[ Where did those thoughts come from? Potential versions of the story? No, Alan wouldn't write them in just to have him react that way for the sake of the story feeling true and alive. They came from somewhere else. The Dark Presence? It's not in her head or the Hotline. Maybe it's residual from cleansing the points. Polaris isn't defensive, so they aren't an active threat...
She's already kissed him and been close to him while he was drenched from rain in the Dark Place. Mud and dirt aren't that much different. Blood is, but, they aren't leaning against one another just yet. That would be the only reason she'd break their kiss.
« Showers in the morning. Do they have them here at the station... »
Her heart stops at his words against her lips.
I'm home when I'm with you.
Then, her hear pounds a million beats in a second. The lingering dark thoughts are banished. Any worries she could have had about the fact he is still married--sort of--are gone. The only thing she can find herself focusing entirely on is him.
« Home... when did Alan Wake become home? »
Not that she feels they're at home. Where they should be. An apartment in New York City with brick industrial walls and plants hanging. Where they can share meals, watch movies, he can write books if he want. She can tell him about the mold monsters lurking in the Oldest House. That's the life she wants with him.
The one that can be real now.
Jesse feverishly kisses him back. Messy, demanding, longing. It really has been too long even if she can't quantify it...
Then, someone clears their throat.
She pauses in the kiss. Green eyes slide open just enough before looking at Alan. Then, they slide over and further upwards. The Ranger Captain is standing on the outside of the control point, arms behind his back, a knowing smirk on his face. HRA in place.
Oh.
Right. ]
Glad the two of you have, uh, reconnected. Even if it's in the parking lot of a station we've commandeered. Good call, Faden. [ A large shit-eating grin graces Steve's face. ] I'm not sure how to break it to the others that the Director is cozy with another parautalitarian... so maybe keep the kissing on the quiet side.
[ « He really does think he's a comedian. » Jesse scowls slightly at the Ranger who continues to grin. « Someone is asking for a dip in the Sound. » ]
Anyways, when you're ready to explain everything, Faden? I'll be inside. Oh, and Wake, I expect her back home by sundown. Which is in five minutes.
[ Jesse rolls her eyes but presses another quick kiss to Alan's lips. The Ranger isn't wrong. ]
[ Alan might not be an FBI profiler, but he has somewhat of a habit of watching people. Observing them. Or, well, he did before all of this started. It's diminished compared to how it was before he dove into Cauldron Lake, but it's still there in part. His expression turns into something thoughtful and considering as he watches Jesse. Something is going through her mind and it looks to him as though it's something not entirely good.
Do I look like that when my mind is off and wandering?
He wonders to himself. He realizes that he probably looks a lot worse, if the way he feels when it's happening is any indication. To feel as though something is hollowing you out, pulling out everything that makes you you, is hardly a good feeling at all.
But even though Jesse's expression suggests something is pulling at her focus, she's still with him.
She is much stronger than I am. It's not the first time that Alan has marveled at Jesse's ability to push through when others would falter. But then she seems to pause, or freeze, and his eyes instantly flick up to lock on hers again. Did he say the wrong thing? Was he too plain in stating how he feels at home with her? But no- she's kissing him again, and it's faster, almost at a fever pitch, and he finds himself kissing back equally as hungrily and feverishly. Need seems to be driving them both to act desperately. Rashly. And dare he even think it, passionately.
But then the moment is disturbed. Not disturbed, just interrupted by a quiet but pointed cough. Alan's eyes slide open too, shifting to where Jesse's right hand man is standing. Steve. Shit. How much has he seen? We weren't being exactly subtle.
Alan doesn't pull away from Jesse, both because he doesn't want to lose his closeness to her, but also because he's still worried that she won't be able to support herself on her own. Cleansing the control point clearly took a lot out of her. And that does nothing to ease his nerves about how she'll be if- when a fight comes. But then again, the adrenaline response is a powerful one, and if it comes down to it, they all have to rise to the occasion. Jesse just might do it a little better than he can.
He rolls his eyes once at the ranger's comments, but he recognizes the good nature behind them, even though he knows he means what he says. They have other things to do right now that are more important than the two of them "reconnecting". Danger looms again, and they have to be ready. ]
Don't worry, we won't be long. Dad. [ It slips out before he can stop it, but Alan realizes he doesn't want to call it back. He might not have the same shit-eating grin that Steve's wearing, but he manages a smirk of his own and directs it at the other man before he turns his attention back to Jesse.
He reaches out for her, hand extended, offering the hand up that she asked for. It feels like very little, in terms of returning the favor for everything she's given him so far, but- if he has the chance, he wants to work up to that.
If we survive this. If I survive this. They have to survive. They're what's important. She's important. ]
[ If she could see her face? Jesse would say Alan looks worse when he washes out. It's a hollow look, not a distracted one. Like everything that makes him Alan Wake is gone and it's just a husk of a writer with paranormal powers. None of the sarcasm, dry humor, or wit is there. Just someone who can use words spiraling down and down into... she doesn't even know what. The Dark Place? The Dark Presence? Something she doesn't even know that exists in that dimension?
Jesse seems hardly bothered Steve has seen them, and more irritated that he interrupted. Steve has been there in enough loops to understand they're close. How he remembers is something that still nags at her mind. He isn't a parautalitarian. Maybe it's just being used to so many thresholds? He has been a ranger for decades...
« What am I, sixteen? Even if he's old enough to be my dad. Which is a thought I'd rather not think about again. Ugh. » ]
Hey, Mr. Famous. I'm still older than you, even if I don't look it. [ He grins then turns to leave. ] But, seriously. You got a handgun you prefer?
[ When he has his answer, Steve turns and heads back to the backside door. Estevez is waiting with her arms crossed, moving her gaze back and forth between the Director and the Ranger Captain. Then, Steve shuffles her inside.
Jesse pulls herself up with Alan's help. She firmly plants her bare feet against the asphalt to ground herself. Just until her legs and arms stop feeling like jelly. She has to pull herself together. They only have minutes, like Steve pointed out.
There is a hum in the air as the generators the field team brought with them click on. ]
He's ex-military. Navy pilot. [ Jesse says it as if it explains everything about Steve in two short sentences. ] They discharged him after some kind of accident killed his co-pilot. Steve blamed an unidentified flying object that caused a spin out? Or something. The FBC recruited him after that. He's been a high ranking ranger for years. [ She brushed the dirt off her pants as she gains her balance back. ] ...he takes all of it serious. Even if it doesn't seem like it. We lost most the rangers to the Hiss.
[ « What didn't we lose? Dylan. Multiple rangers. People. Scientists. The entire management team Trench put together... and any knowledge any of them had. That's why this AWE is important. Not just because of Alan and what I feel about him. The Dark Presence would do what the Hiss did. We CAN'T let that happen. »
Jesse looks back up at him and blows a stray piece of hair from her face. ]
But, he willingly volunteered to go to the Investigation Sector with me once I had it secured. [ « We really don't need to go over the details again. He knows I know, so, why waste time? » ] Helped me take down Hartman. He wouldn't let me come to Bright Falls on my own after fighting... the Thing. So, he might hover. A lot.
...Sorry. Just in case.
[ She glances to the back exit of the Sheriff Station. Then, she rocks forward and gives him another quick kiss. She can feel Polaris' resonance spike below her feet. Almost time. ]
[ There's something so normal about this interaction that Alan almost forgets that they're in danger, and it all comes back to him as the source of it all. The AWE is because of him. Scratch existing is because of him. They've all been dragged into this because of him.
Have I been deluding myself this whole time, thinking that I could have something as normal as being friends with them? More, in the case of Jesse?
That realization hits him like a ton of bricks, and he has to force himself to push those thoughts away, because they won't do him, or any of them, any good. ]
Mr. Famous? Yeah, that's definitely me. That's why I hear- Never mind. You don't need to know that. Careful you don't break a hip, Dad.
[ Some of the spiciness behind those words has gone out a little bit, but Alan still makes a valiant effort to banter back at Steve. It's good-natured, of course, and he genuinely does like the ranger. Which is why he listens with such rapt attention to what Jesse has to say while holding onto her as firmly and steadily as he can. ]
Ex-military. That explains a lot. [ And makes Alan feel like a fish out of water around all of them. But that's staying kept to himself. His expression sobers as she tells him about what happened to Steve's co-pilot. Maybe that's what all of them have in common: some form of tragedy or emotional disturbance follows them all. But Alan feels as though his problems pale in comparison to Steve's, and to Jesse's, if he remembered what she told him about herself before. About Ordinary.
But then he shrugs, not to indicate a lack of interest, just... trying to process it all. ] I know he does. The FBC got a good one, with him. [ Hopefully they don't lose Steve too. Alan might not know him that well, but he can at least recognize a vital player when he sees one. ]
I'm surprised more of you don't hover. [ Given who he is and what he's done. What he's had a hand in, directly or indirectly. I get the feeling that if Jesse wasn't the Director, I'd be back in that cell. Probably with those cuffs on.
He watches Jesse to make sure she's standing and not wobbling, and then he moves his hand long enough to rub his wrist. It doesn't hurt, and the cuffs did no damage, but he can still feel the weight of them even though she took them off as soon as she could.
He's quick to replace his hand on Jesse's forearm, hoping to add what little support he can give. And then she's kissing him again, just briefly, and just like that, he gets the message that it's about time to spring into action. ]
As ready as I'll ever be.
[ The look he gives her is one of resolve, as much as he can muster up. He'd be lying if there wasn't the smallest ripple of fear, but he can't let fear control him. Not when she's counting on him to be present for what's coming. ]
[ She falls quiet as she watches the exchange between the two men. It's... normal. A real, normal. Not just pretending to be what normal people do or say. Organic. She'd almost feel like she was having an out of body experience if Alan's hands weren't keeping her grounded. Even more so because the normal conversation is ultimately about her. The most unordinary woman in existence. They all like to joke about it--her included--but she's really, really far from ordinary.
« Do I even really fit into this conversation? Not because I'm a girl or whatever. But... because I'm me. The girl with an alien in her head, amplifying said alien's power on Earth. That doesn't tick many normal boxes. Hell, it doesn't tick any boxes at all. »
Jesse nods to what he says. All of it. There's not much more she can add to it. That's when it crosses her mind that all of this is new. This hasn't happened before in a loop. The last time they even tried to fight the Dark Presence on equal footing... well, it didn't end well. Not for her anyways. She doesn't intend to bring that up ever again--unless she has to for some reason. Alan refused to even acknowledge that manuscript page survived until he had to.
« Bundled up and thrown in the bottom of his bag. Never to be seen again. He left it in the Motel--my dreams. That's how I remembered it, isn't it? It'd explain how you can trigger memories of things I technically haven't done. I wonder if he remembers it... or even remembers he left it in the Motel. Not that I plan on asking him. »
Maybe one last thing before it all goes to hell in a hand basket.
Jesse rocks herself up onto the balls of her feet. Then, she pushes herself up and stays up. Not by much, just a few inches off the ground. Enough to put her on even eye level. She presses her forehead to his and gives him a smirk. A playful smile even. ]
I could hover more. If you wanted. [ She gives a gentle forward press. Then, she realizes, he really hasn't seen most of anything that she's capable of. They've never had the chance to fight side-by-side. Him with a flashlight and gun, and her with her powers and the Service Weapon. Polaris too, of course. ] If you're lucky you may even get to see it tonight. No promises though.
[ She remembers how draining the Darkness is. She'll need to be careful and not only stay in the light, but conserve her energy when she's not in it. It's a good thing the Service Weapon includes a few new modification she gained thanks to Hartman. All they can really do is wait and see how the night goes.
The street lights turn on and Jesse takes him by the hand and leads him inside. Once she's landed, of course.
Inside the field agents present are waiting. Jesse gives the basics of what they'll need to know. What they're wearing amplifies Polaris' resonance, protecting them from anything hostile that may try to get in. Darling made them before he... left. The Dark Presence is soaked into the land of Bright Falls, meaning that eventually, it's going to realize that they took the Sheriff's Station. Scratch will realize.
And she knows that makes Alan's blood run cold.
Which means their first priority is to survive this night. She felt as if the Dark Presence was... somewhere else. Far away. Busy, focused on something else. Someone else. She imagines it isn't the best to go off of, but she isn't about to ask Alan if he can sense Scratch or the Dark Presence. They don't need to tip their hand in the enemy's favor.
The weakest point is the basement--the morgue. That's also where the power happens to be. They can fill it with as much light as possible and drain the power further, or, set two agents to protect it under one heavy beam of light. The room is oddly quiet before Steve volunteers. All he needs is one bright light and a few rounds. Jesse keeps an even gaze with him before she nods in silent approval.
Even if she doesn't approve.
Estevez will take command of protecting the outside while Jesse will work on the inside. She has her own plan that she doesn't want to mention in words. Just in case. Which leaves Alan free to move where he needs between the three spots--if he feels the need.
A rumble is heard in the distance and night finally falls. ]
[ Even as he and Steve are having their conversation, part of Alan's mind is off thinking about something else. Well, complaining would be a better word.
Why can't it stay like this? Why does it have to turn dark again? The story always turns dark. I know that. But just once, I wish that it wouldn't. Just once, I wish that I could turn it into something happy. No one has to die. No one has to get hurt. We could just be happy.
But it's an illogical thought, and Alan knows that. He knows that just like he knows the story has to go a certain way. It has to follow a certain track, have a certain tone. He can make edits and change things, but it all has to fit within the pattern. Go too far in either direction, and the story fails to work. Isn't that how it's always gone?
I hate this story.
The only bright spot in all of it is Jesse. Jesse and Polaris, working as a unit, but mostly Jesse. He loves her, and she makes him feel at home, even when everything around him is falling apart. Falling down. Falling in pieces into the lake. The ocean. Whatever the hell it is.
I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what's going to come, but it's going to be dark. Hard. Violent. But I have to keep Jesse safe. Alive.
She grounds him, and brings him back to shore when the waves wash him out. It's strange to think of her as the one person who keeps him grounded when- wait. She's hovering. Literally.
He stares. He's seen this before, but where? A stray thought nudges at his mind as if reminding him of that.
Maybe she can keep herself alive without my help. But I'm still going to give it. What's coming could kill us all. He doesn't know how he knows that, but intuition or inspiration or just a brainwave is telling him it's true. The dull ache in the back of his head is saying something too. It could be something, or it could be nothing. He wants it to be nothing, but he knows better than to hope for that.
For now, he just focuses his thoughts on Jesse. It's really not that hard for him to do. ]
You know what, I do think I want that. [ He smirks at her a little even as she presses her forehead against his again. ] So, you're going to put on a show? Hopefully I'll have a front row seat.
[ He follows after her without hesitation as she leads him inside, where she begins the briefing. The game plan. But it's not a game. It's life and death.
Scratch is coming. The Dark Presence is coming. Alan's blood has run cold, and the ache in his head is growing. But if he tells anyone, they'll bench him. Maybe it's selfish. Maybe it's stupid. But he wants to fight. He wants to help. He can help. The headache won't get in the way. It won't make him a liability. Somehow, he knows that much.
Positions are decided. Steve takes the basement. Alan wonders if he should start there, and move elsewhere. Or should he start outside with Estevez? Inside with Jesse? What's the best move here?
For now, he just decides to stay inside as night falls. He'll inevitably have to move, or be drawn into a fight and be forced to move. But inside is where it's still light, and it's where he feels he can still breathe. Might as well take what he can while it lasts. He watches the various agents moving around, and spots Jesse from time to time, and when he's asked to do something, even if it's just to move out of the way, he complies. He wants to help, however that ends up looking. ]
no subject
She's already kissed him and been close to him while he was drenched from rain in the Dark Place. Mud and dirt aren't that much different. Blood is, but, they aren't leaning against one another just yet. That would be the only reason she'd break their kiss.
« Showers in the morning. Do they have them here at the station... »
Her heart stops at his words against her lips.
I'm home when I'm with you.
Then, her hear pounds a million beats in a second. The lingering dark thoughts are banished. Any worries she could have had about the fact he is still married--sort of--are gone. The only thing she can find herself focusing entirely on is him.
« Home... when did Alan Wake become home? »
Not that she feels they're at home. Where they should be. An apartment in New York City with brick industrial walls and plants hanging. Where they can share meals, watch movies, he can write books if he want. She can tell him about the mold monsters lurking in the Oldest House. That's the life she wants with him.
The one that can be real now.
Jesse feverishly kisses him back. Messy, demanding, longing. It really has been too long even if she can't quantify it...
Then, someone clears their throat.
She pauses in the kiss. Green eyes slide open just enough before looking at Alan. Then, they slide over and further upwards. The Ranger Captain is standing on the outside of the control point, arms behind his back, a knowing smirk on his face. HRA in place.
Oh.
Right. ]
Glad the two of you have, uh, reconnected. Even if it's in the parking lot of a station we've commandeered. Good call, Faden. [ A large shit-eating grin graces Steve's face. ] I'm not sure how to break it to the others that the Director is cozy with another parautalitarian... so maybe keep the kissing on the quiet side.
[ « He really does think he's a comedian. » Jesse scowls slightly at the Ranger who continues to grin. « Someone is asking for a dip in the Sound. » ]
Anyways, when you're ready to explain everything, Faden? I'll be inside. Oh, and Wake, I expect her back home by sundown. Which is in five minutes.
[ Jesse rolls her eyes but presses another quick kiss to Alan's lips. The Ranger isn't wrong. ]
I may need a hand standing up.
no subject
Do I look like that when my mind is off and wandering?
He wonders to himself. He realizes that he probably looks a lot worse, if the way he feels when it's happening is any indication. To feel as though something is hollowing you out, pulling out everything that makes you you, is hardly a good feeling at all.
But even though Jesse's expression suggests something is pulling at her focus, she's still with him.
She is much stronger than I am. It's not the first time that Alan has marveled at Jesse's ability to push through when others would falter. But then she seems to pause, or freeze, and his eyes instantly flick up to lock on hers again. Did he say the wrong thing? Was he too plain in stating how he feels at home with her? But no- she's kissing him again, and it's faster, almost at a fever pitch, and he finds himself kissing back equally as hungrily and feverishly. Need seems to be driving them both to act desperately. Rashly. And dare he even think it, passionately.
But then the moment is disturbed. Not disturbed, just interrupted by a quiet but pointed cough. Alan's eyes slide open too, shifting to where Jesse's right hand man is standing. Steve. Shit. How much has he seen? We weren't being exactly subtle.
Alan doesn't pull away from Jesse, both because he doesn't want to lose his closeness to her, but also because he's still worried that she won't be able to support herself on her own. Cleansing the control point clearly took a lot out of her. And that does nothing to ease his nerves about how she'll be if- when a fight comes. But then again, the adrenaline response is a powerful one, and if it comes down to it, they all have to rise to the occasion. Jesse just might do it a little better than he can.
He rolls his eyes once at the ranger's comments, but he recognizes the good nature behind them, even though he knows he means what he says. They have other things to do right now that are more important than the two of them "reconnecting". Danger looms again, and they have to be ready. ]
Don't worry, we won't be long. Dad. [ It slips out before he can stop it, but Alan realizes he doesn't want to call it back. He might not have the same shit-eating grin that Steve's wearing, but he manages a smirk of his own and directs it at the other man before he turns his attention back to Jesse.
He reaches out for her, hand extended, offering the hand up that she asked for. It feels like very little, in terms of returning the favor for everything she's given him so far, but- if he has the chance, he wants to work up to that.
If we survive this. If I survive this. They have to survive. They're what's important. She's important. ]
no subject
Jesse seems hardly bothered Steve has seen them, and more irritated that he interrupted. Steve has been there in enough loops to understand they're close. How he remembers is something that still nags at her mind. He isn't a parautalitarian. Maybe it's just being used to so many thresholds? He has been a ranger for decades...
« What am I, sixteen? Even if he's old enough to be my dad. Which is a thought I'd rather not think about again. Ugh. » ]
Hey, Mr. Famous. I'm still older than you, even if I don't look it. [ He grins then turns to leave. ] But, seriously. You got a handgun you prefer?
[ When he has his answer, Steve turns and heads back to the backside door. Estevez is waiting with her arms crossed, moving her gaze back and forth between the Director and the Ranger Captain. Then, Steve shuffles her inside.
Jesse pulls herself up with Alan's help. She firmly plants her bare feet against the asphalt to ground herself. Just until her legs and arms stop feeling like jelly. She has to pull herself together. They only have minutes, like Steve pointed out.
There is a hum in the air as the generators the field team brought with them click on. ]
He's ex-military. Navy pilot. [ Jesse says it as if it explains everything about Steve in two short sentences. ] They discharged him after some kind of accident killed his co-pilot. Steve blamed an unidentified flying object that caused a spin out? Or something. The FBC recruited him after that. He's been a high ranking ranger for years. [ She brushed the dirt off her pants as she gains her balance back. ] ...he takes all of it serious. Even if it doesn't seem like it. We lost most the rangers to the Hiss.
[ « What didn't we lose? Dylan. Multiple rangers. People. Scientists. The entire management team Trench put together... and any knowledge any of them had. That's why this AWE is important. Not just because of Alan and what I feel about him. The Dark Presence would do what the Hiss did. We CAN'T let that happen. »
Jesse looks back up at him and blows a stray piece of hair from her face. ]
But, he willingly volunteered to go to the Investigation Sector with me once I had it secured. [ « We really don't need to go over the details again. He knows I know, so, why waste time? » ] Helped me take down Hartman. He wouldn't let me come to Bright Falls on my own after fighting... the Thing. So, he might hover. A lot.
...Sorry. Just in case.
[ She glances to the back exit of the Sheriff Station. Then, she rocks forward and gives him another quick kiss. She can feel Polaris' resonance spike below her feet. Almost time. ]
Are you ready?
no subject
Have I been deluding myself this whole time, thinking that I could have something as normal as being friends with them? More, in the case of Jesse?
That realization hits him like a ton of bricks, and he has to force himself to push those thoughts away, because they won't do him, or any of them, any good. ]
Mr. Famous? Yeah, that's definitely me. That's why I hear- Never mind. You don't need to know that. Careful you don't break a hip, Dad.
[ Some of the spiciness behind those words has gone out a little bit, but Alan still makes a valiant effort to banter back at Steve. It's good-natured, of course, and he genuinely does like the ranger. Which is why he listens with such rapt attention to what Jesse has to say while holding onto her as firmly and steadily as he can. ]
Ex-military. That explains a lot. [ And makes Alan feel like a fish out of water around all of them. But that's staying kept to himself. His expression sobers as she tells him about what happened to Steve's co-pilot. Maybe that's what all of them have in common: some form of tragedy or emotional disturbance follows them all. But Alan feels as though his problems pale in comparison to Steve's, and to Jesse's, if he remembered what she told him about herself before. About Ordinary.
But then he shrugs, not to indicate a lack of interest, just... trying to process it all. ] I know he does. The FBC got a good one, with him. [ Hopefully they don't lose Steve too. Alan might not know him that well, but he can at least recognize a vital player when he sees one. ]
I'm surprised more of you don't hover. [ Given who he is and what he's done. What he's had a hand in, directly or indirectly. I get the feeling that if Jesse wasn't the Director, I'd be back in that cell. Probably with those cuffs on.
He watches Jesse to make sure she's standing and not wobbling, and then he moves his hand long enough to rub his wrist. It doesn't hurt, and the cuffs did no damage, but he can still feel the weight of them even though she took them off as soon as she could.
He's quick to replace his hand on Jesse's forearm, hoping to add what little support he can give. And then she's kissing him again, just briefly, and just like that, he gets the message that it's about time to spring into action. ]
As ready as I'll ever be.
[ The look he gives her is one of resolve, as much as he can muster up. He'd be lying if there wasn't the smallest ripple of fear, but he can't let fear control him. Not when she's counting on him to be present for what's coming. ]
no subject
« Do I even really fit into this conversation? Not because I'm a girl or whatever. But... because I'm me. The girl with an alien in her head, amplifying said alien's power on Earth. That doesn't tick many normal boxes. Hell, it doesn't tick any boxes at all. »
Jesse nods to what he says. All of it. There's not much more she can add to it. That's when it crosses her mind that all of this is new. This hasn't happened before in a loop. The last time they even tried to fight the Dark Presence on equal footing... well, it didn't end well. Not for her anyways. She doesn't intend to bring that up ever again--unless she has to for some reason. Alan refused to even acknowledge that manuscript page survived until he had to.
« Bundled up and thrown in the bottom of his bag. Never to be seen again. He left it in the Motel--my dreams. That's how I remembered it, isn't it? It'd explain how you can trigger memories of things I technically haven't done. I wonder if he remembers it... or even remembers he left it in the Motel. Not that I plan on asking him. »
Maybe one last thing before it all goes to hell in a hand basket.
Jesse rocks herself up onto the balls of her feet. Then, she pushes herself up and stays up. Not by much, just a few inches off the ground. Enough to put her on even eye level. She presses her forehead to his and gives him a smirk. A playful smile even. ]
I could hover more. If you wanted. [ She gives a gentle forward press. Then, she realizes, he really hasn't seen most of anything that she's capable of. They've never had the chance to fight side-by-side. Him with a flashlight and gun, and her with her powers and the Service Weapon. Polaris too, of course. ] If you're lucky you may even get to see it tonight. No promises though.
[ She remembers how draining the Darkness is. She'll need to be careful and not only stay in the light, but conserve her energy when she's not in it. It's a good thing the Service Weapon includes a few new modification she gained thanks to Hartman. All they can really do is wait and see how the night goes.
The street lights turn on and Jesse takes him by the hand and leads him inside. Once she's landed, of course.
Inside the field agents present are waiting. Jesse gives the basics of what they'll need to know. What they're wearing amplifies Polaris' resonance, protecting them from anything hostile that may try to get in. Darling made them before he... left. The Dark Presence is soaked into the land of Bright Falls, meaning that eventually, it's going to realize that they took the Sheriff's Station. Scratch will realize.
And she knows that makes Alan's blood run cold.
Which means their first priority is to survive this night. She felt as if the Dark Presence was... somewhere else. Far away. Busy, focused on something else. Someone else. She imagines it isn't the best to go off of, but she isn't about to ask Alan if he can sense Scratch or the Dark Presence. They don't need to tip their hand in the enemy's favor.
The weakest point is the basement--the morgue. That's also where the power happens to be. They can fill it with as much light as possible and drain the power further, or, set two agents to protect it under one heavy beam of light. The room is oddly quiet before Steve volunteers. All he needs is one bright light and a few rounds. Jesse keeps an even gaze with him before she nods in silent approval.
Even if she doesn't approve.
Estevez will take command of protecting the outside while Jesse will work on the inside. She has her own plan that she doesn't want to mention in words. Just in case. Which leaves Alan free to move where he needs between the three spots--if he feels the need.
A rumble is heard in the distance and night finally falls. ]
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Why can't it stay like this? Why does it have to turn dark again? The story always turns dark. I know that. But just once, I wish that it wouldn't. Just once, I wish that I could turn it into something happy. No one has to die. No one has to get hurt. We could just be happy.
But it's an illogical thought, and Alan knows that. He knows that just like he knows the story has to go a certain way. It has to follow a certain track, have a certain tone. He can make edits and change things, but it all has to fit within the pattern. Go too far in either direction, and the story fails to work. Isn't that how it's always gone?
I hate this story.
The only bright spot in all of it is Jesse. Jesse and Polaris, working as a unit, but mostly Jesse. He loves her, and she makes him feel at home, even when everything around him is falling apart. Falling down. Falling in pieces into the lake. The ocean. Whatever the hell it is.
I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know what's going to come, but it's going to be dark. Hard. Violent. But I have to keep Jesse safe. Alive.
She grounds him, and brings him back to shore when the waves wash him out. It's strange to think of her as the one person who keeps him grounded when- wait. She's hovering. Literally.
He stares. He's seen this before, but where? A stray thought nudges at his mind as if reminding him of that.
Maybe she can keep herself alive without my help. But I'm still going to give it. What's coming could kill us all. He doesn't know how he knows that, but intuition or inspiration or just a brainwave is telling him it's true. The dull ache in the back of his head is saying something too. It could be something, or it could be nothing. He wants it to be nothing, but he knows better than to hope for that.
For now, he just focuses his thoughts on Jesse. It's really not that hard for him to do. ]
You know what, I do think I want that. [ He smirks at her a little even as she presses her forehead against his again. ] So, you're going to put on a show? Hopefully I'll have a front row seat.
[ He follows after her without hesitation as she leads him inside, where she begins the briefing. The game plan. But it's not a game. It's life and death.
Scratch is coming. The Dark Presence is coming. Alan's blood has run cold, and the ache in his head is growing. But if he tells anyone, they'll bench him. Maybe it's selfish. Maybe it's stupid. But he wants to fight. He wants to help. He can help. The headache won't get in the way. It won't make him a liability. Somehow, he knows that much.
Positions are decided. Steve takes the basement. Alan wonders if he should start there, and move elsewhere. Or should he start outside with Estevez? Inside with Jesse? What's the best move here?
For now, he just decides to stay inside as night falls. He'll inevitably have to move, or be drawn into a fight and be forced to move. But inside is where it's still light, and it's where he feels he can still breathe. Might as well take what he can while it lasts. He watches the various agents moving around, and spots Jesse from time to time, and when he's asked to do something, even if it's just to move out of the way, he complies. He wants to help, however that ends up looking. ]
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