Negotiations [Locked to future alt!verse Jackson]

[half_a_soul]

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?"

Comments

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Jackson does think it's very barbaric to have a needle shoved into his arm and given a blood transfusion, but he really isn't in a position to argue much of anything. (Besides, he's decided that he trust both Josh and Dr. McCoy, so if they say it's necessary, then Jackson can only begrudgingly agree to it.)

In the study, Gray looks completely out of his element and blinks away the dizzying array of stars that spark across his field of vision after the teleport. This is ... weird, to say the least.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono takes a moment to reach out his mind, brushing against Jackson's. Just as reassurance that he's all right. There's a half moment pop behind Jono's shoulder, then another pop straight after as Siouxsie decides to follow. And then go to Jackson, thank you very much.

Emma looks amused. "The firelizard still follows you around."

"Oi. 'At firelizard loves me," Jono replies. "Though I reckon some days I run a close second." Right behind Jackson. She always did like him.

Emma just smiles. "Come with me, then. We'll head downstairs. The elevator is this way." The shortest route to the elevator went by a large bank of windows. So Emma takes the longer way, telling Gray about the house. Anything to try to keep him engaged.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

Although he's still weak from loss of blood, Jackson is there for the telepathic brush-by, even if he can't do much by way of responding. He'll be better once Siouxsie pops into the infirmary, vacating a bit of pillow space where he's laying on his uninjured side to invite her to lay with him.

Meanwhile, a lot of what Emma says goes in one of Gray's ears ... and manages to get stuck. It's probably the way she says it or maybe that her accent isn't quite as incomprehensible as Jono's is at times or ... well, who knows. He's listening but not paying strict attention, soaking up the information and using it to plugs the leaks in his mind. It's better than nothing and at least it makes a little more concrete sense than whatever Jono had told him.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Yes, well, Jono...doesn't have experience with this sort of thing. Jackson was a known quantity. Gray is someone he's trying to feel out as yet.

Siouxie curls up on the pillow, nudging up as close as she can to him. At least the doctors know better than to shoo her out. And she does croon nicely.

Emma finally stops, hitting one of the buttons in the wall to open a panel. Behind it is a fair sized elevator. "Do you have a problem with enclosed spaces, Gray?" she asks. "I should have asked before, but I forget you're not from this time."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"Hi, gorgeous," Jackson greets softly, closing his eyes at the comforting familiarity of her crooning -- and the knowledge that Jono is here, somewhere, hopefully close by. "Missed you."

At the direct question, rather than the exposition she's been giving, Gray blinks and pulls his focus together. "No," he answers, though he sounds uncertain. He has a lot of problems with a lot of things, but if they have to take a lift ... well, he should be all right, shouldn't he?

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

"It won't take us long, but if you would prefer the stairs?" The infirmary is in the basement, thankfully, and not one of the sub-basements. Which means it's only a single flight of stairs. "Jonothon, if you would like to go ahead? I know you're worried about your friend." And she puts a stress there that means she knows very well that Jackson's more than that. But then, she was fairly deep in Jackson's mind, keeping him connected to the world.

Jono glances to Gray, noting that he's already more relaxed in Emma's presence. Which may have something to do with her not having been witness to what happened in the Nexus and may just be Emma. "If yer sure yer awroight?" Because he does want to go directly to Jackson. There's still stuff to explain before Gray arrives.

That's his story and he's sticking to it.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, stairs," Gray agrees softly, thinking that's a much better idea. And, maybe, he'd just like to get out of Jono's presence for a little while so he could breathe easily. This woman, Emma, she hadn't been there. She didn't see what he did. "I'll be all right."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

Jono glances at Gray, then nods. "Aye. I'll go 'head an' take the lift, then."

Be careful, he tells Emma. Not that I 'spect you wouldn' be, but he's not terribly stable at the moment.No, he's not. Emma states it as fact. She already knew, after all. You and I will speak while you're here, but he may not be safe to allow to leave the island. A moment, then, But that's why you brought him here, isn't it?

Brought 'im fer Jackson. Gettin' 'im the help 'e needs is a rather major bonus. He hears her hmph in the back of his mind as he enters the lift, pressing the button for the basement. He almost would rather have taken the stairs because he could go down them faster, but it was better for Gray to be out of his presence at the moment.

Though once the doors opened, he bolts for the infirmary, nearly slipping as he rounds the corner to go through the door.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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?"

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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?"

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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.

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

"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.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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."

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

"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."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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.

[psi-flames.livejournal.com]

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'."

[not-skywalker.livejournal.com]

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.