Disclaimer: I don't own them. Yet. But evil genius school has started, so...just you wait, Anthony Zuiker!
Chapter 13
Adam's lab was impressive, to say the least. Alex hadn't been kidding, most of the technology seemed several years ahead of what the lab had, maybe even more advanced than the President's computer at the White House.
Not literally, but, close enough.
Adjusting the controls of the med chair, Adam looked at Nick. "Nick, you might want to step behind the curtain for a while," he said, grinning. "Alex is going to strip down to her underwear, and while you might be involved with her, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you drooling over my daughter in front of me."
Nick flushed, and stepped back as Alex drew the curtain, grinning. "Daddy," he heard her say, laughing, "Don't scare him away like you did every other guy who ever got interested in me, okay?"
"I didn't scare them away, hon," Adam said, "I gave them a test, and none of them passed."
Nick smiled. It sounded a little like how his parents were with his five sisters. Three of them were married now, with kids, and he was sorta glad they had given each of their suitors that "test".
He heard a soft whirring noise, and twiddled his thumbs while he waited. Then, the noise stopped, and he heard Alex getting dressed…again, he flushed, remembering when he had stumbled upon her in the locker room…
The older scientist was the first to join him. He motioned to a seat nearby, and Nick took the hint and sat down. Alex appeared just then, fully dressed, and she nodded to her father. It was as though they could communicate without words…Adam nodded back, and got up to leave the room.
Nick knew it was time for the confrontation they had been trying to avoid. Then again, some things were inevitable.
Alex sat down, taking his hand. "How about I start at the beginning?" she asked.
"That would be good, yeah," Nick agreed.
She swallowed, took a deep breath, released it, and began.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
"Kitty?"
Adam asked as he entered the room he shared with his wife. "How are
you feeling?"
His wife had just given birth to their daughter two months ago. Though she insisted she was fine now, Adam still worried about her, since she said she was having some stomach pains recently.
Now the ex-biogeneticist perched uncertainly on the edge of the bed, looking over at Kitty, who was cradling their baby in her arms.
"Hey," greeted Kitty. She glanced lovingly over in his direction. "You have a cut," she noted, worried.
Adam's fingers found the small wound on his chin, from an accident in the lab, and smiled. "It's nothing to worry about."
Kitty offered the squirming baby to him. "She's been fussy all day," she said, quietly. "I don't know why."
Adam took his daughter from his wife. "I'll see what I can do," he promised. Looking down at Alexis, he asked softly, "Well? You'd better start talking, missy. Why have you been fussing over the slightest little thing all day?"
The baby had quieted the moment Adam held her in his arms, and now she reached up with a tiny hand. The proud father gripped one, while the other…
The other reached for the cut on Adam's chin. The instant it connected, he felt a slight tingling sensation, and Alex mewled happily.
Eyes wide, Kitty gasped, "Adam…"
Adam reached to feel, and was startled. The injured skin had been sealed together, and it felt…
"She.." Helplessly, he looked at Kitty. They both knew what this meant.
Their daughter was a new mutant.
Adam had created new mutants a long time ago by accident. He and a team of scientists had been the pioneers of genetic engineering, using genetic manipulation to save human lives. The procedures had produced men and women with extraordinary powers – who had been dubbed new mutants.
And now it seemed Alex was one of them.
As time went by, Alex proved to have more than just healing abilities. She foresaw the answers to a history test at school, and purposely failed the test to avoid being accused of cheating.
Adam and Kitty helped their daughter learn the ins and outs of controlling her powers. Adam, with his expertise in genetics, helped more often, forming a bond between father and daughter that drew them closer together.
And now, Alex was working as a CSI in the LVCL, while volunteering at Desert Palm.
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
Alex finished her explanation, looking at Nick as she did so. He looked slightly skeptical.
"You're telling me you can heal people?" he asked quietly. "And see into the future? And that you have some sort of…mental telepathic connection to me? Sorry, but I find that all just a little hard to believe."
"I know," Alex assured him. Her brown eyes were serious as she asked, "Do you want me to show you what I can do?"
Before Nick could reply, she took a knife out of a chest of drawers in the lab, then went back to him. "I can't heal myself," she explained, then asked, "Do you trust me, Nick?"
Did he trust her? In answer, Nick held out his hand. She took it, and made a careful cut with the knife. Blood began flowing immediately, but before Nick had time to panic, Alex placed a finger on the wound. She closed her eyes. Nick's widened as he saw her fingers glow, and the skin she had cut seemed to repair itself under her touch. Within seconds, the wound was gone.
But Alex wasn't. She stood there, blinking, looking slightly tired. She looked at Nick, eyes questioning, as he examined the area she had healed thoroughly.
When he finally raised his eyes to hers once more, Alex was afraid she had overdone it. He looked…unable to believe this was happening to him, and she felt like he would bolt if she moved.
She reached out, he flinched, his fingers caressing the newly healed skin, as he looked up at her and said, "It's…itchy."
She nodded. "Yeah, that's one of the few side-effects. It'll wear off. I do have some lotion you could apply if you wanted…" She stopped, realizing she was babbling.
Nick's eyes were filled with wonder as he looked at her again. "You've always been able to do this?"
"It's why I volunteer at Desert Palm," she explained. Shrugging, she said, "My dad says I have healer instincts… But it hasn't always been easy. Wherever I went, if I was discovered, then I'd have to leave. My three years in Vegas are the longest I've ever lived in any place." Sighing, she concluded, "My life really hasn't always been easy."
Nick rose, and to her surprise, gathered her in a hug. She hugged back instinctively, as he nuzzled her neck gently, murmuring, "Well, maybe I can help make it easier?"
Alex gave a gasp as she realized what he was offering. Turning to him, she gave him a rather trembly smile and didn't protest when he leaned down…
"You two done in there?" Adam walked in, and they both broke apart automatically.
The ex-biogeneticist raised an eyebrow, said, "I guess not? Carry on, then," and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Nick laughed, turning Alex around to face him. "You think I'll be able to kiss you properly this time without one of your family interrupting?"
Alex grinned up at him. "Try it and see."
He bent his head over hers, kissing her, and this time, the sun sang in the sky and everything around them seemed to rejoice.
Grinning at her when they finally pulled apart for air, Nick whispered, "Wanna see how many times we can do that before they come up to see what we're doing?"
8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8
Okay, no cliffie this time...(big shocked eyes)
But lots of shout-outs! Yay!
Kat Hawkins - The rest of the team showed up all right...right now, though, it's just Nick, Alex, and her family....they'll be back, though. After all, Grissom has yet to tell...oops. Forget I said that. I'm not really into letting the cat out of the bag too early!
SpectralLady - No chocolate covered George Eads? (growls) Darn. Okay, I'll settle for the doggie treats.
love N/S - I am so disappointed with him! What on earth made George get a buzz cut? (sniffles) I want the old Nick back! Where did Jorja say that? Is there a link? Link me, link me! Oh please!
gelf - Okay, okay, a chocolate bunny with the face of George Eads...(grumbles) Are you gelflings all this pushy? So. How are the kids settling in? Imjuzakyd causing any trouble? I'll whack her if she does...just say the word. Right. Have fun, and kudos!
DCHeesegirl - Slept, yes, but the question is...did they do anything while sleeping together? (evil grin) I'm not saying, I don't even know for sure. And that total bull thingy was from the tenth Animorphs book. Great scene, I modified it a little. Gosh, I hope I don't get sued. (big eyes) Uh-oh.
Okay, keep reading guys! The end is near...or is it? What will happen next? Will Grissom reveal his secret to Alex? How will she react if he does? Why does RK9 sound like the guy who says "Next week, on Gifts and Curses...."? Has she been eating too much sugar? Why is she asking so many questions?
(RK9 gets dragged off by people in white suits...) See you guys at the next installment! >:) No asylum can hold this writer for long!
