Sorry for the Delay!

TWO NEW CHARACTERS:

Captain Zombie's awesome character, Sonia, has been selected to be involved in this story.

And tessissingleandproud's character, Tess, will also be involved!

Give them a round of appaluse!

*applause*

Sonia: What da heck am I doin' 'ere?

Tess:... I have a bad feeling about this...

Chapter 2

In My Head

Logan left as soon as he could. Honestly, he wanted nothing to do with Gambit's crazed sister.

Vale was busy with some of her new friends… mall stuff. Vale never minded that Logan had no interest in visiting the mall with her. She seemed to like to surprise him with her wardrobe...

He shook the goofy grin that was building on his face and scowled as he thought about Reena. Poor little Reena…

As he finally arrived at the Air force base, he walked over to the plane, showing his identity, he was let into the cargo hold.

Reena's body was secured inside a metallic casket that was specifically designed to keep her safe and alive. Logan grimaced as he looked at her body, feeling sadness drift in. he remembered the first day he had met her, she was such a spunky thing, standing up to pretty much everyone she met. Including Summers. Especially Summers. He remembered the day he found her burns. Ugly scars that laced over her back, her arms and her legs; which she had tried to hide at first. She had been in 9 different fires when she was only a kid, scarred for life. Her parents… pfft, her father kicked her out of the house when he found out what she was.

Logan sighed as he loaded the casket into his vehicle. He felt a lump at his throat. Just what had caused her to short-circuit like that?

Whatever it was, he hoped to God it had nothing to do with Summers…

If it did, that stiff was going to hear from his adamantium claws…

8~8~8~8~8~8

Serenity grinned as she watched Rosalie and Remy argue back and forth, finally announcing," Though I find this intensely amusing, I must break in. Rosalie, I feel your pain of abandonment, but Remy is a big boy now. And so are you…. Well, you know what I mean."

Rosalie snorted," Yer crazy."

"Can't you tell?" Serenity cackled," Let's get you settled in, eh?"

Rosalie grumbled," Sadleh, Ah can't."

"Why not?"

"I'm here as a mattah o' honah as well as mah own personal gain."

Serenity considered herself a patient person.

"TELL ME!"

Rosalie grumbled," Well… dere's sometin' goin' down in New Orleans. Sometin' bad. All da stories are connected in one way or anoddah wit a girl… small, wiry, barefoot… with a tempah lahk hell. Dey call 'er Da Fox, bu' s'far's Ah kin tell, dere's no credibility to da storahs… 'cept dat Ah seen 'er mahself," Rosalie growled quietly.

Serenity by now had sat herself on the table, sipping coffee, she asked," So, this "Fox" character… what's she into? What's so special about her?"

"Evra time she shows her face, she's eitha selling' drugs, robin' banks'er blown' building' up."

Serenity glanced at Gambit as she pointed out," No offense, but it sounds like your kind of person."

" 'Cept she's not. Mah boss ordah'ed meh ta catch dis Fox… an Ah needs Remeh's help."

Remy stood up, his face flushed as he responded," No. Absolutely not!"

Serenity sighed," I'll go with you, Rosalie."

Remy immediately brightened," Ah'll go get mah staff!" he hurried from the room.

Rosalie scowled," Ya gots 'im wrapped round yer fingah."

Serenity shrugged happily," Eh, it's a Serenity thing."

8~8~8~8~8~8

Vale sighed as she leaned her head back against the seat of Jean's car. She had been feeling so tired lately…

Jean chuckled as she asked," Are you happy with your new clothes?"

"Oh yes," Vale grinned," VERY happy."

Jean chuckled slightly. Rogue, sitting in the backseat with Ki-Umi, grumbled to herself as she heard Vale bantering about her new clothes. She muttered under her breath," Ah can't believe Ah agreed ta this…"

Ki looked at Rogue with concern," Are you alright, Miss Rogue?"

Rogue smiled as she shrugged," Don't worry 'bout meh, Ki. Ah'm jus' ticked off at Lief."

Ki looked at her friend with wide, innocent eyes and asked," what did he do this time?"

"He's still actin' lahk a jerk," Rogue scowled," Iffen Ah kin help it, Ah'm not goin' within a three-miles radius of him."

15 minutes later…

"Rogue, I have a very important mission for you and Leif."

Rogue stared, seething inwardly," The irony o' dis is jus' sickenin'."

Xavier shook his head," I know the two of you dislike each other, but the both of you will be essential to this mission."

Rogue glowered as Lief walked into the room, stopping short, he glowered slightly," Ok, what's she doing here?"

"I need the both of you to go on a mission to Louisiana. There's another rogue mutant there causing havoc. And besides that, there's a new player in town who needs to be dealt with."

"Why do Ah need ta go wit' HIM?" Rogue growled.

"Because," Xavier explained patiently," Both of your powers will be essential to the mission. And besides this, Leif needs the distraction. A trip would do him mental and physical good."

"So send 'im ta Alaska!" Rogue retorted," Ah'm not goin' anywhere with him!"

Lief looked hurt for a moment before retorting," No need. I can handle the mission, professor, since Rogue here seems too scared to take care of it."

Roge snarled," Excuse meh!"

Xavier paused as he allowed Leif to continue bantering," Yeah. You're afraid I'll mess up the mission, but rest assured, I can handle it, and without you!"

"Oh no ya don't! Ah ain't gonna stand by an' let ya mess up… Cause then, the X-men are gonna have to suit up and clean YOUR mess! No sir! Ain't happening!"

And so it was that they were packing for the trip to New Orleans that night to catch a flight the next day.

Rogue growled as she stuffed her clothes into her bag, muttering darkness, thunderclouds and other pleasantness.

Vale came into her room, zipping over, she asked," Rogue, what in the world made you agree to this mission?"

"DON'T even start," Rogue warned.

Vale sighed," Fine, But I'm just saying-"

She zipped away as Rogue tried to smack her with her bare hand. Vale zipped all the way down to the kitchen, where Roxy was standing, putting away a couple of bags of Starbucks coffee, purring happily.

Vale announced," Rogue's in love with Leif!"

Roxy nearly spit out her coffee… and then, she really DID spit out her coffee when Rosalie and Serenity walked into the kitchen.

Serenity grinned as Vale stifled a scream of despair. The coffee had been sprayed right onto her new jeans and red blouse.

Vale growled as she turned around and zipped up to her room. That was the FIFTH time this week...

Roxy coughed delicately," Uh… hi..."

"That happens all the time, Rosy dear, pay them no mind," Serenity chuckled.

Roxy protested," but, she… she smells like Gambit. I didn't know he had relatives!"

"Unfortunately," Rosalie commented dryly, sticking out her hand," Ah'm Rosalie Lebeau, his sistah."

"Roxy Morena. Pleasure to make your acquaintance!" Roxy smiled, sticking out her hand, making sure her claws WERE retracted, as she shook Rosalie's gloved hand.

Serenity added," Me, Rosy and Gambit are heading out of town. Screen my calls, will you?" as they walked through the kitchen to head out to the garage.

Roxy blinked before calling out," Uh, let us know how it goes!" before turning around and sighing. Sheesh, things were picking up. Intense.

She sat down at the table, where a schedule was written out. Her wedding schedule.

Butterflies danced in her stomach. It seemed like a dream come true. She was marrying the man she had been in love with since… well, pretty much forever. Her interest was raised at the age of 13, her crush had been official when she was fifteen, and five years later, she was still giddy every time she thought about him. That first time she had laid eyes on him in person… oh that had been awkward.

She had just started her period that day, so her emotions were high-strung and not only that, but she'd been dealing with the effects of being captured and tortured.

Fur rising along her spine, Roxy tried to steer away from that memory. Feral, her split personality, which lurked in the subconscious of her emotions, didn't like those memories at all.

As Roxy grabbed the schedule, cup of coffee in hand, she walked through the mansion to head up to her room. Which is when she saw Logan, pushing a casket. Inside… was Reena's body. Papers and coffee both spilled to the floor as Roxy rushed forward, all thoughts fleeing her mind," Logan! Is, is she-"

"Naw, kid, she's fine. The floor over there however, ain't looking' too good," Logan growled at the mess.

Roxy hissed slightly as she looked through the glass covering," What happened to her?"

"We don't know yet. Something happened to her mind. But she's alive. The prof's gonna try to help her. We'll keep you posted."

"See that you do, little man," Roxy hissed slightly, Feral's protective instincts taking over her mouth for a moment as she turned away and walked up the stairs. Logan only shook his head as he continued pushing along the casket.

Scott rushed down stairs the minute he heard the door open and his eyes glimmered with sadness behind his sunglasses as he looked at Reena.

Poor Reena… she actually looked like she was only sleeping.

"Summer, get out of my way," Logan growled, his eyes narrowing.

Scott did so, but followed behind him, his jaw set as he bit back all the things he wanted to say. Logan added quietly," She's been through hell, Summers… lay off would you?"

"I don't know what you mean," Scott growled back.

Logan snorted, unconvinced," I have ears you know. Damn good ones. You're the one who made her leave. Stop following her around like a ghost and let her heal!"

Scott stopped. His fists clenched. Oh he wanted to blast Logan OUT the window…

But that would put Reena in harm's way.

Instead, he stalked off to the garage to tinker with his motorcycle.

No one could see the tears streaming down from underneath his sunglasses.

8~8~8~8~8~8

Roxy sighed, worried sick about Reena now. She didn't even notice that her feet were taking her to Hank's lab, as she smelled his comforting scent all of a sudden. Looking up from her dazed reverie, she saw him, bent over a microscope. She smiled timidly as she greeted softly," Hello Beast. What's shaking?"

"Mmm, hello love." Hank murmured, in an absent manner.

She nodded. Yep. he was completely engrossed in his work. With a soft sigh, she walked over to him, sitting lightly on his table, she began trying to find the right phrase to unlock his attention.

"Ya know, Hank dear-"

"Yes?"

"Logan decided to dye his hair pink again."

"Ah."

"And Bobby froze the petunias."

"I suspected as much."

"Vales's decided to become a nun."

"Hmm."

"And…" Roxy grinned wickedly. "I've decided to get implants."

"Oh that's nice… WHAT?"

His head shot up, as his baby blues widened, staring at her in utter astonishment.

She cackled," My dear, thou art the man."

"Wha-what?"

Roxy leaned forward as she kissed him on the forehead. "I am not getting implants."

"You mean…" He scowled slightly. "That's the third time this week."

"But it works." Roxy reminded him with a sad grin. "I have sobering news."

He froze.

"It's Reena, isn't it?"

"In fact, it is. How did you-"

"Instinct."

"Of course. Logan just brought her back. She's unconscious. Other then that, she's perfectly fine."

Beast leaned back against the wall. His eyes were troubled.

"it's as I suspected."

"Spill."

"Reena's abilities have been increasing… I believe they are expanding beyond her mental capacity."

"Oh for the love of an expresso!" Roxy scowled angrily. "You're serious?"

"Perfectly so, my dear." Beast replied somberly.

Roxy palmed her forehead, slumping forward as she held back tears.

"But, she'll be ok, right?" Roxy looked back up at Hank, demanding and scared.

Instead of answering right away, Beast folded her up in his arms, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head, between her ears, he murmured," I'm sure she will, Roxy."

Roxy snuggled into him, refusing to cry, but unable to keep from feeling the coldness of anxiety clench her stomach like an iron fist.

8~8~8~8~8~8

Do androids dream of electric sheep?

Reena wasn't quite sure what was real and what was fantasy. She had tumbled from one dream to another.

Some of them were pleasant.

Summers looks good in those red swim trunks.

Others were nightmarish.

Oh gawd, Mr. Sinister cloned an army of Emma Frosts!

Others were just ordinary.

Yo Logan, pass me the monkey wrench.

To be honest, she wasn't sure what was going on. The more pleasant dreams, she tried to stay in as long as she could. Heck, maybe she'd finally gone off the deep end. She knew she wasn't under the influence of a telepath. If that was true, well, she would have short circuited by now.

Can't stand other telepaths. Too much pressure in my head…

She paused as she saw Scott again. Oil smudged on his face, tears shimmering in his eyes.

Wait, his eyes…

Ok, now she knew this wasn't reality. But she lingered here, as he moaned," Reena Stykes, what is it about you? You turn my world upside down with a single look."

She smiled grimly," Well, serves you right, Summers. You do the same to me."

He didn't seem to hear her. Kneeling in the garage, he was working on his bike.

She walked over, looking absently over his shoulder.

"Boy, I've loved you since I laid eyes on you. Why do you have to complicate my life? Did I do something wrong?"

He didn't answer.

She knelt by him, crying softly as she whispered in his ear," Whatever it was, I'm sorry."

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

Logan looked at Charles, as the professor checked Reena's vitals. Agitated, Logan shifted side to side.

"What can we do, Chuck?"

"There's only one thing I can think of… We learned the hard way that her brain doesn't accept the thoughts of other telepaths. Her psychology, the things that happened to her when she was younger, is the reason for this. Ultimately, though, her mind is vastly different from any mind that we are aware of."

Logan scowled," And?"

"I'm going to need your help. Since she doesn't trust telepaths, she'll need the thoughts of someone she does trust… someone she will let in. I believe this person is you, Logan."

Logan nodded tightly, "I'll do it… Don't know how, but whatever it takes to get my sister back."

His voice gruffly cracked as he said this, kneeling in front of Reena's casket.

Professor X nodded as he closed his eyes, first placing his hand on Logan's head and then gently placing the tips of his fingers on Reena's forehead.

Closing his eyes, Xavier concentrated, as he began to transfer Logan's thoughts into Reena's comatose mind…

Without allowing his own mind to infringe on either one of them.

8~8~8~8~8~8

Logan saw a bridge. Without waiting for an invitation, he walked over it. His eyes looked around sharply. The subconscious of Reena was surprisingly very clean. Organized even.

He walked on, noting the hillside country scenery and looking harder, he could see a sort of… mechanic shop.

Figures.

"Reena! Yo! Reena!" Logan hollered loud as he stomped over to the mechanics shop.

He stopped short at what he saw, upon entering the shop.

Scott Summers, crouching by a bike and fixing it, as Reena crouched next to him, her green eyes full of sadness.

Logan gruffly walked over to her, as she looked up at him.

"Logan, why does he confuse me so much?"

"Aw kid… who knows what goes on in this guy's head." Logan smiled down at her sadly.

Reena's eyes filled again as she responded," But… I love him so much! And he's always breaking my heart. Why? Doesn't he even like me?"

"Reena… I know he feels something for ya. He probably doesn't know how to handle it. So he doesn't."

Reena gave him a sudden look. Her lips pulled into a mischievous smile as she grinned, "Wow, Logan, you almost sound smart."

"Shut up." He scowled as she laughed.

"So… what's going on? Am I dreaming?"

"Not exactly. Professor X sent me into your subconscious. We'd like for you to return to reality."

"Ah, but unreality is so fun!"

"I know." Logan gave her a sad smile," I know."

Reena sighed as she leaned back on her heels," Hmm… I've been wondering why I'm here."

"Well… the report says you overexerted yourself. Prof thinks your powers are expanding, and it was too much for your mental capacity to take."

"Oh… really? You mean I'm level 5?"

"Um… I don't know. Possibly?"

"Oh well THAt helps!" She scowled at him.

Logan shrugged. "I'm not here to explain the matters, I'm here to get you back to reality, Reena."

She sighed before grabbing his hand.

"Let's get back. How DO we get back?"

"That's… a good question."

"WHAT? You mean to tell me you came into my subconscious WITH NO FREAKIN' IDEA HOW TO GET BACK?"

"…Why do you make it sound like it's such a bad thing?"

8~8~8~8~8~8

Sonia leaned back against the wall of the building, slouching slightly into the shadows. She waited patiently, as people passed by, before spotting her target. A young girl, nearly her own age, with extremely trendy clothes.

Sonia moved fast, cutting across the alley, she intercepted the girl at the corner of the building, bumping roughly into her," Sorry, Ma'am."

The girl steadied her with a kind smile," Hey, no problem. You alright?"

"I'm fine." Sonia smiled back before continuing on her way. Heh.

The girl would find out, only shortly after, that her pocket book was gone. But Sonia was long gone.

Sonia ducked behind an alley, fishing out the contents. She scowled as she dug out a bunch of credit cards.

"Wha'? No cash." She scowled.

Well, that was just lovely. She needed cash. Not an identity crisis.

With a low growl, she left the pocket book there, quickly cutting back through the alleys, she grumbled. She was starving, trapped, and furthermore…

Sick and tired.

About usual.

8~8~8~8~8~8

Tess scowled ferociously as she discovered her pocket book in some random alley. Her electric blue eyes sizzled as she attempted to harness the urge to blow something up.

She couldn't, after all, allow others to know what she was. Why had that poor ragged urchin stolen from her?

Tess felt anger and pity flash through her all at once. She wanted to beat someone up… but at the same time, wanted to help that girl with the ragged appearance and the matted ginger hair.

Tess shook her head as she hefted the pocket book and left. She was already late for her flight out of here.

Time for a bout with destiny.

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