I12DT - By way of apology...

[Samantha McManus]

A day or two after their last... conversation, the headmistress knocked on Will's office door. She had a small bundle under her arm.

[Will Stanton]

"On-Tray Voo."

[Samantha McManus]

"Merci beaucoup," she said with a faint smile as she stepped in.

"Do you have a short bit?"

She seemed in better spirits.

[Will Stanton]

"I'm afraid I'm sticking at my present height for right now for bookkeeping purposes, but I always have time for the headmistress.

You doing alright?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Better at the least, which is why I'm here."

"I rather think I owe you an apology."

[Will Stanton]

Will waved his hand. "Water under the bridge. No harm done. You could have done much worse to me, if you wanted to."

[Samantha McManus]

"So does that mean you don't want the soda bread I baked for you?"

[Will Stanton]

"That does not even come close to meaning anything near that, I always accept bribes, gimme," Will smiled.

[Samantha McManus]

"I may not be as handy with it as my mum, but I haven't gotten many complaints on it," she smiled as she handed him the bundle.

[Will Stanton]

"You can cook, too. Anything you can't do?"

[Samantha McManus]

"I wouldn't say I'm all that good a cook, just passable in a pinch."

"As for what I can't do? Sudoku puzzles."

[Will Stanton]

"Yeah, getting those numbers in line. Can't just mentally force them.

How ARE you doing, Sam. Really," Will said, looking up at her.

[Samantha McManus]

"I was rather blissfully insane for a bit there, but things are settling back where they ought to be."

[Will Stanton]

"Being insane isn't so bad, I've been told. You've just gotta own it.

If you ever find yourself in trouble again, or needing to get some of that...insanity out, give me a call. I'm here to help."

[Samantha McManus]

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm a bit surprised. I know you've been a bit uncomfortable with some of what I've been doing."

[Will Stanton]

"I am. I really am, I have to admit. It's not something I understand.

What I do understand is feeling like you have to try to be something you're not. And those of us who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, right? I can't complain about what you're doing making people uncomfortable."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'm not meaning this as an accusation against you, Will. If anything, I'd love for a chance to mend fences."

[Will Stanton]

"I just was worried about you, Professor, that's all...some things are more important than, you know, stuff. I'd like to mend fences, too."

[Samantha McManus]

"So I take it you've been getting a bit more comfortable in your own skin as well?"

[Will Stanton]

"I've been trying. It's a bit of an uphill battle at times, but you know how it is, I guess?

I may...may, mind you... have influenced one of the high school kids to go jumping around in the trash. This was not intentional."

[Samantha McManus]

"...this sounds like a bit of a tale."

[Will Stanton]

"I think mental illness ~may~ be connected to the X-Gene. Worth a study, at least.

One of them -- Sid? -- saw me climbing out of a trash can,and then thought it seemed entertaining for some reason. Not really sure about that one myself."

[Samantha McManus]

"You're always a salesman, even when the product is absurd," she smirked.

[Will Stanton]

"Don't remind me," Will laughed. "I'll probably have to do a number of commercials to keep the coming in. Will Stanton, human vacuum cleaner or whatnot," he said, shaking his head bemusedly.

"That is, if I can get clearance to work again. I think government bureaucracy is pretty much the worst, you know?"

[Samantha McManus]

"We're working on it as best we can, I'm afraid."

[Will Stanton]

Will waved his hand dismissively. "I know you'll tell whoever it is what they have to stick up which particular bodily orifices. That's what you're there for."

[Samantha McManus]

"If it helps, it hasn't been a total brick wall."

[Will Stanton]

"I know a little bit, but I think they're keeping me out of the loop somewhat intentionally. Eh, it'll all get cleared up, and then my financial aid checks will come rolling in again. Don't even really understand what the point of everything is, but I'm not too concerned."