Basic Instincts
Chapter 1 – Back
"I'm glad you're back." Charles Xavier turned the wheelchair so he could face the young woman of about 17 with a sports bag in her hands. Although the bald man was as always calm his eyebrows tensed a little.
"I guess, me too." She answered, putting the nag on the floor and taking a sit in the black lather comfortable chair.
"Although I must say you look exhausted." The professor wheeled a bit closer to her, taking in faded torn jeans that definitely were a size bigger than a slim girl who was wearing them. "Hope it's because of the long trip."
She produced a deep sigh and then smirked with satisfaction:
"I'm so happy you finally don't try to read my mind."
"I've learned my lesson." He answered, smiling.
"Ororo is still here?" The girl asked, turning her head to the door and waving her shoulder length chocolate brown hair.
Charles smiled just as an African-American with white hair cut short entered the office.
"Professor…" She stopped instantly, seeing that they weren't alone. "Summer?"
"Hey, Storm." Brunette stood up and gave Ororo a big hug. "What's up?"
"Well…hmm, lots of things happened since you've been gone! How are you? Why are you back?"
"Wow, hold there, tiger! Lots of questions! But to cut the long story short: mom's dead and here I am. Need a place to stay for now. I'll be gone soon again." Summer shrugged.
"Oh…well, that's too bad!" Ororo said and turned to the professor. "I'm sorry I interrupted."
"It's quiet alright." Professor X said. "You needed something?"
"Yes. It's about a new mutant."
"Ok, I'm tired so I'd better go have a nap and unpack. Is my room still mine?" Summer picket the bag.
"It sure is." Charles smiled.
"Good." Summer made her way to the door. "Can't wait to see John. One of the only people I actually missed. Except for you, Ro!"
Storm smiled sadly as the door closed.
"She doesn't know, does she?" She asked, turning to her mentor.
"She doesn't. The little time we spend, talking on the phone, wasn't enough even to properly ask how the things were. And to tell her that one of the people she considered friends here was gone…I mean I probably sound selfish but Pyro being gone reduce the chances of her staying."
"You're right. Isn't she gonner find out now?"
The Professor just looked out the window but it seemed that hi was gazing much further away.
Bobby and Kitty were comfortably curled on the couch in the living room in front of the TV when Rogue made her way into the room. Iceman seemingly tensed. Kitty noticed and pocked her head out to see what it was. She found her answer in a tall girl with two highlights in her hair. Shadowcat knew her boyfriend well enough to understand that he felt guilty about the way he and Rogue have broken up. She took his hand in hers and squeezed it. The corners of his lips lifted at the attempt to smile, the smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Meanwhile Summer made her appearance and the three pair of eyes stared at the new person. She stopped for a second and searched for someone but then continued her way to the stairs and up.
The three mutants looked at each other in confusion.
"Who is it?" Kitty looked at Bobby.
"Have no idea…"
Rogue didn't say a word as she made it in the direction of the kitchen but it was obvious that she too had no idea of whom the stranger was.
Rogue came into the kitchen and to the fridge. Taking the soda out she looked up to see Wolverine at the bar.
"Didn't see you come in." She said.
"You weren't supposed to." He smirked.
"Sure…" She smirked in the way of "whatever".
"What's that smell?" Logan asked, turning his nose. "Around you a bit."
"Oh, I guess, it's of that girl." Rogue took a place opposite of him.
"What girl?"
"Don't know. I was in the living room when she entered and without any words just went up the stairs. A path of a person who knows their way. Dark hair, around my age." Rogue sipped on her soda.
"Gotta talk to Wheels about her." He nodded. "Can you get me soda?"
"Do I look like a waitress?"
Summer was on her way to her room at the end of the hall on the third floor but stooped in front of the other room. She dropped the bag and was about to knock but then stopped, thinking about it again. The girl finally made up her mind and knocked softly.
"Come in!" The voice on the other side answered.
She opened the door and slowly made her way in. Scott was sitting behind the desk writing something. He looked at the person, disturbing him, eyes shadowed by the glasses.
As Cyclops finally recognized the person in front of him he jerked from the table and ran to her. She as well threw herself into his strong arms.
"Summer!" Scott said still hugging her. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, hon." She smiled. "And…I heard what happened. I'm so sorry…"
Scott still had his nose in her hair when he felt fresh tears building up in his eyes:
"I loved her so much, Sum…I loved her so much…"
"Tshh…" She rocked him slowly back and forth.
Summer has never seen Scott Summers like that in her entire life. Always the leader, the rock, he never let any emotions appear on his face. This time he wasn't Cyclops; he wasn't the leader of the X-Men either. He was just her friend, a man who needed help, who needed someone to rely on. And here she was. This was another reason for her arrival.
"What do we know about him?" Charles asked as he looked through the files on the table in front of him.
"Nothing much. Rich boy, hiding his mutation not to let the publicly find out and cry to the whole world that the heir of one of the richest families in America is a mutant." Ororo answered.
"Yes. I remember him. His parents once contacted me in search for the cure from the mutation." The professor looked up, remembering.
"Cure? We don't need no cure!"
"We don't but humans think we do. You better then anyone else should know that." He said kindly, in his usual manner.
"I know…"
"What else do we know?"
"I'm glad you came." Scott said as he positioned himself on the top of the table. He said he was fine after he and Summer talked about Jean's death, the topic Scott didn't feel comfortable talking on.
"Talkin' just like him." She produced a laugh.
"What? You didn't have a pleasant chat with him?" He laughed too.
"No. This time everything went pretty well."
"Good. I was hoping on it." Scott adjusted the shades.
"Ok." Summer stood up slowly. "I have to go see someone else now but I'll be back soon and we'll talk about everything."
"See who?" Scott asked when the girl was nearing the door.
"John!" She said as if it was obvious. "Who else?"
The same second Scott's face changed to a glimpse of anger and sadness.
"What?" She asked, not turning to him. "What's wrong?"
"You read me." He whispered.
"I want you to say it." With this Summer turned to her friend who was now finding his boots much more interesting thing to look at then her face. "Scott?"
"John's not here." He finally said although it seemed like a whisper.
"Don't make me read you. Be a good friend and say it." She tensed.
Scott stood up and put a hand on Summer's shoulder.
"I don't like your emotions, Scott. What is it?"
"He's with Magneto now…"
TBC