half_a_soul | Negotiations [Locked to future alt!verse Jackson]

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Negotiations [Locked to future alt!verse Jackson]

Jono had known it was likely to happen at some point. He'd been far too deep into Jackson's mind to not know why exactly he had run to the Nexus and why he was so insistent on not going back. Not, mind, that Jono wouldn't have tried talking him out of returning to his world, but it was easier that he didn't want to.

And, after about six months with nothing happening, Jono started to relax, as well.

The first one, he met in the Nexus, asking questions about Jackson. The second one he met there as well, though she was more subtle. Both wore the same sort of clothing Jackson had arrived in. Normal grunts, nothing more. Dangerous enough, he supposed, but mostly poor sods who were in the same bad position Jackson had been in.

He sent them home with no memory of Jackson, the Nexus or their mission. He'd been foolish enough to believe that would be enough.

The third one actually made it to his apartment, luckily while Jackson was out. While Jono had been out, too, but he arrived home first from practice to find the soldier--more advanced and better trained than the first two--pointing a gun at him and demanding to know where Jackson was. He'd probably have gotten off lightly if he hadn't shot Jono's guitar to make a point.

Jono made a point right back. Even with future medical advancements, it would take a long time to heal from first degree burns over most of the body. And then they'd have to straighten out his mind. It was possible the soldier could recover from the mental fucking Jono'd given him, but he'd embedded a message for the first telepath that looked at him to find. Jackson was under his protection.

He'd thought that had been the end of it. It certainly seemed to be for about a month. Then Jono woke up to a strange mental signature in the flat. He slipped out of bed, trying not to wake Jackson before putting on a pair of pajama pants and heading for the living room. Where he had to stop for a moment and stare at the man with white-blond hair and what could, maybe, have passed for the uniform of a Redcoat. Maybe. Once upon a time. And the wide leather wristband he knew held a vortex manipulator.

Time Agent.

Jono let out an explosive breath, hands on his hips. "Don't you bloody fools know when t' give up already?"

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It probably isn't that great of an idea for him to sit up as quickly as he does when he hears running and realizes it's Jono coming through the door, but Jackson pushes himself up a little in bed with the air of a man who isn't that concerned about his own health. It's a lie, of course. Jackson has never been this close to actually dying, despite all his years in the military and all the close shaves. It's usually just a nasty injury, but this? Was sort of terrifying in its own way.

"Hey," he greets quietly, both for the sake of Siouxie and due to weakness caused by loss of blood. "You okay? What happened?"

No, it really isn't. "Bloody way lay down," Jono replies, moving forward. And there's relief on his face because, yes. Even though he'd been told Jackson was okay and would be fine, it was easier to believe when seeing him. "Hank'll 'ave me head if 'e sees you sittin' up." He knew where that blade had gone, after all. Only the fact that they'd been ready got Jackson through.

He sits on the edge of the bed, laying his hand against Jackson's leg. "I'm fine. Tired an' a bit worried 'bout you, but fine." He sighs, rubbing his forehead with the other hand. "Well. Can say conclusively that they ain't comin' back. Didn' mess about this time with warnin's. They've all forgotten 'bout the Nexus an' one'll be deletin' all files pertaining to you in their system. Far as the government's gonna be concerned, you don' exist.

"There's jus' one...minor complication."

Jackson can't help but smile at the concerned insistence behind Jono's command, carefully settling back down into bed. This time, he lays on his back and tries to get comfortable with the sore area on one side so he can look up at his friend. "Thank you," he says softly, smiling a relieved smile of his own. Although he only realized what was going on a few days ago, Jackson has been worrying himself sick of it. Now ... well, it's good to know that it's over. That Jono took care of it. Jono always takes good care of him, leaving Jackson wondering why he was that worried to begin with.

But easy to think such things after it's said and done, isn't it?

He reaches out carefully for Jono's hand. "Complication?"

Jono nods, carefully formulating things in his head. The lie isn't THAT much of a lie. There was a lot of using going on and it's the government's fault to begin with. Just...how to phrase it. "The guy they 'ad sneak 'round an' attack from the back? Well, 'e's deserted. Used 'is anger t' try to get what they wanted." He takes Jackson's hand, squeezing slightly. "I...don' really know how t' explain this, Jackson, but...'e's kin to you. Yer brother."

It all makes reasonable sense up until the point Jono mentions the guy who attacked him is his brother. Jackson's expression turns from sincere to completely confused. "I ... don't have a brother, Jono," he says with a sad sort of earnest. With Adam having replaced Gray in his memory and Jono having removed Adam entirely, there's absolutely nothing left to even hint that he could possibly have a brother. He remembers being a small child with his parents, before Gray was born and Adam replaced him, then remembers his dad dying and his mother being so sad. He couldn't have a brother, not unless his mother ... after he was gone ...

"I'd know, wouldn't I?" Jackson wonders after a pause, now worried that there's something he's forgotten. Something he's missed.

There is something. Jono reaches up, brushing his fingers over Jackson's forehead. "You wouldn' if 'e'd been replaced." Shaking his head, he goes on. "Near as I can tell, Adam tended t' go with close bonds t' ingratiate 'imself t' people faster. So they wouldn' question it. Lotta times, 'e jus' made it up outta whole cloth, but a lotta times, 'e used memories what were already there."

Jackson only knows of Adam and only because Jono has told him what the man -- alien? -- did to him. Without any recollection of the events, it's difficult to accept that it actually happened and Jackson has spent several months trying to acclimate himself to the idea. This, now, is ... terrible, actually. It brings back that uncomfortable feeling of violation he first experienced upon knowing his mind was tampered with.

He exhales a slow breath, deflating quite visibly as the idea finally sinks in. Unfortunately, Jackson doesn't know what to say. Except ... "And he tried to kill me?" His tone is full of regret, as if he can only wonder what he did.

Jono reaches out again, brushing his fingers along Jackson's brow and jaw. "You didn' do anythin'," Jono replies, wanting to nip that in the bud right now. Though he has to sigh. "Unfortunately, 'at's part of the problem. When 'e was young, Gray--'at's 'is name, Gray--was stolen from yer family by some sorta aliens. The same assault you los' yer da in." He knew that Jackson knew his father had died, but probably not the circumstances. But there were enough untampered memories that Jackson should be able to remember the aliens, at least.

"I forgot," Jackson says, tilting his head back against the pillows and trying to think. He can't remember, as much as he tries, because all of it is gone and why did he tell Jono to do that. Maybe ... maybe if it was walled up, maybe he could still try and remember his brother. Gray. That name doesn't even sound familiar, making his brother a complete stranger. "That's what he meant. What he said, when he stabbed me."

It all makes a logical sort of sense, but the fact that he can't remember anything relevant to the situation is beginning to hurt his head. And his heart, like someone's stabbed him all over again, but in the chest this time.

This time when he reaches out, it's with his mind. Wrapping around Jackson's and soothing, though not trying to keep Jackson from thinking at all. Not his style. He's just trying to keep it together for them both. "Probably," he agrees easily. "He tol' me somethin', 'bout how he'd seen you later on Earth. After he was rescued."

Ultimately, Jackson can only relax a little further at the gentle telepathic touch, already on the verge of tears. "Rescued," he repeats vaguely, rife with confusion. "Was he ... one of the hostages they had? My unit pushed through the enemy lines and we -- " Jackson reaches up to rub his eyes in an effort to get rid of his headache. "I got a medal, you know. But I don't remember much else after that. Took some leave, drank myself stupid. I don't know if I saw him or not."

"Yeah, 'e was." Jono rubs Jackson's hand, reaching for Emma to let her know to they need a few more minutes. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but still. "Might've seen 'im when you were drinkin' yerself stupid. Anyway, what 'appened there's...really messed 'im up inside. I dunno 'ow long they 'ad him, but his mind is..." Jono purses his lips. "'E's better 'an you were. But not much much. 'E honestly thought you'd fergotten all 'bout 'im on purpose."

Jackson squeezes his eyes closed tighter, letting a single tear slip. "What am I supposed to do?" he wonders, not sure why Jono is telling him this now.

He probably should have waited, but... "Because he needs t' know you're not dead," Jono says after a few moments. I suppose I could've jus' kept 'im at the door an' let 'im see, but...they fucked 'im over good, Jackson. Know 'e's a stranger to you, but think it'd be the same even if Adam hadn' done somethin' t' yer head. It's been too long. But you got family. An' 'e needs a base from where he can heal."

It's strange to have the question in his head answered before the one he spoke aloud, but Jackson is getting used to it. "Okay," he says after a moment, making a concerted effort to pull himself together. "I get it. I ... I can do this." If he has a brother, then he needs to a be a brother. It's the right thing to do.

It's just that Jackson very rarely asks the questions that bother him most. So Jono keeps an 'ear' out for them, to reassure Jackson as best he can.

He leans in, giving Jackson a soft kiss. "Roight now, all you gotta do is say hi an' not reject 'im outta hand. 'E's got a lot to work through roight now, so he'll be stayin' 'ere, where Emma an' the professor can 'elp. Soon as you can, we'll be headin' back fer London. But we'll make visits." He looks the other man in the eye. "You may never been comfortable with this, I know. But fer 'is sake, thank you fer tryin'."

It hurts, it makes his head swim a little, but Jackson forces himself to sit up in bed and tucks the blanket up around his lap for the sake of doing something with his hands. "Yeah," he agrees, still sort of unsettled by all this. "Yeah, all right. I'll ... I'll do my best." It's weird, this overwhelming feeling of having a relationship dumped in his lap. It's a huge responsibility, especially one to have so suddenly thrust onto him, but he has to.

Jackson pauses, looking up at Jono with only a small amount of uncertainty hinted at beneath his serious expression. He wonders if he'll be a good brother, if he can remember that at least, rather than asking aloud.

He takes Jackson's hand again, holding it between his. Siouxsie, for her part, moves over to his lap, curling up and projecting a wave of comfort, mostly for Jackson.

If you want, when 'e's better, might ask if 'e'd be willin' t' share 'is memories with you, Jono offers. Least, of your da an' mum. It'd be weird, yes, but at least it would be something more than he has now. Which won' be fer a while, but we'll consider it?

He does contact Emma again. Hank's gonna kill me, but he doesn' wanna meet Gray on 'is back. But reckon we're ready as we'll ever be in 'ere.

"Yeah," he answers softly, not knowing what else he can say. Everything's turned on it's head and the guy who tried to kill him, who came really close to it, is going to be a major part of his life now. It's overwhelming, but he seems to be handling it remarkably well.

It's not something that will get easier if they wait on it, either. Jono stays on the edge of the bed, sandwiching Jackson's hands between his and watching his face. He knows when Emma and Gray arrive, knowing their mental signatures quite well. It's Jackson he'll concentrate on for the moment, though.

When Emma finally brings Gray in, Jackson tries his best to remember the man who stands awkwardly a foot away from the end of his bed, but there's nothing there. Not even the faintest glimmer of recognition. But he's going to try, in spite of it all, and Gray seems to appreciate the effort, at least. The conversation is awkward and stilted, consisting mainly of exchanged information. Jackson tells Gray about his time in the military, Gray apologizes for letting the military use him (and despite that being a little white lie, the sentiment is still real). Jackson explains how twenty-first century Earth is a nice time to get lost in and Gray expresses no desire to return to anywhere the federal government can get hold of him. They joke about the quantity of water and the quality of the air versus federal sector one, then wind up talking about their mom.

Jackson still feels responsible for what happened to her, admits that maybe if he hadn't been gone so long she wouldn't have killed herself, but he thinks Adam made him stay. He won't blame Adam for everything, though. He can't. And after that, well, the conversation gets a little more awkward than it's been and Jackson feels woozy. Sitting up for so long is doing a number on his head.

Jono blames Adam for plenty. And if he ever finds the man, it will not be good for him. There's more you can do to a man than just kill him, after all.

He does notice Jackson drifting from the conversation and squeezes his hand. "Reckon 'at's 'bout enough fer everyone, aye? Jackson really should be layin' down."

"That he should be." Poor Gray. Did someone warn him about the giant blue cat-like mutant who runs the infirmary? Then again, Gray's from the future so maybe it's not so weird for him. "You need to rest at least for tonight, Jackson. As Jonothon should have known."

"Yeah, well, Jonothon's fergotten a few things, not 'aving to worry 'bout circulation fer twenty-five years or so." Which is an excuse and he knows it, judging by the faint flush that comes to his cheeks. "But doc's roight. Really should be resting."

Emma nods, placing a hand on Gray's arm for a moment. "And I need to speak with Scott about room arrangements for our guest."

Dr. McCoy doesn't seem to phase Gray much, which is more due to the fact that he's used to other species that don't conform to the human norm rather than due to his now catatonic tendencies.

"My fault, Dr. McCoy," Jackson says with a small little smile. "I'll get some rest now."

Sensing that it's time to go and unsure if he'll get another opportunity, Gray finally steps closer and reaches out to place a hand on Jackson's shoulder. It's a testament to his dedication to this that the other man doesn't shrink away from the touch. When Gray leans closer, it's only to apologize for everything and that's something Jackson can easily forgive him for.

After that, well, Gray will certainly go with Emma wherever she bids. And Jackson to settle back down against the pillows, more than willing to go horizontal even if he's too uncertain about what just happened to sleep. He has to wonder if that was good. If he did okay.

Jono looks up at Hank, now that Jackson's laying down again. "Mind if I kip in 'ere tonight?" He'd take one of the guest rooms if he had to. But Jono'd really rather not. Not when Jackson's not the only one feeling a bit off kilter.

Of course, the rest of the X-Men have known for a while what Jono's only starting to understand himself. Hank nods. "I'll make sure a cot is brought in," he says, moving forward to check Jackson's IV port before taking his leave.

And Siouxsie takes that as her cue to shift up and curl on Jackson's chest. You did fine, he says after a moment, smoothing his thumb over the back of Jackson's hand. Gray's got a lot of his own healin' t' do, but might go a little easier knowin' yer okay.

And if his hand tightens a bit on the end there? Gray wasn't the only one who needed to know.

The way Jono's hand tightens around his gets the hint of a small, tired smile to quirk at the corners of Jackson's mouth. "I'm okay," he says, because he knows Jono needs to hear it (even if it's obvious, even if he already knows from logical conclusions or telepathic ability). "I've had worse." It isn't quite a lie, really, but none of his other injuries were this serious. They just hurt a whole hell of a lot more, in retrospect.

After a moment, he returns the pressure of Jono's hand. "Thanks. For everything."

Negotiations [Locked to future alt!verse Jackson]

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