Author's Note: This chapter is not really up to my personal standards,
but I figured that I've made everyone wait so long, I should post it anyway.
Little Girl Lost
(Starring Storm)
Chapter 3
By Corina "Mako" Borsuk
"Hey 'Ro, how's it goin'?"
"What? Oh, Logan, it is you."
"Yup, it's me. So, wanna let me in on your little secret."
"I do not know what you mean Logan. I have no secret."
"Well darlin' ya sure as heck got somethin' goin'. I ain't seen ya this happy in a long time. Bet it's got somethin' to do with where ya sneak off to every so often."
"I do not sneak off. But yes, that is why I am so happy. I did not share this with anyone because I feared someone might object."
"Don't see how anyone would object to whatever's makin' ya so happy. I sure ain't."
Storm decided that perhaps it was time to share her secret with someone else, so she sat down and began her story. She told Logan everything. She described Emily and their unique meeting. Ororo expressed her feelings for the child, and her frequent visits. Logan listened silently, only nodding his head every so often.
When Ororo finished, Logan took a long sip of beer before responding. "Sounds like ya really love this kid 'Ro. I know this is gonna sound strange comin' from me, but it's good to have a kid around. Havin' Jubilee around is a good influence on me. Helps me see things differently. It was sorta like that with Kitty, wasn't it 'Ro?"
Ororo nodded and sighed, "Sometimes I think you know me better than I know myself old friend."
"Comes from bein' observant. Also comes from bein' in a similar situation. I don't know what I woulda done without Jubilee. She don't know it, but the kid saved my life and my soul.
"Looks like the kid, Emily's her name right? Looks like she's doin' a good job of helpin' you out in the soul department, if ya know what I mean? Considerin' how you've been acting lately, I'd say she's good for you. But, she's eatin' ya up inside, too. You're feelin' guilty about leavin' her in the orphanage. At the same time, ya don't wanna put the kid in danger by adopting her. That's pretty much it, right?"
"Exactly, and I do not know what to do about it. Every time I see Emily, I am reminded that she does not have a real family. A family that I want so much to give her. Yet, when I am here, I am reminded how dangerous our lives are. How can I place an innocent in such danger?"
"Ever consider the kid might be better off with us? With you? Sure we live dangerous lives, but it'd be a home. I know you'd give her lots of love and I'm willin' to bet the rest of the team would welcome her. 'Sides, she already knows you're a mutant. What's the difference if she knows about us too?
"Another thing, you give any thought to the fact she might be a mutant? If she is, it might be safer for her here. It'd be a lot better for the kid if she learned about her powers with us instead of some muta-phobic bunch a' jerks."
"I must admit, I had not considered that Emily might be a mutant. Still, even if she is, I am not sure this would be the best place for her."
Logan took another long sip of beer and stood up. "Ya may be right 'Ro. But, I got one last thing to ask ya. Now that Emily is talkin', how long ya figure until someone adopts her? Someone who may not be so willin' to let a stranger visit their little girl. Just think about it darlin'." With that he downed the rest of his beer and walked away, leaving Ororo to consider his words.
**********
A few days later, an exotic woman and a young girl were driving down the streets of New York towards an unknown destination. Unknown for one at least.
"What's my surprise, Aunt Storm? Tell me! Tell me! Tell me! I can't wait. Pleeeeease!"
"I am sorry, child, but you will have to wait. Otherwise it would not be a surprise."
"C'mon, please tell me. Just a little hint. Huh? Please."
"No, you must wait. No hints either," she teased the excited child. Before continuing, Ororo resolved herself to ask the question that had been on her mind for some time.
"Emily, I know this might be hard for you, but," here she paused to take a deep breath, "why did you choose to speak to me? After not speaking to anyone for so long, why did you choose to open up to me?"
Emily did not answer. Her eyes closed tightly, as if she were concentrating very hard. Storm was afraid she had somehow traumatized the child. Quickly, she searched for a place to pull off the road so she could check on the girl. Before she could though, Emily opened her eyes and said, "I don't know."
Ororo was relieved that Emily seemed to be fine, and let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. She opened her mouth to speak, but before the words came out, Emily continued.
"I mean, I know why, but I don't know how to say it. It doesn't want to come out. I'm sorry."
"Do not be sorry, child. It is often very difficult to describe your feelings to someone else. Besides, it does not really matter."
So, if it did not matter, why did Storm care so much. It should have been enough that Emily opened up to her. The whys and hows should not matter, only that, as Sarah said, a miracle occurred. But, as Ororo drove, she could not stop wondering why. She wanted to know why because she wanted some assurance, however small, that it was not a whim. And, she wanted to believe that she could actually offer this child something she wanted and needed, something more than the violence and uncertainty that life as an X-Man offered. She wanted to be more than just a substitute for the parents Emily did not have now, as she had with Kitty. No, she certainly did not want to repeat those mistakes.
"Aunt Storm, are you okay? You're real quiet and you look sad."
Smiling at Emily to reassure her, Ororo shook her head. "I am fine, child, and we are almost there."
"We are?"
"Yes. In fact, look up ahead. There is your surprise." Before them lay the gates to Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning and beyond that the X-Men's mansion.
**********
"Wow, you really live here? It's so big."
"I suppose it is. Come this way, Emily."
Storm was taking Emily on a tour of the mansion, or at least the non-sensitive areas. That mainly meant Emily was restricted to the living and dining areas. Even so, for Emily the place seemed huge. Sure, she was used to living in a big building. The orphanage was fairly large, but there were so many kids that it always seemed crowded.
There were a lot of people living here, too. Storm introduced her to some of them. Sam seemed nice. He even said she reminded him of one of his little sisters. Jean was really nice, too. She made Emily a sandwich for lunch. Remy made her giggle when he called Aunt Storm, Stormy. It was even funnier when Storm looked at him like she did. Most of the others just waved as they passed by.
Eventually, Storm stopped in front of one of the many doors that lined the hallway. Squatting down to be closer to Emily's eye level, she said, "There is one last person I would like you to meet. His name is Henry McCoy. He is a scientist and doctor."
"Doctor? Why are we gonna see him? Are you sick?"
"No child, not at all. Hank is a dear friend of mine and I would just like to introduce you. I also thought you might enjoy looking at some of his instruments."
"Well, maybe."
Ororo felt terrible for lying to Emily about the purpose of the visit. But, she did not want Emily to think it mattered if she were a mutant or not, and she also did not want the child getting her hopes up that she might be one. Logan had been correct, however. It was in Emily's best interests, as well as Storm's, to know if Emily was a mutant. Though Storm was relatively sure that, if she decided to follow through with an idea that had occurred to her last night, potential mutant powers would be one of the few things she would not have to worry about.
Ororo opened the door to revel a very clean, state-of-the-art laboratory and medical facility. Standing just inside was Dr. Hank McCoy, and for a moment Storm hesitated. She was not used to seeing her friend this way. No blue fur covered his body. Instead he wore a suit covered by a lab coat. His fur had been replaced by normal looking brown hair. The only thing that remained the same were the glasses sitting precariously on his nose. Both Hank and Ororo had agreed it would be best if he used his image inducer to mask his unique appearance. Storm did not wish to frighten Emily. She also did not want Emily to suspect what truly went on at the mansion. She was only a young child, but blue fur was bound to arose anyone's suspicions.
"Hello, you must be Emily. I've heard quite a bit about you. It seems your mere presence has an amazingly uplifting affect on our African resident."
"Huh?"
"Please excuse Hank, Emily. He enjoys showing off his rather large vocabulary."
"I would hardly call it showing off. I merely like to use the gifts at my disposal, which are numerous."
"That may be so, but we are not here to marvel at your gifts," the wind-rider replied, a slight smile gracing her face.
"Why did we come here?"
Although the question was directed at Ororo, it was Hank who answered. "My dear, you are here to partake of my infinite wisdom."
"Huh?"
"Hank thought you might enjoy learning a little about science," Ororo translated for the young girl.
"Oh. Guess so."
**********
For the next hour, Hank let Emily "play" with his equipment. Actually, he was using the opportunity to test Emily. She had an eye test, a hearing test, and an intelligence test. Hank even collected some hair, skin and blood samples for more in-depth tests, all under the guise of testing out his equipment.
When Hank seemed satisfied, he motioned to Ororo. She announced that it was time for Emily to return to the orphanage. With a slightly dejected look, Emily followed Storm back to the car.
"Why so sad, child? Did you not have fun?"
"I had lots of fun. That's why I'm sad," Emily replied. "I don't wanna leave. It was fun playing with Dr. McCoy's stuff."
"I am glad you enjoyed yourself. Perhaps I can bring you back for another visit some day. Would you like that?"
Emily nodded as she got in the car for the ride home.
**********
The next day Hank, back to his blue furry self, entered the kitchen as five sets of eyes turned to stare at him.
"Well, I have suddenly become a figure of extreme fascination. Could it be that I have information that is unknown to the rest of you?"
"Just spill it, Hank," Logan said between puffs of his cigar.
"Logan! How many times must I tell you not to smoke in the mansion? It may not affect your health, but others around you are not lucky enough to posses a healing factor."
"Don' worry 'bout de smoke. Tell us 'bout de chile."
"Gambit's right, Dr. McCoy. We'd like to know about Emily," Sam piped in.
Ororo looked around the kitchen smiling. Shortly after her conversation with Logan, most of the X-Men had learned about Emily. They were all very supportive and had encouraged her to bring Emily to the mansion. Jean, Remy, and Logan especially had wanted to meet the little girl. Although, she really should not have been surprised that her dearest friends were so supportive.
Scott and Bishop had been a different story. While no less happy for Ororo, both felt bringing a child to the mansion could be a security risk. Scott had practically forbidden it and Bishop backed him. Gambit and Wolverine had a little conversation with Bishop, to which Storm had not been privy, and the warrior from the future had grudgingly agreed not to interfere. According to Jean, she had a little talk with Scott and convinced him that it was the right thing to do. Jean wouldn't say exactly how she convinced him, but Gambit and Iceman had enjoyed trying to guess what Scott would not be getting if he didn't cooperate.
Now, Ororo was waiting for Hank to tell her if Emily was a mutant or not. For Ororo, it mattered very little at this point. She had already decided her course of action. But, it could definitely make a difference in Emily's future education.
Looking back to Hank, she let her eyes ask the question.
"Well, Emily is in perfect physical health. Her hearing and eyesight are normal for a child her age. From the samples I acquired, I could detect no health problems. Emily also has above average intelligence. Possibly, she has a genius IQ, though it is difficult to determine at her age."
Suddenly, Jean interrupted. "Emily is also fairly healthy mentally. Considering what she was subjected to . . ." Jean just shook her head in sadness. "She is surprisingly strong, emotionally. True, she closed up at the orphanage, but her time with Storm seems to have done her a world of good. Most of the emotional trauma and psychological damage is healing itself. Some of it will always be there, but it should fade almost completely with time and love."
Ororo sent Jean a questioning glance. "I did a psi-scan of Emily when she was here. I thought perhaps I could offer some counseling, if she needed it. It seems though, that she already has quite a good counselor," Jean said, smiling at Ororo. "Don't worry," she added. "I didn't pry anywhere I didn't need to."
Storm smiled and turned back to Hank. It was a relief to know that Emily had not been mentally scared for life from the terrible experiences in her early childhood. And, it was both comforting and quite the honor to know she had been as good for Emily as Emily had been for her.
"That's all well an' good. But, I coulda told you most of that myself. What I ain't hearin' is if the kid's a mutant or not. So, what about it, McCoy?"
"I can say with perfect confidence that Emily is most definitely not a mutant."
(to be continued)
