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*
"Okay, relax. Follow the exercise we have gone through."
Monique kept her voice even and calm, eyes on the dark-haired man who sat
cross-legged opposite of her.
It wasn't the first time they sat together like this,
nor was it the first time Nick was trying to construct a shield against
the intruder into his mind. The problem was, while Nick could tell when
he didn't get emissions from Godzilla any longer, Godzilla couldn't be
questioned about whether or not he was now shut off from Nick. And a shield
could only be proven as effective when Godzilla's temper flared again or
his territorial instinct broke through. Sadly enough, most of the time
it was impossible to whip up a protection against this influence in a flash
because Nick was too overwhelmed.
Monique had talked with Philippe and he had given her
a few reference names of people who could help her, but they had never
had a case like this either. Nick's link to Godzilla was unique and they
had to find out most of the processes themselves. It was hard and painful
for them all, mostly Nick, but he was fighting. She smiled slightly. Dr.
Tatopoulos was a fighter, no doubt about it. He didn't come across as one,
but he could turn from nerdy scientist into fighter in a flash; faster
if it concerned his giant charge.
He had gotten better with the shielding and he was training
relentlessly, but there was nothing Monique could do except guide him through
the mind-relaxation. Now she looked at the pale, narrow face, noting the
lines of stress with dismay.
"Relax, Nick," she repeated softly. "Relax. Think of
the beach, the water all around you....."
He inhaled and exhaled in a regular manner, the lines
smoothing out only slowly. Nick had gone through more than mental changes.
He had been physically injured as well. The shot wound was healing and
still visible, but at least the scratches and cuts were almost gone. Monique
could only shake her head at what he had gone through and come out still
sane. Lesser men would have broken.
Nick opened his eyes, the blue a stark contrast to the
pale skin, but at least the haunting shadows had retreated. She hated to
see him troubled. Monique considered him a good friend, even if she didn't
really show it. She had learned to see past what Nick Tatopoulos appeared
to be, and she had learned that Philippe had been right about him. Another
smile grace her lips.
"Shield?" she asked.
"He's still there," Nick answered, voice soft. "But like
far away. No agitation."
"Good."
Nick briefly closed his eyes again and drew in a deep
breath. He was dressed in 'vacation wear', as Randy had called it. Blue
shorts and a T-shirt, feet bare. Monique had fought against the casual
wear, but she had relented in the end. She approved of the vacation because
it gave them a chance to relax, but she didn't have to go out in a bikini
-- even if Randy had been looking forward to it.
"Do you think you can go into the water and still shield?"
That was another problem. Nick seemed to start drifting
into Godzilla's mind the moment he was in the water. Not in a shower or
a bathtub, but the ocean. A diving excursion had thrown him in a loop and
when Godzilla had popped up, drawn to his parent because of the rising
distress, things had quickly gone downhill. They had worked on it and Monique
believed Nick had a basic shield now. Whether it would survive a swim in
the ocean would be another question.
He drew another breath. "I think so," he mumbled.
Monique smiled, nodding. "We'll run it slow. Is he around
here?"
"No. At least I don't think so."
It had become another challenge, pin-pointing Godzilla's
location, but it was much more difficult than thought possible. Nick could
get lost in his own mind if he tried too hard and Monique didn't have the
experience to get him out in a hurry. Still so much to learn, such a long
way to go.....
"Shall we try?"
Nick gave her a look that was a mix between determination,
fear and apprehension. Finally he nodded.
"Okay," he muttered.
Monique stayed close to him as Nick walked to the water.
Randy was surfing further down the beach, clearly enjoying the vacation
time. Monique met Elsie's eyes as the paleontologist gazed their way. She
knew that Nick and Elsie were friends, that Elsie worried about him and
that she had helped him with several breakdowns already. Monique gave the
other woman a brief smile, then she and Nick arrived at the water.
Elsie watched Nick and Monique as they undressed. Monique
was wearing a plain black bathing suit, Nick had simply shed his shirt.
Elsie indulged in just watching the young scientist, eyes briefly resting
on the visible scar from the shot wound, bright red against a pale skin,
then skimmed over the well-muscles body Nick hid beneath clothes most of
the time. She smiled to herself. Nick was good-looking and she understood
that Audrey had had her eyes on him, but Nick rarely spent time with a
woman on a private basis. He was married to his work and then there was
Godzilla now...... Another smile. Yeah, Godzilla.
And Godzilla was also the reason Nick and Audrey had
split. Maybe the reporter didn't know it, but it was true. She had dumped
him again because she had accused him of spending more and more time abroad
with the team than trying to be with her. That as a news reporter she was
cruising all over the globe as well must have slipped her mind. Elsie felt
angry when she thought about it. Audrey had used Nick to get her reports
and sensational interviews, nothing else. Okay, so they had been lovers
for a while back even before the first Godzilla had made his destructive
debut, but that didn't change Elsie's opinion of Audrey. To her, she was
a snobby, know-it-all reporter who didn't deserve a man like Nick.
Nick had been devastated for a while after the break-up.
Audrey had told him he had changed and even though she didn't know the
complete truth, Nick had had to agree. Godzilla took up most of his time,
hell, all of his time! Now even more than ever. Elsie understood. In the
beginning she hadn't. After working so long with both Nick and his 'child',
she knew better. Godzilla was a fascination, an addiction, and only if
you were around him like H.E.A.T. was could you understand. Add to that
the small human being linked to him, and it was a never-ending wonder.
Elsie wouldn't want any other job in the world.
Now Nick went into the water, closely followed by Monique,
and Elsie kept her eyes on them. Nick started swimming, paddling around
the water, while Monique followed and watched
Nick felt the warm water caress his skin as he submerged
his body. It felt good and he smiled slightly as he began to swim, letting
the waves buoy him a bit, then moving with a few strokes out into the open.
Monique was somewhere close by, which he was thankful for, but she wasn't
crowding. Relaxing without letting his guard down was hard. He had to keep
an eye on his shields or he would be overwhelmed by Godzilla when he approached.
And he would approach. The lizard always seemed to flow into his mind as
if checking that Nick was all right, then he would retreat. Whether or
not he was doing it consciously, Nick didn't know. He only knew that if
he was unprepared for it, the intrusion might overpower him.
"How do you feel?" Monique now asked as she came up next
to him.
"Fine. I think." He shrugged.
"No pressure? No invasion?"
Nick hesitated a moment. Something rippled and he knew
it was his giant charge, but there was no invasion. No, he was still alone
in his mind. At least as alone as he could be with a link to Godzilla.
The monster's mind was a soft presence in the back of his skull.
"Not really, no. He's here." He touched his forehead.
"But not invading."
Monique nodded.
Suddenly the waves increased and currents seemed to drag
him down. Fighting the pull, his bare feet suddenly touched a rough, bark-like
surface and he was catapulted upward. Water sprayed around him as he rose,
sitting on an armored, giant head. The sea water cascaded into the ocean
and Nick gasped as he was lifted high up, able to see the beach, the people
running around in panic at the sudden sight of a monster rising out of
the sea, and he saw Monique, treading water just below him.
Godzilla rumbled happily, teeth gleaming as the large
snout opened, and lowered his head again, tilting it slightly. Nick rolled
off and plunged into the water again. He came up to the surface and coughed
water out of his mouth. Godzilla gave a happy whine, his motives friendly
and not the least aimed to hurt Nick. A large, orange eye looked at him.
A feeling Nick associated with happiness coursed through him, tinged with
the undeniably reptilian presence of Godzilla, and he had to smile. Large
nostrils blew spray over him, a gust of wind ruffling his wet hair.
"Hey, big guy," he said softly.
Godzilla rumbled, head diving beneath the surface, then
rising under him. This time, he didn't tilt his head, just raised it out
of the water high enough so his lower lip was barely out of the water.
More happiness coursed through Nick and he smiled. It was like a child
who could play with his parent, and in many ways, that was true. Nick was
Godzilla's adopted parent and the large creature treated him like it.
"Nice to see you too."
Below them, Monique watched with eagle eyes, but she
would be unable to do anything if Godzilla had less-than-healthy intentions.
But he didn't have. Nick was convinced of it. Godzilla had never hurt him
before, at least intentionally, and what he was doing now was intended
for enjoyment of both parties.
Nick felt the presence shift, but it didn't intrude.
It stayed, happy, warm, almost .... human. Startled, the biologist touched
the scaly hide. The armored skin was cool under his fingers because of
the thick scales, but he was somehow aware of the warmth beneath it.
Intelligence.
He knew his charge was intelligent, highly intelligent,
but he had never felt it so clearly in his mind as right now. Hand scraping
over the skin without even leaving a trace, he inhaled sharply.
Godzilla? he thought.
The presence moved, caressed his mind, then retreated
to sit back and watch. He smiled involuntarily, a child-like joy coursing
through him. As much as he had suffered from the bond before, these moments
were treasured, were cherished, and they made up for the attacks of territorial
instincts or pain from wounds that weren't his. Nick had told himself over
and over again that Godzilla wasn't aware of him as the victim of his emotional
feedback, that he wasn't to blame, but whenever an attack happened, he
wanted nothing more than to break the link. Right now, he couldn't think
such thoughts. Right now, he enjoyed it immensely.
"Nick!"
The yell catapulted him out of his reverie and he blinked.
It had been Monique calling and her worried face was tilted up to look
at him as she tread water. He discovered Randy next to her, sitting on
his surf-board, craning his neck to look up at him.
"I... I'm okay," he managed, waving.
Godzilla snuffled, nostrils flaring, and he smiled. More
warmth encased him and the intelligence seemed to ripple along his lines
of perception. The giant head lowered further and Nick slid off and into
the water. The presence touched him again, almost like a hug, and he had
to smile warmly. Nick concentrated briefly, projecting intensely toward
the presence in his mind, warmth and joy, happiness and pride. Godzilla
rumbled as if he understood, then he drifted slightly away from Nick, still
watching, still kind of playful, but not interfering.
Monique swam up to him, touching him. "Nick?"
He smiled at her. "I'm fine. He's.... playing."
"Intrusion?"
"Just briefly. And I wouldn't call it that. It was more...
like...." Nick faltered. "I don't know. Warm. Not forcing me to acknowledge.
Nice...."
Monique looked at him, face unreadable. "We should go
back," she finally said.
He looked at his charge who was drifting not far away,
lazily keeping up with them, orange eyes blinking slowly. As if he understood,
Godzilla blew water out of his nostrils, rumbling softly, then disappeared.
There was no disappointment, just acceptance.
"Okay."
"He's staying around?" Randy asked as he followed the
two swimmers.
"Probably," Nick said vaguely, unable to tell anything
when it came to Godzilla and his plans.
"Cool. We'll have the beach to ourselves!" Randy grinned
at them.
Monique scowled, powerful strokes taking her past Randy
and toward the beach. The teenager just laughed and followed. Nick grinned
and did the same.
Elsie had watched the spectacle with a mixture of awe
and dread, joy and apprehension. No one could tell what reasons drove Godzilla
to do what he did, except maybe for Nick to a degree, and his sudden appearance
had startled her. Then again, why had it? Nick was here, so Godzilla had
been more than likely to pop up as well. Just the way he had appeared had
been.... unexpected.
She smiled as she watched the swimmers come out of the
water, Randy talking happily to Monique and earning dark looks. They didn't
faze him the least. Nick followed, smiling, and Elsie indulged in admiring
the view. Nick didn't go to work-out clubs or anything, but H.E.A.T. missions
demanded physical fitness of them, and Nick was someone who always seemed
to end up in the middle of the action anyway. It left its marks.
Nick grabbed a towel and began to rub himself off.
"Other people take their rubber duckies with them," Elsie
now teased him and Nick grimaced.
"This isn't a tub."
She chuckled. "It is for Godzilla."
"True." He toweled his hair and the brown strands stuck
in all directions.
Elsie snickered and Nick glowered briefly. "Hey, looks
cute on you."
That produced a blush and she grinned more. He was even
cuter when he was embarrassed.
"Now we got the beach for ourselves," Randy called, coming
over to them. "What could be better?"
"If you wouldn't drip all over my prints!" Mendel complained
and gathered the papers he had brought along.
Randy immediately shook the water out of his dark hair
and Craven squealed in disgust as more splatters landed on him and his
work.
"Stop that!"
"Hey, loosen up, doc. We're on vacation!"
"We are on a sand flea infested beach where it's too
warm and where I surely get a sunburn!" Craven complained.
"Yeah, but it's our beach now."
"As long as no one calls the police or the military,"
Monique said coolly. She had pulled a T-shirt over her bathing suit. It
clung to her because the wet suit was seeping water into the fabric of
the shirt.
Randy gave her an appreciative smile and she ignored
him -- as always.
Nick shrugged and grabbed a shirt, pulling it on without
bothering to button it. "Walk?" he suggested.
"Gladly," Elsie accepted. "Let's leave the kids bickering
among themselves."
Nick chuckled. "Yeah. Don't we have that every day at
work already?"
Both walked along the beach, the water lapping over their
bare feet.
"Looks like you are getting better," Elsie remarked after
a while.
"Looks like it, but I'm not sure." Nick shrugged. "He
wasn't really in my mind, just playful."
She smiled. "I saw that."
"I mean, yes, he was there. Different than normal. Not
so... abrupt... overpowering. Almost gentle."
Elsie couldn't really see Godzilla as gentle, but then
she reminded herself of how he treated Nick, and she agreed on the wording.
"Did you call him here?"
Nick laughed. "Call? No. At least not consciously. I
never did when he suddenly appeared. He picked up on me before the Rush
changed me. Now... it's like he keeps a second eye on me as well. Protection
is rated highly in his mind."
She nodded. It had always been this way, only now Godzilla
could really tell immediately that something was wrong with Nick, that
he was in danger or severely disturbed. But now Nick also got feedback
and it was dangerous and influencing his performance.
Nick looked out over the water and Elsie followed his
gaze. There was nothing out there, no dorsal fins, no water sprays, no
sudden currents. No sign of Godzilla.
"I think he left. For now."
"So, what do you plan to do now?" Elsie asked, smiling
at him.
Nick raised both eyebrows. "Relax is among the top five.
Monique wants to train my shields throughout the vacation as well. Otherwise....
no idea."
"I heard they have great restaurants here," she said
casually. "We could try out the food places."
Nick blinked once, then looked at her, reading what Elsie
had in mind: the two of them. Just talk. Away from the wild bunch back
there. They needed to talk. About everything. About what had happened,
about Nick's break-up with Audrey, just everything. The little chats here
or there just didn't do it. Elsie needed to understand Nick again, and
she needed to understand the link. The pieces she had seen here or there
told her a lot already, but both of them needed a place where none of the
others could barge in. Monique knew the link better than anyone, but Elsie
considered herself a friend and she wanted to learn, understand and help.
Especially help.
"Sounds good," Nick then said quietly, smiling.
They walked silently for a while, both lost in their
thoughts. Choosing a shady spot next to another overhang of rock, they
sat down. It was a companionable silence and Elsie felt a soft smile on
her lips. It felt good. It was what she liked about their friendship: that
they seemed to understand each other even when no one was talking.
In the distance they could see their friends and somewhere
even further out there in the ocean was Godzilla, the largest member of
their team.
Nick leaned back against a smooth boulder, stretching
his legs out in front of him. His eyes were half-closed and he was relaxed.
They were on vacation.
Elsie smiled. That felt good. Real good.