Again, thank you, to IzzydaWolfeGrrl, for letting me borrow her character, Jink, whom i do not own!
Also... INTRODUCING REENA STYKES! My best friend, Jane, consented to let me use her own X-men characters in my story!
So... without further ado... READ ON!
Roxy:*facepalm* you're hyper today.
Me:*squeals and jumps around* I"M GOING TO SEA WOLRD TODAY! SQUEEEEEEEEE~!
Chapter 25
Traitors And Postcards From Home
Vale sped down the road, barely visible, her whole body the very epitome of motion as she raced to Mansfield Park.
She looked around quickly, she saw no sign of Quicksilver. She grinned, looking over her shoulder… thus failing to notice the puddle of oil splashed on the ground.
She screamed as she slipped, flying into the air… landing in Toad's arms.
Vale screamed," EW! GET OFF ME!"
Toad just rolled his eyes," oh please, I'm not ON you."
Vale pushed off him, scowling," You're disgusting…"
Quicksilver was already there, smirking," You're very slow, you know that?"
With a scowl, she narrowed her eyes," You took a short cut, didn't you?"
Ignoring her accusation, Quicksilver responded," I've got a proposition for you, Kaboom." He spoke her code-name with a leer.
"Let's hear it." She crossed her arms, eyes narrowed.
"You and I have a race. If I win, you and your little friend, Hecate, join the Brotherhood and follow my father's orders… no arguing. If you win, we'll leave ya alone. Ya know, stop trying to kidnap you and all… doesn't mean we won't leave you alone entirely." He smirked.
She glared," I'll think about it."
"Meet me back here, in two days. If you don't respond… well, let's just say nothing good will happen."
He took off, as Toad looked at her," if I were you, I'd make up my mind and fast."
"Mind your own business, Quasi." She growled as she turned around, taking off back towards the mansion.
She was a little surprised when she almost passed right by Logan.
He turned," What the-" nearly getting into a car accident.
Turnin around, he parked, as Vale zipped over to his side," Hey Logan." She looked apologetic," We've got a problem of sorts."
Jink looked up at the mansion, staring," Wow… you mutants are really set up here, eh?"
Gambit shuddered," Mebbe, but it's not for dis Cajun, Jink." He was trying as hard as he could not to call her cher.
Jink cracked her knuckles," Well, let's get this show on the road! I need a phone, so I can call my fam, let em know where the hell I am and stuff."
Gambit nodded," Sounds good, Ch-Jink." He corrected.
Jink chuckled," Nice catch."
"Thank you cher."
Jink glared," You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Ambit nodded, chuckling slightly," Mebbe."
Jink humphed," Yer lucky I'm in a good mood."
Gambit looked sideways," If dis is your good mood, I'd hate ta catch you in a bad mood, cher."
"Welcome to my world."
Gambit knocked on the door.
Jean opened the door. She blinked," Gambit?"
He nodded," Evening, Jean. Dis young lady, her name is Jink. She's a mutant-"
"Not a mutant, a freak." Jink corrected," I wasn't born with my abilities, I was given them by a rather paranormal influence. End of story. I'm not a mutant."
Gambit stared before looking at Jean," She needs ta use da phone an' you need ta help her find her friends. I got business to attend to, so-"
Jink glared," NO. You are NOT going to just LEAVE me here like a kid at daycare!"
Gambit just gave her an apologetic smile," Ok, cher, if you'd really miss ol' Gambit's company dat much, den dis Cajun will stay."
She rolled her eyes but said nothing as Jean led them into the mansion.
Gambit seemed nonchalant, but inwardly, he was hoping her would not run into someone who lived here…
He bumped into a small, pale girl with dark hair and eyes," Pardon moi."
She looked up, surprised," Uh, er… Hey… You're Gambit!" she suddenly realized. There was another person with her, a young man, with the same pale hair and skin, but his eyes were golden colored. He glared at Gambit slightly as he stood protectively near his… sister? They looked enough like each other to be brother and sister.
Gambit frowned at hearing his name come from a complete stranger," I don't know you."
She blushed," Er, I was an X-men fan before I joined the X-men… My name's Star Williams."
He nodded, taking her hand, favoring her with a lazy smile," Good ta meet ya, Miz Williams."
She gulped a little.
The pale young man growled slightly as he cut in," My name's Leif. I'm Star's older brother."
Gambit only nodded as Jink frowned impatiently," An' I'm the Queen of England, can we please hurry? Kate's gonna be freakin' out!"
Gambit smiled indulgently," Be patient, petite."
She glared.
He apologized," Jink," as he lead her to a phone.
Leif crossed his arms as Star murmured," Man, does Rogue know he's here?"
"Why?" Leif asked quietly.
"Cause there was a… well, a major thing going on between them." Star murmured quietly.
Leif winced," That must have been…. Hard."
"Sh! Don't be rude!" Star chided.
At this moment, as Jink began to dial the number to Kate's Cell phone, Rogue came into the room. Her eyes immediately hit on Gambit. A jolt went through her.
Gambit spotted her at the same moment and his eyes widened," Rogue?"
She stiffly walked out of the room, and Gambit looked down, looking at Jink, he told her," I'll be back, mon petite."
Jink just shrugged as she waited for the dial tone.
Rogue was standing under a tree when Gambit caught up to her," Rogue…"
She whirled around angrily," Ya got a lot of nerve ta come back here, Swamp rat! After leavin' meh th' way ya did!" her voice cracked slightly as she glared at him.
He backed away, abashed," Rogue, Remy's sorreh… Sorreh for the pain I've put ya through."
She ground her teeth," It don't matta. Not anymore." She turned away, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks," Th' one man in th' world Ah wanted to touch, Ah can't… an th' one man on earth Ah can't stand, Ah can't harm, 'nless Ah slug 'im 'cross th' face."
Gambit looked at her strangely," What are ya talkin' bout? Someone hurt ya?"
She looked over her shoulder," Lahk you'd care."
He gritted his teeth," Whoever it is, dis cajun beat th' helloutta im for ya, Rogue."
She snapped," Don't. Jus' leave meh alone!" she strode away angrily, shouting," Stop pretendin' ya care 'bout meh!"
Gambit watched her go and turned away with a heavy sigh. One thing was for sure… he was going to find out who this other guy was and give him a talking to...
A talking-to that involved his fists.
Roxy stared in surprise as she saw the package on her bed. She opened it gingerly, smiling slightly as she picked up a letter. It was from her mother.
She opened it, smiling softly as she read,"
Dear Roxy,
We miss you so much! I miss you the most, I think. It's so hard, knowing the danger you face as a mutant… but I'm glad you have friends you can trust. I love you, and I hope all is going well with you
Love,
Mommy.
Roxy smiled, trying to not cry as she looked at the next letters. All of them were from her younger siblings.
A postcard from Bella, her little sister, demanding to know when she was going to come home.
She looked at a reminder from Zake, her little brother, showing her his latest artwork.
A smile grew on her face as a little note from Zan, Zake's twin, a small poem including a photo of his pet turtle.
Fan-mail from Benjamin with an envious wish to be a superhero like her.
And a letter from her oldest and closest brother, Kyle, who asked her if she had met Wolverine, his role model.
Roxy laughed softly with each precious word from home.
She decided she'd have to visit them soon. As she put the priceless little bundles into a box to place on her nightstand, she heard a soft knock and looked over her shoulder," Come in!"
Hank came in, smiling a little," What are you doing?"
"Oh… reading postcards from home." Roxy smiled softly.
Hank came to stand by her," Your family still writes to you?"
Roxy sighed," barely, this is the first time I've heard from them." She paused and then looked up at him," What about you?" she asked softly.
He shook his head," No… I haven't heard from my parents in a long time." He murmured grimly.
She took his arm and rubbed her cheek against his shoulder," If you don't want to talk about it, I understand…. But it you do want to talk about it, my ears are open. I hope you know that… Henry." She smiled softly.
He looked at her in surprise," No one except Charles calls me that."
She nodded," I know… it suits you." she laughed softly," It means "Lord of an estate." She grinned as he held up his hands," I did not choose my name!"
She laughed teasingly," Of course not, milord."
He smiled back. She seemed so much more at ease since he had first met her. It was something beautiful to see.
He gently placed a hand under her chin and responded," I may be lord… but in your sight, I am nothing more then your humble and adoring slave."
He wanted to chuckle as her skin turned bright red under her golden fur. That was more like the Roxy he knew.
"UH…I, ah…" she was breathless as he bent down to kiss her. Her eyes widened as she leaned into it. The first kiss she had been given had been slightly awkward, but she was getting used to it.
At this moment, Vale burst into the room," Roxy! We got a proooooaahhhhh I'll be outside!" she slammed the door shut as Roxy and Hank both jumped.
Roxy buried her face into Hank's chest," Why me?" she wailed.
Hank sighed and shook his head," It doesn't matter."
Roxy looked up at him, then at her door.
She growled," Next time… lock the stupid door."
As Logan walked in, he saw the girl who had helped him and Gambit at the bar, shouting into the phone," YOU GUYS JUST LEFT ME THERE! NO!…. uhg, really? NO!…. oh, well, that's just FAN-FUCKIN'-TASITC! WHAT? Oh, well, no SHIT Sherlock! How did you figure on THAT?"
She listened a little more before exploding," DON'T TELL ME TO BE CALM WHEN-"
Jink stopped and her face perked up," Really?…" she scowled," Well, he BETTER not. Tell him…"
The electrokinetic stopped and then seemed slightly mollified," Alrighty then. Yeah, I'll be here. Later…"
As Jink hung up, she shook her head with disgust, muttering," Well, that went well…"
"Hey kid." Logan greeted," Where'd YOU get your mouth tailored?"
She grunted," BPRD. Don't ask… AND MY NAME'S NOT KID!" she yelled at him.
He growled, "DON'T yell at me."
She glared back," DON'T call me kid."
He growled at her," DON'T tell me what to do!"
She growled at him," DON'T growl at me!"
He snapped," DON'T tell me what to do kid!"
She yelled," DON'T CALL ME KID!"
Logan yelled at her," DON'T YELL AT ME!"
Gambit, who had come up behind them, smirked," You have a way wit' de lady-folk, Old man."
Logan glared at Gambit," you want a butt-whooping, gumbo?"
Jink waved," HEY! Forgetting something?"
Gambit smiled indulgently," Course, not, Chere, dat's why I came back. Get any word from ya folks?"
She nodded, scowling," Yeah, they were angry at ME for leaving my mission "unfinished"." She made quotation marks with her hands.
Gambit frowned," Dey sound harsh."
She shrugged," Meh, they're family. What can I say?" she asked, shrugging.
Gambit nodded," True… can't choose yer own family. Gambit knows dat well nuff."
Logan had turned away and now stopped as he spotted Vale by Roxy's door.
She nodded as she looked at him," Roxy's makin out with Hank. I'm waiting til they're done."
"WHAT?" Logan practically yelled in shock.
The door came open and Hank stepped out. Logan saw Roxy's hand shoot out, grabbed Vale by her collar and yanked her back in.
The door slammed shut.
Logan winced as he heard Roxy's strained screeching, yelling unintelligible words at Vale. Mostly, it sounded like Roxy was telling Vale to mind her own business.
Hank cleared his throat, as Logan looked at him and shot him a sly grin," NO."
"Well? Did Vale catch you two snogging or something?"
"NO! For heaven's sake, no!" Hank protested as Logan began to chuckle," Way to go, fur-ball."
Hank turned slightly red as Roxy opened the door stalking out; a rather sullen looking Vale following behind her.
"Ok now… what was it that was so important?"
Vale related her contest with Quicksilver, and the proposal he made... and also the not-so-subtle threat.
Roxy's eyes widened and Logan looked grim," The little chump…"
Vale quickly added," I could beat him with my eyes shut, so long as he doesn't cheat."
Roxy just gave her a look, but said nothing as Hank asked," Did he say anything else?"
"He just said to meet him back there in two days, or nothing good would happen." Vale responded snippily.
Roxy groaned," How, HOW on earth did Thomas and Sabertooth happen to be at the same bar-"
"-Club. It was a club, Roxy, there's a difference."
Roxy glared," –Same club that you and Logan were at?"
Vale shrugged," Don't know, don't care."
Roxy looked up at Hank, who just shook his head," I haven't the slightest."
Vale paused," You know… they also knew about Star's brother."
"Who knew about my brother?"
Star came up," What about Leif?"
Roxy shook her head," I think… I think we have a-"
"Traitor?"
Hank filled in.
Roxy nodded grimly.
Logan growled," Who? Who would betray the X-men?"
Vale just stared at him," Uh… didn't Magneto betray the X-men."
Logan just rolled his eyes," Yeah… that was before I joined. If I had been there, he wouldn't have DARED."
Star sighed," I'll ask Leif in a little bit…"
"Why not ask him now?"
"Cause he's apologizing to Rogue."
Rogue sat in her room. She was looking out the window, head bowed as she tried to NOT think. To just let it go.
All her sorrow, all her pain. It felt like too much for her to bear.
All at once, there was a knock at her door.
She called out," Who's it?"
"Um…. It's Leif, Star's brother. I… I have something I need to talk to you about. Can I come in?"
Rogue scoffed," Not really."
There was silence before Leif spoke again," I refuse to apologize through the door, so either let me in or I'm going to let myself in."
Rogue stood up, her eyes flasing," EXCUSE MEH?"
On the other side of Rogue's door, Leif sighed," You asked for it."
He took out a piece of wire and picked her lock, as simply as if he was whistling a tune.
He opened the door.
She stared," No… You did NOT jus' pick th' lock an' open mah door!"
"You are free to think that, if you wish." Leif replied tersely as he crossed his arms, taking a defensive stance," I'm sorry for the way I treated you, ok? I've already apologized to Star and Kurt, too. And I mean it. You don't have to forgive me, but I wanted you to know that I'm sorry for what I've said and done. I was wrong. About a lot of things."
He backed out, slowly, as she seemed to see through him.
Rogue suddenly blinked," Yer… apologizin'?"
He nodded," Good to know that you were listening."
She glared at him," D'ya WANT meh ta slap ya?"
"No, actually, I'd prefer you didn't…"Leif replied, a smile actually ghosting onto his face as he walked away," That was all… Rogue."
She stared at the open door for a moment before slamming it shut.
Jink sat at the kitchen table, waiting for her "family" to pick her up… Namely Kate Corrigan, Abe and Liz. She REALLY hoped Ben Damio wasn't among them, she did NOT feel like getting yelled at.
Looking at her fried ipod, Jink sighed sadly," I had all the songs I really liked on this thing too…"
Roxy walked into the kitchen and paused.
A strange girl… dressed all in black… staring forlornly at a fried ipod…
"Um, hi. I'm Roxy." She said pleasantly.
Jink looked up and then down… and then back up. "You're… a kitty person."
Roxy chuckled," Yes, I supposed you could say that. I prefer the term "mutant" however."
"Naw, really?" Jink wasn't quite in the best mood.
Roxy just shrugged," Yeh, really. What's your name?"
"It's Jink. Kinda weird, but, ya learn to love it." She shrugged.
Roxy smiled," I like it. It's cool! So… what happened to the ipod?"
"Don't ask."
"Why not?"
"Cause I'm liable to throw a tantrum."
At this moment, someone else entered the kitchen.
Roxy turned and practically stared. The young woman was about her age, about average height, with curly red hair and green eyes. What impressed Roxy was that she was wearing… well, goggles… on her head.
She was dressed in an army uniform, carrying a few bags.
Jink was still staring dejectedly at her ipod.
The girl smiled pleasantly," Hey, I'm Reena. Is professor X still hererRRRRWHOA, WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT POOR IPOD?"
Jink looked up at the word "ipod"," It got fried." She said sadly.
Reena tsked," Well, let's have it!" She practically snatched the ipod from Jink's open hand and before their eyes, it began to work. It didn't look new, and there were still a few burn marks, but it turned on.
Jink squeaked," My IPOD! Dude, you're the best EVER!" she giggled, hugging Reen unexpectedly.
Roxy stared, from Reena to the ipod and back," You're a mutant, aren't you?"
Reena tapped her chin as Jink let go, gazing at her now-working ipod with glee," Hmm… what was your first guess?"
Roxy shrugged," Uh, actually… I haven't the faintest."
"Whatever she is, she's AWESOME!" Jink yelled, pumping her fist into the air," YES! I got my ipod back!"
The door bell rang, and immediately, Ben Damio walked into the kitchen," Jink, what the HELL are you doing?"
She glared at him," What does it look like I'm doing? I'm rejoicing that my Ipod isn't dead!"
"Kid, get your butt back to the BPRD before you give somebody a heartattack!"
"D'aw, I didn't know you cared!" Jink smirked as she stood up," Well, peeps, it's been nice knowin' ya!"
Roxy waved," Bye, Jink! Good luck!"
Jink muttered under her breath," Thanks, I'll need it… like, really." As she left the mansion.
Kate stood outside and asked," Do I want to know what happened?"
"No… no you don't." Jink responded as she got into the car, her earphones on as she flipped the music on.
Roxy turned to look at Reena," er, to answer your initial question, yes, Professor X is still here. He's in the study with Hank and Logan at the moment."
Reena made a face," Wait, what? Hank and Logan?"
Roxy nodded," Yes, why?"
"Oh, no reason… is Scott here?" Reena asked casually.
Roxy nodded, smiling," Yeah, he's here. I think HE'S in the danger room, having a training session with Bobby."
Reena nodded," M'k."
Roxy raised an eyebrow," M'k? That's it? Who are you anyways?"
Reena smiled, flipping a hand," Me? I'm Reena Stykes."
Roxy smiled," I'm Roxy, newest edition to the X-men… sorta." She added with a faint chuckle.
At this moment, there was a loud scream and several voices yelled," JUBILEEE! KITTYYYY!"
Kitty raced in, grabbing a few boxes of… food, and frantically yelped," I'm moving to Nebraska, seeya later!"
Roxy grabbed her by the back of her collar," I don't think so, Ms. Pryde."
"Try to stop me!" Kitty phased herself and her clothes through Roxy's grasp.
But then, Emma Frost showed up, eyes narrowed," YOU posted PICTURES of MY UNDERCLOTHES on the INTERNET!"
Kitty squirmed," It was Jubilee's idea…"
Jubilee yelped," That's a lie, Kitty Pryde and you know it! We BOTH had that idea!"
Kitty yelled," Well, YOU made ME steal the clothing!"
"YOU can PHASE THROUGH WALLS!"
Then Kitty paused and said," Actually, it's Roxy's fault."
Roxy's eyes widened," WHAT?"
"You gave us the idea when you pulled that awesome prank on Logan."
Roxy closed her eyes," You know what? You need to GET A LIFE, Kitty. It was Star's idea!"
Star yelped," WHAT was my idea?"
Emma and Reena slowly glanced at each other and both shook their heads.
Reena asked in a low voice," Does this happen quite often?"
Emma nodded slowly," Yes… yes, very often, in fact."
Xavier frowned as he pressed his fingertips together.
"a traitor in the X-men… this could be a very big problem."
"Ya think, chuck?" Logan growled slightly.
Hank just sighed, taking off his glasses as he rubbed one of his eyes, feeling tired," I don't know how to even begin trying to find out.
If there was a traitor, why hadn't Charles, or Jean or Emma discovered it? And who could it be?"
Logan heaved a breath," I'm gonna start trackin'."
Hank gave him a look," Tracking what?"
"Traitors." Logan growled as he left without another word.
For those who are curious, Reena, in my story/version of the X-men, she's already got a history with them which will be explored, never fear. ^^ thank you, Jane and Izzy! you two are BEAST! *laughs*