Title: Beneath

Author: Half-Human

Summary: Xover-GAXmen. --Spoiler-X3--Post the events leading to the death of Jean Grey, Meredith must face her past, Addison must deal with who she is, and Derek must open his eyes

Disclaimer: I'm a poor undergrad, I own nothing :P

A/N: ok, this story makes number 3 on my extremely-bizarre fic-list. :P Weird? Yes. If you don't like real fictitious fics, this is not for you. Also, if you haven't seen X3 and don't mind getting spoiled, you can still read it. Hope you enjoy, reviews will be mucho appreciated :P

-8-8-8-

Meredith was sitting by her computer reading her latest email. "One of my cousins died, well second cousins," she announced, tying her hair into a ponytail. "I've been invited to the funeral." Derek looked up from his reading.

"I'm sorry Mer. How did she die?"

"I don't know, but she was one of those...you know, mutants. She was in the news," she said somewhat hushed.

"Really?" Derek asked more seriously. Meredith nodded.

"It was never spoken about in the family. Jean was...special. She was sent off to some school when she was young. I met her once though, when I was little." Meredith shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "They wanted her to interact with kids...It was strange," she whispered. "Like I didn't have to do anything--just think." Meredith swallowed hard before continuing. "She...she knew what I was thinking." Mer remained silent, lost in thought. Sitting on the wooden desk chair, she lifted her legs and tucked her knees under her chin.

"Well are you going? I think you should, I mean, she's family--"

"Yeah, but she was ostracized and ...and she was one of them," she said, softly, still lost in memories.

"There's nothing wrong with being a mutant," Derek suddenly cut in defensively, changing the mood.

"I didn't say that," Meredith looked up, driven from her thoughts. "I have nothing against mutants...its just, she scared me Derek. She really did. I mean, I don't know…don't they scare you?" Meredith asked, attentively, not sure if she was ready to share what was truly on her mind yet. Derek narrowed his eyes.

"No. They don't because there is nothing to be scared of. They are people," he said bitterly. "You had a mutant in your family, you should understand."

"Damn it, I do understand…you don't understand, I mean, what's gotten into you? I was just telling you the truth..." Meredith was taken off guard by Derek's behavior and wondered whether she should just tell him what was on her mind, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. "I understand that Jean was different-- I feel ostracized half the time too," she said, deciding not to delve into her past, "and I'm not even one of them." Derek suddenly got up.

"One of them? A mutant Meredith, just say it," he said sternly, shaking his head in disappointment. He quickly exited the room, leaving behind an unsettled Meredith.

-8-8-8-

"Hey."

"Hello...Derek?" Addison replied surprised. When was the last time he dialed her personal cell number?

"Yeah its me...just calling," he said, still rattled but feeling somewhat relieved. He was sitting outside on Meredith's porch.

"Ok..."Addison said.

"I just wanted to see how you were," Derek offered.

"Well, I'm fine...ok. Honestly Derek, this call is unexpected and--"

"I know, I was just thinking about you. I wanted to call you." Addison didn't know how to respond but felt herself smile. "Has anything strange happened lately? I was just worried," he continued. "With all the news on ...on what happened in San Francisco and New York, I was just wondering--"

"I'm fine Derek," Addison cut in, her smile quickly fading away as she thought about what Derek was referring to: the massive mutant uprising...the new formula designed to force the mutant gene into dormancy...the letters sent out, tempting mutants to take arms…

"Addison? Addison are you there?"

"Derek, I have to go," she said, not wanting to share with him everything that had happened to her.

"Addison?"

"Yes Derek?"

"Protect yourself, ok? These are rough times." Addison nodded against the phone, trying to keep her emotions at bay. He didn't know what she had done-- he hadn't a clue.

"Yes Derek, I will, you have nothing to worry about."

--Click--

He hadn't a clue.

-8-8-8-

A/N: kk, I know that was bizarre, I just can't keep myself from writing strange fics… :P I decided to post it here, in the GA section. anyway, hope you enjoyed. Please R/R-