by Adriana Scaletti
Disclaimer: all characters are Marvel's. Don't sue. Not even the semblance of money being made. I'm still a wannabe-writer, so you'll have to forgive my unhealthy obsession with Domino & Cable pieces. -I'm not saying it'll go away with time, mind you.- Anyway, I blame it all on Casey-boy and that blond-chick of his. ~Adriana growls and hopes they both die slowly~ ("--Gee, wonder how *that* gun got in here...?" ;) Onto the story: picture this -short rambling as a one-way 'conversation', in a well-know medlab. And tons of thanks to Jeff, who I think would give Bob Harras a real run for his money. :)
--ks the Bright Lady...you're awake!
...
What--?
...
Relax, it's just *me*.
...
Didn't meant to scare you.
Don't be afraid.
Please don't.
...
Here, take my hand.
...
No?
Oh.
--It's okay.
...
Can I come closer, then? Just a little...
...
Thanks.
...
I-- I have missed you. Very much.
You know that, right?
...
Do you...remember me? Jean said...
...
I--
...
I-- I could have sworn you did.
...
No, really...it's just that--
It's okay.
It's my fault, actually.
...
You don't remember how it happened, either?
Well...
...
I guess that makes *me* the lucky one, right?
--Or...--or so would Logan say...
...
That was supposed to be funny.
...But you don't get it, do you?
--never mind the tears.
A dumb joke. I seem to be making lots of them, lately.
...
Logan?
Logan is the short one. Lots of hair, stinking cigar...? Rings any bells?
He came to see you this morning.
He has come every morning, since...
Since you've been in here.
...
Want me to get him? It's late, so all of them are probably upstairs...
...
Oh.
Fine.
...
Let's try a few questions, then.
Do-- do you remember your name?
...
I see.
So--
...
I-- I used to call you Dom.
It's short for 'Domino'.
...
Well,...you never told me your real one.
...
--But, hey...I always thought 'Dom' worked for you.
I thought it was the name *you* had chosen for you.
It's a good name, actually. Strong and flippant, just as you are.
Though not nearly as beautiful as you....
*I* liked it, anyway.
...
What?
...
I-- I've know you for...let's see...
The last twenty-five years.
So yeah, I guess I'm a friend of yours.
...
And I was worried sick.
That's why I was right outside the door.
I'm no threat.
Trust me.
...
Somehow, that doesn't comes easy with me, does it?
...
Oh, this?...it's just coffee. Colombian.
You used to love it.
Want some?
...
Let me-- Dammit, don't try to get up!
Woman, I *hate* when you act like this...
...
Some things don't change, do they?
...
So now I'm a 'total moron' or can I apply for 'stupid bastard'?
...
Hmmm.
I'd always liked the way you smile.
Grimacing.
Did I ever tell you that?
...
Guess we'll just start it all over again, right?
...
I'm Nathan.
You and few other people called me 'Nate' just to piss me off.
...
And yes, in your case I'm pretty sure it was on purpose.
You'd always knew how to push my buttons.
I still think it's a lousy nickname...
...
You sure you're okay? I-- I can't read your mind anymore, you know?
...
I meant that literally.
Once upon a time, I *was* able to.
Yeah...I could read your mind, feel what you were feeling...You name it.
You never really liked that, I know. Wonder how you put that long with our--
...
We had a psi-bond...--a direct, constant connection, if you like.
That's as close as you can get to someone else.
A bumpy ride while having both of us in the same head, if you ask me...
But I'm --grateful for what it last.
...
Couple of years ago...some flonqing disruption...
Too technical to talk about it right now. Maybe--?
...
So you remember her?
That's good!
Doesn't matter if they're only faces right now.
...
Don't worry, *all* of them...all the kids are fine.
They were here 'till a few weeks ago.
Scott had a hell of a time convincing them to leave you here.
I'd-- we thought they had to get some air, keep going...
...
Guess they learned their stubborn ways from both of us...well, it's kind of
nice, isn't it?
...
It's been almost a month since their departure.
Two months since you're here.
...
Me? I've been coming and going...mostly just wandering around.
Actually, I've a long list of 'things-to-do' waiting to jump at me.
But I--
I couldn't leave you...again.
...
I *need* you.
...
Wow. That wasn't that hard to say, was it?
...
...
You're cold.
...Paler than usual, too.
Let me get you something--
...
It's okay...I'd just--
I'd forgot how soft your skin was...
...
...
Dom--?
...
...
--om?
...
There you are! Oath-- how do you still manage to scare the hell out of me?
...
You just passed out for a second.
Don't do that again, okay? You'd been in a coma too long for...
...
That's it, I'm calling McCoy now.
He'll know what to do so you...
Yeah, he's a doctor.
...
I *know* you don't like them.
So deal with it.
I'm not letting you risk your life anymore...
...
No, it's NOT your decision to make.
Not when all this blasted mess is my fault.
...
At least you have forgotten THAT, too. Wish *I* could do the same.
The whole thing was a really stupid move, you know...
Of course you know...you told me so.
But you have to believe me-- I didn't want this to happen.
I just--
I don't know what I was trying to prove.
...
And when I saw you--
...
Hell, Dom...you have no idea how hard--
...
Look at me-- blubbering like a newborn when you're the one...here.
Guess my 'idiotic-streak' shows no matter what...
...
--Beside you?
...
Okay.
But only for a minute.
...
Don't move...let me...
--That's fine.
...
...
...
Yeah, I'm still here, don't worry.
I won't leave you.
--I promise.
...
Now, don't *you* leave me and we'll be even.
...
I could track you down wherever you went, anyway.
...
Think that's unlikely? Well, you're way off-base, babe.
I'm sure I could found you.
Yes, I could...--okay, laugh all you want.
...
...
I *would* even if you were in flonqing Genosha or Madripoor...or anywhere on
earth, for that matter.
Even if you were--
I just *could*, I know it.
Then I would get you back here, where the kids could show you the evil of
your ways.
And I would make sure nothing else happens to you.
I would even keep all my smart-ass comments to myself if you stay with
us...--with me.
...
Please stay with me, Dom...
...
What did you--?
...
...
Dom?
Domino?
...
C'mon, answer me!
...
--Open your eyes, dammit!
...
Computer, vocal to-- flonq it! ...Jean, get in here!!
...
DOM!
DO--
fin