Nikki was shaking all over. "Luke..." He warned, pulling away and stumbling to his feet. "I'm gonna be sick." He ran for the bathroom and it was a good thing that someone had left the toilet seat up.

Luke sighed cringing mentally at the awful retching noises coming from the bathroom. Slowly he pulled himself to his feet, and made his way into the bathroom where he pulled out a washcloth and ran it under cold water.

Nikki threw up practically nothing, as he hadn't eaten properly in too long to remember. He slumped by the edge of the toilet and pulled his knees up. "Sorry Luke." He said. He turned his head away from Luke. "I hate this." he said quietly and bitterly.

"Hey..." Luke whispered quietly as he knelt down by Nikki, "Come here." He pulled Nikki to him and pressed the washcloth to his forehead, "You need to eat something."

Nikki leant into Luke, just cause he was too exhausted to try and move, and he sighed heavily. "I really am sorry Luke." He said again. "You shoulda left me back there."

Luke shook his head, "You know I would never have done that, or would even do such a thing."

"Maybe you shoulda just let them kill me then." he said angrily, though it was mainly at himself. "I dunno how much longer I can last with this fucked up head. And I hate stressing you out."

"Sh... Don't talk." Luke shushed him pulling the cloth away from his forehead and flipped it over.

"I mean it." Nikki said, although he didn't move." What are we gonna do in the future? I don't want you to look after me all the time... for the rest of my life anyway..." He turned his neck up to Luke, lolling his head back on Luke's shoulder, totally vulnerable. He closed his eyes. "Kill me now... you could do it.. I won't mind, it'd be the best thing to do. You might not be able to do it later."

Luke swallowed thickly and shook his head, "No, I won't kill you Nikki." He frowned dropping his hand by his side.

Nikki opened his eyes, then bowed his head down. He took Luke's hand in his in silence, just playing with his fingers.

They just sat there in silence, neither saying another word to the other.

~*~

Luke sat down on the floor, his back pressed firmly against the frame of his bed. In his hands he held a black notebook and a pen, courtesy of Scott. He briefly closed his eyes then pulled open the cover and began to write.

'It's been seven years since I met Nikki… I had been alone in that... place for a whole year before he came. It took me almost that long for him to get used to me, with all of his episodes and such.

 It was two years before I was locked away that my life as I knew it ended and this one started.

 I was thirteen when it happened. My first transformation. My parents witnessed the whole thing and absolutely freaked. I was locked in a closet for a while and when I was let out... I was taken to the asylum. They didn't want me to speak of my mutation. Every time I did I was beaten.

 They still burn, the scars that is.

 I thought I was going to die one night. I was loosing so much blood...' Luke dropped his pen and took a deep breath, he couldn't write anymore.

Nikki, sleeping on the bed, mewed in his sleep and curled his fingers round some of Luke's hair, which he had gone to sleep holding. Bear had been gripped tightly to his chest at first, but Nikki had pushed it further away from him in his sleep, and it was now down near his feet.

Luke leaned his head back carefully and smiled sadly. He tilted his head to the side to see what time it was; 2:30 AM. He yawned and climbed to his feet still holding the notebook. Without giving it much thought he shoved it under the bed before sitting down on the edge.

Nikki moved into the dip caused by Luke sitting on the bed and didn't so much wake up as move into a slightly lighter sleep. "Luke?" He asked, his voice syrupy with sleep. "Wasswron'?"

"Nothing, Nikki," Luke murmured gently moving Nikki to the side so he had room to lay down, "Go back to sleep."

Nikki made a noise and did so, curling into Luke's body warmth once he had settled.

Luke lay awake for a while, just listening to the steady breathing coming from Nikki. Nikki's pleas from earlier washed in to his mind and he cringed. He felt the jitteriness come back and he slammed his eyes shut. Lance's talk with him a few days before came back to him,  'Maybe', he thought opening his eyes again, 'Maybe I need to get away for awhile... even if it's an hour or two.' The thought made him feel panicky, he quickly pushed it aside and fell into a restless slumber.

Todd, yawning, moss brown hair in massive disarray and dressed sloppily dragged himself onto a stool at the kitchen counter and slumped across it, arms crossed in front of him. "Why'd I get up so early yo?" He asked, muffled.

"Because ya know that I'd drag ya out of yer bed fer D.R training in an hour." Logan grunted with a smirk.

Todd turned his head, still laying it on his arms. "You're a cruel, cruel man, yo." He said muggily.

Logan snorted and turned back to his newspaper. Kitty phased into the kitchen already dressed, she grabbed an apple from the counter and began munching on it happily.

 "Mornin' all." She said around bites.

 "Mornin' half-pint." Logan grunted not taking his eyes from the paper.

"Mornin'..." Todd grumbled, falling back asleep where he sat.

Logan glanced at Todd and shook his head sadly, he suppressed the urge to startle the boy when Luke walked in looking like he hadn't gotten any sleep at all.

 He mumbled something that sounded a little like, "-orn-..." As he took a seat in the stool next to Todd.

Todd turned his head and looked at Luke, seeing a fellow companion in his anti-waking, and smiled.

"You too huh, yo?" He looked around. "Where's your other 'alf?"

"I think he's still asleep." Luke said warily as he let his head fall onto the counter with a loud 'THUMP'. He groaned tiredly but didn't attempt to move.

"We should all be so lucky." Todd said, glowering at Logan.

Logan grinned back at him.

Todd stuck his tongue out and turned to Kitty. "Can you pass me a juice Kit?"

"Sure." Kitty smiled and tossed her apple core away then walked over to the 'fridge and pulled it open, "What kind?"

"Yo, I don't care, just as long as it ain't milk." He said with a smile

Kitty pulled our a grape juice box and tossed it to him, missed and ended up hitting Luke on the head with it.

 "Oh!" She said startled as she rushed over to his side, "I'm so sorry, Luke!"

Todd giggled, but that was about all he could manage at that point. "I'll get it myself.. don't want you killing him..."

Logan rolled his eyes at the three, "I hope yer all awake in an hour, I programmed a new simulator in the D.R."

 Luke groaned, "No sleeeep..." He sighed tilting his head to the side slightly, "Dead... I'm dead..."

 Kitty patted him on the back, "Poor you," She smiled slightly, "Let me make you some breakfast."

Nikki stumbled into the room, saw Kitty, and backed up, until he just sat down near the doorway. He watched Logan with wary eyes as well, and froze where he was, sitting in the puddle of his jumper. He suddenly yawned hugely and leant his head against the doorframe, leaning back out of the room marginally, in case he needed to suddenly make a break for it.

Kitty sat down a bowl of cereal in front of Luke as she glanced down at Nikki. She smiled warmly.

 "Would you like some breakfast, Nikki?"

Nikki slid himself around the corner, then peeked out around the door. Todd looked over. "Leave him alone Kitty." He advised.

Kitty sighed then nodded, "Okay." She said softly then pulled up a seat at the table.

 Luke slowly lifted his head and glared down at his bowl of cereal, "Hey Nikki?" He called out tilting his head so he could see Nikki.

Nikki waved at Luke, getting up and scrambling over before sitting, leaning against his chair leg at his feet and hugging what bits of Luke he could reach.

"Want some cereal?" Luke asked, his head felt heavy and all he wanted to do was let it fall back onto the counter top.

NIkki made a face. "N'thanks." He said sleepily, eyes closed. Todd looked at Logan. "See? See what you're doin to everyone? You're the only nutter who LIKES gettin' up this early yo."

Logan snorted, "Maybe I'll make sessions two hours today."

 Luke ignoring Logan frowned down at Nikki, "You have to eat something Nikki. Remember last night?"

NIkki shook his head, looking confused. "Uh-uh."

"You were sick. Now come on an' eat something." He pushed his bowl closer to the edge.

"I don't wanna." Nikki whined.

"You have to, Nikki." Luke frowned.

"I can't." He said stubbornly. "I feel sick."

"Because you haven't eaten in several days!" Luke nearly shouted.

 Both Logan and Kitty glanced at Luke then at each other.

Todd jumped at Luke's outburst.... and it was some jump.

"I ate..." Nikki thought. "Some stuff."

Luke raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"

"Uhhh..." Nikki shrugged. "I don't remember. I know I ate something."

"Come on Nikki," Luke sighed, "Why are you doing this to your self?"

"I'm not doing anything." Nikki protested.

Luke closed his eyes tiredly, "Please eat."

"I CAN'T." Nikki said, fear in his voice. He looked round, then pulled on Luke's leg to make him bend closer.

Luke leaned closer to him, "What?"

"They drug it." He said conspiratorially, then leaned back, nodding.

Luke leaned back with a sigh, "It's not drugged," He frowned taking a bite out of the cereal, "See?"

Nikki frowned back. "But Luke... how do you know?"

"I watched her make it."

Nikki jumped up and swiped at the bowl sending it flying, then grabbed Luke. "Make yourself throw up Luke, PLEASE throw it up."

Logan climbed to his feet looking worried, "Hey kid..." He trailed off as Luke climbed off his stool and gently took a hold of Nikki's shoulders.

 "Nikki, we're not in the asylum anymore. Normal people don't just drug food," He shook his head slowly, "These people won't drug our food."

Nikki shrank back when Logan stood up and jumped when Luke held him. He didn't know what to say, as he wanted to believe Luke, but the fear of being drugged and taken away was very strong.

"I've told you before, we're safe here," Luke sighed pulling away from Nikki and rubbed his temples, "Hey Todd?" He grunted turning to the small frog-like boy, "Do me a favor an' watch Nikki for a minute?"

Todd choked on a mouthful of apple juice. "Me!" he squeaked. He looked over at Nikki, who was cowering under the table. "Are you SURE about this yo?"

Luke was staring down at Nikki, "Will you be okay with this Nikki? I just gotta go take a shower and get some Advil or something..." He rubbed his eyes.

Nikki looked at Luke with concern. "Are you okay?"

Luke nodded, "Just a headache." He smiled warily, he was also extremely tired from his night of tossing and turning and nightmares.

Nikki grabbed Luke's hand and kissed the back of it before letting it go. "I hope you get better." He said.

Todd was looking stricken. "Luke man, what if he freaks out or something?"

"He'll be fine," He told him, "And if something happens I am only upstairs." He then swiftly left the room.

 Logan took a sip of his coffee, "Ya got yer hands full there, Toad."

Todd looked at Nikki, who looked back at him hesitantly, than looked at Logan." Help?"

Logan bit back a laugh, "The kid's petrified o' me. Maybe Half-pint there will ya."

 Kitty shook her head, "He's afraid of me too." She frowned sadly.

Todd rubbed his head. "Damn."

Nikki tilted his head to the side. "D'you have a headache too?" He asked.

"No, but I bet I will soon."

Logan chuckled turning back to his newspaper.

 Kitty bit her bottom lip, "Nikki?" She said slowly, "Why are you so afraid of me?" The phrase, 'Curiosity killed the cat.' suddenly came to mind.

Nikki seemed to feel safer in the security of 'under the table', so he answered the woman who terrified him instead of freezing up. "I don't wanna make you mad mummy." He said whimpering.

"Kitty." Todd warned. "Don't upset him yo, he's been ok so far... lets see if he can last the rest of however long Luke's gonna be gone."

Kitty sighed and nodded, "Sorry." She muttered grabbing another apple.

Nikki suddenly and randomly sang something to himself. Todd raised an eyebrow. "His cheese has slid so far off its cracker it's on the floor yo."

Kitty and Logan both raised an eyebrow, but it was Kitty who spoke next.

 "What ch'ya singing there, Nikki?"

Nikki clammed up. "Sorry mummy. " He said quietly. "'ll be quiet for you. I'm really good okay."

"No, it's okay Nikki. It was a good song, I was just wondering what it was called." Kitty said gently.

 Logan lowered his newspaper, the kid never gave up.

Nikki gave Kitty a look. "Is this a trick"? He asked nervously. Todd encouraged the boy. "NO, she's fine yo. Look. She'll stay all the way over there and if you feel uncomfortable, you can leave okay?" Nikki nodded slowly. "I was singing a song i heard." He said.

Kitty smiled, "Do you remember the name of it?" She tilted her head slightly.

Nikki shook his head, still huddled under the counter, with his arms around his knees. He seemed less likely to panic as long as Todd stayed between him and Kitty.

Kitty sighed and stood up, she took a bit out of her apple as she turned to Logan, "I'm gonna go change for training."

 Logan nodded, "Don't it get to ya, Half-pint." He said softly.

Kitty smiled warily, "I know." She then disappeared through the floor.

Nikki relaxed when Kitty left, but still kept a wary eye on Logan. Todd fidgeted. "Uh... whaddaya wanna do now yo?" He asked. Nikki shrugged. "Im waiting for Luke."

"oh.. okay." Todd turned to Logan. "Help me out here please?"

"What do ya want me ta do?" Logan grunted eyeing the boy under the table briefly.

Todd shrugged. "I dunno. I can't look after a mentally unstable kid." He turned and eyed Nikki. "He's looking at me.." He said worriedly. Nikki giggled.

Logan smirked evilly, "Yep, like he's gonna attack ya."

Todd looked back at Nikki. "I dunno. He wasn't acting all nice before." He said warily. "HE totally flipped on me."

"Hey Nikki," Logan grunted, "Should Todd be afraid of ya?"

Nikki just stared back at Logan.

"I don't think the 'I'll stand between you' bit is gonna work for you Logan." Todd said grinning

Logan shrugged, "Yer right, he's wouldn' start a fight with me... but you... I bet he could take ya." He grinned back.

Todd gave Logan a look. "I'm not sure you get how much of that could not be a joke Logan." he said.

Logan shook his head sadly, "Hey Squirrel," Logan ducked his head under the table, "Ya won't give Todd here a hard time, now will ya?"

Nikki backed up away from Logan, shaking his head in a scared manner. Todd whined. "Logan. Don't wind him up, he's being good. I don't want him to flip out. "

Logan stood back up, "Alright, alright." He grunted wandering over to the 'fridge, "Yer on yer own then, don't know how I'm gonna help ya with 'im under the table." He thrusted his thumb in Nikki's direction.

"You can help by keeping your distance yo." Todd said, running a hand through his hair. "Hopefully Luke'll be back soon."

Logan pulled out a can of pop and shrugged, "Now ya don't want me ta help?" He took a drink of his pop, "Fine with me."

"You stay there, and you'll help plenty. " Todd said. He then looked down at Nikki's feet, al that he could see peeking out form under the table. "How ya doin' yo? "He asked. Nikki peered out. "When's Luke coming back?" He asked Todd shrugged. "I dunno... he'll be here, don't worry."

Logan leaned against the 'fridge and folded his arms over his chest, "Every year we get a weird one..." He muttered.

"We got two this time round." Todd reminded him.

"Yea, yer right." Logan smirked.

"What's going on?" Luke walked in shirtless, his hair damp from his shower. He tilted his head seeing Nikki under the table and sighed.