Most of the X-Men were gathered in the living room, sprawled on chairs and divans. The focus of their attention was Charles Xavier. When Jubilee saw him, a huge grin split her face.
"Professor!" she shouted as she dashed into the room, engulfing him in a Jubilee sized bear hug.
"Its good to see you too, Jubilee." He said, after he had regained his breath.
"Welcome home, Professor." Rogue said from the doorway.
"Hello, Rogue." He turned his attention to Star, standing motionless next to Rogue. "And you must be Star. The others have been telling me about you." Star didn't move. "Come here, child. I won't bite." Star took a tentative step forward, then looked back at Rogue, as if for support.
"Go on, hon. If anybody can help you, he can." Star moved forward and cautiously accepted Professor Xavier's extended hand.
Gambit moved to stand next to Rogue in the doorway.
"She clean up real nice, Chere. 'Course, she don' come close to matchin' up wit' you."
"Thanks, Gambit. After see'n myself in the mirror beside that, I needed a little ego boost."
"Why, Chere? She just a kid. Look like a scarecrow next to you." Rogue smiled at him and he put an arm around her.
Professor Xavier was introducing Star to the X-Men.
"And this is Jean Grey."
"Wolverine tells me you were concerned that you had injured me." Jean said to Star. "As you can see, I am quite well."
"Where is Wolverine?" Rogue said quietly to Gambit.
"You know Wolverine, Chere. He be off doin' what ever it is Wolverine do when he go off by hisself."
"Do you feel up to speaking with me?" the professor asked. Star just nodded. "Come, then." Star went with him into his study. He closed the doors behind them.
Wolverine was sitting on the bank of the small lake which was on the land owned by Professor Xavier, watching the waves and occasionally tossing small pebbles into the water. Star's tale of being nothing but a lab animal had unsettled him. He knew had to regain his balance if he was to be of assistance in finding, and stopping, her "Doctor". The sun was nearly overhead when he headed back to the mansion. He was crossing the open yard in back of the building when he heard a cry of pain, in two voices. The first was Star, the second was... Professor Xavier! He entered the house at a run and was the first to reach the study. He flung the door open and took in the scene at a glance. Professor Xavier was on the floor, his wheelchair overturned. Star was kneeling before him, her hands to her head. She turned to him, her silver eyes unseeing.
"Help me, Logan." he heard, in his head. "I've got to go after him." As the other X-Men crowded in the door behind him, he stepped forward and took her hands in his.
"You got it, kid." The room faded around him. He was surrounded by a light mist, masking everything that was not nearby. He was aware of a swirling darkness just below them. He still held Star's hands. She pulled one free and turned away from him, toward the darkness. They moved down, closer and closer to the dark pool. He looked about, desperately, for an anchor, knowing that if they fell in, they were both lost. Finally, he thrust his claws into the surface they were moving across. Star disappeared into the darkness and he clung to her hand even as she pulled him deeper into it. As his hand, then his arm, entered the darkness, he felt a searing pain, as if he had plunged his hand into an open flame. But he held on. Then Jean was there, helping to pull Star back up. Together, they pulled and, slowly, she reappeared, dragging Professor Xavier with her. She thrust Xavier at Wolverine, who reflexively caught him, releasing Star in the process.
"Jean, get them out of here!" Star cried as the dark whirlpool grew larger, rising toward them. Star turned away, trying to hold the dark tide back, to give them time to escape the depths of her mind. Jean drew them up and out, Wolverine holding on to the Professor's limp form. Abruptly, the mist was gone. Jean had returned him to his own body.
Jean stood behind him, her hands on his shoulders. She released him and turned to Professor Xavier. Wolverine still held Star's hands. Her body was rigid, her hands ice cold. She shuddered and then, slowly, collapsed, her body loosing its tension as if her bones were indeed made of ice that was melting. He lowered her gently to the floor.
"Professor." Jean knelt beside their mentor. "Professor, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Jean."
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. I will be fine." Cyclops righted the wheelchair. "What about the child?" the Professor asked as Jean helped him back into his chair.
"She is unconscious." Jean looked at Star for a moment. "Professor, what happened?"
"I underestimated the depth of her fear. I only hope the damage I have caused is not irreversible." He paused for a moment. "Wolverine, are you.."
"I'm fine." Wolverine interrupted. "The kid don't look so good, though."
"Bring her, quickly." He turned his chair toward the door as Wolverine lifted the girl's inert form from the floor. Wolverine followed the Professor to his ready room.
"Put her there, Wolverine." Professor Xavier indicated a chair, reminiscent of a dentist's chair. Wolverine gently placed Star in it.
"She ain't breathing, Chuck."
"Heartbeat?"
"Real slow."
"Jean. Keep her alive." Xavier placed the helmet link to Cerebro on his head. "Scott, help Jean." He turned to Star, lying pale and unmoving in the chair, her chest rising and falling only as Jean willed it to. "Wolverine, she has turned to you twice now. I may need your help."
"Sure thing."
"Quickly, Charles. I've taken over her heart, but other systems are beginning to fail." Jean spoke sharply.
"Here, Wolverine." The Professor indicated a standard chair, pushed up against the wall. Wolverine pulled the chair up next to Star and Xavier as Xavier began his Psi probe.
Xavier and Wolverine were standing on a sloping plane, enveloped in a fine mist. Wolverine raised an eyebrow at Xavier.
"One can do many thing on the astral plane, Wolverine. Come. We must find her, and quickly. Jean cannot maintain an unoccupied body for long." Together, they turned and walked down slope. The grade grew steeper until it became difficult for them to maintain their footing. Suddenly, the black whirlpool appeared as a wall before them. They approached cautiously. Professor Xavier put out his hand, intending to reach through the whirlpool, but the surface was solid. He concentrated, drew back his fist, and struck. To no avail.
"Let me give it a shot." Wolverine stepped forward, claws extended, and slashed at the surface of the whirlpool. He met no resistance and nearly fell through. Professor Xavier steadied him, then tried again. The surface was still solid for him.
"Looks like it up ta me, don't it?"
"Wolverine, wait!" But Wolverine had already leaped into the darkness.
Wolverine found himself in a lab. There was no mistaking the odor, even if the equipment was unfamiliar. The wall at the back of the large room was transparent. On the other side was a cage, there was no other word for it. It included a toilet and shower cubicle, a table and chair, and a small bed. On the bed was Star. She was turned away from the wall, curled in on herself as she had been after he had released her from the sensory deprivation tank just the day before.
"Hey, kid!" He called to her as he approached the wall. She turned toward him, then sat up on the bed.
"What are you doing here."
"I came to get ya out."
"Go away."
"'Fraid I can't do that, darlin'. Seems the door I came through ain't there no more." She just looked at him.
"What is this place, anyhow?" He asked.
"It is my place." She answered with a shrug.
"Wha's the matter? Ya didn't like the mansion?"
"I do not belong there."
"Why not?"
"Your Professor brought me back here."
"He didn't mean for you ta stay, you know."
"I know." she whispered. "But when he went through the barrier, it hurt him." She leaped to her feet, her hands clenched at her sides. "I am tired of hurting people! That's all I do. All I'm good for."
"Professor Xavier ain't hurt, kid. He's right outside." He moved closer to the clear surface between them. "C'mon, I'll show ya." He raised his hand to slash an opening in the cage wall.
"Logan! No!" Star cried. When his claws hit the transparent wall, there was a clap of thunder and a shower of sparks. Wolverine was thrown back.
He sat up after a moment, shaking his head.
"What was that?"
"Its a force field."
"How do I shut it off?"
"The controls are over there. Are you all right?"
"Jus' fine, darlin'." He shut down the force field. "Now, can we get outta here?"
"I...I can't."
"Look, kid. If ya stay here, you're gonna die."
"Perhaps that would be best."
"I don't wanna hear no more o' that, you hear me!" Wolverine snarled. "Jean's out there, wearing herself out to keep your body alive so's you have a place ta come back to. An' the Professor's on the other side o' that barrier thing, probl'y worried sick 'bout both of us. You are comin' back with me, right now. Is that clear?" Star cringed, cowering away from him, but didn't say anything.
"Now, am I gonna hafta cut a hole in this wall, or are you gonna show me the door." The wall he had come in through shimmered, and a door appeared.
"That's more like it." He turned back to Star and held out his hand. "C'mon, kid."
"I'm afraid." she said as she took his hand.
"If ya ain't a little afraid, now and then, how ya gonna know you're alive?" He pulled her to her feet, and they moved toward the door. He opened it. On the other side was the dark barrier. She clung to his hand like a lost child. Together, they leaped.
They landed in a heap at Professor Xavier's feet. As Wolverine got to his feet, he said to Star,
"See, I told ya." He helped her up and turned to Xavier. "Can we get outta here?"
"Not yet. Star, we must block this off. When you are ready to deal with it, we will try again. I apologize for hurting you, child. I did not realize how deeply you had been traumatized." Wolverine growled softly, but didn't say anything. Xavier took Star's other hand, she had not released Wolverine, and together they built a wall around the swirling black whirlpool so Star would not have to fear her own mind. Then the three of them turned and started up the slope. The journey out did not take as long as the journey in.
Star gasped, and began to breath on her own. As her heartbeat steadied, Jean slowly withdrew her control. She nearly collapsed as Wolverine and Xavier both opened their eyes. Scott steadied her.
"Wolverine," Xavier said, "One day, your rash actions will be the death of you."
"Probably." Wolverine answered with a grin. "But you ain't in no position to talk." He turned to Star. "How's the kid?"
"She's asleep, Wolverine. She came back to a body exhausted by her, shall we say, absence. She'll be fine." Xavier answered after checking on Star. "Have someone put her to bed."
"Yes, Professor." Jean nodded to Cyclops and he gently lifted Star from the chair. Cradling her in his arms like a child, Cyclops followed Jean from the ready room. As the door opened, concerned X-Men scattered, making way for Jean, Cyclops, and their newest charge. Jean closed the door behind them and fended off anxious questions.
"Is everything OK?"
"Jean, what happened?"
"Everything is fine. As to what happened, I really don't know, but I believe that she is ..." Jean paused for a moment, "far stronger than the Professor expected. Now, we must put the child back to bed. She should be fine tomorrow." She turned to follow Cyclops to Star's room, but stopped again as Jubilee tugged at her arm.
"Jean? What about Wolvie? Is he OK?" Jean peered into Jubilee's concerned face, then smile, reassuringly.
"Wolverine is fine, Jubilee." She looked back at the door of the ready room. "I believe he wished to speak to Charles in private for a few moments." She cupped Jubilee's cheek with one hand. "Don't worry, dear one. He'll be out soon." Then she turned away, following Cyclops. Jubilee sighed, then chose a place where she could surreptitiously watch the door to the ready room.
Wolverine leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and just looked at Professor Xavier.
"All right, Wolverine." the Professor said. "Go ahead."
"What happened, Chuck? Ya nearly got yerself killed."
"I know, Wolverine. And I nearly killed my patient as well." He turned his chair, placing the helmet back in its storage compartment. "Truthfully, I am not certain." He turned back to Wolverine, "Star has a great deal of conscious control over her powers. However, when she is frightened or under stress, her powers seem to..." he paused, looking for the correct words, "increase on a nearly exponential curve. She doesn't seem to have much control at all when that happens. When she broke away from me, I do not believe she had reached her peak."
"You sayin' she's stronger than you?" Wolverine asked in disbelief.
"I'm saying that I believe she can be as strong as she needs to be. We shall have to be very careful with this one, Wolverine. Very careful indeed."
When the door to the ready room opened, Jubilee nearly knocked her chair over trying to get up.
"Hi, Wolvie."
"Hey, Jubilee. How's my favorite X-Man?"
"Doing fine. Listen, um, lunch is sorta catch as catch can. You wanna go in ta town and grab a burger?"
"Sure thing, darlin'. Lemme get ma hat."
"So, what d'ya think of our newest addition?" Jubilee asked, around her hamburger.
"Who? Star?" Wolverine shrugged. "Kids got guts, ya gotta give 'er that."
"So she's, what, a telepath?"
"'Parently. Xavier says she's got a heck of a lot of push, too."
"Do you think she's pretty?"
"What?"
"Well, you know, Rogue and I picked out her clothes and stuff, and I just wondered if..." Jubilee was paying a lot of attention to her shake, "well, you liked the way she turned out, is all."
"She don't hurt the eyes to look at, if that's what you mean." Wolverine resisted an impulse to ruffle Jubilee's hair. "But then, neither do you, half pint." Jubilee couldn't decide whether to take that as a compliment or an insult, so she didn't answer.
"Listen, long as we're here, you wanna catch a matinee, or somethin'?"
"That'd be great! There's a new action movie playing that I've been dying to see! Its all about...." Jubilee chattered on, happy to be with her friend.
The next morning, Storm found Star sitting on the back deck, watching the clouds in the early morning sunlight. Storm watched her for several minutes before she realized what was unsettling about the young woman. She was absolutely motionless. The only movement discernible was the slight pulse visible in her throat, and the slow, steady rise and fall of her breathe. Her silver eyes stared upward, unblinking.
"Star?" Storm called at last. Star turned toward her,
"Good morning, Storm."
"Did you sleep well, dear?"
"Yes." Storm sat down next to her. "Are those clouds?"
"Yes, child."
"I didn't think they would be so ... big."
"Ours is a wide and wondrous world, Star. And you have much to learn." They sat quietly for a while. At last, Storm stood up.
"Would you care to help me start breakfast? It is an informal meal, but I have found that the faster you feed this crew, the more quickly they become civilized." Star got up and went with Storm into the house.
The kitchen was empty, not surprising considering the hour. Storm instructed Star on how the coffee was made, then started preparing the morning meal. Star helped by bringing Storm the ingredients needed, although she had to be told exactly what they looked like.
"In the third cabinet over are the spices. Would you bring me the Cinnamon, please. Just read the labels, they are in no particular order."
"I don't know how to read, Storm."
"What?"
"I don't know how to read." Star repeated. Storm considered for a moment, knowing a taste of the fury that Wolverine held when considering the "Doctor" who had so mistreated and neglected this child.
"All right, dear. We will take one thing at a time. The Cinnamon is a reddish brown powder. Not the reddish orange powder, that is cayenne pepper, and while Gambit would probably appreciate it in his eggs, most of the others would not." Star turned to the cabinet and brought the proper spice to Storm.
Soon, the odor of fresh coffee and frying bacon brought other X-Men down to the kitchen. Each pitched in where ever their help was needed. Very shortly breakfast was complete and on the table in the large dining room. Storm noticed that Star watched everything very intently, and realized that she had probably not eaten with other people before. A renewed flash of fury took her a moment to suppress. When she looked up, Jean was watching her. Jean tilted her head in a question. Storm smiled and shook her head.
"Star, are you finished, child?"
"Yes, Storm."
"Then put your plates in the sink and come with me, please." Star did as she was told.
Storm stopped in the hall outside the lab and turned to Star, following almost like an obedient puppy.
"First, child, I want you to understand that you are not a prisoner here. You are not required to do anything you do not wish to do." Storm looked at her intently. "Do you understand?" Star nodded.
"I think so."
"Very well. Now, if you want, but only if you want, we can try to find out more about you. About your body and how you use your powers. Is that all right?"
"All right."
Storm opened the door and stepped in. Star stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the room.
"It is all right, child." Storm said in a quiet voice. "We will not hurt you, and we will stop the tests whenever you say." Star swallowed hard, but stepped into the room.
"Beast?" Storm called.
"Ah, Storm. Just a moment." A voice answered from the back of the room. Beast appeared, wearing a white lab coat.
"Good morning, Star." He said. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine." She answered in a small voice.
"Shall we begin?" Star hesitated, then nodded.
"Very well. First, I would like to attach some sensors, do you mind?"
"No."
"This one," Beast said as he and Storm began to connect different sensors to Star's body "is to record your heartbeat, this one your respiration, this...." He spoke softly to her, gradually calming her until all the sensors were attached.
"Would you step up on the scale? Thank you." Beast noted her weight on a chart.
"All right. We are going to test your eyes first, then your ears. OK?" Star nodded again. They quickly determined that she did not use her eyes to see with, or her ears to hear. Her powers supplied substitutes.
"Nearly finished, child." Beast told Star. "Just a few questions. Ready?"
"Yes."
"Do you know the extent of your abilities?"
"No. I know some of the things I can do. The Doctor wasn't finished teaching me. He thought," she swallowed, "he thought I should be stronger, first."
"I see. Well, show us what you do know."
"I can reach into your mind and find something."
"Go ahead, dear." Beast said, bracing himself.
"Your real name is Henry McCoy. You call yourself 'Beast' because of your size and your agility, not because of your fur." Beast looked surprised "I like your fur, it looks soft."
"I did not feel your touch on my mind, Star. You are quite good. What else?"
"I can take hold of your mind, make you do what I want. But I don't like to do that. It feels ... bad."
"You don't have to, dear. Although the data would be interesting. Can you do this with someone you haven't already touched?"
"Yes."
"Try with me, child." Storm said.
"But I've already..." Star stopped.
"Already what, Star." Beast asked gently.
"I couldn't find the Cinnamon!" Star burst out. "So I, I lifted it from your mind." Storm looked startled. Then laughed.
"All right, dear. We will skip this for now. You said you could move things with your mind. What size object?" In answer, Storm found herself floating several inches above the floor. Beast started to tease her about her lofty position, when he realized that he, too, was being held gently off the floor.
"How many items can you control at once?"
"I don't know."
"Well, look around. I think the only thing bolted down is the electron microscope. Its a very fussy piece of equipment."
"OK." First, microscopes and other table top equipment began to float, then tables, chairs, the autoclave, and everything else in the room, with the exception of Beast's electron microscope, rose majestically into the air and began to circle the room around the three people. Beast watched Star closely and noticed a fine sheen of sweat begin to bead her forehead.
"I think that's enough for today, Star." Slowly, everything returned to its proper place in the lab.
Beast noted her respiration and heartbeat on his chart, then glanced at the temperature reading from the sensor on her skin. Her body temperature had peaked at one hundred and five, but was falling rapidly. In under a minute, it had returned to normal. He disconnected all the sensors, then said,
"Star, would you step onto the scale again, please?" She did as he asked. He checked the weight registered against that he had recorded at the beginning of the session. She had lost several pounds.
"Do you always loose weight like this?" Beast asked her.
"Yes. The Doctor said I was going to have to learn to use an external power source. He set up several different types of power supply, but they always exploded when I tried to use them." She looked down at her hands. "The only thing I've been able to tap so far is people." She looked up and shook her head. "But I don't want to do that. Storm said you wouldn't make me do anything I didn't want to." Her voice held a hint of desperation.
"That is correct. You do not have to." Storm told her soothingly. She gave Beast a warning look.
"The thought to volunteer did cross my mind, Storm. But that's all." He cupped Star's chin gently in his large hand. "Were you reading my mind?"
"I can't help it! You're so loud!" Beast looked startled.
"I've been described in a lot of different ways, but this is the first time the word loud was used." Storm laughed.
"You're not mad." Star said in amazement.
"Heavens, no." Beast answered.
"The Doctor was. He was a loud, too."
"Aloud?"
"No, a Loud. Like you. Storm's a Quiet. So is Gambit, but Rogue's kind of a Medium." She smiled. "Jubilee's a Medium, like Rogue. I like to listen to her, but sometimes she confuses me."
"Sometimes, Jubilee confuses herself. It is part of being a teenager." Storm explained.
"As for myself, I shall endeavor to be more quiet in your presence." An image of Beast tip-toeing around a room flashed through her mind. Star laughed. Storm looked puzzled and, without thinking, Star projected the image into her mind. Storm laughed with her. Beast just looked at them both.
"Let's get those sensors off, then I think you should have something to eat." Storm said at last. "I believe that Jubilee has planned an outing for you, if she was able to talk someone into going with you."
"The Mall?" Beast asked.
"I believe so."
"Remind me to make myself scarce until they have gone." Storm smiled at him.
"That's got it, Star. There are sandwich meats in the bottom drawer in the refrigerator. Help yourself." Star left Beast and Storm in the lab, and went toward the kitchen.
"Was that image of you tip-toeing around yours or Star's?" Storm asked Beast as soon as Star was out of the room.
"You saw that? No wonder you were laughing." Beast looked thoughtful. "So, she projects as well. Hmm. Let's check the graphs and see if that registered."
Star stood looking at the bewildering array of different foods in the refrigerator, aware of a gnawing emptiness in her stomach. Finally, she chose something at random, closed the refrigerator door and sat down at the table to examine her choice. She puzzled out the packaging and looked doubtfully at the brown substance she found within. Whatever it was had been cut into thick slices. Gingerly, she picked one up and was about to sample it when Jubilee burst in to the kitchen.
"You hungry already? Well come on, we can make some sandwiches and you can eat it on the way. Rogue said she'd take us in to town, and I don't want to give her a chance to change her mind." As she talked, she got the bread out and was quickly slapping together several sandwiches. "Do you want mustard or mayonnaise? Shoot, you don't know, do you. Here try 'em." Star sampled contents of the two jars Jubilee held out to her.
"Both are good."
"OK. One of each. Here, hand me that roast beef." Jubilee finished the sandwiches, putting several into plastic bags and handing one to Star.
"Start on that one while I put this stuff up." A moment later. "OK, ready to go? Whoops, you need your shoes. Some of the places at the Mall are fussy about stuff like that. Go get 'em, then meet me in the front room. See ya!" Jubilee was gone as quickly as she had come. Star stared after her, then took a bite of the sandwich and hurried up the stairs to her room. She was still wearing the blouse and leggings she had put on the day before. She slipped into the skirt and grabbed the boots Jubilee had given her and hurried back down stairs.
"Jubilee, the world is not gonna end if you don't get to the mall the minute it opens." Star heard Rogue saying as she moved down the hall toward the front room. "Now you just chill out, sugah, or we ain't goin'."
"Aw, Rogue. How often do I get to go shopping. Especially for somebody else. I mean, she needs everything!"
"And we won't get it all today, either. Storm said we were to take it easy. Which means, if you'll just think about it, that you get to go back. OK?"
"OK." Jubilee answered, almost reluctantly. "Star!" Jubilee said, seeing Star in the doorway. "Ya ready? Lets go! You can put your shoes on in the car." Rogue shook her head, smiling as she said to Star,
"Well, c'mon, sugah. We'd better catch up to her."
The Mall was an enormous building, daunting in its size. Star stared up at it with something approaching horror.
"Come on, Star. Its just a Mall."
"Jubilee, it hasn't been that long since you were afraid to go to the mall." Rogue scolded her. "We'll go in when Star is ready." She turned to Star. "You okay, hon?" Star nodded and the trio walked from the parked car to the building. As they entered the main doors, Star flinched.
"What's the matter, sugah?"
"So many people."
"Jean tol' me to tell you to just bring a curtain across you mind. That way you can block most o' the noise out." After a moment, Star nodded.
"Yes. That is better." She smiled up at Rogue's worried expression. "I'm fine, now."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go."
After a couple of hours of what Jubilee called "Serious Shopping", they decided to stop for something to eat. As they finished their 'snack', Rogue stood up.
"Gambit asked me to pick up some cards for him. Why don't you two get some ice cream, and I'll meet you back here in just a few minutes."
"Sure, Rogue." Rogue left their table. "So, what flavor do ya wanna try, Star?" Jubilee asked, slurping the last of her soda.
"Do they have chocolate?"
"You bet! Watch our stuff, I'll be right back." Jubilee hopped up and went over to the Iced Dream Ice Cream shop. Star watched the other shoppers with interest, keeping the 'curtain' tightly closed so she wouldn't be overwhelmed.
"Well, what d'we have here, Mikey?" A young man said as he approached her table. He leaned arrogantly on the chair opposite Star.
"Looks like a Mutie ta me, Stretch." Said a second young man from behind her.
"Yeah," said a third. "And from the looks o' all them bags, she's got more money 'n what's good for her."
"That true, Mutie?" asked Stretch. "Ya got plenty a' money stashed in there somewhere?" Mikey grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. She just stared at him, confused by the strong emotions he virtually radiated. The people at nearby tables were quietly, but quickly, gathering their purchases and moving away.
"What do you want?" Star had no desire to read these men who seemed to hate her just for existing.
"We told ya, Mutie. Give us your money."
"I don't have any money."
"Ya hear that, Stretch? She don't have any money."
"Well, maybe she's got somethin' else ta give us instead." Stretch said, as he sauntered around the table. "What d'ya say, Mutie." He said as he put his arm around her waist and pulled up against his body. "Ya wanna party with me an' my friends?"
"Leave her alone!" Jubilee yelled when she turned away from the ice cream counter and saw what was happening. She dropped the ice cream on the table in front of her and hurried toward Star and the three punks.
"What're you, her keeper?"
"Naw, she's just a Mutie lover. Maybe she wants t' party, too. Grab her, Steve."
Steve tried to grab Jubilee, but she struck him in the chest with one outstretch hand. There was a small thunderclap and Steve fell back with a cry.
Rogue heard the clap as she was leaving the shop where she had purchased Gambit's cards.
"Uh oh." She said as she hurried in the direction she had left Jubilee and Star.
Stretch turned quickly toward Jubilee, but did not release Star.
"Hey, Mikey. She ain't nothin' but another damn Mutie." He reached inside the loose jacket he wore. "Well, we know how to handle them, don't we?" He pulled a handgun out of his jacket and pointed it at Star. "Back off, babe, or there'll be one less mutant in the world." Jubilee froze. "Mikey, get Steve on his feet and let's blow this place." He looked down at Star, standing quietly in his grip, not resisting. "We'll take silver girl, here, with us. For insurance." He laughed unpleasantly. "Maybe we'll still have us that party, boys." Mikey got Steve up and followed Stretch as he pulled Star toward the nearest exit. Jubilee watched, helpless, afraid to follow. They disappeared around a corner in the mall and she was about to start after them when Rogue said, from behind her,
"What's goin' on, gal?"
"Eeep! Rogue! Boy am I glad to see you. Three punks grabbed Star. They went that way! Rogue!" She called after the departing X-Man. "One of 'em's got a gun!" She glared around her at the mall crowd, for the most part just watching passively. A security guard appeared. "Now you show up." She said in disgust. "Watch this stuff. We'll be right back." She followed Rogue around the corner.
Stretch pulled Star into a run down the short corridor toward the door. Mikey and Steve hurried after them. A young woman, unaware of what was going on, stepped out of a shop directly in front of them. She held the hand of a little boy, and carried a second child in her arms. Startled, Stretch pointed his handgun at her and pulled the trigger twice. The woman screamed and twisted, trying futilely to protect her children. Star reached out with her mind and deflected the bullets into the ceiling. Stretch yanked her past the woman, and out the door. She pulled her arm free from his grasp and stopped. The door behind her slammed shut just as Mikey and Steve reached it. They hit the door at a dead run, and it didn't budge an inch. Stretch stopped almost as soon as Star, turned back and reached for her again. She stood stock still, her hands fisted at her sides, glaring at him. He looked through the door and saw his friends lying on the floor on the other side. He shakily raised his gun and pointed it at Star with both hands. She didn't move, just stood there looking at him. Suddenly, the gun flew out of his hands, then a giant fist seemed to grip him, lifting him off the ground.
Rogue saw Star through the glass door, and flew quickly down the hall, past the woman who huddled on the floor, thankfully clutching her children. Two of the punks were out cold just inside the door. She pushed, but the door wouldn't open, so she tried to smash it. Nothing. She realized that Star must be holding it. She moved sideways until she could see the punk in front of Star. His feet weren't touching the ground. He was struggling. As she watched, he began to turn blue.
"Star!" She called through the glass. "Star! Listen to me, sugah. Ya gotta let 'im go, honey. C'mon, Star." Her voice grew almost frantic as the punk's struggles grew weaker. "C'mon, baby. Let me out. You can't kill 'im." The door opened and she nearly fell through in her haste. She moved forward carefully, slowly approaching Star and her captive. She put her hand on Star's shoulder. Her body was fiery hot through the thin cloth of her blouse. "Let 'im go, gal."
"Why? He tried to kill that woman and her children. He was going to hurt Jubilee."
"You're right, sugah. But that's what we got cops and judges for. I'll explain how it all works later, but you gotta let go now!" Stretch dropped suddenly to the ground, drew a deep shuddering breath, and began to retch. Jubilee burst through the door behind them and skidded to a halt.
"Looks like I missed all the fun."
"Shut up, Jubilee."
"Well, excuse me!"
Rogue moved in front of Star, who still stood rigidly, with her hands clenched at her side. Her skin was still hot.
"Star. C'mon, honey. Its all over." Star slumped slightly and brought her hands up to her face. Rogue put her arms protectively around her. "C'mon over here, sugah." She drew Star to a bench just to the side of the door, and sat her down on it. "Jubilee, stay with her for a sec, please."
"Sure." Jubilee put her arm around Star. "Boy, you're burnin' up." Rogue moved to the bank of phones on the other side of the door, dropped a coin in one, and called home.
"Hello? Why hello, Chere. You 'member to pick up dem cards fo' me?"
"'Course, Gambit. Listen, I need to talk to the Professor, right now."
"Problems, Chere?"
"You could say that, sugah."
"I get him for you. Hang on."
"What's wrong, Rogue?" The Professor asked a moment later.
"Did ya get that custody order for Star yet, Professor?"
"Beast and Storm decided that she was probably legally of age."
"Well, get 'em to change their minds, and get legal custody, right quick."
"Rogue, what has happened."
"No time now, Professor. The cops just got here, and I gotta go deal with them. Bye, now." She cut the connection.
"Back off, you jerk." Jubilee was saying to the uniformed officer who seemed determined to arrest Star. Star still had her face buried in her hands. Jubilee had both arms around her now, determined to protect her.
"What seems to be the problem, officer?" Rogue asked.
"I've got to take her in, ma'am."
"What on earth for? The child was just attacked by those three goons, and you want to arrest her?"
"Well, they claim she tried to kill them."
"Oh, right. This little slip of a thing tried to kill those three big apes. An' I suppose you're ready to believe them?"
"Not really, but I can't get her to say anything."
"Well, let me tell you what happened, officer. These two girls were gettin' ice cream and mindin' their own business when your three 'victims' decided to have a little fun. When the girls didn't play along, they grabbed 'em. Jubilee got loose, but Star couldn't. One o' these goons had a gun. Those two in there, the one's with the headaches? tried to go out through the 'in' door and got knocked cold. Once he got her through the door, Star did what daddies've been teachin' their little girls to do as long as there have been daddies and little girls, and kicked him where it'd do the most good." Rogue put her hands on her hips and looked the policeman in the eye. "Now, which story sounds more reasonable to you."
"You're right, of course, ma'am." He cleared his throat. "I will need a statement from each of you, when you feel up to it." He looked back at Star and Jubilee. Jubilee glared at him. "You sure they're OK?"
"I'll take 'em to the doctor soon's they've calmed down a bit."
"All right, ma'am." He turned to the other officers, just arriving. "Let's get those three locked up, and let these ladies' get on with their lives." The Security Guard showed up then, loaded with their purchases. Rogue went after the car and the guard loaded their sacks into the trunk while Rogue and Jubilee helped Star into the car.
The trip back to the mansion was made in silence.
Professor Xavier, Jean Grey and Cyclops met them at the door. Jean and Cyclops hurried down the steps to help with Star.
"She hasn't said anything since we got in the car." Jubilee told them. Jean leaned into the car.
"Star? Can you hear me?" Star sighed, but said nothing.
"Let's go inside, Star." Jean took her hand and helped her from the car. Star cooperated, but made no move to act independently. Jean led her up the stairs to Professor Xavier.
"Star. Child, come back to us. We can not help you if you shut us out." Star turned her head and looked at him.
"Why, Professor?" She asked him quietly. "Why did he hate me?" He glanced at Rogue.
"The girls were attacked by some anti-mutant punks." She told him.
"People are afraid of what they don't understand, Star. Many hate what they are afraid of." He looked up into her pale face. "Come inside, child, and I will try to explain."
Star sat quietly on the couch in the study. Professor Xavier moved his chair next to her and took her hand.
"Star, the world is full of ugliness. One of the things we try to do here is to lessen the ugliness." She looked at him, her face expressionless. "I had hoped to protect you longer. I did not believe you would be in danger, or I would not have let any of you go."
"I nearly killed him, Professor." She said suddenly. "If Rogue hadn't stopped me, I would have. I could feel his hate, burning him up inside, and I wanted to crush it."
"Will you let me see what happened?" She just looked at him. "Share your memory with me Star." After a moment she nodded.
He was sitting at a table in the mall, watching Jubilee place an order at a counter. There was a large sign just over her head, but he couldn't read it. The letters were perfectly clear, but they didn't mean anything. A dark presence moved in front of him. It spoke, but the words were unclear. Then there were two more, one on each side and he was being pulled to his feet. The first presence moved very close, pressing against him. Images of his(her) body pinned down, being hurt, passed through the other's mind, very clearly. He(she) was not this dark creature's first victim. It knew exactly what it would do with him(her) when it had him(her) away from this place.
He felt, rather than saw, Jubilee's approach. One of the lesser creatures moved toward her. It was going to hurt her! No! But before he could stop the thing, Jubilee had (knocked it down? He didn't understand.) The creature holding him turned toward Jubilee, and he felt a flash of fear from her. It was holding a (gun?) thing and pointing it at him. The creature was afraid now, too. Afraid of Jubilee? Why?
He felt himself being dragged backwards, away from Jubilee. Then he was running, the creature holding tightly to his arm. The other two were following, but not as fast. One of them was hurt. The creature dragged him around a corner, and he felt Jubilee start to fade as they moved further away. In front of them, he felt a woman with two small children, their presence bright as the sun. There was a surge of hatred from the thing dragging him along. It pointed the (gun?) at them. It made a loud noise and a spinning piece of metal leaped from the end, hurtling toward the smaller child. He reached out with his mind and slapped it away. He began to grow angry. The thing barked again and a second piece of metal leaped toward the trio. He slapped it away also. He was yanked past the cowering family and through a door. Enough! He pulled his arm free, which startled the dark creature. He slammed the door shut behind them as the other two reached it. They hit the door hard, desperate to escape, but he held it closed effortlessly. He felt their pain, felt them fall, but this seemed to only fuel his anger. The first creature pointed the (gun) at him, but it suddenly had no confidence in the weapon. He took it from its nerveless hands, crumpling it into an unrecognizable ball of useless metal. Then he seized the creature with his mind. Hatred had been replaced by fear. This thing was afraid of him! Good. Let it feel what the woman had felt. Let it feel as Jubilee had felt. Slowly, he crushed it, savoring its panic, as it felt itself dying.
He became aware of Rogue's presence behind him. She was frantic, fearful, desperate to reach him before he was ... hurt? He wasn't in any danger, why was she frightened? He released the door and Rogue burst through, rushing towards him.
"Let 'im go, gal." He heard her say.
"Why?" he answered. "He tried to kill that woman and her children. He was going to hurt Jubilee."
"You're right, sugah. But that's what we got cops and judges for. I'll explain how it all works later, but you gotta let go now!" He felt confused, but dropped the thing he held, letting it fall unheeded to the ground. He felt Jubilee approach, felt her fear for him. His anger faded to nothing and suddenly the thing on the ground became a person. Full of pain and terror. He had done this. Once again, he had caused pain. He felt himself slipping away into the darkness. It was safe there. But that caused pain for others as well. There would be no escape. He felt Jubilee's arm around him. Her presence steadied him, but he was not ready to come all the way back. Not yet. Just let him rest here in the shadows for a while. Just rest. He was so tired.
Professor Xavier came to himself with a start. Star sat on the couch, watching him impassively, as if waiting for him to pass judgment on her. Which, he supposed, she was.
"You did well to protect the woman and her children, Star. The cre... the man who attacked you deserved the treatment he received." He reached for her hand, and held it in his own. "Rogue was right, however. We must let the law punish your attacker." She didn't move at all, not even a blink. It was disconcerting how still this child could be. "This does not mean you do not have the right to protect yourself, or others around you." He looked at her intently, wishing for some sign that she had understood what he was trying to tell her. "Star?"
"Yes, Professor." Her tone was as flat as her expression.
"I am proud of you, child." he said earnestly. "You could have killed him, but you chose not too. It does not matter that you were influenced by Rogue, the decision was yours. And I believe you made the right one."
"Thank you, Professor." He released her hand, still disturbed by her lack of emotion. He gently probed her mind, but she had closed him out. She needed time to absorb everything that had happened to her in such a short period. He prayed he could grant her all the time she needed.
She stood to leave, then swayed on her feet. He reached out to steady her and noticed for the first time how gaunt her face was. She appeared thinner than she had earlier, as if it had been days, lean and hungry days, at that, since he had seen her, instead of merely a few hours.
"Star? Are you all right?"
"Yes, Professor. Just tired, and a little hungry."
"Well, go get something to eat, then perhaps a nap would do you some good."
"All right." She turned away from him, leaving his study without glancing back. If she had turned, she would have seen the worried look he wore. One of his children was in trouble, hurting, and he didn't know how to help. Again.
Gambit was waiting for Rogue at the doorway to the living room.
"You okay, Chere? And de petite femmes? Dey all right? What happened?"
"I missed most of it, Remy. Jubilee's shaken up, but I think she'll be fine." She looked over her shoulder toward the Professor's study. "I'm not so sure about Star. That little gal's taken more in the last few days than most folk have to deal with in a lifetime."
"Sound like most of us here, no?"
"Yeah. But it don't make it any easier when it starts all over again."
"No, it don't. Now, you gonna tell me what happen', or you gonna let me go crazy wonderin'?"
"Come gimme a hand with the stuff in the car and I'll fill ya in."
"Got yo'self a deal, Chere." They went back outside to unload the car. Jubilee was there, and had removed about half the packages from the trunk.
"I was beginning to think I was gonna hafta carry all this stuff in by myself."
"Never fear, mon petite. The cavalry done arrive'." Gambit told her. "Dese all go to Star's room?"
"Yup. Two or three more shopping trips, and we should have everything she needs." Jubilee made a face. "If the Professor ever lets us go to the mall again."
"Probably not for a little while, Jubilee." Rogue told her, with a grin for Gambit's horrified expression as he eyed the packages. "But he knows he can't keep us locked up. It just don' work. Here," she handed Jubilee three bags, "Take these up to Star's room an' get 'em put up. Gambit an' I'll bring the rest up in a minute." Jubilee looked at the bags then grinned.
"Yeah, wouldn't want Gambit to get embarrassed by seeing a ladies' unmentionables, right?"
"Right. Now, git." Rogue shooed her inside. Gambit started picking up bags and packages, shaking his head. He never would understand females. Rogue joined him with a smile,
"Now, like I said, I missed most of it, but from what I could figure out...."
"Then apparently one of 'em made a grab for Jubilee, and all hell broke loose." Rogue said as she opened the door for Gambit, his arms so loaded with packages that he could barely see over them.
"What's that?" Wolverine interrupted.
"There was ... some trouble at the mall, Wolverine."
"Jubilee okay? Where is she?"
"She's fine, Wolverine. She's in Star's room."
"Yeah, she be puttin' up "unmentionbles". Here, take some o' dis..." Wolverine was gone. "Damn. C'mon, Rogue. I wanna get shut o' some o' dis stuff."
"Jubilee." Wolverine said from the doorway.
"Aaak! Jeez! I wish you guys'd quit sneaking up on me!"
"Are you all right?"
"I am fine!" She slammed the drawer she had just finished filling. She stood for a moment with her back to the door, then said, "No I'm not." She plopped down on the edge of the bed. Wolverine sat next to her, put an arm around her and held her gently.
"Wolvie, I felt so helpless. Everything happened so fast." She gulped. "Rogue said she had ta get some cards and that me an' Star should get some ice cream. I told Star to stay with our stuff, and that I'd be right back. Next thing I know, these two creeps have hold of her, and a third one's coming for me. Oh, Wolverine, I should'a never left her alone! She just stood there, that blank look on her face she gets when she doesn't understand what's going on. Then this jerk's shovin' me, so I shoved him back. He went flying. Then the other one grabbed a gun and shoved it inta Star's ribs. I just knew he was gonna kill her. Then he dragged her off down the mall and I didn't dare follow, long as he could see me. Then Rogue popped up and scared me half to death, and she took off after 'em, and I heard shots, and I expected to find 'em BOTH dead when I got to the corner, only Star was outside, and Rogue couldn't get the door open, and I was...I was...I was really wishin' you were there, 'cause you always know what to do and I didn't!" she gasped, and added, "Then the cops showed up and wanted to blame Star, but Rogue took care a' that. Then we came home." She clung to him for a moment.
"Thanks, Wolverine."
"Anytime, darlin'. Need any help with this stuff?"
"No! I mean, this is girl stuff. I'll take care of it. Why don't you go check on Star."
"Might just." He passed Rogue and Gambit, still loaded with packages, in the hall.
"From dat glazed look in his eye, I t'ink he find Jubilee."
"I think you're right, sugah. Shore 'nuff, here she is. Got all that stuff put away, Jubilee?"
"Not quite. Just put the rest of it on the bed, and I'll sort it out in a minute." Gambit gratefully dumped the packages.
"Hear anything from Star?"
"Not yet, sugah." Rogue told her.
Star stumbled as she reached the kitchen. She leaned on the door for a moment. Her arms hurt, and both were beginning to show bruises. Her ribs ached. And she was so tired. She staggered to a chair and nearly fell into it. She pulled her blouse up to examine her side. A large purple bruise was spreading. In the center of the bruise was the clear imprint of the metal thing she had been threatened with. She pulled her blouse back down. She was wondering if she had enough energy left to make it up the stairs to her room when she saw Wolverine glide past the door. She liked him. His mind was strange. Wild. But caring, and oddly gently. She did not try to read him, knowing she had taxed herself too greatly already. Instead, she thought about how far it was to her room. She put her arms on the table, and rested her head on them. "I'll just sit here for a moment," she thought, "then I will do as I have been told. Just for a moment." Her eyes closed.
The door to the study opened just as Wolverine reached it. Professor Xavier drifted out, frowning.
"How's the kid, Professor?"
"Um? Star? She was quite unsettled by the events today. She truly does not understand much of what occurred." He sighed. "She showed me what happened as she saw it. We did not speak for long. How was I to explain the actions of mad men to a child who has no normality to compare them too?" He shook his head. "She accepts everything I tell her without question. It is tempting to say 'Don't worry. Father will fix it.' But we both know that, quite often 'Father' can't 'fix it'."
"Where is she?"
"I sent her to get something to eat, and told her to rest." He paused. "Didn't you come past the kitchen?"
"Yeah. But that kid can sit so still, you don't see 'er. She ain't got much of a scent, either." He turned toward the kitchen. "I'll go see if she's there. Told Jubilee I'd check on her."
"How is Jubilee doing?"
"She'll be okay." Wolverine chuckled. "She's more scared that you won't let 'er go shoppin' again, than anything else."
"I will never understand teenagers."
"That makes two of us, Chuck." Wolverine said over his shoulder as he made his way toward the kitchen, his footsteps nearly silent. He looked in and there she was, absolutely motionless. She was apparently asleep, with her head on her arms. He went into the room, intending to wake her gently and send her to bed. He frowned when he saw the darkening bruises on her arms. Anybody that'd hurt a little thing like her or Jubilee, deserved whatever rough treatment they got. And then some.
He crouched beside her chair, trying not to frighten her when she woke.
"Hey, kid." He said quietly. "The kitchen's no place to sleep." She didn't respond. "Star? C'mon, darlin'. Wake up fer yer pal." He touched her arm, then stood up abruptly. She was ice cold. He quickly checked her throat for a pulse and was relieved to find one, slow but steady. He hurried to the door. Professor Xavier was visible at the far end, speaking with someone just out of sight.
"Chuck." he called. Xavier turned toward him.
"What is it, Wolverine?"
"Its Star. You better come check." He moved back to Star's side. Xavier joined him a moment later.
"I couldn't wake 'er up." Wolverine explained, "An' she's cold." Xavier place his hand on Star's forehead, shocked by the temperature of her skin despite what Wolverine had told him. He probed her mind. What he found was almost amusing.
"She's asleep."
"What?"
"She's so deeply asleep, it almost borders on hibernation, but it is still just sleep." Wolverine looked at Star. Then, with his arms crossed, he shook his head.
"Kid, you sure do give an old man grief." He bent to lift her from the chair, intending to put her to bed, where she belonged. When he put his arm around her she flinched, moaning. He had, unknowingly, caught the bruise on her ribs. She opened her eyes for a moment and looked up at him.
"Wolverine," she whispered, then her eyes closed once more. He stood, cradling her slight form in his arms.
"Storm was just telling me that the child's powers draw heavily on her physical reserves."
"And she ain't got no reserves."
"Precisely. On a normal day, she probably requires more calories than you do. And today was decidedly not a normal day." Xavier reached up and stroked Star's cheek tenderly. "Put her to bed, Wolverine. Take some fruit up and put it by her bed. When she awakens, she will be ravenous."
He carried her up the stairs effortlessly, she didn't seem to weigh anything.
When Wolverine reached Star's room, Rogue and Jubilee were sorting packages, Gambit having made good his escape as soon as he was able. Jubilee turned toward him as he intentionally bumped the doorframe.
"Wolvie, what...?" Jubilee exclaimed at the sight of Star, lying unmoving in Wolverine's arms.
"'S okay, Jube. Kid's just beat." He jerked his head toward the bed. "Ya wanna clear that off so's I can put her down? Not that she weighs nothing, but the bed's gotta be more comfortable than this." Jubilee and Rogue quickly cleared off the bed and Wolverine gently laid Star on it. Jubilee pulled her boots off and put them in the closet.
"Rogue, check out her right side. She was actin' like it hurt her."
"No wonder," Rogue told him a moment later. "She's got a real nasty bruise here. I don't think her ribs are cracked, though. It'll be sore as the devil for a while. She's so cold." Rogue spread the comforter over Star. "Poor little thing. She could really use a change o' luck."
"Jube, would ya fetch that bowl a' fruit from the kitchen? Chuck said she'll be starvin' when she wakes up."
"Sure thing, Wolvie." Jubilee scooted out the door and started down the hall. "Jubilee!" Wolverine called after her.
"Yeah?"
"Leave 'er lights on, okay darlin'?"
"Sure."
"Did ya get that custody order for Star, Professor?" Rogue asked later.
"Yes. Beast said Star could be anywhere from sixteen to twenty-three, so I went with the low end and called her seventeen. Do you still think it will be necessary?"
"You kiddin'? They was tryin' to arrest her right then. I talked 'em out of it, but I doubt we've heard the last o' them punks." She snorted. "Kids like them, their parents've got more money than sense. They'll prob'ly file assault charges on her 'fore we're done."
"No doubt you are correct."
"What's the name on the order?"
"Emily Deidre Star."
"Emily?"
"You rushed me, Rogue. It was the only thing I could think of."
"Okay." Rogue grinned at him. "So, who's Emily?"
"A childhood friend, Rogue." He answered, refusing to be baited.
"I was just wonderin'." Rogue told him sweetly.
"Professor!" she shouted as she dashed into the room, engulfing him in a Jubilee sized bear hug.
"Its good to see you too, Jubilee." He said, after he had regained his breath.
"Welcome home, Professor." Rogue said from the doorway.
"Hello, Rogue." He turned his attention to Star, standing motionless next to Rogue. "And you must be Star. The others have been telling me about you." Star didn't move. "Come here, child. I won't bite." Star took a tentative step forward, then looked back at Rogue, as if for support.
"Go on, hon. If anybody can help you, he can." Star moved forward and cautiously accepted Professor Xavier's extended hand.
Gambit moved to stand next to Rogue in the doorway.
"She clean up real nice, Chere. 'Course, she don' come close to matchin' up wit' you."
"Thanks, Gambit. After see'n myself in the mirror beside that, I needed a little ego boost."
"Why, Chere? She just a kid. Look like a scarecrow next to you." Rogue smiled at him and he put an arm around her.
Professor Xavier was introducing Star to the X-Men.
"And this is Jean Grey."
"Wolverine tells me you were concerned that you had injured me." Jean said to Star. "As you can see, I am quite well."
"Where is Wolverine?" Rogue said quietly to Gambit.
"You know Wolverine, Chere. He be off doin' what ever it is Wolverine do when he go off by hisself."
"Do you feel up to speaking with me?" the professor asked. Star just nodded. "Come, then." Star went with him into his study. He closed the doors behind them.
Wolverine was sitting on the bank of the small lake which was on the land owned by Professor Xavier, watching the waves and occasionally tossing small pebbles into the water. Star's tale of being nothing but a lab animal had unsettled him. He knew had to regain his balance if he was to be of assistance in finding, and stopping, her "Doctor". The sun was nearly overhead when he headed back to the mansion. He was crossing the open yard in back of the building when he heard a cry of pain, in two voices. The first was Star, the second was... Professor Xavier! He entered the house at a run and was the first to reach the study. He flung the door open and took in the scene at a glance. Professor Xavier was on the floor, his wheelchair overturned. Star was kneeling before him, her hands to her head. She turned to him, her silver eyes unseeing.
"Help me, Logan." he heard, in his head. "I've got to go after him." As the other X-Men crowded in the door behind him, he stepped forward and took her hands in his.
"You got it, kid." The room faded around him. He was surrounded by a light mist, masking everything that was not nearby. He was aware of a swirling darkness just below them. He still held Star's hands. She pulled one free and turned away from him, toward the darkness. They moved down, closer and closer to the dark pool. He looked about, desperately, for an anchor, knowing that if they fell in, they were both lost. Finally, he thrust his claws into the surface they were moving across. Star disappeared into the darkness and he clung to her hand even as she pulled him deeper into it. As his hand, then his arm, entered the darkness, he felt a searing pain, as if he had plunged his hand into an open flame. But he held on. Then Jean was there, helping to pull Star back up. Together, they pulled and, slowly, she reappeared, dragging Professor Xavier with her. She thrust Xavier at Wolverine, who reflexively caught him, releasing Star in the process.
"Jean, get them out of here!" Star cried as the dark whirlpool grew larger, rising toward them. Star turned away, trying to hold the dark tide back, to give them time to escape the depths of her mind. Jean drew them up and out, Wolverine holding on to the Professor's limp form. Abruptly, the mist was gone. Jean had returned him to his own body.
Jean stood behind him, her hands on his shoulders. She released him and turned to Professor Xavier. Wolverine still held Star's hands. Her body was rigid, her hands ice cold. She shuddered and then, slowly, collapsed, her body loosing its tension as if her bones were indeed made of ice that was melting. He lowered her gently to the floor.
"Professor." Jean knelt beside their mentor. "Professor, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Jean."
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. I will be fine." Cyclops righted the wheelchair. "What about the child?" the Professor asked as Jean helped him back into his chair.
"She is unconscious." Jean looked at Star for a moment. "Professor, what happened?"
"I underestimated the depth of her fear. I only hope the damage I have caused is not irreversible." He paused for a moment. "Wolverine, are you.."
"I'm fine." Wolverine interrupted. "The kid don't look so good, though."
"Bring her, quickly." He turned his chair toward the door as Wolverine lifted the girl's inert form from the floor. Wolverine followed the Professor to his ready room.
"Put her there, Wolverine." Professor Xavier indicated a chair, reminiscent of a dentist's chair. Wolverine gently placed Star in it.
"She ain't breathing, Chuck."
"Heartbeat?"
"Real slow."
"Jean. Keep her alive." Xavier placed the helmet link to Cerebro on his head. "Scott, help Jean." He turned to Star, lying pale and unmoving in the chair, her chest rising and falling only as Jean willed it to. "Wolverine, she has turned to you twice now. I may need your help."
"Sure thing."
"Quickly, Charles. I've taken over her heart, but other systems are beginning to fail." Jean spoke sharply.
"Here, Wolverine." The Professor indicated a standard chair, pushed up against the wall. Wolverine pulled the chair up next to Star and Xavier as Xavier began his Psi probe.
Xavier and Wolverine were standing on a sloping plane, enveloped in a fine mist. Wolverine raised an eyebrow at Xavier.
"One can do many thing on the astral plane, Wolverine. Come. We must find her, and quickly. Jean cannot maintain an unoccupied body for long." Together, they turned and walked down slope. The grade grew steeper until it became difficult for them to maintain their footing. Suddenly, the black whirlpool appeared as a wall before them. They approached cautiously. Professor Xavier put out his hand, intending to reach through the whirlpool, but the surface was solid. He concentrated, drew back his fist, and struck. To no avail.
"Let me give it a shot." Wolverine stepped forward, claws extended, and slashed at the surface of the whirlpool. He met no resistance and nearly fell through. Professor Xavier steadied him, then tried again. The surface was still solid for him.
"Looks like it up ta me, don't it?"
"Wolverine, wait!" But Wolverine had already leaped into the darkness.
Wolverine found himself in a lab. There was no mistaking the odor, even if the equipment was unfamiliar. The wall at the back of the large room was transparent. On the other side was a cage, there was no other word for it. It included a toilet and shower cubicle, a table and chair, and a small bed. On the bed was Star. She was turned away from the wall, curled in on herself as she had been after he had released her from the sensory deprivation tank just the day before.
"Hey, kid!" He called to her as he approached the wall. She turned toward him, then sat up on the bed.
"What are you doing here."
"I came to get ya out."
"Go away."
"'Fraid I can't do that, darlin'. Seems the door I came through ain't there no more." She just looked at him.
"What is this place, anyhow?" He asked.
"It is my place." She answered with a shrug.
"Wha's the matter? Ya didn't like the mansion?"
"I do not belong there."
"Why not?"
"Your Professor brought me back here."
"He didn't mean for you ta stay, you know."
"I know." she whispered. "But when he went through the barrier, it hurt him." She leaped to her feet, her hands clenched at her sides. "I am tired of hurting people! That's all I do. All I'm good for."
"Professor Xavier ain't hurt, kid. He's right outside." He moved closer to the clear surface between them. "C'mon, I'll show ya." He raised his hand to slash an opening in the cage wall.
"Logan! No!" Star cried. When his claws hit the transparent wall, there was a clap of thunder and a shower of sparks. Wolverine was thrown back.
He sat up after a moment, shaking his head.
"What was that?"
"Its a force field."
"How do I shut it off?"
"The controls are over there. Are you all right?"
"Jus' fine, darlin'." He shut down the force field. "Now, can we get outta here?"
"I...I can't."
"Look, kid. If ya stay here, you're gonna die."
"Perhaps that would be best."
"I don't wanna hear no more o' that, you hear me!" Wolverine snarled. "Jean's out there, wearing herself out to keep your body alive so's you have a place ta come back to. An' the Professor's on the other side o' that barrier thing, probl'y worried sick 'bout both of us. You are comin' back with me, right now. Is that clear?" Star cringed, cowering away from him, but didn't say anything.
"Now, am I gonna hafta cut a hole in this wall, or are you gonna show me the door." The wall he had come in through shimmered, and a door appeared.
"That's more like it." He turned back to Star and held out his hand. "C'mon, kid."
"I'm afraid." she said as she took his hand.
"If ya ain't a little afraid, now and then, how ya gonna know you're alive?" He pulled her to her feet, and they moved toward the door. He opened it. On the other side was the dark barrier. She clung to his hand like a lost child. Together, they leaped.
They landed in a heap at Professor Xavier's feet. As Wolverine got to his feet, he said to Star,
"See, I told ya." He helped her up and turned to Xavier. "Can we get outta here?"
"Not yet. Star, we must block this off. When you are ready to deal with it, we will try again. I apologize for hurting you, child. I did not realize how deeply you had been traumatized." Wolverine growled softly, but didn't say anything. Xavier took Star's other hand, she had not released Wolverine, and together they built a wall around the swirling black whirlpool so Star would not have to fear her own mind. Then the three of them turned and started up the slope. The journey out did not take as long as the journey in.
Star gasped, and began to breath on her own. As her heartbeat steadied, Jean slowly withdrew her control. She nearly collapsed as Wolverine and Xavier both opened their eyes. Scott steadied her.
"Wolverine," Xavier said, "One day, your rash actions will be the death of you."
"Probably." Wolverine answered with a grin. "But you ain't in no position to talk." He turned to Star. "How's the kid?"
"She's asleep, Wolverine. She came back to a body exhausted by her, shall we say, absence. She'll be fine." Xavier answered after checking on Star. "Have someone put her to bed."
"Yes, Professor." Jean nodded to Cyclops and he gently lifted Star from the chair. Cradling her in his arms like a child, Cyclops followed Jean from the ready room. As the door opened, concerned X-Men scattered, making way for Jean, Cyclops, and their newest charge. Jean closed the door behind them and fended off anxious questions.
"Is everything OK?"
"Jean, what happened?"
"Everything is fine. As to what happened, I really don't know, but I believe that she is ..." Jean paused for a moment, "far stronger than the Professor expected. Now, we must put the child back to bed. She should be fine tomorrow." She turned to follow Cyclops to Star's room, but stopped again as Jubilee tugged at her arm.
"Jean? What about Wolvie? Is he OK?" Jean peered into Jubilee's concerned face, then smile, reassuringly.
"Wolverine is fine, Jubilee." She looked back at the door of the ready room. "I believe he wished to speak to Charles in private for a few moments." She cupped Jubilee's cheek with one hand. "Don't worry, dear one. He'll be out soon." Then she turned away, following Cyclops. Jubilee sighed, then chose a place where she could surreptitiously watch the door to the ready room.
Wolverine leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and just looked at Professor Xavier.
"All right, Wolverine." the Professor said. "Go ahead."
"What happened, Chuck? Ya nearly got yerself killed."
"I know, Wolverine. And I nearly killed my patient as well." He turned his chair, placing the helmet back in its storage compartment. "Truthfully, I am not certain." He turned back to Wolverine, "Star has a great deal of conscious control over her powers. However, when she is frightened or under stress, her powers seem to..." he paused, looking for the correct words, "increase on a nearly exponential curve. She doesn't seem to have much control at all when that happens. When she broke away from me, I do not believe she had reached her peak."
"You sayin' she's stronger than you?" Wolverine asked in disbelief.
"I'm saying that I believe she can be as strong as she needs to be. We shall have to be very careful with this one, Wolverine. Very careful indeed."
When the door to the ready room opened, Jubilee nearly knocked her chair over trying to get up.
"Hi, Wolvie."
"Hey, Jubilee. How's my favorite X-Man?"
"Doing fine. Listen, um, lunch is sorta catch as catch can. You wanna go in ta town and grab a burger?"
"Sure thing, darlin'. Lemme get ma hat."
"So, what d'ya think of our newest addition?" Jubilee asked, around her hamburger.
"Who? Star?" Wolverine shrugged. "Kids got guts, ya gotta give 'er that."
"So she's, what, a telepath?"
"'Parently. Xavier says she's got a heck of a lot of push, too."
"Do you think she's pretty?"
"What?"
"Well, you know, Rogue and I picked out her clothes and stuff, and I just wondered if..." Jubilee was paying a lot of attention to her shake, "well, you liked the way she turned out, is all."
"She don't hurt the eyes to look at, if that's what you mean." Wolverine resisted an impulse to ruffle Jubilee's hair. "But then, neither do you, half pint." Jubilee couldn't decide whether to take that as a compliment or an insult, so she didn't answer.
"Listen, long as we're here, you wanna catch a matinee, or somethin'?"
"That'd be great! There's a new action movie playing that I've been dying to see! Its all about...." Jubilee chattered on, happy to be with her friend.
The next morning, Storm found Star sitting on the back deck, watching the clouds in the early morning sunlight. Storm watched her for several minutes before she realized what was unsettling about the young woman. She was absolutely motionless. The only movement discernible was the slight pulse visible in her throat, and the slow, steady rise and fall of her breathe. Her silver eyes stared upward, unblinking.
"Star?" Storm called at last. Star turned toward her,
"Good morning, Storm."
"Did you sleep well, dear?"
"Yes." Storm sat down next to her. "Are those clouds?"
"Yes, child."
"I didn't think they would be so ... big."
"Ours is a wide and wondrous world, Star. And you have much to learn." They sat quietly for a while. At last, Storm stood up.
"Would you care to help me start breakfast? It is an informal meal, but I have found that the faster you feed this crew, the more quickly they become civilized." Star got up and went with Storm into the house.
The kitchen was empty, not surprising considering the hour. Storm instructed Star on how the coffee was made, then started preparing the morning meal. Star helped by bringing Storm the ingredients needed, although she had to be told exactly what they looked like.
"In the third cabinet over are the spices. Would you bring me the Cinnamon, please. Just read the labels, they are in no particular order."
"I don't know how to read, Storm."
"What?"
"I don't know how to read." Star repeated. Storm considered for a moment, knowing a taste of the fury that Wolverine held when considering the "Doctor" who had so mistreated and neglected this child.
"All right, dear. We will take one thing at a time. The Cinnamon is a reddish brown powder. Not the reddish orange powder, that is cayenne pepper, and while Gambit would probably appreciate it in his eggs, most of the others would not." Star turned to the cabinet and brought the proper spice to Storm.
Soon, the odor of fresh coffee and frying bacon brought other X-Men down to the kitchen. Each pitched in where ever their help was needed. Very shortly breakfast was complete and on the table in the large dining room. Storm noticed that Star watched everything very intently, and realized that she had probably not eaten with other people before. A renewed flash of fury took her a moment to suppress. When she looked up, Jean was watching her. Jean tilted her head in a question. Storm smiled and shook her head.
"Star, are you finished, child?"
"Yes, Storm."
"Then put your plates in the sink and come with me, please." Star did as she was told.
Storm stopped in the hall outside the lab and turned to Star, following almost like an obedient puppy.
"First, child, I want you to understand that you are not a prisoner here. You are not required to do anything you do not wish to do." Storm looked at her intently. "Do you understand?" Star nodded.
"I think so."
"Very well. Now, if you want, but only if you want, we can try to find out more about you. About your body and how you use your powers. Is that all right?"
"All right."
Storm opened the door and stepped in. Star stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the room.
"It is all right, child." Storm said in a quiet voice. "We will not hurt you, and we will stop the tests whenever you say." Star swallowed hard, but stepped into the room.
"Beast?" Storm called.
"Ah, Storm. Just a moment." A voice answered from the back of the room. Beast appeared, wearing a white lab coat.
"Good morning, Star." He said. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine." She answered in a small voice.
"Shall we begin?" Star hesitated, then nodded.
"Very well. First, I would like to attach some sensors, do you mind?"
"No."
"This one," Beast said as he and Storm began to connect different sensors to Star's body "is to record your heartbeat, this one your respiration, this...." He spoke softly to her, gradually calming her until all the sensors were attached.
"Would you step up on the scale? Thank you." Beast noted her weight on a chart.
"All right. We are going to test your eyes first, then your ears. OK?" Star nodded again. They quickly determined that she did not use her eyes to see with, or her ears to hear. Her powers supplied substitutes.
"Nearly finished, child." Beast told Star. "Just a few questions. Ready?"
"Yes."
"Do you know the extent of your abilities?"
"No. I know some of the things I can do. The Doctor wasn't finished teaching me. He thought," she swallowed, "he thought I should be stronger, first."
"I see. Well, show us what you do know."
"I can reach into your mind and find something."
"Go ahead, dear." Beast said, bracing himself.
"Your real name is Henry McCoy. You call yourself 'Beast' because of your size and your agility, not because of your fur." Beast looked surprised "I like your fur, it looks soft."
"I did not feel your touch on my mind, Star. You are quite good. What else?"
"I can take hold of your mind, make you do what I want. But I don't like to do that. It feels ... bad."
"You don't have to, dear. Although the data would be interesting. Can you do this with someone you haven't already touched?"
"Yes."
"Try with me, child." Storm said.
"But I've already..." Star stopped.
"Already what, Star." Beast asked gently.
"I couldn't find the Cinnamon!" Star burst out. "So I, I lifted it from your mind." Storm looked startled. Then laughed.
"All right, dear. We will skip this for now. You said you could move things with your mind. What size object?" In answer, Storm found herself floating several inches above the floor. Beast started to tease her about her lofty position, when he realized that he, too, was being held gently off the floor.
"How many items can you control at once?"
"I don't know."
"Well, look around. I think the only thing bolted down is the electron microscope. Its a very fussy piece of equipment."
"OK." First, microscopes and other table top equipment began to float, then tables, chairs, the autoclave, and everything else in the room, with the exception of Beast's electron microscope, rose majestically into the air and began to circle the room around the three people. Beast watched Star closely and noticed a fine sheen of sweat begin to bead her forehead.
"I think that's enough for today, Star." Slowly, everything returned to its proper place in the lab.
Beast noted her respiration and heartbeat on his chart, then glanced at the temperature reading from the sensor on her skin. Her body temperature had peaked at one hundred and five, but was falling rapidly. In under a minute, it had returned to normal. He disconnected all the sensors, then said,
"Star, would you step onto the scale again, please?" She did as he asked. He checked the weight registered against that he had recorded at the beginning of the session. She had lost several pounds.
"Do you always loose weight like this?" Beast asked her.
"Yes. The Doctor said I was going to have to learn to use an external power source. He set up several different types of power supply, but they always exploded when I tried to use them." She looked down at her hands. "The only thing I've been able to tap so far is people." She looked up and shook her head. "But I don't want to do that. Storm said you wouldn't make me do anything I didn't want to." Her voice held a hint of desperation.
"That is correct. You do not have to." Storm told her soothingly. She gave Beast a warning look.
"The thought to volunteer did cross my mind, Storm. But that's all." He cupped Star's chin gently in his large hand. "Were you reading my mind?"
"I can't help it! You're so loud!" Beast looked startled.
"I've been described in a lot of different ways, but this is the first time the word loud was used." Storm laughed.
"You're not mad." Star said in amazement.
"Heavens, no." Beast answered.
"The Doctor was. He was a loud, too."
"Aloud?"
"No, a Loud. Like you. Storm's a Quiet. So is Gambit, but Rogue's kind of a Medium." She smiled. "Jubilee's a Medium, like Rogue. I like to listen to her, but sometimes she confuses me."
"Sometimes, Jubilee confuses herself. It is part of being a teenager." Storm explained.
"As for myself, I shall endeavor to be more quiet in your presence." An image of Beast tip-toeing around a room flashed through her mind. Star laughed. Storm looked puzzled and, without thinking, Star projected the image into her mind. Storm laughed with her. Beast just looked at them both.
"Let's get those sensors off, then I think you should have something to eat." Storm said at last. "I believe that Jubilee has planned an outing for you, if she was able to talk someone into going with you."
"The Mall?" Beast asked.
"I believe so."
"Remind me to make myself scarce until they have gone." Storm smiled at him.
"That's got it, Star. There are sandwich meats in the bottom drawer in the refrigerator. Help yourself." Star left Beast and Storm in the lab, and went toward the kitchen.
"Was that image of you tip-toeing around yours or Star's?" Storm asked Beast as soon as Star was out of the room.
"You saw that? No wonder you were laughing." Beast looked thoughtful. "So, she projects as well. Hmm. Let's check the graphs and see if that registered."
Star stood looking at the bewildering array of different foods in the refrigerator, aware of a gnawing emptiness in her stomach. Finally, she chose something at random, closed the refrigerator door and sat down at the table to examine her choice. She puzzled out the packaging and looked doubtfully at the brown substance she found within. Whatever it was had been cut into thick slices. Gingerly, she picked one up and was about to sample it when Jubilee burst in to the kitchen.
"You hungry already? Well come on, we can make some sandwiches and you can eat it on the way. Rogue said she'd take us in to town, and I don't want to give her a chance to change her mind." As she talked, she got the bread out and was quickly slapping together several sandwiches. "Do you want mustard or mayonnaise? Shoot, you don't know, do you. Here try 'em." Star sampled contents of the two jars Jubilee held out to her.
"Both are good."
"OK. One of each. Here, hand me that roast beef." Jubilee finished the sandwiches, putting several into plastic bags and handing one to Star.
"Start on that one while I put this stuff up." A moment later. "OK, ready to go? Whoops, you need your shoes. Some of the places at the Mall are fussy about stuff like that. Go get 'em, then meet me in the front room. See ya!" Jubilee was gone as quickly as she had come. Star stared after her, then took a bite of the sandwich and hurried up the stairs to her room. She was still wearing the blouse and leggings she had put on the day before. She slipped into the skirt and grabbed the boots Jubilee had given her and hurried back down stairs.
"Jubilee, the world is not gonna end if you don't get to the mall the minute it opens." Star heard Rogue saying as she moved down the hall toward the front room. "Now you just chill out, sugah, or we ain't goin'."
"Aw, Rogue. How often do I get to go shopping. Especially for somebody else. I mean, she needs everything!"
"And we won't get it all today, either. Storm said we were to take it easy. Which means, if you'll just think about it, that you get to go back. OK?"
"OK." Jubilee answered, almost reluctantly. "Star!" Jubilee said, seeing Star in the doorway. "Ya ready? Lets go! You can put your shoes on in the car." Rogue shook her head, smiling as she said to Star,
"Well, c'mon, sugah. We'd better catch up to her."
The Mall was an enormous building, daunting in its size. Star stared up at it with something approaching horror.
"Come on, Star. Its just a Mall."
"Jubilee, it hasn't been that long since you were afraid to go to the mall." Rogue scolded her. "We'll go in when Star is ready." She turned to Star. "You okay, hon?" Star nodded and the trio walked from the parked car to the building. As they entered the main doors, Star flinched.
"What's the matter, sugah?"
"So many people."
"Jean tol' me to tell you to just bring a curtain across you mind. That way you can block most o' the noise out." After a moment, Star nodded.
"Yes. That is better." She smiled up at Rogue's worried expression. "I'm fine, now."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go."
After a couple of hours of what Jubilee called "Serious Shopping", they decided to stop for something to eat. As they finished their 'snack', Rogue stood up.
"Gambit asked me to pick up some cards for him. Why don't you two get some ice cream, and I'll meet you back here in just a few minutes."
"Sure, Rogue." Rogue left their table. "So, what flavor do ya wanna try, Star?" Jubilee asked, slurping the last of her soda.
"Do they have chocolate?"
"You bet! Watch our stuff, I'll be right back." Jubilee hopped up and went over to the Iced Dream Ice Cream shop. Star watched the other shoppers with interest, keeping the 'curtain' tightly closed so she wouldn't be overwhelmed.
"Well, what d'we have here, Mikey?" A young man said as he approached her table. He leaned arrogantly on the chair opposite Star.
"Looks like a Mutie ta me, Stretch." Said a second young man from behind her.
"Yeah," said a third. "And from the looks o' all them bags, she's got more money 'n what's good for her."
"That true, Mutie?" asked Stretch. "Ya got plenty a' money stashed in there somewhere?" Mikey grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. She just stared at him, confused by the strong emotions he virtually radiated. The people at nearby tables were quietly, but quickly, gathering their purchases and moving away.
"What do you want?" Star had no desire to read these men who seemed to hate her just for existing.
"We told ya, Mutie. Give us your money."
"I don't have any money."
"Ya hear that, Stretch? She don't have any money."
"Well, maybe she's got somethin' else ta give us instead." Stretch said, as he sauntered around the table. "What d'ya say, Mutie." He said as he put his arm around her waist and pulled up against his body. "Ya wanna party with me an' my friends?"
"Leave her alone!" Jubilee yelled when she turned away from the ice cream counter and saw what was happening. She dropped the ice cream on the table in front of her and hurried toward Star and the three punks.
"What're you, her keeper?"
"Naw, she's just a Mutie lover. Maybe she wants t' party, too. Grab her, Steve."
Steve tried to grab Jubilee, but she struck him in the chest with one outstretch hand. There was a small thunderclap and Steve fell back with a cry.
Rogue heard the clap as she was leaving the shop where she had purchased Gambit's cards.
"Uh oh." She said as she hurried in the direction she had left Jubilee and Star.
Stretch turned quickly toward Jubilee, but did not release Star.
"Hey, Mikey. She ain't nothin' but another damn Mutie." He reached inside the loose jacket he wore. "Well, we know how to handle them, don't we?" He pulled a handgun out of his jacket and pointed it at Star. "Back off, babe, or there'll be one less mutant in the world." Jubilee froze. "Mikey, get Steve on his feet and let's blow this place." He looked down at Star, standing quietly in his grip, not resisting. "We'll take silver girl, here, with us. For insurance." He laughed unpleasantly. "Maybe we'll still have us that party, boys." Mikey got Steve up and followed Stretch as he pulled Star toward the nearest exit. Jubilee watched, helpless, afraid to follow. They disappeared around a corner in the mall and she was about to start after them when Rogue said, from behind her,
"What's goin' on, gal?"
"Eeep! Rogue! Boy am I glad to see you. Three punks grabbed Star. They went that way! Rogue!" She called after the departing X-Man. "One of 'em's got a gun!" She glared around her at the mall crowd, for the most part just watching passively. A security guard appeared. "Now you show up." She said in disgust. "Watch this stuff. We'll be right back." She followed Rogue around the corner.
Stretch pulled Star into a run down the short corridor toward the door. Mikey and Steve hurried after them. A young woman, unaware of what was going on, stepped out of a shop directly in front of them. She held the hand of a little boy, and carried a second child in her arms. Startled, Stretch pointed his handgun at her and pulled the trigger twice. The woman screamed and twisted, trying futilely to protect her children. Star reached out with her mind and deflected the bullets into the ceiling. Stretch yanked her past the woman, and out the door. She pulled her arm free from his grasp and stopped. The door behind her slammed shut just as Mikey and Steve reached it. They hit the door at a dead run, and it didn't budge an inch. Stretch stopped almost as soon as Star, turned back and reached for her again. She stood stock still, her hands fisted at her sides, glaring at him. He looked through the door and saw his friends lying on the floor on the other side. He shakily raised his gun and pointed it at Star with both hands. She didn't move, just stood there looking at him. Suddenly, the gun flew out of his hands, then a giant fist seemed to grip him, lifting him off the ground.
Rogue saw Star through the glass door, and flew quickly down the hall, past the woman who huddled on the floor, thankfully clutching her children. Two of the punks were out cold just inside the door. She pushed, but the door wouldn't open, so she tried to smash it. Nothing. She realized that Star must be holding it. She moved sideways until she could see the punk in front of Star. His feet weren't touching the ground. He was struggling. As she watched, he began to turn blue.
"Star!" She called through the glass. "Star! Listen to me, sugah. Ya gotta let 'im go, honey. C'mon, Star." Her voice grew almost frantic as the punk's struggles grew weaker. "C'mon, baby. Let me out. You can't kill 'im." The door opened and she nearly fell through in her haste. She moved forward carefully, slowly approaching Star and her captive. She put her hand on Star's shoulder. Her body was fiery hot through the thin cloth of her blouse. "Let 'im go, gal."
"Why? He tried to kill that woman and her children. He was going to hurt Jubilee."
"You're right, sugah. But that's what we got cops and judges for. I'll explain how it all works later, but you gotta let go now!" Stretch dropped suddenly to the ground, drew a deep shuddering breath, and began to retch. Jubilee burst through the door behind them and skidded to a halt.
"Looks like I missed all the fun."
"Shut up, Jubilee."
"Well, excuse me!"
Rogue moved in front of Star, who still stood rigidly, with her hands clenched at her side. Her skin was still hot.
"Star. C'mon, honey. Its all over." Star slumped slightly and brought her hands up to her face. Rogue put her arms protectively around her. "C'mon over here, sugah." She drew Star to a bench just to the side of the door, and sat her down on it. "Jubilee, stay with her for a sec, please."
"Sure." Jubilee put her arm around Star. "Boy, you're burnin' up." Rogue moved to the bank of phones on the other side of the door, dropped a coin in one, and called home.
"Hello? Why hello, Chere. You 'member to pick up dem cards fo' me?"
"'Course, Gambit. Listen, I need to talk to the Professor, right now."
"Problems, Chere?"
"You could say that, sugah."
"I get him for you. Hang on."
"What's wrong, Rogue?" The Professor asked a moment later.
"Did ya get that custody order for Star yet, Professor?"
"Beast and Storm decided that she was probably legally of age."
"Well, get 'em to change their minds, and get legal custody, right quick."
"Rogue, what has happened."
"No time now, Professor. The cops just got here, and I gotta go deal with them. Bye, now." She cut the connection.
"Back off, you jerk." Jubilee was saying to the uniformed officer who seemed determined to arrest Star. Star still had her face buried in her hands. Jubilee had both arms around her now, determined to protect her.
"What seems to be the problem, officer?" Rogue asked.
"I've got to take her in, ma'am."
"What on earth for? The child was just attacked by those three goons, and you want to arrest her?"
"Well, they claim she tried to kill them."
"Oh, right. This little slip of a thing tried to kill those three big apes. An' I suppose you're ready to believe them?"
"Not really, but I can't get her to say anything."
"Well, let me tell you what happened, officer. These two girls were gettin' ice cream and mindin' their own business when your three 'victims' decided to have a little fun. When the girls didn't play along, they grabbed 'em. Jubilee got loose, but Star couldn't. One o' these goons had a gun. Those two in there, the one's with the headaches? tried to go out through the 'in' door and got knocked cold. Once he got her through the door, Star did what daddies've been teachin' their little girls to do as long as there have been daddies and little girls, and kicked him where it'd do the most good." Rogue put her hands on her hips and looked the policeman in the eye. "Now, which story sounds more reasonable to you."
"You're right, of course, ma'am." He cleared his throat. "I will need a statement from each of you, when you feel up to it." He looked back at Star and Jubilee. Jubilee glared at him. "You sure they're OK?"
"I'll take 'em to the doctor soon's they've calmed down a bit."
"All right, ma'am." He turned to the other officers, just arriving. "Let's get those three locked up, and let these ladies' get on with their lives." The Security Guard showed up then, loaded with their purchases. Rogue went after the car and the guard loaded their sacks into the trunk while Rogue and Jubilee helped Star into the car.
The trip back to the mansion was made in silence.
Professor Xavier, Jean Grey and Cyclops met them at the door. Jean and Cyclops hurried down the steps to help with Star.
"She hasn't said anything since we got in the car." Jubilee told them. Jean leaned into the car.
"Star? Can you hear me?" Star sighed, but said nothing.
"Let's go inside, Star." Jean took her hand and helped her from the car. Star cooperated, but made no move to act independently. Jean led her up the stairs to Professor Xavier.
"Star. Child, come back to us. We can not help you if you shut us out." Star turned her head and looked at him.
"Why, Professor?" She asked him quietly. "Why did he hate me?" He glanced at Rogue.
"The girls were attacked by some anti-mutant punks." She told him.
"People are afraid of what they don't understand, Star. Many hate what they are afraid of." He looked up into her pale face. "Come inside, child, and I will try to explain."
Star sat quietly on the couch in the study. Professor Xavier moved his chair next to her and took her hand.
"Star, the world is full of ugliness. One of the things we try to do here is to lessen the ugliness." She looked at him, her face expressionless. "I had hoped to protect you longer. I did not believe you would be in danger, or I would not have let any of you go."
"I nearly killed him, Professor." She said suddenly. "If Rogue hadn't stopped me, I would have. I could feel his hate, burning him up inside, and I wanted to crush it."
"Will you let me see what happened?" She just looked at him. "Share your memory with me Star." After a moment she nodded.
He was sitting at a table in the mall, watching Jubilee place an order at a counter. There was a large sign just over her head, but he couldn't read it. The letters were perfectly clear, but they didn't mean anything. A dark presence moved in front of him. It spoke, but the words were unclear. Then there were two more, one on each side and he was being pulled to his feet. The first presence moved very close, pressing against him. Images of his(her) body pinned down, being hurt, passed through the other's mind, very clearly. He(she) was not this dark creature's first victim. It knew exactly what it would do with him(her) when it had him(her) away from this place.
He felt, rather than saw, Jubilee's approach. One of the lesser creatures moved toward her. It was going to hurt her! No! But before he could stop the thing, Jubilee had (knocked it down? He didn't understand.) The creature holding him turned toward Jubilee, and he felt a flash of fear from her. It was holding a (gun?) thing and pointing it at him. The creature was afraid now, too. Afraid of Jubilee? Why?
He felt himself being dragged backwards, away from Jubilee. Then he was running, the creature holding tightly to his arm. The other two were following, but not as fast. One of them was hurt. The creature dragged him around a corner, and he felt Jubilee start to fade as they moved further away. In front of them, he felt a woman with two small children, their presence bright as the sun. There was a surge of hatred from the thing dragging him along. It pointed the (gun?) at them. It made a loud noise and a spinning piece of metal leaped from the end, hurtling toward the smaller child. He reached out with his mind and slapped it away. He began to grow angry. The thing barked again and a second piece of metal leaped toward the trio. He slapped it away also. He was yanked past the cowering family and through a door. Enough! He pulled his arm free, which startled the dark creature. He slammed the door shut behind them as the other two reached it. They hit the door hard, desperate to escape, but he held it closed effortlessly. He felt their pain, felt them fall, but this seemed to only fuel his anger. The first creature pointed the (gun) at him, but it suddenly had no confidence in the weapon. He took it from its nerveless hands, crumpling it into an unrecognizable ball of useless metal. Then he seized the creature with his mind. Hatred had been replaced by fear. This thing was afraid of him! Good. Let it feel what the woman had felt. Let it feel as Jubilee had felt. Slowly, he crushed it, savoring its panic, as it felt itself dying.
He became aware of Rogue's presence behind him. She was frantic, fearful, desperate to reach him before he was ... hurt? He wasn't in any danger, why was she frightened? He released the door and Rogue burst through, rushing towards him.
"Let 'im go, gal." He heard her say.
"Why?" he answered. "He tried to kill that woman and her children. He was going to hurt Jubilee."
"You're right, sugah. But that's what we got cops and judges for. I'll explain how it all works later, but you gotta let go now!" He felt confused, but dropped the thing he held, letting it fall unheeded to the ground. He felt Jubilee approach, felt her fear for him. His anger faded to nothing and suddenly the thing on the ground became a person. Full of pain and terror. He had done this. Once again, he had caused pain. He felt himself slipping away into the darkness. It was safe there. But that caused pain for others as well. There would be no escape. He felt Jubilee's arm around him. Her presence steadied him, but he was not ready to come all the way back. Not yet. Just let him rest here in the shadows for a while. Just rest. He was so tired.
Professor Xavier came to himself with a start. Star sat on the couch, watching him impassively, as if waiting for him to pass judgment on her. Which, he supposed, she was.
"You did well to protect the woman and her children, Star. The cre... the man who attacked you deserved the treatment he received." He reached for her hand, and held it in his own. "Rogue was right, however. We must let the law punish your attacker." She didn't move at all, not even a blink. It was disconcerting how still this child could be. "This does not mean you do not have the right to protect yourself, or others around you." He looked at her intently, wishing for some sign that she had understood what he was trying to tell her. "Star?"
"Yes, Professor." Her tone was as flat as her expression.
"I am proud of you, child." he said earnestly. "You could have killed him, but you chose not too. It does not matter that you were influenced by Rogue, the decision was yours. And I believe you made the right one."
"Thank you, Professor." He released her hand, still disturbed by her lack of emotion. He gently probed her mind, but she had closed him out. She needed time to absorb everything that had happened to her in such a short period. He prayed he could grant her all the time she needed.
She stood to leave, then swayed on her feet. He reached out to steady her and noticed for the first time how gaunt her face was. She appeared thinner than she had earlier, as if it had been days, lean and hungry days, at that, since he had seen her, instead of merely a few hours.
"Star? Are you all right?"
"Yes, Professor. Just tired, and a little hungry."
"Well, go get something to eat, then perhaps a nap would do you some good."
"All right." She turned away from him, leaving his study without glancing back. If she had turned, she would have seen the worried look he wore. One of his children was in trouble, hurting, and he didn't know how to help. Again.
Gambit was waiting for Rogue at the doorway to the living room.
"You okay, Chere? And de petite femmes? Dey all right? What happened?"
"I missed most of it, Remy. Jubilee's shaken up, but I think she'll be fine." She looked over her shoulder toward the Professor's study. "I'm not so sure about Star. That little gal's taken more in the last few days than most folk have to deal with in a lifetime."
"Sound like most of us here, no?"
"Yeah. But it don't make it any easier when it starts all over again."
"No, it don't. Now, you gonna tell me what happen', or you gonna let me go crazy wonderin'?"
"Come gimme a hand with the stuff in the car and I'll fill ya in."
"Got yo'self a deal, Chere." They went back outside to unload the car. Jubilee was there, and had removed about half the packages from the trunk.
"I was beginning to think I was gonna hafta carry all this stuff in by myself."
"Never fear, mon petite. The cavalry done arrive'." Gambit told her. "Dese all go to Star's room?"
"Yup. Two or three more shopping trips, and we should have everything she needs." Jubilee made a face. "If the Professor ever lets us go to the mall again."
"Probably not for a little while, Jubilee." Rogue told her, with a grin for Gambit's horrified expression as he eyed the packages. "But he knows he can't keep us locked up. It just don' work. Here," she handed Jubilee three bags, "Take these up to Star's room an' get 'em put up. Gambit an' I'll bring the rest up in a minute." Jubilee looked at the bags then grinned.
"Yeah, wouldn't want Gambit to get embarrassed by seeing a ladies' unmentionables, right?"
"Right. Now, git." Rogue shooed her inside. Gambit started picking up bags and packages, shaking his head. He never would understand females. Rogue joined him with a smile,
"Now, like I said, I missed most of it, but from what I could figure out...."
"Then apparently one of 'em made a grab for Jubilee, and all hell broke loose." Rogue said as she opened the door for Gambit, his arms so loaded with packages that he could barely see over them.
"What's that?" Wolverine interrupted.
"There was ... some trouble at the mall, Wolverine."
"Jubilee okay? Where is she?"
"She's fine, Wolverine. She's in Star's room."
"Yeah, she be puttin' up "unmentionbles". Here, take some o' dis..." Wolverine was gone. "Damn. C'mon, Rogue. I wanna get shut o' some o' dis stuff."
"Jubilee." Wolverine said from the doorway.
"Aaak! Jeez! I wish you guys'd quit sneaking up on me!"
"Are you all right?"
"I am fine!" She slammed the drawer she had just finished filling. She stood for a moment with her back to the door, then said, "No I'm not." She plopped down on the edge of the bed. Wolverine sat next to her, put an arm around her and held her gently.
"Wolvie, I felt so helpless. Everything happened so fast." She gulped. "Rogue said she had ta get some cards and that me an' Star should get some ice cream. I told Star to stay with our stuff, and that I'd be right back. Next thing I know, these two creeps have hold of her, and a third one's coming for me. Oh, Wolverine, I should'a never left her alone! She just stood there, that blank look on her face she gets when she doesn't understand what's going on. Then this jerk's shovin' me, so I shoved him back. He went flying. Then the other one grabbed a gun and shoved it inta Star's ribs. I just knew he was gonna kill her. Then he dragged her off down the mall and I didn't dare follow, long as he could see me. Then Rogue popped up and scared me half to death, and she took off after 'em, and I heard shots, and I expected to find 'em BOTH dead when I got to the corner, only Star was outside, and Rogue couldn't get the door open, and I was...I was...I was really wishin' you were there, 'cause you always know what to do and I didn't!" she gasped, and added, "Then the cops showed up and wanted to blame Star, but Rogue took care a' that. Then we came home." She clung to him for a moment.
"Thanks, Wolverine."
"Anytime, darlin'. Need any help with this stuff?"
"No! I mean, this is girl stuff. I'll take care of it. Why don't you go check on Star."
"Might just." He passed Rogue and Gambit, still loaded with packages, in the hall.
"From dat glazed look in his eye, I t'ink he find Jubilee."
"I think you're right, sugah. Shore 'nuff, here she is. Got all that stuff put away, Jubilee?"
"Not quite. Just put the rest of it on the bed, and I'll sort it out in a minute." Gambit gratefully dumped the packages.
"Hear anything from Star?"
"Not yet, sugah." Rogue told her.
Star stumbled as she reached the kitchen. She leaned on the door for a moment. Her arms hurt, and both were beginning to show bruises. Her ribs ached. And she was so tired. She staggered to a chair and nearly fell into it. She pulled her blouse up to examine her side. A large purple bruise was spreading. In the center of the bruise was the clear imprint of the metal thing she had been threatened with. She pulled her blouse back down. She was wondering if she had enough energy left to make it up the stairs to her room when she saw Wolverine glide past the door. She liked him. His mind was strange. Wild. But caring, and oddly gently. She did not try to read him, knowing she had taxed herself too greatly already. Instead, she thought about how far it was to her room. She put her arms on the table, and rested her head on them. "I'll just sit here for a moment," she thought, "then I will do as I have been told. Just for a moment." Her eyes closed.
The door to the study opened just as Wolverine reached it. Professor Xavier drifted out, frowning.
"How's the kid, Professor?"
"Um? Star? She was quite unsettled by the events today. She truly does not understand much of what occurred." He sighed. "She showed me what happened as she saw it. We did not speak for long. How was I to explain the actions of mad men to a child who has no normality to compare them too?" He shook his head. "She accepts everything I tell her without question. It is tempting to say 'Don't worry. Father will fix it.' But we both know that, quite often 'Father' can't 'fix it'."
"Where is she?"
"I sent her to get something to eat, and told her to rest." He paused. "Didn't you come past the kitchen?"
"Yeah. But that kid can sit so still, you don't see 'er. She ain't got much of a scent, either." He turned toward the kitchen. "I'll go see if she's there. Told Jubilee I'd check on her."
"How is Jubilee doing?"
"She'll be okay." Wolverine chuckled. "She's more scared that you won't let 'er go shoppin' again, than anything else."
"I will never understand teenagers."
"That makes two of us, Chuck." Wolverine said over his shoulder as he made his way toward the kitchen, his footsteps nearly silent. He looked in and there she was, absolutely motionless. She was apparently asleep, with her head on her arms. He went into the room, intending to wake her gently and send her to bed. He frowned when he saw the darkening bruises on her arms. Anybody that'd hurt a little thing like her or Jubilee, deserved whatever rough treatment they got. And then some.
He crouched beside her chair, trying not to frighten her when she woke.
"Hey, kid." He said quietly. "The kitchen's no place to sleep." She didn't respond. "Star? C'mon, darlin'. Wake up fer yer pal." He touched her arm, then stood up abruptly. She was ice cold. He quickly checked her throat for a pulse and was relieved to find one, slow but steady. He hurried to the door. Professor Xavier was visible at the far end, speaking with someone just out of sight.
"Chuck." he called. Xavier turned toward him.
"What is it, Wolverine?"
"Its Star. You better come check." He moved back to Star's side. Xavier joined him a moment later.
"I couldn't wake 'er up." Wolverine explained, "An' she's cold." Xavier place his hand on Star's forehead, shocked by the temperature of her skin despite what Wolverine had told him. He probed her mind. What he found was almost amusing.
"She's asleep."
"What?"
"She's so deeply asleep, it almost borders on hibernation, but it is still just sleep." Wolverine looked at Star. Then, with his arms crossed, he shook his head.
"Kid, you sure do give an old man grief." He bent to lift her from the chair, intending to put her to bed, where she belonged. When he put his arm around her she flinched, moaning. He had, unknowingly, caught the bruise on her ribs. She opened her eyes for a moment and looked up at him.
"Wolverine," she whispered, then her eyes closed once more. He stood, cradling her slight form in his arms.
"Storm was just telling me that the child's powers draw heavily on her physical reserves."
"And she ain't got no reserves."
"Precisely. On a normal day, she probably requires more calories than you do. And today was decidedly not a normal day." Xavier reached up and stroked Star's cheek tenderly. "Put her to bed, Wolverine. Take some fruit up and put it by her bed. When she awakens, she will be ravenous."
He carried her up the stairs effortlessly, she didn't seem to weigh anything.
When Wolverine reached Star's room, Rogue and Jubilee were sorting packages, Gambit having made good his escape as soon as he was able. Jubilee turned toward him as he intentionally bumped the doorframe.
"Wolvie, what...?" Jubilee exclaimed at the sight of Star, lying unmoving in Wolverine's arms.
"'S okay, Jube. Kid's just beat." He jerked his head toward the bed. "Ya wanna clear that off so's I can put her down? Not that she weighs nothing, but the bed's gotta be more comfortable than this." Jubilee and Rogue quickly cleared off the bed and Wolverine gently laid Star on it. Jubilee pulled her boots off and put them in the closet.
"Rogue, check out her right side. She was actin' like it hurt her."
"No wonder," Rogue told him a moment later. "She's got a real nasty bruise here. I don't think her ribs are cracked, though. It'll be sore as the devil for a while. She's so cold." Rogue spread the comforter over Star. "Poor little thing. She could really use a change o' luck."
"Jube, would ya fetch that bowl a' fruit from the kitchen? Chuck said she'll be starvin' when she wakes up."
"Sure thing, Wolvie." Jubilee scooted out the door and started down the hall. "Jubilee!" Wolverine called after her.
"Yeah?"
"Leave 'er lights on, okay darlin'?"
"Sure."
"Did ya get that custody order for Star, Professor?" Rogue asked later.
"Yes. Beast said Star could be anywhere from sixteen to twenty-three, so I went with the low end and called her seventeen. Do you still think it will be necessary?"
"You kiddin'? They was tryin' to arrest her right then. I talked 'em out of it, but I doubt we've heard the last o' them punks." She snorted. "Kids like them, their parents've got more money than sense. They'll prob'ly file assault charges on her 'fore we're done."
"No doubt you are correct."
"What's the name on the order?"
"Emily Deidre Star."
"Emily?"
"You rushed me, Rogue. It was the only thing I could think of."
"Okay." Rogue grinned at him. "So, who's Emily?"
"A childhood friend, Rogue." He answered, refusing to be baited.
"I was just wonderin'." Rogue told him sweetly.