Changing Tides [JohnProudstar]

24

"We can't attack Reeva right now." Marcos explains to the Struckers, before crossing his arms and leaning against the refrigerator.

"We all saw what the Inner Circle is doing to our son." Cait shrugs, looking to Reed. "We have to stop them before it's too late." I knew this would happen. It's one of the reasons I figured it would be a bad idea to get Andy and Lorna involved. But he is their kid, so I guess I understand. 

"You really think fighting them is gonna bring him back?" I glance behind me, to see John still laid across the bed, out cold. "John is still sedated, after taking nearly two dozen bullets to the chest and you want to start a war?"

"Yeah, like with the five of us?" Clarice raises her eyebrows.

"No, Tate and Clarice are right." Marcos agrees. "Security is insane. And the Frosts can see us coming. And Reeva's powers alone will-"

"Okay, so we call for help." Cait says, shrugging.

"That might be hard to come by." Reed nods, grasping his mint green coffee mug in his hands. "The Inner Circle Just freed thousands of violent mutant criminals. People are scared."

"All the more reason to act now." Cait takes a seat at the table beside Marcos and Reed. "Rally the Underground before it's gone."

"Well, a lot of the stations have gone dark." I sigh. "We haven't been able to get ahold of anyone in days."

"If they won't answer their phones, we bang down their doors." She looks to the rest of us. "Make them understand."

Marcos looks to Clarice and I, before turning his attention back to Caitlin. "Okay." He nods. "I'll drive out to a couple of stations tomorrow, see what I can turn up. None of us want to give up. We just need to be smart."

—
I sit on the edge of the bed, watching as Caitlin replaces John's bandages. He hasn't woken up once since we got back last night, and I guess I'm just starting to get a bit worried. "How's he doing?" I ask, hoping Cait might have an answer.

"I'm not exactly sure how he heals—only that it's faster than normal." Cait finishes wrapping the last bandage around his arm. "I hoped he'd be better by now."

"Me too." I sigh, my face falling as I look over at John.

"Hey, it's just taking some time." Caitlin says upon noticing my disappointment. "He'll be back out there where we need him soon."

"Back out there so he can get shot again." I mutter, and Cait takes a seat next to me.

"When Reed first started out as a prosecutor, he was out on an organized crime case. And during the trial, one day, his car wouldn't start. So, we called AAA. And they found a bomb." Caitlin explains, and I listen intently. "Basically, He...lived because he bought a lousy car battery. Afterwards, I-I begged him to go into private practice or just...transfer divisions, but he said he had to go back." She puts a hand onto my forearm. "Look, I have been married for twenty years. People bend, they adapt, but...they don't change. This is who John is and who the world needs him to be."