Garrett could tell that Maya was purposefully trying to persuade him not to go to the psychic class. It wasn't a huge deal as he could use some rest in an actual bed. His mind had generally stopped functioning much once she mentioned having a few hours to burn.Until then I'm all yours. That was all he needed to hear. She seemed to relax and move closer to him as they walked. Considering her nonchalant attitude about the two of them, he took the initiative to take her hand in his. Regardless of the pomp and strict attitudes of the base, he knew one thing was certain. he would never let her slip through his fingers again.

" All mine, huh? I've been yours since that day in the bramble bush ten years ago, Maya." No woman had ever meant a thing to him since they had drifted apart. Life just seemed to grow between them, with his long hours in med school and her constant studies at the Mansion. He had seen many ups and downs throughout the time they had been apart, but life just seemed to lose its color without her nearby. He couldn't lose her again.

" Speaking of who you would introduce me as, my new codename at the Colony is Peacekeeper. I only used the uniform and the name once, when we were first getting things together. A band of nasty mutants came down from New Zealand trying to claim the Colony as their new home base. A group of us, which is now the Council, myself and a few other key members, gave them more than enough reason to return to their homeland. With our numbers now, it would be incredibly foolish to come at us with a frontal assault like that."

They had made their way back to the hall they had started in. Garrett's pace slowed as they neared the doors of their respective quarters. He rubbed his thumb across the back of Maya's hand before letting go, waiting to see where they were headed.

" All mine, huh? I've been yours since that day in the bramble bush ten years ago, Maya."

Ghost laughed then and pulled him along like they were teenagers again. "Has it really been ten years?" She tried to work out the sums in her mind, but honestly couldn't see where all the time had gone. How had they ever let each other go? She tried to focus on what he was telling her about New Zealand, but she was keenly focused on the feeling of her hand in his. Her hand and his. Her skin on his. Being solid had never had so many perks.

They lingered momentarily outside in the hall between their two rooms. She wasn't entirely interested in tour giving at the moment and she sure as hell wasn't sure how to go about ... whatever they were doing. One thing was certain, she wanted to keep up the skin contact for as long as it would be possible. It boggled her mind how they just... fit. "I'd show you my room, but it's pretty much just like yours. Minus the fridge." She shrugged and squeezed his hand a small frown begining to form behind her eyes.

How long would this last? How long before he left and it was just Ghost? How long before she couldn't contain herself? How long before she would be able to feel like this again? Not even counting the like or love or whatever they had, just the simple act of being able to feel, to see like normal... she felt selfish for wanting it all the time. For wanting him around all the time.

Ghost heard a small 'ahem' as a young Chinese girl named XiaoXiao was attempting to pass by. Ghost slipped away and typed in the code for her room. The doors slid open with a hiss and she ushered him inside. Of course it wouldn't last. Whatever. They just couldn't stand in the hallway all day.

Garrett and Maya entered the room, the doors sliding shut behind them. Holding this tension back would be as simple as holding a waterfall back with a leaf. He took her into his arms and kissed her deeply. It seemed to last for hours. He released the kiss, brushing her hair from her face. " I missed you terribly, Maya. All the distance and business of the world couldn't keep my mind from wandering back to you. " He led her to the couch in the living room and sat down, pulling her into his lap. Life was too fragile to allow such matters of the heart to trail away into regret and somber nostalgia. She was here and he was going to let her know everything he felt.

" I know about your condition. I want you to know that I am going to do everything in my power to help you, Maya. The Colony is my life, but I want you to be just as important. I can't claim everything just now, after such a long break, but I want you to know that I will never let you slip away from me. Even if you became so transparent as a simple voice in my head, that voice would always speak to my heart. I love you, Maya Leighanne Swift. I always have and always will. No distance, no lack of corporeality, nothing is ever going to change that."

He stroked her cheek, watching her eyes. He meant every word. Their situation was complex, to be sure. Most things in this world or the next that were worth a damn usually were.

The doors slid shut. Maya had every intention to just march to the couch and pout, but Garrett had other ideas. Better ideas. He put a hand on her shoulder and pulled her around to the warm enclosure of his arms. She turned her face up toward his questioningly and was met with lips. Yep. Much better. Suddenly they were connected, feverishly expressing emotion that had been simmering for years. There was no time, no Gulf Stream, no Colony. Just Maya and Garrett.

He broke the kiss first, puling back to look her in the eye. He brushed the hair from her face and in that instant she could see herself standing next to this man for the rest of her life. The image surprised her. It'd been a long time since she'd thought of anything beyond these military walls, and now... just like that she could see herself elsewhere, anywhere... as long as there was a certain someone else there with her.

"I missed you terribly, Maya. All the distance and business of the world couldn't keep my mind from wandering back to you." She felt a twinge of guilt for not thinking about him that much and more, but that was silly. You can't go back to the past and change things. They'd chosen their paths and forgotten to include each other. He led her to the couch and she let him pull her onto his lap. She'd come a long way from the girl who didn't appreciate touching. Maya slipped her arm along his shoulders and cuddled close to his chest listening to the rumble of his words through his chest.

She stiffened when he spoke of her 'condition,' but somehow wasn't surprised. It didn't matter in that moment if she were cured. Not when you had someone assuring you that it didn't matter. That he loved you whether you were a voice on the breeze or a flesh and blood person. She leaned back to look him in the eye and they shared something unspeakable for a time as he softly stroked her cheek. Must've been love.

"Garrett Theodore Wills." The name rolled sweetly off of her tongue. Maya ran her fingers through his hair: a gesture she'd been dying to do since she'd seen it. She hugged him suddenly pressing her cheek against his. She was far less eloquent in these matters. "Can I keep you? Can this last?" She breathed in his scent, the smell of his clothes detergent, any sensory impression she would miss if she were to be less than solid.

She kissed him softly again and then smiled. "I thought for sure you'd moved on..." She laughed a bit harshly. "heaven knows, I tried." She ran her fingers along his scalp again, liking the feel of the shortish locks. "Looks like some people you just can't get over."

Holding Maya in his arms felt right. And feeling her hold him back and reciprocate only strengthened his resolve to keep her. She said his name as he had said hers. No matter what lay ahead for them in this day or the many head he would remain by her side. The Colony would be fine. Everything would be fine.
Feeling her stroke his hair felt so good.

He knew better though, her program here would have to continue, his work at the Colony would continue. But he would find a way to make it work. This was now an irrefutable fact. "Can I keep you? Can this last?[/color]"she had said, holding him close. " Yes and yes, my love. I realize that we still have lives and things might be difficult at first, but we can make this happen. I can't imagine a world without you in it now. That's really all there is to it." He smiled and caressed her.

She kissed him softly again and then smiled. "I thought for sure you'd moved on...[/color]" She laughed a bit harshly. "heaven knows, I tried.[/color]" She ran her fingers along his scalp again. "Looks like some people you just can't get over."

"I kept myself as busy as possible.There were other women who tried to fill the void, but no one could or will be able to take your place. I am so happy that we have another chance, Maya. Let's not blow it this time." He shifted position and stretched out on the couch next to her.

((OOC: zomg sorry for length! XD))

"I kept myself as busy as possible." Maya looked down then. They'd obviously put business before pleasure for far too long.

She leaned forward to plant a quick kiss on his lips. "It was the best tour of the base that you've ever had in your entire life and you would do it again in a heartbeat." She supplied him with an alibi before kissing him passionately again. They obviously weren't going to be touring anything anytime soon.

"...I am so happy that we have another chance, Maya. Let's not blow it this time." He shifted position and stretched out on the couch next to her.

Let's not blow it this time. The words seemed to have struck a chord within her, resonating in her mind time and again. Had it been that bad? Had they really blown it? What were they risking now? Who was he to condemn her life choices when his had been equally poor? She grit her teeth involuntarily as anger began to boil unnaturally within her chest and the sudden surge of emotion surprised her. It surprised her enough to realize that the feeling wasn't her own.

Maya put her hand on Garrett's chest and with a small shake of her head silently urged him to remain as he was. Jude was coming and he was pissed. It was futile for Garrett to hide since Jude would sense his mind there, but she wanted if at all possible to take care of the problem and then pick up wherever they had left off. Her throat clenched involuntarily in preparation for the storm.

"The kids are home." She sighed and pulled herself reluctantly from the couch, her hands lingering against the comfort of his body. It was like trying to stand up out of wet sand. She could practically feel the suction trying to pull her back as she fought to stand. It would be so easy to just stay there all day if not for one thing...

The door hissed open, "Do NOT tell me that you sent me on some bullshit wild goose chase just so you could play hooky with your boyfriend." Jude spat. Obviously his split lip had been healed, though his uniform collar seemed permanently stained.

She felt it more acutely now that they were in the same room. It was like lashings of anger rushed against her mind making her head throb. She'd fared this storm before, not often, but at least she was prepared.

"Jude." Her voice was surprisingly calm with the subtle hint of a threat. The authority in her voice encouraged her as she stepped around the length of the couch.

"No, don't you Jude me!" He motioned through the open doorway to the other open door across the hall. Peter waved a bit sheepishly from the couch in the other room. Ghost wondered if he'd wandered back to his room in search of food since he'd gotten lost on the way to the mess hall. There seemed nothing nefarious enough to warrant Jude's actions.

"Jude." She warned again slowly approaching as he slammed his fist against the button that closed their front door with a hiss. "You know I don't like to pull rank, but if I say go, you go. If I wanted you to get me Chinese, you are obligated to do so."

Jude was busy storming off to his room like a petulant child. "You're not looking at the big picture!" Though it was clear from his somewhat calmer tone that the subtle threat had tempered his anger.

Ghost rolled her eyes and disappeared from Garrett's view entirely as she followed Jude into his room. "You are grossly overreacting. We were separated legitimately on the way to mess. You have but to search my mind to know it's tr-"

"I can't believe I'm hearing this from you of all people." Jude slammed his hat into its hook and began changing out of his formal uniform. He wasn't shouting, but Ghost could tell he was still angry. "You're going to jeopardize everything we're working for ... for a man? You are not the officer I signed up to train under." He snorted.

She blinked. Did he really think that she was quitting? She was going to drop everything and follow Garrett back to the Arctic? She felt a twinge of guilt. She had vaguely entertained some thought like that. But it was only that... a passing thought. Love makes you think crazy things... it wasn't fair that he got to hear all of them unfiltered and unexplained.

Ghost sat at the edge of Jude's bed. "I'm not going anywhere, Jude." She sighed in slightly exasperated. "I am still first and foremost a Controller of the Controlled Burn program and you are still my Operator." The resignation in her voice seemed only to confirm his fears not allay them.

He looked at her then and her body stiffened. He'd accessed their connection and was taking control of her motor functions. Her hands moved awkwardly toward the collar of her dress uniform. Ghost was frozen unable to access her vocal chords, all she could do was think very alarmed thoughts in the Operator's direction as her fingers fumbled dumbly with the buttons. The intricate dexterity needed to undo the closure was very slightly above Jude's level of control. They'd recently had a class where they attempted similar exercises to test control of fine motor skills.

After three awkward un-buttonings, Ghost felt his control slip enough for her to speak. "You've grossly over stepped your boundaries."

He snorted but fully released his superior officer. "And you haven't?" There was an unexpected sadness in his voice.

"Maybe I have..." She admitted quietly. He looked up at her then. This was the Ghost he knew and respected: an honest, and thoughtful commanding officer. All traces of the lovey-dovey impostor were gone. She'd at least look at things clearly now.

"Mandatory detention." She growled stuffing her collar back together sloppily as she stood. "You need need to cool your heels and get yourself back under control, young man. Before class tonight. That's an order." It was her way of letting him know that as far as he'd gone, she'd understood his point. Even though he was being punished, she wasn't petty enough to lock him up all day and she sure as hell wasn't going to keep him from class as their mutual attendance was part of her recent punishment.

Ghost exited the room and shut the door after her. She pressed a long string of buttons on the module near their front door. It looked similar to the one she had tinkered with in the mess hall, though typically it displayed an up to date itinerary like an electronic calendar always in sync with the day. The electronic lock sounded on Jude's door and Ghost sighed leaning her head against the cool metallic wall.

What am I doing?

Her anger had fizzled, though her physical need was still simmering below the surface. She knew what she wanted to do. She knew what she needed to do. She just needed time to figure out the safe middle path between the two.

She gave out an exasperated 'augh' and began unbuttoning her dress uniform for real, exposing her thin white tanktop under layer. She toed off her shiny loafers at the edge of the couch and dropped her coat front on the ground. Garrett had remained on the couch during her altercation, though he was now sitting up looking at her with inquisitive eyes. Ghost came over the arm of the couch using one hand to push him down back to where she had left him. She moved aggressively, desire clearly burning behind her eyes. Her knee slid between his supporting the bulk of her weight, her other knee pressed next to his hip. Her elbow rested near his shoulder so that her hand could slip behind his head. Her free hand remained pressed against his chest, palm against sternum.

"You are driving me crazy."

She held the line of her body just over his, tantalizingly close but never actually touching. Her face and lips remained a hair's breadth from his.

"I cannot focus, I cannot think, I cannot breathe without you popping into my head. How am I supposed to get any work done with you around... even worse, how am I supposed to get anything done when you are gone?"

Garrett was stretched out, feeling the warmth of Maya's body against his own. he had seen a slight change in her eyes for a moment at the mention of not blowing things. Before he could try to explain himself, she made a motion for him to remain silent. She looked around a bit as if she were expecting someone. "The kids are home[/i]" He had completely forgotten about Jude, much less his constant psychic connection with her.

She apparently wanted him to stay where he was, fearing an altercation. Seizure would have definitely jumped up and demanded respect at the boy's ranting and angry tone. Peacekeeper knew when to bide his time and wait. Garrett was slightly unnerved at first, as seemed to be a bit like a lovers' spat. Listening to Maya correct him though and realizing that being in such close quarters with her and in her mind would make anyone want her. He was the one on the couch waiting for her return though, so no reason to fuss over it.

He listened to the argument continue until it was abruptly cut off as she entered his room and the doors closed behind her. He could hear their voices rising and lowering in pitch. While his abilities gave him no sensory perception that anyone might be used to, he did have a sixth sense of sorts. He closed his eyes and saw their nervous systems. Outlines of their bodies etched out of the thousands of neural pathways. She was in a seated position as he was moving around, apparently removing his uniform.

A strange thing occurred next. Garrett could see some sort of gray lines moving from Jude to Maya. He could see her throat was affected and she was frozen. Reminiscent of puppeteer strings, he could see the lines moving her arms near her throat, fumbling around. Jude was actually controlling her movements. It seemed that he was making her ...undress? He sat up immediately, anger filling his mind. He had to push it out quickly before the red surges arrived. Fortunately, he released his control entirely as the strings vanished at once. He opened his eyes and waited to see her return.

She did and she seemed a bit shaken and angry. She apparently locked the boy in his room, judging from her movements with the device that resembled one in the mess hall. She put her head against the door in frustration. He felt for her. The tenuous relationship forged between her and her Operator was now marred by her feelings for him. He could not find pity or regret in his heart though. It was one of many obstacles they had to face to ultimately be together.

Maya returned to him, removing her topcoat and shoes. He could see her form beneath the thin white tank top. She approached him and pushed him back to a horizontal position, sliding her leg between his and half mounting him. She got right in his face, her hand pressed against his chest, surely feeling the quickening of his heart. He slid his arms around her, sliding his hands down her lower back and resting at the beginning of the curve of her bottom. The heat and electricity between them was palpable, burning between their eyes.

"You are driving me crazy.[/i]"

" I can understand, that." He let his tongue slide free and flick across her lips teasingly. She was doing well keeping the distance, but for how long?"I cannot focus, I cannot think, I cannot breathe without you popping into my head. How am I supposed to get any work done with you around... even worse, how am I supposed to get anything done when you are gone?[/i]"

" I completely understand. It is not going to be easy for either of us. I have an entire colony of mutants to look after and responsibilities there. You will be on the other side of the world from me and I won't be able to just hold you when I need you. We can get through this, though. There is no other option for me. If it came down to it, I would quit and come up here and work. It's thatimportant to me. Not to say that it isn't for you. The global impact of your work here dwarfs our problem as it could mean the lives of millions and keep us from entering a new Ice Age. If anyone quits their job, it'll be me. However........there is another option."

He visibly hesitated. This would ruin the idea of a kidnapping but he would much rather her go willingly. His mind was wandering anyway, her smell and the intermingling of the heat between them was quickly erasing much else from his mind except for unbridled passion.

She tried to listen... really she did. He was talking about their distance predicament. That was so mundane compared to what their bodies were saying. Oh wait... He was still talking. Why was he talking so much? He trailed off at the end of his spiel. Maybe he realized she hadn't been listening. She'd been focusing on the feeling of breath against her skin, the heat that was generated in that very small space between them. She'd have to ask him what he was talking about later.

"Shut up already." She said the words against his lips. It was verbal foreplay to her passionate kiss as she lowered herself to close the distance between them.

(( Fade to Black ))

Garrett stood over Maya, watching her sleep. The room was in disarray from what had occurred over the past hour. He smiled at her. He slid his boxers and pants on and walked around the room a bit. The carpet felt good against the soles of his feet. Everything felt good now. The incredible tension they had felt for so long, gone. He hoped she felt the same way. His nerves were all alive, swaying as if a breeze blew over a new harvest crop. He had meant what he had said, though it didn't matter so much now. The Colony meant the world to him this morning. Now it was an afterthought. He looked out the window at the base, though his mind was looking into time.

He would not make any rash decisions. He would remain here as he was supposed to. She would go to her class, he would reunite with Peter. They would leave the base and visit X-Force. He would spirit her away to the Colony for her vacation. They would ultimately return for the CB tests. Jump Start would be a go. The Colony, a go. Once things were set into motion, both programs would live on their own, regardless of who their members were. He would not sway her into leaving. The one true constant was that he loved this woman. He had always loved her. There was no way he would let their love falter again.

He turned back to find her sitting up, smiling. He approached her and sat next to her. They just looked at each other, peacefully. Their feelings no longer needed to be voiced. It just was." We should get dressed. You have that class to go to." He reached out and held her hand in his, bringing it to his lips and kissing the back of her hand, closing his eyes. He loved her. She loved him. The world would continue to turn.

For a time, she slept. Being solid was a lot more draining-- especially after... well, rigorous activity seemed an appropriate term. She'd lost herself, particles scattering when it got to be too much. It only happened a few times and she begged patience for the moments it took to collect herself back together. He was patient... had been patient for years.

Now she slept in a light torpor. It was like floating at the shallow end of a deep pool. You could go deeper, but in the deep end it took much longer to swim to the surface. Her mind and body needed the rest, but the day still wasn't finished. A soft shuffling of feet made her wake and slowly her mind resurfaced. Today was overwhelming to think about: she'd just been fighting, jarred from a close encounter... cautioning herself that she'd needed to behave and be safe and then impulsively she'd jumped him. Not that he'd minded... or that even she minded. But her actions could not be considered "good behavior." She just couldn't deal with it all just yet. Whatever it meant it was just going to have to wait until more cognative thought was possible. Awake or not, today was not that day.

Maya groggily reached for her under layers and with slow, willful motions slid them back on before struggling to a seated position. She was surprised to see the carnage. She scratched her head and smoothed her hair with a yawn. Garrett was moving around already, no doubt, full of more words. When he turned and noticed her sitting there, she was mildly surprised when he said nothing. There must have been something about her face that spoke of the volumes she was feeling... she couldn't tell if she was smiling, but the twinkle in Garrett's warm eyes indicated his pleasure. It seemed they were beyond words at this point. Instead he came to sit next to her.

After another immeasurable moment he finally did speak, reminding her of the world and the fact that they had not stepped into a whole new dimension altogether. She sighed. "We should get ready." She echoed. He slid his hand over hers then, his larger fingers nearly covered her dainty hand entirely, and brought her skin softly to meet his lips. She knew she was smiling then.
((fade to... oh, just kidding!))
She rolled her head along her neck loosening imaginary tension. There seemed to be nothing that could make her hurry. Not even the clock. Not even a small nagging pull at the back of her mind that was Jude's way of trying not to be there. She slid from the comfort of those arms and slowly made her way around the room tidying anything that had been knocked askew and picking up the layers of clothing. She dumped her things unceremoniously onto her immaculate bed and then went about the task of preparing for class. She hardly had time for a shower, but she took a quick one anyway. It helped bring her out of the civilian's pace and back up to speed.

By the time she was ready to leave, she was back to the brusque pace and crisp, efficient movements. She wasn't surprised to see that Garrett had returned to his room by the time she was entering the code required to unlock Jude from his prison.

"About time! Come on or we're gonna be late." There was no hint of anger or sorrow or... anything really. Jude was cutting straight to business, exiting his room already dressed for practice. Today's class was supposed to be a bit more physical in nature so they were wearing what looked like middle school gym outfits: loose gray-blue athletic shorts and white tees with their last name and ID number over the useless breast pocket.

Ghost knocked on the door across the hall. It was much easier to pretend that she'd dreamed everything that'd just happened. She was trying not to think about it for Jude's sanity's sake and Jude seemed blissfully unable to fully connect with her mind. That would have to change during class, but for now the charade worked.

"Promptness is appreciated. We're running a bit behind if you're going to want to observe so please get your rears in gear."

Garrett and Maya hadn't spoken for the rest of their time together. He just didn't see any point in talking about things anymore. There would be plenty of time to talk later in the privacy of his Colonial quarters. He doubted Jude could reach that far with his mind. He gave her another kiss before leaving and went over to the other room. He walked in and found Peter asleep on the couch. The hiss of the door and probably his friend's presence woke him. " Your tour over? I bet you saw everything, huh, Gary? Where before he may have argued, he simply smiled. " Pretty much." He went into his room and got undressed again, walking into the shower.

By the time the room was sufficiently steamy, Peter walked in. There just wasn't an allowance for long, luxurious showers in Antarctica. They were tepid at best. " That Jude guy is a real douche, you know? He found me in the hall and tried yelling at me. Well, he did yell at me, but I guess he expected me to salute or something equally stupid." Garrett snickered at Peter's honesty. It was refreshing. " Well, jealousy will do that to young boys. Present company excluded, of course. We'll probably have to be going soon. Are you ready? There's a psychic class for Maya and Jude. I think it would be best if we go to understand them better."

Peter seemed to hesitate. " Do you care if I don't go? I am really enjoying not doing anything. If that's alright, of course. I will take the laps or whatever you want when we get back. " Garrett crunched the timetable in his head. " No, that's fine. If you could though, take the samples to Hawley so that he has them to synthesize and study while we are away. Might as well pack everything as well. I just don't know how we'll get our luggage out to the jeep without suspicion."

He heard Peter snicker as he was stepping out of the shower. As his head was covered with a towel, all the steam and heat was sucked from the room in a moment. "What the...oh. Right." Peter was chuckling and shaking his head. The door was still open to the bedroom, but the bedroom was no longer there. It was his subterranean vault. Peter was putting some bags in there and getting Garrett's Peacekeeper outfit. " You didn't bring it, Mr. Business. He chuckled some more at Garrett's expense before closing the door and reopening it, the base bedroom back where it was.

" I think I can handle the travel arrangements. Should I wear my sidekick uniform too? Maybe we can wear masks while we are at it. Garrett just shook his head, smiling. " You'll get your chance, Peter. I trust you. Make sure you are out by the jeep once the class is over though, or at least near its entrance. bef--" " Before clearing this room and delivering the samples. If you are gonna trust me, Gary, just do it." Garrett nodded. Peter was coming along well. A vacation was good for all of them.

He heard a knock at the door as he zipped up the front of his Colony uniform. He stretched his hands in the gloves , straightening himself out. It felt good to wear his official regalia for a change. Though it wasn't their colors, they were his. Maya told them to get their rears in gear. Garrett only informed them that Peter was feeling ill but would join us for the trip to the X-Force base after.

"I hope he feels better." Ghost commented on Peter's ill health and whapped Jude to remind him that the expression on his face was visible to all even if the thoughts inside were not. His expression was properly schooled by the time the door hissed open.

Garrett was in his Peacekeeper outfit. Ghost's first impression was of white and gold... and that they were clearly out dressed. Gloves, fitted pants tucked into hardy white boots and a top coat with an upturned collar that extended in the back to his lower calf like the tails a very long coat. The whole lot was white with a gold trim, gold detail. Everything looked a bit like he was ready for some kung-fu tundra action. She smiled and motioned for him to follow. Jude and Ghost and Garret walked side by side by side with Ghost in the middle setting the pace.

"Nice duds, Peacekeper." She grinned sidelong at Garrett.

"The helix there... is that the colony's symbol?" She tapped the corresponding place on her chest like a mirror image of where Garrett's crest was on the upper left plane of his chest. She wondered if he would get hot waiting in the hallway in his long pants and coat. Inside the complex the temperature was very rigorously regulated... he'd probably be toasty but fine.

//You worry too much.//

"You worry too little." She snipped at Jude.

//Can you think of something else? I'm getting tired of looking at his face.//

"Sorry. Did you forget I have a child-like mind that broadcasts at all times?" The psychics never seemed to let her forget that one, but it did make her think. She was headed into a room full of psychics. She really did need something else to think about.

//If you start thinking about something you don't want others to hear, try repeating something, like a word, in your mind over and over if you can. With as loud as you shout your thoughts at people, it'll keep up the noise level enough that they shouldn't be able to casually probe and it'll probably distract you too.//

"Err... Thanks." It was obvious that he didn't want the others to know exactly what had transpired between Garrett and herself. Well, whatever. She filed away his advice for later use as she really may need it during class. Ghost felt a bit bad for Garrett as he was only getting on half of the conversation.

//Let him fret over it. We've got class in one of the observation rooms again... you know what that means.//

"Oh no. What day is it?" She felt the ire rising in her chest. She should have realized when she'd seen the itinerary and the location of their class. Typically they didn't meet in the large rooms unless they were synch testing. The infrequency tended to throw her off because it only happened once a month.

//Bingo. You got it, hot lips. Hope those remedial courses have been helping.//

Ghost groaned as they approached the large room with the expansive glass window. Jude entered the room first to join the swelling ranks of his peers. Over half of the class was there already. Timeliness was a virtue. All the people in this class were younger, newer recruits like Jude. Ghost was easily the oldest in the class besides the teacher.

Maya lingered with Garrett outside of the gigantic plate glass window. "You're in for a real treat today, Garrett. I've just been reminded that it's synchronization testing day. Hope you'll still like me when you see how hard I can fall on my face." She shook her head. Yep - roller coaster day. One second she was on the highest of highs the next: sync testing. Jude was shaking his head inside the room and Ghost felt his malaise... their mutual failure so far reflected poorly on his control as well. She probably shouldn't have said anything.

"It could get a bit hairy in there as some of us have yet to fully develop our minds... or whatever." She was shaking her head again. "I suggest you stick next to the technicians." She motioned through the window to a table set up near the wall of the room. Controllers and Operators alike were stopping by to pick up diodes and let the team calibrate the machines to their mental signature. "You'll get to see the data as it's compiled. It'll be easier to understand what's going on, I think."

She noticed the last few stragglers were slipping in and the teacher seemed to be calling order to the room. Ghost stepped quicky into the room following on the tail of a straggler, but she looked back quickly to Garrett almost as an afterthought. Her lips moved but nothing seemed to come out at first. It took only a moment for the whisper of power to reach his hears. "Love you." It echoed softly as a whisper around his head meant for his ears only.

He wasn't sure if they bought the story about Peter. He actually wasn't too concerned about it. Especially Judy's feelings on the matter. He made sure to think of the word Judy often, just in case he was trying to pry. Maya seemed impressed with his outfit. He found himself ignoring Judy again. It was pretty easy though. The operators by their very own definition were little more than shadows of the true champions involved. Thinking of it that way made him smile as they walked down the corridor.

"The helix there... is that the colony's symbol?[/i]"

" Indeed it is. We don't really have any official regalia, due to our not wanting to be recognized as any kind of global power. Making flags and titles and so on generally just make the bullies of the world want to knock you down. " As they continued on their way to wherever they were going, Garrett noticed that Maya was having a conversation with Judy. apparently one that was verbal on her end and psychic on Judy's. Not that he cared about what was on Judy's mind. It was better for the whelp if he kept his thoughts to himself after what Garrett had half witnessed earlier. It just made for awkward silence on his part.

When they arrived at the room, it was a large one. There were many pairs of mutants preparing for some kind of monitoring test. He could tell that he was clearly overdressed for them, but living at the Colony made one feel free of general thoughts and decorum. He listened to Maya's explanations and heeded her advice, nodding and trying to keep a modicum of professionalism for her sake. She turned to leave and fired one of her whispers to him. He enjoyed them as they hung on a delay as the breeze, carrying her sweet scent as well, reached him. He smiled back at her and nodded.

He walked into the class and immediately not only felt eyes but minds perusing him. He thought back to the monastery in China. The master had given him a spot in the hillside to look at. It was a large iron Buddha shrine, with candles around it. This image now filled his mind, the sounds of Buddhist mantras filling his ears. He met with the men and women at the table, showing his credentials and explaining his presence. They offered him a seat and showed him the monitors and what they generally meant. He sat back, ready to enjoy the show, the gong rapidly ringing in his mind.

Maya stepped into the line awaiting her turn for diodes. She folded her arms across her stomach and let her mind wander as she surveyed the class. Never in a hundred years would she have dreamed up that particular manifestation of Garrett's power. The thought of it still made her insides yearn. The psychic in front of her spared a backward glance over her shoulder. Oh right. I broadcast. Her cheeks blossomed into a brilliant shade of crimson and Ghost decided to mentally recite the alphabet. Several psychics rolled their eyes. I can't help that I think loud, okay? She mentally snapped before attempting to pick up where she left off.

Every student received dark gray plasticky circles that self-adhered to their temples. These diodes were calibrated to sense cognitive thought, base brain functioning, and overall brain stimulation. The numbers were crunched on the small screens at the technician's tables and a general synchronization percentage was output on a separate monitor. Everyone in the class was hooked up wirelessly to these machines and their last names and lines of information flashed in different arrangements filtered in order of activity. Ghost's was nearly always in the top 5 on the Controller's screen.

Ghost waved to Garrett as she took her seat next to Marqus. She nudged her fellow X-Force team member and directed his attention to her fully outfitted friend, but hadn't the time to speak before the teacher called oder to the class.

"Today is synchronization testing day." He began with the obvious, motioning to the test of the day. "We're focusing on accessing the power center today so those of you who have yet to sync this far, I'll be coming around individually to help nudge you along." He nodded to three or four couples, Ghost and Jude included. "The test is simple. The beach ball on the pedestal goes through the hoops. No hands. Air-based powers only." The teacher motioned to a brightly colored ball some 20 feet from the mat he was standing on and then motioned to a hoop affixed to the wall some 30 feet up and then another on the ceiling. "The ball goes back on the pedestal thus resetting the test for the next pair. Questions? No? Let's Start with XiaoXiao and PingPing, please. The rest of you, let's start the process."

Ghost sighed mournfully. XiaoXiao and PingPing had the highest synch ratio. It was only natural, they were sisters and their powers were seemingly tailor made for this project. XiaoXiao was a weather manipulator in Ghost's control class. She had potential, but her timidity was only holding her back. PingPing had the ability to implant suggestions to those who came into skin contact. Ghost ignored the teacher as he began to run the class through breathing and relaxation exercises. After this group of students passed synchronization testing they were all going to be in her class. Ghost taught the entry level air control. They had the very basic essentials down, but soon these Operators would need to know a little more than just the basics of how to use the power that they were accessing. The girls preformed marvelously. First XiaoXiao completed the exercise on her own chattering in Chinese to PingPing, probably explaining the process. PingPing's manipulation through her sister was shakier... much less fluid, but the technique was there. They made a solid team.

She felt Jude's cool fingers slide along her cheeks. His strong digits pushed her visage to face the teacher who was sitting nearly a foot from here she was seated. Oops.

//No oops, Ms. Ghost. Please quit analyzing the prospects for your class and pay attention to the one you are in.//

She heard an indistinct snicker. There was no telling who had been listening in, but it didn't matter. Ghost inhaled a long breath and exhaled even longer wrangling in her feelings, thoughts, and body.

"Guide me?"

//Why do you think I am here?//

She smiled. He was so nice. Even when she was so obstinate in thinking as she pleased and--

//Ghost.//

She 'eep'ed and returned to the visualization he'd offered during her remedial classes. She was a glass. She relaxed her body one piece at a time as the instructor called them to her mind. She focused on them and then forgot them. She was a glass and the day was the liquid filling herself to the brim. Automatically she tossed the images out before any of them had a chance to surface. The glass refilled. More arbitrary thoughts and feelings: none that were beneficial for today. She emptied the glass every time it filled. Eventually the glass stood empty... there was nothing left. She was at peace.

With every emptying, externally Ghost slipped more and more into her incorporeal form. The more she relaxed the less she kept her shape, by the end she was nothing more than a pillar of fog. Every physic in the room's head snapped in her direction, eyes and minds hungry. The technician's screens would show no cognitive thought, but that her brain continued to function. Under the teacher's careful cultivation, she had become the perfect vessel.

The teacher stood and motioned for Jude to take control. As his mind slid into place, Ghost's body found shape. It wasn't the slender and feminine Ghost that materialized, though. It was a vague, cloudy semblance of Jude. Jude stood and the Ghost of Jude stood, perfectly mimicking his every movement. Their sync rate wasn't perfect, but it was noticeably higher than any previous number recorded for the pair. Together they stepped up to the mat. Physical movement had long been covered. It was on to the true test now.

Jude and Ghost Jude examined the test area. No doubt Jude was disoriented by her incorporeal form's way of "seeing." After a time they raised their left hands toward the ball. Nothing. They gestured as if delving into something and then extended their hands toward the ball. Again nothing. They tilted their heads, confused. Then the monitors started beeping. Their synchronization ratio was changing, raising actually. The air in the room began to feel denser and thicker. No one seemed alarmed, merely fascinated. They'd never seen this pair work so harmoniously.

Being slightly less dense than the air, Ghost Jude began to drift slowly upward. They motioned to the ball again and now it jumped buoyed on a sudden and powerful gust. Success. Their faces were elated. They gestured again guiding the ball toward the hoop. Faster and faster the ball rocketed through the first hoop, the second and then the first again. It cycled in a figure 8 pattern. They were passing with flying colors until the ball was shredded by the sudden sharp denseness. The cycle continued, sucking air into it's twin spinning vortexes. Jude and Ghost Jude continued to feed the power with enraptured faces. The machines were beeping furiously and the technicians seemed equally perturbed. Synchronization 100 percent.

Winds slashed violently along the open classroom. They were forming twin cyclones in the area just paces away from the onlooking class. Most were panicked, two were not: the teacher and Marqus. Strike threw his hand out toward Jude, lightning arced in an almost imperceptibly fast flash between the two before a gust knocked Marqus down hard. The winds raged strong enough to knock even the sturdiest off of their feet. The machines were tossed onto the ground as the heavy tech tables were upset, sparks flying.

Jude and Ghost Jude twisted with the pain of the electric shock. The only difference seemed to be that Jude's face was now obviously panicked. He couldn't pull back. Ghost Jude bubbled and reformed into something a bit more feminine, the machines beeped from the floor. She was awake again, but fully under Jude's control. They were possibly the worst pair to be stuck in a feedback loop as Ghost was helpless to break free and Jude was too inexperienced to know how to shut it down. Her power was awesome, though the sheer strength of it seemed to indicate no reserve. There was nothing to stop her from using all her might until she was entirely used up.

Garrett sat in his chair, watching the class attach their diodes. The men at the desk made some references to the data on the monitors, but Garrett was still drowning the psychic babble out with the mantras. He was watching Maya still. It was difficult to watch anyone else. He watched her turn red as the psychics apparently helped her reminisce about their union a few hours before.

Once the instructor began speaking, all of them became focused. It was like watching a high school homeroom shut up at the threats of the teacher. Garrett found it interesting and also noticed the tingling in his brain had ceased as the psychics focused on their subjects. He let his mind quiet as the ball and hoops demonstration was explained. It seemed like a terribly complicated and delicate process. He wondered if the Colony shouldn't take note of synchronizing various ability combinations for the greater good.

Garrett also found the techniques of relaxation and meditation interesting as he listened to the instructor. they were the typical mishmash of disciplines that Westerners commonly used. It seemed to work so well because some previous culture had used them for thousands of years prior. Perhaps Maya would benefit from some meditation with he and Peter once they had settled in at the Colony later that day.

Though he found their synchronization superb and somewhat mystifying, he couldn't get past the idea about pure Haywire. They were surely educated about the known airborne strain, but pureHaywire...Could these Operators dare to try to control such a power? Watching the moving symbiosis of Maya and Judy was enthralling him. She had really come a long way since the old days.The monitors began beeping and the data recorders made several noises of appreciation as Maya/Jude began to work in harmony.

The ball was floating effortlessly as the room's air density increased. He was well accustomed to the barometric changes when Maya truly shone. Something was different though. It was too perfect. The ball shredded and the pressures in the room began creating a twin cyclone. As things began blowing about and people began reacting, Garrett stood. One man raised his hand in their direction and a bolt of lightning arced between them. The tables he was seated at lifted and overturned. It was time for action.

Garrett walked towards the pair. A piece of equipment flew towards his head and he reacted, blocking and knocking the item away. He closed his eyes and saw the two. It wasn't that different from the effect that had occurred when he had integrated the demon so long ago. The two separate systems were working as a unit. However, they were still separate entities. Garrett went into a Horse stance, his legs squatting and locking into a low center of gravity. His hands went in front of him, palms flat , as he raised his neural and Chi energy. he then slapped his hands together and drove a neural wedge between the two systems before him. Gritting his teeth with the effort, he began pulling the two apart from the inside. If this did not show promise, he would render them unconscious.