X~Men

As Aubree sat toweling her hair there was a knock at the door, and a male voice asking to come in. With a sigh she threw on a bathrobe and unlocked the door. A man strolled in wearing sunglasses; taking one look at her attire he grinned, not only physically but mentally. She couldn't help but smile back even though she had resolved to be miserable.

"Would you rather I come back in a few moments to show you to the dinner table?" He motioned towards the door.

Aubree just shook her head and took a change of clothes with her into the bathroom. She caught a brief mental tone of indignation, as he was set back by her abruptness before curiosity took over. By his thoughts she knew he was rummaging through her stuff. Cyclops was it or was it Scott? His thought weren't all to clear on that point.

Aubree walked out to see him holding a small picture in a thin silver frame. A happily sunburned, freckled faced, strawberry blond eight year old perched on the shoulders of a man with gray at the temples in a crisp white dress shirt, and an equally bright smile. Scott looked from her to the picture several times.

"Is it you?" He carefully examined her milky blue skin, black hair and solid glowing red eyes. Aubree came to stand beside him, slowly taking the picture from his hand, placing it back on the nightstand.

"Half a lifetime ago." Aubree admitted with a sad smile. Way back when her parents didn't cringe at the sight of her.

"So you DO talk! You know Storm was beginning to wonder." Scott cut himself off when he noticed her drawing back into a shell. Arms crossed protectively, a very soft smile touched her lips as she absently looked out the window trying to catch a glimpse of the last embers of the day. Meaning to be encouraging he reached out to touch her arm; Aubree pulled away moments before they touched.

"Your safe here you know." It was a statement not ment as a question; or to be argued.

"That has yet to be seen." Feeling a little defiant and annoyed with his assurance of ultimate protection Aubree decided to argue; and she knew exactly what would convince him of her superiority on the subject. For the first time she looked him strait in the face. The full red glare of her eyes had made even Colin flinch a time or two, but Scott just stood there unaffected and obviously confused. Aubree looked back at the sunset. That was not the expected reaction.

"I'm not safe much of anywhere anymore." Aubree absently added; more to herself than anyone.

Scott silently wished he had Jean or the Professor there to help him figure her out.

"What's that suppose to mean if you don't mind me asking?"

"Nothing." Shaking her head and rubbing her temples. Angry with herself for letting that slip. "I'm just tired and bit o' the pessimist. I'll be better in the morn." She faked a smile that would convince anyone that didn't know her well. Scott shrugged and led her down the long halls to the gathered throngs of students. Aubree mentally cringed as the full force of multiple curious youths invaded the calm recesses of her mind. She remembered how much she hated crowds and people in general for that matter.

Seeking a face she recognized; Aubree realized that Bobby and Rouge were seated at the opposite end of the table she had been directed to. With a warm smile, Bobby talked the young boy next to him into moving over one chair and waved her over.

"Thought you'd enjoy some company your first day here." Bobby whispered as Aubree came close enough to hear. His excitement was nearly drowned out by the background noise of the crowd.

"I appreciate your kindness greatly." She sighed dropping into the chair.

"Oh! Ah see someone else has an accent as well." Rouge nudged Bobby with her elbow. "Now you'll have ta lay off ice boy." She teased.

"Not so my favorite victim." Bobby's menacing counter was cut short by a bowl of potatoes thrust in his face. He cringed wondering if he would be wearing them soon. They stopped centimeters from his nose. Calmly he took it from Rouge, and started serving not only himself but Aubree as well.

The rest of the evening was a blur of introductions and a barrage information she couldn't hope to remember by morning. It continued the entire walk back to her room as Rouge chattered on, affirming every step that she wasn't going out of her way when Aubree mentioned it. But if she remembered correctly, Rouge was on the other side of the manor. Aubree silently prayed that she didn't want to come in and snoop as had Scott. All she wanted now was quiet and sleep. Her prayers were answered when Rouge calmly pointed at her door, announced they were there, and kept on walking after wishing her good dreams.

Aubree calmly shut the door behind her and locked it. Mentally and emotionally drained she started to cry. Nothing was going right anymore and things kept spinning more and more out of control with every breath she took. Her only hope now was that the dreams hadn't followed her from Ireland.

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