Jasper woke, looking around quietly.
Magnus lay curled into him on his left, hair falling in his face as he slept.
Zephyr was on the other side, hair wrapped up in a messy bun.
Jasper slowly moved out of the bed, trying to let them sleep. He made food for them, bringing three trays to their room. He laid one down each for the other two, "Wake up, breakfast is ready."
Magnus stretched, his eyes opening as a dazzling smile graced his face. "Morning beautiful people."
"Morning," Zephyr yawned.
"Made pancakes," Jasper informed. He began picking at one slowly.
"Are you not eating again?" Magnus asked in concern.
"Basically what Callie said is my illness isn't killing me like it was, and it shouldn't be as severe, but the symptoms aren't all gone.." Jasper started.
"Feeling nauseous again?" Zephyr sighed.
Magnus kissed Jasper softly. "Don't force it." He took a pancake and nibbled on it.
"So.. now that things are a bit more settled, why don't we meet with the teens and get to know them a bit more?" Jasper suggested.
"Are you up for that?"
"I feel nauseous but I'm definitely stronger than I had been."
"We'll take it slow, and if you need to rest, we can bring you back." Zephyr decided.
"Good thing is, they seem to have set up camp quite close by." Magnus finished his food, quickly bundling his hands in thick gloves.
Jasper nodded and went to grab his jacket. He paused by the calendar, looking at it for a long moment before shaking his head and walking to the door.
Zephyr looked at the calendar too before internally cursing. "Alright, if you're sure, let's go meet them."
Magnus frowned, looking between the two. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing," Jasper answered quietly.
Zephyr gave Magnus a look before mouthing, "Tell you later."
Magnus sighed and pushed the door open.
Jasper stayed quiet as he followed. Zephyr tried to talk a bit to keep Jasper from his thoughts but the telekinetic wasn't responding.
Magnus stared at the ground as they walked, trying to figure out what the mystery was. He sighed, wishing he was back in bed.
Zephyr took his hand, "Hey. You okay?"
"Don't tell Jazz, but I can't seem to get warm lately." Magnus' voice was quiet. "I don't want to burden him, especially since today seems to be bad."
"Have you seen Callie?"
"Says she's working on it. But..I've never been very stable in the first place." Magnus looked ahead, then pointed with a small laugh. "Our little nursery."
Eleven teens, two preteens and an older man sat around a campfire having breakfast.
Zephyr paused a moment and looked at Magnus, "Like I said, I'll tell you the story later, but don't be surprised if Jazz is a little distant or starts crying."
"Extra tissues and cuddles on standby."
Zephyr gave a small smile before going on ahead and waving to the group, "Morning!"
The smaller kids squealed as some of the older ones waved. The sole adult rose and approached Jazz.
"Commander Phoenix." He had a gentle face, with graying dark blonde hair and a soft smile. "I wanted to say thank you for freeing the children."
"Not a problem and just call me Jasper. I'm sorry I haven't been here to visit sooner."
"I heard you had some personal issues. I trust you are well?"
"A lot better than I had been," Jasper nodded.
"Would you extend my thanks to your healer? She saved Bashi when we were resigned to losing him."
"She is a miracle worker, isn't she?"
The man laughed softly. "I am Watase, former teacher."
"Nice to meet you. This is Zephyr and Magnus, but I think you may have already met them."
Watase smiled again. "Magnus, the boys have been eager to take your class again. Ryuga says he can take you now."
Magnus let out a laugh. "In his dreams." He excused himself, waving several of the boys toward an empty spot in the clearing.
Jasper smiled as he watched for a moment, then looked at the others quietly.
A girl of ten locked gazes with him silently.
"Hey.." Jasper said almost nervously.
"You're sad." The little girl's blue eyes swirled lazily into white and back again.
"I'll be okay," Jasper gave a small smile. "I'm Jasper. Nice to meet you."
"Aemi. Do you want a hug?"
Jasper took a deep breath before nodding, "Sure."
The girl's arms were frail, her grip not very strong but she put all her weight into it.
Watase gave a sad smile. "Aemi-chan, you should rest. It is very warm today."
Jasper gently lifted her, "He's right, you should rest."
"Wanna stay with you." Aemi's voice was sleepy.
"Let's rest together? Okay?" Jasper sat down, holding her close and rocking back and forth slightly.
Watase ran a hand over Aemi's head. "She is powerful in mind, but not in body. It's believed to be a genetic issue. All the children have varying issues. Some are due to their abilities, some just physically different."
Jasper nodded, "I want to help them, however I can."
"You freed them."
"That doesn't feel like enough."
He smiled brighter. "You are kinder than your posters reflect."
Jasper chuckled, "So what abilities does everyone have?"
"Most of the boys are either fire or aqua kinetics. Ryuga has speed. The girls are mixed between telekinesis and mood shifters. Aemi here has several abilities. Telekinesis, telepathy, some slight mind control. On a good day, she can throw me through 3 buildings."
"Wow." Jasper nodded. "I can help train those with telekinesis if they need it."
"Much appreciated. There's very little I can teach them anymore."
Jasper nodded and looked down at Aemi quietly.
Watase limped to a chair, rubbing his temple. Jasper suddenly noticed a glint of metal showing from his pant leg.
"You okay?" Jasper asked quietly.
"The band of ruffians you saved us from caused some damage. Nothing important."
"Callie can probably help you."
"Not human anymore." He leaned back, watching Magnus teach. "He always looks so strong, but hides a sad heart."
Jasper nodded, "I wish I could help him more.."
"Is that not a universal wish?"
Jasper sighed quietly and looked over at Zephyr who was talking to some of the other kids.
A young woman approached. "Let me take her."
Jasper frowned, "Why?"
"It is time for her medicine. I don't wish to burden you." The woman gave a gentle smile. "I am Catriona."
"I'm Jasper. Do you need help giving it to her?"
"You would do that?"
Jasper nodded.
Catriona produced several syringes filled with different liquids and a vial of pink liquid. "Red and blue go in her right leg. The yellow goes in her temple and she swallows the pink."
Jasper nodded slowly and helped to inject them. "I should see if Callie can help her at all.."
"You are quite kind." Catriona withdrew, sighing at Watase's form.
Jasper pulled out his phone and sent a few messages before looking back down at Aemi. Not long after, Callie and a young man appeared.
"See if you can help Watase," Jasper asked the man before looking at Callie. "Can you do anything for her?"
"I'll try." Callie nodded, beginning to scan over Aemi. After a few minutes, she began pouring energy into the girl.
The man frowned as he scanned Watase. "I might be able to formulate a medicine, but the problem is rather advanced."
"Do what you can." Jasper ordered.
The man nodded and ran toward the base.
Jasper watched Aemi closely, wanting to just hug her tight as the light covered her.
Magnus approached slowly. "You okay?"
Jasper nodded. "She's so cute.. I hope she's going to be okay."
"She's doing better. Not completely healed but better. I'll do some research and try to help further." Callie said before the light died out and she pulled away.
Jasper held Aemi close, shutting his eyes for a moment and whispered, "I guess it's just hard to imagine Baby would have been around her age by now.."
"Baby?" Magnus' eyes went wide.
Jasper sighed. "You know how the guards at the prison used to... well it resulted in a pregnancy.. and they found out. I almost died with how bad they beat me, but Baby didn't make it.." Tears filled his eyes.
Magnus embraced Jasper, holding him tight as he cried. In his mind, he cursed every single guard.
Eventually Jasper wiped his eyes. "Sorry.."
"Don't apologize."
"It's been ten years.. I should have this dealt with by now. And I should have told you."
"Baby, we all have secrets. And it's not like a healed wound."
Jasper nodded, "Being pregnant messed with my dysphoria. But I also was excited and happy for the new chance. Should have expected it wouldn't last.."
Magnus held him tighter.
Jasper looked back at Aemi before leaning his head against Magnus. "I want to stay here with her.. but I don't feel good.."
Magnus looked at Watase who simply nodded. Then he picked the girl up and looked at Zephyr. "Take them both back to our room."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow but just nodded and helped Jasper up. Zephyr then took Aemi and Jasper before rushing them home. They laid the two down in bed before going out to check on the scientist from earlier. After a discussion, Zephyr appeared back at the campsite with a syringe.
"This for Metalboy?"
Zephyr nodded. "Yeah."
Magnus grinned, injecting it and watching as Watase's skin began turning pink. "Our job is done today. Let's go home."
Zephyr smirked before swooping up Magnus.