The Telepath's Daughter

New Generations

Hello, little one.

The doctor was feeling every one of his long years. Still, he'd managed to recover enough psychic equilibrium to check on his patients and take a sampling of the general mood of his tiny village. So far, so good. There didn't seem to be anything too terribly traumatic in the wake of...whatever that burst of ESP-er power had been. He would certainly need to investigate further, though. The telepath's daughter needed some serious evaluation. But for now, he entered the nursery, having saved the hospital's newest tenant for last.

He gazed down at Reid's son and took a deep, calming breath that helped clear his mind of the tumult of the last few hours. He wondered if he was playing a hunch, or if the potential he knew resided in this baby meant the child was trying to communicate with him already.

How are you liking this brave, new world, little newcomer? The doctor watched with more than casual interest. He had a feeling this tiny creature was already more involved in life than his quiet, peaceful rest indicated. When a small sigh escaped the baby and he brandished one fist before settling down again, a tiny glint of alpine blue peeked out between the child's translucent eyelids.

Yes, the telepath's son was already aware, already privy to the strange abilities that could be both gift and curse. The doctor was sure of it.

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Deep in exhausted, post-natal sleep, Ana sighed and shifted her depleted body slightly as though making room for someone to snuggle up beside her.

Something impinged on a deep level of her preternatural awareness. Something troubling. Her lips parted. She almost woke.

Almost.

But a tiny wisp of soothing comfort redolent of unconditional love eased her back down into the healing rest she craved.

Blocks away in the nursery, Kevin Reid communicated with his mother in the only way he knew how. He was aware of the old doctor observing him, but there was so much else happening and about to happen, that Kevin spared him only a brief, slitted glance. Then he felt the old man move away.

Someone his big sister loved very much was in dire need of the ancient knowledge and abilities that hovered about that ancient physician like an infinite cloak. Kevin waved his fist and pulsed assurance toward Melinda.

He would always have his sister's back.

No matter what distance or time or fate might separate them.

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Your friend, Hotchner...he needs your help!

Yes. I'm coming...

The doctor exited the nursery, knowing that the visitor most susceptible, the one person who should never be subjected to ESP-er encounters, had once again become their target. Aaron...I'm coming...

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Rossi was thoroughly unsatisfied with Melinda's responses. They smacked of intimations and suggestions he couldn't grasp. Too much in this town that he was beginning to consider cursed eluded his understanding. But in addition to his other talents, Rossi was a man of exquisite intuition. It might not be of ESP-er quality, but it served him well, and better than most. He licked dry lips and studied Melinda's eyes.

"Mellie, are you saying you can help 'fix,' your Uncle Aaron?"

"Rossi, she's been through a lot today...and last night. We all have. I...we..." Reid stumbled when, even in a brief, eidetically-potent review, his memory touched on losing his daughter in the forest, as well as all communication with her, gaining a son, and being plunged into what felt like a string of unsettling, dangerous episodes of psychic origin. He shivered from emotional exhaustion. "Maybe we can all just step back for a moment, okay?"