And here is the sixth chapter of Healing Begins. Remember to check out the completely original story by Wolfsong on
They reached the hospital, noticed his bike was still there, and went inside. A nurse approached them.
"I'm sorry, you can't come into the hospital like that unless you're hurt." They had forgotten about their dust ridden clothes.
"Oh, we're so sorry. It's been a long day." Morgana chirped.
"Are either of you injured?" the nurse asked.
"No. We're fine. Thank you," Alex said as they walked back out. Outside, he said, "I have an extra credit card in my bike. We can go get a change of clothes then find something to eat."
"That sounds good. I don't think they'd let us in any other way." She laughed.
"You're probably right. Where's Moon and...um...the hawk?"
"Wingguard. They hid in an alley." He shook his head. "They'll come when I need them."
"Good to know." He was still curious. Her mother had said her college days had been bad, but the way she talked about that one memory, it confused him. "Shall we?" he asked mounting his bike, holding out his hand. She took it and climbed on behind him. He let her have the helmet promising to be careful. She refused saying if he was going to be careful she didn't need it either. So neither wore the helmet. He drove to a large clothing department and parked outside.
"Alex, no. This is too expensive."
"Hush, Morgana, sweet. Nothing's too expensive for you." He smiled holding the door. "And here, Jackson is safer."
"Fine." She smiled back and went through. Inside, he apologized for their appearance then said that they would like to view some nice casual clothes. Price didn't matter.
"And your name, sir?"
"Jackson Hooper," he answered when they asked, making sure he wasn't an over-dressed beggar. "Don't let her see the price tag," he instructed the lady assistant to help Morgana.
"As you wish, Mr. Hooper. This way m'lady." and Morgana was lead away before she could protest.
After finding his clothes, a pair of nice black slacks and an equally black shirt, Jackson waited as Morgana finished. She came out wearing a sage green shirt with flared sleeves near the bottom and a darker green, suede leather skirt. It had a slit on each side up to the knees. She walked over and took his arm. Together they walked to the cash register. Their total was rung up, he paid without her seeing, and were given their old clothes back. The two left, putting the old outfits in the bike's compartment and rode away.
Their dinner consisted of a nice, small steak place close to the hospital. "You know me too well, Jackson," she had said when they sat down. He'd replied, "Do I?" That had started their conversation about her college days when he asked what Spotted Fawn had meant. He had tried to skirt around his conversation, and she obviously wasn't ready to talk about it. They finished their meal and conversation, then headed back to the hospital.
They were admitted this time and went straight to Manny's room. Alex checked his cell for messages, finding one from the professor. "Charles called. I'll call him back." She nodded her understanding and sat by the sickened man. Manny had not always been small she knew from what Alex had told her. The doctors knew nothing about his condition. They also didn't know that Manuel Bannister was a mutant, and this wasn't a medical condition. Morgana went to touch his forehead.
"Morgana," his voice held a new tone, protective. "You already spent too much of yourself on me. It won't help him." The phone apparently stopped ringing then. There was guilt, an underlying guilt in his voice, but changed when the phone answered. He talked for awhile then hung up. "Charles is going to prepare a transfer immediately. He said we should stay the night and rest. Oh, Dodger was the one who stole his bike." She laughed at his attempt at a joke.
"So, Charles thinks he can help? He already has his hands full with Irona."
"I think Luke's helping with that problem." The evil smirk was back. She had missed it.
"So what now?"
"We can stay the night, and head out tomorrow. I'll see if I can get another room for us." He stepped out, then came back two minutes latter. "Come on." He lead her into the empty room next to Manny's. "You can take the bed. I'll probably stay in with Manny." He started out.
"Jackson, Alex," He turned. "There's nothing wrong with sharing the bed," she said slipping her boots off. She sat back on the bed.
"But..."
"Manny can do without you one more night." He gave in. She was right. There was nothing wrong with them sharing for one night. He slipped off the soft soled shoes and padded to the other side of the bed. She laid down as he settled in on his back. He sat forward and dragged the blankets over them, dropping them below her elbow. She reached up, taking his hand and held on until he reluctantly placed his arms around her waist, one rising to hold her shoulder. She held on to it while her head rested on the pillow, his on hers. She fell asleep feeling his soft breathing on her bare neck.
End chapter six. Seven coming.