What hit Kevin most was the timeline. At the same time as he'd been trying to adjust to one new life as part of the Backstreet Boys, Nick had been dealing with yet another new life as a psychic. How had he managed to develop any trust with them at all while keeping such a large chunk of himself secret? He thought back to the power he'd seen unleashed in the ICU, and wondered how any of them had managed to escape some very nasty revenge in return for some of their worst teasing in the early days.
More and more as he stood listening, he began to realise that Nick's life as a psychic, especially the need to keep that life a secret, had had an effect on the young man's character, an effect that probably started before the two of them had ever met. He remembered Nick's anger at his teenage clumsiness and wondered how much of that was frustration at not being able to do things physically that he could probably do much more easily through telekinesis. His need to be alone so much was certainly explained.
This revelation swept his fears away. The 'stranger' he'd been thinking about didn't exist. If anything, knowing Nick was psychic opened an avenue to better understanding things he already knew about his friend. He still had a lot to learn, and it still hurt that Nick hadn't been able to trust him... but maybe things would be okay after all.
The scene with Mindi earlier had made Howie feel guilty enough. What Lina was telling them only half sunk in, and didn't really address his aversion to the idea of things floating around, or disembodied voices. Instead he pondered something else she'd said "I know you have a condition."
She'd sounded horribly sympathetic, as if he was dying or something. Whatever it was, it had gotten him out of being attacked the way she'd gone after Kevin. He glanced over at Kevin, who now looked a combination of guilty and intrigued. At least the lecture had done some good for someone. Kev wouldn't brood on the guilty part for long, he'd just get interested. Now, Howie supposed it was his turn. But he couldn't help it. The thought of someone in his head made him squeamish.
Lina's sobs quietened. She seemed to be pulling herself together and about to speak again, when she was interrupted by a whoosh of air. Mindi and Brian appeared in the room, prompting a startled squeak from Howie. Lina's mood improved fast.
"It worked," she stated with a grin.
Brian raised an eyebrow. "I haven't even told Mindi anything yet."
"It worked." Mindi confirmed. "Nick quit with the telekinesis, and just in time."
"In time?" Lina and Brian chorused followed by Lina's. "Oh. Nice save."
"Aloud?" A.J. prompted.
"Leslie, Aaron and Jane Carter just arrived in the ICU," Mindi explained. "We had to make a quick exit. Sorry Howie."
"Okay can someone explain why the..." Howie gestured helplessly, seeking a word "...attitude?"
"Mindi why don't you handle that while I take Brian somewhere quiet?" Lina volunteered. "From the vibe I'm getting, he was as successful as we'd hoped, maybe a little more, which means he really doesn't need to be around people right now. Later on I'll feed you what happened between Brian and Nick."
"What did I tell you?" Mindi mock demanded of A.J. "They've got me working with them now."
Lina rolled her eyes and grabbed Brian's hand. "You chose the spokesperson role, live with it." She and Brian disappeared.
"There goes one of the most arrogant, controlling psychics on the planet. Who probably heard me."
"She cares about Nick, though." A.J. put in.
"True. How badly did she bully you?"
"Beat up on me a little," Kevin admitted ruefully. "But she did help me understand some things."
"You're on board now?"
"I'm...dealing with it," was the honest answer.
"I'm still not. And she apologized to me. What's going on??" Howie insisted.