Buried Holly leaned back against the desk and regarded the telepath appraisingly.
"I'd like to speed up his healing, if you think he's up to it."
Greg thought about it for a moment, then nodded.
"His stress levels are much lower now. He's not forgiven himself - it'll be a while before he's able to do that - but he now understands a little more, and is beginning to believe in himself." The big 'path sighed, then frowned angrily. "Radinski and his cohorts caused so much damage. Alexei's spent most of his life an emotional cripple, terrified to let go in case he hurts someone. That's not something that can be healed overnight."
"Will he recover, in the end?"
Greg shrugged.
"Nothing is definite. But he has enormous inner strength - ironically, most of it derived from his other - and a deep sense of purpose… and he has Trey. I think - no, I believe he will recover completely. Though who he will be at the end is difficult to predict."
Holly frowned.
"He'll still love Trey, won't he?"
"Oh yes. He doesn't realise it, but it's his feelings for Trey that have kept him stable since they met."
Holly raised a hand, interrupting the 'path.
"You mean he's been dependant on Trey?"
"In a sense, yes."
"He's not going to be happy when he realises that!"
"No. Which is why I want him into our training programme as quickly as possible. Whether he can be taught to filter his own talent I don't know - I doubt it, to be honest, given the… nature of his empathy - but there are other ways of coping. If we can get him to the stage where he can live without full shielding he'll be a lot healthier, and Trey will be a lot happier."
"Are you going to supervise?"
Greg grinned.
"Oh yes. We now have an effective rapport. He trusts me. Maybe not as much as he trusts Trey, but anything from Alexei is a bonus at this stage."
Holly nodded.
"I'd like to see him happy - and relaxed, poor lad. He's wound tighter than the proverbial watchspring. It's not good for him."
"We'll see what we can do…"Trey woke from an exhausted sleep to find Alexei watching him, face tight and expression wary. He smiled and reached to stroke the pale face.
"… love… How you feeling?"
The Russian bit his lip, trying not to flinch at the gentle touch.
"I am not sure. Drained, perhaps."
Trey sat up and laid an arm carefully across his lover's shoulders.
"Not surprised. You slept peacefully though - at least until I fell asleep."
Alexei nodded hesitantly.
"I… dreamed... I think..."
Trey pulled him closer, ready to let go if he resisted, but Alexei seemed content to nestle close, his head on his lover's shoulder.
"Wanna talk about it?"
The Russian shook his head. Trey kissed his hair.
"Want some breakfast? You haven't eaten in... days..."
"I..." He flinched as a quiet knock came on the door. Trey stroked his back soothingly and called out "Yeah?"
Holly put her head around the doorframe.
"Hi. Can I come in?"
"Sure." Trey waved a hand at the chair by the window: the medic dragged it to the bedside and scrutinised Alexei, who cowered under her gaze. She sighed.
"It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you, Alexei. Quite the opposite; Greg says you're recovered enough for us to have those hands speed-healed for you." She smiled gently, professionally noting his pallor and the faint trembling through his thin body. "After you've eaten, though. The meds will make you feel very woozy for a couple of days. You'll sleep a lot, and not feel much like eating."
Alexei swallowed and nodded.
"OK..."
Trey looked worried.
"But he'll be OK?"
"He'll be fine. His hands should heal in about three days, rather than the three weeks they'd normally take. And the sleep will do him good, I think."
"He's been asleep most of the last few days."
"This is a different sort of sleep. Healing. I think Greg wants to try a little mental tutoring while Alexei sleeps, too. Oh, nothing traumatic -" she waved her hands as Trey started to protest, "- just a little gentle exploration into your talent, Alexei. To see how strong it is, and if there's any way you can learn to control it."
"But..." Trey bit his lip to stop himself saying anything more, but his heart sank. If Alexei learned to filter for himself, he might not need Trey anymore... He told himself sternly not to be so stupid. Or so selfish. But Holly was speaking again.
"We'd like to test you, Trey, if you're willing. The fact that you can act as a control for Alexei while not registering as a psi has us all confused - and a bit excited. We've never met anyone like you before."
The American looked startled, then frowned,
"What d'ya mean, test me?"
Holly shrugged.
"Simple standard tests to determine what your abilities are. Nothing at all to worry about."
Trey glanced at Alexei. Holly chuckled kindly, divining half of the American's hesitation.
"We can time the tests to coincide with Greg being here with Alexei, if you like. That way he won't be left alone."
"What'll happen then? If you find I'm some sort of talent, I mean?"
"That will depend on what we find. We'll probably offer to train you, though. Increase your efficiency as a team."
That answered Trey's other principal worry. He nodded.
"OK. As long as someone's always with Alexei."
"Certainly. I'm sure Devon would be very happy to sit with him when neither you nor Greg can be here. Our star TK is at a bit of a loose end at the moment - Stephan's been seconded elsewhere for a week."
Trey wasn't entirely sure how he felt about leaving a drowsy, vulnerable Alexei in the care of that randy little cutie - but he was aware that his lover liked the young man, and that Devon knew they were 'exclusive', as he'd phrased it. He nodded hesitantly.
"Well, OK..."
Holly grinned and rose to her feet.
"Good! Now, I'm going to leave you for an hour or two, to eat and shower, then I'll be back to treat those hands."Trey had actually quite enjoyed their breakfast. He'd ordered a variety of extremely healthy comestibles, to tempt Alexei, and a couple of slightly more decadent treats - things called 'crumpets' with English butter and honey, and some crisply grilled bacon and mushrooms. It had all arrived steaming hot, and the American had gently teased and cajoled Alexei into eating quite a lot of it. His lover had responded to him tentatively, a little nervously, but after a few minutes was accepting the mouthfuls of fruit, and toast, and bacon, that Trey fed him. Afterwards Trey had led him to the bathroom and bathed them both, happy to see Alexei looking a little less stressed - the Russian even had a touch of his negligible colour back, though it was unlikely anyone but Trey would have noticed.
Someone had changed the bedding again by the time they exited the bathroom, but Alexei timidly asked if he could walk a little first; he was aching from the inaction of the last couple of weeks. Trey had *checked* with Holly, via switchboard, who'd happily agreed, then helped Alexei into sweat pants and top and ushered him up to the rooftop garden.
It was raining outside the dome, and the light inside was grey, but Alexei nevertheless quietly enjoyed the small excursion, wriggling his toes in the cool grass, closing his eyes to smell the green things growing there. It was only a short walk: after twenty minutes Trey could feel his lover tiring, leaning more heavily against him, and guided them both back down to their temporary suite - where Holly was waiting...John smiled as Trey seated himself.
"Thank you for coming, Mr McNabb."
Trey offered a lop-sided grin.
"Why so formal?"
John chuckled.
"Habit. I'm sorry. Trey it is, then?"
"Sure."
"Thank you. Now, I want you to try to relax. I'm going to *scan* you, just a little, the topmost levels of your mind. If there's anything you don't want me to see, just imagine... imagine a 'Keep Out' sign over it. Or some 'do not cross' tape."
Trey frowned.
"Never tried it. Never needed to." He shifted uneasily in his seat. "Maybe this is a bad idea..."
John raised his hands.
"We're not going to try to force you to do anything, Trey. We're just trying to help you and Alexei."
"Yeah, and look what it's done for him!"
The 'path sat back and regarded the American appraisingly.
"Would you rather we gave up?"
Oh, clever choice of words! John was obviously something of a psychologist too. If anything was designed to kick the stubborn part of Trey into action it was the suggestion of admitting defeat. He scowled.
"This is gonna help me and 'lexi, right?"
John nodded gravely.
"An' it's not gonna hurt? Either of us?"
"Oh no, of course not!"
"Then we run with it. And you can scan anything you fuckin' want to. I've nothin' to be ashamed of."
John blinked, startled, then smiled understandingly.
"At most, all I need to do is take a peek into your past, your childhood, to see if anything there might have sparked your ability. I have absolutely no intention of intruding on anything private and personal - though I do have to advise you that it has happened, accidentally, on rare occasions. But I have immediately withdrawn, of course."
Trey nodded, steeling himself.
"OK. Thanks for the warning." He took a deep breath. "I'm ready..."... what is this place...?
It was dark, gloomy, dust-encrusted and foul-smelling and overshadowed with a sense of impending horror. Alexei crouched down in a cobwebby corner, hands over his mouth, trying not to whimper...
Over to his left, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a softly glowing figure. Turning towards the light, he bit back a gasp.
*G... Greg?*
The figure smiled. Part golden eagle, part human, his rich red-brown skin the warmest earthy hue, Greg's spirit form squatted beside the young Russian, one vast sheltering wing shielding him from the dismal panorama around them.
*Alexei... I will protect you.*
Alexei huddled closer, one hand stroking the soft strong feathers of the wing across his shoulders.
*Greg... where are we?*
*This is you, little one.*
The Russian shivered.
*Me? You mean... inside me?*
*Yes. Your inner self, where your other lives.*
Alexei quailed at the words, cowering against the 'path.
*It's... I don't want to be here...*
*I will protect you.*
*... can you...?*
*Yes.*
Alexei took a deep shuddering breath.
*... what must I do...?*
Spirit-Greg stroked his cheek.
*Call him.*
*I don't know how.*
*Call him.*
*But...*
Spirit-Greg smiled gently.
*Call him, Alexei. You do know how, deep inside.*
Terrified, the young Russian looked within... pushing deeper and deeper through thorns and barriers and laserlight bars...
There was a creature there. Hunched in on itself. In pain.
Alexei knelt down at a small distance, one hand timidly outstretched. The creature glanced at him sideways, snarled silently and turned its back. Emboldened - at least it hadn't attacked him - the Russian crawled a little closer.
It glared at him over one narrow shoulder, teeth bared. He slowly eased into a cross-legged seated position, hands open in front of him, and for long moments there was a tense silence. Then...
*You are part of me?*
The other turned, poised on the balls of its feet, hands on the ground between its legs as though ready to leap for the first offered throat. Alexei flinched - then swallowed hard and tried to meet its gaze...
It was leanly muscular, its hair a long, heavy black mane veiling its body, the eyes - his eyes - dark garnet-red, fired from within. The nails of its hands and feet were silver and long and curved, killing tools, lethal. Its skin was porcelain-pale, sheened with odd coruscations of light.It was very beautiful, and very deadly. And it hated him.
*I can't do this!*
Spirit-Greg pulled Alexei's limp cold *body* a little more closely to his own strong warmth.
*Yes you can.*
*I can't...*
*You can. He is part of you.
*... he wants nothing to do with me... he wants to be free.*
*That is not possible.*
*... can you tell him that?*
Spirit-Greg flexed his wings and settled them again.
*I am sorry Alexei. I can't. You have to do this yourself.*
Shaking, Alexei turned back to the other. It was trembling, watching him suspiciously. Alexei gazed back, not knowing what to say, what to do...
The creature sat back on its haunches, still wary, and Alexei saw its body for the first time. His breath caught: the pale skin was criss-crossed with sluggishly bleeding wounds, some clean and sharp, some jagged. There was what looked like a bleeding bullet exit wound above its hip. Its groin - what he could see of it - was a mass of oozing blood, and more blood dripped slowly from between its legs.
His wounds, his lifetime's worth, unhealed, transferred to the other within him. It was in agony.
He was suddenly aware of an echo of the injuries on and in his own body, the pain rising and growing until it filled his consciousness, his sight, in a blaze of red.
The other scuttled backwards, eyes wide and startled, as the gashes slowly faded from its body. It struggled upright, its weight all on the left leg - the right was a wasted ashen patchwork of slashed flesh - staring down at itself as ancient wounds closed, the skin fusing into a smooth, unmarred whole. Its leg healed, muscle repairing itself...
But Alexei was unaware of what was happening, curled in on himself, agony filling him, mind, body and psyche, unable to breathe, unable to feel spirit-Greg's strong presence enfolding him, enfolding them both.
It seemed to last forever.
When the pain finally started to fade, and he became aware of his surroundings again, the other was closer, kneeling at his side, not quite touching, eyes narrowed. Drawing a long shuddering breath Alexei slowly unfolded, lying limply on the cold, rough ground, too exhausted to move.
The other reached out, touched his shoulder. Its fingers were icy, burning against Alexei's skin. The Russian forced his eyes open: the other's lips moved, quirking upwards into what could, just, be called an attempt at a smile. Alexei sighed.
*Can... can you speak?*
The other tilted its head, eyes narrowing, but didn't respond. Alexei's eyes drifted closed...... and opened, to see Greg lying next to him, dark eyes watching him fondly.
"What... what happened?"
"I brought you back, Alexei. It was time - you need to rest."
"It... I... did I heal it?"
"In a sense, yes. Although it would be more accurate to say you healed yourself."
"I don't understand." But he did, really, on some deep instinctive level. The 'path smiled and kissed his forehead.
"Sleep now. We'll go back tomorrow, try to communicate again. It will be easier from now on - it trusts you, at least a little."
Nodding, Alexei slid back into sleep.John handed Trey a large mug of strong coffee. The American took it and grinned.
"That was a lot less - extreme than I expected. What'd you find out?"
John sighed.
"Very little, unfortunately. You don't register as a psi, according to any test I'm aware of. And there's nothing in your history to give any indication of where this ability comes from." He frowned. "What I'd like to do, with your permission, is to see if you can filter any other empath's talent."
"Not sure how I feel about that..."
John patted Trey's shoulder.
"Just think about it. You don't have to decide right away. But it might help us define exactly what it is you have."
Trey smirked.
"Other than my looks, charm and Alexei, you mean..."
John laughed.
"But of course!" He glanced at his chronometer. "Well, we'll finish there for today. Do you object if we resume tomorrow?"
The American shook his head.
"Nope. Is Greg finished?"
"Yes. And Alexei is fine. May I suggest you collect something for you both to eat on your way back? He needs a little feeding up."Trey slid the door open with his elbow, soup, bread, a plate of cold meats and a bowl of salad balanced precariously on a tray in one hand, a large bottle of spring water in the other. Greg was dressed and sitting on the bed beside Alexei, stroking the fine black hair gently. The Russian was asleep, but roused blearily as Trey entered. The American grinned.
"Hi, beautiful. How you feeling? Hope you're hungry!"
Alexei smiled.
Trey nearly dropped the tray.
A real smile, the first he'd ever seen on Alexei's face. It was beautiful.
"'lexi?" He glanced at Greg, watching with a small proud grin on his face. Alexei reached out a hand, beckoning his partner closer: Trey walked forwards slowly, absently handing his burdens over to the 'path, then sat on the bed. His voice was hushed.
"How you feeling?"
Alexei rolled onto his back, gazing at his lover, a half-smile still on his lips.
"Lighter. Not... heavy, any more."
Puzzled, Trey eyed Greg. The 'path nodded.
"We have... healed some old wounds. Taken the first steps towards resolution."
"Oh... good..." Maybe Alexei could explain it later... Trey gazed down at his partner. "So, you hungry?"
Alexei chuckled.
"A little. Will you help me sit up?"
Trey slid an arm under his shoulders, easing him into a sitting position and piling pillows behind his back. Greg placed the food on the bed, then smiled at the pair.
"Enjoy your meal. I'll be back at the same time tomorrow, Alexei, and we'll continue then. Perhaps, in the meantime, you could think of the sort of landscape he might like - and find a name for him. Tomorrow we try to make friends."
© 2004 August 22nd
Darkside
© WaveWrights 2004