"Ah!" Hailey tried to turn as she fell backward, but she was already dropping when James' Tk encased her, lowering her to the ground. She groaned when she got up. "You still haven't changed when it comes down to training," she muttered as she rubbed the sleeve of her shirt over her sweat-damp temples as she peered over the edge of her apartment building.
James had found an entrance to the rooftop and had decided it would suffice to train here, where she was under constant protection. Hailey still felt uneasy at the idea of all those Arrows just standing around and watching her all day, but she'd decided to let her reservations slip since it made James feel more at ease. Aside from that, she wasn't sure he wouldn't do anything stupid if she'd counter him–like tie her down in a chair or have her teleported to a remote island.
She looked at his silhouette, sunlight bright behind him, making him look like a dark angel. Hailey smiled at that thought. "Okay, pretty man. Let's go at it one more time before I need to go see Morgan and Shane." She'd messaged Shane she'd be at the hospital before noon.
James was on her in a heartbeat, his arm locked around her throat and his hand on her hip. Your insults are getting worse.
Hailey pushed herself against him, stroking her hand up and down his forearm. "Insult?" she pretended to gasp. "I'm just vocalizing the popular opinion of your beautiful appearance." She jerked when he sank his teeth in her neck, chastising her for her teasing.
"According to who?" The seducing whisper of words in his low, whiskey-cream dipped voice made her shudder.
Hailey ran her fingers over his fist, his arm still caging her closely to his body. "According to every person that seems to be in awe of you when they see you," Hailey said while rubbing herself against him. "Well, when you don't scare the shit out of them, that is."
She felt his body responding immediately, his muscles taut and his breathing turning sharper. Maybe you should make good on your promise, she said, otherwise I'll never take you seriously again.
When his hand slid from her hip to her breast, Hailey gasped true this time. "Not here!" she exclaimed while fighting the urge to encourage him.
The protective detail was still keeping a close eye on her apartment and the nearby streets. Chances were high someone was looking at them right this instant. Hailey had no problems with public displays of affection but this was taking it a step too far.
James' voice was filled with possession, deep and dark in her mind as he squeezed her needy flesh. Which parts of our interaction ever led you to believe I'd share the intimate sight of you with anyone?
Hailey then saw the air around them luster, felt the pulse of his energy encasing them, shielding them from the world. "Did you just turn us invisible?"
When she wanted to reach out and touch the translucent shield, James held her back and bit her earlobe. "I intend to keep my promise."
She felt herself grow damp at the lust that resonated through their bond. "Are you?" her voice husky. "I'm beginning to think you're all talk and no action."
He bit her shoulder and pinched her nipple through her layers of clothing. "Careful," his voice dark with promise. "You might not like what you get."
"Tu fais le pari?" she asked him in his native tongue as she looked up.
"Avec beaucoup de plaisir," he said with a small smile, telling her he'd be more than happy to challenge her, "embrasse-moi et tu verras."
Hailey glared at him from under narrowed eyelids. "Kiss you and I'll find out? That's not threatening at all."
Tu seras toujours en sécurité avec moi, ma moitié, he answered in her mind, and Hailey's heart radiated inside her chest at James' endearment.
My other half. My better half.
"You'll always be safe with me," he repeated softly in English, his lips on her cheek. And there, in that moment, the purest sense of belonging descended on Hailey, a sigh of absolute, unconditional love rippling back and forth through their connection.
Tu tiens mon coeur dans tes grandes mains, she whispered as she leaned back to kiss him, accepting his dare, accepting and loving all of him.
"Big hands?" he asked when he drew back, laughter lighting the shade of sun-drenched oceans of his eyes.
"Yes," she said with a grin. "Large enough to hold my heart." She placed her hand flat against his, before weaving her fingers through his and tugging him close for another kiss.
When James lifted his head again, Hailey withdrew her hand… and took advantage of the opportunity while James was distracted. She grabbed hold of the arm in front of her throat and quickly bent forward, using her Tk to lift him over her, and thrust him onto the roof. James spun mid-air and twisted her, making her land on her back with him crouched upside down over her.
"You're getting more resourceful," his tone even and his face blank, but for the gleam in his eyes.
Hailey couldn't help but sulk a little. "And still I can't beat you."
He stood up and lifted her with his Tk. Hailey rose on tiptoe to wrap her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. "Let's go take a shower." She ran her teeth over his lower lip.
James shook his head. "You go first. I need to check in with the security team."
Hailey pulled a face and released him. After she walked down to her apartment, she quickly rinsed off and put on some jeans and a deep red blouse. She was just brushing her hair when James returned. His face looked grim, gold skin pulled taut over his cheekbones.
Hailey frowned. "What's wrong?" She placed the brush on her nightstand and walked over to James, splaying her hands on his chest.
"The security team tracked down a man that was watching the apartment building."
Hailey felt her heart jump, a shiver running across her spine. "And?"
"And he seems to have been observing you for several months. They found a datacrystal at his residence filled with intel on you. Mostly pictures, but also several notes on your daily routines."
Hailey inhaled a shaky breath. "Jesus." She stared unseeingly at the solid wall of James' chest. James stroked his hands up and down her back, but his movements felt a little jerky. It shook him as much as her.
"Did they take him in?" She blinked a couple of times to help the rush of thoughts in her mind pass before meeting his gaze.
James' eyes were hard. "Yes. I'm going in to question him now."
Just when Hailey wanted to shake her head, her phone beeped. She took the device from the nightstand. "It's Shane," she muttered as she answered the device.
"Hailey?" Shane's distinctive raspy voice sounded thick with emotion. Hailey froze. He wasn't even calling her Witch.
"Shane? Is it…?" She couldn't bear to think the inevitable had happened. "Is Morgan okay?"
Shane cleared his throat. "No, Hales. He's getting worse. I don't–" his voice cut off and Hailey's heart tore apart.
"I'll be right there," she shot James a narrow-eyed look from under her eyelashes when he gave her a hard stare. "I'm coming over right now."
When she hung up the phone, James' hands were white-bracketed fists beside his body, the air sparking with violent energy. "You can't leave now, not with the threat so close."
Hailey defiantly stuck out her chin when she tipped up her head to face him. "Then come with me." She thrust her hands through her hair. "I don't care if you take the entire freaking Squad to guard the hospital, but I can't stay here, not when Shane needs me." She reached out to cup his cheek. "Please, I have to be there for him."
When James didn't respond, Hailey didn't hesitate. She pulled him close, their noses almost touching. "I'll be fine if you're with me, but we need to go, right now."
The azure in his eyes covered in shadows, he nodded so slightly, Hailey almost missed it. She quickly kissed him and ran towards the hallway to put on her shoes.
Ten minutes later, they were at the hospital. Hailey saw two Arrows standing in front of the hospital entrance, hands clasped behind their backs and their posture straight. They inclined their heads to her and James when they entered the building.
James had ignored every traffic sign and sped through traffic; his hands clenched tightly on the steering wheel. Hailey knew how hard it was for him, could feel the conflicting emotions tearing through him, but she couldn't leave her friend alone when he needed her the most.
When they reached the right floor, she placed her hand on his arm. Wait for me.
She met his icy glare and knew he wouldn't budge on this. Sighing, Hailey ran over to where Shane was waiting for her outside of Morgan's room.
Shane looked up and Hailey saw his eyes flash when he spotted James. "What the fuck is he doing here?" Shane's voice a growl.
Hailey understood Shane's need to unleash his emotions but didn't want to fight him now he was in such a dark place. He needed her to be here for him, so she would. She reached out to put her hand on his shoulder, but Shane grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind his big body.
"Shane!" Hailey pushed at his back. "Stop this, you have other things to worry about right now!"
He gave her an angry look over his shoulder before returning his attention to James, who was standing in the middle of the corridor.
"Have you got any idea what you've done to her?" Shane growled as he stepped forward and swung out.
James looked utterly unimpressed by Shane's angry outburst and stopped the punch by use of his Tk. Shane's hand froze inches in front of James' face.
Hailey's hand covered her forehead, an instant headache appearing at the shit show that was playing out right in front of her. Don't hurt him!
James' eyes flashed to her before looking at Shane again. "I know," his voice was coated in ice. James released his telekinetic hold on Shane. "If you want to fight, we'll do it another time."
Hailey scowled and stepped in between both men, cupping Shane's face. "Shane, we–"
A frantic beep from Morgan's room made Hailey freeze.
Shane's eyes were big with fear when he looked at her. He jerked and Hailey released him, following him into the hospital room. The sound of blood roared through her ears, adding to the alarm that was still pulsing.
Hailey clasped her hand in front of her mouth when she saw Morgan convulsing, his body violently shaking under the strength of the seizure. Shane slammed on the red emergency button next to the bed.
"Morgan! Hang in there!" His voice was hoarse as tears filled his eyes. Shane grabbed hold of Morgan's head to steady him. "Don't you fucking dare to leave me! I need you!"
Heart slamming inside her chest, Hailey moved towards the bed and placed one hand on Morgan's forehead, the other on Shane's shoulder.
Please, her telepathic voice a plea, please don't go. Please don't give up. She stepped onto the psychic plane to search for Morgan but belatedly realized she wasn't able to reach the ShadowNet yet, hadn't figured out how to shield herself properly in order for James to let his shields down.
Frustration, fear and anger collided inside her. Was this it? Was Morgan going to die from a mysterious incurable disease no one could heal?
It can't be.
As she watched Morgan convulsing, she knew they couldn't will him back to health, couldn't make him stay if he was ready to go.
Every cell in her body rejected that idea. He's too young, he can't be ready to go yet!
But he was fading in front of them and there was nothing they could do to stop it. Morgan stopped convulsing and a high, penetrating beep screeched through the silence. Hailey felt her heart race at the finality that beep insinuated.
No, no, no!
Hailey. James' blade of a voice sliced through her panic. You need to act fast.
She swiveled around to face James while medics rushed in and pushed her and Shane aside to aid Morgan. James was staring intently at Morgan, his mouth bracketed with white lines and his face grim.
"What are you talking about?" her voice was thick as she glimpsed at Shane who stood immobilized next to her, his face pale and fists clenched.
"The boy," James was still staring at the bed where the medics were frantically examining Morgan, checking his pupil responses and calling out terms she didn't understand. "He's going to die if you don't drain him."
Hailey went motionless and saw Shane jerk. "What?"
Precognition, he explained shortly. I know. Drain him right now. He cupped her face, his blue eyes blazing. Listen to me. He's going to die if you don't focus right now. Everything the medics will do to try and save him will be the death of him.
Ice in her veins, Hailey jerked and turned around to the bed. Okay. She moved to put her hand over Morgan's forehead again and closed her eyes.
"Miss, you need to move," a voice next to her while a small hand clenched around her arm. "We need to take him to surgery."
"No," James' voice was steel as he placed his hands on her shoulders. Do it. The small hand released her.
Hailey tried to concentrate, inhaled a deep breath and searched for Morgan's psychic presence, but she got too distracted when the medics started telling James to leave the room. James turned to the medical staff. "She needs to do this. It's the only way to save him."
Her head snapped up at Shane's panicked voice. "Are you fucking insane?!" Shane pushed at James, who didn't move an inch. "Hailey!"
She reached out to grab Shane's wrist while keeping her other hand on Morgan's forehead, attempting to amplify her psychic connection by use of physical contact. "Shut up and listen to what he's saying!" she snapped.
"Miss, Sir, I'm calling for security right now," one of the medics intervened with a stern voice.
Everything in the room shuddered at the unleashing of Hailey's Tk, her emotions too violent to rein in her control. The medical staff froze and stared at her. She ignored them and directed her attention to her friend.
"Shane, please!" she said, while letting go of his wrist, on the verge of breaking down but able to keep it together with the flicker of hope James had offered. "Please trust me."
Hopelessness in Shane's deep green eyes, flashing from her to his brother and back again. His voice was trembling when he spoke. "You know I do, but he's my baby brother…" The pain resonated in his rasped-out words made Hailey's skin pebble.
"That's why you need to step back now," the ice-cold command apparent in James' voice, Hailey saw the blood drain from the faces of the medical staff.
When Shane looked at James as if he wanted to punch him again, James released Hailey and placed his hand on Shane's shoulder. That seemed to surprise Shane enough to momentarily snap out of his anger, while James telepathically shot her a message.
Now, Hailey, or it might be too late.
Hailey didn't waste another second and closed her eyes, reaching out to the boy who was lying silently in the hospital bed, his skin turning cold.
No.
Resolve filled her heart when she found a tiny flickering pulse of energy. She nearly sobbed when she encased Morgan's psychic presence, reached out to him and pulled. A small vibration in her soul, the light nearly dimming entirely.
Another beep, this one sounding like a panicked alarm.
"Jesus, Hailey!" Aware of Shane's internal conflict, Hailey trusted James to deal with him while she released a breath and centered herself. She found Morgan's presence again, but he was weak.
So weak and so tired.
Growling, Hailey tapped into every ounce of power inside her and grasped for his presence once more, latching onto Morgan while he was fading right in front of her.
She heard rustling sounds and a deep, low voice speaking, but shut off her thoughts and reached out, pulling away the abilities attached to Morgan's core. A blinding snap in her mind was the indication of the connection made. This time Hailey didn't hesitate and found the familiar link to her Arrow.
The quake of emotions was a vicious tidal wave inside her. Something fractured the walls of her soul violently, like she had been struck by lightning. Gasping, Hailey fell to her knees.
The pain. The brute, agonizing, constant pain.
She tried to hold on to the connection with James but felt herself spiraling.
Big hands cupped her face, blue eyes slammed into hers, pushing through the pain and darkness. Hailey's eyes flashed to Shane, and immediately she was struck down by stabs of hurt, fear, anger, worry…
Whimpering, Hailey gritted her teeth and tried to breathe through the pain.
"Jesus," a raspy voice behind James. "Jesus, what did she do?"
As soon as the shrill beep had stopped, the medics had started moving to take in Morgan's condition. James felt Hailey's ability emerge, felt it pulsing through their connection, but also noticed he couldn't rein in the foreign ability she'd grasped.
She wasn't connecting to him properly.
"She took away his ability, the one that is killing him." James returned his attention to Hailey, his hands gently holding up her head.
Her eyes were blazing jade but lacked the blue rings, a sign James believed to be the validation of them sharing the power she was absorbing. Hailey had told him his eyes had sparked gold at the moment they'd connected.
James could feel her trying to hold onto their connection, to share the impact of the abilities that were tearing her mind apart, but it was like she was slipping every time she reached for him.
Hailey.
Jade eyes snapped up at him, luminescent and filled with tears. "He felt it all," her voice was a shattered whisper. "He felt it all and healed them until he couldn't do it anymore." She let out a small cry as her body went rigid and her pupils constricted at the hurt that vibrated through their connection.
James followed her gaze to where Shane stood, crying over the body of his younger brother. His heart thudded heavily inside his chest.
They were too late.
The precognition had hit James as soon as he saw Morgan. It was only then he realized he'd never actually seen the boy, had only come as far as the corridor of Morgan's floor. But the visual of the sick, young boy had triggered James' foresight. Yet, even though he'd seen the solution Hailey had been able to provide, it hadn't been enough. The boy had weakened too much for them to help.
Hailey would be devastated. She'd tried, but James knew that sometimes even the clearest vision wasn't enough to change the outcome of an event. The frustration and anger that came accompanied with that knowledge was something James was familiar with.
He understood that having F-abilities would take a higher toll now that he'd broken Silence. He was also aware of the pain it would inflict on Hailey if she'd go through it together with him.
Shane stirred, causing James to look up at the dark-haired male. When Shane lifted a little, James saw they hadn't been too late. Tired, sunken, deep green eyes looked in their direction.
Wonder bloomed in James' heart, replacing the heavy feeling.
You did it.
But when he looked down at Hailey, gasping with every wave of agony that passed through her, he was painstakingly reminded of the price she had to pay.
"Morgan." Hailey's shaky voice was filled with relief at the sight of the young boy groggily staring back at her.
When Shane jerked and looked at her, Hailey grimaced and bent her head forward, locks of her hair falling in front of her face, brushing the floor.
"I'm going to pass out, it's too much." The words were a hoarse groan as she gulped in deep breaths.
James lifted her in his arms and placed her on the small sofa in the back of the room. You're safe. I'll be right here.
Her back arched as she processed another burst of whatever she was experiencing, her telepathic voice a dull echo in his mind. I know, love.
When her body slumped, he lifted her and sat down on the sofa himself, holding Hailey against his chest as the most precious cargo.
"What the hell just happened?"
One of the medics–a short, blond male–walked over to James, peering curiously at Hailey. "Whatever she did, we weren't able to do for weeks. His vitals seem more stable than they have been since the day he's been admitted." He glanced at the bed where Morgan was lying.
James gritted his teeth at the way the doctor was addressing Hailey, as if she were a useful tool he could benefit from. This was exactly why he'd been worried about Hailey revealing herself on the PsyNet.
"Whatever she's done, the effect is temporary." James saw Shane stiffen at his words and turn to him in attention. "Within a couple of hours, his condition will deteriorate again." He looked up at Shane. "I suggest you contact Santos and request for a strong telepath to be here within an hour."
Shane paled a little at his words but didn't question him and nodded. "I'm on it."
James looked down at Hailey, her breathing even as she was cradled against his chest, her head leaning against his shoulder and her hand on his pectoral, over his heart. The doctor looked at Hailey for a moment before frowning. "Does she require medical attention?"
"No," James managed to say, anger raking through his being for the man's obliviousness. If Hailey had been in acute danger, the medical staff would have been too late by now. James wasn't planning on leaving her at the mercy of these inadequate people. He'd look after her.
The doctor nodded. "This is a medical miracle," he muttered before walking over to the bed and continuing monitoring Morgan.
No, it hadn't been. The only miracle was the small woman in his arms.
James waited for all the medical staff to leave, until he was alone with Shane in the room. In the meantime Morgan had fallen asleep, but this time it seemed to be a normal sleep, not the coma the boy had been in for weeks.
Shane walked over to James and sat down on his haunches. He reached out to Hailey and brushed his knuckles over her cheek.
The only reason James allowed the touch was because he'd seen it the moment Shane swung out at him. He'd finally understood what Hailey had tried to show him. Shane's interest wasn't romantic. Hailey was like a sister to him.
Good.
The more people to protect her, the better.
Shane looked up. "So this is it? I can have one, but lose the other?" He looked over his shoulder to his brother and thrust his hand through his dark hair.
James shook his head. "She can't keep doing this. Even if she wanted to, I won't let her."
When Shane's eyes flashed at him, James spoke again. "She's only able to take over the abilities for a short amount of time," he explained. He looked at the bed where Morgan was lying. "The boy needs to learn to control them or this will keep happening."
Shane shook his head and stood up. "You're saying all these things, but I don't understand. What abilities are you talking about? Morgan's never been able to do anything."
James arched his eyebrow. "Whatever he's able to do, it's burning him down to the core." He met Shane's dark gaze. "He needs a telepath to shield him from doing whatever he's been doing to cause him to flame out like this."
James rose from the sofa, lifting Hailey's limp body. "I'm taking her home. She needs to recover."
The other male nodded, his eyes lingering on Hailey. James could see the sincere concern for Hailey in Shane's expression. Perhaps he'd be able to tolerate the dark-haired male after all.
"Will she be alright?"
James looked down at Hailey's face, dark smudges underneath her eyes and her cheekbones cutting sharply against her skin. He clenched his jaw at the sight of her. He knew she wouldn't have it another way, that she'd always sacrifice herself if her friends needed her. But now he saw the heavy toll her powers took, and he knew he couldn't watch her offer herself up time and time again. It would destroy her.
Just like working continuously for the covert team will destroy you, a reasonable but unwelcome voice in his mind said.
James shoved away that thought.
"I'll take care of her." He moved as to walk away but froze when he felt Shane's hand on his arm. Even though James had used physical contact to stop Shane when Hailey was using her ability, it still didn't come natural to him. Not with anyone else but her.
When he glanced over his shoulder, Shane's dark green eyes glinted. "Thank you. And thank her as well." Shane let go of his arm. "We're still having that fight though."
James inclined his head and left the room.