Reconsider [XMEN AU]

T w e l v e

        Kurt awakened in the infirmary, in an uncomfortable bed, surrounded by monitors and white instruments. He sat up slowly, his head pounding, and glanced at his wrist, which itched for some reason. A long IV drip was connected to his vein, and for a moment, he wondered what had happened to him. And then, in an instant, it all came flooding back. Dalisay, his attempt at hiding from her, and his painful fall. That was the last he remembered. Ach mein Gott. He had surely made a fool of himself today...or was it even the same day? He couldn't tell, with the bright lights and his dissipated memory. 

        A few hushed voices alerted Kurt to someone's arrival, and through a side hallway, in stepped Ororo and Scott. Ororo was smiling tersley, while Scott's face unreadable.

        "Welcome back." Scott greeted, giving Kurt a slight nod. "You were out for awhile."

        "How are you feeling?" Ororo questioned, her gaze full of concern. Kurt had always considered Ororo a sister to him, more or less, and hated the fact that he'd gave her cause to worry over him. Lord knew that there were much more taxing matters to have concern over than Kurt Wagner.

        "I'm fine, I promise." He tried to say reassuringly, but his voice cracked, not helping his argument in the slightest.

        "Kurt, do you remember what happened?" Scott asked him tentatively, as if Kurt might shatter from remembrance.

        More than he cared to. His face became flushed as he nodded. "I vas in the tree, and zen I fell." Kurt replied shortly, hoping he wouldn't be asked to elaborate."After zat, I do not remember."

        "Kurt," Ororo began slowly, making Kurt suspicious. Something had happened while he was incapacitated. "Dalisay...she used her powers on you to stop you from getting hurt. She made you blackout to forget that she helped you."

        "Then how do you know she helped me at all?"

        "The Professor." Scott answered,  which Kurt should've figured."Dalisay eventually spilled to Storm, but it took some serious interrogation skills."

        Kurt groaned in anguish, although he couldn't help but whisper, "Danke, Herr." Thank you, God. Dalisay was practically his guardian angel, sent from above to ensure his safety. It would explain why Kurt was so encompassed by her beauty. Or maybe it was all a intricate test...

        "Would you like to see Dalisay? She'll be glad to know you're alright, Kurt. You definitely frightened her." Ororo asked, sweeping her long white tresses out of her eyes.

        Kurt hesitated before he replied, unsure what to say. Yes, he wanted to see her, but what would he say? Thank you for saving me after I fell out of a tree because I was too embarrassed to face you? He let out a short, calming breath from his nostrils, and shook his head. 

        "Vould you tell her zat I am much better and vould like to visit her later? I am sorry to say zat I'm lacking in words at zis very moment." Kurt eventually said, chewing on his lower lip.

        Ororo nodded, and reached out to squeeze Kurt's hand reassuringly. "Of course." How had Ororo gotten so good at comforting people? Kurt wondered, grateful for her steady presence. She turned to go, her hand grazing Scott's shoulder before she left the infirmary room. 

Scott lingered in the room, hovering at the end of the bed as if he wasn't quite sure whether to stay or go. "Is there...anything I can get you?"

        "No, I am fine, Scott. Tausend dank, a thousand thanks, to you and Fraulein Munroe as well."

        "Don't worry about it, Kurt." Scott replied with a nod, and left Kurt to sink back into his thoughts.

✘✘✘ 

        Dalisay drummed her fingers against her thigh, unsure whether to look into the Professor's eyes or not. She hated this awkwardness, this discovered insecurity she couldn't hide. It was slightly disturbing, having to constantly be alert to the fact that someone could invade her thoughts at a moments notice, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Despite the Professor's promise not to invade her privacy, she still felt too see-through, as if he knew too much already. She rubbed her arm, trying to get rid of the appearing goosebumps, but they remained in place. 

        "Dalisay, could you tell me what happened in the garden earlier? I understand you explained to Ororo, but I would like to hear it from you directly."

        "Can't you just read my mind and figure it out?" She snapped, her mouth set in a scowl. The Professor had no reaction whatsoever, besides a small, almost undetectable smile appearing on his own face.

        "I could, but I'd rather not invade your privacy." He replied calmly, his kind eyes remaining locked with Dalisay's own. She let out a huffy sigh, frustrated, but the old man didn't seem to be giving Dalisay a choice in the matter. They'd probably be doing this staring contest thing until he died or she did from pure boredom.

        "I went out into the garden last night after dinner, trying to find Kurt." Dalisay began slowly. She really didn't want to give out any more information than the Professor wanted, or needed, to know, although she did suspect he wouldn't be satisfied with her vague explanation. Questions were sure to come.

        "Why were you trying to find him?" The Professor asked politely, his eyes full of wisdom that seemed to disguise boy-like curiosity.

        "I put him in a...awkward situation earlier and wanted to apologize." She answered tightly, her face warming with embarrassment. This felt like talking to a therapist...a bald mind-reading therapist in a wheel-chair. "I didn't see him at dinner, so I figured he'd be out in the garden, since that was really the only place I knew he liked to go. When I got out there, I heard some rustling from the bushes, and called out for him. He didn't answer, and then I heard branches on the other side of the garden, and something hit the ground. I went over, saw it was Kurt, and helped him."

        Please please don't ask me anything else, Dalisay silently pleaded. 

        The Professor was silent for a few moments, and then nodded his head in understanding. "How exactly did you help him?" He asked casually, although Dalisay saw through his polite facade. What powers did you use on him?, was what Professor Xavier meant to say. 
'
        "I...I fixed his broken ribs, reset his bones. Then I..." She hesitated, not wanting to continue.

         Why? Why had she chosen to help this man she barely knew and had probably scarred for life? This whole situation was so utterly laughable Dalisay could guffaw at that very moment. The Professor would probably think she was a lunatic, but what did it matter? She was already practically crazy. Practically. Everyday she considered losing her sense of reality, since reality was such insanity already. Dalisay could attempt to make herself forget everything, just as she had made Kurt forget how she'd helped him, and her father forget all the horrible things she'd done to protect him. The lives she had to take to keep him safe, the things she'd stolen to bargain for his life, again and again. Her heart ached, with hoping and despair, and the need for her father to be alive. Even after all these years and the miles separating the two of them, Dalisay felt the need to make sure he was safe. But she couldn't, not without giving so much up in the process. 

        "I  wiped his memory..." Dalisay continued after a minute of silence. "I made him forget that I helped him."

        Instead of asking why, the Professor merely nodded slowly, and pressed a button on his wheelchair. The door behind Dalisay's armchair swung open, and Professor Xavier motioned for her to stand. "Thank you for your time, Dalisay. You may go."