Dangerous

Jeff's eyes close tightly and his fingers dig into the mattress as he writhes. He felt stretched between two strange worlds. Part of him wanted to fight and push away these people that were crowding him. And part of him wanted to relax and just let go. He wasn't sure which was right, or what was happening.

Finding Katie's hand in his own, he puts it in a vice grip. He had been on the verge of death, and now it was as if he were being ripped back into the world, brutally and painfully.

Jason stood close, making sure Katie could feel him there, though he was as confused as anybody. "Rick... what's happening?" he asks again.

Rick is still fumbling around, trying to figure out his own questions. "You know what this formula is... I think it's finally working."

"Yeah, but... will what's in him really destroy only what it's supposed to?"

"I hope so. And when this is over, I'm destroying this formula."

Jason gives Katie a sidelong glance. "With the help of Scott and Misty, Rick's produced a non-genetic formula that changes their systems like you and me." He purses his lips grimly. "Your dad has something in him that can destroy it completely... so we're giving it something to destroy. In the end... he should be back to normal. But... Rick's decided not to keep any documentation on the mutant formula. The destroyer, yes, so if anything happened to one of us, we wouldn't have to be on pills the rest of our life, but... he doesn't want anyone ending up like us."

"I don't even know how it would work," Rick admits. "I don't know what happens when two meet, like you and Jason... if it can be anybody, or if there's a more specific piece. But I don't want to find out. This stuff is too dangerous."


Gunner looks up quickly as Hope approaches. Quirking an eyebrow, he sits straighter and receives the paper. A junkyard? How had he missed that piece? He must've turned the wrong way at some point and never retraced his steps to the right place again. Hope must have stumbled on the right path of evidence. But...

He glances at her again. "For someone who blamed me for chasing ghosts... this is pretty interesting. Why did you want to help?" He grins a little. "Isn't that 'enabling' me?"