Thank you for all the encouragement to continue this story. I don't know how often I'll be able to update this, but hopefully it will be sooner than this! R/L is horrible right now so no promises, but reviewing always helps! Hopefully I will be able to update some of my other stories soon too.
PINA
I lead Tommy back to the infirmary, planning what tests to do as we go. I know he's not happy about it, but at least he'll understand what he's doing and why he's being made to do it, unlike he was on Earth.
"Once we finish the testing I'll take your measurements and order you some clothes." Moving back into my work room, I head for the storage closet debating on what I will need. "Then you can have a break from me for a while and Zedd can help you shave. Sound good?"
"I don't need a break from you. I like hanging around you." Expression serious, and looking as if he doesn't understand that I was simply making a joke he moves to sit on one of my work tables ignoring the chairs.
Giving him a smile I decide to simply go with his take on my wording, instead of hurting his feelings by correcting him unnecessarily. "I like hanging around you too. But then so does Zedd you know, he'd get jealous if I kept you all to myself."
Thinking this over he gives a slow nod. "He does sort of seem like the…not jealous but…" Frowning as he struggles with his wording once more, his effort makes my heart go out to him. Poor thing, he was always fairly articulate in his youth, and while yes he from time to time used slang phrases, his language as a whole never failed to get his point across to friend or foe.
Attempting to help him out, I try to follow his train of thought. "Possessive?"
Nodding quickly as that clearly was the correct word, he gives a small smile. "Why is he so possessive of me?" That's actually a very good question. While I understand his intentions for wanting to help the boy, I however am a bit perplexed myself over his slightly possessive streak of him.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps it's just because he likes you so much. He's very protective of his friends." Smiling and taking the desired items I've gathered to the table he is currently perched upon, I gently nudge him down into the chair beside it, before setting up my first test. Hopefully this won't take too long, as I've still got to analyze my results, along with continue my assessment of Zedd's unnatural illness.
I sigh as I remember that I also promised to take him for a walk in the woods. I'll have to find time to do that, too. Not that I mind, but, like Dar, when I get a puzzle to solve, I usually throw myself into it until I do.
"These look like what the lady at the hospital gave me." Attention now on the items before him, his expression is highly close to a pout.
Covering my amused smirk with my hand, I clear my throat before taking a seat across from him. "I promise I'll try my best to make this quick. And remember it doesn't matter how you do Tommy. As long as you do your best, that's all that matters."
"Okay."
"Now we already know that your reading is going to need work. I promise we'll start working on that soon. But right now I need to know if you can write anything. And it can be anything at all." Placing a piece of paper and pen in front of him I give an encouraging smile.
"Anything?" At my nod he picks up the pen and after thinking a minute places the tip to the paper. Moving to make a mark, he frowns before marking it out and trying again. A few more lines and scribbles, scratch outs, and frowns, and the pen is thrown down in frustration. "It won't work right."
Moving to place my hand over his I rub my thumb over the back of it soothingly. "It's okay, I thought it might not, but I just needed to make sure. What were you trying to write?"
"My name."
Taking the pen from him I carefully spell out T-O-M-M-Y assuming he will learn that spelling far quicker than the proper version as it is more familiar to him.
Looking at what I've done he shakes his head sadly, giving a small sigh. "It doesn't look right. I don't understand why."
"We'll figure it out Tommy. I promise. I'll have you writing letters to your friend Hayley in no time, okay?" Putting the paper aside when he gives a weak smile, I next hand him a handful of coins. "I want to see how well you can count. I'd like you to set the coins on the table and count them for me as you do."
"I know how to count." His mutter sounding as if he's a little insulted, he nevertheless looks uncertain if he can or not after his writing difficulty.
"I'm sure you do. But can you just show me? Please?"
"All right."
Attempting to do as told, he manages to the number six before seeming to falter. The next test, placing pictures of events in order from start to finish goes just as badly if not worse, followed closely by his attempt to tie and buckle my boots.
He seems a little distracted and withdrawn and more than once, I have to draw his attention back to what we're doing. Finally, I have to stop and look at him. "What's wrong, Tommy? You don't seem to be able to focus. Are you still worried about how you're doing? I promise nothing bad will happen if you can't do something."
He looks at me and bites his lip, apparently hesitant about answering my question. "It's not that, just…stuff on my mind." Well then.
"What sort of stuff?"
"You might get mad if I ask." Looking down and apparently still uncertain about being punished despite all my and Zedd's reassurances, he really will need a lot more coaxing during his first few weeks here it seems.
Once again, I find myself treating him like a skittish animal. Slowly, I reach across the table between us and take his hands in mine. I wait until he makes eye contact before I speak again. "Tommy, I told you that you could tell me anything. I know that Zedd told you that you can always ask questions. You can say whatever you want to and I promise you don't have to worry about us getting mad at you. Please tell me what is wrong."
He hesitates so long, I'm wondering what's going through his mind. Finally, he says, "Why?"
I'm puzzled by the open ended question. Why can he tell us anything without being punished? Why can he trust me? Why do I want to know? "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand, Tommy. Why what?"
He pauses as though gathering courage. I give him an encouraging smile and he speaks again. "Why did Dar send me to wake you? Why didn't anyone tell me that there was a special way to wake you? Why did you hurt him so badly? Why does Zedd think that the wild birds can help me?"
Wow - that's a lot of questions. No wonder he can't focus on the tests. "One thing at a time, Tommy. Let's start with your first question. Why did Dar send you to wake me? Well, I don't know why he did that. Maybe he wasn't thinking, or maybe he was just being mean-"
He interrupts me to say, "Maybe he didn't actually mean any harm."
And now I see why he's such a champion of light. He seems to always want to believe the best of everyone. "I doubt it, Tommy, but I didn't ask him. Besides, even if it was just meant to be a joke, it was in poor taste. You're not fully healed yet and even if you were, you've been here for one day. That's no way to treat a guest."
"But you hurt him." Mostly just his pride.
"I actually hurt him less than I would have hurt you if Zedd hadn't stopped you. Besides he will be fine."
"Then why the cold supper?"
"Because he'll probably be sulking. And to answer another question, we just forgot to tell you about how we need to be woken up. You were a warrior in your own right once and we sometimes forget that you aren't at that level right now."
He frowns picking apart my words before nodding slowly. "And the birds?" Ah the birds. How much to tell him about that, without spoiling the purpose behind seeing them?
"It has to do with your past. We're hoping that by having you around them, it might trigger something."
"Like a memory?" Or an awaking of your powers, which ever should come first.
"Something like that. So all your questions answered? Do you feel better now?" Can you concentrate on your tests now?
He frowns again. "Almost. Yesterday, Zedd called you Scorpina. Why? He said that your name was Pina."
I knew that would come back to bite us both in the ass. Thank you much Zedd. I sigh trying to find the best way to explain this without making both Zedd and myself come off looking like liars. "Remember that talk we had about Zedd's name? It's kind of the same thing. He only calls me by my full name when he's not happy with me."
"Oh." He considers this for a minute and then nods. "Okay."
He turns his attention to the test once more but now thankfully seems able to focus. I breathe a silent sigh of relief. These tests are irritating enough to do once; if he hadn't started paying attention, we'd have had to do them all again. Hopefully, he'll be well enough soon that we can do some of the more physical tests - uh oh. As he works on yet another test, I stand and cross the room to the cabinets. I start getting his new medications out, cursing myself for letting such an important thing slip my mind.
Two of these, one of those, some pain medication for his ribs, and - oh the Demotrial, I stare at one bottle for several minutes, debating on if I should include this in his daily dosage or not. On the one hand it could do him very well, but on the other… I'm completely lost in thought when I realize that Tommy is standing next to me.
"What's wrong, Pina?" Worry is in his voice. "Did I do that badly? I'm sorry I'll try harder next time, I promise."
Startled by the question, I chuckle briefly before giving him a sympathetic smile. "No, Tommy. It's not that. Not at all. You did just fine on your tests, I'll check your last one in just one minute. I'm trying to decide whether or not to give you this medicine."
"What's it for?"
"Well it's supposed to help you, if I give it to you and use a machine I have, it should help your ribs heal faster. The problem is that it could also make you very sick."
"What do you mean, very sick? Like I could die?" Oh good lord, what have those humans been filling this boy's head with?
Fast to reassure him, I shake my head sternly. "No, no I'd never risk giving you something that could hurt or kill you. Ever. This is more like you'd be throwing up a lot and have a high fever for a few days."
"But I would still get better faster?"
"Well, probably, but it would really stress your body and if you do get sick, you'd have to stay in the infirmary. For that matter, so would I." At his puzzled look, I elaborate. "I'd have to stay in here so that I could take care of you." Not to mention I'd just feel very badly leaving him in here by himself, while ill for who knows how long.
When he finally speaks again, he does so slowly, gathering his thoughts as he goes. "Then you'd better not. I don't want you to have to sleep at your desk again - not because of me."
I smile softly at his concern for me. "Tommy, I wouldn't sleep at my desk. I'd use a small bed that would unfold over by my desk. I wouldn't mind staying in here with you, but I really don't want you to get sick, you've already been through so much, I don't want to put you through anymore."
He shakes his head, the look on his face clearly says that he's struggling for words, something that I know is beginning to agitate him more and more. Finally unable to take it anymore, not wanting him to get upset, I lay my hand on his arm speaking gently and encouragingly. "Don't try so hard and the words will come. Relax and it'll be easier for you."
I'm completely taken aback when his head snaps up, fear written all over his face as he backs up several steps. I immediately put the bottle down on the counter and focus solely on him. "Tommy? Tommy what's wrong?"
The reason for his fear, whitened face, and shaking hands becomes immediately clear when he says, "That's what one of the inmates said about what the orderlies were doing to us. 'Relax and it'll be easier for you.' How do you relax when people are doing things to you that you don't want them doing?" Oh my god.
Slowly, I approach him and speak softly as I wrap my arms around him. "I don't know, Tommy. I'm sorry. Tell me about it?"
Slowly, he starts to talk, finally getting it all out. The beatings, being strapped to his bed, the sounds in the night of other patients being violated, more stories about his own violations. His arms are wrapped around my waist and I can feel him trembling as his head stays buried against my neck.
"I just wanted them to stop!"
I ease us down to sit on the floor, still holding him. I wait silently, hoping he will break soon, as while all of the talking is good, it is not however all he needs to do. Then, suddenly, he does and sobs are torn from his throat.
Tears slide down my own cheeks and I am unable to stop them. Still, I hold the boy and rock him gently, letting him get it all out. Now he can really begin to heal inside. Doing some quick math, I realize that he was in that place for just over a week. A constant week of abuse can damage someone without any problems, so what will it do to someone who is hurt? The answer is the sobbing boy in my arms.
"It's okay, Tommy. It will all be okay. I promise we'll find some way to make-"
Still giving my reassuring speech I'm startled when the door to the infirmary opens and Zedd steps in. Oh shit, definitely not the time.
He sees me holding Tommy, who is finally starting to calm down a bit, and the look on his face becomes ugly. Unintentionally, I tense and Tommy must have felt it, because he looks up at me, however not before Zedd swoops in, grabbing me and pulling me away from the startled and still sniffling boy. Okay, I kind of expected this. What I didn't expect however was for him to pin me by my throat against the wall. Did I say he was protective and possessive before? Apparently those two words have just been changed to insane.
He snarls in my face something I have never seen him dare attempt on me before, "What did you do this time?!" He's lost his mind. Clearly he must have. That's the only explanation.
Just about to inform him of this as I knee him in the crotch to be set free, I catch a blur of movement in the corner of my eye. Before I can react, Zedd suddenly drops me and stumbles sideways, though not due to anything I've done. I pant for air, silently cursing myself for not being prepared when I look up to see Tommy is standing between us in a defensive stance, facing Zedd. When Tommy speaks, his tone of voice startles me.
"Leave her alone," his voice is firm and no nonsense - didn't I read that he was a teacher or some such thing? "She was helping me and you had no right to hurt her. She's my friend and if you touch her again I'll make you sorry you were ever born."
I want to laugh at the stunned look on Zedd's face, but I don't dare. Whether they know it or not, Tommy is making a very important breakthrough. His adrenaline is covering his pain, most of the drugs are gone from his system and he is standing up for someone as much as himself. He needs to do this, although I would have bet a lot of money that it would have been later rather than sooner. Not that I'm complaining though.
I've caught my breath and stand up slowly wondering just what to say to him to defuse this situation, when Tommy addresses me, though not taking his eyes off of Zedd as he does. "Are you okay?"
"Yes." I lock eyes with Zedd, pleading with him not to screw this up. He seems to understand.
"Thomas, I just-"
Tommy doesn't even give him a chance to finish, blood still boiling over the fact that someone he views as a friend was just yanked out of harm. "What? Were taking care of me? Well, guess what - I can take care of myself…" Voice trailing off as he seems to realize what he said, he pauses.
"Yes, apparently you can," replies Zedd, rubbing his ribs. "Nice kick, by the way."
Suddenly, Tommy's face lights up like one of the human's Christmas trees. "I can take care of myself! I can fight - Conner was right!"
Fortunately, that'll keep his adrenaline running a little longer. Hopefully, long enough for the pain meds to kick in. "Tommy, take your pills on the counter, please."
"I did it! Did you see me do it? I actually did it!" Pleased to see him momentarily happy, knowing that this moment is important as he will eventually recall just why Zedd was so angry after a bit of time, I nevertheless know getting those pills into him is just as important.
"Tommy, I'm very happy for you, I am. But you need to take your pills. Right now." Voice leaving no room for argument, I point over to the counter where I've left them lying.
Finally getting through, he all but skips over to the counter. "I did it. I can fight. I can't wait to tell Hayley."
Watching Zedd roll his eyes at the last part of Tommy's comment, I turn my attention to him now that Tommy is preoccupied. "Now for you. You weren't due here for him for another half an hour. Why are you here?" He shifts uncomfortably and I know the answer. "You got sick again, didn't you?"
He nods, but he's frowning. "That too. I also just had the feeling that I needed to be here. And despite what the boy says, I'm still not convinced I didn't."
"Zedd don't start with me." My eyes narrow as something he's said clicks in my brain. It seems familiar, but why? I need to get back to my research materials. "Tommy, after you take your pills, go with Zedd. He'll help you shave. Either he can measure you for clothes or I will do it later, but right now I have something I need to check out." Without another word to either of them, I cross to my desk and am soon immersed in my work.
