Disclaimer: X-Men and all characters within are property of Marvel, with the exception of Cat who is my own creation. This story is only made for entertainment value
Being Brave.
Part 1
"Mutants!?" the professor gazes down at me, though really I'm only sitting opposite him. "You want to work with mutants?"
I nod.
"It's a huge area of research and work."
"And a Cinderella industry." The professor says getting to his feet and wandering over to a bookcase. "Bearing in mind that most of the major sponsors refuse to support any projects linked to mutants."
I shrug, while inwardly cursing. At the beginning of the year, this had seem so far away, so safe so... theoretical.
"It's what I'm interested in. And the community looks after their own. Basically I know there's work out there, but do you have anyone who could give me a placement."
The professor returns to his desk and glances at letter there.
"Funnily enough I do."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"There are realities that exist beyond our own; other dimensional planes and pockets steeped in magic and governed by arcane and ominous forces."
The words seemed to echo around the volcanic landscape. He standing, dressed in brown armour? That covers him. Curiously it doesn't make him any less afraid.
He can hear a voice, that sounds like his own, calling out to something, someone called Onslaught, saying he doesn't deserve this. What did he ever do to him?
The only answer there seems to be, arrives in a coincidental eruption of searing hot lava that begins to burn through his costume.
He screamed in terror as the darkness tries to crush him.
"Cain?" a voice came thought the darkness, strong and calm, forcing the demons of his night away.
"It's alright." The voice continued, as a figure made her way across the room. "I'm here."
The welcome coolness of the night washed over his face. He gazed up into Cat's green eyes.
"It's o.k." she repeated. "It was just a nightmare."
He shook his head, as cool clothes slipped across it and began to tell her all about it.
He didn't know how long he talked, or even if what he said made sense. He was just glad to get it out.
When he'd finished, she nodded.
"Its o.k., you're safe now." She gently reminded him.
He grunted. "What time is it?"
She glanced at the luminous numbers of the clock.
"Five thirty. You wanna try and get some sleep, or get up?"
He paused, considering this, while straining his ears to see if he could hear the sounds of the institute rising for the day.
"Get up."
#
Pietro swore as he put the phone down. He cursed his sister, using names that if his father ever heard he would be beaten for. As it was there was only Cat, who only reaction was,
"You want some coffee?"
He grunted his consent, wheeling himself up to the table.
Cain, sitting opposite regarded him out of his brown eyes. Kyle, seated on the floor, watched both with his blue. Cat, despite her back being turned, watched all three.
It wasn't difficult for the ex-Black ops agent, especially as the coffee pot was metallic.
"As hot as hell, as black as night, as sweet as love." She said, pouring coffee into a cup. "The Arabic way of drinking it."
"As long as there's caffeine in it, I don't care!" Pietro replied, grabbing the cup from her. Cat poured herself and Cain a cup, and persuaded Kyle up on to his seat to drink some milk.
"I take it," she said coolly, sinking that the animal whose name she bore into a chair, "that you were unable to get hold of your sister?"
Pietro snarled. "Anya refused to speak to me, or to come to the phone."
Cat sipped her coffee.
"Still mad at you guys then." She paused before adding, "You might want to try sticking around a bit more today. Things are going to get hectic."
"More than usual?" Cain observed, jokingly, but Pietro shook his head.
"Wanda and Kurt won't be here till tomorrow, Lauran and Alex's plane doesn't get in till this evening."
Cat's eyes held something that made him uncomfortable for he added,
"Rasputin can take a couple of shifts, if needs be. And didn't Xavier say that there was someone who was interested in the internship?"
Cat snorted. "That means we get some kid, who we have to train up and who'll leave within a couple of weeks."
"You don't know that," Pietro began, but at that moment some movement outside made Kyle start down from the chair, upsetting his milk. Cat's eyes rested on him, in an unspoken challenge.
"You haven't told Xavier have you?" Pietro said, sipping his coffee.
"No." Cat admitted. "I had hoped that I would be able to persuade him that he had enough hands to help." Her eyes narrowed at him.
Pietro shrugged. "Can't help you."
"I know." Cat sighed. "Just have to steel myself for a fight." She sipped her coffee with a sigh.
#
Valerie's POV
The Good Shepherd institute. It's the only place of its kind semi exclusively for Mutants. A Centre for those with both physical and mental difficulties to receive professional help. Professor Grey knows the guy who runs it. He set me up with an interview.
It looks good. A huge old house set in beautiful parkland. I get to the gate, and push the intercom.
"Yes?" the voice makes me jump, even though I'm expecting it.
"Hi. My name's Copper, Valerie Copper. I, err, I have an appointment."
"One moment." A buzzer sounds and the gates open.
"Welcome to the Good Shepherd, Ms Copper."
I walked up the drive, fighting my nerves. The door is opened, and a man stands there, looking at me. He's small and buff, dressed in SHIELD uniform. He looks me over.
"You the probie?"
I nod.
"Best come in." He stands aside, and I enter into the huge reception hall.
"Kitchen's down the hall." He says, heading off long the corridor.
I heard the kitchen, before I see it.
"I don't see what the problem is. You knew this. The trial's been on the cards for months."
"Circumstances are a little different."
"Cos Magnus is sick? I apologise that it's a bad time, but SHIELD is not very sympathetic. Nor is the criminal court of New York State."
The woman who's saying this, steps out of the kitchen for a moment and Yells up the stairs.
"Laura! Sooyra! Julian! Kevin! Rogue! Breakfast! Poitr! Illyanna! Торопитесь! время на Завтрак!"
She notices me for the first time.
"You're new."
"Hi, I'm Valerie Cooper."
"See Charlie. There you are. There's a newbie here. She can take some of the strain." She glanced and yelled along the corridor.
"Wolves? You ready?" she smiles and glances at Xavier.
"Soz Chuck got to go." She pushes as past me.
And for the first time I meet Professor Charles Xavier. The guy has a bald head, vivid blue eyes, and a well built body.
"Ms Cooper? It's a pleasure." He begins, extending his hand. Then the kid sitting beside, bout 19 with blond hair, and crouched like an animal, moves to follow the woman and upsets the mug of milk that's beside him, all over Xavier. Then a kid with red hair, done in little plaits wanders in and asks,
"Where's Cat?"
Xavier gives me a weary smile.
"Well Ms Cooper. It appears we're throwing you in at the deep end."
N.B. the phrase "Торопитесь! время на Завтрак!" translates as "Hurry up! Time for the Breakfast! "
TBC, if you review