Taylor stepped out onto the space station from the security checks. It had been a long time since he'd been here, and he wasn't sure if it ws such a good idea to be so close to the Adige again, but he was dying to see his little sister.
Adige or no Adige. By now he should have a better handle on their telepathy though, right?
He made his way through the corridors, trying to remember where Avery's room was.
Tanya
Tanya was making her way back home. She'd finished her Ga'revali class for the day and had picked up Kit from the creche. She was very much looking forward to putting her feet up.
As she walked down the hall, she spotted a familiar face.
"Taylor?"
Taylor
Taylor looked to the left when he heard his name called, his face brightening almost immediately.
"Tanya, hey," Taylor greeted, making his way over to her.
"How have you been? It's been crazy-long."
Tanya
"I'm been good, actually," Tanya smiled. "Wow, it's been... what, almost a year now? What have you been up to? I heard you boys went on a tour..."
Taylor
"Yeah, we did actually," Taylor folded his arms over his waist.
"Were just about to head out on another one in a few months. How's Kit going?"
Tanya
Tanya smiled as hefted Kit a bit.
"Kit's been good, haven't you darling."
Kit looked at Taylor and snuggled into Mummy shyly. Tanya smiled.
"How's Nat? Didn't you guys have a baby due a couple of months ago?"
Taylor
"October, actually. Or he was born in October anyway. Premature. Jordan Ezra. He's great, he's amazing," Taylor gushed.
"If I ever need inspiration I just look to him and Nat."
Tanya
Tanya smiled.
"That's great," she said. "Was Jordan - or is it Ezra - okay after being born premmie?"
Taylor
"Yeah we had some healers looking after him, so he was fine. He's good," Taylor nodded.
"Still a little perplexed on the whole powers issue, but we're working with it."
Tanya
Tanya nodded.
"Yeah, sometimes it takes awhile to figure it out," she said, paused and then continued: "Leroy and I got engaged."
Taylor
"Really?" Taylor's eyebrows rose.
"Well congratulations! I'm excited for you. Have you set a date?"
Tanya
"No, not yet," Tanya replied.
She grinned broadly.
"I think Leroy's still in shock that I said yes. It only took me two months to make up my mind."
Taylor
"Oh right," Taylor nodded, understandingly.
"That must have been torture for him. I was very lucky that Nat said yes right away."
Tanya
"Yes," Tanya agreed. "It's good to know your own mind - and heart - that well."
She hefted Kit again.
"So, what brings you to the station?"
Taylor
"Avie," Taylor nodded.
"I haven't seen my little sis in a while. It's been pretty hectic back home with Ezra and writing and organising the tour and all."
Tanya
Tanya nodded knowingly.
"Well, she was doing good last time I saw her," she said.
Taylor
"Great," Taylor nodded.
"And if you don't mind my asking..."
He took a glance down the corridor as if to make sure no one was listening.
"Have you seen or heard anything from Chris lately?"
Tanya
"He's doing okay," Tanya replied, being equally discreet. "He's still in rehab, but he's taking over the place with his art. I feel like every time I visit him he's painting another wall."
Taylor
"Awesome," Taylor chuckled.
"I don't suppose Wayne's said anything more about visiting rights?"
Tanya
Tanya rolled her eyes.
"No," she said. "We still argue about me visiting him every month. Although... it's been happening long enough now that it's becoming more habit than anything else... I could probably try bringing it up again and see if I get anywhere."
Taylor
"Thanks, I'd really apprecite it," Taylor smiled.
"I should let you go before you drop Kit."
Tanya
Tanya chuckled.
"I'll call you if I get anywhere with Wayne. See you."
Taylor
"Thanks again," Taylor waved after her, before continuing on down the corridor.
He came to Avery's room and knocked.
Avery
Avery looked up from her studying and put her pen down.
She stood and went to open the door.
"Well... hi!"
Taylor
"Hey sis!" Taylor greeted.
He held out his hands.
"I come demanding hugs!"
Avery
"Ah, well sorry, Tay, you're fresh out of luck. I don't hug."
Avery grinned and then launched herself into his arms.
Taylor
"A shame about that," Taylor chuckled, giving her a tight squeeze before letting go.
"So how goes it?"
Avery
Avery stepped back from the doorway to let Taylor come in.
"Eh, can't complain really. Head of my Ga'Revali class, but... that's probably a given, right?"
Taylor
"Of course it is, you're a Hanson," Taylor put his arm around her as he walked in.
"I hope you've been looking after yourself."
Avery
"Oh, you know me. Always."
Avery started to pack her school things from the table so she and Taylor could have some room to sit down.
"How's Ez? And Nat?"
Taylor
"Nats great, Ezra's amazing," Taylor gushed.
"Here."
He pulled out his wallet and showed her some recent shots of his son.
Avery
Avery smiled, and looked at the photos.
"He's a cutie, I'll give you that. Must get that from Nat."
Taylor
"And I'd have to agree," Taylor sighed happily.
"Looking forward to your own big day? Or do you just want it out already?"
Avery
Avery smiled and rubbed her belly slightly.
"A little of both," she admitted. "It's an amazing feeling. I mean... I know I'm way too young and everything, but, the more I've thought about it, the more I really do love everything about what's happening to me."
Taylor
"Well, it's an amazing thing," Taylor insisted.
"Zac might make it seem an every day occurance, but giving someone a life is no mean feat."
Avery
"Yeah."
Avery looked at her brother, worry creeping into her eyes.
"You're not disappointed at the turn my life has taken?"
Taylor
"What? No way!" Taylor scorned.
"If anything, you're stronger because of it. And I know it's been a lot to deal with this early on and all, but you've been through a lot of valuable life lessons these past few years. And you've grown so much thanks to them."
Avery
Avery smiled again.
"It's just... well... I mean Mom and I are talking again, but I didn't know if you all agreed... I don't know."
Taylor
"I hate to use Zac as another example," Taylor pulled a face.
"But it's not like you've turned into him or anything. And besides, it'll take a lot more than I think you're capable of to get in my bad books. Or Ike's. Or Zac's. You know that right?"
Avery
"I guess."
Avery looked over at him.
"It's just been a rough few months, is all. What with everything up here and the rumours and the thoughts, yeah."
Taylor
"Ignore them," Taylor shrugged.
"And I know that's easier said than done, but it's really nothing new, right?"
Avery
"Not really," Avery answered. "Although, it's changed from jealousy over my telepathy rank to... you know... being a whore and everything. But my friends have been really good. Sorta. I mean... Josh did think I was a slut, but you know. It's probably fair."
She paused.
"Considering he didn't know the whole story."
Taylor
"Don't let it bother you," Taylor insisted.
"You're still gonna be the best damn Grandmaster there ever was. And then they'll be jealous again. It's a vicious cycle."
Avery
"Yeah."
Avery touched her forehead for a second.
"It's so weird, right? That... I'm going to be a Grandmaster."
Taylor
"Nah," Taylor shrugged.
"You always had the potential. We could all see it."
Avery
"Really?" Avery made a face.
"I mean, sure after the whole... Eye thing. But like... not before any of that. I was just an average telepath."
Taylor
"Then maybe it was just me," Taylor put his head in his hand, elbow leaning on the table.
"Maybe I could read it."
Avery
"Maybe."
Avery smiled faintly.
"Did you want something to eat, a drink?"
Taylor
"Drink would be good, thanks. Whatever you've got's fine," Taylor assured.