Last chapter for the night.. Then y'all are waiting for a week.. Anyways, enjoy! :3

As always, a friendly reminder..

I DON'T OWN BEAST/X-MEN/ECT.. Plot is mine. Jillian is mine. Jack is mine. MMMM'KKAAYY?


Chapter 12: Nostalgia Isn't Always Nice

Things had gone from bad, to total shit storm. I was at odds with not only McCoy, now, but Jack as well. Both didn't understand my concern over McCoy's recent discovery, neither bothering to hear out my voice of reason. Henry waved me off, telling me he'd be demonstrating the serum, which he'd dubbed 'Vires', meaning 'strength' in Latin. The media was in a frenzy, constantly at the hospital wishing to see McCoy for a quick interview. With the news and the reporters, came protestors.

The F.O.H.(Friends of Humanity) had put up a station just outside the front doors, constantly yelling out derogatory phrases and words whenever McCoy and/or Jack stepped out of the hospital. Because of this, some patients had either left the hospital, or transferred to another. I didn't really blame them. I was getting pretty sick and tired of those bastards, too.

Today, like any day, I came in and, first thing, started on rounds. As usual, I left a certain red-head for last, so we could chat. On my way to see Jasmine, I was stopped my the Three Stooges. All three looked flustered, and frightened beyond belief.

Raising an eyebrow, I turned to face them, setting down charts on the nurses station's counter.

"What is it?"

"Deputy McCoy is in the lobby giving a demonstration of Vires.. You've gotta come see this."

"I really would prefer not to see Henry McCoy make a bigger ass out of himself, thanks. I've got things I need to finish."

"You'll want to see this." Lily said gently. I studied her face, nibbling on my lower lip, before releasing an aggravated groan.

"Lead the way."

I followed them out into the sky-bridge, which over-looked the lobby. Already, I could see a mass of reporters and spectators, all huddled around a large man.

"Is.. Is he wearing a gray suit?" I asked, squinting. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw all three shake their heads.

"No, he grew hair. Vires makes you grow hair. Like, all over."

I quickly descended the stairs, flinching slightly when the sound of girlish peels of laughter rang about the large room, followed by cheers and chortles.

In the center of the circle, wearing track pants and a tight black shirt, was Henry McCoy.

A Henry McCoy covered, head to toe, in thick, gray fur.

In his left arm, being lifted up and down as he talked, was none other than Trish Tilbey.

Something sharp shot through my chest, seeing her bright, smiling face as McCoy lifted her repeatedly while explaining the basics of Vires.

"Doctor McCoy! McCoy!"

"Yes, you." McCoy grinned, his fur-covered face doing nothing to mask the sheer elation he was feeling. My Lord, he was as much of an attention whore as Trish was!

"How long until the effects wear off?"

The crowd murmured with want, before falling silent. Henry gently set Trish down, who smirked and winked in his direction, before answering:

"This remarkable new serum will only last four an hour.. Then, you must inject a reverse fluid, which will return you to your former glory." She reached onto a table, lifting up a syringe with greenish liquid inside. "Here you are, my man.."

"Thank you, Trish." He gave her a wink. God, spare me.. Disgusting.

The crowd gave a large gasp in unison as, moments after McCoy injected the fluid into his thigh, the gray hair began falling off. Again, cheers rose up, and a grinning Tilbey ran forward, throwing her arms around McCoy and pulling him into a passionate kiss, which he returned fervently.

Around me, excitement whirled about like leaves in an autumn breeze. No.. Actually, more like leaves in a hurricane. My head, which I hadn't realized had been throbbing, suddenly gave a violent pulse, and I cried out in pain. A cry which was drowned in the masses.

Vaguely, I heard someone yell out my name. They sounded far away. Really far away. Glancing up, I peered to the left, before pushing my way through the emotional sea of thrilled spectators. Shit, it was getting hard to breath.. What the Hell was happening?

"Jillian!"

My outstretched hand hit something solid. A wall, I found out after a quick inspection.

"Jillian, my God! You're burning up!" Jack. It was Jack. Where was his face?

"I c-can't.. Jack, get me.. Get me out of here.."

"Hold on. .. We will get you out." Who the fuck was that?

"Jack." I winced again, clutching my head.

"Love. Here.. hold onto my arm, Love.. Come along, that's it, nice and easy."

Thirty minutes later, the headache was almost gone, and I was curled up on the leather couch in Jack's office. He'd brewed me some tea, then left me alone after I asked him too. My heart was still thudding rhythmically against my sternum as I played the event over and over in my head.

It was like I heard, all at once, the loud scream of their awe and amazement. Yes, they'd cheered, quite loudly, too.. But this.. It had been different. I felt everything. Everyone. Series of words shot into my brain, registering for a microsecond, before flickering away like a moth in a dark room.

I shuddered, closing my eyes as my finger tips gently caressed my temples. I was trembling violently, so much so that I was having a difficult time drinking my tea.

".. Get your head together, Sinclair." I told myself, inhaling deeply. "It was just over-whelming. You shouldn't have gone.. It happened, now it's over.."

A small rap on the door ripped me from the beginnings of my mantra. Peering up, my eyes fell on the door.

".. Come in?"

Moments later, the door swung open, and a man with a bald head and bright blue eyes rolled in, seated in one of the most fancy looking wheel-chairs I'd ever seen. When our eyes locked, a massive tidal wave of relief washed over me, and I barely noticed my small tremors stop.

".. Hi." I squeaked, honestly, a bit shocked by the man's eyes. Something about him was familiar..

"Good afternoon, Ms. Sinclair. How are you feeling?" Woah, he had a nice voice.. A velvety English accent, with a proper tone and a sophisticated feel. But, I wasn't intimidated. No.. Nothing about this man screamed 'look out' to me.

"I'm.. Good, I guess.." I said a bit awkwardly.

"Has your head-ache ceased?"

"Almost.. It still hurts a bit, but.." I trailed off, eyes on my cup.

".. But nothing like before?" He softly finished for me. I nodded, my mind again racing.

".. I'm sorry if I seem rude, but.. Who are you?" I inquired, again bringing my gaze up to meet his. He smiled, then, one of the most tender and sincere smiles I'd ever seen.

"That is not a rude question at all, seeing as how I know who you are, and you know nothing of me." He held out his hand. "I am professor Charles Xavier. I saw you falter earlier."

I blushed a little, shaking his hand.

"I'm.. I'm sorry, you didn't have too-"

"- Do not fret, Ms. Sinclair. No harm done. I was worried about you. Your mind races and dwells on things one such as yourself should ponder over."

I felt my mouth open slightly, my eyes narrowing for a fraction of a second.

".. Um.." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm fine. Really. I'm not pondering things I shouldn't."

"I believe you are. That is why I am here. Your mind needs to put at ease, my dear, otherwise it will torment you.." He paused, before asking: "I'm guessing that has never happened before."

I flinched back in surprise.

"What?"

"Being over-whelmed by such a huge crowd, feeling everyone at once. Judging by your reaction, you've also never heard another's thoughts."

I furrowed my brows, sitting up.

"I-I'm sorry, what?"

Charles paused.

"Your empathy. And your telepathic nature. You were unaware of these?" He scanned my face.

"Empathy? Doesn't everyone feel empathy? It's an emotion, right?"

"Yes. However, it is also a rare gift given to those who are blessed with it. Like, you, for example."

I was pretty sure I had the dorkiest grin ever on my face by then. Was this man senile?

"No.. Not yet, anyway?" He said over his cup of tea.

"Wha-? Wait, how did you-?"

"I am a mutant, my dear.. Like you, and like your co-worker Henry McCoy."

"McCoy is a mutant?" I almost gasped. "Wait.. Are you.. Telepathic?"

He smirked a little.

"Yes, that is the gift I have been given."

"So, you can read my mind?" Oh, god.. Don't think dirty thoughts, don't think dirty - shit.

I expected Charles to have a disgusted look on his face, but, instead, he looked highly amused.

"If I had a nickel for every time someone did that.." He guffawed. I blushed a deep red, rubbing my temple.

"..I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It happens. How is your head now?"

"It feels." My hand froze on my forehead. ".. Good, actually.. More than good. Great."

"Wonderful.." He smiled another gentle smile. "Tell me, Jillian: How long have you had your abilities?"

I looked him over for a moment, debating on whether or not I should answer his question. Something about him.. Geez, it was the same feeling I had when I saw McCoy, only a little different. With McCoy, I had recognition, but also caution. With Charles, it was that, caution replaced by ease. He was trust-worthy, I guessed. He seemed genuine enough.

"I guess.. I really realized I was different when I was about.. I'd say, nine?"

"What brought it up?"

" I was hanging out with my friends, and.. I just felt.. Weird. Like something was coating my skin, all sticky and slimy and gross. I realized a few days later that it.. It was them.. The things they said to me, I took them as jokes, but.." I glanced down, swirling the liquid in my cup. "They were a lot older than me.. I was in seventh grade when I was that age, and didn't hang out with anyone my age. My brother's were both seniors in high-school, so I was alone.. I kind of clung to them because they were the only people who kept me around. Later, I realized that they kept me around as a little verbal punching bag."

His eyes were soft, and full of sympathy. I bit my lip.

"I don't need that look, Professor Xavier. I learned my lesson, and came out ahead because of it. I don't treat it like a bad thing anymore." I shrugged, ignoring the heat on my cheeks. "Anyway, I knew then that I was different."

"You are a strong woman, yet, you are holding something back." He informed me. I, again, raised an eyebrow.

"Well, yeah.. I don't know you."

"Granted.." He leaned back. "I am just trying to help."

"By acting like my psychiatrist? As far as I know, you're just some random guy from a crowd."

"Yes. But said guy from the crowd is trying to help you sort your thoughts. You bottle things up inside for too long, Ms. Sinclair. You can trust me. As far as anyone else knows, I'm senile."

I laughed at that. He had spirit, this man. I pursed my lips, holding my breath momentarily. I knew he was right.. Something told me he was always right.

"Generally, yes." He chuckled.

"Stop that." I laughed. "It's weird."

"My apologies, Ms. Sinclair. May I ask something else?"

"Go for it?"

"You excelled through school so quickly.. Why medicine?"

I smiled lightly, taking another sip of my tea.

"That's what everyone asks me. Do you really want to know?"

He nodded. I set down my tea, crossing my legs.

"I guess I'll tell you what I tell everyone." I paused, smirking gently. "I'm in it for the awesome hours."

Charles just laughed and shook his head.


R/R! :D