As Dani awoke to a new day, she had to admit that her trip back to her dorm was a success. She felt renewed, both physically and emotionally, her batteries recharged as it were. And Dani felt more prepared than ever to go out and help her best friend reclaim her life now. Dani crawled out of bed and stretched a little. She looked out the window and could see from the position of the sun that it was just before noon.
"Man, I slept way to long." She thought to herself. Dani hurriedly changed out of the clothes she had been sleeping in and jumped into the shower. She washed off as quickly as she could, like she had been doing for over the last week, dressed as fast as she could and made a beeline to the medi-lab. Despite her newfound (relative) calm, Dani still didn't want to spend any more time away from Rahne than she had to.
"Thank god Jean was with Rahne yesterday. I know I needed to cool down, but I don't think Rahne needs to be alone right now." Dani thought as she hurried to the medi lab. She checked out the room Rahne had been staying in and found it empty. She was actually relieved that they had finally moved Rahne out of the medi-lab. Dani could sense how uncomfortable Rahne was there, but didn't really know what to do about it before they suggested Rahne move in with Jean. After all, Rahne seemed to hate a crowd now more than ever now, so moving her into a room upstairs in the mansion wasn't an option. Dani searched the lower levels for a few minutes before she found Rahne. She was sitting on an examination table, finishing up a check up with Cecelia. Dani noted that Rahne was wearing what appeared to be some old clothes that Jean had given her.
"...The scars on your back are completely gone now, but I'm afraid that the rest of your body has healed as much as it's going to." Cecelia explained, "On a high note, your body has responded pretty well to therapy and you've gotten use to using the crutches quickly..."
"I'm a survivor, it seems." Rahne said miserably, "Are...are ye sure that muh legs won't heal anymore? Or what aboot a transplant t' replace the damaged muscle? Mum use t' tell me aboot all the new techniques they've been devolpin'... "
"I'm afraid that the damage to the cartilage and muscle was simply too extensive in your knee ligaments and went untreated for too long, Rahne. And I don't think that you body wouldn't accept a cartridge transplant due to your...unique physiology. I'm sorry."
"What about her wolf form?" Dani asked as she entered the room, "It's far stronger than her normal form, how was it affected?"
"It's hard to say, really. But there's one way to find out. Rahne, are you strong enough now to transform?" the doctor asked, "According to Hank, your transformation won't do any permanent damage to your body now."
"Aye. Muh powers feel like they're back now." Rahne said. She closed her eyes and concentrated, 'calling' forth her change form. Normally, it felt like warm water flowing over and out of her body, not the least bit uncomfortable. Now, it felt like her muscles were on fire and trying to tear out of her body. Rahne still continued to transform, willing her wolf form forward and ignoring the pain. She had grown accustomed too far worse, after all. When she was done, Rahne took a moment to catch her breath and let her swimming vision clear. Dani felt Rahne's painful transformation thru the psi-link they shared, but she deliberately didn't show it, as she didn't want to upset Rahne more. Rahne herself was very surprised at what had happened, her transformations had never once been that painful before.
"How do you feel?" Cecelia asked carefully.
"Weak." Rahne said, her eyes watering and voice wavering. Despite her initial fear of her change form, Rahne had grown to love the increased strength, speed and agility that accompanied it. But she could feel that it was all gone now, her enhanced senses were the only thing left undamaged. She stepped down from the examination table and carefully walked across the room to test her strength, or in this case, her lack thereof. She could walk, but she looked like a newborn babe discovering how for the first time.
"It feels a lot... weaker now." Rahne said. She was completely transformed into her wolf form, but she didn't feel much of the strength that had once been there, "But at least ah ken walk... unassisted better."
Rahne tried so hard not to think about the fact that the only way she could walk like a normal person now was as a human werewolf. Thru the psi-link she shared with Dani, Rahne suddenly felt a sudden wave of shock and hatred coming from Dani. She could also sense Dani's heart rate jump and her body temperature rise.
Dani, what's wrong? Rahne asked over the special psi link they shared
Your...nothing, it's nothing. Dani nervously replied. Rahne looked at Dani and she traced her eyes, and discovered what Dani was so shocked about.
"Muh...tail's gone." Rahne felt sick to her stomach as she said that. Her transformation into her wolf form was accompanied by the growth a short, one-foot long tail. And it was no longer there. Her tail wasn't something that was in anyway useful, but it was still a part of her body that Rahne would never have surrendered. Another part of her body that those butchers had taken from her forever.
"I was thinking last night, Rahne. We need to get you some clothes, so why don't we go into town, get you some clothes, maybe catch a movie and dinner?" Dani suggested, trying to cheer Rahne up. It wasn't like things could get worse...
"I'd rather not..." Rahne said, "I don' have any money...I mean."
"I talked to the professor last night before I went to bed, and he loaned me his credit card. Money's not a problem, Rahne."
"I cannae jus' take his money, Dani, after everythin' he's down fer me!" Rahne protested.
"He volunteered it, Rahne. Look, I know you want to, but you can't just hide here in the mansion for the rest of your life. You need to get out some, and it's a beautiful day."
"F'r shoppin'."
"Yep."
"I...need some shoes, then." Rahne sighed.
"Don't worry about that, Rahne, I have that covered as well. You can just use an old pair of mine. I'll go grab them, and we'll be on our way."
"If I could have a moment with you in private, Dani, I may be able to speed you on your way faster." A voice telepathically commented.
"I told you already Frost, Rahne doesn't want, or need, your help."Dani spat back.
"And I accept that, for the most part. Just meet me at cerebro for a moment, and I won't bother you again." Frost calmly replied telepathically
"I'm going to hold you to that, Frost."
Dani excused herself and went to meet Frost.
"God only knows what that woman wants now." Dani thought angrily to herself. Despite the fact that the other X-Men vouched for Frost, Dani couldn't bring herself to trust the woman. It wasn't just the fact that Frost had kidnapped and attempted to brainwash the New Mutants the first time they met her. It was mainly the fact that the second time Frost made a bid for control of the New Mutants, she took advantage of them after they were traumatized following a battle with a being calling itself the Beyonder. That Frost would take advantage of them, including Rahne, in such a vulnerable state infuriated Dani like nothing else. After that, Dani vowed to never let Frost get her hands on another New Mutants, ever again. When she opened the door to cerebro, Frost didn't even acknowledge her entrance. It was her personal way of saying 'screw you', even when she was offering help.
"What do you want?" Dani asked, "I'm not in the mood for small talk right now, especially with you."
"So then I won't waste a moment of your time." Frost said. She stood up, walked towards Dani and handed her a shopping bag.
"What's this?"
"It's clothes for Rahne to wear when you take her out today. There's a sweater, bra, underwear, jeans, socks and a pair of shoes, all her size. There is also a handi-cap parking sticker in there, as well."
"When did..."
"I had them bought for Rahne after I found what happened to her. It's better than having her go out in public with old hand me downs of a woman who is twice her size, don't you think?"
"I...guess so. Thank you, Emma." Dani said, swallowing her pride with considerable effort, "Thank you very much. I'm sure Rahne with appreciate it."
"She doesn't have to know that's it's from me, if you like."
"With due respect, why are you helping me?" Dani ask suspiciously
"I'm not. I'm helping Rahne. I know you don't believe me, Dani, but people do change. When the Hellions were killed, I reexamined my goals and have dedicated myself to helping young mutants thrive in this world. Something I failed to do with the Hellions." She explained evenly.
"Well, thanks. I sure Rahne will be glad to have something to wear other than some old hand me downs." Dani said. She left, not sure what to make of Frost now. But she was glad that Rahne had some good cloths to wear all the same.
"That was awfully nice of her tae do f'r me." Rahne commented over the psi-link she shared with Dani while she was in her wolf form.
"With Frost I'm sure somehow, someway, that's it's enlightened self-interest. But now you can be seen in public now." Dani said dismissively as she returned to Rahne. Dani helped Rahne get change into the cloths Frost had given her and then said, "I'll grab an image inducer, and we'll be on our way, Rahne."
"No." Rahne said forcefully.
"What? Why?" Dani asked, "You'll be able to walk in your wolf form, after all."
"I'm Rahne Sinclair, Dani, nae Wolfsbane. I'm nae goin' t' live muh life as a wolf girl. I did that once, an' I hated it." Rahne said as she took her crutches, "I'm not goin' tae hide what I am, even if what I am is crippled. I just have tae learn tae make do, is all."
After they left, Cecelia started to go over the medical charts of some of the more unusual mutant students. Their physiology was very different from 99 of the patients Cecelia treated, and she didn't want to be caught flat-footed if something went wrong.
"What I wouldn't give for a one size fits all medical treatment." She thought to herself.
"You didn't tell her, did you?"
Cecelia turned around and saw Emma Frost standing in the door way with her hands on her hips and in her normal 'holier than thou' pose, " Why didn't you tell Rahne? It's been enough time, I should think."
"Tell her what?"
"Don't play stupid, Ms. Reyes, it's quite unbecoming for a doctor. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"How did you know? Only Jean, me and Hank knew about that!" Cecelia asked incredulously
"Because last time I checked, I wasn't stupid." Emma chided, "I read the report on what was done to her, how they tortured her, and put two and two together. I know what you left out. I'll ask again, why didn't you tell her? You don't have to be a cultural expert to realize how important it is to her."
"Because I don't think she can handle the news just yet, okay? Forgive me if I want to spare that poor kid some pain!" Cecelia snapped
"You'll have to tell her sooner or later, and it's not news that will get better with age." Emma stated, with a trace of sadness
"Don't you think I know that? Just give me some time, okay? It's not every day I have to tell someone they lost their future!"