Paige kept trying to tug out of Crystal's grip, though she eventually gave up and silently let herself be led out of the room.

Crystal took them out the front door so they wouldn't have to pass by anyone else and just started walking around the yard, walking slowly for the moment.

"You can hate me all you want," she said quietly as they walked. "I don't mind as long as you don't fall into depression."

Paige just walked beside her silently. This wasn't what she wanted, and she wasn't going to pretend otherwise.

After a little while, Crystal let go of Paige so she could do whatever she wanted.

Paige hesitated for a moment once she was let go, and then turned around and went back inside. She still didn't want to face the rest of the family yet.

Crystal let her go and turned and walked in the other direction, heading out into the woods for a bit.

Paige just went back into her room and curled up on the bed, cuddling a pillow. It was just easier that way, for the moment.

Charles gave her another full day to get over it herself before he decided some extra help was in order. So he sent Remy after Crystal and called Tony.

Tony showed up without any of his usual flare, instead looking at Charles for a moment before taking the mental directions up the stairs and to Paige's room. He didn't bother knocking.

"Alright, you. You're not allowed to slack off, Peps doesn't give me time off, so up you get, come on, we're going."

Granted, Remy didn't need much of a push to go after Crystal.

"There you are, chere," he said when he found her. "Been lookin' for you."

"Wha--" Paige jumped when Tony barged into her room. "What are you talking about? What are you doing here?"

Crystal glanced over at him. "Sorry." She didn't sound very sorry, though.

"I am here because you missed work and Peps has loaned you to me for a few days, now come on, we're going sciencing." Tony grinned and picked her up, carrying her down the stairs easily.

"Nothin' t' be sorry for, chere," Remy said, sitting down next to her. "Not th' end of th' world."

"I called in sick," Paige protested, "it's not the same as not showing up." She yelped when Tony picked her up. "No, put me down right now! I swear to god I'll touch some cast iron and then where will you be?"

"Yeah, I figured." Crystal shrugged but didn't move from where she was.

"Then I will be lifting you with my mind," Tony said cheerily. "And you'll be floating along behind me. According to Clint just floating is worse than being carried."

"What's wrong?" Remy asked. "Talk to me, chere."

"You are a cruel man," Paige said, wriggling in his arms.

"Just not feeling social." Crystal shrugged, not looking at him.

"So I've been told." Tony just grinned and carried her out to his car, plopping her in the passenger seat.

"Gambit thinks it might be more'n that," Remy said. "What's botherin' you, chere?"

Paige just glared at him a bit as she was plopped down into the car.

"Why are you doing this, really?" she asked.

"I couldn't help Paige." The admission surprised Crystal, and she glowered at the trees in front of her.

"Why?" Tony blinked at her. "Do I need a why? Brucie says I need an assistant for some of this stuff while he's gone, and Peps agreed, and really they're all just ganging up on me which is not fair, I managed to live without them for a long time."

Remy nodded a bit in understanding. He'd heard about what happened.

"Pain's a funny thing sometimes, chere," he said. "Sometimes it doesn't want help right away."

"Did Crystal put you up to this?" Paige asked.

Crystal shook her head. "Doesn't matter." Because she should have found a way to help, no matter what.

"Nope," Tony said truthfully, starting to drive back to the tower. "Not at all."

"It does matter," Remy said. "No matter how much you want to help, people have to want to be helped for it to take." Cautiously, he put an arm around her.

"Then who did?" Paige asked as she buckled up. She grimaced when she realized she was still in a tank and lounge shorts. "You didn't even let me get dressed."

Crystal shook her head. "No, there are times when people need help but don't want it," she said quietly, though she didn't try to move away.

"I've got clothes for you in the trunk already," Tony said. "Charles gathered them up."

"I didn't say there weren't," Remy pointed out. "Give her a bit more time, chere. She'll come around. You two are the best of friends, non?"

"I hope they're good ones," Paige said. "Jeans and a tee, that's all I'm asking for."

"We have been for a few years." Crystal shrugged a bit but didn't try to dislodge his arm.

"Jeans, t-shirts, another set of pajamas, underwear, all that stuff." Tony shrugged. "This is Charles, after all."

"Things will be okay," Remy said. He didn't move his arm. "Some hurts take a bit longer than others."

"Good," Paige said, settling into her seat.

"Yeah." Crystal didn't sound convinced, but she hunched her shoulders a bit. She didn't want to talk anymore.

It didn't take long for Tony to park in the underground parking garage of the tower, and then he ushered her into the private elevator that took them straight up to his lab.

Remy pulled her a little closer and just let the silence stretch.

Paige barely had enough time to grab her clothes before being ushered into the elevator.

"What kind of science are you planning?" she asked warily.