Please note that Jax is a year younger than Omega, but due to Jax's biology, he and Omega are the same age (13) in this fanfiction. Also, this fic wasn't originally a platonic/early teen crush Omega fanfic, but that's how it turned out.

Credit to: klcutting Whatever It Takes Chapter 9

A few weeks had passed since the rescue on Mt. Tantiss, and most of the Tantiss kids had adapted to life on Pabu. Despite the trauma of everything inside the vault, Sami and Eva had been supported through their recovery. Jax, however, was still haunted, especially by the horrors of what Doctor Scalder had attempted to make him and Omega do with each other. Phee had noticed that Jax was oddly withdrawn and always appeared tired. She had also noticed that because of his tiredness, Jax was struggling to connect with other kids and teenagers, especially those close to his age, including Omega and Lyana. When Phee learned that Jax was having issues with his counsellor, who suspected that there was more to Jax's trauma than meets the eye, Phee knew that she had to talk to Jax about this.

It was evening on Pabu Island, and Eva, Sami, Jax, and Lyana sat with Phee at the table. It was a mild Autumn evening, and artificial light lit the room. The sounds of the crashing ocean echoed, and the scent of the remains of dinner wafted as Jax sat on the solid chair. Jax was still playing with his food, having only eaten about 2/3rds of it.

"Jax? Are you OK?" came Sami's voice from nearby. Jax turned to face the young Pantoran and sighed.

"I'm fine. Not hungry," Jax replied, frustrated by the constant questions.

"You haven't been eating well since you got here, Jax. What's up?" Phee observed.

"You've also been sleeping really poorly. I've heard you shouting in your sleep. You're having frequent nightmares," Lyana added, making Jax flush.

"I don't want to talk about it," Jax replied, his frustration growing. Sensing his frustration, Phee reached out to take the hand of the teenage Mirialan.

"It's OK, Jax. Please take a deep breath. If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to," Phee kindly said. Jax took a deep breath and felt his frustration dissipate.

"Thank you," Jax replied as he slowly finished his dinner. By the time he did, Sami and Eva had already departed. Lyana was staying back, curious about what was burdening her friend.

"What's up?" Phee asked.

Jax shifted in his chair, unsure how to word his problem.

"Did something happen to you while on Mt. Tantiss that didn't happen to Eva and Sami?" Phee prompted. Jax took a deep breath, and after a moment, he nodded.

"Is this what many of your nightmares and night terrors are about?" Phee asked.

"How do you know about that?" Jax asked, blushing slightly.

"I've heard you yelling and shouting in your sleep. You've scared Eva and Sami with them. I have to stop them trying to wake you because you can easily hurt them while you're thrashing around in your nightmares," Lyana replied.

"Thank you for that," Jax replied, smiling gently, as he took Phee's hand and smiled at Lyana.

"One other question. That might give me an idea of what happened," Phee said.

"What is it?" Jax asked nervously.

"Is what happened to you related to Omega and that you two are close in age?" Phee asked.

"It involved Omega and I, yes. And it was because we're only a year apart in age," Jax replied, sighing as his face fell into shadow.

Phee took several moments to process what Jax had said, and a look of horror spread across her face. Lyana's hands were over her face in shock.

"Were you forced to?" Phee asked, fearful about his answer. Thank the Force, Jax shook his head.

"No, but it wasn't without a fight. Doctor Scalder had everything prepared, and we had to fight our way out," Jax replied.

"Who is Doctor Scalder?" Lyana asked.

"Doctor Scalder was one of our supervisors inside the vault. She tried to make Omega and I do those things," Jax replied, curling into a ball.

Phee stared at Jax for several seconds, stunned into silence by the horror of what Jax had said. Phee took a moment to compose herself before she spoke again.

"Omega's been having similar problems. Now I understand why," Lyana replied, tears in her eyes.

"It sounds like you need to talk with Omega about this. Maybe she can help you be more comfortable processing your emotions regarding what happened?" Phee suggested.

"I'll try tomorrow. Or maybe after a nightmare tonight," Jax replied, smiling gently.

"That reminds me, where do you go after a nightmare? I've heard your footsteps a few times outside my room," Phee asked.

"I head to lower Pabu and sit on the beach. I find the sounds of the crashing waves soothing, and I like getting lost in the infinity of the night sky," Jax admitted.

"Is it OK if I tell Omega where you head after a nightmare?" Lyana asked.

Jax thought about this for several moments while Phee waited.

"Sure," Jax finally replied.

"Lovely," Phee smiled, ruffling Jax's hair affectionately.

"I'm sorry I've been causing issues since I got back. I haven't been sleeping properly because of the nightmares and night terrors. And I can't talk to Sami or Eva about it because they're too young and wouldn't understand. And I can't be honest with my counsellor because I fear misunderstanding or judgement about it,"

"And that is a perfectly reasonable feeling," Phee reassured, "Your time there was worse than Sami's or Eva's. If you're OK with having a female counsellor, I can ask for Omega's counsellor to be yours, too?"

"That would be appreciated," Jax replied, hugging Phee, which she returned.

"Now get some sleep, alright?" Phee replied.

"I'll try," Jax replied before he retired for the night.

"I've got to get to Omega's for our sleepover," Lyana replied.

"Enjoy," Phee replied. Lyana grabbed her sleepover bag and headed for the Batch's house.

An hour later, Lyana found Omega preparing for bed. It was mild inside her room, which consisted of maroon walls with purple stars, a light grey carpet and the ceiling off-white. Omega's bed had a blue-and-white weighted blanket covered in stars and a white pillow. Lula was sitting on the bed. There are two wooden bedside tables, one near Omega's bed with an alarm clock, while the other is at the foot of Omega's bed and has a music player. The moon shines through the window, and the music player hums as the scent of the sea wafts. Lyana sees Omega sitting on her soft bed and joins her. There's a mattress for Lyana near Omega's bed, with white pillows and a blue blanket with purple stars.

"Hey, Omega, can I ask you a favour?" Lyana asked.

"Hm? What is it?" Omega asked.

"It's about Jax," Lyana replied, "I'm concerned about him. He hasn't been sleeping well, and he revealed that something happened involving you two on Mt. Tantiss,"

Omega sighed as her face slipped into shadow, which concerned Lyana.

"I'm sorry to bring it up, but it came up at dinner earlier this evening," Lyana replied. Omega looked up slightly, taking her face partially out of shadow, and replied, "It's not something I like to talk about, Lyana. Do you want me to talk to Jax about it?"

"I would like that. It's a shared experience for you two, and you can work together to start healing?"

Omega considered this momentarily, then nodded.

"Alright. Where can I find Jax?" Omega asked.

"You can find him at the shore of Lower Pabu. The sound of crashing waves soothes him," Lyana replied.

"I'll keep that in mind," Omega smiled.

"Thank you," Lyana returned the smile. Lyana then got off Omega's bed and climbed into her bed. Soon, both were asleep.

Shortly after midnight, Jax is again sitting on a picnic rug on the sand near the shoreline after another nightmare involving Doctor Scalder's plans for him and Omega. Jax watched the waves crashing onto the shore, staring into the endless night. It was mild for an Autumn evening. The moon provided enough light for Jax to navigate his way to the shoreline. The sounds of waves crashing echoed, and the scent of seawater wafted as Jax sat on the soft picnic rug.

Jax heard footsteps on the sand and turned to see Omega approach.

"Did Lyana ask you to check on me?" Jax asked.

"She did. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to see if you were here," Omega replied, sitting with him.

"She's a good woman," Jax replied.

"She is," Omega replied, "What brings you out here, Jax?"

"Nightmares," Jax replied, turning away slightly.

"Is this about what Doctor Scalder tried to make us do on Mt. Tantiss?" Omega asked. When Jax nodded and turned away, Omega sighed.

"Jax, could you please turn to face me? I can't hear you properly if you're turned away from me," Omega said.

"Sorry," Jax croaked, his cracking voice making Omega chuckle gently.

As Jax turned back, Omega saw that his knees were up to his chin and his arms wrapped around his legs.

Omega rested her hand on Jax's shoulder.

"Jax, I know it's hard to talk about what happened. I'm having trouble opening up about it, too," Omega started.

Jax turned to face Omega, "You are?"

"Of course," Omega replied, "What Doctor Scalder tried to make us do was horrific and disturbing. But we must talk about what happened. Because it helps us heal and will help prevent something like that happening again,"

Omega looked at Jax determinedly, "Please, Jax, open up. I won't judge you for what happened, nor will I judge or dismiss your feelings,"

Jax paused momentarily before nodding and started talking.

"I was scared and confused. I knew what Doctor Scalder wanted us to do, but I didn't want to do it. If she had succeeded, I would've horrifically violated you. I feel violated and dirty knowing what Doctor Sclader had planned for us," Jax said, gently rocking as he spoke, tears slowly streaming down his face.

Omega stays silent while Jax speaks about his feelings, her heart breaking for the teenage Mirialan. She reaches out and rests a hand on Jax's back, her eyes glistening with tears as she hears him speak. Once Jax finished speaking, Omega replied, "Jax, Doctor Scalder was a sick individual. What she had planned was horrific. And if she had succeeded, you would've been as much a victim as me,"

"Would I? But I'm male," Jax started.

"What's between your legs doesn't influence whether you're a victim or not when you're being forced to do things without your consent," Omega replied, "It's consent that determines victim status, not what's between your legs,"

"Really?" Jax asked.

"Really," Omega replied. Jax nodded and replied, "Thanks, Omega. I needed to hear that,"

"Glad to help," Omega replied, "How are you feeling?"

"Marginally better," Jax replied, "But since I'm here talking about things, I remembered something else,"

"Whatever you need to get off your chest, get it off your chest," Omega prompted.

"What did you think of those bonding exercises? I enjoyed them initially, but after seeing what Doctor Scalder led them to, I don't know how to feel," Jax asked.

"I enjoyed them, personally. They were innocent enough. Even if Doctor Scalder had malicious intent behind them, it was nice to get to know you better," Omega replied, smiling at Jax.

"When you explain it like that, it was enjoyable," Jax replied, blushing gently.

"Also, I want you to remember something. You showed incredible strength standing up to Doctor Scalder. Standing up for yourself like you did is very difficult, so the fact you did that is incredible. I'm proud of you," Omega replied, making Jax blush deeper.

Omega looked at Jax and suddenly realised she could hear someone's heartbeat. Omega thought it was her heartbeat but realised it was Jax's. Combined with his blush and how close he was sitting to her, Omega realised that Jax might be developing a crush on her.

"Hey, Jax," Omega said, and when Jax looked at her, "Do you like me?"

"I do," Jax replied before adding too quickly, "As a friend,"

Omega chuckled, "Do you like me as a friend? Or more than a friend?"

"What makes you think I like you any more than a friend?" Jax asked awkwardly.

"There are a few indications," Omega replied, "I can hear your heartbeat. You're blushing, and you're sitting very close to me,"

"You can sense that?" Jax asked.

"I have marginal mutations from all of my brothers. Hunter can sense those things, and so can I," Omega replied.

"I wish you couldn't sense that," Jax replied, "I can move a little away if you want,"

Omega shook her head, "I don't mind. You can stay here,"

"Thank you," Jax replied.

"So, what do you like about me?" Omega asked.

"Honestly, everything," Jax replied, "You're intelligent, resourceful, empathic, resilient, a quick-thinker and a great leader. You're also helpful and willing to help others while battling your demons. Plus, if I can be momentarily blunt, you're hot,"

Omega blushed a bit hearing this but smiled.

"I'm very flattered hearing that, Jax," Omega replied, "I honestly never thought of myself as particularly physically attractive, so to hear that from someone else is nice,"

"I'm being honest," Jax replied with a yawn.

"Sounds like you're getting sleepy," Omega said.

"I think so," Jax replied, "Can you please cuddle with me tonight? Out here amongst the stars?"

"Sure. We'll need to bring this picnic rug further up the shore so we don't get swamped by seawater," Omega replied.

"On it," Jax leapt to his feet, and when Omega got up, they dragged the picnic rug further up the shore. Omega lied on the picnic rug and invited Jax to cuddle against her. When Jax did, Omega wrapped an arm around him, allowing Jax to rest his head on her shoulder. Jax rested an arm at the base of Omega's diaphragm.

"Good Night, Omega," Jax said.

"Good Night, Jax," Omega replied, and they drifted off.

While they slept, Echo tucked a pillow under Omega's head and covered Omega and Jax in a blanket, helping to ensure they were comfortable.