Connor was wary of Kagerou. He didn't know who she was, or what she could do, nor did he knew if she was trustworthy. For all he knew, she was a spy for Waller. Or magneto. Or so many others. How could he know? He shifted, watching her warily. But his heart wasn't in it. A thick weight of guilt, dread, worry and fear filled him, and it wasn't a pleasant mix. He was about to speak, when Kijani said his name.

He looked about quickly, already rising from the chair, and stopped at the almost wail like no. And then he continued. He didn't know if he had any comfort left to give right then, or if he even had anything to say, and for one, brief vanity filled moment, he wished he didn't look like he'd been put through the mill once or twice. If only so he didn't seem distressed. 

He reached out carefully, hating to see her so upset, so vulnerable, so....broken. He had never thought to apply that to Kijani. But right then, right there, it seemed like it. So he turned from comfort, knowing that would probably make it worse. He shoved his hands in his pockets, and bowed his head. 

[b]"Why?"[/b] He asked softly, after a time. [b]"Why do this, why let them win? By doing this...but trying to k-kill"[/b] He stumbled over the words, [b]"Yourself...you let them win. You let them prove that you were nothing. That your weak, that you just can't hack it. You let them think that, even as you think it might be taken back control. Its neither! Its a way out, yes, a way out of everything, a way out of not dealing witht the crap life brings" [/b]

He let out a breath slowly. [b]"Why didn't you talk to me? Oh, kijani"[/b] And now he moved to comfort, to soothe, as much for himself, as for Kijani. [b]"The thing about life is that there are bright spots, bright patches that let you deal with the crap. We can figure something out, whatever is wrong enough to bring you to this"[/b] he said softly, so softly, and right then, he didn't care about anything else The fear disappeared slightly, for she was alive and awake. 

He took her hand, and was silent for a moment. [b]"If you want me to leave....well, I won't. So you'll just have to deal with that."[/b]


[center]****[/center]

Phoebe read the note, and a rare anger filled her. "Damn it, Nicholas!! What if you are in the bloody wheelchair for the rest of your life? Are you going to be a coward and hide for the rest of your life? Better to face the worse now, then be dodging everyone for years! Do you think people will think less of you, because you're in the chair? They won't. They'll think less of you for hiding, for being too much of a coward to face them!" 

Seeing Estella come over, Phoebe fell silent, and sighed, taking a deep breath, she managed a smile, "Oh. Well. You know, its been a hectic morning to be honest"