Nadia?

Nadia?

He appeared. Everything was dark except the illuminated form of Professor X. I looked down but I couldn't see myself. My breathing picked up as I swiped a hand over what I hoped was my eyes. I peered back up to see him smiling. The cold blue outline of the catwalk appeared behind him, giving him an almost ethereal glow.

It's okay Nadia. Jean shouldn't've have but she was just trying to practice. Trust me I will talk with her.

"Where am I?"

You're in your head. I'm here too.

"I don't remember inviting you in?" I countered with narrowed eyes.

Nadia you must understand. Jean did not do what she did to you on purpose. He changed topics fluidly.

"Speaking of which. What exactly did she do?"

Jean… She's telekinetic as well as telepathic. For a brief moment she took over your powers.

"Did I do it?"

Did you do what?

"What she wanted me to?"

No. You passed out. She wanted me to tell you she's sorry.

"Yeah well why isn't she the one telling me?"

I told her it would be a bad idea for her to come in.

Probably a good idea. But even still, the words of a messenger are still less significant than that of the person them self.

"So how do I wake up?"

I can't tell you how to do that. He gave a half-smile before rolling forward.

"Convenient."

We are already in the airport. We board in five minutes. So unless you don't want Scott to carry you onto the plane I suggest you try your best to figure it out.

"Actually that doesn't sound too-"

Nadia.

"Fine… So how exactly does this-" He disappeared, his silhouette fading into nothing as the lights of the catwalk flickered out. Great.

Wake up. Wake up!

Son of a bitch. Can't someone just pinch me?

Part of me was pissed off that Jean thought she could just take over me… but another part was semi-impressed. When I wake up I'll make sure to steer clear of her… but Scott... I'm not sure.

Although he's been a total ass I think he'd be fun to mess with.

"Boarding group 3." A jolting voice seemed to latch onto me and pull.

My eyes begin to clear, the darkness dissipating. I gazed up to find both Storm and Professor X staring down at me.

"Welcome back Nadia." I blinked a couple times, adjusting to the onslaught of fluorescent lights.

I slowly sat up and gazed around. Crowds of people scurried around with their luggage like ants to a picnic basket. I tried to spot a red head amidst the masses but it was to no avail.

"If you're looking for Jean, she's already boarded." Storm said.

"Oh." I shut my mouth and gazed down at my shoes.

"We should get going too." Professor X proclaimed as he began to roll towards the gate. I glanced up at Storm as she stood and reached out her hand. I graciously took it.

We walked through the hall, keeping a good distance between ourselves and the professor.

"So Nadia… Have you ever met another mutant before?" She asked gazing up at me.

"No… My mom said my dad was one but I don't know if that's true." She looked ahead. "What's your power?"

"You haven't guessed from the name?" She chuckled.

"Storm? Oh. Yeah missed that." I laughed. A comfortable silence fell between us. We had reached the plane and were now climbing the metal stairs. "So when I get to the school… You guys are just going to take off?"

"Yes. But don't worry. We hopefully won't be gone too long." I nodded. She pulled out a ticket and began to look around.

"Oh I umm.."

"Oh! Don't worry I have yours. I already showed it to the gate agent." I took the ticket as she handed it to me. Storm headed off in the opposite direction as I turned and faced my seat.

Ah Damn. Right beside the lovebirds. Jean didn't spare me a glance as I took a seat beside Scott.

"Cozy." I laughed as I spread my legs so that they were nearly touching the other passengers. I didn't bother seeing Jean and Scott's expression. I was determined to make this interesting… or at the very least fun.

"You two ever fly before?" I asked casually, facing them. They both kept their mouths shut.

"Oh thanks for asking! It's my first time!" I exclaimed excitedly, patting my thighs anxiously. "You know you two are the friendliest people I've ever met! So talkative too! I can hardly get a word in edgewise." Still silence.

Alright… Time to try a little harder.

"Oh why no Jean. I am not interested in a threesome at the moment! Try asking me next week!" I called out. Jean finally turned her livid eyes onto me.

Will you shut up?

"And she speaks!" I said aloud.

"Alright passengers. We will be beginning to take off shortly. Please buckle your seatbelts as the stewardess goes over safety procedures."

Scott turned his head in my direction but I couldn't make out his expression due to the glasses.

"Hey sugar. You like what you see?" I winked. Jean rolled her eyes but Scott's face only inched closer. I could feel his cool breath on my cheek as he whispered,

"Keep this up and I'll make sure Xavier doesn't ask you to return next semester." I stayed silent, only staring at my red soaked reflection. He backed off and faced the seats in front. A shaky breath escaped my lips but I made sure to cover it.

"I'm so scared." I grumbled, laying on the sarcasm before turning my attention to the stewardess who was demonstrating how to put an oxygen mask on her face.

It was a strange feeling. I could feel my teeth rattling in my mouth as we begin to lift off. Every shake of the plane set off a million alarm bells in my head as I clenched my eyes shut. The distraction of Jean had almost made me forget my fear of heights.

It's okay. It's okay. I kept my eyes shut even as the ding of the "Seatbelts off" sign went off. I gripped the arm rest painfully.

It's okay.

It's okay.

"Miss?"

It's okay.

It's okay.

I tried to regain my breath as I could only see myself spiraling through the air, cutting through clouds, propellers coming to a stop.

"Nadia?"

Suddenly an idea hit me.

I opened my eyes abruptly and stared at the blue eyed stewardess hovering over me.

"Get me something to drink." I growled, waves radiating over her face, like ripples from a rock that's been tossed into water. "Anything with alcohol." I closed my eyes. "And make it quick."

"Nadia. You're only eighteen." Jean scolded.

"Well if you haven't noticed I kind of need something strong."

"No you don't… Listen… I can help."

"No offense Jean, but I don't want you anywhere close to me or my mind."

"Just let me try something." She persisted.

"Sorry Jeanie I-" I began but immediately stopped.

As the chirping of birds sounded in my ear I opened my eyes and watched as the world transformed before me. Wild grass sprung from the floor, the ceiling evaporating into a wide blue sky streaked with clouds. Jean and Scott sat in front of me, on a blanket, sun illuminating their faces. I stood and stared at the image in front of me.

"Woah." I whispered, as I felt a breeze rustle through my hair and… my dress? I looked down to find myself in a pale yellow sundress that seemed to be glowing as light poured down upon us. "What is this?"

"This is Jean." Scott smiled.

"Oh so you're in a good mood now?" I asked as I sat on the ground raking my fingers through the soil. A irritating voice broke me out of my brief moment of tranquility.

"I'll only continue this if you let me practice on you when I get back." I turned to her noticing the darkness beginning to cloud the sky behind her. I glanced at Scott to see him frozen, his mouth open about to speak.

"He can't hear us right now. Listen… I can keep this going for the entire plane ride if you let me practice on your mutation when the team gets back tonight." She proposed.

"You heard Xavier. You're not strong enough." I smirked.

A thick root shot out from the ground and wound around my arm, gripping my fingers tightly. I gasped and attempted to rip my arm free only to feel a force of resistance.

"I'll play nice. But only if you cooperate." She said calmly. I tried not to grimace as the vine began to wind up my shoulder towards my neck.

"That is literally the definition of not playing nice." I rasped.

"Come on. I know you want to try it on me." She whispered as she crawled forward. For a moment I swear I could see flames licking at her irises.

"I do. I do." I agreed. "But, I'll get the blame if something happens. Seeing as you're the favorite of Xavier I don't see how it would benefit me to hurt you."

The root tightened, as the scene began to shift from one of peace to one of horror. The sky turned a charcoal black as fire overtook the scenery.

"Nadia. I don't think you have much of a choice." I reached up a hand to tug at the unrelenting plant wrapped around my throat.

"Wow. You're kind of a shitty person."

She raised her eyebrows and leaned back, the scowling trees mimicking her grin behind her.

"I can be your enemy. Or your best friend. You just have to choose."

"Is there a benefit in either?" I gasped.

"Of course."

"Jean." A familiar voice rang out from every direction.

"Almost done honey." She called towards the sky. "You have a little time to think about it." I gripped my neck as the root ripped off of my skin taking a thin layer with it.

This isn't real. My hand came away to find blood. It's not real. It's in your head. Suddenly the sun was back and the sky was glistening and the redness dotting my dress was no longer present. Scott appeared with a smile.

"Sorry just some girl talk." She giggled. Scott smiled but drew his eyebrows together as he looked over at me. I still had a hand wrapped around my neck and my eyes were the size of saucers as I stared at Jean.

"Nadia? You okay?" He asked.

"Drop the act lover boy." I sighed as I pulled my hand away to find it spotless.

"Nadia. If you don't mind, Scott and I would like to talk in private."

"You're in my head you know." I retorted but was cut off by the grass stretching in between us until I could barely make out the dots that were Jean and Scott. The ground continued to push me farther and farther away until coming to an abrupt stop, flinging me a good three feet into the air.

In my entire life I don't think I've felt more helpless. Here I was. In my own mind, and without any control. Was there any point in walking back? How was I going to survive this? All at once my mom's voice chimed in my head, suck it up and hold your head high. I know if mom was here to advise me she'd tell me to steer clear of those two. I placed another hand to my neck, a sudden rush of fear climbing up my spine. I breathed deeply before climbing to my feet and walking in the opposite direction of the two. I wonder how far this stretched.

I followed the line of trees. I reached to put my hands in my pocket but groaned when I realized I was still wearing that paper thin dress. As I walked, the artificiality of it all became clearer. The leaves blurred together, the birds only small specks against a fluff of cotton candy wavering in the sky. I was approaching an enormous oak tree when I could swear I spotted a figure leaning against it.

"Hey!" I called out to the form. There was no response. I began to sprint towards the tree as the person continued to ignore me. I stopped about ten feet away as I realized that there wasn't just one person there were two present.

Logan had Jean pressed up against the trees as he buried his head in her neck. Her eyes were closed as her hand raked through his hair.

"Jean?" Neither replied. I stepped closer and made to tap Logan on the shoulder but before I could make contact he and Jean erupted into a cloud of smoke.

What the hell?


I opened my eyes shortly after to find that the plane had stopped and the beginnings of sunrise had begun. The orange sky pressed itself up against the window, caressing the outline of Scott's face who was currently looking expectantly at me.

"Nadia. Time to go." I gazed around, disoriented. "I'm sorry I was harsh with you earlier. You kind of hit a nerve." He laughed nervously. "To be honest I felt for a moment like I didn't really have control over what I was saying." I narrowed my eyes. "But no! No! That's no excuse. Since we will be dealing with each other for quite a while I think we should start over."

"Sorry it's not that easy." I responded before standing to look over his shoulder at Jean who had her eyes closed but did not appear to be asleep.

"No I-" He began, reaching for my arm. I jumped away

"You and your girlfriend need to stay the hell away from me." I squealed making sure to place my hands up to motion him backwards. My adrenaline skyrocketed as I could almost the feel the reminder of the noose like rope against my neck.

"What?"

"You think it's okay? To threaten me? You both are psychos!" I shouted.

"Nadia." I turned my head to see Professor X wheeling over.

"He and his little-"

"A panic induced nightmare." A voice chimed in. I backed away as Jean stood.

"Afraid of heights?" Professor X asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"You could say that." I murmured glaring at Jean who placed a possessive a hand on Scott. As her manicured fingernails made contact with his shoulder I noticed his expression turn into one of pride.


The car ride was silent. Logan had already arrived, apparently he was a bit of a speed demon on his motorcycle.

We sat in the same places as we had on the way to the airport. I had kept my forehead against the cool glass of the window for the majority of the ride but only lifted it once as I began to see the trees peter off to expose a tall regal building against the horizon.

I could only watch in amazement as we began to approach.

"This is it. This is home." Professor X announced.