Chapter 23
AN: Out of everything I've written I don't think I have ever been so nervous for people to read a chapter as I am nervous for you to read this one. I really, really hope you like this chapter.
May 21st 2008
Five days have passed since Melinda and Phil got home from Bahrain. Ever since Melinda has barely left her room and Kora, Coulson, Bobbi, Mack, and even Natasha, Clint and Maria have been doing everything they can to help both Melinda and Daisy.
As Kora is staying at the apartment Coulson, Bobbi, Mack, and Natasha have all been taking turns to stay at the apartment overnight as well. Gordon has popped in a couple of times, usually when everyone but Kora is sleeping, to check in on things and give Kora updates about what he is doing. As Bobbi stayed the night before she is having breakfast with Daisy and Kora.
"So, what's going on at school today?" Bobbi ask Daisy curious as the adults have been doing their best to try and make things as normal as possible for Daisy something which isn't exactly easy when Melinda won't leave her room.
"Well, I've got double PE, which I love, and a computer class, which is great. But I also have double math's," Daisy says, pulling a face.
"Math's isn't all bad," Bobbi informs Daisy.
"I know, I just don't like it," Daisy admits. "Aunt Kora, what was school like for you and Mom?" Daisy ask curious, and Bobbi is also curious about that answer.
"Not the same as what It is like for you," Kora admits. "Your mom and I had some great teachers, but our lessons were more…. Unconventional while also traditional," Kora explains.
"That sounds kind of contradictory," Bobbi admits, and Kora can't help but laugh.
"Yeah, that sounds about right," Kora says and as she does she sees the clock. "Daze you better grab your bag, we've got to get going," Kora explains.
"Yes, Aunt Kora," Daisy says, getting up and heading to her room to get her stuff.
"You'll try to get Mellie to eat while we're gone?" Kora asks, once Daisy is in her room.
"I'll do my best," Bobbi responds. "Kora, I know you know more what's going on, and even though I don't know them I respect your reasons for not sharing what you know, but May matters to me, and I need to know; do you think she's ever going to be okay?" Bobbi admits, as May has been apart of her life since she was a teenager, she has been a mentor, family, to her and she doesn't like the fact that May is so far from okay.
"It's gonna take a while, but yeah, I do," Kora admits, and as she does she gets an idea. "While I take Daisy to school why don't you try talking to Mellie; I know you've been avoiding her," Kora admits, showing just how much she notices.
"I'm not great at emotional stuff," Bobbi admits.
"I'd say you're better than you think," Kora says as Daisy walks out with her bag and completely ready. "Give it a try, you might be surprised with the result," Kora explains. "All ready Daze?" Kora asks curious.
"Yep," Daisy say. "Bye Bobbi," Daisy says, before hugging her.
"Have a great day at school," Bobbi says to Daisy as she returns the hug.
"I'll see you in a bit," Kora says as she leaves with Daisy.
After Kora leaves Bobbi debates what to do for a few moments, then decides to give Kora's suggestion a go and she heads into Melinda's room. Unknown to Bobbi she finds Melinda in the same position she has been for days, sitting on her bed, staring out the window.
"Hey," Bobbi says, and because of her still injured leg she has to sit down so she purposely sits close to Melinda, but not too close. "I'm not good at this whole… talking about emotional things, being emotionally healthy, you know that, but I'm gonna give it a try," Bobbi admits. "Just like you know why I left home at eighteen and never looked back," Bobbi reveals. "When you came to the Academy I was probably on the road to court-martial," Bobbi admits, a level of amusement to her voice. "I was so angry, determined, hurt, and was working so hard to prove myself because I never had anyone who believed in me… until you," Bobbi tells Melinda, who actually turns to look at her as she knows this is a big deal for Bobbi to actually talk about herself. "You gave me a chance when no one else would. You've taught me, been there for and given me a family I never believed I would have," Bobbi admits. "You, and Coulson, became kind of like the parents I always wished I had, and Mack, Kora, even Gordon, and in some ways Nat, Clint, Maria became what I always believed older siblings should be, and Daisy became the little sister I'm always gonna protect; I have all that because of you, and I am what I am because of you," Bobbi admits. "I don't know what happened in Bahrain, and I don't need to because I know whatever you would have done was done to protect, because you're a protector," Bobbi reveals. "You once told me that I needed something to keep me connected to the world, and if I have to be that something for you, just like you've been for me, then that's what I'm gonna do," Bobbi reveals. "You don't have to talk, you don't even have to leave this room if you don't want to; but what you have to know is that I am here; I care about you; and I'm always going to be here," Bobbi admits. "After everything you've done for me that's the least, I can do," Bobbi admits.
"Thank you," Melinda says, her voice barely above the whisper, but she honestly feels like she doesn't deserve it. The only reason she doesn't voice that opinion is because she doesn't want to listen to Bobbi try to convince her otherwise.
When Kora gets back from taking Daisy to school she realizes that Bobbi is in with Melinda and so she waits out in the living room, wanting to give Melinda and Bobbi a chance to spend some time together as she knows what Bobbi means to Melinda.
A while after Kora got home the door to Melinda's room opens and Bobbi, using her crutches, walks out.
"You okay?" Kora asks curious.
"I don't know," Bobbi admits. "Melinda's been quiet as long as I've known her, but that….that's a whole different thing," Bobbi reveals.
"I know," Kora confirms, looking distressed. "I've got a few ideas of things I could try; but honestly I don't know if it will make things worse," Kora admits.
"I don't see how things can get much worse, but if you think it could, then I don't think you should risk it," Bobbi admits.
"Thanks," Kora says gratefully, because she knows that Melinda trusts Bobbi's judgement that is good enough for her.
"I've got to go, but Mack and I were planning on coming round tonight with Coulson and Nat, and I think possibly Clint, to make dinner," Bobbi explains, knowing that if she can Maria will likely join as well.
"That will be nice," Kora admits. "But where do you have to go? I thought you weren't allowed back at work yet," Kora comments.
"I'm not," Bobbi admits. "I've got a doctors appointment for my leg,"
"Do you need a lift? We can take Mellie's car, or her bike," Kora suggests.
"Nah, I'm okay Mack will be here any minute," Bobbi admits. "Look, I know I don't know everything that's going on, and like I told May I don't need to, but if there is anything more I can be doing, please tell me," Bobbi requests.
"I will," Kora promises.
"I'll see you later," Bobbi says before heading out of the apartment.
After Bobbi goes Kora waits a few minutes as she wants to be sure that Bobbi and Mack have really left.
"Gordon," Kora says, once she is sure enough time has passed and as Gordon arrives Kora sees him carefully putting something into his jacket pocket. "Is that Terrigen?" Kora asks surprised.
"Yeah, I found where Eva stashed it," Gordon confirms.
"Good. I don't think it's a good idea for that to get out in the open," Kora admits.
"You and me both," Gordon confirms. "How's Mel?" Gordon asks curious.
"Not good," Kora admits. "I've got a couple of ideas about things to try; and I'm still not convinced that I shouldn't get Mom here, but before we do that I've got another idea," Kora explains. "She's heard from me that I don't hate her for what she had to do; but I think hearing it from you might help," Kora admits.
"Okay," Gordon says, and the two of them head into Melinda's bedroom.
"Hey Mel," Gordon says as he and Kora walk into the room and Melinda doesn't even look towards Gordon, Kora on the other hand gives a look to Gordon, and encourages him to keep talking. "Mel, Katya was powerful, but she didn't understand her powers. Your Mom didn't want her to go through the mist because she saw the possibility of something like this happening. As soon as she let that man pick her up and carry her into that building this was the only way the situation was going to end," Gordon explains, and as he does Melinda slowly turns to look at him.
"You were there," Melinda says, and both Kora and Gordon can hear the anger in Melinda's voice.
"Mel…" Gordon starts to say, as he can sense how angry Melinda is becoming.
"You were watching," Melinda realizes as she stands up. "Why didn't you do more?" Melinda asks angrily.
"I couldn't, I…" Gordon starts to say, and as he does Melinda runs across the room and starts to hit his chest, and because he knows Melinda needs this Gordon doesn't stop her.
"You could have stopped it! You could have gotten her! I didn't have to do this! She didn't have to die!" Melinda says her voice breaking, her voice full of both pain and anger.
"She did," Gordon confirms the pain in his voice being recognizable.
"I didn't have to be the one to kill her!" Melinda exclaims as she hits Gordon's chest again, and as she does, she pushes back, causing Gordon to stumble a little. As Gordon stumbles backwards, there is a flash of blue and before anyone can react the Terrigen crystal that was in Gordon's pocket hits the ground and release the mist; hitting Melinda the only one close enough to it.
"SHIT," Kora says as she basically leaps over Melinda's bed, to get to the window to pull down the blinds; desperately hoping she got that done before anyone could see.
"Mel, it will be okay," Gordon tells his friend as the cocoon starts to cover her body.
"I know," Melinda responds as while she stopped believing this was a possibility a long time ago, and honestly isn't sure if it is something she wants, she knows that she doesn't have to be afraid.
"We're right here Mellie," Kora assures her sister as the cocoon fully covers Melinda.
Over the next few seconds Kora and Gordon wait, until the cocoon finally starts breaking and Melinda emerges. While she looks the same, apart from the fact that all her injuries have been heled, which the cocoon always does, Kora, Gordon, and Melinda all know that she is no longer the same.
"Mellie, how do you feel? What do you feel?" Kora asks her sister, slipping into Transitioner mode so that she can help her sister.
"I feel nothing," Melinda admits, having no idea what is going on as logically she knows that she should be feeling the effects of Terrigenisis, but she's not, she isn't even feeling surprise that she isn't feeling that.
"What do you mean nothing?" Gordon asks concerned, trying to figure out what could be going on.
"I feel no guilt, no anger, no pain, it's a void," Melinda admits, while feeling nothing is something Melinda has wanted to feel the past few days considering what has been going on lately Melinda also knows it's not right.
Getting an idea, and a suspicion, Kora walks several steps to her sister, and puts her hand on Melinda's shoulder.
"Do you feel anything now?" Kora asks her sister.
"Concern… and love," Melinda realizes, looking at her sister. "So much love," Melinda admits, clearly struggling to deal with the onslaught of emotions. Being able to tell that her sister is struggling Kora removes her hand and takes several steps back from her sister.
"Now?" Kora asks.
"Nothing," Melinda admits.
"Guess we know your gift… empathy," Kora says, feeling that that is pretty fitting for her sister.
"We've got to get you out of here. You need to go through the procedures to help your body handle the transition, and you need time to learn your abilities, and how to control them," Gordon tells his friend, purposely taking a step back so Melinda doesn't feel his concern as he knows that the older someone is when they go through the mist the more difficult the transition can be.
"I'm not going to Afterlife, I can't," Melinda tells Gordon, as while she may not be feeling the guilt anymore, she knows that she doesn't want to go to Afterlife.
"What about the cabin," Kora suggests, looking at Gordon, as even with Melinda not feeling emotions Kora doubts, she is going to be able to get her sister to go to Afterlife but she knows that Melinda can't stay in DC right now.
"That will work," Gordon confirms with a nod.
"Cabin?" Melinda asks, suspecting that if she could feel confusion at the moment she would.
"Gordon and I found it about fifteen years ago. It's remote, in a place no humans can get to. I use it when people who have had a difficult transition just need a break, and some time, and space," Kora explains. "It's a pretty nice place, on a deserted Island in the North Atlantic, can pretty much handle everything," Kora explains, knowing that over the last decade and a half she and Gordon have made it less cabin like and more suitable as a retreat for Inhumans that is different from the sort of Halfway house that Afterlife often is. They have also learnt that the island doesn't show up on any map, and also cannot be seen by satellites in fact it seems like no one, but Gordon, can get to it.
"Okay," Melinda says, as everything she has learnt over her entire life tell her that it is the best idea.
"Okay, Gordon will take you to the cabin, and start the procedures you need. Start with the needles, flush Mellie's system," Kora says, clearly giving instructions, and knowing the cabin has the supplies they're gonna need. "I'll clean up here, leave no trace, pack bags for you and Daisy. Go get Daisy from school…" Kora starts to explain.
"I should tell Daisy the truth," Melinda says,
"Okay, I'll tell her enough so that she won't freak out when being teleported, you can fill in the rest," Kora explains.
"Coulson… If Daisy and I disappear he's not going to stop asking questions; he won't give up to he finds us. That will risk exposure," Melinda says, talking in a monotone voice, completely void of emotion, which is very strange for Kora and Gordon to hear.
"I'll talk to Coulson and the others when they show up for Dinner, I'll come up with some kind of excuse," Kora explains. "But Mellie, you need to decide what you want Mom to know," Kora explains. "Gordon is going to have to do a check in at some point soon," Kora explains to her sister.
"Tell her that I have gone through the mist, but that I am not going to Afterlife. Do not tell her about Daisy until Daisy and I say so," Melinda says to Gordon, sounding militaristic.
"Okay," Gordon confirms.
"You two should go," Kora says, looking between Melinda and Gordon. "I'll call when it's time to bring Daisy and again when it's time to bring me," Kora tells Gordon.
"Okay," Gordon says. "Mel, I'm really sorry if I overwhelm you," Gordon admits, knowing this could be hard for Melinda, as he walks over to her and uses his abilities to teleport Melinda away.
After Gordon and Melinda leave Kora looks around and gets to work, knowing the most important thing is that she leaves absolutely no sign of the crystals or cocoon behind as she knows that they cannot risk anyone seeing that; or worse getting their hand on a piece of either item.
About ninety minutes after Melinda and Gordon left Kora has cleaned up all the Terrigen and cocoon, and packed bags for Daisy and Melinda. Even though it was hours before she finished school Kora has picked up Daisy and the two of them are walking into the apartment.
"Aunt Kora what's going on?" Daisy asks, as soon as they walk into the apartment, asking all the questions she has wanted to ask since her aunt picked her up, though she has to admit it was nice to get out of Math's.
"A lot is going on," Kora admits. "Your moms gonna explain it to you," Kora admits, and as she does Daisy notices the bags, that include a garbage bag, that are on the table.
"Are we going somewhere?" Daisy asks curious.
"Yeah, we are," Kora confirms. "Daze, let's sit down," Kora explains as she pulls out two of the chairs at the table. "Like I said, your mom's gonna tell you everything, but there is a couple of things you need to know before you can see her," Kora explains, and as she does Daisy glances into her mother's room and realizes something.
"Where is Mom?" Daisy asks.
"She's with Uncle Gordon, and we'll be joining them soon," Kora admits. "Daze, you know how your Mom, Uncle Gordon and I sometimes talk about how we grew up and how it seems rather strange?" Kora asks.
"Yeah," Daisy confirms, feeling confused.
"There's a good reason for that," Kora admits. "We have an interesting heritage, you have an interesting heritage," Kora explains, trying to be as vague as possible, while still saying enough for Daisy to understand, as she knows Melinda wants to explain everything.
"And that means what exactly?" Daisy, asks and Kora is a little amused about how much like a teenager she is becoming.
"It means I can do this," Kora says, sticking out her hand and using a little bit of energy to dance around her hand.
"Wow," Daisy says, sounding shocked, though she can't help but find it familiar at the same time.
"Uncle Gordon can teleport, he's gonna take us to your Mom, and your Mom will answer the questions I'm sure you have," Kora explains to her niece.
"Teleporting, like Harry Potter Apparition?" Daisy asks, as she tries to digest everything her aunt has just told her.
"Nah, much cooler," Kora explains, knowing what that means as the Harry Potter books have made it to Afterlife, and Daisy grins. "I know this is going to be a lot, and over the next few hours you're gonna get a lot more surprises," Kora admits. "I'm not going to tell you how to handle all the surprises, no one will, but what I am going to say is listen when your mom explains, let her answer your questions, okay?" Kora asks.
"Okay," Daisy confirms, with a nod.
"Okay," Kora confirms. "Gordon, it's okay," Kora says and seconds later Gordon appears in the middle of the living room.
"Wow," Daisy says, looking amazed, as Kora stands up and picks up the bags.
"How's things going?" Kora asks, as she walks over to Kora.
"I've just finished flushing Mel's system, we're gonna go from there," Gordon explains, as he takes the bags, including the one with the cocoon and crystal fragments, from Kora.
"Daze, this may feel a bit strange, but you're gonna be completely safe with Uncle Gordon," Kora assures Daisy, who has also stood up.
"I know," Daisy confirms, as she trusts her uncle. "But aren't you coming?" Daisy asks.
"In a little while, I need to talk to Cols, and Bobbi, and Mack, and the others first," Kora explains.
"Do they know about what you can do?" Daisy asks curious, looking between her Uncle and Aunt.
"No, and they're not going to," Kora admits. "I'm going to explain what I can and then join you guys," Kora explains.
"Tell them that I love them; Cols especially," Daisy requests.
"I will," Kora assures her niece. "I'll see you soon," Kora promises, as Daisy walks over to Gordon.
"How does this work?" Daisy asks her uncle curious.
"Like this," Gordon says, putting an arm around Daisy, and disappearing with her.
As she watches her niece and brother disappear Kora takes a deep breath as she knows that that was the easy part, the hard part is going to be talking to the people who care about Melinda and Daisy so much and not being able to give them straight answers about what is going on.