X
Two days of tests, all of which made very little sense to Shawn.
He passed the long hours wishing for home and family; Danny must be almost all grown up. He wondered if his younger brother topped him in the heighth competition. Though Danny had always been stockier, Shawn grew fast as a weed. Secretly hoping that he was still the tallest. Watching the ceiling, people scurrying outside the windowed door. Sometimes he would lean his forehead against the pane and wonder where everyone was going in such a hurry. Saving the world.
From people like him.
X
"How's it going?"
"Uncle Tommy."
Like their last meeting, Shawn's voice was quiet and guarded. He didn't show any enthusiasm for the impending visit. Even though Tom had shuffled a lot of things on his schedule to come here.
It irritated Tom, somehow.
"So, a few more days of this-hey, wasn't so bad, was it?"
The serious faced returnee shrugged away from the friendly hand.
"Come on, Shawn. You have to admit, you made a big fuss over nothing."
"Nothing?"
Unconsciously pacing the small room, a caged animal. Shawn's eyes were slightly wild.
"Tests. Which could help your cousin."
Impossible to ignore the obvious coldness underscoring that sentence.
"I told you, I don't remember anything."
"Exactly why you're in here. Maybe they can find what you've forgotten."
Shawn paused. "Then you do believe me?"
The NTAC agent cleared his throat. Avoided his nephew's gaze, because it was earnest and open and sad.
"You said-"
"It doesn't even matter. Whatever. Why don't you go be with Kyle. It's where you want to be."
"You're my nephew, Shawn. And I still love you like a son. You and Danny both. It's just that-"
Shawn sank onto the chair, studying his hands. "It's easier to love Danny."
"Not easier."
"Maybe not so complicated."
"You were always goofing off with Kyle. I worried-"
"We had some fun. That was all. Nothing dangerous. You should know I'd never hurt him." Shawn refused to meet the intense stare bent upon him. Blinked, swiping a palm across his eyes.
Tom took the hint. "It's late, and you're tired. I have to meet my partner, anyways."
"Sure."
"I'll check in again soon."
"Don't."
"Shawn-"
"The only thing you really care about is Kyle. Not me. Not your department. Nobody."
The accusation was devoid of anger; simply put, a statement.
"That's-"
Not true? Shawn had no way of knowing about Linda.
"See you." Tom hesitated, fingers on the door. His nephew resolutely refusing to give him the comfort of a goodbye. Because that would be pretending.
X
Against better judgement, Tom crossed off an appointment with Marco. It had been a few days, and he was worried that Shawn's animosity would only grow if he was left alone too long. His nephew had never been one for lazing about. Always on a mission, always teasing his brother and laughing over pranks at school. Seemed Kyle always wound up in them. Wonder why.
The building was cold, sterile, pretty calm. Even if there'd been a riot, it was doubtful someone could pick up the sounds through those carefully crafted walls. Tom stopped to peer throught the little window, habitual caution.
Shawn wasn't there. A little girl had replaced him, long blond locks and wistful face holding the agent's attention. Maybe his nephew would be in a better frame of mind, now that he'd been moved out of observation. Tom almost smiled. The guilty feeling eased somewhat-Shawn would be in a good mood, and he still might make that appointment.
X
"Hey, Uncle Tommy." Shawn's voice was low. He rustled the pale blankets, khaki returnee tee stuck to his skin.
Tom purposely kept his own tone light. "Shawn, leave it to you to find some excuse to get your way."
"This isn't an excuse." Broad lips tugged up at the corners. "I'm surprised that you came to see me."
"Well, someone has to. And Danny would kill me if I didn't give him an update about you, every now and again."
"Ya. My mom would kick your butt."
"True. So what's up with the patient routine? Classy room like this?"
Shawn pulled himself onto his elbows. "I don't know. It's a step up from the observation cage."
"You feel good enough to get up?"
His nephew swung his legs out, starting to rise then sinking back."Well, maybe I'll just sit."
"Okay." Tom drug a chair over, direct stare slightly unnerving.
His nephew studied the washed out sheets. "So, what's going on with everybody?"
"Same as always. Your mom sends her love."
Shawn nodded. Not asking.
"Kyle's exactly the same."
"No change."
"None."
"Well, there must be a reason you graced my bedroom."
"I don't need a reason."
Shawn fidgeted with the blanket, chewing his lower lip.
"Why are you in here?"
"Questions. I really don't-look, one minute I was doing some stupid test, and the next I kind of passed out. Threw up and passed out. Or something. I guess I was just stressed out and stuff."
"Shawn, you look a little more than stressed."
"That's all, Uncle Tommy."
"Sorry. I'm just worried-when do you think you'll be out of here?"
"There's no need to worry. I'm fine. They told me another day or so." Fake enthusiasm. "Good as new."
"When you feel better, you're to go back with the others. I guess you've done your part."
Shawn's dark eyes swept upward.
"I have to catch someone, but see you soon, okay?" This time, his nephew didn't shrug the cool hand off his shoulder. Mutely nodded.
"Hey, lie back down. Got some kind of fever. Stay covered."
"Yes, Uncle Tommy." Shawn stretched his long legs out, a bemused smile playing across his mouth.
Tom awkwardly patted the blankets into place, promising another visit and ordering his nephew to stay put.
Now to catch Diana before she left the Theory Room. He hated confronting those guys alone. X