make sure that all my fears will be rested, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out another vile of his elixir. Knowing that he's brought it with him, I do actually feel much better, and we continue our walk in a companionable silence.
We reach a park and decide to explore it. It is a rather nice day, and I wish that Tom and Mina were here to enjoy it. I look up at Henry in time to see a light, warm breeze tousle his hair a little. I am suddenly struck by how handsome he is, but I quickly banish the thought, looking away from him, my cheeks warming slightly.
We find a bench after awhile and we have a seat, close enough that people know we are together when they pass but not quite close enough to be touching. He turns to me after another long moment of silence and softly says," This was a good idea. I feel a little better already." I nod and voice my earlier thought," It's too bad Mina and Tom aren't here to enjoy it." His face darkens at the mention of them, and I know I shouldn't have brought it up.
" They will someday." He says, sounding surprisingly sure of himself. I frown slightly and ask him," How can you know that?" He looks me in the eyes and replies," Sometimes you just have to have faith that things will be right again eventually. And they will be Katie, you'll see. Trust me." Some part of me wants to tell him that I'd trust him with my very life, but I keep silent and just nod.
" Sometimes," I say softly, tearing my eyes away from his to look off into the distance," I feel so useless and helpless. I want to leap into action, but I don't know what to do. It's frustrating, Henry, knowing where they are, but not how to get to them. It hurts." I press a hand over my heart, showing him just where it hurts. He rests his hand over my left hand which is in my lap and gently replies," Sometimes the pain makes us stronger."
I nod, understanding what he means completely, not just metaphorically, but literally too. When applied to my powers, the saying makes complete sense. The insightful phrase makes me pause and reflect on all the pain that we've all endured in the last while.
A sudden inkling of an idea blooms in my mind as Henry's words repeat in my head. I look at him sharply, my eyes widening and my entire body tensing slightly. My thoughts whirl quickly, and as I try to piece them together, I feel like leaping to my feet and screaming for joy. Something occurs to me, like a bolt of lightning piercing the darkness, and a wide smile crosses my lips. In my joy, I hug him tightly exclaiming," That's it! Henry, you're a genius!" When I pull back I let out a giggle at the expression of bewilderment on his face.
He lets out a startled yelp as I grab his hand and pull him up off the bench, crying," Come Henry! We have to get the others!" Though he is still confused at my sudden behavior change, he follows me back to the headquarters without question, probably trusting that I will reveal all once I've gotten everyone together. I almost feel giddy as I run up the now familiar stone steps, Henry right at my heels.
It takes me a awhile to track everyone down, as Skinner has disappeared once again. When I accidentally bump into him after about ten minutes of looking for him, I drag him into the library where Allan, Nemo and Henry are waiting for us. I urge Skinner to have a seat and then I proudly announce," I know how to find Moreau." This instantly gains everyone's attention, and Allan stands, looking me in the eyes, silently commanding me to divulge my idea. I clear my throat and begin," I had the idea when Henry said something to me on our walk awhile ago. He said,' Sometimes the pain makes us stronger' and for a moment, it was like I'd been run over by a horse... you see, when I first came here, I made a rather interesting discovery about my abilities. When I was moving objects around the room, I accidentally hurt myself by hitting my knee against the table. The object I was moving, a heavy object, moved faster and with more accuracy than before. So you see?!"
I look at each person's blank face before prompting," Don't you see?" Finally Skinner pipes up and says," You're going to have to walk us through it there, luv." I heave a sigh and then excitedly say," I could let Moreau take me, and once I'm on his island, I could hurt myself somehow and contact you back here." They all stare at me wide-eyed before Henry nearly leaps to his feet and explodes," Are you insane?!" I blink at him, surprised at his reaction and softly reply," What? It could work!"
" It's too risky." Allan says, shaking his head," How do you know that you'd be able to contact us from Moreau's island, even after you hurt yourself? Which brings me to my second point-"
" I know it sounds... extreme, but it could work... no, it would work! I could smuggle... I don't know, perhaps a knife or something like that with me. I just know I can do it!" I say, pacing in front of the table a little, still excited at the thought of rescuing the others and proving myself to the rest of the League. My heart sinks when Allan continues to shake his head at me, frowning.
" I'm afraid that it's out of the question." Allan says gently. I draw back, no longer so excited. I have to admit that I am a little hurt by his automatic dismissal of my idea. For a moment, I think that it's not fair, but I force myself to brush that aside and say," Shouldn't we try anything to save those children and Mina and Tom?"
" Not if it would put you in such danger." Nemo says, adding his opinion. Henry nods vehemently, his arms crossed over his chest, looking stubborn for the first time since I've met him. I scowl a little. I had been so sure that they would agree with me. They had all been as desperate as I was to find a way to save Moreau's captives, and now they act as if it's the last thing on earth that they want to do. Even Skinner is against me, as I can sense his wariness from where I stand.
Allan and Nemo begin to file out of the room to return to their own personal business, and Allan stops to gently say," It was good of you to try anyway." I frown even deeper at his sentiments, feeling as if I'm being patted on the head like a dog or a small child who has done something very silly. He disappears and Skinner approaches me, placing a hand on my shoulder before silently disappearing as well.
I sigh heavily and sit down at the table, sulking. I glance up at Henry, who looks rather relieved that my idea was shot down, and absently grumble," I should just go anyway." At my words, he looks alarmed and nearly shouts," You can't!" I lean forward, my temper flaring and sharply retort," Don't treat me like a child. I can do as I please!"
I sit back in my chair again and cross my arms over my chest, lifting my chin defiantly. His face grows slightly red as I slowly and deliberately say," I am going to do it, and you can't stop me."
" I won't let you do this, I won't." Henry nearly snarls, showing just a glimmer of his brutish alter ego in himself," It is suicide." I whirl around and nearly shout," Don't you think I realize that? I know that I'm putting my life at risk Henry, but I don't care. It's my bloody decision! If it saves those children and the others-"
" And what if it doesn't?" Henry shouts back, slamming a fist down on the table, looking absolutely furious," What if all it gains us is another death?"
" Then at least I'll have tried!" I counter," God Henry, don't you care about the children? About Mina and Tom?" He comes around the table and grabs me by the shoulders, still angry with me.
" I care more about you." he hisses, shaking me hard, his grip tight enough to bruise. I stare at him in surprise, having never expected him to tell me that in a million years. He stares down at me, calming down almost immediately, licking his lips nervously. His grip on my shoulders loosens as I whisper," Henry?" His eyes search mine uncertainty as he says," Forgive me... forgive me." My heart races as he begins to lean forward, and suddenly his lips are on mine. I wrap my arms around him, returning his urgent kisses with a zeal to match his own.
When he finally pulls back slightly, his breath is hot against my cheeks, making my entire body flush. I've now tasted those lips of his, and I want more of them with every fiber of my body. I silently beg him to continue, though I don't fully understand what my body yearns for. I've never felt this sort of breathless anticipation, and now that I have I crave it.
" I won't let you go." he whispers before kissing me again, taking my breath away as he does. He pulls me fully against him almost roughly and I let out a tiny squeak against his mouth, surprised by his actions and behavior. This side of him intrigues me. Part of me knows that he's trying to get me to obey him, to stay here and let the others be, and it angers me. The other part of me also knows this, but doesn't care. The second half wins out for the moment, and I lose myself in him.
All too soon he pulls away again, and his eyes are so solemn that it instantly sobers me. He takes both of my hands into his and whispers," Promise me that you won't do anything. Promise me, I beg of you. Please Katie." His brown eyes bore into mine, pleading me, begging me. My heart breaks when I look into their chocolate depths, and I curse myself for doing this, I curse myself for ever putting him into a state like this.
" Henry...." I begin doubtfully, but he doesn't let me finish, the tone of my voice prompting him to slide down onto his knees before me and kiss my fingers gently. I close my eyes, unable to stand the sight, and hoarsely say," I promise Henry... I promise." I hear him let out a heavy sigh of relief and I hate myself even more now.
Because deep in my heart, I know that I'm lying to him.
[Next time]
The plan is put into action. The beginning of the end....