Safe? For now, maybe.
Cristof speaks!
Enjoy.
It was easier for Adia getting Cristof into her house than it was getting him out of the other. Whether it was because she didn't bother with the duffel bag this time or because he had obviously missed a dose she didn't care, she was only relieved he was walking a little better even if he was still staggering.
"I'm sorry it's messy, I'm not much of a clean freak." Adia apologized as she set him down on the couch after having shoved a magazine and a few remote controls off.
"Soft and warm." he muttered, curling up into the couch instantly. He'd managed to kick his shoes off and almost looked at peace for the moment. "But I still don't feel good."
"I imagine you don't. How 'bout we get that coat off and get you a blanket so you'll be really comfy?" she offered.
He almost looked like he needed to think about it before he nodded. "Okay." Slowly he pushed himself up and continued to struggle with his coat.
"The hell did she do to you." Adia sighed, leaning in to help get it off him. Once she held his coat she grabbed one of the pillows from the side of the couch they were supposed to be on it and laid it next to him for him to use.
"Thank you." he muttered, rubbing his eyes. "She was a witch. Secretes she had, but my head hurt too much to see them. I need Ezra."
"Ezra gave you to her." Adia frowned hard as she went to hang up his coat. It was the conclusion she had come to and it disgusted her. The brother that supposedly loved him, did that to him.
"Ezra doesn't know she wasn't safe." Cristof whispered. "Witch. Reaper. Seducer. Ezra doesn't know."
"Sweets, how do you know that? I know you want to trust him because he's your brother but…" she paused and sighed again, "People just aren't good sometimes. Sometimes they're mean."
"Adia likes the snow." Cristof said instead. "It brings good memories of a long time ago and make Adia forget old pains, new pains and self inflicted pains. But Adia is Adia. Things happen. Ezra is Ezra."
"And sometimes we misjudge people, sweets." she said softly, "Now I'm going to get you a blanket."
Cristof waited, slowly tipping over to he laid out comfortable on the couch. "Silly Adia." he said softly.
She grabbed one of her extra comforters from the closet and returned to the living room. She laid it across him gently before moving to sit on the floor in front of him. "How bout we just work on getting you better first?"
"I don't want her to get Ezra." he muttered, curling up in the blanket. "I'm the big brother. I should be the one protecting Ezra, not the other way around."
"Why would she want to get Ezra'? Ezra's not ill." Adia reasoned.
"Am I ill Adia?" he asked, whispering like it was a secrete. "Not what they think. What Adia thinks. Does Adia think I'm ill?"
"I don't know what you are sweets. I just know you're not what they're saying you are," She said softly.
"Exactly!" Cristof beamed, looking oddly proud of her. It wasn't an expression she was used to from him. "And either is Ezra."
"No one has ever said Ezra was anything though, sweets." Adia pointed out.
He sighed. "You have to listen, Adia. She'll hurt Ezra. My Ezra."
"I am listening. I'm just not understanding why." Adia said softly.
Cristof stared at her, leaning a little closer with his head still relaxed on a pillow. "Ezra is in danger. I know this, and they know I know. They know I know."
"Why is he in danger Cristof?" Adia reached up, stroking her hand along his hair. "Why? I need to know more."
"Why am I in danger?" he said softly. "They want Ezra for the same reason they want me. My bounty is bigger."
"I don't know why you're in danger Cristof. I just know its not normal for a person to want a patient back badly enough they'd be willing to hide illegal things for it. I know people trade you watching there back when they watch yours and I know I can't play into it when there's another person involved, let alone you."
"Adia is also in danger." Cristof muttered, closing his eyes for a moment. "Must also keep Adia safe."
"Why do you think you and your brother are in danger?" Adia asked patiently, continuing to stroke his hair since that seemed to bring him comfort.
"Because we are." He murmured. "I tired to leave it behind but I have no one but Ezra. I brought him trouble and I'm so sorry. But it was good. Ezra was in trouble. Ezra just doesn't know it yet. The witch was after Ezra."
"Because isn't an answer silly head." Adia teased softly.
"I don't want Adia going back there. It's not safe." he said softly. "Don't let them use Adia."
"Back where? To the hospital? I have to, I need to work" Adia shook her head. "It's my job to go there."
"Don't work for people who blackmail other people, Adia. It's not good and leads to harder assignments." Cristof said softly. "They don't care for Adia's welfare and I'm frightened for Adia."
"I know they don't care but money...talks." she said, pausing to stare at him, "I never said anything about blackmailing sweets, where did you get that?"
"I know things. I've always known things." Cristof said softly. "Ezra is in danger."
"How do you know things?" Adia raised an eyebrow.
"I was born that way." he said before getting slightly distracted. "I like this blanket. It's warm. Should thank your aunt for getting it for you."
Adia stared at him, blinking at him for a long few moments. Her eyes shifted to the comforter, which she reached out to touch, "How...?"
He held a finger up to his lips. "Clairsentience and Psychometry. I know all sorts of things. I worried for Adia."
She sat back and stared at him, "My God."
"I don't wanna talk to doctor's anymore. I don't want them mad at me when I don't wanna talk anymore. I won't do it. No more. No. I have other things to do. I have to keep Ezra safe." Cristof said, his eyes sliding closed.
"That's why they want you..." Adia said quietly.
"Yep. That's why they all want me. Only Ezra loves me." Cristof muttered.
She reached out to touch his cheek; "I am so sorry Cristof. I promise you, you are safe here. I promise."
"For now." he murmured. "But Ezra isn't. The witch has been after Ezra for a while, but I was a bigger bounty."
"Ezra knows things too?" Adia asked, realization dawning.
Cristof nodded, almost uneasy about talking about his brother's gifts. He didn't want to cause problems for his little brother.
"So you actually know he didn't put you in that position on purpose." she said softly, "Lord this isn't a good situation."
"Yes." Cristof nodded. "Ezra knows but it's not clear. Ezra knows there is danger but Ezra doesn't know where it's coming from." He smiled a little. "The first night she drugged me Ezra showed up at midnight to spend the night with me. Ezra knew something was wrong even if Ezra didn't know why. I can't let her hurt Ezra."
"So then…we'll try." she sighed, "I'll think of something."
He tilted his head a little. "You met Ezra."
"He wants to call the cops on me." Adia laughed then, for a moment forgetting she was worried and being amused at the memory, "I invited myself into his house to look around while I was looking for you. He was a little peeved."
"A lot peeved." Cristof sighed. "Ezra might be more worried about Adia then her. Dummy. I told Ezra that Adia is good."
"You're a sweetie." she smiled softly.
He gave her a worried look. "Ezra needs to stay away from her. Ezra might not know that till later and it'll be to late."
"I will think of something." she repeated, "It'll be okay."
He relaxed and nodded. "I hope so. I'm a lot easier to hold then Ezra is."
"Yeah well you need to learn to be more violent sometimes. Sometimes its appropriate." Adia mused.
"I don't like to be violent." Cristof muttered, taking the statement very seriously.
"Donno if anyone really...likes it, sometimes it's just justifying." Adia shrugged.
"See, when normal people say something is justified, it's harder for people like to me understand. When someone like me thinks something is justified, well, everyone around just has a worried look. They're not on the same levels because I supposedly can not comprehend things as well as most. Doctors preach a lot, you know. Blah, blah. Talk, talk." Cristof muttered. "Someone like me can't ever be right, right, but knowing things is soo important. So important that they'll come after me just to know what I know. Hypocrites and dummies."
"Well you know I don't mean any harm. I figure you'll understand the way you will." she mused, reaching to stroke her hair.
"They'll hurt Ezra cause I'm not there anymore." he said softly.
"No they won't. And I won't say it again. I'll figure something out." Adia shook her head.
"Adia will try, but Adia doesn't really know what Adia is doing. The doctors are curious about me and curious about why Adia is taking so long. Why Adia has not either found something or been arrested. Cynical, yep." He nodded a little. "Adia didn't even know about me, what things could Adia find to fix this mess."
"Sweetheart, just because you can see bits and pieces about the future doesn't mean you can see who I am or what I am capable of. Fuck Erickson and whoever else is involved cuz they haven't got a thing on me in the crafty department. I've survived through tough shit sweets, don't underestimate me, I'll get offended."
He reached out to touch her face. "I know Adia very well. I know about Adia's...issues. No matter. I love Adia. Adia is good to me. I know the things in the past that hurt and I'm sorry. Bit this is a new playing field."
"And I'll deal with it. Have faith." Adia rubbed her hand against his arm.
"All right." he said, making it seem simple enough. "But it doesn't make me feel at ease."
"Well I never said I could work miracles" Adia smiled lightly.
He nodded. "Mm. I don't feel good Adia. Something's on the tip of my tongue and I can't reach it. It's just out of reach."
"It'll get better." Adia promised, "I know how you feel sweets. Just give it time, okay? I don't think you were on those medications long enough to have withdrawal but if you do I can get you through those too."
"I'm used to withdrawal." Cristof muttered. "Part of being me."
"Don't have to lie to me sweets. I know how hard they are." Adia smiled, "Happens to be the only reason they've got something on me."
"I only meant that they raised and lowered my dosage all the time when I was bad." he said, burrowing deeper into the couch. "Rough, yep. Ezra was mad when I said so."
"Very, poor thing." Adia muttered.
"It's nicer compared to the bigger facilities." Cristof chuckled. "Silly, but I don't feel good. I think I might throw up again."
"Well if you give me heads up, I'll get a bucket." Adia promised.
"Thank you, Adia." Cristof muttered. "Thank you for coming to get me."
"You're welcome sweets." she reached out to touch his head once more.
He looked up at her, his childlike expression back in place. "I don't like needles."
"I know." she smiled at him, "I'm not much of a fan myself. I know I'll take one if it's what I can get so don't call me a liar, but I'm not a fan."
Cristof nodded. "When I was little and had to get them, Ezra would come with me. I don't like getting them anymore though. It hurts."
"I know. No needles here I promise." she promised.
"Oh, I know." he smiled a little. "Adia doesn't lie to me."
"No I don't. Many people I'd lie to but I have no reason to lie to you. You're too sweet."
"Is sweetness reason enough? Or is it just that you get tired of keeping up with what you have to tell certain people?"
"Its sweetness." she chuckled, "Feel special because I do what I gotta."
"I'm always special." He yawned. "It's why I was where I was and did what I did and go where I gotta and get stuck when I can't get away."
"Well you're safe now, at least for now." Adia mused, smiling at his babbling. If she had to repeat everything over and over again to reassure him then she was already prepared to do that.
"Now and not later?" He muttered.
"I have no idea sweets, I'm still working on later. But I'm going to do my very best to make it now and later." Adia smiled softly.
"Kay." Cristof said softly. "That's good. Better then anyone else could give me. Cept Ezra. Ezra said that Ezra would protect me."
"Then he is a very good brother."
"Yes." Cristof smiled with a yawn. "Ezra likes to pretend Ezra is older, and it's okay with me. Makes Ezra happy."
Adia chuckled, "I always wanted a brother, side note for you."
"That's nice to know." he murmured quietly. "I'll be your brother."
Adia laughed "You're a sweetie."
"So you've said." he said, yawning again, eyes sliding closed. "I meant it though."
"I appreciate it." she said as she watched him, wondering when he'd drift off. He already looked exhausted.
"Cause Adia is an important." he rambled on blearily.
"Well at least someone thinks so." she chuckled.
"I do." he mumbled, faced pressed into the couch's pillow. "Night Adia."
"Good night sweets. I'll put a bowl here in case you need it." Adia said, standing up slowly, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"Mhm." he muttered quietly, already drifting off.
Thanks for reading! Woo, little more about Cris revealed!
Sadistprincess-Hello! I think by now it's getting pretty clear what kind of woman Adia is. Cristof does like her after all. ^_^ Ezra still has a lot to learn but that's Ezra's problem isn't it? The basic gist to Cristof's powers have been revealed her. Defined they are Clairsentience- refering to a psychic's ability to pick up sensations and relate messages from those sensations. Having a general knowledge of what 'is' and Psychometry- Psychic sense of touch. A Psychometrist will obtain intuitive impressions and information by holding or otherwise connecting with an object or person. I don't pretend to be an expert on the matter but it's a fiction…people can use their imaginations.
Cristof: I can not marry before Ezra. Sorry voice that I seem to be hearing.
Sarah- hey, thanks for reading and taking the time to review. To be honest, I never thought I'd get into writing something like this either so we're even. XD
Bluebird. tm- Thank you for reading AND reviewing! I really appreciate it. I'd glad you continued to read, I know it can take a while to build up into the drama. I'm glad you like Cris. I think he's one of my top 5 characters I've ever written for. It's great when people like him, and Beth, yeah, not everyone saw that coming. Including myself at first. You were practically spot on in guessing Cristof's abilities. YOU GET A COOKIE! This isn't so much based on a fairy tale as much as it is…a bit of a pun because Cristof loves Fairy Tales. ^_^