Disclaimer: I don't own anything from X-Men. However, Cat, and all OC are mine.

Copy Cat

By: Ani-Mimi

Chapter 9: Reflections and Gathering Clouds

(Rogue's POV)

It's been several months since that day in the training room, but as each day passes, I am continually instilled with a sense of both pity and respect towards Catherine. She barely opens her mouth and the others think she's acting superior to us. She goes to the store and they call her a spoiled brat because of what she buys and how much she spends, but I guess I can understand that one. I mean, her clothes are 5th Ave quality, and did you know that the improvements she made to Logan's bike cost nearly $50,000. The guys have been turning into green-eyed monsters whenever they look at Logan after they found that out.

Of course, the girls aren't much better. It's sad but I know that a few of them have snuck into her room to "borrow" some of her clothes. There are even a few, like Jubilee, that have made a habit out of trying to embarrassing, humiliating, and getting into trouble with the teachers. Even shy, easygoing Kitty has been joining in on those.

As I think of it though… maybe that's one of the reasons I find myself admiring Cat. Despite all that is said or done to her, she doesn't react, even though she could and put each of them in their place.

Another reason would be how much she helps the younger kids and new mutants. The truth is… it's only the X-Men that dislike or hate her, while the kids absolutely adore her.

Then again, I don't know anyone else who would be better suited for doing that either, what with her abilities.

It is so much fun to watch; she'll play games with them at night and help them with their homework in the evenings before supper and on the weekends. Cat will even take the time to practice their mutant abilities with them when no one is watching.

This fact brings me to my own personal reason for admiring her. She is helping me understand and control my own ability, something that none of the others have been able to do since I got here. Though I really wish Bobby would quit insisting that I stop hanging out with her. No one tells Jimmy to stop and he hangs out with her just as much, if not more, than I do. He even knows more about her than I do.

I should probably stop there though, since my contemplations are taking me into the realm of her abilities. One of the first things she had me promise was to keep those a secret until she is ready to share them, and anyone could pick up this journal and read it.

Opps! I have to run or I'll be late for class. Bye Journal!

(Jimmy's POV) (Leach)

I spent this afternoon hanging out with Catherine again. Somehow, I think she needed our time together just as much as I did. Several of the guys gave her a beating today, and although she could handle the physical aspect, it was the mental beating that hurt the most. Anytime I ask her why she would want to spend time with someone like me, she just says that I help her retain her sanity. She also says that it gives her a chance to get to know someone in the normal manner.

I really wish that the others weren't so biased and would try to get to know her like Rogue and I have. She has a lot that she could contribute, and that's not just as a mutant. She's even taken to teaching me things about life, and politics from a mutant's point of view.

To start, Catherine's been taking me with her whenever she goes anywhere. I mean… would you believe that I've actually met the President and I don't know how many Senators and State Representatives? Don't worry, neither would I and I was right there when it happened.

Of course that wasn't the purpose of the trip. The purpose was to teach me the subtleties and minor nuances of politics. The way Catherine put it, my abilities would make me an equalizer in human-mutant gatherings for political discussions. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was training me to be an ambassador as well as a mutant. But you know… I'm okay with that, even if I don't think I'd be very good at it.

The more I think about it, and the more time I spend with her, the more I think of her as an older sister. And that is something I wouldn't change for the world.

(Xavier's POV)

I can't help but wonder if she knows what she's doing. With each passing day I can feel the tension that surrounds Catherine and who or what she is increase as my X-Men continually encounter new aspects about her.

What bothers me the most is the fact that things are going to get worse before they get better, and the tension finally breaks. It will be hard because of all the hostility she faces, but I know that she is a strong young woman, and is more than capable of handling herself.

Though, another worry of mine is Eric's continuing silence. I'm sure that he has talked heavily with Mystique after her encounter with Cat, but as of yet he has taken no action. Right now however, I should be focusing on keeping order within my own school and in the mutant community at large. Maybe I'll follow Cat's example and take Jimmy with me next time I have to speak to the cabinet…

Despite that fact that things had finally quieted down into some semblance of a routine, to anyone willing to give it half a thought, the tension was growing to the point where you could cut it with a knife. Storm clouds were gathering and it wouldn't be long before they broke.

Cat no longer worked out with the X-Men due to the open hostility that she was receiving from many of the members, and that had grown because of her sporadic and unexplained disappearances. Unknown to many though, were the hours she spent with Rogue and many of the younger children working on things like homework or private training sessions. Little did either girl know just how handy that training would become….

During the weekend before finals, when many of the students were holed up in their rooms doing last minute studying, the majority of the X-Men left early in the morning to deal with a hostile mutant situation at the Capital. Because of the instability of the attack, the Professor left Logan in charge, along with Bobby and Rogue to take care of the school while they were gone.

Around three in the afternoon, Cat could be seen searching the mansion for a trace of Logan. After looking in everyone of his normal haunts, she finally found in down in the garage doing check-ups on the various cars there.

"Logan? May I ask you a question?"

"Sure kid, what's up?" answered Logan not looking up from what he was working on.

"Do you know of someone going by the name of Eric ?"

Logan stiffened up when her heard that name. Finally looking at the girl standing next to him, he couldn't help but wonder how she knew his name.

"Why?" he asked, voice full of suspicion.

"There is someone approaching the school referring to himself by that name. He is about 2 ½ miles away and getting steadily closer."

It was then that Logan noticed the apprehensive and confused look that dominated Cat's countenance.

"What's eating ya kid?"

Taking a deep breath she answered, " His thoughts indicate that there are others with him, but… I cannot hear them yet."

"What! I thought you could hear everything kid. Better start talking," Logan insisted, having grabbed her by the front of her shirt.

"I can hear everyone within a 500 ft radius of me while I'm asleep or not concentrating, but this guy is outside of that and I'm not even trying. I have a feeling that I would even be able to hear him if I were in a coma with how clearly I can hear his thoughts."

"Drat it, we need the Professor and the others here!"

"I tried to get in contact with them but they're too busy and dealing with too many mutants."

"Fine. Find Bobby and Rogue and tell them to meet me out in the soccer field. You stay here."

"But…"

"No buts! I don't want you around to mess things up!"

The verbal insult hurt, but nowhere near as much as what he had been thinking did. Cat quickly and quietly did as Logan asked and lit out to look for the two mutants as she slammed her mask into place.

Half an hour later, Logan finally made it to the field after having Jimmy place the mansion on complete lock down and making sure all the kids were safe in the catacombs under the mansion. However, suffice it to say, he was not happy when he found her there with Bobby and Rogue.

"Cat, what did I tell you about tagging along! I don't need you here to cause bigger problems. We have enough just dealing with Magnito!"

"Can it Logan! She's here because I dragged her along!" Rogue shouted back.

The yelling match quickly escalated into a staring contest between the two, and it didn't let up until Logan's senses were bombarded with the smell of Magnito, Mystique and Pyro.

Hahaha "Well, if it isn't my old friends. I'm surprised to see you, I thought for sure that I'd be coming to an empty house. With the exception of the newest mutant that is."

"What are you talking about Magnito!" yelled Logan on the last legs of his patience.

"What do you think, no one want's a coward on their team, so we just thought we'd take her off your hands," piped Pyro walking towards where Cat sat, kneeling as if in fear. "See, she's even afraid of me and I'm nowhere near Mystique's caliber, let alone Magnito's."

"Now Pyro, don't scare her anymore than necessary. After all she should be more than capable taking on the entire X-Men team when I'm through with her."

"Whatever you say," said Pyro and moved to stand beside Magnito once again, though not before throwing a kick to Cat's ribs.

"Now my dear, why don't you come along and we'll begin your training at once."

"Over my dead body!" yelled Rogue placing herself in between Cat and Magnito, halting his progress towards her.

"Rogue, how can you say that! She's a freak and doesn't belong here!"

"I don't care what you think about her Bobby, but as far as I'm concerned neither she nor I are moving while we're alive."

"Very well then my dear, but we can't have that now. Pyro. Mystique. Keep them busy."

With the order issued, Magnito's companions moved forward to engage Bobby and Rogue while Magnito held Logan immobile and approached Cat. As Logan watched, Cat seemed to curl up even more making him believe that she was afraid. But then his nose was assaulted with the scent of blood. Though he couldn't figure out where it was coming from, it did help him to realize that Cat was in fact curled up in pain, not fear.

The closer Magnito came, the more Cat seemed to display whatever pain she was feeling. Until finally Magnito reached out and hefted the girl up by the front of her shirt as if she were nothing and she cried out in anguish. After a few minutes, Catherine spoke up and Logan found himself thankful that he was close enough to hear what was being said between the two mutants.

"Take it off…," whispered Cat as she brought a hand up to grasp the one holding her.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible until you can give me your word to come along willingly and quietly."

"No… take… it… off."

Though Magnito seemed to be completely stumped as to what "it" she was referring to, Logan was beginning to figure some things out. Over the last few minutes, he had noticed that blood was slowly starting to run out of the poor girl's ears and down her neck, and could only guess that it was due to some form of mental pressure. He was proven correct in his assessment when, a moment later…,

"I… said… take… it… off!"

As Catherine screamed out, Magnito's helmet flew off his head and he found himself on the other side of the clearing. When he looked back at the girl that he had been holding not moments before, he saw her standing strong with his helmet floating in the air in front of her. Checking on his companions, Magnito found Pyro out cold and Mystique on thin ice, literally.

The whole thing left Magnito wondering how is associates had been taken care of so quickly and effectively. Then his eyes fell on the now fire enshrouded Rogue, how had she been able to do that?

"I think it's time you left Magnito," stated Cat calmly having regained her normal composure.

"Very well my dear, I will retire for the time being. Would you be so kind to return my helmet to me?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible."

Before his very eyes Magnito watched as his helmet was broken down into its individual atoms, a feat that he had seen only one other mutant display. With a last begrudging look towards the young woman that he considered his newest adversary, he gathered his companions and left the clearing.

With Magnito's exit, Rogue, Bobby and Logan all relaxed just as the sounds of the X-Jet wafted over the horizon. The mutants made their way back to the mansion to meet up with the Professor and the others. Logan directed Catherine to the medical room so that Jean could check on her, while he himself made his way to the Professor's office; he had a few things to discuss with him concerning their resident problem.

A few minutes later, Xavier entered his office and took one look at Logan, and the respect that filled the mutant's eyes.

"You know about her… don't you."

"Yeah… I do."

AN: I'm sooo sorry that it has been so long since my last update, but things have been busy for me, leaving me with little time to work on my stories. I have two more chapters in the works for this story and then it can be called done. Please be patient a bit longer. Thanx for reading. R&R thank you.

- Ani-Mimi