The Forgotten Bradley
Chapter 24: Aftermath
By angellwings
"We're all going to Blake's race tomorrow, are you gonna want to come?" Dustin asked as the five of them sat around the kitchen table. Cam and Tori were still dead to the world.
"Of course," She said as she looked at her brother, "Wouldn't miss it."
"Aw, man, this is gonna be so much fun." Dustin said with childlike excitement. Geenie grinned at him, and chuckled lightly.
"When do you need to get back to the team?" Shane asked curiously.
"Yeah, aren't you guys doing press stuff in L.A.?" Hunter asked her.
She smiled at the four men slyly, "Well, we were...yesterday. My plan was to surprise you guys and drive to Blue Bay this morning...It didn't exactly go as planned. But at least I still kept the factor of surprise."
"So...wait what does that mean?" Blake asked her.
"It means I've got two weeks off to hang out with you guys." She told them with her biggest smile they'd seen from her all night. Which wasn't saying very much. She wasn't acting like she normally did. She was too quiet and introverted.
"What? You mean we're actually going to be in town at the same time?" Blake asked her in mock disbelief, "Does this mean the world is coming to an end?"
"You've got time off too?" She asked.
"Sort of. The entire Factory Blue team is gonna be training in Blue Bay for a week before we head to L.A." He told her happily.
"That's great." She told him happily, "I'll actually get to hang out with both of my brothers at the same time."
Tommy had been cooking and listening to the entire scene. He was not happy. Geenie was guarded, and, for lack of a better word, depressed. He cleared his throat and placed Geenie's finished omelet on a plate. He would have to find time to talk with her later. He smiled at the group and placed the plate down in front of her.
"I know you guys want to talk to her, but you all really need to go to bed. Especially Geenie. I don't mean to sound like too much of 'parent' but you need as much rest as you can get, and after you finish your food you need to head to bed." He told them with concern.
She avoided his gaze and nodded silently. He sighed in disappointment before bidding them all good night and heading to bed. Shane, Hunter, and Blake looked at her strangely as Tommy left. They wondered why Geenie was acting so strange. No one blamed her for the events of the day. They knew she had not been in control of her actions.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Hunter asked her with concern.
She sighed, "No."
"None of us blame you for anything...hell Tori, Dustin, and I were in the same position you were." Shane told her gently.
"Yes, but how much of it do you remember?" She asked him pointedly.
Dustin sighed and shook his head, "Not much."
"Exactly." She said in a voice barely above a whisper as she picked up her fork and took a bite of her omelet. There was silence while she chewed and swallowed, "It's hard to deal with the memories, but I'm positive I'll be able to with some time. And I realize none of you blame me, but you have to understand...that I blame myself in a way."
"How is that possible?" Blake asked with clear frustration.
"I allowed myself to be corrupted by power, and manipulated by the bad guys." She told them as disappointment dripped from her words, "But like I said, I'll deal with it and get over it. It's just gonna take a little time that's all."
"We just want you to understand that we're here to help with that if you need it." Shane told her as he squeezed her hand.
She gave them all a soft smile, "I know."
The next morning Geenie decided it was time to talk to Dr. Oliver. She couldn't avoid eye contact with the man forever. He was grading papers at the kitchen table when she found him.
She cleared her throat, "Dr. Oliver can I talk to you?"
He looked up in surprise, "Of course, and call me Tommy."
She nodded and stood in front of the table, "I wanted to apologize for the way I acted the other day..."
"You weren't yourself theres no need to apologize." He said automatically.
"Yes there is." She said angrily, "Can't you people just let me deal with this. Just because you don't feel like I can be blamed for any thing doesn't mean I feel the same way. I WANT to apologize. So for the love of God just LET ME."
His eyes widened and he held up his hands in surrender, "By all means, go right ahead."
"I'm sorry for everything that's happened. I feel like I could have stopped myself sooner." She told him solemnly.
"Thank you for apologizing, and you don't need to worry about it." He told her with a grin, "I've literally been through the exact same thing."
"With that sword Mesogog had me throw in your face?" She asked matter of factly.
"Yes, with the assistance of a spell from an evil empress." He told her with a nod, "And my killing spree went of longer than yours. I did a lot more damage than you as well. You'll move passed it, Geenie. It will be hard, but it will happen."
She smiled understandingly at him, "Thank you...Tommy."
"No problem at all." He said with a small smile, "If you're gonna make that race you better get going."
She nodded, "Right, We're meeting you at Hayley's later aren't we?"
"Yes, I'll see all of you there." He told her right before she walked out of the room.
"You seem in a better mood." Shane said to Geenie with a grin as they walked around the Factory Blue's camp and equipment.
"My conscious is a lot clearer than it was last night." She told him with a smile as she slipped her hand in his.
He smirked at her, "Clear enough to say...make out behind the Factory Blue trailor?"
"Maybe." She said with a wink as she dropped his hand and sprinted off in the direction of the trailor, "You'll have to catch me to find out."
"Oh, don't worry I will." He said as he took off after her.
THE END!!
until the epilogue that is. Be sure to come back for the epilogue. I love to write them so I'm sure it will be fun for you guys too.
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Angellwings
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