*disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. All copy right characters owned by Marvel Comics.*

SHADOWCAT REBORN

She brushed her chestnut hair out of her eyes as she stared at the bright screen of her laptop. Her brown eyes were glazed over and bloodshot.

'Why can't I figure out this glitch?' Her tone was of frustration and exhaustion. Glancing at the time she swore under her breath. 1AM and she was still stuck on the genetic coding error. It should have been an easy fix for her but her headaches had been getting worse and they were effecting her concentration.

"Katerina? What are you doing up still? Go to bed darling. It's much too late to be worrying over a computer error. It can wait for the morning. Your sleep is much more important." His voice was soothing, almost lulling her to sleep at the desk in front of her.

"I'm sorry Richard, am I keeping you awake? You know me, can't sleep until it's fixed. But I think I'll take your advice this time. I can barely see straight with these migraines." She held her hand to her temple, trying to relieve the pressure that was building.

"Come darling, leave it for the morning." He grabbed her hand away from the keyboard and pulled her gently towards the door. She gave in to him and shut her laptop. The darkness of closed eyes and a warm bed was very inviting. She slipped into a satin night gown, lace trimmed the edges of the sapphire blue garment. Her eyes closed as soon as her head touched the pillows.

Her sleep was interrupted by a loud alarm blasting through the Intercoms. Rolling over she grabbed ear plugs from her bedside table and placed them in her ears to drown out the noise.

'Why on earth are they testing the security system at 4AM?!'

"PARAMETER BREACH, PARAMETER BREACH" The electronic voice of the security system screeched.

'Damn, this isn't a test.' She jumped out of bed and ran to the control room. The security alarms showed a breach in the outer compound wall and a heat signature moving it's way toward the research building. Logging in her passwords she activated the defense codes of the compound. The figure on her screen smashed a window and disappeared into the laboratory.

"Richard? Richard where are you? We have someone trying to break into the research lab."

She ran a location beacon on Richard and discovered he was in the same building as the intruder.

'Shit! What's he doing there at this time?'

"Full alert! All security to the research lab! We have an intruder!" She announced over the PA, hoping that the trespasser would get nervous at being discovered and run. She grabbed the tazer she had hidden in the drawer beneath the security desk and jumped to her feet.

'Going to have to get there the fast way.' She told herself as she slipped through the wall with but a single breath. Passing through solid matter always felt funny, her body becoming intangible to the objects around her. She was always left with a queasy feeling when she used her powers. She had to keep it together long enough to reach the lab.

Her heart was pounding loudly in her chest, the tazer tightly held in her hand. She took the ear plugs from her ears, dropping them to the cold floor. The alarm only sounded in the house. It was quiet in the lab, the only noise came from the hum of the florescent lights above. She told herself she was crazy to wander alone towards a burglar but her instincts drove her to investigate. Richard was unaware of the intruder, his life was at stake.

'Oh god Richard. Where are you? Why are you down here at this hour? And where the fuck is our security?!' She tried to calm her nerves as she slinked across the hall. She hadn't really thought about what she would do if she came across this person who broke into their compound. This place was made to protect the people in it but it seemed as if their guards had disappeared. She took a step forward, slipping in something wet on the floor.

'Oh god! Is that blood?!'

The red substance stained the floor, leaving a clear trail ahead of her. Her head was screaming to stop but she was compelled to continue forward, she had to make sure Richard was okay. The silence of the lab was broke as metal hit the ground, causing a loud clash to echo down the hallway. She jumped against the wall, going intangible as she braced herself for an attack. Grunting sounds followed the clash, almost as if an injured animal was clambering around. The door to their med-lab was pried open, claw marks scarred the framework and the trail of blood seemed to pool here. She gasped at the sight of the beast, stumbling through their cabinets of medication. It stopped, sniffing the air it turned around to stare at her. She was frozen, unsure of what to do. It was too late to run, he was staring straight at her. She could see it was injured badly, it's head covered in dried blood, it's limbs sliced open in gashes which oozed dark red blood.

"Katerina..."

She heard Richard whisper her name from her left side. Glancing through the corner of her vision she saw Richard huddled beneath a desk holding a tazer gun. The beast snapped his head in Richard's direction, snarling, revealing it's fanged teeth.

"Please! Don't hurt him! We can help you. We can heal your wounds." She didn't know why she was trying to convince the beast, it clearly had no regard for her or Richard, she didn't even know if it understood English. Bravely she stepped between the beast and Richard, it would have to get through her to reach him. She still did not know what was driving her to confront this animal. She hoped that her tazer would be enough to take it down. Her heart was beating so loud she swore the whole room rang with each pump. She was going to stand her ground. Charging her tazer she popped the safety tab on it.

"Please, we can help." The beast eyed her length, pausing at her legs before it's piercing amber eyes locked with hers. It's eyes... They were human... She stood still as the beast came closer to her, it sniffed the air a few more times. Her breathing became labored as it neared her.

'Stand your ground, don't show fear...' She chanted to herself, hoping that it would calm her. The beast was less then arm's length away from her, she could hear his breaths, smell his blood and sweat. Her eyes pleaded silently with the beast, asking him not to hurt them.

Her scent seemed to stir something within the animal, familiarity. Her voice had an edge of fear, he was almost deafened by the beating of her heart, all things he was accustomed to. Those eyes, almost like a fawn's staring back at him, begging him. He always enjoyed the deer in the headlights look, gave him delight as a predator. She wasn't screaming though, not yet anyways. Usually they try to run when he gets this close, not this one, she's holding her ground even though she's trembling like a leaf. He took another deep breath of air, filling his nose with her scent again.

'I know that scent... Can't be, she's supposed to be dead.'

He growled in pain as the poison in his wounds burned. It was taking all his willpower to control the feral beast within. He needed meds bad, anything to stop the poison from spreading.

"Please, we can help you."

Her voice... It was slightly different then before, more mature, concerned. She didn't recognize him yet. The coward under the desk made a quick movement, before he could react he felt a hot surge of electricity burn through his body.

"Richard no! He's injured!" She rushed towards the beast as it wriggled in agony.

"Katerina he's dangerous!"

She ignored Richard's pleas as she neared the beast. Something about it triggered an emotion she couldn't identify.

"Richard he's passed out, please stop shocking him. We need to get him to the infirmary." She placed a hand on the beast's shoulder, passing her intangibility to him in order to make him lighter and easier to lift onto a nearby stretcher.

"We'll need to strap him down Katerina, he's acting as an injured animal. Very unpredictable."

"Don't worry, once we get him to the infirmary we can put him on a proper bed with tie downs. Right now I'm more concerned about saving his life. He must he in such agony, look how deep those wounds are... And the colour... I think he's been poisoned." They rolled the beast to the east wing of the building. There they could treat his wounds in their infirmary.

Katerina ran her fingers through the beasts fur, it was soft despite it's mangled condition. Richard strapped the beast's limbs to the treatment bed, tightening them to the point where they bit into the beast's flesh.

"Richard..."

"I'm not taking a chance of him getting loose."

Katerina disinfected the beast's arm before she placed the IV in his vein. She was unsure of the extent of his injuries but she wanted to make him as comfortable as she could. Once the fluids began to enter his body she grabbed a syringe of morphine, injecting the painkiller into the drip she watched the beast's chest for breaths. It moved slowly. She placed heart monitor pads on his chest, hoping that it wasn't too late to save his life. Richard watched Katerina as she inspected the beast's wounds. She took a sample from one of the wounds and handed it to Richard to analyze.

Without a word Richard gathered drugs from the cabinets, mixing a concoction to inject.

"He's laced with snake venom and plant toxins. Whomever did this wanted to make sure he didn't survive. Are you sure you want to save him?"

"Richard how could you ask me such a thing? It's clear he was a victim of a hate crime. Are we not here to help those who are special?! What if it were me?"

"Darling it's not you, and you know the answer to that question already. I just don't want you to get your hopes up, the doses are fatal... I'm not sure we can save him."

"Please, we have to do our best to help him." She had tears filling her eyes, she couldn't stand the thought of losing the life of a special being to hatred.

"I'll do my best Katerina, you know that. He'll need to be watched closely for the next 24 hours. I'll pump him full of anti-venom and try to detoxify his blood. Those wounds will need to be cleaned and dressed. Let's hope he's a fighter."

Katerina doused the beast's wounds in antiseptic, the dead tissue bubbled as she washed away the solution. Loading the wounds with gauze she wrapped them gently, trying to be careful not to pull at the gashes.

"We've done all we can for tonight. Now it's just a matter of waiting. See how his system reacts."

"I'll take first watch." Katerina couldn't take her eyes off the unconscious beast. Something about him stirred emotions inside of her. She dared not tell Richard, she couldn't explain it to herself let alone him.

"You need sleep Katerina."

"I slept, it looks like you haven't even been to bed yet. Besides, he's unconscious and strapped down. Nothing for you to worry about."

"Alright, but you keep that tazer charged and on you at all times. I'll have security come down."

"I think security left, there was no one in the control room when the alarm went off."

"Hmmm funny. I'll call the company, see what's up."

"You know we have those who could watch over us. They have the powers to protect this facility."

"You know how I feel about this. We are here to keep them safe from harm. To keep them out of the publics eye. If anyone should see them... We don't need the outside world endangering our oasis."

"Yes... I know..." She left the subject alone and turned her attention to the beast.

'Who are you? And why do you make me feel so awake?'

Katerina was unaware when she had fallen asleep, but her head was resting on the bed before her, her hand laying over the beast's forehead. Glancing at the monitors she noticed his heartbeat had grown stronger, it's steady peaks bleeping across the screen. The IV drip was getting low, she was not a doctor but had assisted enough times to know how to change the bag. It was time for another course of antibiotics and anti-venom. She injected morphine through the line, she did not want him to feel pain. She stroked his fur again, the softness caressing her skin. Taking a damp cloth she wiped the dried blood and dirt from his face.

'I know you, don't I?' She traced a finger over his lips, pausing at his canines that parted his mouth. He seemed to respond to her touch as the heart monitor bleeped louder. She checked beneath the bandages, his wounds had started to heal considerably. Taking scissors she cut the cotton and gauze from his body. She washed them once more, taking care to be gentle. The skin was bright pink, not the ugly grey colour it had been earlier that night.

"Remarkable... You are a survivor, aren't you?" The heart monitor seemed to answer her as it bleeped loudly again.

"You are a handsome fellow... Who did this to you? Mutant haters I'm sure." She continued to wash him, working down his arm to his large hands. She gingerly ran her fingers across his, the tips forming sharp metal claws.

The door to the infirmary opened suddenly, starling Katerina.

"Oh my sweets! You've got yourself a big one." A busty blonde in a tight fitting nurses uniform marched toward her. It was Rosie, their resident nurse. The woman's bright green eyes lit up as she took full measure of the beast.

"Ha ha yes, he's definitely a big boy."

"Where did you find him? Hmmm he's a looker."

Katerina couldn't help but giggle.

"He actually let himself in last night. Someone tried to kill him, he was laced with toxins. He seems to have healing powers, which is probably why they poisoned him."

"Oh poor darling! This world never ceases to disappoint me. Well let's get him cleaned up."

The women tended to his wounds, washing his body clean of debris.

"Oh he IS a big boy." Rosie exclaimed as she removed his spoiled clothing.

"Rosie!"

"What? I'm a nurse, it's in my profession to see naked men." She smirked as she gave Katerina a wink.

"Oh you are terrible! The poor man is half dead and you are violating him."

"I see no complaints from him."

"He's unconscious! How would he be able to protest."

"Well... I believe his erection speaks for him."

"What?!" Katerina blushed as Rosie pointed at the linen she had lain across him, there was a visible bulge beneath the material.

"Oh my!"

The women giggled together, each with flushed cheeks.

"Maybe it's because of your nightie, or is that the new nurses' uniform?"

Katerina looked down at herself, she had completely forgotten she was still dressed for bed.

"Oh! I literally leapt out of bed and have been down here all night. Did not even think about what I was wearing. Could you keep an eye on him for me? I need to shower and get dressed before someone sees me like this."

"Hey it would get people talking around here, make things more interesting." She smiled slyly at Katerina. "Don't worry about a thing, you go get freshened up and grab something to eat, I'll watch him like a hawk."

"Thanks Rosie. You want anything to eat?"

"Nah I'm fine sweets. You go look after yourself. He's not going anywhere."

With that Katerina made her way back to the residence building, passing through walls to keep herself from being seen in her night gown. After a long hot shower she slipped on her grey tweed pencil skirt and a light pink satin top. She sprayed her favourite perfume into the air, walking through the fragrant mist. She debated which shoes to wear, her sensible grey flats or her pink kitten heels. She thought of what Rosie would say and chose the pink heels, knowing that her feet would eventually suffer for that decision. She slipped on the matching tailored tweed jacket and walked to the kitchen.

The residents had finished breakfast already so the tables were empty and staff was cleaning the large pile of dishes left behind. Katerina couldn't be bothered to cook herself something so she rummaged through the cupboards looking for protein bars. She stuck a few in her jacket pockets and practically ran back to the infirmary.

"Has he woken up yet?" Katerina blurted as she burst through the door.

"No, not yet. But you have to see this Kat! It's amazing!" Rosie pulled back the linen sheet covering the beast. His wounds had nearly healed, just lines of pink skin remained to mark where his gashes had once been.

"I have to tell Richard! He'll want to do tests. This is fantastic! I thought for sure he wasn't going to make it last night he was in such rough shape." Katerina softly touched the pink scars, lingering on his stomach, lost in thought.

"Don't let Richard catch you fantasizing over big boy here. He'll never let you near him again." Rosie said half jokingly.

"Oh Rosie you know that Richard and I have a strictly professional relationship. And I'm not fantasizing, just marveling at his recovery."

"Suuure Kat... Strictly professional. Richard has been pining after you for years. You're just too blind to see it."

"Rosie I have no sexual attraction to Richard, he's old enough to be my father! You do know a man and a woman can have a platonic relationship. Richard thinks of me as a daughter for crying out loud."

"HA! You are in such denial! Kat you are a very attractive woman. Every man here wants to fuck you. You just have your head so far up in the clouds you don't notice."

"Rosie we've been over this a million times, I'm not interested in a relationship."

"Girl you need to get laid. You've been here four years and I've never even seen you date! All work and no play make Kat a dull woman. You need some fun in your life. Let loose once and a while. It's not healthy to have zero sexual contact. I'd go insane if I didn't have sex every day."

"Every day?! Geezus Rosie."

"What? I have a high sex drive."

"You are unbelievable." Katerina shook her head.

"Look all I'm saying is that you stare at a computer screen all day then work in the lab with the patients. You need to get out of here every once and a while. Everyone has wants and needs that have to be taken care of in order to stay sane. You my dear are long overdue."

"Rosie... I just feel so lost... I don't know who I am... Where I came from... My past is a blur. I'm perpetually confused. I can't expose someone to that. I don't know what I want because I feel like I have no identity. It's not fair for someone else to have to deal with that."

"Who says they have to? I'm just saying you need to get laid girl. Come out with me this Friday. We'll go to the local bar and get drunk, pick up a hottie. You'll have fun, trust me."

"Famous last words; 'Trust me'."

"Awe come on, don't be such a prude. Live a little!"

"If he's conscious and moving around I'll go. Otherwise I need to keep an eye on him."

"Fine. Deal. You better not back out if he's up and about, that's all I have to say."

"I promise Rosie."

"Alright I've got to do my rounds. You need anything just page me. Don't forget you've got that dance class in a couple hours."

"I almost forgot! Thank goodness I have you Rosie. I swear I'd lose my head if it wasn't for you." The women chuckled and parted ways. Katerina went back to the beast's bed. She wanted to touch his fur again. She found comfort in it's softness against her hand, his hard muscles a contrast to the silkiness. She thought she could almost hear him purring as she stroked his chest.

"Where did you come from? Why do you seem so familiar?" She asked the sleeping beast.

Katerina dragged their portable scanner over him. She wanted to make sure internally he was healing as well. Her curiosity as to the metal claws upon his hand also drove her to investigate his body more. She watched the computer screen as it loaded the 3D image of his body. The metal seemed to coat his entire skeletal frame. His organs were functioning normally, his lungs taking in large breaths of air. His metal skull prevented her from seeing a proper scan of his brain. She only hoped that this metal had protected it from his brutal beating. She wanted him to wake up. She had so many questions to ask him.

The hours passed and she cursed under her breath when she realized she had 15 minutes before her ballet class was to start. Luckily she had a spare bodysuit in the laboratory for occasions like this. She changed her clothes, the beast was sleeping and no one else was nearby so she felt safe enough to get undressed.

The beast took in her scent, yes it was definitely who he thought it was. She was dead, or so everyone thought. But he never forgot a scent. She was undressing when he opened his eyes. The curves of her body were of a woman's, no longer a skinny little teenager. She had been touching him, caressing his fur while he healed. She didn't remember him. Would make sense to him that she had some memory loss, the crash was disastrous, no survivors, or so everyone was lead to believe.

'Hmmm the runt was right... She is alive. Guess he's not as crazy as they all think.'

He watched her pull on pale pink leotards and a black bodysuit. It clung to her shapely body, showing the roundness of her buttocks and the fullness of her breasts.

'She's grown into a woman... Never thought the little kitten would develop so well. She was always cute, but the girl next door kind of cute, this here is a pin up girl.' He could feel this groin pumping, the blood flow making him hard. He watched her bend over to slip on ballet shoes, the ribbon hugging her slender calves. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his hormones.

"Oh!" Katerina exclaimed as she looked over at the beast. He had another erection and it was clearly showing through the thin sheets. Curiosity made her tiptoe over to his bed.

"Who are you dreaming of?" She asked, not really wanting an answer. Rosie's comments from earlier peeked her interest as she slowly lifted the sheets.

'It moved! Can it really do that?! Geezus he IS big. Damn that ought to hurt.' Her pager went off, causing her to jump sideways, dropping the sheets back onto the beast. Her cheeks were flushed and she could almost swear the beast was smiling at her in his slumber. Looking at her pager she swore and ran off to the dance studio.

'Curious little Kitten. Wonder what the runt would say if he knew his little half-pint was checking out my package.' He chuckled to himself. He stretched his limbs, assessing their healing progress. He could feel restraints around his ankles and wrists. They were nylon, easy enough to escape from. He wanted to see what the curious little Kitten had in store for him first before he tried to escape his bonds.

Katerina stood tall at the front of the dance studio. She looked over her students, each wearing matching pink leotards and black bodysuits. Their hair in tight buns, eyes glued on her for instruction. In the back were the 'special' students, ones who had different shapes and forms from the rest. She always gave them her full attention. She cherished them the most because she knew how cruel the world could be to those who were different. They began their warmup, her eyes watching as they dipped, stretched and lifted their frames. She walked lightly between them, correcting their positions as she wandered through the group. Giggles began to erupt from one of the corners of the room. Her eyes shot over to three blonde girls, they were pointing at a young girl who was struggling with her lines. Her body covered in turquoise scales made it difficult for her to get full range of motion.

"Ladies! This room is for dancing. If you cannot find the discipline to focus on your techniques you are not welcome here. If you wish to stay I suggest you find yourself silent and at the front of the class. A hundred pliƩ's now!" The girl with the turquoise scales flashed a smile at Katerina who winked in response. The three girls hung their heads and dragged themselves to the front of the classroom, holding the balance barres they began their punishment in full view of all the students. Katerina didn't like humiliation but it was the only way she knew how to teach the girls some humility.

Once the class was finished Katerina stayed behind to tidy the studio and work on her own fitness. She preferred to dance alone, only her and the music to guide her. She watched herself in the mirrored walls, her lines were not perfect, the lack of sleep had taken it's toll on her. Sighing loudly she started again, pushing herself further through her extremities.

"Miss Kat... How do you make your legs and arms so long?" The turquoise girl asked her politely. She had been watching quietly from the change room.

"Callais, I thought everyone had left. It takes a lot of practice hunny. My form is not very good today... Lack of sleep and not enough food... You have to image you are a tree, your branches growing up to the clouds, reaching to touch the sun. Your legs are your roots, searching for the water below, grounding you as your trunk sways in the wind." Katerina demonstrated her best tree impression to the young girl. Callais giggled as she joined Katerina in her tree impression.

"Close your eyes Callais and really image reaching for the heavens. Feel yourself get lighter."

Callais followed her instructions, her eyes closed shut as she envisioned herself as a whispy willow in the cool breeze.

"Now open your eyes."

She listened, looking at her reflection before her. Her legs and arms looked like delicate green and blue glass branches, reaching toward the sky above and earth below.

"Oh miss!"

"You look beautiful Callais... Remember that you are special in so many ways. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. If you can image it, you can do it."

"Oh thank you miss!" Callais hugged Katerina tightly, shimmering tears ran down the young girl's face as she smiled brightly. Moments like this filled Katerina with so much joy.

"Now you better run along to math class. I'll write you a hall pass so Mr. Grumpy doesn't hand you a pink slip." The young girl skipped merrily along the hall, twirling around with her hall pass in hand as she floated by a grouchy man with stone-like skin. He glowered at the girl and muttered something under his breath.

"Good afternoon Mr. Lurcher, you are looking very handsome today. Is that a new suit?" Katerina smiled sweetly at the stone faced man.

"Hmmm yes it is, thank you for noticing Miss Katerina." He managed what was as close to a smile as he could.

"Sorry that Callais was running late. I was helping her with a few extra pointers."

"Hmmm you are too generous with your time Miss Katerina. These children need tough love. They won't have people like you looking out for them in the real world. They need to know it's not all sunshine and rainbows."

"Oh but that's what you are here for Mr. Lurcher, to put that dark cloud and rain over their parade through these halls." She kissed him lightly on his pebbled cheek. The old man seemed to blush at her affection.

"We need to find you a husband Miss Katerina, a fine woman like yourself shouldn't be single."

"You are starting to sound like Rosie now. She's made a bet with me to take me out on the town Friday night."

"Hmmm that Rosie is trouble, not the kind of woman you should be hanging out with. You'll not find a husband with her influence."

"She's a sweet lady Mr. Lurcher, she just enjoys having fun."

"Hmph, not the respectable type of fun a young lady should be having."

"Don't worry Mr. Lurcher, you know I'm the sensible type. No trouble to be had here." She winked at him as she hurried along towards the infirmary.

She peeked over at the beast's bed. No sign of movement aside from his breathing. His eyes were shut and the heart monitor was bleeping readily. Her stare lingered over his covered torso where his bulge had been showing earlier.

"Aha! I caught you!" Rosie's voice startled her. She was bursting with giggles when Katerina finally regained her composure.

"You definitely need to get laid girl."

"It's all your fault Rosie, if you hadn't made such a big deal about it..."

"Uh huh, sure thing Miss goodie-two-shoes. I don't blame you, he's ruggedly handsome. If you weren't so interested in him I'd have jumped on him already."

"What? What do you mean 'interested in him'?"

"Girl you haven't looked at a man, let alone spent so much time looking after one. You were almost late to your own ballet class and you rushed right back here. That says a lot."

"Rosie I'm just concerned about him. He was on death's door last night. Someone really wanted him dead and I fear it was a hate crime against mutants. I never like seeing our kind treated like this. It saddens me. I want to keep our kind safe, I want them to know they have a home." She was beginning to shake with emotion, tears were threatening to fall from her eyes.

"I know Kat. Just... You are acting differently then you normally do."

"He... He's triggered emotions in me that I don't recognize... That I haven't felt before... I-I think I know him somehow." She was trembling.

"Well when he wakes we'll find out if he knows you." Rosie put an arm over Katerina's shoulders in comfort.

"I know it's been hard on you, not knowing who you are or where you're from. If you do know him that's a good thing, might shed some light on the darkness in your head." Rosie hugged Katerina tightly.

"Now let's get you some real dinner. I can hear your tummy growling."

Katerina glanced at the beast laying on the bed.

"I'll bring it to you here. And a change of clothes."

"Thank you Rosie. You're the best."

"I know I am."

Katerina scanned his body again, she couldn't find anything to indicate brain damage. His blood work had come back normal, well as normal as she could guess for his mutation.

"Why won't you wake up? Are you hiding from the world? I promise I won't let anyone hurt you again. You are safe here." She was holding his hand between her palms. Trying hard not to cry.

She heard loud voices echoing down the hallway. It was Richard and a few security guards with Rosie in row.

"I want it locked up! Shackles, muzzle, collar the whole bit! No one is to have direct contact with it. Guards on duty 24/7 until I can figure out who to turn him over to." Richard was barking orders at the men who escorted him.

"Katerina! Step away from that monster!" Richard grabbed her roughly by the shoulders, ripping her away from the beast.

"Richard! What's the meaning of this?!"

"He's a monster Katerina. He murdered an entire crew of guards last night. He's to be locked up in our holding cell with zero contact. I have to fly to London and speak with some people. Find out who can come pick him up."

"He didn't know what he was doing Richard! He was injured! Please don't!"

"Katerina he's dangerous! If he were to wake up and kill you because he was confused I'd never forgive myself."

The men moved in, metal shackles in hand. The heart monitor bleeped loudly

"Richard if we must can I please be the one to do it? They'll be too rough with him. He's gone through enough and I can protect myself if need be. Please." Her soft brown eyes pleaded with Richard.

"Fine... But make sure they are secure. This has to be done Katerina, he's dangerous. You can't trust a feral animal."

She winced at his referral. Richard had no idea what it was like to be different. To be a mutant. She took the metal shackles from the men and attached them to the beast's clawed hands. She fastened a metal muzzle around his face as gently as she could, taking care to brush his long blonde hair from the straps. The beast opened it's eyes at her tender touch. His amber eyes staring back at her. She hid her shock from the men who were in deep discussion.

"Please be still. I don't want them to hurt you. I promise, I will look after you. Close your eyes." The kindness in her voice relaxed him as he closed his eyes once again.

"Rosie where's the collar? He must wear a collar!" Richard asked with desperation in his voice.

"Richard! The collar will suppress his powers. If he has more healing to do he won't be able to recover as quickly."

"We don't know what all his powers are Katerina. I'll keep the suppressant off until he's up and about. It's a necessary precaution."

Katerina looked at Rosie with tear filled eyes. They lifted the beast's head carefully, Katerina placing the collar around his neck. She couldn't hold back the tears any longer, they streamed down her face, landing on the beast's neck and chest.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to him. Rosie held her shoulder in comfort.

"Come on sweets, let's get you to bed. There's not much more we can do here."

The men rolled his bed out into the hall, escorting him to the basement of the building where they had reinforced walls and holding cells. Rosie walked Katerina back to her room, helping her get changed into pajamas.

"Here, take these. They are sleeping pills. Should give you a good six hours." Rosie handed her two coated capsules with a glass of water. She took the pills and swallowed them, she needed a good nights rest. Her nerves were on edge and her emotions were out of control.

"I'll check on him before I leave. Don't worry. I'll see you first thing in the morning." Rosie kissed her forehead and closed the door quietly behind her.

The pills kicked in quickly, within fifteen minutes Katerina was fast asleep.