A/N: The third installment of Remy and Ivy's story is here! But I am not writing this alone, I am joined by my friend Certh. So with two co-authors that means that any OCS either belong to me or Certh. We do not own X-men, just the idea for this story. -Maiden of the Heavens (MOTH)
Chapter 1
The early afternoon sun shone hazily through gauzy clouds, bathing the Edwardian mansion and its grounds in a dull golden light. Somewhere a lone alarm bleeped quietly; the wrought-iron front gates swung inwards to admit the newcomer. Dragging along a suitcase on small wheels, the young woman made her way to the double doors at the end of the circular Xavier Institute was quieter than usual, but that was only natural. It was August after all and many of the students were enjoying their summer break with family and friends. Those less fortunate who had no supporting family to go back to stayed, and made up the majority of the small group currently occupying the mansion. The rest were bound to return soon, seeing that September and the beginning of classes were no more than two weeks away.A handful of teenagers of various ages were scattered in the courtyard facing the building, talking or otherwise keeping themselves occupied. One or two happened to look her way while she passed and called out friendly hellos, to which the woman waved and replied in was barely inside the foyer when the sound of feet stomping down the grand staircase caught her attention."Welcome back, Dr. Hemmett!" The boy paused on his way out, flashing her a grin."Thank you, Andrew," she spoke fondly to the eight-year-old. He was one of the youngest residents of the school, all because of a physical mutation that had manifested shortly after birth. Flat bony growths protruded from his forehead and cheekbones and more ran in clusters along his arms. "How was your summer?"The dark-haired boy shrugged his shoulders, suggesting nothing important had happened. He was about to return the question when a blond head peeked around the open door, cutting him off. He closed his mouth and turned to the young woman with an apologetic half-upturn of his lips. Then he ran outside after his stared after them for a moment, and then went to close the heavy oak doors."Morgan!"Her mahogany-chestnut ponytail swished with the movement as she turned on the spot to locate the voice. The African-American coming towards her was radiant as ever, but the long snow-white hair was shorter and sported deeper highlights. Storm embraced her lightly and drew back to take a better look at her former student."You seem to have been enjoying the Sicilian sun," she commented brightly, noting the natural pale olive complexion was several shades darker."Uh-huh," Morgan confirmed, brown eyes twinkling at the memory of the past month. "And I'm glad Mondello isn't the only beach in Palermo; it's unbelievably crowed there."
Born to an Italian mother, she had spent almost every summer of her childhood in the seaside capital of Sicily with her aunt's family, and had a good enough knowledge of the city to know which places to avoid. Storm took her word for it, smiling inwardly as the girl's voice shifted unconsciously to her inborn Italian accent at the right words.
"Did I miss anything here?" the twenty-four-year-old asked.
"Well," the weather controller started, "we're still short of a science teacher..." her words trailed off, a shadow passing over her face. Morgan understood; the events at Alkali Lake last spring were still an open wound. She herself had been truly distressed when she heard; it was Jean Grey who had introduced her to Xavier's school after all.
Storm drew a calming breath and continued, "The Professor asked Hank McCoy, but he hasn't been in touch yet. We do have a new staff member though. A botany teacher. Her name's Ivy."
The young adult raised a fine eyebrow. Botany was certainly a rather unusual part of a school's curriculum. She did look forward to meeting the new teacher though.
"Interesting," she voiced her thoughts in a single word. Storm looked sideways at the suitcase stood on the floor.
"I should let you unpack," she said. "You need rest after such a long journey. We will catch up later." With that promise she turned and her footsteps faded into the corridor. Morgan reached for the suitcase handle and walked the distance to the grand staircase. She eyed the steps tiredly, but decided she didn't really want to brave the mansion's elevator at the About an hour later she descended into the entrance hall again, having unpacked and taken a refreshing shower. She had changed into a deep cerulean off-the-shoulder-blouse and jeans, but her hair was once again in a ponytail. The many earrings in her ears glinted in the sunlight as she stepped outside onto the courtyard, not in the mood to stay indoors. The flight from Sicily to the States was indeed over-long and tiring, but the cool water on her skin had worked made for the lush gardens that expanded at the back of the mansion, feeling an inexplicable need to walk. Rounding a corner, her gaze fell on a clearly unhappy Logan. A second man was with him, and Morgan realized she didn't recognize the tall stranger. As she neared them, it became evident that it wasn't a casual friendly conversation they were having.
The Wolverine's back was partially turned towards her, but he was gesturing wildly with a cigar-holding hand; there was an expression of impatience and annoyance on his face.
As she approached, Morgan could make out fragments of his heated monologue: "... been through too much... she needs you, Gumbo... you're barely ever here for her..."
The younger man endured Logan's animated rant silently, arms crossed across his T-shirt-clad, muscled torso; eyes slightly narrowed, though he didn't directly meet the adamantium-clawed mutant's blazing stare. Then his gaze shifted, locking on Morgan, and she hesitated, startled. Only fractions of a heartbeat later Logan sensed the subtle change in the surrounding area and turned abruptly to locate the reason. One corner of his mouth half-lifted in what probably could be a grin.
"Hey, kid," he greeted the young woman with a nod, putting the argument she had cut short aside for the time being. "Where's your twin? I thought you were coming back together."
Morgan suppressed a little giggle at that. Her 'twin', as Logan called him, was one of her best friends, Dominic; a mutant and a musician. They were almost always together, hence the nickname.
"He's in Denmark," she answered, "had a concert."
As Wolverine acknowledged the reply and took a drag on his cigar, she turned her attention to the man the feral was with. In his late twenties most likely, tall, with a mop of brown hair that reached past his chin, he was looking at them with mild interest as they talked. And unknown to Morgan, just minutes before, forest green eyes had taken in everything about her appearance in a measured glance; a first quick appraisal of a soon-to-be acquaintance.
"This is Remy LeBeau," Logan provided when her focus shifted, his tone keeping something of the edge of the previous argument.
"Morgan Hemmett," the brunette started, holding out her hand. Instead of the customary handshake, the man touched her fingers and dropped a feather-light kiss on her knuckles, offering a low, 'Enchanté'. He smiled charmingly as he looked up, meeting a stunned and more pink face. The gesture always had the same effect, he thought smugly to himself. In her brief daze Morgan barely noticed that his voice was accented with the distinct, easy-identifiable notes of the American South. By them, Wolverine nearly huffed at the Cajun's display of gentlemanly mannerism.
"Morgan's the physics teacher here," he said, but gave nothing on Remy's status.
"Oh?" the Cajun looked at her with renewed curiosity. "You're an X-Man then?"
At her nod of confirmation, a melody vibrated in the air, ringing louder when Morgan dug out a cell phone from her jeans back pocket. With a quick, 'Excuse me,' she flipped it open and began walking away. Behind her Logan and Remy were quiet for a few moments; then the Wolverine eyed the younger man and went on sharing his mind.
A/N: As always please read and review! -Maiden of the Heavens (MOTH)