- So, here's the plan: allergen specific immunotherapy! Hank said, hardly able to hide his enthusiasm.
- Allergen specific immunotherapy? asked Charles, raising an eyebrow.
- Yes! As in, you are going to adapt your immune systems to each other.
- You do know, it's not allergy we're suffering, Hank?
Charles didn't sound nearly as excited as Hank had hoped, which was not uplifting.
They were sitting in his lab, him on the other side of the desk, Charles and Alice facing Hank, and a huge pile of papers and research on the table between them.
- But physically it's quite similar, Hank stated, Just hear me out, will you? I read this article about a man who could not have sex with his wife, because he was allergic to chicken-
- God, I'm hoping the wife was not a chicken, noted Alice grimly.
- No, of course not. But she ate chicken. And whenever she did, he could not touch her, not without a major allergic reaction. At first the couple was desperate, even considering a divorce, but then, a doctor specialized in allergies and immunotherapy suggested the specific immunotherapy to them, and guess what? They are happily married still.
- So, basically, what you're saying is, that we're the chicken couple? said Charles.
- I don't want to be the chicken couple! stated Alice
- Erm, no. You are the shellfish couple.
- Say what?
- Well, that doctor happens to be a friend of mine, so I called him and asked for his help. I had to make something up, so I told that I had patients suffering from a severe allergy-
- Caused by shellfish? Alice rolled her eyes, God, I've always wanted to be a lobster. I hear they mate for life, Charles.
- Actually, that's a myth, noted Hank.
- Really? And still you made me a lobster?
- Hey, you'd rather be the chicken?
- Cut it, the two of you, said Charles calmly. Hank, you were saying?
- Right. I have a schedule here, somewhere… just let me find it for you.
Hank went through his papers, and finally found what he was looking for. He handed the pile of papers to Charles.
- A schedule? he asked, You are kidding, right?
- Erm, no. Just bare with me, alright? It is 'The adaptation to touching schedule, planned for-'
- The Incredible Lobster and her victim? mocked Alice.
- Alice, please, said Charles. Hank is trying to help us, the least you can do is to see what this is all about.
Alice sighed, resigned.
- Alright, alright. Though it would be easier if I just kept on taking the serum.
- But if this works, you'll never have to take the serum again.
- Let's not go there, Charles. Just show me the schedule.
- Alright. 'Day 1, touching for 1 minute, 2 times a day. Day 2, touching for 1,5 minutes, 3 times a day…' Charles read aloud.
- Under my supervision, of course, noted Hank. And if there are any complications, you'll have to take a break and go back to the previous day's schedule.
- A few minutes per day only, said Alice silently.
- So that your immune systems will have time to adapt. But if you do want to touch for a longer period, you can still use the serum. But no more than once a week, Alice.
- You think Charles would let me take that more often?
- Alice, said Charles. It's for your own good. I don't want it to backfire on you, like it did on me.
- And again we're talking about this. Alice snapped. I like you a lot more when you're less patronizing, darling. Hank's taking a medicine all the time to keep his mutation under control. Why couldn't I?
- Mine is about appearance, said Hank. Yours is in your mind. You cannot compare the medication of such different matters, Alice. But I'm giving you something else entirely, a possibility to learn to control your powers and find out if it is possible for other people to adapt to it, so that it could be possible for you to touch other people without fear. Just in a few months that could be the reality, Alice.
- Are you sure?
- It's science, you can never be 100% sure. But I am about 50% sure, is that good enough for you?
Alice shrugged and looked away.
- It's not like I have a choice, do I? I was born with a curse, so I guess it's time I learn to live with it.
A moment of silence followed Alice's dark remark, and it was Charles who spoke next.
- When will we start, Hank?
- Right now, if it's what you want. But just one thing, before we go on.
- Yes?
- I've understood that whenever you two touch, your minds form this other dimension where your consciousness is transferred, right?
- Yes, said Alice silently, It is our mind place. But it doesn't happen if I'm taking the serum, or if I'm drunk.
- Right. But now my advice would be to avoid that place altogether, if possible. For I think that it takes a huge amount of your energy, Alice, and during this adaptation period you should try not to exhaust yourself.
- Oh. And how am I supposed to do that?
But now Charles smiled, and looked at Alice, and her cheeks blushed as she met his gaze.
- I have some ideas. Just trust me on this one, darling, take my hand, and follow my lead.
- Ok, Alice gave a shy smile, I can do that.
- And if you're hurt, or you begin to fall, just let go of me right away. Ok?
- Yes, Charles.
Hank noticed how Alice's small hand was trembling, like a leaf on wind, as she raised it. Charles hand was waiting for hers, palm up, calm and steady. Charles did not take his eyes off Alice, but when he spoke his words were meant for Hank.
- Can we start?
- Yes, go ahead. One minute, no more, Hank answered.
- You take the time.
Their fingers were barely touching, when Alice's cheeks lit up, and she breathed in sharply.
- Oh! she gasped.
- It's allrigh, darling, hussed Charles.
- I'm gonna fall!
- Just hold on to me. Hold on, he breathed his eyes closed.
Their hands clasped together. Charles moaned, and bit his lip. Alice's bosom was heaving with deep breaths.
Hank felt oddly awkward, and he wanted to look away, but couldn't.
The moment felt too intimate somehow, even if Charles and Alice were only holding hands. But her cheeks were so blushed, and her breathing fast. And he was grabbing her fingers desperately, leaning towards her so that their faces were almost touching now.
It was like watching two magnets, drawn towards each other. Like a force of nature, they could not help it. Their foreheads were pressed together now, their noses brushed each other, their lips longingly opened for a kiss.
Hank felt a weird tug in his abdomen.
How would it feel to want someone's touch that much?
How would it feel to be lit up like that, only by holding hands?
He had to look away, for his cheeks felt hot. And the time, by God, he had forgotten to keep watch of the time! Quickly he checked his wristwatch: 56 seconds and counting.
- Krhm! he cleared his throat. The time, folks!
- Ah! gasped Alice, as if an electric shock went through her slender body.
She snapped out of the kiss, quickly pulled her hands from Charles'.
Charles took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself down. He ran his fingers through his hair, and breathed out slowly.
The moment was awkward. Hank looked away from the two of them, and he had to remind himself of the fact that he was their physician.
- So. One minute, and I presume you managed to stay here?
- Yes, we did. Apparently we can do that, concentrating.
- Alright, said Hank. Good. That was the first treatment. How are you feeling, Alice? Any headache or nausea?
- No, nothing. I'm fine, just a little bit tired, that's all.
- Are you sure? asked Charles, suddenly sounding concerned.
- Yes, I'm perfectly fine. I'll just go to my room and rest for a while, if that is ok?
- That's a good idea, said Hank, and stood up as she did. We have another treatment in six hours, if you feel up to it.
He walked her to the door, noticing that she looked a little pale, but otherwise she seemed ok. After closing the door, he turned back to Charles, who had not left with Alice, but was still sitting in his chair by the table.
- There is something you want to talk about? he asked.
- If you are not busy?
- Go ahead. Hank answered, taking a seat too.
- I just wanted to thank you, that's all. You've done a huge amount of work, and all this for me.
- It's nothing. You would've done the same for me, Charles, Hank said, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
It was never easy for him to be praised for the things he'd done. It wasn't in his nature.
- Besides, he continued, don't thank me yet. Thank me, when we are through with this, and you are both fine.
- Then, smiled Charles, I'll thank you by asking you to be my best man for the wedding.
- A wedding? said Hank, startled. Congratulations, man! I'm so happy for you.
A genuine flush of happiness rushed through his heart, and he noticed smiling widely, as he stood up to shake Charles' hand.
- Well, I haven't actually proposed to her yet, said Charles, so perhaps you are too early congratulating me.
- Nonesense, there is no way she'll turn you down. Charles, this is great, allow me to offer you a drink to celebrate this!
- Sure, why not, Charles nodded. So, you'll be the best man then?
- Of course, said Hank, pouring brandy into two crystal glasses. I'm honored to be your best man. But hey, to your happiness, Charles!
Hank raised his glass, and took a sip, as did Charles. They savored the drink in silence for a while, and it was Hank to finally speak again.
- So, she is the one?
- Yes, she is. I am certain of it. I am ready to get married, can you believe it?
- When will you propose?
- I'm waiting for the right moment. I know she loves me, but I don't know if she's ready to hear the question just yet. I'm going to give her some time to settle down first.
- That's probably a good idea, Hank said and took another sip from his glass. So… have you talked about the future? Now that she's physically healed, is she going to stay here still?
Charles sighed, suddenly looking concerned, which made Hank regret he'd asked that.
- Well, she doesn't want to. She says she want's to go back home, but we all know that's impossible at the moment.
- Yeah. That would be risky.
- That would be madness. She is only safe here, and you know it.
- Why does she want to leave anyways? It's not like she has a job to return to anymore, and her apartment wasn't all that nice.
- I know. Plus, I had all her things transferred here the moment she said she missed her own furniture. I thought she'd be happy about it, but…
- But she got mad? Hank could not help but to laugh. Well, it might have been a little patronizing, Charles.
- Et tu, Brute? Charles gave a sad laugh. I thought you were supposed to be on my side, being my best man and all.
- I didn't know there were sides to be taken. But seriously, you must have talked about this. She is healed now, there is no reason for her just to sit around and read. It would do her good to do something.
- Like what? I asked her if she wanted to work here, and she just said: 'Doing what? I have no degree, no qualification to be of any use. And I'm sure as Hell not going to serve lunch to your students."
Hank gave a small laugh, and sipped his drink again.
- Perhaps she could get a degree? Didn't she say she always wanted to study, but never had the chance?
- That's an option. But still, she could not leave this place, and it would be complicated.
Suddenly Charles sounded frustrated, he emptied his glass, and pushed it onto the table, angered.
- Oh, Hank, this is driving me crazy! How come we cannot find Maria, and bring her to justice! This madness will never end before we find her, and Alice can really be free!
- So, still no luck finding her with Cerebro? stated Hank grimly, already knowing the answer.
- No. And by God, I don't understand what can be the problem. How come I can find every other person on this planet, and not her?
Hank shrugged, emptied his glass, and gave a sympathetic look to his friend.
- Perhaps she's wearing a tinfoil hat?
- Or a dorky helmet, noted Charles grimly.