Forever Friends
4. Awakening
My eyelids fluttered in the bright light. Every last centimeter of my body ached, and I soon realized that several tubes and needles pressed into my skin. The only thing I didn't know was where I awoke.
"About time you woke up." The voice of a girl mocked. I cautiously moved my eyes to the right, allowing them to rest on a familiar face.
"X." I rasped. Damn, my throat is dry. "Where are we?"
"Medical wing of the Xavier Institute." X replied. "And the name is Laura Alexa."
"Figured you'd go for an X name." I chuckled, then went into a mini coughing fit. Only after I caught my breath did I realize that we weren't alone in the small room. He loitered in the corner by the glass doors, and had been so quiet I hadn't noticed him at all until he moved. He stared in my direction.
"Cut back on the jokes, kid." He said, his deep voice sounding like a growl. "Don't want ye to kill over again, do we?" X shook her head no in response. Figures she'd side with him.
Him. Oh crap, he's been here all this time? Does he know who I am? Where I came from? And what about Gauntlet and Omega Red? They were right behind me when I blacked out.
"What happened to Gauntlet and Omega?" I asked. The man smirked while X could not contain her laughter.
"The not-so-jolly green giant is tied to a tree at the boarding house." He said. "I think they boys found a party hat to stick on him. Or that's what Misty said at least."
Who in blazes is Misty?
"And Omega Red?" I asked again. He smiled.
"He won't be coming after anyone anymore." He looked straight at me. I knew what he did with him instantly. One question remained still.
"How much do you know about me?" I asked. X seemed nervous and he just stared. She must have told him something otherwise she wouldn't look so guilty.
"I told them everything I knew." X sighed. "You were still out of it and it was the only way to let them know who you were."
"Who is 'they'?" I asked.
"The faculty." She said. "I don't think the students know yet, but they'll want to talk to you as soon as they realize you're awake."
That's a lot of people to talk to.
"Don't you have anything to say to me?" I asked, turning to Creed. "Anything you wanted to know?"
He thought a good minute before asking, "Why did you come to the boarding house and not here?"
Simple. "I wanted to speak to you before I caught up with X. Besides, I thought with all the cops that get chased away from that house I'd stand a good chance of not getting caught by anyone local."
He stared. I knew what he wanted me to say, so I continued. "Laurel and Hardy caught up with me about a mile outside the residential area. We fought for a little bit, then I ran for the boarding house after I realized one of them darted me. We weren't that far away and I thought I could make it to the front door before I passed out. Guess I was wrong."
"I'll accept that." He nodded as a blue furry thing knuckled through the doors.
"Ah, recovering nicely I see." It smiled. Odd. I didn't think Yetis wore glasses.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"I'm Doctor McCoy, but most around here simply call me Beast." He grinned warmly. I usually don't like doctors, especially after what Hydra put me through, but this guy seems nice enough. He viewed the monitors I was hooked up to, then began disconnecting wires and pulling out various needles. My skin healed around it, but not as fast as it should have. He noticed this too.
"It may take up to 24 hours to fully flush the toxins from your system." He explained. "I want to keep you overnight here for observation."
Sabertooth growled in distain. He didn't argue any, no, but he didn't like the idea either.
"Can you hold off telling the others until morning?" X asked. Dr McCoy tilted his head.
"I don't see why not." He replied, then turned to Sabertooth. "If you plan to stay with her through the night, call the boarding house and tell them about it. I would rather not start a war over this."
"I'll do that." The other man growled in response.
McCoy turned to me next. "When you feel up to it, Professor Xavier would like a word with you."
I nodded. I think I'll need a moment to collect myself before I begin talking to people.
