Part Three: Life After X

Chapter Sixteen: Restless Night

Kevin woke up with a start. His heart was pounding. He shivered as he sat in his bed in a cold sweat. He had another nightmare. He dreamt that Buttercup had died in his arms. He dreamt that she died a horrible slow and painful death. Her blood stained his shirt as she looked up at him, her brilliant green eyes losing all their luster, her eyes silently screamed in desperate agony as she strained to breathe. Then her eyes closed and she lay in his arms, unmoving.

Kevin shivered because it was true. It did happen. She did die. It wasn't just a dream. It had been almost a week since she died, the image haunted him. It would most likely haunt him until the end of his days. The only major difference between his dream and real life was that in his dream, she didn't come back to him. When he held her that fateful night, she was dead. She had no pulse, she had no breath… she was gone. He had wondered if he only imagined her waking up for that one moment, he still wasn't sure. When the paramedics came they had told them she was gone, but when he told him he saw her eyes open moments before they arrived, they tried to revive her. He thought his heart would leap out of his chest with joyous relief when they found a pulse. He didn't know if he should call it a miracle or luck, if he should thank God or modern medicine, but Kevin did find himself saying a little prayer, making him doubt his atheism. He caught himself occasionally saying a quick silent prayer during the 13½ hours she was unconscious.

He looked at the clock and sighed. It was 6:30 in the morning. There was little point in going back to sleep. He lay there in bed deep in thought until his alarm went off. He thought about that fateful day. She had been badly beaten. She broke her left wrist, she cracked two ribs, sprained her back and ankle, and she had to get stitches on her forehead just below the hairline on the left side. Then there were the burns, cuts and bruises she received. Most of those he could see were gone except the large, nasty, dark purple bruise on her face, although now it was lighter and considerably smaller. She still had a cough from the smoke inhalation. She was recovering faster than normal however, but Kevin was still worried about her because of how the attack seemed to affect her emotionally. She was a lot more withdrawn than usual, even to him, when he came to see her, she was usually silent, or would only say one word sentences. Not even his corny jokes could make her smile.

But she had come back to life, and he was thankful. He would help her come out of her hole, or die trying. That was something he had vowed long before the attack, but now he was serious. Another thing he vowed was to never let Mojerk harm her or her sisters again, although he knew he would have little control over that, but he would do whatever he could to protect them. It was already beginning to annoy her how protective he had become.

"Just until he's caught, or dead or you get your powers back, whichever comes first," Kevin assured her.

Kevin hated the fact that Mojo Jojo was still at large. Everyone felt guilty for letting him get away, but everyone was too worried, and too exhausted to pay attention, and they thought he was unconscious. On the plus side, Mayor Bellum had issued extra security around the Utonium's neighbourhood and at the school, and everyone was on the lookout for the mutated monkey, who seemed to have gone in hiding. If he knew what was best for him, Mojo would stay in hiding until the end of his days. Four people had died in the fire, so not only was Mojo wanted for attempted murder and arson, but four accounts of manslaughter as well.

Kevin never did tell Buttercup or anyone that he told her he loved her. As far as he knew, no one knew how he felt about her and no one saw him kiss her that night. He debated telling her, but he had no idea how. He didn't know how she would react, but he knew she would either laugh, freeze up in confusion, or get angry. He remembered a time not too long ago when someone asked if they were a couple. She laughed boisterously and said the thought of them ever getting together was absurd. She was very clear that ever since her first and last teenage crush, Mitch Mitchellson broke her heart in junior high, she wasn't interested in having a boyfriend until she was in college. Once in a while someone would ask her out, and she would either brush them off, laugh at their stupidity, reject them or threaten them. Kevin decided to wait until she got out of her 'hard to get' phase before he'd even dream about telling her how he felt about her (or at least in a way she could hear him). Besides, their friendship was perfect. There was no way he would risk ruining it.

*****

Buttercup dreamt about Kevin again, a recurring dream she had ever since the attack. In her dream he told her something important, but she didn't know what he was saying, then he vanished never to return; all she saw was darkness. It was then that she became aware of the shooting pain in her back, which woke her up. It drove her crazy wondering what it was he was trying to tell her. Buttercup lay in bed, rolling over a few times trying to get comfortable. She hardly slept because not only did her back give her so much grief all night, but her left arm was itched like crazy and no matter how hard she tried she couldn't reach under her cast to scratch.

She looked at her clock. "Damn it!" she muttered. Her alarm was set to go off in half an hour which meant there was no way she'd get any decent sleep. She sighed and rolled out of bed and opened her blinds to see a grey, rainy day. She liked it when it rained, as long as she could remember she liked a good rainy day, and adored a good thunderstorm. It certainly fit her mood perfectly.

She sighed and changed clothes, pausing for a moment in front of her mirror to inspect the remnants of her bruises from the attack almost a week earlier. Her skin around her waist and wrists were still slightly purplish yellow from the bruises she got from the robot's restraints and her lower ribcage still bore the black and blue memory of the bat's second strike. She gently ran her fingers over her bruised cheek and over the scar on her forehead. Twelve years of saving the world and it was her first battle scar. At least she no longer looked like a delicate porcelain doll, something she never liked about herself. Although now, she looked like a victim of abuse or something, not like some valiant hero, so she didn't know what was worse. It wouldn't have been so bad if she looked a little more butch, like a girl who could take care of herself, but the Utonium girls never looked like the strong, tough superheroes they were, instead they looked like the perfect little girls they were created to be. Soft, but in good, healthy shape.

"I hate myself," she muttered.

She put on her dark jeans and long sleeved black shirt with the dragon emblem, and her new black hoodie, since her old one was completely ruined when she was attacked. She looked at her punching bag and longed to vent and relieve her frustrations on it, but she couldn't. Her back was still quite sore, and she was still exhausted from the fight since her healing powers were working overtime and using her powers were draining, but she had no control over her healing powers. But it was because of her ability to heal that she was recovering faster than normal. Her back was getting better every day and her cuts, burns and smaller bruises only lasted a couple of days. Her arm and ribs were still giving her grief, but the Professor said that her healing powers wouldn't work as fast, or as efficiently as before, but that was obvious since before she would heal instantly and completely. It was the same with the rest of her powers if she would dare try them, but the Professor begged them to take it easy until he had a permanent cure.

Buttercup popped a pill in her mouth and took it with bottled water. They would not, and could not drink tap water or anything that contained tap water anymore until the Professor was absolutely sure Townsville's water supply was clean. On top of finding a cure he was inventing a machine that would identify antidote X no matter how it was altered to become hard to detect.

The pill she took was what the Professor called Antixium. Antixium was their temporary solution to their problems. If they took it once a day, or after engaging in something strenuous or using what was left of their powers, they could expect to live a good, normal life, provided they took it easy and avoided any vigorous activities. The Professor had called the school so they were exempt from gym class, and Bubbles was forced to quit cheerleading, which had completely dampened her spirits since she was once the happiest about becoming normal. A little bit of exercise would be OK, but that was it. Antixium should help them considerably, although they would sometimes feel tired and listless. What was left of their powers would always be there, but they couldn't use them unless they wanted to experience the side effects of exhaustion, dizziness and headaches and would decrease their chances of ever getting cured. Buttercup hated being 'reduced' to having to take Antixium once a day, but she liked it because it did help renew their strength and relieve their symptoms.

She sighed as she slowly made her way downstairs. It was going to be her first day back at school since the attack. Going back was the last thing she wanted to do. She wished she could at least wait until Monday to go back, instead of Thursday which in her opinion made more sense. But everyone agreed it would be better for her if she went back into routine as soon as possible.  Like they had any idea what was best for her.  She had no idea how she would face everyone. Would they blame her for what happened as much as she blamed herself? Would they stare at her? Laugh at her? Feel sorry for her? Blossom and Bubbles had said that no one seemed to be able to accept that they were no more, even though it was now announced publicly. That would probably change once they saw her.

Buttercup was still trying to accept it. It didn't truly hit her yet that her superhero days were over. Even with all the pain she felt that she wouldn't have ever felt before, she still believed that she'd get her powers back again. The fact that Mojo Jojo nearly killed her, or, technically did kill her really brought her down to reality. Sometimes she could admit (with bitterness) that she was no longer the powerful girl she once was, and most likely would be for the rest of her life, normal. The rest of the time she was in denial, and was sure their bout of weakness would be temporary. Either way, she doubted she would ever be able to accept normalcy.

The only good thing that came out of the whole mess in Buttercup's opinion is that whatever conflict she and her sisters had was slowly but surely starting to reach a point of resolve. While Buttercup was still in the hospital, a teary eyed Blossom had apologized for everything, saying that all she could think of while Buttercup was still in critical condition was about how terrible it would be if she died while there was still so much malice between them. Blossom gave the clichéd speech about she wouldn't e able to live with herself if that happened. Buttercup had to admit though, there was truth to the old cliché, because she felt the same way. Buttercup and Blossom apologized for everything they said and done to hurt each other, at pretty much the same time. They promised to listen to each other even if they can't agree and to never let their arguments become hurtful again. It was admittedly too early to tell how sincere they were, and whether they'd stay true to their word, but since then, things had improved between them greatly, although Buttercup still for some reason felt an empty void when it came to her and Blossom as though something was still left unsaid by both of them.

It was a different story with Bubbles who had been unusually aloof to everyone while Buttercup was in the hospital. While she was stuck there, Bubbles wouldn't say anything to her except small talk, which wasn't much different than before. Although this time she was like that to everyone. She seemed to be in deep thought all the time. Her coldness toward Buttercup wasn't unusual, but it bothered her more than it did before. She was the only one not babying her and treating her like a delicate flower, which Buttercup respected and admired since Buttercup hated when people acted like that. The problem was that Buttercup expected the attack would spark Bubbles dormant nurturing nature. Buttercup for a while feared their relationship was forever doomed. However, on the first day she was back from the hospital Bubbles quietly crept into Buttercup's room and sat next to her for a long time before she whispered, "Listen, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Buttercup asked. She knew, but she wanted to hear Bubbles say it.

"For always ignoring you at school, for my friends who always made your life miserable, and for never talking to you," Bubbles replied.

"I'm sorry too," Buttercup sighed, "Just because your friends are jerks, doesn't mean you are. I know you're not the snob that you appear to be. I don't blame you for ignoring me. I know I push people away."

"Why do you do it?" Bubbles asked.

Buttercup shrugged, "I don't know. I just… I can't trust anyone."

"Once you could trust me," Bubbles sighed.

"Not anymore," Buttercup replied, "When you started hanging out with the snobby and mean cheerleaders, that changed. You should know that. Guilty by association. I felt betrayed. You should know by now how mean those girls are."

"Were." Bubbles corrected, "Why does everyone stereotype cheerleaders anyway? Just because I quit the art club for cheerleading doesn't mean I changed as a person! Cheerleading is a fun, underestimated sport! Why does everyone like to paint us cheerleaders as mean and shallow snobs anyway?" She ranted.

"Hey, I don't have a problem with cheerleaders. I have a problem with mean, snobbish ones. Hey, every group has them, from the cheerleaders to the drama geeks and artists. Don't assume I'm stereotyping!" Buttercup hissed, she coughed. "And they are mean! Are you too dense to realize it?"

"Will you stop criticizing me and my friends?" Bubbles demanded, "I come here to apologize and here you are bashing my friends! You don't know them! Sure they pull pranks that come off as mean, but they don't mean to be mean!"

"What do you mean?" Buttercup snapped.

"You know what I mean!"

"They certainly don't harass me out of good humour!" Buttercup frowned, "I know them better than you do it seems. Remember, Megan used to be my friend until she started to spread rumours about me that were so obviously untrue!"

"She did not! I thought it was Mitch!"

"Yes, she did. You mean you didn't know that she was the one who kick started the 'Let's ruin Buttercup's reputation' year? You're friends are mean-spirited bitches, you're better than that, or at least you were." Buttercup rolled her eyes and broke into a coughing fit, since she was still affected by the smoke.

"Are you OK?" Bubbles asked softly. Red in the face Buttercup nodded. "I knew this would be the wrong time. You need rest, why don't we talk about this later, when we cool off."

"Fine. But let me say this," Buttercup muttered, "how did your friends react when you told them you quit cheerleading?"

"I haven't told them yet," Bubbles said quickly.

"Why not?" Buttercup asked clearing her throat.

"Because I… why don't we talk about this tomorrow, OK?" Bubbles asked, "You need your rest." As Bubbles left the room, it was clear that she was trying to hold back tears.

Buttercup and Bubbles never did talk about it again. Three days later, their relationship was still cold, they hardly spoke, but the tension somehow had been lifted as though they reached an understanding.

When Bubbles joined her in the kitchen she was agitated and silent. Blossom didn't say much either, but she was at least making an effort to lighten the mood. Upon seeing the apprehensive look on her face, the Professor gave Buttercup a reassuring hug and told her everything would be fine. Buttercup nodded wordlessly.

"Time to go," the Professor said, looking at his watch as he hugged her. Ever since the attack he insisted on driving the girls to school. While he grabbed his keys Buttercup heaved a big sigh, trying to prepare herself to face the day.

_____

A/N Sorry it took so long to update.  This chapter was a lot harder to write than I expected.  (There are six versions on my computer O_o!)  I really didn't want this to get too melodramatic, didn't want the hospital drama yet didn't want to cheat the readers of what happened by diving back into the plot without so much of an explanation.  I am still not happy with the way this chapter turned out, but I guess I'll just have to deal with it.  It's more of a transition chapter anyway. 

Thanks go to…

Bubblebean022: Sorry for the tardiness.  Thanks for the review!

akurei-gaki: Thanks-ness!

Dooly: I never thought about the X-Files, but reading it over you're right, the man in the limo does have a resemblance to Cigarette Smoking Man from X-Files.  Perhaps it was a subconscious source of inspiration.  This is not a crossover, so you can be sure it's not him.  As for your questions/speculations, you'll find out in time.

PinkPuff514: Don't be distraught.  Sorry it took so long to update, hopefully I'll be able to update a bit more frequently now that I've gotten past this hellish chapter to write.  (so much harder than I thought) 

Hairy Gregory: No, the guy in chapter one was Mojo.  Bubbles is too smart to fall for Mojo's pathetic, desperate last minute attempt to survive, especially considering everything that was going on.  Not much else to say.  As always, thanks for being a loyal reviewer!