Avery arrived in the teleportation centre, her bag on her shoulder.
After a short, sweet goodbye to whatever family she could find, Diana had arranged for Avery to make a getaway and come back to the space station, so she could continue learning from Tanya.
Diana's real hope was that Tanya could convince Avery to use her power again. Since killing The Eye, Avery had decided to stop using her telepathy, and to continue living at home, on what she had decided would be her normal life. Just being home schooled and acting like nothing was different.
It took some coaxing, but Avery finally agreed to go back, on the agreement that she didn't have to use her power if she didn't want to. In her mind, Avery was there to talk to Tanya about whether or not she should continue with her training.
Avery smiled and waved to the workers on duty, then left the centre, heading for the living quarters, but getting caught by her friends on the way.
"Hey! Avie's back!" Josh yelled.
"That I am, but probably not for long," Avery replied.
"It's good to see ya anyway. You never called, never wrote," Millsy said, making his lip quiver.
He broke out in a grin.
"Libby's around somewhere."
Libby
Libby's head poked around the corner.
"Avie!" she yelled.
She bounded over to her friend (Mr Snuggles flying off her shoulder in alarm) and wrapped her arms around her in a huge hug.
"Missed you!"
Avery
Avery hugged Libby back.
"I missed you too! How's life been without me?"
Libby
"Oh it's been terrible," Libby teased. "Four cute guys all to myself and no one to share them with."
She grinned broadly.
Avery
"Tulsa guys are way hotter," Avery replied.
"Anyway, I'm gonna dump my stuff, then go see Tanya. But let's see a movie tonight!"
Libby
"Okay," Libby replied. "Hey, you've seen my sister's movie yet? No... you've been downside, probably not."
"Libby, get over it already," Josh said.
"Why?"
"Because it's not that exciting."
"Yes it is. My sister's a celebrity! Whoo hoo!"
"Really, not that exciting."
"You're just jealous because you don't have people asking you for your autograph," Libby giggled.
Avery
"It does get boring after awhile. People still ask if they can meet Zac or Tay or Ike through me," Avery said.
She slapped Millsy, who was about to moon the group.
"Ok, I'm off to see Tanya. I'll be back."
And with that, Avery headed off to do just that.
Libby and Tanya
"See ya soon!" Libby shouted after her.
"So ha," Daniel was saying, "now it's back to four boys and two girls."
"Still good odds for the girls."
Meanwhilst, Tanya was in her quarters feeding her son Kit.
Avery
Avery knocked on Tanya's door.
"Tanya?"
Tanya
Tanya, holding Kit in one arm, stood and walked to the door.
"Avery?" she asked in surprise, as she opened it. "Well, welcome back! Come on in."
She held the door open for her.
Avery
Avery smiled and walked in.
"Hey Tanya."
Tanya
Tanya closed the door behind her.
"And what brings you back to the station?" Tanya asked. "Can I get you anything? A drink?"
Avery
"Oh, I'm alright, thanks."
Avery fidgeted.
"I was wondering if I should continue my training."
Tanya
"Well, I'm always happy to continue training you," Tanya replied. "But you're the only one who can truly determine wether you should or not. You have a great deal of potential power at your finger tips, but unless you learn to control it, it may end up controlling you. However, having said that, there are some people who are better off not using their power at all, lest they harm others - or even themselves."
Tanya paused.
"I don't believe that you are one of those people."
Avery
"But I already..."
Avery frowned, struggling to find words.
"I'm just scared, is all. What if I kill someone else?"
Tanya
"Well, that's the point of training," Tanya replied. "To stop you from killing. To find other ways to protect yourself and your loved ones without having to take lives."
She reached over with her free hand and patted Avery's back.
"It's up to you. But I honestly believe you can't go wrong with training."
Avery
Avery shrugged.
"I want to, I'm just scared, is all."
Tanya
Tanya nodded.
"And that's perfectly understandable," she replied. "Look, I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do. But you should run away from fear - the best way to deal with it is to face it. We can take it slowly, if you want."
Avery
Avery nodded.
"Thank you."
She paused.
"Tanya? I didn't mean to kill him."
Tanya
"I know," Tanya replied. "You stumbled on how to do it by accident. It's okay. Many telepaths have stumbled on how to do things by accident. That's why we like to have everyone trained - sometimes they stumble onto something that will burn them out. And believe me, that's not fun."
She took a moment to smile down at Kit, the child she never thought she'd have.
Avery
"Congratulations, by the way," Avery said softly.
"So when can I start the lessons again?"
Tanya
"Thanks," Tanya said. "Well, lets see, I believe the times we previously trained together are still available."
She stood, walked over to the nearest consol and pressed the button that would bring up her schedule.
"Yep, they still are," she confirmed. "Do you want to have as many sessions? Or shall we cut them down a bit?"
Avery
"I don't mind if we have them the same amount of time, maybe for not as long?"
Avery shrugged slightly.
"I'm a little rusty. I haven't used my power in months."
Tanya
Tanya nodded.
"Sounds good to me," Tanya replied. "I presume you have somewhere to stay while you're here?"
Avery
"Yeah, my old room is still free."
Avery nodded.
"Um, so I'll see you same time tomorrow?"
Tanya
Tanya nodded.
"Sure thing," she smiled.