Burying the Hatchet

Posted on Tue Dec 19th, 2023 @ 2:32pm by Scott Summers & Bliss Hawkins

885 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 3: X-Tra Ecclesiam
Location: X-Mansion | Garage
Timeline: August 21st, 1990

Before Scott loaded his Jeep, he was giving it a trip check. Fluids, tires, hoses. He'd always kept good care of the vehicle, so there wasn't anything of concern. A bit of trash lined the back, so Scott cleared that out and tossed it into the trash can Bliss had dragged over.

"You and Connor still an item?" Scott asked, breaking the silence.

Bliss looked up from the tire she was checking for air pressure with a wary expression. "Why, what have you heard?"

"Nothing," Scott said. "That's why I'm asking. You got drunk together, he was eager for more, and you were incredibly defensive over it and him. Doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to work out that mystery."

Bliss want to the next tire and began to work. "First things first, I didn't get drunk. Yeah, I got defensive about it because it was something new. It's been a while since I had a guy who was actually into me beyond the surface level. I guess it was refreshing. I don't trust authority figures. They don't like me, and the feeling is mutual. At the time that's what you were to me. "

The hose hissed in her hands and she topped off the tire. "Just between you me and the Jeep, things didn't progress nearly as far as you think they did. This ain't my first rodeo. I grew up in the system. I seen enough lives ruined by unwanted pregnancy. Abandoned girls barely keeping it together, and those are the success stories. We all have choices to make when it comes to that. Your choice is different from mine, maybe, but that doesn't mean your choice is better than mine."

Scott listened quietly as Bliss continued.

"Life is never fair. And what Justice we can find in it? It's the Justice we make ourselves."

As much as Scott wanted to pretend he didn't know what she was talking about, his own experience in the system only confirmed it. "I can see why you are drawn to him," he said. "Connor doesn't lie. If he sees something special in you, then it's definitely there."

Bliss actually smiled at his appraisal. "I know how special Connor is, and his kind of innocence deserves protection." She rubbed her chin with the back of her hand, and a bit of grit darkened her skin. "I don't want to see him hurt either, and I'll fight to protect him with everything I've got."

He let out a wry, humorless chuckle. "So now that I have nothing even close to a position of authority, how do you see me now?"

Bliss stood up from the tire, the hose draped over her shoulder, and approached him and not in a confrontational way. "I see a good man drowning, and he's flailing to reach a rope. I might not be as sweet as Connor, but the last thing I am going to do is toss him an anvil. I was taught to help people who need it. I see a honest man that needs a hand... Well...."

She extended her clean hand. "I'm a big believer of karma and justice. The good and bad you do comes back to you. Don't kick a man when he's down." She grinned up at him. "You know, that sort of shit."

Scott shook her hand and smirked. "Take care of yourself, Bliss. Don't change." He thought for a moment. "If I don't get the chance, pass on something to Connor for me? Tell him I'm proud of him. And to pace himself with... all the adult things." He rolled his eyes at his own words. "Yeah, actually, just leave out that last part."

Bliss fanned herself comically. "Ah do declare, I'm gonna come down with the vapors if you insist on such language." She gave him a gentle smack on his bicep before putting up the hose. "Oh, and Scott?"

Scott paused in rolling the trashcan back to its corner.

Bliss dusted her hands off as she looked up at him with a sober expression. "Do what you need to do to find your way back to us. We're a lot stronger with you than without you. Hear me? "

"Whatever you say." Scott wasn't going to argue with her exactly but there was a lot for him to work out before he could agree. "It's not really up to me. Not anymore."

"I know. Just remember you still have people here that want you back." Bliss rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Just get your head on straight, work out your shit, and the rest of it will work itself out. Most important thing is for you and the misses and your little one to have a good life. If that's in Alaska or Timbuktu or here or wherever.... That's what ultimately counts. Be a good daddy, ok, or I will find you and kick your ass." She smiled. "Please? "

"Yes, ma'am." He returned her smile. While Bliss had handled herself quite well on mission, he still couldn't take threats from her seriously.

Smirking, she gestured with two fingers at her eyes and then gestured at him with the same fingers before walking out of the garage.

"Good luck with that one, Connor." Scott shook his head and closed the hood of the Jeep.

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