CHAPTER ELEVEN
*i'm horrible at writing accents so bare with me :P*
Moira hugged Kitty tightly to her after a short lecture on keeping in touch. Pete and Moira nodded a greeting to each other while Laura disappeared to survey the area.
"She's a lot like Logan..."
"Yes, in many ways."
"Ah'm so sorry fer yer loss Kit. Ah know the two of ye were close."
"He definitely left behind a legacy."
"Come inside before ye catch a cold. Ah've got some stew on the stove an coffee brewin'."
The three sat down and enjoyed Moira's stew, reminiscing of a simpler time. Nausea rose in Kitty's stomach, making her grip the table in pain.
"Kit?!"
"What was in that stew Moira?" Pete looked questioningly at his bowl in front of him.
"Don't be a stupid twat. My cookin' had nothin' to do with this."
"It'll pass... The baby, gets restless at times."
"Baby?!"
"That's why I'm here. I need to find out who the father is."
"Ye dinna know who the father is?!"
"Moira, please. I've had a really rough couple of months."
"Sorry lass... Just a wee bit of a shocker. Is this another brood situation?"
"No... I-I can't really... I don't want to talk about it."
"We'll talk about it in the mornin', off to bed with ye, rest."
Kitty nodded in agreement and dragged herself to her old room. Moira hadn't moved much in her old quarters. It was clean and the bed was made up with fresh linens. Her pictures and posters were hanging still, making Kitty smile fondly at the memories. Curling up under the sheets she let her exhaustion take over.
Moira placed a call to the schools, she didn't know what she was dealing with but knowing the X-Men had split gave her a good idea that Kitty didn't feel comfortable staying with them. Speaking with Hank confirmed her thoughts. The death of the professor was hard on everyone but Kitty had been acting irrational since. The fight had cost Nightcrawler's life and she didn't know where she belonged. Logically Kitty went to her mentor Logan for guidance. Xavier's dream had been warped, twisted into something that went against everything he had taught them. The loss of Logan was the final blow, she was lost and damaged by the fight between her and Sabretooth. Hank had trouble talking about what had happened to Kitty and sent the medical files for Moira to review and the psychological profile from Emma. She shook her head in dismay.
'The poor lass been through so much. Ah only hope Ah can help her.'
Hank and Emma had both recommended that Kitty be under observation for post traumatic stress, especially if Kitty's mental barriers had failed. Moira decided to check in on Kitty, the files had worried her. Opening the door as quietly as she could, Moira poked her head in and saw Kitty sleeping peacefully on her bed. She looked like an angel slumbering in the heavens on the white sheets. Moira knew that Kitty could hide her emotions well at times but she would be gentle with her under these circumstances.
Pete watched Moira leave the lab and took the opportunity to read through Kitty's files. His work in MI13 made him curious, or so he told himself. He played the video files from Emma. Things became very clear to Pete why Kitty didn't want to talk about her pregnancy and the urgency of their visit to Muir Island. He vowed to disembowel Sabretooth if he ever came across him. Pete could hear Moira's footsteps coming down the hall. He quickly slipped out of the lab and grabbed himself a drink. He wouldn't be able to sleep that night with the visions of what he had seen.
Morning came with a new emotion for Kitty, hope. Hope that the child she was carrying was fathered by a man she loved, not feared and hated. Moira and Pete were already sitting in the kitchen, silently drinking coffee.
"Mornin' Kit. Did ye sleep well?"
"I did. Do you mind if we start early?"
"Have somethin' to eat first lass. Ah'll make whatever ye'd like."
Kitty looked from Moira to Pete, usually Moira would yell at them to make their own breakfast then complain about the mess everyone made. Instead her and Pete were looking at her with a concerned look.
"I take it you've spoken with Hank."
"Aye... Hank sent me your files last night."
Kitty paused in the doorway, she wanted to run away, run away from the pity in their eyes. That same look each one of the X-Men had given her. She could see her weakness reflected in their gaze. Pete recognized the look of flight in Kitty's eyes, he knew that look well.
"Listen, you came here for a reason let's focus on that. Moira, Kitty can eat later when she feels like it."
Kitty was actually grateful that Pete had decided to stay. He knew her well enough to know she hated when people made a fuss over her.
"Where's that Lara chick?"
"Laura."
"Right, Laura. She's really creepy."
"Perimeter is clear. This place has pretty good defenses. Still need to be cautious." Laura appeared as if on cue, causing Pete to jump.
"Where the hell did you come from?"
"I came with you in that death trap tin can."
"Where you been all night?"
"Patrolling, like I said. Kitty you sure he's not brain damaged?"
"He's just not used to you Laura."
"Hmmm maybe the doctor should scan his head while we are here."
"Listen here you little twit..."
"Pete. Just leave it. Laura you can have my room to clean up if you like. Maybe catch some sleep?"
Laura just nodded her head and eyed Pete with a narrowed glance.
"What is with that kid?"
"She was raised by Weapon X from a test tube to be an assassin. She never had much socialization, give her a break."
"Creepy."
"Wisdom could you be a grown up for once in your life? Moira I'll meet you in the lab." Kitty turned on her heel and marched to the lab.
"What did I do?" Pete looked confused at Moira.
"Pete I suggest you just finish your coffee and not say any more."
'Women.'
Moira found Kitty sitting on the examination table wearing a medical gown, staring blankly at the floor.
"Ye know ye are welcome to stay here for as long as ye'd like. Be nice to have ye 'round. Place feels so empty lately."
"Thank you Moira... I just don't know where I belong right now."
"Ah just don't want ye to feel like ye have no where to go. We all care about ye."
Kitty smiled softly at Moira.
"I appreciate it Moira. I just can't handle the way everyone looks at me."
"Ah understand lass, Ah just don't want ye to be alone. Ye don't have to do this by yeself."
"Let's find out what I'm dealing with first."
Moira nodded and started her equipment up. Kitty laid back on the table and closed her eyes. Moira tried to be as slow and gentle as she could as she scanned Kitty and took samples.
"Shoudna take long. Ye can get dressed."
By the time Kitty redressed Moira's equipment had found a positive DNA match. Kitty's heart sank at the results on the screen. 99% match, not enough room for discretion.
"Kit..."
Kitty was gone through the wall before Moira could finish her sentence. She ran until she reached the edge of the island. She let the wind blow away the tears that streamed from her eyes. She could feel the spray of the ocean dampen her clothing. Her hair was whipping wildly behind. She wanted to let the wind just carry her away, far away from reality. She didn't want this... This monster's spawn inside her. She wanted it to be Logan's, someone she loved, someone she looked up to. She wanted to be carrying Logan's legacy inside of her, that would have given her the strength she needed to move on. Now she had a monstrosity inside of her. Would be so easy to just step forward and end everything, her suffering, her pain, the memories... So easy... To erase her life. All things come to an end. She could take this abomination with her, this... Innocent life with her. No, nothing innocent could ever come from that monster. She was conflicted. Holding her belly she knew she couldn't take the life of an innocent. But could she love this child? She would see Sabretooth's face every time she looked at this baby. Was that fair to the child? This little life didn't choose her parents and it wasn't right for Kitty to take away her life before she even had a chance to take a breath.
He watched intently, the scent of turmoil came oozing from her. She was so close to letting go, letting go of her life with just a step forward. The saltiness of the ocean mist mixed with her tears as the wind carried her scent to him. He could hear the unevenness of her heart beats as she strained to hold onto her senses. He knew if he didn't step closer that his pheromones wouldn't effect her mood enough to calm her. She was too full of angst for reason. He needed her alive, he wasn't going to allow his fate to be robbed from him. Being as quiet as he could, he approached her, his pheromones strong on the air. They seemed to be working as she caressed her belly. Her demeanor relaxed, the desperation leaving her body. He was close enough to touch her. The urge to comfort her overwhelmed him, a sensation that was foreign. Angry at his weakness he turned and fled to the wooded section of the island. He was out of breath, almost panicking in this strange state of emotion.
'What the fuck is wrong with me?' His chest was burning and he felt like his lungs were on fire.
Taking slow breaths he recuperated and stared at the edge of the island where Kitty had been standing. She had disappeared back toward the medical lab. He wasn't sure what was happening to him but ever since he saw her at the auction he hadn't been himself. He needed to get close to her again, he needed to know if she had read the Weapon X files. He needed her trust but he knew she didn't trust herself around him. He had approached her the wrong way. Sexual manipulation had always worked, even with men. Kitty was too intelligent and fought her sexual desires. It was definitely a challenge, a conquest for him.
Kitty was certain someone had been watching her. She wasn't ready to face anyone, she needed to be 100% sure that she had thought this through. She was going to keep Sabretooth's child and raise it? She asked herself that question several times and each time her answer became firmer.
'Yes. This is MY child, and I'm going to raise her MY way. Do I tell her who her father is? Wait for that time to come. What will be her name? Rose, yes Rose... The woman who saved Logan's humanity from Sabretooth. Seems appropriate. My baby girl Rose.'
Kitty smiled warmly and stroked her belly. She didn't know how long she had been sitting atop the lab overlooking the ocean but the sun was kissing the horizon sending beams of pink and orange light across the sky. She had forgotten how peaceful and beautiful this island could be. A dark object interrupted her view of the sunset. As it neared she groaned, recognizing the Blackbird as it landed and Emma Frost exited. Shortly behind her was Remy and Lockheed, both looking weary.
'Time to face the music.'