Chapter 8
Scott, Jean, Storm, Logan and the Professor sat around a table in the Professor's office.
"Storm, you go first. What did you discover about the girl?" the Professor asked.
"Well, she's quite clever, but, understandably, her skills in math and science are below what they should be at her age. Her English skills are, however, quite advanced, although her handwriting is difficult to read. She writes with a very mature style, and is actually comparable to people her own age in that area. I can't really say how good she is at history or not, as she's never studied American history before. What she did know however, for someone who has received little formal education on the topic, is quite impressive. Of her character, I found her to be quite sociable, if a little shy. She was pleasant to talk to, and all in all, she was rather friendly."
"Thank-you Storm. Jean, what do you think?"
"I agree completely with Storm's analysis of her character. She is shy, and has some problems trusting others, but it is still quite early days. She shows a great deal of promise as a mutant, and has a good understanding of what she can do, and what she can't do."
"When did you become a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' fan?" Logan asked, smirking. Jean chuckled.
"Just one day when I was on my onesys, savvy?" The others all laughed at the joke, and the professor turned to Scott.
"What about you Scott, what did you discover with your time with the young Hunter?"
"She is definitely worthy of that name. She knows how to handle herself in a fight. She didn't panic in the Danger room, and she could manage herself in hand to hand combat, even managed to get a few knocks on me before she got tired. She's friendly, and I got the occasional glimpse of a sense of humor hidden beneath the shyness, and the mistrust. She has the potential to become quite confident, but it's still too soon to say for sure."
"Logan, what about you? You've known her for longer than any of us, although not in a personal sense."
"Well, Chuck, She's pretty convincing when she's transformed from what I've seen. She'd be good at undercover type work, and hiding, and avoiding capture, and escaping of course, and I'd imagine she'd be pretty good in a fight as well. When I knew her, although she was transformed, she was pretty untrusting. It took a couple of days for her to let me really inspect her injuries, and that was only because she really didn't have enough energy to fight me off anymore. By the time she left though, she was loyal, and quite friendly towards me. At the time, I didn't get why she left. Now, of course, I know."
"Thank-you, Logan. I agree with everything that you have all said. We mustn't rush her, let her get to trust us in her own time. She has already formed a friendship with Rogue, which is a promising sign. On the matter of her schooling, with her consent, I think we should keep her on one on one tutoring for the time being, just to help her with her confidence. She may, if she chooses, attend one or two group classes per week, probably English classes as it's her strongest subject, and she'll be with people of around her own age. As for her x-men training, Scott and Logan, she should continue with her one on one training for now, and I'll trust you two as to when she'll move into group exercises. I will continue taking her for her telepathic training, and I may work some counseling into my lessons, if there is a need for it. Do you have any questions?"
No-one spoke, and the professor nodded, "Very well, I shall see you it al at Breakfast, after which we shall meet in my office to discuss with Matilda what her program shall involve."
He was replied with many variations of "Goodnight" as the others left the room, until he was alone. He leaned back in his wheel chair, smiling.
Everything was working out as far as the school's newest student was concerned.
XM XM XM XM XM
The meeting that took place the following morning in the professor's office was an interesting one for Matilda. She sat at the table with the Professor, Storm, Jean, Scott and Logan sitting around the table with her. She sat quietly, twiddling her thumbs as she waited for the meting to begin.
"How are you this morning, Matilda?" the Professor asked her.
"Fine, I slept really well last night, I think it was because I wasn't used to being that tired."
"Yes, that's quite common when students first come here," The Professor told her, "Now, Storm, Jean, Scott, Logan and I have discussed our findings from their sessions with you, and from their discoveries, we have begun to formulate a program suitable to your skill levels. On your education, Storm and I have decided that one on one tutoring would be the most beneficial for you. For now, up until the start of the Christmas holidays, we decided that it would be good, with your approval, for you to focus on English, math, and other general knowledge and basic life related skills, including some science and basic history. Once a week, if you like, you can go to the senior English class so you can still get to spend time with people your own age. After the Christmas break, we'll see how you're managing. As for your training, Scott will be giving you one on one sessions in the Danger Room, as well as a combination of starting up gym sessions with Other members of the x-men, and further sessions with myself in regard to your telepathic abilities."
"It sounds great. You guys seem to have it all organized. Thank-you for doing this for me."
"It was our pleasure, my dear" The Professor replied, "I'm just glad that you like what the plan is."
"Like it? I love it, and I haven't had any classes yet. What's first up?"
"See for yourself" Storm passed he a piece of paper that had a grid drawn onto it. She recognized it as a timetable, and let her eyes flow over it. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays were full days, while Wednesday afternoons were left spare, as was Friday and the weekend. She grinned.
"This looks great." She said, "thank-you, all of you."
"Its no problem, kid," Logan said, leaning back in his chair. Matilda nervously chewed on her lip, looking at the timetable. On Tuesday mornings, she was booked in for a session in the Gym with Logan watching her, followed by a lesson with Storm, and then a period of attending to her Telepathic skill with the professor. She glanced at the clock on the wall, and the professor glanced at Logan.
"Come on, kid, I'll show you where the Gym is" Logan offered, standing up. Thankful, Matilda got up and followed him out of the room. Once they were out of even Logan's superior hearing range, Scott laughed.
"What's so funny?" Storm asked
"Logan won't know what hit him."
""What do you mean; you said she was good, but she wasn't really good."
"No, its just, she's 'The Hunter', and he's 'The Wolverine', that's all. And, well, when I said she wasn't that good, the potential is there, in droves. She has the potential to kick his butt, seriously." Scott looked enthused by the idea
"Scott, you know that isn't going to happen for a very long time though. Its still early days." The professor said
"But, when it does happen, I am so gonna be there." Scott laughed, and Jean and Storm smiled, but wisely said nothing knowing that not getting involved with Scott and Logan's ongoing disputes was the best policy. Mumbling to himself, Scott walked out, and, giggling, Jean and Storm left too, leaving the professor alone to his thoughts.
XM XM XM XM XM
That evening, Matilda wiped sweat from her forehead with a wet face washer, looking at her reflection in her bathroom mirror. Her first session in the Gym with Logan had been interesting. He'd shown her several exercises, and then she had been told to do them. Mostly, she'd maintained her human form, although for a few of them, she'd transformed. After her gym session, she'd had her first lesson with Storm, during which she'd been given textbooks, and had started going through the questions, with Strom helping her when she needed it, (Which was more often than Matilda would have liked to admit to). Her lesson with the professor at the end of the day had gone well too, and had left her feeling slightly more relaxed around other people, as if she unconsciously felt as though she could trust them more.
For the first time in years, Matilda felt as though she was at home, and that she was safe.
A.N. Here's the next chapter. I hope you've like the story so far, the next update should be up soon. Let me know what you think. You know, REVIEW!
Thanx, R.W.
