Stephen wore his sling for weeks, as Genesis remained in the Sanctum to help Wong keep it in shape. All Stephen ever did was remain in his room and study. Genesis sat with Wong, one evening, and drank tea with him.
He stared at his cup, as Genesis poured a third cup. "I think I'll bring this to Stephen."
"Here, he likes it with honey," Wong said as he handed her the bottle.
She thanked him, and walked upstairs. Lightly, she knocked on Stephen's door. "Room service."
The door opened by itself as she walked in to find Stephen sitting in bed, using his magic to create different shapes. He only used one hand, however. He was resting his weak arm.
"How's the shoulder?"
"Getting there," he replied, keeping his focus on his magic.
She placed the tea cup on his desk and watched him practice. He stopped when he noticed her watching and the shapes vanishes. Reaching for his tea, he drank quietly.
Stephen glanced at Genesis as she scanned the room, trying to make conversation. He noticed her wrist was better, and put a gentle hand to his sling.
"So," she said, "I better head back to my apartment now. I've caused you guys a lot of trouble, and since you're both okay, I think it's time for me to go."
His eyes met hers. "You're..leaving?"
"Well, I mean, you got the Stone safe and Mordo, and I have a paper to write for school. I think I've done plenty of research," she chuckled.
He smiled at that, and she walked across the room to leave. "I'd hug you but the sling, you know."
"You take care of yourself, Genesis."
"You too, Strange."
Genesis left the room and found Wong in the lobby, dusting a large shelf. He noticed her walk in and smiled. "Morning! Everything alright?"
"I just wanted to say goodbye," she said as he wiped his hands on his shirt.
"You're leaving? But...what about Stephen?"
She shrugged and smiled. "I mean, I think I know enough about him to write an essay. But, hey, wish me luck. If you're ever by the apartment, don't be afraid to come in and have whatever 3 day leftover I have in the fridge."
Wong laughed with her and pulled her into a large hug. She patted his back as they pulled away. He watched her leave the Sanctum as Strange appeared in the lobby. The door had closed and he walked over to it. Wong gave a grin and watched Stephen put his hand on the doorknob. But, he didn't open the door.
Wong grimaced. "What?"
"I can't."
"Can't, what?"
Stephen sighed and moved away from the front door. His eyes narrowed and he rubbed his temples. "Nothing."
"You want to see her again," Wong realized.
"That's what I mean. I can't."
He clenched his fist and shook his head. Wong watched Stephen stand without saying a word.
"Why can't you?"
A pause. "Because it's just put her in harm's way. I have a sworn duty, and it keeps me from...having any kind of relationship."
"You mean...like Christine?"
Stephen's head shot up. "This isn't like Christine. She just..."
Wong remembered the redhead. She was supportive and encouraging of Stephen. But, it didn't last, understandably. She had her own line of work and so did Stephen. It was too complicated. Stephen wanted it to work. Dearly. But, it wasn't meant to be.
"Strange, you went through so much to protect Genesis. No one would believe it happened just so it could end on friendly terms."
"She's a student, Wong. That's almost as stressful as having a job. I can't ruin that for her. Look what me being in her life almost did!"
"You're doubting yourself again, Strange. I understand you want to protect her, but I don't think she'll ever be normal after what she went through. Or you, for that matter."
Stephen glanced at Wong, who put his hand on Stephen's arm. Warmly, Wong smiled as Stephen felt his confidence rise. Without giving it a second thought, he vanished from Wong's sight and appeared in Genesis' apartment. He turned when he heard the doorknob jiggle. Quickly, he unlocked it and surprised Genesis, as she gasped loudly.
"Stephen?"
He spoke quickly. "Don't. I know this is probably the most unwise decision I'll ever make, but you saved my life. And, not only that, you restored me."
"What are-"
"Just let me finish. I have something to protect. I always thought it would just be the Sanctum or the Stone. But, you helped me realize that there are more precious things to protect."
Her eyes softened as he spoke to her. She didn't fight the urge to kiss him. Her soft lips slammes into his and his eyes grew wide. But, he quickly sank into the kiss.
I've come to bargain...
Stop this! Release me!
Dormammu, I've come to bargain.
The bill comes due.
Stephen pulled away from Genesis as the voices stopped. He stared at her, uneasy and confused. She blinked and wiped her lips with her sleeve. "Too wet?"
"No...," he replied as he curiously kissed her again.
The voices returned and he pulled away. Genesis grimaced as he kept a long stare. "What's wrong?"
"Dormammu.."
He held her face with both hands, and closed his eyes. Carefully, he searched through her memories, but couldn't focus because she kept talking.
"Stephen, what are you-"
"I can't let you go."
"What?"
He kept his eyes closed. Dormammu's large face was on his mind as he kept searching for something. A sign. An answer. Nothing worked. Stephen pulled her into a deep kiss as he felt Dormammu's voice become clear once again.
The bill comes due.
Genesis looked around in shock when she noticed the furniture in the room move on its own. She felt Stephen pull away and he noticed the furniture moving as well. This wasn't his magic. What was it? Genesis began to panic as she looked to Stephen.
"What the hell are you doing?"
He watched as she began to panic and the room started to shake. Stephen took both of her hands and said, "Focus on me!"
She looked into his eyes as his grip on her hands tightened. She waited for him to say something else as she calmed down. The shaking slowly came to a hault, as Genesis looked around the room. Stephen stared as she managed to catch her breath.
"What happened?"
"I think you're cursed."
She watched him begin pacing. "How am I cursed?"
"Listen, I got into a fight with a being called Dormammu. He had disciples here trying to destroy all the Sanctums on this planet. I trapped Dormammu in a time loop with this," Stephen held the Eye or Agamoto in his hand.
"A time loop.." she repeated, confused.
"I trapped him in a single moment until he agreed to leave Earth forever. He did, but time...seems to have been affected," Stephen explained as he held a long stare at her.
Genesis shook her head, put a hand to her forehead and exhaled loudly through her mouth. "But...how does this affect me?"
He sighed and shook his head. "I...the bill comes due."
"You're not making sense. Tell me what's going on with me!"
Stephen found himself without an answer. Genesis kept looking at him earnestly for a reply. He looked at her eyes until he felt an unsteady feeling. He always found himself drawn to her eyes, but until this moment, he never understood why. There was a familiarity in them. He stepped closer and examined her face. She looked familiar.
"Your parents. What are their names?"
"Excuse me?"
"Tell me their names, Gen."
She grew annoyed. "Sarai and Gabriel Fuentes."
Strange eyed her suspiciously. "Are they your real parents?"
"Get out."
"Tell me, please! I'm trying to help you!"
"No, I was adopted, okay? They're not my real parents," she cried.
Turning away, Genesis rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. She took a step forward as said, "My parents left me at a marketplace. I was wrapped up in a blanket and left in an alley. Sarai found me and took me home. I was near death, and my...adoptive parents have raised me ever since. I never knew who my real parents were and I don't care. It's not a big deal, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Come back to the Sanctum with me," he replied as he did his best to open a portal.
Genesis looked through the portal and agreed. They went through and stood inside the Sanctum once again. Stephen asked her to lay on the couch and relax. Genesis laid down and her eyes glanced up at the ceiling.
"Memories are never truly gone. It takes tons of practice, but a trained sorcerer can find these memories within the brain," Stephen explained as he brought a chair by the couch, close to Genesis.
She turned to him. "What memory are you looking for...exactly?"
"The memory of your biological parents."
"Why?"
"I think it'll explain why you're cursed. I need to-"
She sat up. "Do you have a theory of who they are?"
"No, that's why we're doing this," he lied.
Slowly, she laid back down and closed her eyes. "Okay. Go ahead."
He placed one hand on her forehead and focused. His months of studying were coming into good use. His mind repeated the right spells over and over. A dark void appeared in his mind as he hears countless voices and memories. It was like he was swimming in a black sea. He moved through memories and decided he would gave to go deeper. To her earliest memories. He nearly lost focus a few times, since he had never done this to any but himself. But, he kept control.
"Tasha, wait up!"
"...team called the Avengers has.."
"Superheroes in New York? Gimme a break."
"You're late for class."
"No, no, Genesis, the baseball field is this way!"
"A puppy!"
Further and further, he dove. Stephen reached a darker portion of her mind and saw a blurry image sitting alone. He approached the memory and saw a young woman. Hispanic and thin. She was crying. He couldn't really read it, but he saw another figure appear. A man.
"Kill it."
"She will remember nothing, she's a baby!"
"I never asked for the damn thing. Deal with it," the man sneered.
Stephen tried to read the man's blurry face. He tried harder and manages to get a clearer image. His mouth went dry as he looked upon the man's face.
"Kaecilius.." Stephen mouthed.