Mimeo

Disclaimer- If I owned X-Men, I would not be wasting my time writing fanfic, I'd be working the real deal! ;)

Chapter 2: Mommy Dearest

I squinted against the bright sun that was making seeing a lot more difficult than it had to be, all things considered.

After a few minutes of standing uselessly squinting, with my mouth open, I began to doubt myself. Perhaps they were just weird blobs in my vision.

Suddenly, one of the blobs started moving and talking to the other blobs. I couldn't make out what was being said, but it was obviously about me. I mean, duh, if a chick with gray skin and blood all over the place started wandering around your streets, wouldn't you at least be talking about it?

I turned to try and run, but found myself frozen in place. I couldn't think, the throbbing in my head was so bad I wondered how I had managed to stay conscious this long. It felt suspiciously like an ice pick had been rammed up my nose.

I vaguely heard the blobs shouting at me, something about not running away. Yeah, even if I could, where am I gonna go? I'm a mutant for chrissakes.

I suddenly was heading face first into the ground for the umpteenth time; as the hold on me disappeared. I felt more than heard a dull crunch, and then welcome darkness overcame me.

I drifted for a while in a sea of black timeless nothing, like you do when you sleep without dreams. So it was a very unhappy Karen, wanting more sleep, who awoke to an excruciatingly painful broken nose.

I opened my eyes, and instantly regretted it. There was no bright lamp shining in my face, but the fluorescent lights on above me were wreaking havoc with my migraine.

Of course the last sight I would ever have expected to see was a blue, furry face peering over me.

I might have screamed, or done something equally foolish, but my headache was of such intensity that any minute now it would go off and conquer China.

"Painkillers . . ." I croaked. The blue face above me disappeared for a minute, to be replaced by a huge furry paw; bearing my precious pills!

I snatched at them and swallowed them dry, closing my eyes and slipping off to sleep again.

When I awoke, I was much more alert, and therefore able to observe more about my surroundings. I appeared to be in a hospital. My nerves went into overdrive. Had I been kidnapped? Was I being experimented on? Was I delirious, or was there a giant blue furry man standing by me earlier?

I suddenly remembered my nose, and my hand leapt up to my face. My entire head was swathed in bandages. How had I not noticed this before? A large plastic support thing was propped over my nose, so I decided not to touch it.

I swung up, ignoring the rush of nausea. It looked like a little hospital room, all sorts of instruments of torture lying around looking evil.

The door at my far right suddenly opened, Star Trek style, and aforementioned blue man strode in. My hands flew to my face, but I forced them down to my sides before they caused any damage. I clenched my fists, and quietly reminded myself that he had given me painkillers. He wasn't scary. Not even a little bit. In fact, he looked like a teddy bear. With claws. And fangs. And wearing scrubs, too.

I cleared my throat, and asked in a strong voice, albeit muffled from the bandages on my nose, "Where amb I?" All right, I lied, it sounded more like a squeak. At least I asked!

He smiled at me, showing pointy fangs. At least, I guess it was a smile. I think it really was too pointy to be a smile.

He spread his arms out wide, and said in a deep, cultured voice (huh?) "You're at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, my dear," I stared at him, and shook my head.

"Huh?" I managed. "I dought it was an hosp'tal?"

"No, you're in the infirmary. You busted that nose of yours pretty badly."

"Why ab I 'ere?"

"You're a mutant, correct? Of course you are. You're here, because this is a safe haven for mutants, and you could possibly stay on, and learn how to control your gift."

"I'b no' gidded," I said, which translated to, "I'm not gifted." I slid off the table, which felt horribly like a dissection table to me.

Blue dude tsked "You are special and gifted, just like everyone else within these walls," he said sternly.

"A 'utant schoo', huh?" I said, starting to feel a little curious.

"Yes. A place where we can be safe," he said, gesturing broadly. He turned around and snagged a twinkie out of one of his drawers. With a look of exaggerated relish, he ripped the plastic off, and started munching. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics.

He smiled back, obviously trying hard to put me at my ease. He then delicately washed his hands, coming over and starting to examine my bandages, and whether or not they were bleeding.

Just then, a tall, red-headed lady stepped in the room.

"How is she Hank?" she asked. She looked around for a minute, and then let out a surprised, "Oh!" when she saw me up and munching on a second twinkie.

"She's fine, Jean. Why don't you get Charles, since she's up?" Blue dude, whose name is apparently Hank, suggested.

Instead of leaving, 'Jean' just screwed up her face, and hunched her shoulders. After a minute, she straightened out and announced that he'd "Be down in a minute."

"Excellent," Hank nodded, not looking a bit surprised. I couldn't say the same for myself, though. Jean noticed the puzzled look on my face, and proceeded to explain.

"I'm a telepath," she stated, sounding a little proud. I nodded slowly, pretending I knew what this meant. She looked at me funny, and then said, "That means I can read what other people are thinking." I gaped at her, and scrambled to clear my thoughts. She smiled, and continued, "Also, I can move things with my mind,"

I looked at her, and smiled blandly, trying not to think. I couldn't help it though, every one of those pesky voices in my head were screaming, "Not fair!" at me. How come I have no gifts, she has two? Why was I stuck with a freakish appearance, while she looked . . . well, better than normal?

But of course, I made sure I didn't think any of this. Not even a little bit. So I wasn't sure what the funny look she was giving me was about. She looked about ready to say something corny, when the door slid open again.

A bald man in a wheelchair rolled in. He leaned over to Jean and told her softly, "I have a lot to do, you're going to have to handle most of this."

Then he rolled over to me, smiling warmly. I felt miffed by his lack of time for me, but that was a little silly.

He steepled his fingers and looked at me attentively. "I'm sure by now my colleagues have told you where you are," he said softly, but firmly. "You are in my school for mutants. This is a place where we can avoid persecution, and learn and grow to appreciate our heritage, without being constantly told that we are mistakes, or freaks. If you want, you can stay here, you're quite welcome."

I frowned. What about mother?

"You can call your mother right now, if you wish," he said. The whole time when he was talking, he looked me directly in the eyes. I reluctantly began to trust him.

There was a phone hanging on the wall, out of place as it looked. I cautiously went over, and started dialing my home number.

It picked up on the first ring. "Hello?" came my mother's voice. Her voice was scratchy and broken sounding. I winced. She must be so worried!

"Hi, mom? It's me—" anything else I wanted to say was cut off by mom's great, accusing wail.

"Where have you been? I've been worried sick! Where are you? Are you hurt? Oh, my poor baby, were you kidnapped? Did anybody see you? I don't, I just can't—"

"Mom, Mom!" I had to shout to be heard. "Mom, I'm okay, I – I'm okay. I'm fine. I just . . . well, its complicated,"

She was silent for a few moments, and then said in a slow, dangerous voice, "You're okay."

"Yes."

"It's hard to explain?"

"Um, yeah, a little bit."

"Where are you?"

"I'm at a school for mutants. It's really cool. I guess there's people like me here. And I guess we don't have to worry about mobs and junk here," I said enthusiastically.

Mom's voice changed, some of the fear bled into it. "It sounds . . . too good to be true. It might be. Where are you?"

"I – I don't know," I stuttered. I twisted around, looking to the others for help. "Jean mouthed at me, "New York!"

"Ah, um. New York, mom."

"Karen, why don't you let me talk to her?" Mr. Xavier suggested. I gladly handed him the phone. "Mrs. Meisenheimer, your daughter managed to run into some of my associates, in trouble I believe, from marauders invading your house. No, just some irresponsible teenagers. Well –"

My brain tuned out as I realized I had told none of them any of this, especially not my last name. Heck, I hadn't even told them my first name! I shot an accusing look at Mrs. Jean. She smirked at me, and then thought somehow to me, "He's a telepath too, you know. A very powerful one. Quite possibly the strongest in the world,"

I looked at the paraplegic with a new wariness and respect. I felt Mrs. Jean's presence leave my mind. It was kind of a sticky feeling, like taffy being pulled.

"That's wonderful, Mrs. Meisenheimer. Would you like to speak with your daughter again? Of course. Karen?" Mr. Xavier called. I walked over, Jean's voice tickling my thoughts anew.

"It's Professor Xavier, shewhispered, laughing quietly. I mentally swatted at her presence, irritated, and she obligingly left.

I took the phone from Professor Xavier, remember, he's psychic, keep your thoughts down!

"Yeah, Mom?" I said.

"Well, dear, I'm not quite sure what to say." She murmured. "Professor Xavier certainly seems like a nice man, but I'm just not sure. It's so sudden, it's a lot to take in."

You have no idea I thought to myself, glancing at the enormous man behind me with blue fur.

"Well, I'll be coming to see the school to see for myself. I'll make sure I'm there by at least tomorrow, to break you out if necessary!"

"Oh, mom," I said, but with none of my usual teenage scorn. In fact, I was a little relieved. I had been afraid she would just dump me off here, and forget about me.

We finished with dozens of, love you's, take care see you tomorrow, drive carefully's, blah blah blah.

I hung up, and looked around to see everybody looking at me expectantly. I announced solemnly, "She's coming," They all smiled in approval. The painkiller's must have started to wear off, because I could feel my face beginning to throb.

Dr. Hank came to the rescue. "I think Karen needs to sleep now, she looks exhausted. I nodded, throwing in a yawn for good measure. Everybody immediately began wishing me sweet dreams, and hope you feel better, and began filing out.

I lay on the metal bed, a thin sheet separating me from the cold metal, and stared at the ceiling. The fluorescent lights were on dim, and I had had quite some time to adjust to them, but I still couldn't look at them. I lay there, and wished I were useful, and that I had a talent I could be proud of.

I woke up the next morning, and panicked, seeing a ceiling that was unfamiliar. I somehow managed to flip over the bed, and landed on my butt. I just sat for a long minute, unable to breathe. Finally, air rushed back into my lungs in the form of a heart breaking wail.

I glanced around, and the memories of yesterday came flooding back. I relaxed against the cold bed. I heard footsteps tapping down the hallway, and looked around. The red-haired lady, um . . . Mrs. Jean, came through the door, coming to a stop and pursing her lips as she noticed my absence.

I stood up wobbly, and walked over to her. She firmly took my hand, and started walking me down the hall.

"Your mother is coming today, so we want you to get all settled into your room, and get a bandage for your nose that doesn't look quite so barbaric, she explained.

I had never seen the rest of the school, and so when we stepped out of the futuristic elevator, I gasped aloud.

It was just gorgeous. Hardwood floors, beautiful paintings, warm rich colors, everything was extraordinarily perfect looking, and yet still looked so warm and inviting. The staircases were sturdy, and made of beautifully stained oak, and seemed to go on forever.

"This is a school?" I sputtered. Jean laughed. "Yes, but it's also Professor Xavier's mansion," she informed me. I stared at everything, my eyes bugging out.

We entered a corridor where there was just a long row of doors on either side. She led me up to one of the doors, and showed me in.

It certainly was a nice room, nothing special, but attractive in a simple way. I liked it.

"I assume your mother will be bringing some of your things, if not, we'll just have to take you shopping," she said briskly. I plopped down on the bed and smiled.

"Come on, " she said. "Hank has to change the dressing on that bandage," I sighed and forced myself off the comfy bed. We went a different way than we had come, ruining any chance I had of memorizing the way. We passed by the front of the door, just as it burst open. I dodged out of the way, as did every other sensible person, to see my mother bursting through.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," she gasped. "Traffic was just atr – Karen! What happened to your FACE?!" she suddenly shrieked.

Travelling Army Brat

That's all for now, folks! If you review, I'll continue! I'll also assume that I am loved. So review, dammit! ;)