Annissa threw her head back as the wind whistled through her hair and
basked in the sun shining on her face. She had an ominous feeling this
would be the last time for a long time she would be able to do this, and
especially in this car. The open road before her beckoned like a long lost
friend and she opened the Mustang up, pushing triple digits as she wound
through its intricate turns. Taking deep breaths of fresh air, she tried
to take it all in; the hum of air blowing past her car, the warm sunlight
as it baked her skin, the feel of the wind as it snatched tendrils of hair
and blew them backwards. Only God knew if she would get to do this again,
and He wasn't telling her anything. If He was, she wouldn't have been in
this mess in the first place. Thankfully, a well placed call to an old
friend and a couple favors later she had a place to live and survive, but
everything she had ever known was now gone. She wasn't who she had been
and she might never be again.
The drive was far too short for her liking and before she knew it, a huge house loomed in front of her. She glanced down at the address on the slip of paper beside her and then back up at the mansion that sprawled across the grounds before her. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all. Pulling a backpack from the backseat, she slung the bag carelessly over her shoulder and pushed her sunglasses onto her head before approaching the front door. Dr. McCoy had informed her he would be out of town when she arrived, but that the others had been warned of her arrival and she would have a job waiting when she got there. Anissa prayed that information had been passed on, otherwise things could be... uncomfortable at best. Gathering her courage up she pressed the small round doorbell to the left of the door and listened as it clanged loudly inside. For a moment she heard nothing. Then, the unmistakable sound of feet pounding and voices clamoring to get the door first. A lot of feet. Anissa tensed, almost bracing herself as the door flew open and 3 sets of eyes peered at her.
"What do you want?" blue eyes topped with a mop of blonde hair regarded her frostily while the raven haired girl at his side rolled her eyes
"Excuse him, he thinks he's in charge. How can we help you?" she asked and then yelped as blue eyes dug his elbow into her ribs. Anissa stifled a smile and inquired
"I'm looking for Charles Xavier...He's expecting me"
"Of course, follow us" the third child, a mouse haired and brown eyed boy responded, opening the door wide and beckoning her in. The blonde gave his companions dirty looks and then folded his arms across his chest, spreading his legs in as foreboding a stance a 13 year old could muster.
"What's your name?" he demanded
"Anissa Jones" she responded, a bit chagrinned that the lie slipped off her tongue as easily as it did. The things we do for safety her mind mumbled.
"What's your business with Professor Xavier?" Professor? Oh...Hank had said he lived at a school. Xavier must be the head master.
"I'm here in regards to a job"
"What are you kids doing up here?" a voice boomed from within the house and within moments a face accompanied it. Anissa smiled as she recognized it from various TV appearences, whether they had been intentional or not. His ruby glasses gave him away. As they rested their gaze on Anissa a soft smile creased his face and he reached out a hand, "You must be Anissa Jones. Welcome to our school. I'm Scott"
Anissa took his hand in her own and shook it firmly, "Nice to meet you Scott. I can't tell you how relieved I am that someone knows why I'm here" His grin broadened and he gestured for her to come inside. Hesitantly Anissa followed him inside the expansive doors and caught her breath at the inside of the mansion. If it looked huge on the outside, it looked almost twice as big on the inside. It was incredible! The dark wood paneling, the lengthy halls...Even the foyer and room attached to the front entrance were vast and lavishly decorated. It looked like a museum she mused silently.
"Mon Deu!" a voice exclaimed from behind her, "Would you look at dat?" Angie turned around in surprise, not realising there had been someone else in the room. The tall stranger was gaping out the front door at her convertible. She smiled, she loved hearing that response. That car was her baby, she'd spent years rebuilding and renovating it to her own specifications. Whenever she heard someone react that way, she couldn't help but feel a little smug.
"Hands off Remy" Scott rumbled from her side. She felt him shift into a defensive position. How cute, he thought the stranger could steal her car. She chuckled inwardly, a friend of hers was a professional car thief who owed her a few favors and had helped her design her security system. Outside of an alarm, there were several "lines of defense" as she jokingly called them that would ascertain no one could take off with it without her knowing.
"Is it my birtday? Cus dat is one FINE present" Remy continued. Anissa cleared her throat.
"Hate to burst your bubble hun, but that's all mine" The tall man turned and pinned a look on her, his red eyes piercing into her own dark green
"Dat? Dat's no car for a lady like you" he said, his voice smoothing into a honeyed tone. Anissa arched an eyebrow and shifted her weight onto one hip
"First off, I never said I was a lady. And secondly, I designed that car so it had the power under its hood that every man I ever knew was lacking" with a smirk she continued, "After all, I can sit on it and it doesn't try and pick me up. It just takes me where I need to go" Scott guffawed beside her and she gauged the man before her's reaction. He studied her closely for a moment before his face broke out into a smile
"You're alright Chere" he said as he held out a hand. Anissa smiled back and shook his hand, "De name's Gambit but you can call me Remy"
"Anissa" she replied and chuckled as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand, "Well, at least I know who the resident flirt is" She felt Scott shift beside her again and removed her hand from where it rested, "A pleasure meeting you, I'm sure. We'll have to do it again sometime"
"Mmmm, I thin so chere" Somehow she managed to not roll her eyes and turned back to Scott
"Lead on" she said, following him through the mansion. Its was unbelievable how large the house was turning out to be and after a few corners and 2 or three doors Anissa was pretty sure she would never find her way back out. Finally they stopped at a large wooden door and Scott tapped on it lightly before pushing it open
"Professor? Our guest is here" he said to someone inside. Pushing the door all the way open Anissa followed him inside and was greeted by an older man in a wheel chair. Her first thought was "How did he get there?" but her second caused her to close all the doors in her mind. His bright blue eyes were friendly, but intense and she had the feeling he knew more than he projected. She was often accused of doing the same thing.
"Good afternoon Miss Jones" he said to her, "Its a pleasure to finally meet you. Hank's told us a lot about you" Anissa smiled, 'not as much as you think' her mind muttered.
"Pleasure to meet you too....Professor?"
"Oh, pardon my thoughtlessness. Charles Xavier. Most of the residents refer to me as Professor, but any derivation of my name seems to go when I'm needed" he responded with a playful grin and Anissa responded in kind. 'Okay, so the old guys not a stiff. This could be good', "Now, Hank explained you were looking for a job and some of what you do. We don't have a large stable here, but it is sizable and we could use some professional help. That is, if you're up to it" Anissa nodded affirmatively
"Its been my life for as long as I can remember, I'm more than happy to keep doing it" He nodded at her and she felt a bit chagrined. Half truths, whole lies, she hated doing all this.
"Wonderful. Ah" he seemed hesitant for a moment, "I don't know how much Hank has told you about us...."
"Some. He told me he lived at a school. Obviously I know he's a mutant, obviously several of your students here are" she responded by nodding towards Scott who stood on the other side of the room. Scott blushed slightly but nodded his consent.
"Quite frankly....All are" responded the Professor. Anissa nodded
"Ok"
"Thats not a problem?"
"If I might wax theological for a moment sir, in my house I was brought up with two rules" she responded, her dark green eyes gazing directly into the Prof's intelligent blue, "Number one was God doesn't make mistakes. Number two was 'Judge not lest ye be judged'. Now I know a lot of blowhards out there who say the same thing but they tend to forget the meaning behind those statements. I may not be a mutant, but I'm not black either and why should I be a bigot if I'm not racist?" The Professor smiled at her response.
"Good answer. Do you usually respond that way?" Anissa couldn't help her cheeky reply, she was just a smartass by nature
"Actually, a good 'fuck off' normally suffices" Scott chuckled over in the corner as did the Professor briefly.
"I think you'll fit in around here just fine. I'd like to show you the school, but first I'd like to do a mental scan. It will be painless and brief. Do you have any problems with that?" Anissa shook her head even as she secured the doors she didn't want opened in her mind. Hank has taught her a few tricks over the years as to how to guide telepaths without them knowing it. She suspected even the Prof didn't know he was getting a tour when he looked into Hank's mind. As she stood there she felt something like cool water running over through her mind and she shivered involuntarily. A small frown appeared on the Professor's face but all he asked was
"You felt that?"
"I usually do. I've had several telepaths try and scan me. Its actually quite the relief, I don't have to worry about people barging in and taking what I don't want them too" Anissa had been particularily happy for her sensitivity when things started to go bad at her last job. She had to be on top of herself 24/7 to make sure no one got what she didn't want to give. When she could no longer sleep she knew she had to do something about it and called Hank. The Professor nodded and then floated his hover chair across the floor and towards his door
"Well, shall we go?"
"Lead the way" she answered.
The drive was far too short for her liking and before she knew it, a huge house loomed in front of her. She glanced down at the address on the slip of paper beside her and then back up at the mansion that sprawled across the grounds before her. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all. Pulling a backpack from the backseat, she slung the bag carelessly over her shoulder and pushed her sunglasses onto her head before approaching the front door. Dr. McCoy had informed her he would be out of town when she arrived, but that the others had been warned of her arrival and she would have a job waiting when she got there. Anissa prayed that information had been passed on, otherwise things could be... uncomfortable at best. Gathering her courage up she pressed the small round doorbell to the left of the door and listened as it clanged loudly inside. For a moment she heard nothing. Then, the unmistakable sound of feet pounding and voices clamoring to get the door first. A lot of feet. Anissa tensed, almost bracing herself as the door flew open and 3 sets of eyes peered at her.
"What do you want?" blue eyes topped with a mop of blonde hair regarded her frostily while the raven haired girl at his side rolled her eyes
"Excuse him, he thinks he's in charge. How can we help you?" she asked and then yelped as blue eyes dug his elbow into her ribs. Anissa stifled a smile and inquired
"I'm looking for Charles Xavier...He's expecting me"
"Of course, follow us" the third child, a mouse haired and brown eyed boy responded, opening the door wide and beckoning her in. The blonde gave his companions dirty looks and then folded his arms across his chest, spreading his legs in as foreboding a stance a 13 year old could muster.
"What's your name?" he demanded
"Anissa Jones" she responded, a bit chagrinned that the lie slipped off her tongue as easily as it did. The things we do for safety her mind mumbled.
"What's your business with Professor Xavier?" Professor? Oh...Hank had said he lived at a school. Xavier must be the head master.
"I'm here in regards to a job"
"What are you kids doing up here?" a voice boomed from within the house and within moments a face accompanied it. Anissa smiled as she recognized it from various TV appearences, whether they had been intentional or not. His ruby glasses gave him away. As they rested their gaze on Anissa a soft smile creased his face and he reached out a hand, "You must be Anissa Jones. Welcome to our school. I'm Scott"
Anissa took his hand in her own and shook it firmly, "Nice to meet you Scott. I can't tell you how relieved I am that someone knows why I'm here" His grin broadened and he gestured for her to come inside. Hesitantly Anissa followed him inside the expansive doors and caught her breath at the inside of the mansion. If it looked huge on the outside, it looked almost twice as big on the inside. It was incredible! The dark wood paneling, the lengthy halls...Even the foyer and room attached to the front entrance were vast and lavishly decorated. It looked like a museum she mused silently.
"Mon Deu!" a voice exclaimed from behind her, "Would you look at dat?" Angie turned around in surprise, not realising there had been someone else in the room. The tall stranger was gaping out the front door at her convertible. She smiled, she loved hearing that response. That car was her baby, she'd spent years rebuilding and renovating it to her own specifications. Whenever she heard someone react that way, she couldn't help but feel a little smug.
"Hands off Remy" Scott rumbled from her side. She felt him shift into a defensive position. How cute, he thought the stranger could steal her car. She chuckled inwardly, a friend of hers was a professional car thief who owed her a few favors and had helped her design her security system. Outside of an alarm, there were several "lines of defense" as she jokingly called them that would ascertain no one could take off with it without her knowing.
"Is it my birtday? Cus dat is one FINE present" Remy continued. Anissa cleared her throat.
"Hate to burst your bubble hun, but that's all mine" The tall man turned and pinned a look on her, his red eyes piercing into her own dark green
"Dat? Dat's no car for a lady like you" he said, his voice smoothing into a honeyed tone. Anissa arched an eyebrow and shifted her weight onto one hip
"First off, I never said I was a lady. And secondly, I designed that car so it had the power under its hood that every man I ever knew was lacking" with a smirk she continued, "After all, I can sit on it and it doesn't try and pick me up. It just takes me where I need to go" Scott guffawed beside her and she gauged the man before her's reaction. He studied her closely for a moment before his face broke out into a smile
"You're alright Chere" he said as he held out a hand. Anissa smiled back and shook his hand, "De name's Gambit but you can call me Remy"
"Anissa" she replied and chuckled as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand, "Well, at least I know who the resident flirt is" She felt Scott shift beside her again and removed her hand from where it rested, "A pleasure meeting you, I'm sure. We'll have to do it again sometime"
"Mmmm, I thin so chere" Somehow she managed to not roll her eyes and turned back to Scott
"Lead on" she said, following him through the mansion. Its was unbelievable how large the house was turning out to be and after a few corners and 2 or three doors Anissa was pretty sure she would never find her way back out. Finally they stopped at a large wooden door and Scott tapped on it lightly before pushing it open
"Professor? Our guest is here" he said to someone inside. Pushing the door all the way open Anissa followed him inside and was greeted by an older man in a wheel chair. Her first thought was "How did he get there?" but her second caused her to close all the doors in her mind. His bright blue eyes were friendly, but intense and she had the feeling he knew more than he projected. She was often accused of doing the same thing.
"Good afternoon Miss Jones" he said to her, "Its a pleasure to finally meet you. Hank's told us a lot about you" Anissa smiled, 'not as much as you think' her mind muttered.
"Pleasure to meet you too....Professor?"
"Oh, pardon my thoughtlessness. Charles Xavier. Most of the residents refer to me as Professor, but any derivation of my name seems to go when I'm needed" he responded with a playful grin and Anissa responded in kind. 'Okay, so the old guys not a stiff. This could be good', "Now, Hank explained you were looking for a job and some of what you do. We don't have a large stable here, but it is sizable and we could use some professional help. That is, if you're up to it" Anissa nodded affirmatively
"Its been my life for as long as I can remember, I'm more than happy to keep doing it" He nodded at her and she felt a bit chagrined. Half truths, whole lies, she hated doing all this.
"Wonderful. Ah" he seemed hesitant for a moment, "I don't know how much Hank has told you about us...."
"Some. He told me he lived at a school. Obviously I know he's a mutant, obviously several of your students here are" she responded by nodding towards Scott who stood on the other side of the room. Scott blushed slightly but nodded his consent.
"Quite frankly....All are" responded the Professor. Anissa nodded
"Ok"
"Thats not a problem?"
"If I might wax theological for a moment sir, in my house I was brought up with two rules" she responded, her dark green eyes gazing directly into the Prof's intelligent blue, "Number one was God doesn't make mistakes. Number two was 'Judge not lest ye be judged'. Now I know a lot of blowhards out there who say the same thing but they tend to forget the meaning behind those statements. I may not be a mutant, but I'm not black either and why should I be a bigot if I'm not racist?" The Professor smiled at her response.
"Good answer. Do you usually respond that way?" Anissa couldn't help her cheeky reply, she was just a smartass by nature
"Actually, a good 'fuck off' normally suffices" Scott chuckled over in the corner as did the Professor briefly.
"I think you'll fit in around here just fine. I'd like to show you the school, but first I'd like to do a mental scan. It will be painless and brief. Do you have any problems with that?" Anissa shook her head even as she secured the doors she didn't want opened in her mind. Hank has taught her a few tricks over the years as to how to guide telepaths without them knowing it. She suspected even the Prof didn't know he was getting a tour when he looked into Hank's mind. As she stood there she felt something like cool water running over through her mind and she shivered involuntarily. A small frown appeared on the Professor's face but all he asked was
"You felt that?"
"I usually do. I've had several telepaths try and scan me. Its actually quite the relief, I don't have to worry about people barging in and taking what I don't want them too" Anissa had been particularily happy for her sensitivity when things started to go bad at her last job. She had to be on top of herself 24/7 to make sure no one got what she didn't want to give. When she could no longer sleep she knew she had to do something about it and called Hank. The Professor nodded and then floated his hover chair across the floor and towards his door
"Well, shall we go?"
"Lead the way" she answered.