And here's the seventh chapter.
Healing Begins chapter seven. Wolfsong.
The next morning Morgana woke up, still in Alex's arms. She had awaken in the middle of the night because of a nightmare. The future she saw there frightened her, but she was not going to let that future happen. She would figure out her feelings for him, weigh all of the consequences. Right then, the future was to stay in his arms. And now that she was awake again, her head cleared, she knew this what she wanted, but she wanted to take it slow this time. Enjoy everything.
"Hate to disturb your thoughts, love, but my right arm is a sleep."
"I'm sorry," she said rolling over, freeing his arm. "You put it there." He rubbed it generously, trying to rid himself of the numbness.
"At your insistence. Not that I wasn't enjoying myself."
"You're starting to sound like Remy," she warned, stretching.
"Two thieves, love. It does get fun." Seeing her tense as she stretched, he sat up and massaged her shoulders. She melted at his touch. "I know your weakness now." He stopped and she fell back against him, his arms wrapping around her. "I'm so sorry," he breathed.
"For what?"
"For causing tension between you and your mother."
"It wasn't your fault. After we moved to the village, I didn't exactly make things easy for her." He flashed her a questioned look. "She worried about me not having any friends. Then when I was practically kicked out of college, and didn't tell her for three years, that caused her to worry more."
"Kicked out? Why?" he asked rubbing her arms softly.
"My roommate and boyfriend found out I was a mutant, and they freaked. That's when I moved to San Francisco."
"Where we met, initially." He smiled.
"When she found out we had formed the Pack, she was overjoyed. Then days later, she finds out I'm dating, she's even happier. He's a thief, to say the least, and she's unhappy."
"She cares about you. You mean the world to her." He wanted to go on, but knew it was too soon. 'You just spent the night holding her because she wanted you there, and now you're holding her, and she's not pulling away.' "We should probably start home."
"Yeah," she said standing. He followed, both slipping their shoes on. They said goodbye to Manny, and she checked on Winter Moon and Wingguard while he made the arrangements with the hospital. Soon he joined her, and they prepared to leave.
"Where's Moon and Wingguard?" he asked not seeing the two wild creatures.
"They started on. They'll meet us there. Ready?"
"You are wearing the helmet this time," he commanded.
"We'll switch off."
"You're not going to make this easy are you?"
"Don't plan on it." She smiled, and he turned back around.
"You've been hanging around Shadow too much," he teased.
"She is my sister." They both laughed and took off.
Finally, they reached home. The wolf and hawk had beat them somehow. Maybe that twenty minute stop at the gas station. Now he was putting the bike into the garage. She took off the helmet and placed in on the seat after retrieving their bag of dirty clothes. She started to walk out when he grabbed her elbow gently. "Wait, Morgana." So she did. "I'm sorry you got hurt coming after me..."
"It's okay. I just felt like I needed to."
"If you hadn't...I'd be dead by now."
"I wasn't going to let that happen. Don't tell any one about that other gift, okay?"
"No problem," he said as they walked through the door into the mansion. They were greeted warmly by the X-men and other members of the Pack. Alex didn't spend much time saying he needed to speak with Charles. He promised to come back later. Morgana said she wanted to take a hot shower before setting in. So she headed to her room.
There she laid the bag of dirty clothes on her bed. She walked to the other side of her bed and entered the bathroom, turning the shower on. Quickly, she laid out her night clothes and stripped out of her new one. The water sure felt good as she let it run over her body. She would sleep tonight, but not as fitfully as last night.
Alex had waited patiently while the professor talked on the phone. He couldn't keep his thoughts on the task at hand. Getting Manny to the mansion. All he could think of was her, holding her, going shopping and out to eat, their conversations. The one with her mother. The whole ride home. At first she had barely held on to him, but as time went on she slowly tightened her grip, eventually to the point where both arms were crossed over his chest. He was so confused.
"He's on his way. Should be here soon," the professor said breaking Quinn's thoughts. "They're airlifting him here."
"Thank you, Professor."
"And you say it isn't a medical case."
"Growing up, his family would visit us when we were in California or any state in the US. A year after I discovered my powers Manny found his. He knew I had mine because of his. I tried to help him through the years, but I knew nothing of physic abilities. He's been keeping it in check, but he can't control them. I guess he's going through a mental breakdown."
"It's possible. I'll have Hank watch his vitals. Now," he said coming around the desk, "I suggest you get some rest. Everything will be fine." 'Everything?' Alex took the advice and went to bed.
Manny arrived the next day and had been there for three days. Morgana had talked with Illya, Gabby and Shadow, and after telling them about the upcoming reunion, they offered to take her shopping the day before. Shadow went just to get out of the mansion.
"How can you go to a reunion if you didn't graduate?" Shadow asked. "And what's a reunion?"
"I got a letter asking me to come. It was onymous."
"And you're going?" Illya asked as Morgana showed off another dress.
"Try something red," Gabby suggested.
"Yeah," Morgana said going back into the stall. Shadow ran off and returned with something red. "And I need a date."
"Ouch," Shadow moaned. "Well, you can't take Dodger."
"I know, Shadow. We all know Darian belongs to you."
"No, no. It's not like that," she said weakly.
"Sean and I have plans that night. Sorry." Saber smiled sweetly. "Why don't you take Alex. He went to that college for a while, didn't he?"
"Yeah, but I don't know how that would be."
"You spent all that time together in Boston. And you said your mom no longer forbids you," Gabby argued.
"Sounds good to me," Shadow chipped in. Morgana came back out in the red dress. Spinning she said, "I know. You don't know how good that felt to hear that, but I don't want anything to go wrong."
"It won't," Illya comforted. "Just start over."
"How?" Morgana questioned grimly.
"Take him with you. You'll need someone you trust there with you."
"I trust the Pack men, and most of the X-men. I could take one of them."
Illya stood up and walked over to Morgana. "Take Alex, wear that dress, and have a good time. Besides, I have a feeling that the two of you became closer during the time you spent in Boston."
"But it won't be the same," Morgana sighed.
"It'll be better." Morgana laughed. "What?"
"That's what he said." She laughed again.
"It's a sign!" Shadow screamed. "Now let's go. I've got other things to do."
"Game of Black Jack with Dodger?" The other girls teased as Morgana redressed.
"Ouch. I'm injured. My heart is broken." Shadow clutched her chest in mock pain.
"Shadow, give up," Morgana joked as she paid. The four ladies left and headed back to the mansion.
That night Illya asked Alex to meet him in the gardens. When he got to the bench, he saw the dark shadow of someone. "Illya, you wanted to see me?"
"Hi, Alex," Morgana said turning around. "How's Manny?"
"Good," he answered sitting down. "I'm suppose to be meeting Illya."
"No. She asked you for me."
"Why all the run around?"
"When we got home, I noticed we've been distant. Even more so than before." She sighed. "You remember how I said I had a reunion?"
"It's tomorrow, right?" he guessed.
"Yeah. I was hoping...I, uh, need a date. You've gone to school with those people. You know them. I'd like someone there I trust. Of everyone here, you're the only one who knows about my time in college."
"Morgana," he lifted her chin, "I'd love to take you. Tomorrow it is. Tonight, it's late." They stood and walked down the path. "Where's the reunion?"
"Boston." They laughed. "Think we'll ever escape it?"
"No. At least I can't. Family ties, and all." He smiled while he walked her to her room. This time he didn't follow her.
End chapter seven. One more coming.