The Hunter
By: Kismet NoelaniDisclaimer: I own them, what can I say? Turns and looks at her lawyer What do you mean I can't say that?! Fine I don't really own the X-Men. They all belong to someone else. Or several someone else's. Sigh 'Isn't that sad? Oh, well. I do own Cyrene Hunter and the story line.
Author's Notes: Hurrah! Chapter Three has arrived! Yippee! Sorry it's taken me so long, but I'm graduating. I have finals and stuff going on. It's all over now, so hopefully I'll be faster. Read and review por favor. I took a few liberties with the history of a certain character, I'm sorry if that really bugs you, but I wanted to fit him in. All flames will be used to roast marshmallows for the s'mores I will give to everyone who writes good reviews. J And now, on with the show.
All personal thoughts are in italics.
All telepathic thoughts are *italics*
Chapter Three
Cyrene drove her car down her street. What a day! she thought, exhausted. After leaving the school she had gone back into the city to grab her personnel reviews. She needed to pick a new president for the company. Going into the city had worsened her headache. It was pounding. She turned the corner and saw her house. Oh, I just want to sleep!
Her neighbors were fighting again. She could feel it all the way down the block. She did her best to ignore it and wished for the days when she could have soothed their emotions. But I can't do that anymore. I just don't have any control anymore, she thought bitterly. She parked her car in her driveway, gathered her things, and dragged herself into her two-story home outside the city. She had tried an apartment when she had first moved to New York, but after about a week the raw emotions of a whole building of people nearly drove her to a nervous breakdown. She had moved out. That had been fifteen years ago, and while her control still wasn't up to her previous standards she had improved quite a bit since then. Enough so that now she lived with two roommates.
The very first thing she noticed as she neared the house was the incredibly high-tension level. She sighed and rolled her eyes wondering what Remy had done to Davin this time. Contemplating the many problems of living with two males, one of them a teenager, Cyrene entered the kitchen, only to watch a meatball come flying at her and freeze in midair.
"Hey! Watch it!" she snapped, her headache coming back full force. "I just spent the day with a bunch of hormonal teenagers. I have the headache of the century!"
Remy stuck out his tongue while Davin began lecturing him on his immaturity.
"Davin! Remy! That's enough!" They both stopped and she gave them an exasperated look. "Will. You. Calm. Down!" They looked at her sheepishly and the emotions toned down to a bearable level. "Thank you. That wasn't an explosive meatball, I hope." She leveled her gaze at Remy.
"Non," Remy answered, ducking his head slightly in embarrassment.
"Good." She turned to Davin, "I guess we're having spaghetti?"
"Yes," Davin answered. Cooking was Davin's passion in life. Even spaghetti was heavenly when he made it. He was a tall, dark, handsome man, originally from South Africa. He had come to the United States for college and had stayed. He was intelligent, well spoken, and gorgeous. He was also an artist. He could use just about any medium; sculpture, painting, drawing, you name it, Davin could do it.
Remy, on the other hand, had no artistic talent. While no less gorgeous, he was from New Orleans. He had been a thief until about two years ago, when Cyrene had gone there…
(flashback) She was there for a business trip, and was obviously carrying a lot of money. Her firm was well known and she was visiting an important client. New Orleans was a bustling city at all times of the year, and the fact that Mardi Gras was only two weeks away wasn't helping anything. She fought her was down the crowded street, trying to get to her clients home. She was almost there when she felt a shove, not uncommon for the time of year, and then a hand slip into her pocket. She spun around and clamped her hand down on an arm. A kid. He was a just a kid, probably about 15 or 16. He was a little on the thin side, but very well muscled. And good at his job. If she hadn't been expecting it, she never would have noticed. His eyes widened when he realized he'd been caught and he jerked back trying to get free of her, but she hadn't let him go. This kid needed help. Over all the other thoughts and feelings she had been picking up in this city, his were crying out the loudest. Some of it may have been that she was just physically closer to him, but he was desperately unhappy. She looked into his eyes, strange eyes, mutant eyes. A red on black that she had never seen anything like before. "I'll make you a deal kid," she had offered.
The fear in his eyes changed to suspicion. "You not going to turn Remy into the police, mademoiselle?" he asked.
Creole accent. He probably spoke fluent French. He'd also probably been on the streets most of his life. She didn't blame him for suspecting her. She wouldn't have trusted anyone if she had been in his position. Hell, she had been in his position. "Listen kid, no games. I'm going to let you go, if you do something for me."
His eyes narrowed and he looked her up and down. "Depends on what. Somet'ings Remy would rather go to jail than do." He didn't look happy.
It would have taken her a while to figure out what he was talking about if he hadn't been broadcasting his thoughts for the entire world to hear. She was going to have to teach him no to do that. She gave him a disgusted look. "How old are you? Fifteen? Sixteen maybe? No, I need someone who knows the city to get me from one place to the next quickly and someone to run errands for me," she told him. His distrust of her was so strong she could almost taste it.
"What makes you think Remy won't take off wit' your stuff? After all he be a thief." He was standing over her now. But Cyrene had been the shortest one around for many, many years. Height wasn't a very intimidating factor anymore. She looked at him for a moment and smiled at him. "You wouldn't run off with my stuff."
"How do you know?" He looked like a sullen teenager now.
She smiled again. He was a cute kid. A real charmer. She relaxed her grip on his arm and spoke to him in French. "Because, one, you're going to give your word of honor, and two, I'd hunt you down if you did. And you don't want me to do that." She had grinned at him while she spoke, but he understood the threat.
For then next two weeks Remy had followed her around as her assistant. She'd bought him new clothes, taken him to dinner in all sorts of places, gotten him a hotel room next door to her, and taught him all sorts of things. Once he realized she wasn't going to turn him in, they had fallen into a sort of teacher to student friendship. When the two weeks had ended she had offered him a place to live back in New York. He had accepted, not really having anywhere else to go. Two months later she became his legal guardian, but they thought of each other as brother and sister. He certainly gave her the same amount of crap a younger brother would give his sister. Both of the boys did.
She sat down at the table as Davin turned back to his cooking and Remy looked back at his homework. She watched him for a moment before speaking. "Trouble with your homework?"
He looked up and glared at her, "Oui," he said shortly. Remy hadn't had much to do with school before he moved in with her. It was one of the few serious arguments they'd had. She had wanted him to go to school, he'd flat out refused. They'd ended up compromising with Remy home schooling and Cyrene helping him when he needed it.
She watched him for a few moments longer. "How would you feel about coming to visit a new school with me on Monday?"
"Huh? A new school?" He looked up at her, surprised.
"Yeah. It's a school for mutants. You game?" she asked casually. She knew better then to try too hard with Remy. He liked to do things on his own time and make his own decisions.
"Oui," he said slowly. "I would be interested in seeing this place." She'd almost broken him of his habit of speaking in third person.
"Okay," she smiled and turned to Davin, "How about you? Feel like coming with us?"
He grinned back at her. "Why not? We'll make an outing of it."
Cyrene leaned back in her chair and grinned. Things were starting to come together.
*****
Professor Xavier watched as the two cars came up the drive on Monday morning. He had sent Ororo to meet them out front and show them up to his office. She had agreed to be their guide until lunch, when she had to go teach her history class. Keeping a close mental eye on the proceedings, he quickly skimmed everyone's minds. *How are things going Ororo?*
Good. There are more people then expected and a very large dog... she trailed off for a moment before starting again. We're on our way up.
A moment later, laughter was heard outside his door, followed by a soft knock.
"Come in."
"Good morning Professor. I'd like to introduce a few people to you. This," she gestured to the couple with their son, "is Mr. and Mrs. Cayce and their son Chase. I believe you have already met Miss Hunter. This is her brother Remy LeBleu and her friend Davin Mondavi." A low growl was heard. "Oh! And this is Butch Cassidy," she said pointing to the huge dog that had flopped down at Chase's feet.
"Welcome to my school for gifted youngsters," Xavier began, smiling reassuringly at them. "I'm Professor Charles Xavier. I own and run this school." He turned to Chase. "I hear from Miss Hunter that you, young man, have a very interesting gift."
Chase glanced quickly at Cyrene, who smiled and nodded at him, before nodding at Xavier. Laura Cayce quickly jumped in. "I hope you don't mind Butch, but Chase said he wanted to come see the school too. So, he came. It's hard to argue with Butch."
"That's perfectly alright. We are quite used to things not going exactly as planned," Xavier answered. Ororo smiled slightly.
The Cayce's asked a number of questions about the teachers and other students and classes. They were a little nervous about leaving their son here, but Cyrene had recommended it quite highly. Once their questions were answered, Ororo took the Cayce's out for a tour of the building and the grounds. Cyrene, Davin, and Remy stayed behind. Cyrene smiled and took a seat next to the boys.
"How can I help you?" she asked.
"I wanted to ask you three a few questions." At Cyrene's nod he continued. "I would like to know exactly what you two have come for." Professor Xavier looked at Remy and Davin.
"Well, I have come because she has asked me to come look at the school," Remy answered without hesitation. "I do not go to school."
The Professor nodded and transferred his gaze to Davin. "And what about you?"
"I'm with them." Xavier raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Okay, honestly, I thought I'd take a look around and see if you needed any more teachers," Davin said.
Xavier looked over at Cyrene who seemed to have a slight smile on her face. She seemed amused about something. He caught her eye and she nodded.
He looked back at Davin. "We would love to have you here as a teacher if you'd like."
He considered his words for a moment before answering. "If it's alright with you two..." he trailed off and looked over at Remy and Cyrene. Remy was watching him very carefully with and unreadable expression on his face. Cyrene on the other hand was smiling. She concentrated. *Davin? Get a job!? I never thought I'd see the day!* He rolled his eyes at her and grinned back at the Professor. "I'd love to."
"Would you be interested in moving in here? Or will you be commuting in?" Xavier asked.
"Moving in," Davin answered, knowing Cyrene would approve and that way he'd be able to keep a closer eye on Remy. If Remy came.
While Davin and Xavier took care of all the details Cyrene turned her mind to the boy sitting next to her. *What about you kid? You going with Davin?* she asked without looking at him.
He considered for a moment. He liked the feeling he got from this place. He really did. But, he wasn't sure. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew Cyrene wouldn't be moving in like Davin. He turned to face her. "I think, I'll would like to see the rest of the place first."
She nodded. He would probably end up here. She thought it was a good place for him. He would make friends and have mentors. Besides Davin would make sure he was okay.
Xavier turned to her. "I would also like to extend the invitation to you. We would love to have you..." he trailed off.
Cyrene was smiling and shaking her head. "I have a business to run and some other things to take care of."
Xavier smiled back. "I just thought I'd ask you. Well, if you're sure that you won't stay with us you're welcome back anytime."
"Thank you Charles."
"I've called Scott Summers, another one of our teachers, to come and give you a tour. Take a look at the grounds, talk to some of the students, and feel free to ask any questions you like." The door opened as Xavier finished speaking revealing a tall, clean cut man wearing red sunglasses. The three stood.
"It was nice to meet you professor," Remy said politely.
"Yes, very nice. I'll be seeing you in a few days then," Davin said.
Cyrene inclined her head ever so slightly. "Charles, I'll be in touch." They followed Scott into the hall leaving Charles alone with his thoughts, whatever they happened to be.
Scott turned and smiled at them, trying to put them at ease. The younger boy seemed a little tense. "Hello everyone. I'm Scott Summers. I teach shop, driver's ed., and English." He smiled a greeting to Cyrene.
He shook their hands and took the trio around the grounds and introduced them to the teachers. They ate lunch and spoke with some of the students. He did not take them into the lower levels, however. At the end of the day they met back up with Ororo and the Cayce's. They were moving Chase in a week.
'Thank you for everything," Laura said as the group left. "Cy, how can we ever thank you. That place is just perfect. It's everything that we've been looking for."
"Don't worry about thanking me," Cyrene said. She turned to Chase, "What do you think kiddo?"
"It's okay. They've got some really cool stuff. And they kids were pretty cool." Cyrene smiled and gave him a high five.
"Good. You take care of Remy and Davin okay? They're coming here too."
He nodded. "No problem."
"See you later kiddo."
They got into their cars and started down the driveway. "Well, what did you think?" Cyrene asked as she, Davin, and Remy cruised down the highway.
"I liked it," Remy said decisively.
"Good! You can both go next week!" She was grinning. I have some things to take care of out west anyway. And goddess only knows what would happen to my house if I left you two alone there."
"What about you?" Remy asked concerned.
"I'll be fine kid. You guys move in to that mansion. They've got some cute girls there." Both men blushed. "I'll come and visit you."
While she seemed pleased for them on the outside, she was actually left with a bittersweet feeling. If she could have gone with them, she probably would have, but she knew when it was time to leave. She'd been playing the game for centuries.
*****
That evening, Charles Xavier called the X-Men together. "Well, what do you think about our visitors?" he asked.
Scott was the first to speak up. "Well, I think that the younger boy, Chase, will fit in just fine. It's great that his parents are so supportive of him. I think that Remy and Davin will do pretty well here also. Although it may take a little more adjustment."
Only one part of that really caught Ororo's attention. "Davin is coming here?" she asked.
"He's coming to teach art and a few other things possibly," Professor Xavier told her, catching her stray thought. He's attractive...
"What about Miss Hunter?" Jean asked worriedly.
"What about her?"
"Is she coming here as well?"
"No, she does run a very successful business," Xavier told her. She had voiced her worries with Cyrene. He wondered what she was still upset about. His announcement seemed to put her more at ease though. The meeting broke up soon after, on a positive note, but somewhere in the back of her mind, Jean Grey was still worried about Cyrene Hunter.