For Kate, dated 5-21-12

[likesthestooges]

The path to Kate's hut was a familiar one, it was a trip he'd made several times before, although usually for very different reasons than he was going now. He idly wondered if Lilo was home, he was interested in meeting the little girl that he had heard so much about from Kate. It amused him that Kate was not looking out for someone, not because it seemed unlike her but almost that it had taken this long.

Which was what he wanted to talk to her about now, children. Kate was one of his closer friends on the island and he felt like he should probably give her a heads up about Henry. At least, that was what he was telling himself, really he just needed to talk to someone about him who could react in a way that wasn't completely neurotic like Josh. Of course, Josh's neurosis provided their own insight Aidan couldn't get anywhere else.

Rubbing his eyes in an attempt to push out the cobwebs of his brain, Aidan knocked on the door of Kate's place. This was the first time in a few days he had left Henry's side for more than to just get a bite to eat and the unpleasant sleeping arrangements were starting to take their toll.

Comments

[likesthestooges]

"No, Henry is... he's not like that," Aidan said with an empty laugh. Sure, Henry had made some very stupid mistakes, but he wasn't like Aidan, not in that instance.

"The upside of being able to choose your children is that you look for people who don't have the traits you hate most in yourself. But I was just- I guess just telling a story. I've learned that one way or another the bad things you do are going to come out, and I'd rather you heard it from me than see it on a tv show about my life."

[girlsolo]

Kate nods. "I get that." She chews on her lip for a minute, trying to figure out why Aidan wants to tell her of all people, though. Yeah, they're friends and they fuck and she's probably important to him, but it's kind of weird in her head.

"So. Henry's here. He's your son. You love him. Check check check. He's in the clinic. He okay?" That seems like a logical question, but she's tired, so she can't really say.

[likesthestooges]

"He was tortured before coming here," Aidan said. He didn't want to get into the extent of the details, not even with Kate, but that much he could tell her.

"He'll be mostly recovered in a couple of weeks, but I've been staying there while he recovers. I haven't seen him in almost 80 years so I've... been making up for lost time."

[girlsolo]

"If he's gonna be okay, you might want to think about getting some sleep." Eighty years was a lot to catch up on, but the island would give them time.

Eighty years. Jesus. She'd really been at the Sanctuary and on the island too long if she didn't even blink.

She cocked her head and scooted closer. "You know me and talking, not really besties, but...gotta ask. You okay?"

[likesthestooges]

"I plan to, as soon as I head home," he said. Of course, he left out just when he was going to head home. It would be relatively soon though.

"And I'm alright. It was just... not something I thought I was going to have to deal with again. At least not like this."

Which begs the question, what else from his past might show up and surprise him?

[girlsolo]

"Yeah. I hear that." Kate rubs at the bracelet on her wrist, the smooth blue stone cool under her fingers. She's been wearing it a lot more lately. "Island's good at fucking with our heads. Something like this happens, you start wondering what else is going to show up and bite you in the ass or smack you upside the head."

You start wondering how many other alternate realities you got married and wanted kids in. Pretty soon, you start thinking maybe up is down and it's a great idea for you to raise a six year-old who punishes her friends with voodoo dolls in pickle jars.

[likesthestooges]

Aidan sighed and rubbed his hands across his face. Two-hundred and fifty years was a long time and it left a lot of people who would want to bite him in the ass or smack him upside the head.

"Next time it might not be someone so friendly, yeah. But thanks for listening. I'll let you get back to your nap."

[girlsolo]

"How 'bout I make an exception to my no sleepovers rule and you take that nap with me?" Kate says, and it's so straight, without even a purr in it that Aidan will probably think she's a pod person.

Seriously, though, as hot as the boy is, she's too tired to even think about anything except maybe jerking him off so he can sleep. "Hospitals suck for getting any rest and Lilo will be back too soon for us to sleep long anyway."

[likesthestooges]

"Thanks, but I need to get something to eat, then head back to the clinic," he said. Aidan really did appreciate her offer though, he knew that was a big deal for her. He just wished he was more awake to give that much thought.

"Enjoy the rest of your nap though."

[girlsolo]

No point arguing with a will like her own. He'll do what he wants anyway, and as long as he's not in danger (he doesn't seem to be right now), she'll let him. So she leans over and kisses his cheek. "Get some rest, hot stuff. I'll be her if you need some help getting to sleep or even if you don't."