Disclaimer: I do not own/associate with X-Men nor any of the fictional characters. This is merely just a fanfiction.
A/N: Before I forget, I wanted to say that all X-Men characters I'm describing are based on the films' version, which means Logan will be 6"3' instead of around 5"3' and so is the storyline (somewhat following the plot... and somewhat not).
- Chapter Two -
The Flower Blooming in the Mansion
Her right ear was almost glued to his chests. She could hear his heart thumping so ferociously; one beat every two steps he leapt. He was not at all walking but hurdling literally. He was so fast that the whole ride seemed like flying. She tried to read his mind simply, but she couldn't. Usually if she wanted to read a normal human's mind, she could actually hear their thoughts elusively without even trying (hence, sometimes it would be quite exasperating when there was a crowd and people's thoughts were mumbling in her head). She thought there must be some kind of high psionic shield implanted into him, which was why it seemed like there was a barrier in his mind (she was certain that he was not a telepath). She wanted to try to break the barrier by concentrating more intensely, but the way he was vaulting precluded her from focusing. Imagine yourself riding on an exhilarating roller coaster, and yet you are trying to concentrate on your own thought. That was how she felt.
Just as she finally got the touch of breaking the barrier, Logan stopped dashing. His immediate halt almost caused himself to stumble and fall down as the inertia continued to push him forward. She could feel his weight thrusting against her body, so heavy, so tough, and so robust. His body was like a piece of hard metal. She felt a little soreness as he pressed against her body. It was like when your face dived directly onto a piece of metal that could cause bruises.
"Ouch," she moaned softly while rubbing her cheek.
Logan paid no attention to her mutter. He placed her onto the ground promptly after he stopped.
"Stay here and don't move," he spoke in a warning tone and walked forward.
She raised an eyebrow, speculating all kinds of causes. Both of her legs were still numb and too frail to be moved as the drug injected into them was still yet to be dispelled. So, she stretched her neck to look over Logan's brawny figure. In front of Logan, was countless number of soldiers holding their gunfire (some even with explosives), ready to strike at any time. Logan's six sharp blades extended from both of his knuckles. She stared at his blades in wonderment, amazed by his unusual mutation. She observed the whole scene where Logan slashed his enemies at ease; she was thrilled and captivated by the warfare - Logan's actions. But she knew someone had activated the self-destruction mode in the building, and there was only 5 minutes more for them to leave the building. She truly wished she could enjoy the fighting until the finale; she had yearned for a long time to watch mutants killing humans. She had always loathed humans. She was so delighted to see the humans' blood dripped one by one drop and how they shrieked as Logan gashed their bodies. It was the first time the craving to watch humans suffering was so fully satiated. She could feel the abhorrence for humans grew stouter in her. But she had to stop enjoying the pleasure, to save herself and Logan.
"Hey, you!" She called as she still did not learn about Logan's name. "You!"
Logan continued attacking his foes hectically.
"YOUUUUU!" She continued with a lengthy bellow. Still, Logan did not pause.
She controlled all the soldiers' minds extemporaneously, resulting in halting all the soldiers' movements at once. The soldiers were stupefied; they couldn't move a single muscle in their bodies. This startled Logan, who was about to sprang onto one of the soldiers. His face was so close, almost kissing one of the soldiers as he realised the soldiers were paralysed. He quickly jumped a few steps behind. Finally, he turned his head towards her.
"Hey, kid, did you do that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes and I would really love to watch how you kill those humans, but I think we should really go now before cooking ourselves in this soon-to-be blasted building (correspondingly to a boiling pot). We do make really scrumptious fried mutants though," she told sarcastically.
Logan's mind snapped. He had totally forgotten about the self-destruction incident which Jean had informed him. He quickly carried her once again and started his aviation-like loping. She felt the wind gusting even fiercer than the previous ride. This time, her fingers clenched even more compactly at his strapping arm as he ran, to feel more tenable.
After a minute later, they saw light penetrating through an enormous aperture, and then they knew they had reached their destination. The other X-Men were staring at them intensely while cheering at Logan. Logan leaped his steps and hurdled onto the platform. The X-Jet continued to soar into the sky just as soon Logan hopped into it, as though it was elated to feel Logan's presence. He threw the girl who was previously in his embrace onto one of the passenger's seats.
"Ouch!" she yelled in ache.
"Oh, you feel pain now? I thought you said your legs were numbed?" he interrogated sarcastically and doubtingly.
"I can still feel the pain from all other parts of my body, except my legs," she emphasised, rubbing her back forcefully.
Logan ignored her actions and walked away to find another seat. Abruptly, the X-Jet quivered while Storm and Scott were flying it. The X-Jet felt a sudden eruption occurring below it, so did the passengers in the X-Jet. They all quickly turned their heads to ogle over the window to realise that the sudden convulsion of the X-Jet was caused by the detonation of the ancient building. They could see grey smoke and dust arising from the building up to the X-Jet. There were tiny discrete particles floating in the air, which were quite visible when they came in a large amount. If you had touched the window, you could have sense heat that burns your hand slightly. The only thing they did not experience was sniffing at that really pungent smell of the dusty smoke, which could cause breathing difficulty and choking. After staring at the superlative explosion, everyone settled down at their own seats quietly.
"So, she's the young mutant Professor X mentioned about?" Jean asked Logan.
Logan gave a brief nod.
"Tell me he doesn't have a girlfriend," the girl stared at Jean after she stretched her neck to look over the seats. Then she widened her eyes and half covering her broadly opened mouth with her fingers before continuing, "Or worse, wife!"
Jean was almost flabbergasted with her sudden spurt of question. Her mouth was half opened and wondering what exact words should be most appropriate to speak. "Uh…"
"What's wrong if I do have a girlfriend or a wife? It's not like it's your fucking business, kid!"
"You don't even know the proper ways of treating a young lady. You literally threw me onto the seat," she whinged. "And if you do have any of them, then I'll pity her, because I can guarantee that you don't make a good boyfriend, lover or husband."
"That's it, kid!" Logan scrunched his fists. "No more mercy for y-"
"Logan!"
Logan was about to throw his fist onto the girl who infuriated him. She did not look terrified. She simply bit her lips, but still staring at him audaciously, looking as though she was not at fault at all. Jean grabbed his arm sternly.
"She's just a kid, as you said," Jean whispered.
"But she-"
"You have a terrible temper," she continued to speak. "Logan."
Logan glared at her with those flaring and blazing eyes. His fists were clenched so tightly that, if there was a piece of metal in his fist, the metal would have scattered into subtle pieces. His teeth gritted firmly and his sharp long canine teeth were very visible. She could sense the ire growing in him.
"Sorry for incensing you. I wasn't at my right mind just now," she apologised. She didn't mean to exasperate him, actually. She was just trying to kid around, trying to be friendly, trying to become part of them. She didn't know that simple tease would infuriate him (he had a terrible temper). She thought she picked on the wrong guy. Next time she would read everyone's mind before attempting to be more amiable, or maybe she should approach in another way that would be less offensive towards people.
She stared silently at Jean, who she suspected had something to do with Logan. Whatever that flowed out from her lips, Logan would respect and did as she told. Logan must have some kind of intimate relationship with her, but she didn't seem to show the same kind of affection for Logan.
After days without any food passing into her stomach and intestines, she now felt so feeble and she could barely have the energy to move a single muscle. The feeling was so spontaneous. Just as soon she found herself doing nothing at all but just staring at the ceiling of the X-Jet, she felt instantly drained and felt the sudden ravenous for food. She shut her eyes. She was lethargic and somnolent. The only voice she could hear was the frenetically rumbling sound coming from her stomach. She cared least about the noises and muffles surrounding her. There were only two things she in her mind at that instant; food and sleep. Even if the X-Jet was going to blow up, she wouldn't give a damn. That was how famished and fatigued she felt. She was like an old and hackneyed rag, which had been overused until there were innumerable holes, stained with dirt and tinted with all kinds of colours. The only difference was that she was not worn out due to any kinds of work out; it was just that she was so badly starved. Her eyes continued to padlock and the next thing she remembered the dream she had wandered.
"We don't even know her name yet," a familiar beastly voice expressed.
"Elena Hart is her name," a feminine voice replied. "That's what the professor said."
"She's completely well now," another man spoke; he had a rather warm tone comparing with the first man's voice. "After having an adequate sleep and intake of saline solution, her health will be in a satisfactory condition."
"Like I even give a damn about her health," the first man argued. "We can't even confirm her credibility as Elena Hart, and where she comes from-"
"Are you always so sceptical? She's just a kid, like you've always mention," the second man spurted. "What harm can she do?"
The rowdy noises of both of these men had finally awaked her from her slumber. She blinked a few times before straining her eyes to rummage around for the sources of those strident squabbles. Of course, she pretended as though she was sleeping while snooping at the quarrel stealthily.
"That's the major problem of all of you - underestimating a kid for not able to cause damage," she peeked at the man who was provoking her. He had that cluttered curly black hair and dishevelled facial hair around his jawline. Logan continued, "If she wasn't hiding anything, why can't Jean or the professor read her mind? Isn't it obvious that she's blocking all telepaths from reading her mind? There must be something hidden in her mind."
She coughed abruptly. Logan turned his head to realise she had awakened.
No wonder Beast and Jean were so quiet.
She was sitting upright with her feet dangling on the bed's edge, like a child enjoying her ride on the swing in the playground. She was grinning mischievously. She looked healthier and fresher, so did she feel. She felt much livelier and brighter, yet it was unknown that whether the drugs given by Beast were the causes that affected her unusually optimistic personality.
"Didn't your mom tell you it's bad to talk behind of other people, especially a sick patient," she punned. "Well, though I don't really think that you're talking behind of me considering the case that you were talking in front of me, or talking during my rest as you thought I was asleep."
Logan rolled his eyes.
"And to tell you the truth, I can't control mind to form a barrier to block telepaths from reading my mind. It is somewhat I call reflex. It's an involuntary act," she continued with a leer.
"Good afternoon," Jean wished as she approached towards me. "You must be famished. I'll get you something to eat."
She nodded. "Sure, thanks."
"So, how are you feeling today, sunshine?" Beast asked, while examining her eyes, her throat, her tongue…
"Much better, doctor," she replied while opening her mouth to allow Beast to examine her tongue. "Excluding the growling of the stomach, I feel utterly well."
Logan, still found this unknown individual dubious. He could sniff the smell if wariness and elusiveness from her. Yet, he had no proof to attest her guiltiness.
Logan turned the door knob outrageously, causing a strident cracking sound. Everyone in the room assumed Logan had broken the door knob. Logan continued to slam the door while leaving the door knob to fall onto the floor with a light "Cling!" sound.
"He likes to sulk a lot, huh," she told the doctor. She tittered while brushing her short wavy yet smooth hair to the back of her ears. Her grey eyes continued to glow with radiance as sunlight passed through the window, which was seated just beside of the bed.
"You have no idea," Beast chuckled. After utilising his stethoscope, he pulled out the ear pieces one by one from both of his ears and let the stethoscope hung around his neck. "Great. You should be feeling extremely well now and your legs are freed from the effects of the anaesthetic."
She tried moving her feet; they were immaculate as brand new. She could feel every single muscle contracting as she was stretching her legs. "Thanks, doctor."
"You're welcome," the blue-furred beast spattered as he continued to jot down on his doctor-notebook. "Enjoy your rest."
Then, he headed towards the door and left the room.
She finally had the time to enjoy the beauty of the room. It was indeed a ward room, she had no doubt. However, she was also certain that she was now in the X-Mansion. Hence, she concluded that she was now resting in the ward room of the X-Mansion. She was lying in the state of stupefaction at the idea she just came out in her mind. The X-Mansion was superlatively well-built, with all kinds of infrastructures of its own. She continued to admire the daintiness of the carvings on the edges between the ceiling and walls. It was like the buildings during the Romantic Period, the carvings were exquisite and skilled. It was difficult to tell what the carvings were, though, probably the designs based on floras, considering the twisted curls and leafy-shapes. She continued to stare over the window, to realise she was at the ground floor, where just outside of the window, was a large field of plants. There were wild shrubberies planted alongside the building. She could see people strolling outside of the building, some alone, some with their partners. They were young and fresh. As she assumed, those were the students of the school.
She was so fixated to her own thoughts that she failed to sense someone entering the room.
"Good evening, Miss Hart," the man's voice startled her. She quickly turned her head to face the man.
"P-Professor Xavier?" She stuttered. She was indeed surprised, staggered, alarmed, anxious, and almost stumbled at her own feet while turning her body to face him. It was the first time she spoke to him, face to face, with the man who had constantly tried to talk to her in her mind (and yet she had done everything to get him out of her mind all the time), whom she repetitively turned down on the offer he had made for her. "G-good evening."
"You look entirely refreshed," he pierced a smile. She looked at him, his bald head, his immobile body, his electronic wheelchair… At the instant, she felt a sudden rush of sympathy running in her blood. He may be physically vulnerable; nonetheless, she could still sense his powerful mind power, so powerful that with just a snap in his mind, he could change a mind of an intellectual man into a retarded 3-year-old's mind. Her mind promptly created a shield, a barrier which was resistant to mind reading and any sort of psionic power, even shielding herself from seeing her own thoughts. Her mind was totally in the state of chaos.
"I do feel refreshed," she smiled uncomfortably. "With all these comfortable infrastructures of yours, and with the help of the expert Dr Hanks, I feel wholly new… and… contented."
"Well, I'm glad to hear this," he said delightfully. She could sense kindness in him, yet, she felt there was a catch in his tone. He was very mysterious and enigmatic. Actually, all telepaths are the same in the sense of being inexplicable and baffling, because they are able know what other thinks and yet others can't understand their thoughts. Hence, this sometimes creates an eerie and disturbing feeling.
There was a gauche silence in the ambiance. Both of their tongues were tied. It was as though both of them were having a battle in their minds, where each of them was attempting to browse through each other's minds. However, none of their attempts succeeded. As both of them knew very well, it was difficult for a telepath to read another telepath's mind, as a telepath can easily block his or her mind with a resilient barrier.
"So, what's your future plan?" Xavier broke the tensed atmosphere, though the words that left his lips did not alleviate any of the tension. It was still cold and taut.
"Nothing has come to mind yet," she replied spontaneously.
"Then, why don't you stay here?" he asked with a beam. "You can learn more about your power, and we can guide you on how to control it."
She stared at him blankly. Nothing slipped through her lips; her lips were as though cemented together.
Finally, she thought of something after musing. "No, it's not a good idea. Your friend (or your underling), Logan, doesn't seem to like me personally. He's always frowning and sulking when he sees me."
"Don't mind him. His face is always grimacing (whether or not he's joyful or angry, they don't defer much to me)," Xavier assured and the tone in his message seemed to deviate towards caper.
A smile skidded through her lips.
"The mansion's door always opens for you," Xavier said unconvincingly, as though he did not want to force her to stay. "You are always welcome to step into this building."
"You know what, I'll take the offer this time," she suddenly spurted out unexpectedly, "to stay here."
The professor's eyebrows rose, blinking his eyes a few times, incredulous to what he had just heard. It was indeed the most unforeseen scene. She had numerously rejected his offer to visit the mansion, but this time she just accepted the offer… just like this?
She gazed into the eyes of the professor, who was evidently rapt into his own thoughts. "Are you upset with the idea?"
"No," the professor quickly denied while shaking his head quite vigorously, as though defending himself. "Certainly not. I'm extremely delighted to it."
She nodded her head lightly, indicating her understanding.
"Did I miss something?" Jean, who finally came back to the room with a plate of spaghetti, asked.
"Miss Hart is going to stay in the mansion," Xavier told Jean, who didn't express surprise in her mien as she had actually heard the conversation crystal clear.
"That's really good news, professor!" Jean expressed with a wide smile. "But first and foremost, this young girl should have her meal as she has not been eating since three days."
"WHAT?" she yelled in exclamation. "I've been sleeping for THREE days?"
The two senior mutants nodded their heads. Her mouth was opened wide in disbelief.
"I can't believe it," she continued her wonder.
"Come, enjoy your meal before you collapsed again due to starvation," Jean continued to place the plate onto the table beside of the wardroom's bed.
"Ah," she exhaled. She recalled of something important that had yet to be done. "We haven't formerly introduced to each other yet, have we?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Jean covered her opened mouth with a short hiccup. "I'm Jean Grey, nice to meet you."
"Elena Hart," she threw her hand out and shook Jean's arm. "Nice to know you."
Leisurely, the girl who called herself Elena Hart turned her head to face towards the window. She threw her attention to the distinctive white rose bud blooming in one of the bushes. Of course, it would have caught anyone's attention as it was the only white painted rose as to compare with the other scarlet red ones in the shrubs. She found herself comparable with the disparate coloured rose, which was growing among the typical coloured roses.
First task has completed. Now, for the second…