Tammy and the professor

Posted on Tue May 2nd, 2023 @ 7:39am by Charles Xavier & Tammy Thompson

1,089 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 2: Northern X-Posure
Location: professor Xavier's office
Timeline: August 5th, 1990

Tammy was still pretty freaked out about what Bliss did. She had never seen such carnage and her friend was responsible for it. She really needed to talk to the professor She knocked on the professors door. He was the only one available. "Professor, I really need to talk to someone about what happened. "I'm still pretty freaked out by it."

"Hello, Tammy..." Professor Xavier set aside the satellite telemetry he had obtained from less than honest sources as well as the rescue operation he was trying to plan in order to give Tammy the attention she needed. It didn't take telepathy to see she was bothered. "Come sit."

She did as he asked. She was happy to come in and sit. She sat and took a deep breath. "I don't know if you were able to see what Bliss did, but it was...well horrible comes to mind. I've never seen anything like that in my life! I am having a lot of trouble getting past it!" She was trying to hold back the tears. "I'm pretty freaked out by it! I'm just a farm girl from New Mexico... I am not used to anything like that! Those people! I know they were bad people but...that!" She shook her head.

"I understand precisely what you mean," said the Professor. While he had no witnessed the scene in person, he had watched through the eyes of those present... at least until the screaming began. "Bliss is in a compromised state at the moment, receiving the best care we can provide until her fugue has ended. It could be days or weeks before her mind can cope with the totality of what happened." Venturing a probe past the surface of Tammy's thoughts, Charles pondered if there was more to it. "This is the sort of tragedy we strive to prevent. My school here is dedicated to aiding mutants in controlling their gifts so that no one has to suffer the consequences of losing control..." He gave a pregnant pause before saying, "I am so sorry that the burden you now carry is an invisible one. But you did well, guiding Bliss to freedom where she could get treatment. You may very well have saved her life."

"I'm glad I got her home but what she did! It was the most horrible thing I've ever seen in my life. I'm having nightmares about it! I sometimes feel like I'm on the edge about to fall off. I keep hoping it will go away but.." Well, she couldn't hold back any longer. The tears started flowing and she couldn't stop. She sobbed as the tears fell like a river.

Post-traumatic stress was something that had harmed the minds of many soldiers over countless eons. It broke the Professor's heart to see a case of it here and now in one of his students. "I cannot take the horror away, Tammy, but I can help you overcome it." Xavier's voice was gentle but firm. There could be no doubt expressed in his offer to help. "What you experienced will always be with you, but it need not cripple you. If you wish, I can help you confront these feelings through my mutant power. Or, if you prefer to face them slowly on your own, you may come and speak with me any time you feel overwhelmed."

Eventually the tears subsided and Tammy was able to get herself stable. "I like that idea. I think I just need to talk about it! Work it out! I think if I do it that way, well it would be better for me. As long as I can talk to you about it, I think I'll be able to work through it!" Tammy said. "It seems more natural this way. But if it does get to much for me, I might try the other way."

"Of course," the Professor said. "As I said, you are welcome to speak with me at any time." With that milestone met, Xavier went a safer direction that would allow her to express her feelings without an overload. "How have you enjoyed your time here otherwise?"

"Well before all this happened, I was really liking it. It feels nice not to hide my powers. It's a nice place. I am learning a lot how to control my powers and new ways to use them. For the most part most of the people are pretty cool," she replied.

The Professor smiled at her. "I am delighted to hear that, Tammy. The goal of this school is to help people find their place in this world, even if they must build it up from the ground." He paused for a moment, wondering if he ought to press the matter which had been dancing around Tammy's thoughts before the latest trauma. "Have you made any special friends?"

"Well, Leadfoot and I were kinda getting close, but she's gone, so not sure right now, Professor."

Noting her downcast demeanor, Xavier turned more gentle and kept pressing. "Loss is something that takes a lifetime to manage and cope with," he said. "Those we come to love only for them to leave us are gone but not forgotten. Is there anyone you have been trying to get close to but have been unable?"

"Well, yeah! Scott! I want to get to know him better but I guess with all he's been through, he isn't looking for new friends right now!" Tammy said.

"But perhaps you were hoping for something more than friendship?" probed the Professor.

"Eh, well maybe yeah! Maybe I did come on a little strong. I may have gotten carried away!" Tammy said with a blush!.

The Professor smiled. "There is no shame in any of that," he assured her. "And it may not be that you came off inappropriately. Consider that Scott blames himself for his friends being missing. Opening up to anybody else will be a struggle for him, but if you are persistent then he may let his guard down eventually." Then, adding a touch of solemnity, he said, "Of course, I advise friendship for all of my students and caution against pursuing idle romance."

"Thank you, Professor. I will consider your words very carefully. You have given me a lot to think about. Thanks!" Tammy said.

"My door is always open, Tammy." Though he smiled, the Professor's hand gesture was a dismissive one. "If there was nothing else, however, I do need to review some materials for the upcoming rescue operation."

RSS Feed