hm weird me....hell yes (open)

I stiffened slightly when I heard Jemma's name. A complicated wash of emotions bubbled up. Some part regret, some part sadness, some parts guilt. They clashed together with the mix of emotions I already was feeling because of Ira. A mixture of shyness, interest, a form of happiness. In the end it all dissolved into a single emotion that I couldn't prevent from showing on my face. Loneliness. The emotion that I felt most often when I had been with Jemma.

Ira:

I peeked up at him then felt my heart give a little shudder. I shouldn’t have said what I did. Pushing away gently, I stepped back from him and looked down at my feet. What could I do now that would erase what I had said?

~Two Months Later~

Jemma:

At first I had thought the ache of missing Kai and everyone else would fade with time. But I was so completely alone, that every minute I was thinking of them. Mostly I thought about Kai and, much to my annoyance, Alex, but the others were often in my mind as well. I would think about how sweet and innocent Kat was and about something she would enjoy, or about Sara and how she was always willing to offer up kind words, even when I was being unkind to her. Sometimes while I was being harsh on myself, Sara’s voice would pop into my mind telling me not to take it so hard. I even thought of Will, and while I didn’t particularly miss him, I would think about how he would agree with me. I respected him, and he was one person I didn’t have to worry about.
After spending a couple weeks completely isolated out in a small hunting cabin, I made my way into civilization. The first step was to find a place to stay. There was a half-finished, 20 story building that I set up in. The construction had been stopped for lack of money. But it was the perfect place for me.
I was searching for a way to keep Kat alive. There was a research facility outside of the city, I was planning to sneak in and see what I could find out. I was grasping at straws and had no other place to start. The help I really needed was Adam’s. It took another couple of weeks for me to accept what had to be done. He understood things that I couldn’t, he had connections that I didn’t, and most of all, he had power.
I finally bit the bullet and tried to contact him by every way I could. I knew he would come. Finding me alone and vulnerable was a prospect too tempting to pass up especially if he thought I wanted him with me.
But the days passed with no word from him. No word from anyone. At this point I had thought at least someone would have tried to make contact with me. I thought Kai would let me know how things were going, maybe even ask for my help. Or maybe Alex would miss me. But I heard from no one. It made me bitter, and angry, and it hurt. For all they knew I could be hurt, or dead, or trapped. Here I was pining over them all and not one of them cared about me. There was nothing to do but let it go, but that wasn’t something I did easily.
One day I was browsing through a library looking for a book on genetics then I saw a sign looking for volunteers to read to young children. Before I knew what I was doing I was up at the desk filling out a form. The librarian who processed it looked at me disapprovingly. It was only later that I realized it was my hair, my blue hair. She assumed I was some kind of rebel, no one would have guessed that it was natural.
Reading to the kids in the evening made me happy. Happy enough not to go looking for those I loved. Happy enough that I could hold on just a little bit longer. I spent my days at the library researching on the computers until the kids came in. And nights I would go out flying and occasionally visit a lab to do more research, talk to a scientist, never really revealing what I was looking for.
I wanted to be with my family, but what I was doing now, it wasn’t so bad.

Ira:

It had been difficult being with Alex after I had told him how I felt, he was never unkind, but he seemed more reserved with me. It took him a while before he warmed to me again. And then he lost control and something horrible happened. I didn’t like to think about it. I had tried to comfort him as best I could. Out of everyone, I thought I could understand what he was going through the most. I had done horrible things too. I had killed good people before, without meaning to. We were both broken. I thought it made us even better for each other. Couldn’t two broken pieces make a whole?
What happened only made finding the place where they could help us even more important. It was a difficult and frustrating search. In the end, though, it paid off. They found us. There were two young girls who came to get us. One explained that she sensed our struggle, told us they knew what we were looking for. After some convincing, the other girl transported all four of us back.
The place couldn’t have been more perfect. We were greeted by a black haired girl who looked like she could be Asian. She introduced herself as Aline, and said she was in charge of the place. She told us that they could help us, that they could fix us. And she did as she promised, for me at least.
For the first time in ten years, I could touch people. I didn’t have to be afraid of being close to others. I could wear clothes that didn’t cover every inch of me. It was amazing and I had never been happier. I made friends easily, and I became close with Aline, but everyone was. She was the sweetest most loveable person. She was never unkind. And she had helped so many. She said that she wasn’t the one who helped us, she said that she just brought us all together so we could help each other. Everyone had a special skill that could be used to help others.
The place reminded me of the school, if the school had been a good place. It had the same kind of feel, but there were no doctors in white coats messing with us, and making us do everything their way. We were free to do as we wished. There was a massive court yard where people would organize games. There was a library, and a movie room, and a game room. And each of us had our own room, though I chose to stay in the same one as Alex.
I told Aline one night that I thought the place looked like the school, and she confided in me that it had once been. She told me how she grew up here, and one day the alarms went off and all the researchers, and doctors had evacuated, leaving the children locked in their rooms and in cages. A few kids had been roaming the halls free and set the others loose, including her. There were only about twenty children in the place, and Aline was one of the oldest. She organized things, helped them set up their own little home inside of the place that had kept them captive. And after a while word got out that she was taking care of these children, and more became to come. Some of the older kids had been taught about the lab, and how they were mutating and experimenting on them. These kids took over the empty labs and did their own research. But they were doing it to help others. And every new person helped them learn about their powers, and what could be done.
I wanted to help as much as I could, I was so thankful that they had cured me, but now I had no powers to offer. Aline said it wasn’t a problem, that everyone could help in their own way. I helped in the kitchens, and the laundry room. And most of all I helped take care of the very young kids, helped teach them to read. I was truly happy. And I was happy with Alex, though I no longer relied on him as my only friend in the world.
They hadn’t been able to help him. But Aline assured us both that they weren’t going to give up. That they would do everything in their power to help him. And I thought, even if they couldn’t, at least he was safe here, with people like him, and with me.

Kai:

Everything seemed perfect with Kat. We were alone together. No one there to tell us that we couldn’t be together in the way that we wanted to. It was fun to act like two young teenagers in love with each other, going out on dates and such. But then Kat got worse. I didn’t know what to do. I tried everything I could think of to help her, but nothing worked. And I felt guilty for making her this way.
When the two girls found us and told us that they could help her, I didn’t hesitate to go with them, Kat was so weak at that point. They took us to a girl called Aline, and she asked me what was wrong with Kat. I had to tell her everything. She had powers, like us, so she could be trusted. I told her how I had been killed, and what Kat had given up to bring me back. Aline seemed surprised and interested about us, especially Kat and the claim that she was part angel.
They took her away when she got worse. They said they were going to put her in a sleep, to preserve the energy that she had left until they could find a way to help her. And I was left alone.
I saw Alex and Ira there, together, but I tried to avoid them. I tried to avoid everyone there. I didn’t like crowds of people, and there were at least eighty kids at the place veariyng in ages between two and twenty-two. I went back to my schedule of sleeping all through the day, and coming out at night to eat. There were less people out at night. I heard the leader –Aline- tried to talk me into making friends with others, she told me it would help if I talked to people. She didn’t understand that I had zero interest in talking to people. I wouldn’t have been talking to her if she hadn’t come up in the middle of the night to talk to me while I was trying to heat dinner in the kitchen. Later I heard her and one of her adoring followers talking about me. They said that I was anti-social, and they talked about how they could get me to open up. I resented that.
Everyone at the place seemed to love it, and worship Aline, who acted humble, but I could tell that she loved it, that she wanted to be the center of attention. She reminded me a little bit of Jem, and how she did the things she did for us so that she wouldn’t be alone. I felt a little twist in my heart at the thought of her. I hadn’t given much thought to her in the past couple months, I had been so concerned with Kat. I didn’t know how to find her now though. My phone was gone and I couldn’t remember Jem’s new number. I thought she would do well here. I thought she would run the place better than Aline did. Jemma was good at being in charge. She did everything right, she always found a way to make things work, kind of like Aline. But if Jemma was in charge, Kat would have been better by now.

Alex:

My life had slowly descended into hell after the awkwardness of my first date with Ira.  My every day was full of the knowledge that she was in love with me, and I didn't feel the same.  Eventually for her sake, I decided perhaps I should try.  Never had I seen her so excited and happy when I admitted it.  Soon after I was proven wrong when I asked her if she wanted to try being boyfriend and girlfriend.  It had been great, but then the headaches started setting in.

Three weeks later, the event happened.  We were hiding out in an abandoned apartment, as we had nearly been in trouble by the police.  But with my powers I had gotten us three cities away.  I woke up sweating, and I grabbed Ira, and shoved her through the shadows outside.  That was the last thing I remembered before my powers erupted, bringing down the entire structure and consuming everyone inside.  I woke up a day later in a camp Ira had set up.  I tried to leave her then, but she threw her arms around me and refused to let me go.  And so for her sake, I stayed.

When we found the facility I had actually started to care for her, to perhaps want to be with her not just for her.  It was a unique feeling, but I kept it to myself and did my best to make sure she would be happy here.  It had been a small comfort to see Kai and Kat, though I did my best to stay out of the pairs way.  I was no longer a part of their life.  And so it wasn't until much later that I actually witnessed what was happening with Kai, how he was drifting apart because of Kat's condition.  I made the choice then, for his sake I would get Jemma.

It took me a day or so, after telling Ira that I had something I needed to take care of.  It had been a bit difficult to get her to let me go without telling her what I was doing but, I managed.  I had never expected, however, to be in the place where Jemma was staying.

Jemma:

After studying until the library closed, I flew back in the dark to my building. I had been researching an abandoned lab before I left. It was on my list of places to check out. When I landed, I almost didn’t notice that there was someone waiting for me. I balanced on the balls of my feet ready to take off again if I had to.
“It took you long enough.” I commented calmly, assuming it was Adam.

I turned slowly my breath catching slightly at her voice. "Jemma? You were expecting me?" I asked softly, as I stepped closer, it was only a small step, but enough that I could see her better even though it was dark.

Jemma:

I drew in a breath sharply. “No, no I thought you were-“ I let out the breath and shook my head, relaxing a little. “What are you doing here?” I asked softly, but guarded. We hadn’t exactly left on the best of terms.

Alex:

I watched her for a time, taking in her appearance, expression, and words. She looked like she had been doing well, which was actually a surprising relief to me. "I came here to ask for your help. I know I do not have any right to ask it of you. But I need you to hear me out, I am not doing this for myself. Kai needs you."

Jemma:

My heart thumped quicker in my chest. “Why? What happened? Is he hurt?” I asked in a rush, stepping closer to him so I could read his face if he was trying to hide something.

I held up my hands and shook my head. "I don't think anything is wrong with him...but Kat..." I went from holding my hands up defensively to spreading them in a helpless gesture. I closed my eyes and between us a life sized figure of Kai appeared showing him looking exactly as I last saw him late at night.

Jemma:

I felt like my heart was going to break for Kai. “What happened? Did she die?” I asked , suspecting the worst. I grabbed his arm looking up at him with nothing but worry in my eyes. “Take me to him, please.”

I stiffened just a tiny bit when she grabbed my arm, but I made myself relax before I made it to obvious I stiffened. "I can take you to him, we found a facility that can help. Or at least it is supposed to help....but I have to show you something before I take you to Kai alright?" With that and her holding onto me I pulled her back through the shadows. When we came out we were in a dark room, an empty room but it had a look into the gym where a game of basketball was being played. "Look." I said pointing out the window without even looking at her. I knew Ira would be playing, she was always playing physical games now. She could touch people now after all.

Jemma:

I looked at the group of people running around the gym with little interest. I just wanted to get to Kai. “What am I supposed-“ I paused when I saw Ira in the middle of them. She was wearing short shorts and a tank top, and bumping into them. And she was laughing. Nothing was going wrong for her. “They fixed her?” I asked, amazed.

"Yeah, she can touch people without fear now. She was never broken Jemma. There was nothing to fix, they simply helped her. Kai and Kat came to this place about three weeks ago. Let me take to Kai." I turned away grabbing her hand to pull her away from the window.

Jemma:

I didn’t think he was right. Ira had broken, whether it was her power or herself. I knew what broken was.
We can to a door and Alex knocked. It was a few silent minutes before Kai opened the door, dressed in pajamas with ruffled hair. He blinked in confusion when he saw me. “Jem-“ I hugged him tightly to me. He had grown at least two inches since I had seen him, he even looked older.
After stepping back I thanked Alex and told him goodnight. Kai took me into his room and told me what had happened since we had been apart.

Alex:

I nodded and left them. I considered for a moment going to see Ira and telling her but instead I left for our room. Laying down on the bed and staring up at the ceiling for a long while.

Jemma:

I fell asleep in Kai’s bed after we stayed up talking for hours and he went to go find food. When no one was making him stay awake during the day, his natural sleep cycle set in.
I was startled awake when Kai came back, the light coming through the window told me it was early in the morning. “Come on, I’ll show you around the place, and take you to Aline. She likes to meet all the new people.” He said tiredly.
I changed into clothes that Kai had borrowed for me, a simple black button up and jean shorts. Then Kai took me to the cafeteria where they were serving breakfast.

Ira:

I held Alex’s hand while we walked to the cafeteria telling him everything that had happened while he had been gone. I paused in the middle of a story when we came into the room. “Jemma’s here.” I said in astonishment. Her blue hair made her impossible to miss. The eyes were drawn to her, and it wasn’t just her hair, she was beautiful, all the right amounts of curves and long legs. And I wasn’t the only one looking at her.

Alex:

I kept my gaze away from Jemma. "I know. I brought her here for Kai. I don't think Kat is doing well, and he needs someone for him." I said as I went to grab a tray, if she followed or not that was what I was going to do.

Jemma:

I looked up in time to see Ira and Alex coming in together holding hands. I made eye contact with Ira and she quickly looked away, following after Alex. I stared openly at them. “Sorry… I should have told you last night. They’re sort of a thing now.” Kai mumbled. I was too stunned to reply.

Ira:

“Why didn’t you just tell me that’s where you were going?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm. I realized now that I didn’t want Jemma here. We had been friends when we were young, but things were different now. And she was going to ruin it.

Alex:

I turned to look at her, and tapped her nose. "Because of the face you are making right there. I did it for Kai, but you would have been making that face for a long while. She was once your friend to right? I had hoped you might be a bit happier about seeing her."

Ira:

“She is my friend.” I said quickly as sw sat down close to the doorway. “I’m just surprised at seeing her here is all. And I wouldn’t have guessed you would be the one to bring her here…” I looked down at my plate of food.

"Its been a while since I last saw her. I doubt either of us feel the same as we once did, but friendship lasts longer than the brief thing Jemma and I had. You should go talk to her." I said as I left to get us both a tray of food.

Ira:

“Okay…” I trialed off a little nervous about it. I made my way over to Jemma. She looked up at me like I was about to walk on a clean floor with muddy feet. “Hey,” I said softly.

Jemma:
I didn’t want to talk to her, or see her, or have anything to do with her. Or Alex. “I heard you got yourself fixed.” I said specifically using the words I had used last night that Alex had objected to, just in case he was listening.
“Yeah. They helped me. I can touch people now.” She said with a soft smile. “Oh I can see that.” I said pointedly. I turned to Kai. “Shouldn’t we go meet whatshername? I’m done with this.” I gestured to Ira. He got up and started to lead the way out, past the table Alex was sitting at. “Jemma wait,” Ira started. I whirled around. “Wait for what? For you to explain to me why, yet again you’re going for something that was mine? Why you’ve always wanted what I had? How long did you wait after I left?” I snapped at her. I didn’t care who was watching us or who heard.
“This isn’t about you Jemma! Not everything is about you. You’re not the center of attention anymore. You’re not the darling of the school.” She was clearly getting hysterical while I was just flat out mad.
“I’m done with this. I have no interest in being around you. Either of you.” I spat. “Then leave!” She yelled at me.
“No, I don’t just leave the people I care about behind.” I hissed at her but looked at Alex meaning it as a dig at him, for leaving me.
I turned again to follow Kai. I felt her hand close around my wrist and I instinctively wrapped my fingers around hers and yanked her forward as I turned and brought my knee up into her stomach. She went down with an “Ooph.”

Alex:

I had wanted to stay out of it, to let them argue it out. But then they attacked each other. In a flash I was over there and I laid a hand on either one of them. I drew on my power, pulling enough of it that the shadows in the room grew, stretching to cover us untill l I could drag them through the shadows in the bright room. Once in the shadow world I let them both go so I could stumble away and hold onto my head. Black shadowy smoke rose from my skin as I worked on getting my powers under control. Kage had shown me how to make a room with my powers, a place I could bring stuff and not have it be consumed, or in this case people. All around me as my powers went haywire images of people I had consumed appeared then faded away. This included the building that had been so recent.

Jemma:

“Alex, get me out of here!” I yelled at him. I didn’t like it when he used his powers on me without permission.