Previously...

Jim and Brian exchanged worried looks. “We’re doing everything we can,” Brian reminded him. “I have every reason to believe that everyone will be back to normal within a few days.”

Luke shook his head, despair stamped on every feature. “And I have every reason to believe we’ll all be dead by the end of the week.”

Chapter Six

Dead by the end of the week? Jim blinked rapidly, convinced that he had heard the panicked young man incorrectly. Surely it was the delirium talking...

“You have to believe me!” Luke cried, his eyes darting continuously around the room, searching for an escape route.

“You’re going to be okay, Luke,” Brian said soothingly. He motioned for Jim to take over, and when Luke was secure, he quickly filled a syringe from supplies he gathered quickly from an inventory cabinet and injected it into the agitated patient. With practiced born of long familiarity, Brian and Jim led the young man back to his bed.

“What was he going on about?” Jim whispered. “Dead by the end of the week?”

Brian shook his head. “Fever can really mess with a person’s mind,” he said.

“So you don’t think there’s any great danger?” Jim pressed, already feeling a wave of relief at Brian’s calm demeanour.

Brian ran a hand through his dishevelled hair. “I don’t know. I have no reason to suspect this is anything other than the common flu, except for the severity and rapid onset of systems. I have some tests running, but the results won’t be available until morning.”

Jim’s temporary relief faded. “So there may be something to Luke’s claim?”

“It’s too soon to tell. And I’d rather not start a panic until we know any differently.” Winthrop joined the conversation, his voice calm.

Jim nodded, agreeing with the reasoning. “And someone is keeping an eye on Luke?”

Brian flushed. “Steel had stepped out to fetch something for me for another patient,” he said, explaining why Luke had been able to get as far as he had. “It won’t happen again.”

Win nodded. “Luke’s not in any condition to get far, but I’d still prefer to have someone with him at all times. There’s no telling the amount of trouble he could cause here. In fact, I’ve been considering moving him back down to the interrogation rooms, where we have better security.”

Brian shook his head. “I’d rather you didn’t right now,” he said. “He’s exhibiting the same symptoms as the students, and I’d prefer to keep them together. I’d also like to be close in case he needs immediate medical attention.”

“He’s not faking it?” Jim asked.

Brian shrugged. “He could be. The symptoms could also be psychosomatic. He seems to be inordinately concerned with Medico and going back to him to be healed.”

Jim shook his head. “Why would anyone choose Medico over you?” he demanded. “Medico isn’t even a real doctor!”

“No,” Brian agreed, “but he has several degrees in science, and years of experience in the research field. He’s also very charismatic, when he wants to be. It’s not surprising that Luke would turn to him. He has no reason to trust us, after all.”

“But if it’s just the common flu...”

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s the common flu or not. Luke believes that it’s something more, and that Medico is the only one who can help him.” Winthrop nodded once at Brian. “We’re going to prove him wrong, either by showing him that it’s only the flu, or by curing whatever it is.”

Brian nodded. “I’ll do my best. I’m hopeful that we’ll learn something from the blood tests in the morning.”

“I still don’t understand why Luke is so convinced that Medico is the only one who can help him,” Jim complained as Brian disappeared into the recesses of the infirmary. He and his father began walking back to the wing of the complex containing student dorm rooms.

“Perhaps Luke is familiar with Medico’s research?” Win suggested.

Jim shook his head. “Medico doesn’t talk about his research. Not to someone like Luke, who doesn’t know the first thing about anatomy or physiology or biology or chemistry, or...”

“Not unless it’s no longer research,” Win said quietly. “If Medico is implementing some of his research, you can bet that everyone in his organization knows what’s going on.”

“Then that means...” Jim’s mind boggled at the implication.

“Yes. It would mean that Medico is behind the actual illness.”

Jim shuddered. “But that’s insane! Why would anyone—” He stopped abruptly. “He’s designing his own form of biological warfare, isn’t he?”

Win’s expression was grim. “It’s a definite possibility.”

“But how would he have infected students here?” Jim pondered. “Luke didn’t bring it with him—the students were coming down with it by the time we got him in the interrogation room. And his symptoms showed up later.”

Win shrugged. “It’s anyone’s guess, at this point. And I don’t understand why he would use our school as a testing ground, anyway. Medico has always hated humans more than he’s hated mutants who try to co-exist with humans.”

“Maybe it’s only targeted for mutants,” Jim guessed, his eyes wide. “Would he do that?”

Win shook his head. “I just can’t see it. Medico has very few scruples and wouldn’t hesitate to harm anyone in his way, mutant or human, but I can’t see him designing something especially harmful to mutants. It’s not his style.”

“How do we know what his style is?” Jim asked.

Win hesitated.

“You can still read his mind?” Jim asked incredulously.

“No. Of course not. I don’t read minds without express permission. But...”

Jim waited impatiently while his father gathered his thoughts.

“But I can still sense his basic personality. Ever since Katie, well, I can’t turn it off.”

Jim was speechless. His father, the paragon of control, was admitting that he was not in control of his power when it came to the man who had murdered his wife. He had basically admitted that he was breaking his self-appointed boundaries, and that he had no control over it.

“Dad.”

Win winced. “I know.”

“Well, we’re going to use this to our advantage,” Jim decided. “We think Medico is up to something. If you have the inside track to his state of mind, we’ll use it.”

“Who’s ‘we’?” Win asked.

Sensing that his father was more than willing to change the topic, Jim answered, “Trixie, Shadow and I were talking—” He stopped abruptly, remembering that he had left Shadow and Trixie alone with the responsibility of all the students still in their rooms. He stared at the door leading to the dorm wing. “I should get back. I told them I wouldn’t be long.”

Win nodded. “You’re getting along with Shadow okay?”

Jim grimaced. “I guess.”

“Problem?” Win asked.

As much as Jim didn’t feel like talking about his less than cordial feelings about the new-comer, he was relieved to see his dad slipping back into the role of guide. “Not exactly. We just don’t see eye to eye on a lot of topics.”

Win nodded. “His background is a little different from yours.” He paused before adding, “You might be surprised at what all you do have in common, though.”

Jim raised a brow. “I doubt it,” he said, even though his father was almost never wrong.

Win smiled. “Go easy on him. His heart is in the right place.”

Jim nodded grudgingly. “I’ll see you in the morning, then. Don’t forget to let us know if anything happens here, or if you need help with Luke.” He sighed as he opened the door to the dorm wing and left his father behind.

The rumble of low voices greeted him as he took the first step down the hall. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he realized that Trixie had once again joined the mysterious newcomer. He winced at the word “mysterious”, and realized why Trixie seemed to be so drawn to him. The man practically reeked of untold secrets and a haunted past. It would be nearly impossible for her to stay away from him. It also meant that her interest was curiosity, rather than personal. Although, he reflected, she had probably already asked Shadow some pretty personal questions. With a chuckle, he resolved to rescue Shadow from Trixie’s relentless questions. What he heard as he drew closer, however, surprised him.

“Ma’s death changed everything,” the Shadow was saying. He and Trixie were seated across from each other on the marble floor of the hallway, their backs to the wall. “After she was gone, Da threw himself into his work. He just loved Ma so much that it was almost impossible for him to function at home, where everything reminded him of her. So he stayed away a lot. And then, when I discovered my gift..”

Jim winced at the raw quality of the Shadow’s voice. Though his voice was perfectly modulated and almost free of inflection, his pain was palpable.

“It wasn’t a good time,” Shadow concluded. “I left soon after.”

“And you’ve been Shadow ever since,” Trixie concluded. “Seriously? No one has called you by your real name in over ten years?” she questioned, obviously picking up a thread in their earlier conversation that Jim hadn’t heard.

The atmosphere was suddenly charged with something Jim couldn’t identify. It wasn’t sexual tension, for which he was grateful, but there was definitely some kind of tension between the two.

“Dan. My name is Dan,” Shadow finally said. He seemed to have trouble with the name, as if it no longer fit on his tongue.

“Dan,” Trixie said, trying it out. “Dan. Daniel.” She also said his name slowly, carefully. “I like it,” she decided.

Shadow looked at her in surprise. “I didn’t realize my name was being judged,” he said, nudging her foot with his as he stretched his long legs across the hall toward her.

She rolled her eyes. “No, I mean...” she paused, searching for the right words. “It suits you. Just as much as ‘Shadow’ does.”

Shadow’s eyes hardened. “Don’t deceive yourself. Daniel Mangan disappeared a long time ago. I am Shadow now.”

She shrugged. “Whatever you say, Dan.”

Dan's eyes narrowed and Jim could see that he was nearing the end of his patience for Trixie’s question and answer session. Jim hurried down the hall before she could spring another question on him, or try to call him by his given name.

“How’s it going?” he asked, sitting on the floor beside Trixie. “Any more sick kids?”

Trixie and Dan shook their heads. “It’s been completely quiet,” she told him, scooting closer to him and resting her head on his shoulder.

“You’ve made rounds?” He was curious about how much time they had spent talking.

She nodded, stifling a yawn. “Every half hour. Sound reasonable?” she asked.

Jim grinned, knowing that she wasn’t so much seeking his approval as letting him know what they had decided. “Sounds fine,” he told her. He smiled affectionately as Trixie snuggled in closer still and closed her eyes. “Why don’t you go get some rest?” he suggested. “Shadow and I can handle this.”

Trixie didn’t bother opening her eyes. “You know the rules. Females only in the girls’ side. You’re not actually volunteering to break a rule, are you?”

“I guess not,” he agreed.

She yawned again. “I’ll just get some shut-eye while I can. It’s twenty minutes to the next check. You’ll wake me up?”

A powerful wave of contentment washed over him as Trixie’s breathing evened out and she dropped off. “You can count on me,” he whispered.

He closed his eyes and listened to her peaceful breathing. Dan was across the hall, probably watching him with those unsettling dark eyes, but Jim couldn’t bring himself to care. It was only on rare occasions that Trixie let her guard down and relaxed so completely, and he wasn’t going to waste a minute of enjoying the feeling of her pressed against him for comfort.

“So, you and Trixie...” Dan said a few minutes later.

Jim opened his eyes reluctantly. “What about it?” he asked, his tone a touch more belligerent than he had intended.

Dan held up a hand in surrender. “No offense. Just asking.”

Jim settled back, drawing Trixie even closer into his arms. “Yeah. We are.”

He nodded. “She’s a real fire-cracker. Never know what to expect around her.”

Jim snorted. “You don’t know the half of it. And she has no idea how she affects everyone around her.”

“I can see that,” Dan said. “Is she always so...” He paused, and Jim sensed that he was trying to find an inoffensive way to say what he was thinking.

“Nosy?” Jim supplied. “Yes. In fact, I’m surprised that she didn’t attack you for information sooner.”

“Well, it has been a little busy around here today,” the other man pointed out. “That could throw anyone off their game.”

Jim snorted. “Sounds like she’s not too far off. You told her your name.”

He grimaced. “Yeah. I’m still not quite sure how that happened.”

“And you know she’s going to use it,” Jim continued, enjoying Dan's discomfort.

Dan winced.

“You want to know the worst part?” Jim asked.

Dan looked up.

“You’re not even going to mind,” he said, laughing quietly as Dan groaned out loud.

“Sounds like you’ve been on the receiving end of her interrogation sessions, too,” Dan pointed out.

Jim had the grace to look slightly abashed. “Maybe once or twice.”

“I bet you folded faster than a house of cards,” Dan guessed, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

Jim flushed. “Maybe.”

“Not true,” Trixie muttered, surprising both men. “I had to put up with all sorts of noble silences and sullen attitudes.” She opened her eyes. “But you cracked eventually.”

Jim smiled fondly at her. “Get some sleep, Trix. Dan and I have this covered.”

He bit back a laugh at Dan’s chagrined expression. “What?” he questioned. “I said you wouldn’t mind Trixie calling you Dan. You’re going to hate it coming from me,” he finished cheerfully.

Dan just shook his head and slouched down further against the wall, his chin tipping toward his chest. “Go ahead and rest,” Jim offered, realizing that making amends might not be a bad idea. “I’m good for the next little bit.”

Dan shook his head. “I’m fine.”

“Whatever. You and Trixie can take the next shift,” Jim told him, even though he still wasn’t sure he liked the idea of Trixie and Dan spending more time together.

Dan nodded. “Sounds good.”

Jim watched as Dan’s eyes tracked up and down the hallway, rested briefly on Trixie, and then tracked up and down the hallway again. “What did you learn at the infirmary?” he asked.

Fighting the urge to move restlessly, Jim said, “Nothing. Luke tried to escape, but he can barely walk, so it was more of a stumble than making a break for it.” He joined Dan in scanning the hallway. “He’s terrified, and he’s convinced that only Medico can help him.” Jim rearranged his legs. “You know Luke better than anyone here. Is he generally pretty level-headed, or does he often go off on tangents?”

Dan shrugged. “When I knew him, he was all business. Always focused on the next scam, the next hit, the next money. He wasn’t the smartest guy out there, but he wasn’t crazy.”

Jim nodded. “That’s what I would have thought. I’m not sure what to make of his reactions today. If he’s right, then Medico is into something serious.”

Dan’s eyes tracked down the hallway again, and Jim sensed that he was gathering his thoughts and processing information. “What’s Medico like?” he asked suddenly.

Despite his best intentions, Jim felt the familiar tightening of his chest. His memories of Medico were not pleasant. “He’s a disgrace,” he said succinctly, his words clipped.

Dan didn’t speak, but he was obviously waiting for more information. “He’s very pro-mutant,” Jim continued, trying to keep his analysis objective. “Unfortunately, it’s usually at the expense of non-mutants. He likes it that way.” He watched Dan’s reactions, but didn’t detect anything other than curiosity.

“How is at the expense of non-mutants?” Dan asked.

“He uses them as...” Jim’s hands curled into tight fists. “He uses them as subjects for experiments.”

“Lab rats,” Dan supplied.

Jim’s eyes sparked with fury. “Don’t call them that,” he warned, his voice as cold as ice.

Dan held up his hands in a gesture of submission. “Whoa! No harm intended,” he told him. “I have no problem with non-mutants, and what Medico is doing is wrong. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Jim shook his head and forced himself to stretch his long fingers. He cracked each knuckle, and then rubbed his hands up and down his pants, trying to release the tension and rage Dan’s innocent words had stirred.

“No offense taken. It’s a sensitive topic for me,” Jim offered by way of explanation.

“I can see that,” Dan’s voice was perfectly even, and Jim was relieved to discover that he wouldn’t have to worry about Dan pressing him for more information than he was willing to share. Perhaps his father was right, and they did have more in common than he realized.

Just then, Trixie stirred in his arms, and the topic was shelved. “We should do the rounds,” she said, her voice thick from dozing. She stretched, causing her short blue tee shirt to pull tight and ride high in all the right places, and the previous topic of discussion was banished even further from Jim’s mind. “Did I miss anything good?” she asked, catching on to the lingering tension between Jim and Dan.

Jim smiled affectionately. “Nah. The good stuff only happens when you’re around,” he teased.

“Hardy-har-har,” Trixie retorted. “You mean the explosions only happen when I’m around.”

“Well, yeah,” Jim agreed, blinking innocently. “What other good things could there possibly be?”

Shaking her head, Trixie accepted the hand that Dan extended her and allowed him to pull her to her feet. “Your turn for some shut-eye,” she told Jim. “We’ll be back in about ten minutes, after we check on all the students.”

Jim nodded and watched as Dan dutifully escorted her to the door leading to the girls’ wing. He settled back and closed his eyes, surprised that he was actually feeling sleepy. In times of high stress, he generally found sleep difficult, especially if he wasn’t in his own bed. But even in the marble and hardwood hallway, the soothing sounds of the familiar building were enough to have him yawning and slouching against the wall. The whistle of air in the radiator and the groans of the elderly building formed an almost-lullaby and Jim found himself dropping off. As he slipped into an uneasy doze, the wind whipping through the trees increased in volume, and he could have almost sworn that he could hear words on the breeze. He slipped further into sleep, still trying to decipher the garbled words.

“It was a bad time for him,” he heard, and the wind sounded remarkably like Trixie. The voice in the wind continued. “Because the emergence of his gift is tied to Medico.” There was a pause, and Jim struggled to make out the next words. “Jim’s power appeared as he and his father attempted to rescue Jim’s mother from Medico’s research facility.” Jim felt an odd sickness at the reminder, and couldn’t understand why the wind would be talking about such personal, painful subjects. Didn’t it have better things to do? “That’s right,” the voice continued, and this time, Jim thought that wind sounded as if it were feeling as much pain as he was. “Jim’s mother was captured by Medico and used as an unwilling test subject. It’s how she died.”

The voice of the wind drifted away as the words ripped at his heart and Jim slipped deeper into uneasy slumber.