A/N: Okay, so some may or may not be familiar with the title of this story. Its something that I originally created a handful of years ago. I've now decided to revamp it and cross it between both the movie and the comics to make it more accessible to others. Certain parts of the original with eventually pop up, the better parts, but I've decided to also rework and add a lot of things instead of just 'fixing' issues in writing. I want to better develop my character along with other interactions that she may have. I've had a lot of time to hone my writing skills over the years as I have finally graduated college with the addition of a minor in creative writing. I really do hope that everyone likes the reinstated story and continues to follows along as before. If anyone wished to read the old version, then they are more than welcome, but as I've said, a lot of things will be changed as I realized far too many issues along with that of rushed time line. Please, let me know what you think with REVIEWS and MESSAGES. IDEAS ARE ALWAYS WELCOMED. Thank you and enjoy. -Kitty

Redone: Combusting Hearts

Chapter 1

They Call Me Freak

"In recent news, rumors of an underground mutant group has arisen."

I sat there, cup of tea in hand as I listened to the news caster's spiel. It was the first time in over a month that I'd dared to step foot inside a local establishment outside of the occasion supermarket. I here to hopefully gain intel. Recently, other mutants in the area had been causing problems. I wasn't much better. One of the gangs had dug their claws in long ago, a poison that seem to taint the veins of my soul. As loath as I was to admit it, they were the only reason I could afford to put food on the table. It started out as small things, distraction here, see if I could melt this there. If they got me mad enough, I'd blow open a door for them. Most things were technically an indirect reaction on my part, my gift temperamental as I really had no desire to learn its limitations or use of application. Sometimes it was easier just to take my contacts out and have that be the end of it. On occasion, that yielded enough of a distraction to warrant a run.

"Eye witnesses describe a group of seven individuals, gender and ethnicity ranging…"

I rolled my eyes as I sipped at my cup, wincing as I scratched a spot at the back of my neck. I grimaced as I glanced at my nails, the free edge stained red and the freshly sealed scab clinging to my skin. One after the other they'd been chipped all week. My mistake had been letting them convince me to climb the side of a warehouse. I was left to scope out a possible hit. It must have been some sort of drug pick up or at least that was my personal theory. Not that they'd ever tell me upfront. I was just a pawn in their plans. I lost track the number of times I had to take a file to my nails just to keep from slicing my skin. Really, they weren't even that sharp. I'd seen worse on one of the guys in the group that I occasionally ran with. He actually had nails or claws I guess you could say, followed by the green of his skin. Mine were thin, leaving them sharp and easily caught.

Wiping it on my jeans I closed my eyes, muscles still sore as I listened carefully to the chatter around me. In the corner there were a group of men, five of them, each with their own opinion as they sat eating their lunch. They'd been there for over an hour now, the realization putting me on edge a bit. Most didn't stay that long and I'd become paranoid at times over the years. Toward the front of the small diner sat a young family, a man and a woman with a child of around four or five, I couldn't be sure. She was a pretty little thing though, mid-length dark hair, with soft baby curls that bounced when she giggled at one of the faces her father had been making for the last half hour. Two tables down from there sat two women, features similar. Sisters perhaps. One's hair was streaked purple, the other's hair dark with blond highlights.

"…vandalism of property within the area suggests…"

"Can you believe that guy? I mean, Jim actually gave the kid a job."

"Hey, its not that bad," one of the men over in the corner said. "Kid's quiet, stays out of the way. I think he really does just wanna learn."

"…conspirators…"

"Do you like that Penny?"

Another drink as I sat there, lightly tapping my fingers against the countertop as laugher echoed, the cup keeping my half-gloved hand warmed from the chill in the air. It was a little chilly for spring in this area, but who was I to judge. I never really stayed in one place that long as is, my mind slowly drifting to different days. That was when I had even less control, confusing my mind while simultaneously scaring the ever-living shit out of myself. Emotions had never truly been my friend. It was the reason why I'd been expelled a couple of times back in school, the system giving up once I'd come of age. They'd kicked me out in a heartbeat, the government no longer seeing an obligation to shelter me as I was deemed an adult in their eyes. I suppose it was better that way, no longer was I tied to a family, a group of individuals that would have rather gouged out their own eyes than have a mutant in their home. Don't get me wrong, they weren't all bad, but I could only ever stay in one place for a few months at a time without incident. It was better to stay indifferent, distance myself from anything that would affect me in an unwelcomed way. Doing that kept me safe. Well, safer anyway. Sometimes though it didn't really make a difference. If I blew, I blew, and there was nothing that anyone could do about it.

"Of course, she does, Joe. I mean, you're making a fool of yourself, so why wouldn't she laugh?"

I tried not to smile, blinking as I ran a hand through my hair.

"Think they saw anything?"

It was the two women, eyes flitting around the room as they spoke in hushed voices.

"Oh, don't give me that shit. You haven't gone near him all freakin' day!"

Discreetly, I glanced toward the men at the back, trying to tune everything out as they continued to talk about the young man.

"His eyes freak me out a little, okay?" he admitted. "Doesn't mean he's a bad kid, I just…"

"You guys are pathetic."

"…menace to society…"

It was obvious they were talking about a mutant, details coming out as they spoke, not really caring if anyone else in the diner heard them. Apparently, the kid wanted to try his hand in construction, this particular crew a bit on edge due to that fact. Sounded as though he'd been there for about a week maybe. He was strong.

"It's terrible, just terrible I tell you! They've been skulking around my complex for weeks. No doubt they're planning something. No good scoundrels. All a bunch of freaks and degenerates. Okay Ma'am, I think we…"

I scoffed as the sound of the TV made its way to my ears.

"Bullshit," I muttered. "Complete and utter bullshit."

I knew the place they were showing on the small screen. It wasn't far from here, about five blocks south toward the edge of town. Some liked to call it a 'cesspool for muties'. God I hated that term.

"Something wrong?"

I turned my gaze forward, pushing a piece of hair behind my ear.

"Pardon?"

I looked at the man in front of me, the one that had served me my food and drink. He had short somewhat shaggy brown hair, eyes dark as he stared down at me. Had the look on his face been different, I may have called him halfway good looking with that nicely squared jaw and the stubble that rested there. That wasn't the case though as I sat my cup down, locking my gaze with his, and folding my hands in front of me momentarily.

"I said, something wrong?" he asked against, hands pressed against the counter.

"Nope, no problem."

"You sure?"

His eyes trailed to the flat screen against the wall. He was hinting at something obviously. Or at least he thought he was.

"Nope. Just minding my own business. Trying to anyway. Got too many stupid friends."

I gestured to the phone in my lap, holding it up between my fingertips as I let it dangle there. It was deader than a doornail, but he didn't know that. I'd made it a habit to keep the thing with me, using it as an easy escape if I found something I didn't agree with. It was easier to pawn things off on an idiot 'friend' than it was to allow myself to admit my own opinion on things.

"Sorry if you thought there was one."

With that, I took another drink, shoving a cold French Fry in my mouth. This seemed to somewhat sedate his questioning gaze as I 'tapped' at the screen, pretending to type out a message.

"Man, Johnny's a moron," I laughed, shaking my head absently.

Yep, as long as I played the part, I was good. Or at least that's what I thought anyway.

xXx

Run. All I had to do was keep running, my feet pounding against the pavement as I tried to keep ahead of the group that they'd sent after me. Lyko's plan had failed terribly, the brains behind the operation. It was supposed to be a simple in and out job. Nothing to worry about. We'd scouted the placed for over a week. I knew the layout, the number of 'civilians', when the shifts changed. A few more runs and I was supposed to be let loose to do my own thing, live my own life. Instead, it was as if they'd been waiting for me.

I flinched as I heard a crack, cursing under my breath as they missed, hitting a nearby building instead. Brick crumbled and dust settled in the air. A handgun no doubt as the bullet embedded itself in the wall.

"This way!"

I caught sight of one of the others at the end of the corner, blue hair radiating in the dim light. They disappeared seconds later, phasing out of sight. If only it were that simple, then I never would have landed in this mess. They should have left it to Veil instead of me. She was the easy in and out on jobs like this. No one ever saw her.

"Why wasn't it Veil?"

My foot caught and I stumbled, catching myself.

"Damn it," I hissed, shoving off the ground.

I gripped the corner of the building as I turned down the street, sliding passed a random couple as I tried to catch my breath. It only took another three blocks and I froze, limbs seizing up, breath caught in my throat.

"Wha…

I didn't understand. This didn't make any sense. They didn't. They couldn't have.

xXx

Charles was going about his usual rounds as he wheeled around the basement. He'd already been upstairs, the school day finished for the day's session. As a result, he didn't have any classes at the moment. His ethics class had finished up earlier that morning, the students trailing to their next class once the bell had sounded. Stilling his hands, he came to a stop outside of Cerebro. The gears inside whirred around before him and a panel opened. With practiced ease, he lined himself up, blinking momentarily as a small light shot forward and over his eye. It was a retinal scan that he had set in place to keep wandering students at bay. It was safer that way. One more thing that he didn't have to worry about.

"Hello, Professor."

The voice was automated and hollow. Only so much he could do to remedy that he supposed.

"Thank you Cerebro," he voiced quietly, allowing the doors to close behind him as he wheeled himself inside. "Now, why don't we take a look at things."

The moment the metal helmet when on, lights exploded in front of him. Before him was a giant map spanning the Earth. It was a mess of white and red lights, the colors signifying humans and mutants alike. Slowly, he pushed away the humans, the white lights disappearing. It allowed him to concentrate on locating the mutants. There were just as many in numbers, the lights lighting up equal space within his field of vision as his mind narrowed in on different states. At first, he concentrated a little closer to home. He'd been looking in on several mutants recently, keeping an eye on things.

He'd found a shifter up in Maine recently, a young man of around 22. His name was Hal Davidson. He seemed to have a decent hold on his powers, experimenting with the different shapes he could take. Charles was thinking of sending someone out to him next week in hopes of talking. Perhaps even bring him back to the mansion if he was at all willing.

There was another for which he'd been keeping tabs on. This one was up around Michigan, living at the water's edge. She had an affinity to water, her ability changing her genetic makeup and allowing her to breathe under water among other things. She was around 17, also coming to have a rather decent grip on her power, but had a penchant for pulling pranks. She'd gotten into trouble several times with her parents as a result of this, but nothing of danger that would pose an issue to her safety.

Milling around, he skimmed the rest of the states one by one. He was about half way through when a bright light suddenly exploded in front of him. The red light hadn't been as apparent before, the intensity making him wince momentarily. It was in Oklahoma, the image becoming far larger as he pushed his concentration. He filled with a sense of fear as he latched on, a prick of pain tingling against his nerves. Before him was the image of a woman in her early to mid-twenties if he had to take a guess, her emotions becoming sporadic at best, shooting off all over the place as her mind screamed out. He could sense her fear, traces of confusion, hurt, betrayal. She'd been tricked and put in an all too precarious position. The problem with all of this was the tremor of power that manifested.

Please.

The image was almost static like as her energy levels began to spike. He knew in his heart that he had to help her before something irreversible happened. Pulling his helmet from his head, he placed it back onto the pedestal before him, carefully reaching out with his mind.

Logan, Storm, Scott. Meet me in the hanger and have the jet ready, we're leaving now.

He spoke through his mind as he quickly wheeled himself out of the room and down the hall, throwing out a few more orders. He knew that he had to hurry, otherwise, people were going to get killed.