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Rowan clearly did not want to talk about the Danger Room sessions; Gemma could sense a lot of tension in him, and she wondered where it came from. Was he worried about his powers?

>>"Yeah well...gym class is fun, and you get to play dodgeball and stuff. My trip to the Danger Room sucked, I tried to bite Mr. Johnson's head off."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Mr. Johnson has seen a lot worse in those sessions." she noted. Sam knew how to handle a simulation, and not much could surprise him in terms of dangerous powers. Besides, his head had not been bitten off. As far as she knew.

>>"I'll do the Danger Room trips, I don't have a choice, but it's just gonna waste Mr. Johnson's time."

"It's never a waste of time." Gemma told him "I know it can feel like it's impossible to control a power... but trust me, I have seen a lot of students here over the years. Mr. Johnson knows what he is doing."

The hourglass, wherever it came from, should not have been inside Gemma's adapted aura, and there were only a handful of explanations for why it was there anyway:

1. It was some kind of a hologram or other trick (but Ez seemed just as confused by it)
2. She was hallucinating (but then so was Ez)
3. Her aura stopped working somehow

The last one, at least, they could test.

>>"No dice. I don't feel the gems in my stomach. Nothing's happening. I swear this isn't me; tarot cards definitely don't do this usu--"

The hourglass was still counting down. Ez looked worried, and Gemma could relate. Being a very rational person, she never liked things that defied explanation.

>>"I... I really don't like this. I don't know what's happening, but... well, it happened after we drew the Death card... Hypothetically, maybe that hourglass is counting down to rebirth. I don't think waiting to find out is the best choice."

"You think the cards are doing this?"

>>"Maybe if we finish the set? It's five cards. We have one, so maybe if we finish the reading, we beat the clock?... Draw the card with me?"

"What, like Jumanji?" Gemma arched an eyebrow. She had to admit, Ez's guess was as good as any other (of which they had none). She looked at the cards for a moment. She really did not want to draw another one. But she did want the hourglass to go away. With a sigh, Gemma steeled herself, and drew another card, flipping it over.

Suddenly, moonlight flooded the entire room, as if a stage light had been turned on. Outside the building, dogs began to bark.

Rowan seemed like a good kid. Also, a good student. With the drawbacks of his powers and the way it made harder for him to do tests, the grades were still good enough. Gemma always liked the rare moments when they got to a student just in time before they have up trying. It was easier to turn things around. Mutation control was going to be essential in Rowan's case, something Sam apparently agreed with, because he scheduled regular DR sessions for him.

>>"That's...not fair. I did my Danger Room session already. I don't want to go to stupid mutant classes I want to take normal classes."

"You will. Here is your schedule" Gemma handed the papers over "But Danger Room sessions have to be regular to help you learn more about your powers. And hopefully gain better control. Think of it like... gym class?"

For a moment, Gemma allowed herself to forget everything, and lose herself in the kiss. She held Jorge close, and somehow he lifted her onto the desk, paperwork be damned. She had never really been like this, not even when she was younger, but right now, she could not bring herself to care. Instead, she kissed him back, and gasped for air as he moved on to hissing her neck.

>>"Gem..."

Something snapped. He pulled back, looking at her, and the look in his eyes was... different. Something was happening. He looked at her like he knew her, like he... remembered.

"Jorge?..."

He staggered back, and the change came over him as she watched. He aged from one moment to the next, until he was back to the age he had been... back to himself. Gemma was already moving towards him when he collapsed.

"Jorge!"

She fell to her knees and felt for his pulse first. He had one, and he was breathing. Gemma took a deep breath, trying not to panic. After a moment of pause she grabbed for her phone and dialed the Infirmary.

"Doc, it's Gemma. Jorge's in my office, he's back... he's... he collapsed."

Hanging up the phone, she sat down on the floor, stroking her husband's forehead. Her eyes were burning with tear. What was happening? Would he wake up? And if he did, would he remember...? "Come back to me..."

Jorge kissed her. Gemma's head was reeling. Was this even right? Would it make things better or worse? Jorge was the same person, her husband, the man she loved. But he was also younger, someone who did not share her memories, someone who barely knew her. She knew him, but he didn't know her, and yet... and yet he kissed her. And in that moment of hestiation Gemma's body made the decisions for her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and months of self-control cracked under pressure as she returned the kiss. Gemma was a strong woman, with more willpower than most. But no one could be expected to be this strong.

>>"My powers...don't work?"

It was not unusual for students, especially the younger ones, to be surprised by Gemma's ability. Adapteds were a rare breed, and not nearly as well known as mutants. Gemma had gotten used to doing a disclaimer, in case someone was relying on powers for everyday things (like, in Ez's case, digestion) without her knowing.

Rowan looked amazed. He fidgeted, and Gemma suspected he was trying to activate his powers.

>>"N-no way...you weren't lying..."

"No" she chuckled, taking a seat in her chair with a cup of tea "It's a good start, though. Would you want to tell me about your powers? Your file said you are a shifter?" It had said a whole lot more, but it was always better to allow people to tell their own story.

Gemma stepped aside to allow Rowan into the office, and closed the door. He stood, looking around the office for a few long moments. Gemma wondered what he was thinking. Students came from all kinds of places and all kinds of backgrounds, and while her office was nothing out of the ordinary (maybe a bit cozier), it could have been interesting for a newcomer. She allowed Rowan to turn his attention back to her.

>>"I finished my school work from last semester...I was hoping I could get my schedule today?"

"Sure" Gemma smiled, taking the stack of papers from him, and nodded towards the couch and armchair by the wall "Please, take a seat for a moment. Would you like some tea or hot chocolate?"