It Always Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

[Alexandra Lawson]

There had been something in the tiny, sometimes manic, redheaded waitress tonight.  Alex wasn't exactly known for being anything other than a chipper, friendly face in the club and even then her fellow co-workers and the handful of regulars couldn't help but see a much more prominent spring in her step and a little extra gleam in her eyes when she smiled.  With her bright red hair tied back in a tail behind her, Alex whimsically went about her day.  The winter cold had slowed business down some leaving Alex with little do as she whiled away the last remnants of her shift.

"I don't know."  Alex said, the slight frown that touched her features struggled to remain and was quickly pushed aside by an almost sheepish version of the smile she'd worn the entire night.  Her eyes lifted from the bar she was leaning against and focused on the Kalispell Police Officer, Levi Alexander Wolfe , sitting next to her.  "I mean, I get it and all, we just don't see each other a lot anymore.  It feels like Ezra's always working and when he's not he's sleeping."  She shrugged her shoulders faintly.  In truth, she wasn't expressing any serious issues between herself and her paramedic boyfriend, rather she was merely complaining to someone she hoped would understand.  None of her friends were dating someone who worked 24 hour shifts at a time driving an ambulance around and saving lives.

The sheepishness of the smile deepened as Alex shrugged again.  "You're here having a drink and I'm whining about my boyfriend."  Her eyes rolled and she offered a sigh, mostly at her own ignorance.  She placed her hands on the bartop and pushed, sending herself spinning in a lazy circle on the bar stool.  "Do you want another drink before I get off?"  She asked, her head turning as she spun herself around again.

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

It had become somewhat of a predictable habit. After his later shifts Levi tended to head downtown and have a few drinks to unwind and wipe his mind free from whatever had happened at work for the day. Depending on his mood, he would end up at different bars. Tonight he had chosen where Alex worked, although he didn’t know she’d be here tonight. It didn’t matter.

He had a rough past couple of days, and a drink was most defiantly needed. He was enjoying his whiskey as he usually did. He was predictable. There was no denying that. He raised the glass to his lips, catching the scent of the drink before taking a sip. His hazel eyes remained locked in front of him as Alex spoke.

“It happens. But I’m sure it won’t last forever. I mean. It’s temporary.” He said as he turned to look at her. He gave a slight shrug, unsure of really how to answer. He wasn’t the best at comforting people. Not that she needed to be comforted. She just needed some reassurance, positivity even. He wasn’t the best guy for that. He could only image what it would be like having to date someone in that position. Even for himself. His schedule was all over the place and depending the week he could be pulling eighteen hour shifts at a time. He was almost glad he wasn’t dating someone at the moment. It would just be one more thing to worry about. Not even trying to understand what they would be going through, although he was getting a pretty good idea from Alex.

He let out a small chuckle. “It’s fine. I’m sure Ezra feels bad about it.” He said, more so speaking for himself rather than for Ezra. “Nah I’m good. Thanks though.” He said with a soft smile. Levi finished off his drink, sticking to his two drink limit for the night.

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

Alex gave herself another couple spins around on the bar stool in contemplation of Levi's simplistic response. She wasn't altogether sure of her own intent when she started blabbing on about her personal life. They weren't so much complaints as they were Alex simply airing her thoughts. Why she had chosen Levi as the poor soul to unload on she'd never know. It was entirely possible she figured just about everyone who did something like Levi or Ezra all experienced the same thing. At this point she'd grown bored of talking about herself and seemed content to spin around in lazy circles.

"I don't know." Alex said, placing both hands on the bar top in order to cease the spinning. She let out a low giggle, her body swaying as her equilibrium struggled to correct itself. "I probably should stop complaining." She came to this conclusion right before hopping off the bar stool, causing herself to stumble a little. She reached out to steady herself on the bar. "I only had one drink, officer, I swear." She muttered as another soft, utterly amused giggle escaped. "I'll close your tab before I leave." Alex gave a short nod at this and carefully rounded the bar where the register sat.

"Thanks for listening." Alex processed the transaction and turned back to Levi, sliding his card and the receipt across the bar toward him. "I know after work the last thing you wanted was to come here and have me lay all this..." She waved a hand as she tried to find the right words. "Useless crap on you." But she smiled sweetly nonetheless before trotting off into the back of the club. She emerged after a few short moments, shrugging on a large, oversize coat and zipping it up. A pair of overly heavy gloves and a bright pink, knitted cap, complete with a fuzzy ball on top rounded out her almost comical winter attire. Her eyes shifted to Levi and she couldn't help but offer a sheepish smile. "I'm from California." She said as if it was some sort of embarrassing admission. "We don't do cold."

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi kept his eyes moving. Not allowing them to be locked on something for too long. He look at his now empty glass, then to the spinning Alex, they would scan the rest of the bar, and then end up back at his glass. He wasn’t bothered by Alex’s chatter, he simply didn’t know the best way to respond.

He looked back over at Alex who had stopped spinning and although she seemed to be complaining she kept an extremely pleasant demeanor. “It’s okay. Everyone needs to vent from time to time.” He said, knowing full well he was guilty of that. Usually it was his dogs that got the brunt of it, but luckily he had a friend or two that he knew would lend an ear if needed.

He let out a soft chuckle, amused by her comment. He gave a nod as he watched her make her way to the register. “No problem. I’m sorry I can’t be of better use.” He said, signing the receipt pushing it slightly back to her. He put the card back in his wallet, taking out some cash placing it on the receipt. He always preferred giving cash tips. It was always easier. He offered a smile, “It’s not useless. If anything, I’m useless.” He said with a small chuckle. He would not do well as a therapist.

He spun around on the bar stool, taking in the rest of the place. He saw her emerge out of the corner of his eyes. He grinned at the sight. “I can see that.” He said, trying not to laugh. Luckily for him he was all to use to this cold. It was one of the things he loved about living here. He stood from the bar, zipping up his jacket – which could be considered light compared to hers –. “Where you off to now?”

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

Alex didn't think Levi had been useless, not by a long shot. Even just by sitting there and nodded, acting like he was paying attention (although it was obvious he had been) and allowing Alex to rant on about whatever without making her feel like a foolish little girl had been beneficial in its own way. She offered Levi another smile, something that, in spite of the subject of her rants, hadn't been far from her features throughout the night. She remained an often sickeningly sweet person regardless of what was going on around her.

"I'm going home." Alex tucked some of her brilliant, red hair behind her ears before tugging the cap on a bit more and adjusting it. She turned her eyes up to the large, neon clock hanging above the bar and nodded, noting the time. "It's only eight." She said, glancing to Levi and shrugged a little. "I only live a few blocks away, I usually walk home." Gloved hands went to pat around the jacket and Alex's pants to ensure she'd taken everything needed from her locker in the back. After feeling her phone and apartment keys safely tucked away in the right pockets Alex nodded to herself before glancing to Levi again. "Anyway. I'm going to go." She said before hurrying over to where Levi and completely disregarding any sense of personal space to throw her slender arms around him in an impromptu hug. "Thanks again!" She chirped, pulling away and backing toward the door. "I owe you one next time."

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi’s eyes remained on the girl. She looked ridiculous, not in a bad way. Her perky self kept him on point as she mentioned going home, he realized he should be doing the same. The dogs needed to be let out and with them a walk was no short task. His mind began planning the rest of his night, knowing full well he’d need to sleep eventually. His mind was there, his body needed to catch up.

He glanced at the clock she had pointed out. It had seemed much later than eight. Then again, time had seem to be one big blob to him as of late. He was up when he should be sleeping and he was sleeping when he should be up. Time was such a fluid thing to him again. Although this time he actually had to be more attentive to it.

Before he could speak, Levi felt her arms wrap around him. He gave her a gentle pat on the back and as she walked towards the door he raised his hood over his head and started walking in her direction. “I can walk with you if you want. I should be getting home as well.” He said as he made his way towards the door. Part of him didn’t want her walking home alone, even if she had done it before.

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

"Oh, uh..." Alex's brow furrowed as she glanced back over her shoulder toward the door and then back to Levi. She wasn't one to ever cause a fuss about things like needing an escort home. After all, while she looked the part of a helpless, little girl (in spite of being in her early 20's now), Alex was anything but. There were distinct advantages to being 'special' in the way she was. She was starting to accept and embrace the subtle and not so subtle benefits to her powers. One of which was piece of mind. Was she really worried some punk with a knife was going to be a bother on her way home?

"Yeah. Okay." Ultimately, Alex relented if only in the hope that she'd be able to talk less on the walk and allow Levi a chance to get a word or two in. She'd rambled most of the evening and it felt as though she'd dominated the conversation. "That'd be nice." An almost subdued and sheepish demeanor fell over her as she looked up to the much taller man as he drew closer. A soft, warm smile touched her lips, eyes gleaming as she nodded. "I always like company." She admitted, although she doubted that was any sort of surprise.

Stepping out into what she considered the bitterly cold Montana winter, Alex wrapped her arms around herself and let out a tiny shiver. She just could never get the hang of the cold. It wasn't so bad outside for the locals, maybe, but to her she'd just walked out into a Siberian storm. Given her power and her body's susceptibility to the heat she expected to be more able to handle winters. Sadly, this wasn't the case. "So, you know about the Academy, right?" Alex ventured carefully, her hands tucked into her pockets as she moved along. She was curious about what the people around her thought of mutants and Bellefonte in general though it was rare she ever got the chance to inquire. "You didn't... go there, are anything, did you?"

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

He continued to make his way towards her regardless of her answer. Even if she didn’t want him to, he had to walk home anyway. So it didn’t matter. He hadn’t meant it in any sort of way. He was sure she was more than capable of walking home alone, she had probably done it plenty of times before. It wasn’t going to stop him from offering.

Levi gave a small smile when she accepted. “Good. And now you have some.” He said as they made their way out of the door. AS they walked out Levi took in a deep breath appreciating the crisp air. He looked over at Alex and let out a chuckle, “You weren’t kidding huh?” Her bulky jacket surely could be more than enough to keep her warm. Seeing as she was shivering and wrapped her arms around herself, he assumed not.

As they walked, Levi placed his hands in his pockets. They would be getting the brunt of the cold before anything else did. Alex’s question had Levi confused. He looked over to her with furrowed brows, “Yeah. I know about it.” He said slowly. Unsure of where she was going with this. Since his father was gone and the rest of his family practically ran away he didn’t concern himself with the thought of others and the school. Not that he had ever had a problem with it to begin with. Her follow up question had him laughing. “No. No I didn’t.” He said before looking back ahead of him. It was one of the things he was grateful for. He couldn’t help but wonder now if she did. Or was she inquiring because she was curious of people who had gone there. “Why? Did you go there?”

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

Alex wasn't entirely sure where she was going with all this. Maybe it was her own apprehension and fear regarding what she was coming out. She'd lived so long in her tiny, protective bubble of ignorance it was almost startling when thoughts of the great, big, often scary outside world drifted into her mind. Mutants were now known to the world. Everywhere she went in Kalispell was a reminder of that revelation. The city had exploded in recent years in the wake of the news breaking. There were talks about it on the news and even a couple rappers had started dropping references to meta-humans in their rhymes. It was surreal and frightening to someone who despite being in her early 20's was still struggling with the realities of adulthood.

Alex wanted to frown at the laughter that came from the off duty police officer but the response served to shatter the tension she'd been creating within herself. She offered a faintly sheepish, almost embarrassed smile at the seriousness in which she had been approaching the subject. Apparently it didn't seem all that big a deal to Levi which made her appreciate his company all the more. "I came here when I was fifteen." She answered, nodding thoughtfully. Her train of thought paused as flakes of snow began to drift lazily to the ground around them. Her eyes lit up as she tilted her head upward, a childlike gleam shining in her gaze as she watched the snow fall.

"I used to hate it." Alex admitted once she'd snapped back to the present. Her attention shifted back to Levi, glancing up to the much taller man as she moved along. "Now, though I guess there's something comforting about it." She tugged the heavy glove off her right hand and tucked it into her coat pocket. With a slight twitch of her hand a small, spherical ball of flame erupted, floating in the air a few inches above her hand. "It's weird." She continued, her eyes locked upon the flame as she swept her hand to the right, then upward, stretching the flame out like flickering paint being spread across a canvas. "I don't feel different, but I am different. How does that make any sense?"

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Perhaps he should have taken the question a bit more seriously than he did. To him it wasn’t a big deal. Then again, he had almost forgotten everything that had occurred over the past few years. It had been the reason he had joined the force. To protect everyone. Mutant or human, big or small, female or male, green or purple. It didn’t matter. The fact that people were against mutants wasn’t surprising. Anything that was different or misunderstood are immediately hated. It’s the human way. There is the need to constantly categorize things. People just tend to forget we all fall under the same thing.

Levi wiggled his nose as he felt a snowflake land on it. He smiled at her fascination with it. “Fifteen huh? Been around a while then.” He said, recalling how young his brother was when he manifested. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like to be ripped from your family, your home to be sent to a school to learn about who you were and to control it. He was lucky to have grown up here. Well, he would have been. The transition would have been easier. Flawless really.

The local opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he watched a fireball appear from her hand. He stopped walking. Completely awestruck by what he was seeing. It had been quite some time that he actually seen someone use their ability. He had seen his fair share of things. Fire was most definitely new. His hazel eyes watched with fascination as she moved her hand around. It was quite something.

Levi let out a puff of air which was visible in the cold air. “It’s the same as you having red hair and me having brown hair. We’re different in a very slight way. But we’re all the same in a bigger way.” He said, unsure if he was making sense. Mutants were no different than anyone else. That’s how he saw it at least. He gave a smile, “Your gift is amazing.”

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

Alex smiled up to her much larger escort and gave a faint shrug of her shoulders. She didn't dare pull her concentration fully from the streaks of flame she was now drawing down into the more manageable ball that floated above her hand. It had taken her years to finally overcome her fear enough to use her power without panicking, let alone master it. She was still behind the curve when it came to intricate control but that she could manifest the flame without sending herself into a terrified craze was a testament to how far she'd come since first arriving at BA as scared, lonely girl. "Yeah." She said contemplatively as she watched the fire in front of her. It flickered shadows across her face. "I always thought I would go back home after graduating. Guess this place isn't so bad."

A soft, decidedly girlish giggle then escaped. Again Alex turned her eyes upward to Levi as he spoke, finding irony in his words even if she understood their meaning. "Well, I'm not a natural redhead." She admitted freely, not that she truly thought anyone would believe the brilliant shade of crimson she kept her hair to be as such. "But I get it." She added quickly with a nod. "It's that 'different strokes' kind of thing." She may not have known where that phrase had originated but she'd heard it before.

Alex beamed proudly at Levi's compliment. She offered an almost sheepish shrug of her shoulders in response. "And to think." She said, a thin smirk playing at her lips while she lifted her hands, bringing the ball up in front of her. "It used to scare the hell out of me." She watched the snowflakes fall around her. A few caught the flames and let out series of soft hisses. With a sudden motion Alex threw her hands up over her head, sending the ball spreading outward shooting tiny licks of flame into the sky like small fireworks. "I guess it's pretty crazy what seven ye-"

Alex wasn't able to finish her thought. The sharp screech of tires cut off Alex's words and caused the proud, almost gleeful expression on her face to drop. There was no time to see the truck zooming past. No time to register the object that had been thrown from the bed of the vehicle or the shrill shout that erupted cursing the existence of mutants. Alex didn't have time for her eyes to widen or to react. She'd whipped her head around at the noise before the sickening crunch of the brick that had been hurtled toward her caught her flush in the side of her head. Blood spattered as her entire body went limp and came crashing to the pavement. She landed face down with a heavy thud, a pool of blood slowly spreading out across the sidewalk beneath her.

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

He stood in silence. Watching the girl with pure fascination. She was truly special. He gave a soft chuckle. “There’s something about this place. I left. Desperate to get away. And look, I ended up back here.” He said unsure as to why he divulged that information to Alex. Perhaps it was because she was showing him a personal side to herself, therefore he didn’t mind giving a little something up about himself in return. He was really bad at given advice and comforting people. This was the least he could do. He gave a shrug, “I don’t know. I guess it’s magical. ‘Cause of people like you.” He said, a faint smile growing.
 
There was some sort of innocence with Alex. It was a refreshing thing to see. He shook his head a chuckled, “You know what I mean.” His eyes bounced between Alex’s face and the fireball she was so casually and confidently manipulating. The snow was beginning to pick up. As they made contact with the ball of heat the sound of it was loud enough for him to hear. “Well. To be honest. I’d probably would have been freaked out at first too.” He said giving another shrug. He didn’t really know how he’d act if he would have developed any power. Although he may have handled it better since he had seen his brother and sister go through it first.

He watched with wide eyes as she shot the fire ball into the sky. He was lost in the moment. The sparks contrasting with the night sky. As they dissipated they began to blend with the falling snowflakes. Levi was still looking up when he heard Alex’s voice fade and the sound of screeching tires taking its place. Levi immediately looked back at Alex who was now falling to the ground. He feel to his knees trying to help brace her fall but it was too late. He looked up trying to identify the voices or the truck that was now speeding away into the night. His eyes darted to the brick that was laying next to the increasingly large pool of blood on the side walk. He carefully lifted her head from the cold ground, placing it gently on his lap. “Alex? Alex? Can you hear me?” He asked, desperate for some sort of response. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his cell phone. He starred at her, feeling completely helpless. “Alex you’re gonna be okay.” He wanted her to pull through, he needed her too. It didn’t surprise him that someone would do this. People have always been terrible. But now he just had a reason to catch them. He felt her blood seep through his pants as the snow continued to fall. The sound of the ambulance was getting closer. Although it seemed like they were taking forever.

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

The last few sparks of the display from moments before drifted into the sky and vanished, extinguished much like the light from the young woman who'd created them. Alex had lost consciousness before she hit the ground. The force of the blow had sent the bright pink, wool cap atop her head flying and it came to settled onto the sidewalk beside her. The world had gone black and cold, as if she'd fallen into a frigid, inky black lake. She was breathing but just barely. The brick had scraped the skin of her face raw and torn open a huge gash along her cheek and over her eye. Another deep laceration, this one caused by the pavement, ran across her forehead, causing the blood to cover her face like a crimson mask.

Harrowing seconds ticked away before her eyes fluttered open and she issued a wheezing, raspy gasp of air. She coughed, blood flecking her lips as she reached up to grasp and whatever she could. Fingers weakly curled around one of Levi's wrists and blank eyes stared up at him through the bloody haze and fog. Her mouth worked as if trying to speak though she couldn't find the air to push the words out. All she could do was cough and utter a low, guttural whine reminiscent not of a person, but more of a wounded animal.

[Levi Alexander Wolfe]

Levi was unmoving as the snow gently fell on the two of them. His breath was visible in the night, there was nothing more he could do in this moment but to wait. He would not be leaving her. Even if the people responsible got away. There would be time to deal with that later. Now the balance of a remarkable girl was in his hands. Literally. He wished there was some sort of response from her, but nothing. Instead he just keep repeating to himself under his breath “You’re going to be okay.”

Her face was cut pretty bad, but he was certain that it was the blood making it look worse than it really was…or so he hoped. The sirens were getting closer and he began to see the flashing lights in the distance. Levi’s eyes went wide when he heard here struggling to breath. He looked down at her red covered face and a faint smile appeared as he saw her eyes. She was awake, and what looked like she was trying to speak. He felt her gently grip around his wrist and attempted to adjust her as best as he could. “Shhh, just focus on breathing.”

As soon as the ambulance arrived the medics rushed out and what seemed like within a blink of an eye managed to scoop Alex up from Levi’s lap, put her on a stretcher and were quick to work on her in the back of the ambulance. Levi froze for a moment, lost in the image of the sidewalk. A pool a deep red blood, a brick, and Alex’s pink hat. He took a deep breath before grabbing her hat and joining the medics in the back of the truck. He sat next to Alex, holding her hand as the medics were shouting things back and forth to one another. It sounded like a foreign language to him. “Is she going to be okay?”

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Tag: Alexandra Lawson

[Alexandra Lawson]

There was precious little strength in her grip and it seemed to be fading by the second. Alex peered up to Levi with only the faintest of recognition in her eyes. She struggled to suck in air but it felt like the breaths couldn't get passed her throat. At Levi's gentle urging she let herself relax, her gaze tilting upward to look beyond the off duty police officer to the sky above. She stared at the stars above, Levi's unintelligible voice echoing through her mind. Slowly, despite his best efforts, Alex's eyes closed.

The diminutive redhead was unconscious by the time the paramedics arrived, though she was still breathing. Even their best efforts weren't enough to stabilize her condition while in transit warranting a half-hearted response to Levi's question. It was too close to tell if she was going to make it, thought they were trying their damnedest.

As soon as the ambulance slowed to a stop in front of the emergency entrance to the hospital the chaos that was surrounding the unconscious Alex spilled out of the vehicle and headed for the building. In a flash it was all gone, the gurney along with the small horde of nurses and doctors vanishing behind the doors leading to the operating room where surgeons would attempt to save Alex's life. A seat in the waiting room was all that could be offered from this point on. The only thing left to do for anyone who wasn't in the operating room with Alex was to sit and wait.