Hey everybody! Thanks to my good friend Nola for reviewing! I know reading isn't your thang, but thanks for trying! The attempt means more to me than praise from a stranger would! =3 (Not that everyone else shouldn't review, k?) Oh, and as a note, this is chapter starts about a month after the last one, kk?
Just as a reminder, I don't own X-Men, Marvel Comics, or any characters except Lynx (or any other characters I make up at a later date).
"It's extraordinary. Your bones seem to have completely absorbed the Adamantium, Lynx. Its presence doesn't seem to be interfering with your healing factor at all. Your body recognizes it as your bone structure, and actually seems to have partially replaced the outer layer of your bones with the metal, and with no ill effects." Professor Xavier was running more tests on me. "Your body has actually taken hold of the implants, your claws, destroyed the mechanical release that seems to have been in place at one time, and is controlling them completely with your muscle."
"That's really interesting, Professor." I leaned forward and put my elbows on my knees. "Do we have any idea about how old I am yet?" Xavier shook his head.
"I'm sorry. Your body gives no clues of your age. However, I think that if you let me examine your mind, we may find a range of possible years." I nodded.
"Okay what do you want me to do?" The professor wheeled himself to the head of the bed.
"Lie down, with your head here. I'm going to try to give you access to your earliest memories. I'll ask you questions, and I'll need you to answer them fully and truthfully. Do you think you can do that?" I followed his instructions. "Empty your mind so that I may open it. Some find taking deep breaths help."
"Okay, I think I'm ready, Professor." I felt oddly at peace. My breathing and heart rate slowed. My consciousness seemed to drift a little.
"I want you to think as far back as you can go. How old are you in this memory?" I sort of focused, without being focused at all, if that makes sense. I saw me, but it didn't feel like me. We looked just the same, but there was something different.
"I don't know. I look the same. But that me doesn't have claws."
"Where are you?" My eyes were open, but I wasn't seeing the ceiling of the room, or the Professor. I was now looking through the eyes of the other me. There were trees everywhere. Pines, firs, maples, buckeyes, birches, hickories, chestnuts, and dogwoods were surrounding me. I could see the ocean where I was, but I was hidden.
I spoke, but strange sounds came out of my mouth instead of words I recognized. They meant the same thing, but were in a language I didn't know I knew.
"English please, Lynx." Professor Xavier didn't know that language either, apparently.
"Forest. By the Great Water. It's my new home." I spotted something on the horizon. "Something is coming."
"What is coming, Lynx?" the Professor sounded calm, but I was starting to panic.
"The pale ones from across the Great Water." I shivered. "They brought Death to my people, many seasons before, and I had to leave or be killed. I traveled along the coast to this forest, hoping to be finally safe, but they're here, too."
"Is anyone with you?" I looked around.
"No. I am all that's left. My people were all killed long ago." My face was wet with tears. "They took my home, these pale monsters from over the Great Water. I'm alone, and even the Great Mother cannot help me."
"Lynx, listen to me very carefully. That was a long time ago. You are safe now, but if you become upset, you will break my connection with your past self. Tell me quickly, can you see a name on the ship?"
"No. They are far away. But I have to run. I have to run before they can find me!" I twisted and turned my body, but the professor's hands stayed firmly on the sides of my face.
"Lynx, you must not run. You must stay calm!"
"They'll find me!" I screamed and heaved myself out of his hands. I put my head on my knees and cried. When I was done, I looked up at Professor Xavier. "I'm s-sorry, p-Professor. I t-tried to st-stay, but I c-c-c-couldn't. Sh-should we tr-try aga-ga-gain?"
"I think that is enough for today. You may return to your classes." I nodded and stood up. I was trembling, not from exertion, but from fear. That was the single most terrifying thing I had ever experienced.
"Thank you, Professor." I walked out of the room that reminded me of a highly advanced and expensive hospital. Standing just outside the sliding door was Wolverine. I smiled bravely at him and waved. "Hey, Professor Logan. What's up?"
"I heard you scream, and I wanted to make sure you were okay." He looked worried, and didn't even seem to notice the sarcasm I had put into his title. "What was going on?"
"You didn't think I could take care of myself? I'm hurt." I put my hand over my heart. Wolverine rolled his eyes.
"Well, since you're well enough to be sarcastic, you're probably fine. So what was going on?" We started walking back to the ground level where all the classes were. I really wanted to touch him, but didn't want to mess up the friendship we'd built since I came here, or give anyone a reason to think there was more going on.
"The Professor and I were accessing my earliest memories." I looked at my watch. "Shouldn't you be teaching a class right now? Did you end your class early to come check on me?" I raised an eyebrow at him in mock severity.
"Why'd you scream?" He didn't answer my question about his class.
"Stop avoiding my question. You know, some people could see you ending your class early as an indication that there's something more than friendship going on here." I nudged him. "And we wouldn't want that, now would we?" He stopped walking and held me by my shoulders.
"You stop avoiding my questions, Lynx. What the hell happened while you were with Charles?" He looked deep into my eyes, and I could see that he was really, truly worried about me, maybe more than a teacher should be with a student. I pulled myself out of his grip and stomped up the stairs.
"Nothing to worry about. We reached my memories, and they scared the crap out of me. I'm just too much of a chicken to face my own past, now just leave me alone!" He followed me as I stormed past the classroom level and onto the dorm level. He grabbed me by the arm again, and didn't let me go this time. He tried to look me in the eyes, but I turned my head.
"Being afraid of something so terrible your mind blocked it is not being chicken." He touched the side of my face gently, and I reluctantly looked at him. In his eyes I saw something more than just concern; I saw a deep understanding of what I was feeling. "Even being willing to try and touch those memories was an incredibly brave thing to do. You are so brave it's not even funny, Lynx. Just keep that in mind."
He pulled me to his chest and hugged me lightly. I exhaled, then inhaled his scent. It was pleasant, and already felt like home. Wolverine was the only one at the school I felt comfortable with, other than the Professor. He was warm and earthy and told me the truth, even if it wasn't pleasant. Wolverine's arms went from my shoulders to my waist, making our hips touch; my heart sped up, and I felt his do the same. I pulled away half-heartedly.
"Wolverine, you know we can't be doing this. Some of the kids are already starting to think something is going on between us. We can't prove them right." I sighed and turned away from him. Before he could say anything, the bell rang, and I hurried off to my next class. Thank God it wasn't his; I don't think I could have been in the same room as him without something going horribly wrong right now.
~x X-Men x~
"John, move. I need to get to my next class." I tried to push him out of the way without using any more strength than someone my size should be able to, but he wouldn't budge. I was afraid I would hurt him if I used any more. I sighed and looked up at him. "Please move." He snapped his Zippo shut and smirked at me.
"Oh, I'll move, but first answer some questions." I squeezed the bridge of my nose.
"What do you want to know?" He snapped the Zippo open again.
"Do you even have any powers? I haven't seen you do anything, and I haven't heard what your power is, so I can't make any assumption except that you have none." I locked my jaw and took a deep breath. Flipping out would not be good for me, I reasoned. I liked the school, and if I sliced up this kid, I'd probably have to leave.
"I have powers, I assure you. I just don't like to flaunt them." I tried to get out of the door, but he moved into my way again.
"Why don't you use your real name?" I closed my eyes, trying to keep my anger in check. Smiling with one side of my mouth, I pushed a little harder on his chest.
"As soon as I find it out, I'll be happy to let you know what it is." He moved out of my way, but followed me, still playing with that damn Zippo of his.
"One last thing: Why do you call a certain someone Wolverine instead of Professor Logan?" I kept walking.
"We made a promise not to lie about our names," I said, making my way to the lawn.
"Ooh, a promise, eh? Any other secret 'promises' with Logan?" I stopped and turned around. I put a finger on his chest and stopped him.
"Don't go there, John." He swiped my hand away and smirked at me again.
"Why not? Your boyfriend gonna come after me?" I walked up to a random kid.
"Hey, kid. Would mind giving testimony that I've warned John to stop, should the question ever arise?" He nodded, looking like he was astounded I could speak. I had been really quiet since getting to the school, so I could see why he would think I couldn't. Looking over my shoulder at John I said, "No, if you don't stop, I'm gonna come after you."
"What, with your alleged powers? I'm still not convinced you have any." He laughed. I took another deep breath, but it didn't help as much as last time.
"I have powers, John. I've told you that already." He moved around to in front of me.
"You know what I think? I think you're just some human Logan took a shine to on his business trip. I think he said you were the girl Xavier was looking for, just so he could have you anytime he wanted." He was standing close enough to me that only I could hear him, but that didn't make what he said any better. I was shaking from the sheer force I had to use to keep my claws in, and they were already starting to slide out against my will.
"John, if you know what's good for you, you will get away from me as quick as you can, and never bother me again." He laughed.
"You gonna vibrate me to death or something?" Even as he was making fun of me, he took a step back. "That power has got to make certain 'after-school activities' with Logan loads of fun." I clenched my jaw so tightly I heard it pop. It was like that smug-ass punk wanted me to hurt him.
A low, resonant sound that shouldn't have come from human vocal chords wrenched itself from my lips as my muscles took over and extended my claws. The air around me crackled, and my long, blonde hair stood out from my head. Slowly, I raised my head to look at John with wide, furious eyes. My canine teeth were elongating; I could feel them push against my bottom lip. Everything was sharper and brighter than normal. I could smell the fear on every paralyzed person on the lawn.
John looked like he was going to take off. If he did, then he was dead. If anyone moved, then I would jump them, and there was nothing I could do about it. I tried taking deep breaths, but that only made it worse. The panic rolling of everyone was almost enough to make me go wild. I started breathing shallowly.
"Listen to me," I said in a voice that sounded darker and rougher than mine. "No one move. I just need to calm down, but if anyone tries to run, I'm not going to be able to stop myself. Got it?" No one moved, so I assumed they understood. Behind me, the gravel crunched under Professor Xavier's wheelchair; the only reason he was safe was because in this state, I had enough awareness of everyone around me to know that he could take me out if need be. "Professor," I said hoarsely, "Help me."
I felt him in my mind. He probed the memories of what John had been saying, then helped me back to a stable emotion. I was no longer angry at John's words; I felt pity at what they said about him. He was jealous of any genuine emotion felt by others, because he only felt bitterness and anger. He would exploit those feelings until everyone was as bitter and angry as him.
I was able to retract my claws and drop my arms to my sides. Looking at the terror I had caused, I felt myself about to be overcome by guilt. I almost broke down right there, but managed to hold myself together for long enough to flee at top speed to my room. I locked myself in and curled up on my bed. There was too much emotion weighing on my chest for me to be able to cry.
There was a knock on my door. I knew just who it was. I could smell home through the door. He was so worried that I decided against making him wait, because he might take it down, or at the very least take out my lock. I padded over to the door and unlocked it, letting in Wolverine, the indirect cause of my suffering.
Before he was even in the room, he wrapped his arms around me tightly, tucking me under his chin. He kicked the door shut without looking back, and sat us down on the bed. He rubbed my back soothingly, and some of the terrible pressure on my chest was lifted. I broke down; I became a quivering, blubbering mass, covering Wolverine's shirt in tears. He just kept rubbing my back and murmuring that it would be alright.
"You're lying!" I hit his chest with my balled fists, albeit not very hard. "It's never going to be alright until I can control my emotions!" I pressed my face into his neck and gulped in the soothing scent of him. When I stopped crying, I looked at him, but not in the eyes. "S-sorry. I'm sorry I just sort of emotionally exploded on you."
Wolverine used his thumb to wipe away a few stray tears on my cheeks. The gesture was so tender and intimate most people wouldn't have expected it from the gruff, standoffish Wolverine. But I knew he was actually sensitive under the stony exterior. He went to put his hand back on my waist, but I held it close to my face, examining where his claws came out. There were no signs of them now, but I knew what deadly blades could appear as suddenly as my own. I turned over his hand and traced the lines on it.
"You have beautiful hands, Wolverine. They're honest." I kissed the centre of his palm, not taking my eyes off his face. He looked at me through half-lidded eyes, dusky with… something. Damn it, I could never tell what he was thinking. He took my hand in his and kissed the palm like I had done his.
"You are beautiful, Lynx. You're powerful, and kind, and loyal." He kissed the tips of each of my fingers. "I think… I think what I feel for you would have adverse effects… were said feelings to be exposed." Whenever he started talking like this, I knew he was feeling something strong.
"Wolverine…" I got a little choked up. Today had been stressful, and I was wiped. "Don't leave tonight, Wolverine." Screw what everyone thought, screw what they said, I just wanted Wolverine.
"Are you sure you want me to stay?" He looked uncertain, like he wasn't sure it was really what I wanted. Before he could come up with a reason why him staying was a bad idea, I heard a voice in my head.
Lynx and Logan, please see me in my study. We didn't need to be told who the message was from. There was only one man with such powerful and controlled powers here. Wolverine grabbed my hand and we raced down to Charles' study. We skidded to a stop in front of the door, then quickly dropped hands, like Xavier wouldn't know what had sort of been admitted if we didn't touch in front of him.
"Come in, you two," Charles said from the other side of the door. "We need to talk about what happened on the lawn earlier, yes, but also about your past." He motioned to two chairs in front of his desk.
"How can we talk about our past if no one knows what they are?" Wolverine and I sat on the chairs. They were surprisingly comfortable for wood. "And I'm sorry for what happened on the lawn. You heard was John was saying. I got angry." I wasn't trying to justify my actions, just explain them.
"I know why you did it, Lynx. You were completely justified in your anger. However, we must ensure this never occurs again, or escalates into harming another student." He looked at me seriously. "This school was created to protect the young, not put them in the path of danger. You will need extra assistance to control them, so I am altering your class schedule."
"Altering my schedule how, exactly?" I did not like how this was going.
"I think we should keep you isolated from the other students until you can control yourself. We will have a computer set up in your room so that you can still participate in class, without actually coming into contact with the other students." I tilted my head and thought. That was a really good idea. People pissed me off on a daily basis, and if I couldn't actually get to them, I could work on my anger without having to take it out on someone. "That was my thinking, too."
"What about what you were saying about her past?" I had forgotten about that completely. Professor Xavier held up a hand.
"I'll get to that. But I'd also like to advance Lynx's training. Since you two are the only ones we know of with your certain skills, I think it would be wise for Logan to train you, Lynx." I almost smiled, but I thought that might be a bit inappropriate to be excited about extra training. Charles didn't say anything, but I knew he heard what I thought.
"Okay. So, we were going to talk about my past, right?" I had almost stood up and left, but remembered that at the last second.
"Yes. I think both of you had been experimented on by the same facility. However, I've not been able to access any of Logan's memories, so his actual age is still undeterminable. Lynx, through research, I have verified that you could be anywhere from 400 to 1,050 years old." I froze. That was really old. "You could, in fact, be older, since you appeared the same in the memory we accessed."
"Um… I don't know what to say to that…" I didn't move at all. I just kept thinking, God, I'm ancient. I didn't feel old; I felt like a fifteen year old girl. Life was exciting and new. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was at least 400 years old.
"Take some time to think everything over. I'll have someone come up to your room after supper to help you set up your new computer." He wheeled himself from behind his desk to close the door after us. I couldn't wait to get up to my room, alone with Wolverine. "Oh, and I would appreciate if you would both sleep in your own rooms tonight."
My face felt like it was on fire. Without another word, I walked stiffly to my room, leaving Wolverine and the Professor in my wake.
A chapter, yes. Good, not necessarily. Review, and I promise to get more up sooner. Oh, and I'm currently working on a picture of Lynx! I'll have that up as soon as I finish it. Hopefully, with school almost out, I'll have more time to write, but no promises.
