"Yo, what's that?" asked Todd, eyeing Pietro's hands.
"An envelope. What do you think? It came with today's mail," he answered.
"But we never get any mail," said Fred.
"Exactly," said Pietro. "This is very strange."
"Open it," said Fred.
"You open it," said Pietro.
"I'll open it," said Tabitha, taking the envelope from Pietro's hands.
"Ok, but if it blows up, it's been nice knowing ya," said Pietro, sarcastically.
"Idiot...Ok, here goes nothing," said Tabitha.
She sat down on the floor and put the envelope on a small coffee table. The others surrounded her and looked anxiously at the envelope. She opened the envelope and gasped. On top of the table, she dumped a bunch of dollar bills and a note.
"Whoa! We hit the jackpot, yo," exclaimed Todd.
"Ok, where did you guys get all that money?" asked Lance as he was coming into the room. "Did you guys rob a bank or something?"
"Although I am fast enough to do that, no, we didn't. It came in the mail," said Pietro. "Hey, there's a note here," he quickly added, and snatched the note before anyone could even blink.
"Well, what does it say?" asked Todd making room for Lance, who was shoving him aside.
"It says:
'I have a little job for you to complete. It's for someone who needs to be taught a lesson, and I know you're just the guys to do it. The money is just a taste of the reward you'll be getting upon completion of the job. But remember: don't ask, don't tell. I'll get in touch with more instructions later.'
"Funny," he added, after he was done. "It's not signed."
"I don't like the sound of that," said Fred, eyeing the money.
"I don't know, yo. What if it's something we can't handle?" asked Todd.
"What are you talking about?" asked Lance. "There's nothing we can't handle!"
"Besides look at all that money! All we have to do is get a little rough with some punk! It'll be fun! Let's do it, you guys," said Tabitha.
"I agree with her, guys. We could really use this kind of money," said Fred.
"Well, I don't care what you guys think. I'm taking it. I don't care what Mystique or Magneto will think," said Pietro. "Besides, they left us here with no other choice but to look after ourselves."
"It's settled then. The Brotherhood is back in action," said Toad, jumping up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Professor?" said Scott entering the library. "Do you have a minute? I have a problem."
"Sure, Scott. What's wrong?"
"I don't really know how to approach it, though."
"Just try something."
"Well, what should I do if I think a friend of mine is lying?"
"Do you know what he or she is lying about?"
"No, I've just got a weird feeling about it. It could be that this friend is.....a mutant."
"Well, now, that is a rather delicate situation. You should make sure of it first. Not everybody is ready to deal with the fact that mutants indeed exist."
"I know and that's mostly what I'm confused about, I don't know if she...or he, really has powers."
"I suggest you make sure first before saying anything. Now, if you really care about this friend, you should be there for her...or him. He or she will need your support no matter what."
"I understand. Thanks, Professor," said Scott, leaving through the door Logan had just opened.
"What's with the kid?" asked Logan.
"He's concerned about his friend Jade. He said that she's been acting weird."
"How's he know? Didn't he just meet her?"
"Yes, about two weeks ago, but he thinks that something about her doesn't particularly fit."
"And ya got all that by askin' him?"
"Well, I'm afraid I'm guilty there, old friend," said Xavier with a small smile on his face.
"And ya didn't happened ta see anything else while in there, did ya?"
"I saw that she has extremely good grades, that she has already caught up with most of the school work that took the other kids the entire semester to do and that she just had a really strong headache today. That's enough to make anyone suspicious, isn't it?"
"And...?" asked Logan, trying to keep calm.
"And I'd say she's either a telepath or really, really good."
"Hmm...and what are the chances that she's really, really good?" he asked walking toward the door.
"Very slim I'd say. Logan, would you please try to contact this girl, tell her that I'd like to speak to her privately, at any time she sees fit. And, Logan, please do try to be as courteous as you can."
"Are ya sure ye're not better off giving this assignment to someone else? Like red or half pint or something."
"If this girl turns out not to be a mutant, it would compromise her relationship to any of the students that actually go to Bayville High. No, right now I can't risk exposing the kids like that. I can't send Hank, lest her be scared; and Ororo is still resting after the attack so there's only you. I'm sure you won't mind, will you?" asked the Professor searching his mind.
"Nah, I'll get to it," he said, calmly.
"By the way, Logan," said the Professor, looking out the window, "how's your bike? You've been working on it all day."
"It's good," Logan grunted, rapidly, and left the room. He had to warn Faye.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Faye!" screamed Tom in the communicator. He had been trying to reach her for a while now and she still wouldn't answer. The first communicator that short-circuited earlier had been replaced by another one, but there were still many problems with it.
She had been sitting at a department meeting with Dr. Markes and some of the other researches at the university. Faye jumped up, somewhat shaken and startled.
"Is everything all right, Sakura?" asked Markes, stopping in the middle of his presentation.
"Yes, well, I'm good. I'm just very anxious to get back to work," she said, laughing.
"Well, I can't argue with inspiration. You may be excused. I've already covered your section so I'll just run things by you later, ok?"
"Yes, thank you very much," she said, not forgetting to bow slightly to him and to the others before leaving.
"Kids," said Markes after she closed the door. The others laughed with him and he got back to his presentation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faye reached the quiet of her office and breathed easier.
"What now? You know, ya really gotta stop doin' that, bub, I'm runnin' outta explanations. I really otta let ya have it," she said, angrily.
"Yes, well, I wish I had the time, or the stomach, to translate whatever you said in the Logan jargon you picked up and now tend to use when you're mad, but...I've got better things to do."
"Oh, yeah, like what?"
"Like act as your secretary, for one. Rat has already called twice."
"When did we get a phone?"
"We didn't. I hacked into one and used it as cheese for the Rat. I know what you're going to ask, and yes, I did trace his call. He called from a pay phone at the corner of Bayville Avenue and Ludlam Avenue."
"Bright, busy place, anyone could've seen him. Why do it from there?"
"True, anyone could've used the same phone as well. There are at least a couple of them on streets like that."
"Whatever his reason was," she shrugged. "What were the messages?"
"The first one was beware. He sounded very nervous and after a while repeated the same thing, the phone went mute for a second or two and then there was a very weird noise on the other side of the line. Some of my circuits even went haywire for a while."
"Oh, so that's why it was so quiet over there. That's very strange."
"Yes," Tom answered, ignoring Faye's little comment. "However, he then promptly called back--it was a different number this time--and said something about meeting you tonight at 1:30; and something else about not having much time. I didn't understand it very well, there was a lot of static."
"On a pay phone?"
"I know, anyway, here's a recording of it. I'll play it back for you."
"Okay," she said, sitting back in her chair and closing her eyes.
Rat's raspy voice started filling her ear, it seemed frantic and very nervous.
"Tonight...1:30 (static) portant (static) sage (static) there isn't much time (static) re not (static) time (static)...."
"God, that's awful. Make a copy of it and put it on a cassette tape. I'll get it with you when I get home. I need to listen to it very slowly."
"Sure thing, love."
"I'll be home in a few. Oh, I just remembered, did you find out what happened with the communicator this morning?"
"Nope, nothing yet. I'm still working on it. I want to take a look at that earpiece."
"I'll just give it to you when I get home, then."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The clock struck ten o'clock and Faye's eyes were getting tired. She couldn't take much more of that life, but she had to go on. She looked through the microscope once again.
*No change,* she thought and rubbed her eyes slowly.
She put her head back and heard the base of her neck crack. She sure could use a break right about now. She needed to get over to her home, talk to Tom, and then get to the Institute to assume her post as a lookout.
She got up from her stool and started collecting the several Petri dishes she had laid before her.
"Tomorrow, you guys," she murmured as she put them all away.
She collected her stuff and checked the time again. She now had less than 20 minutes to get home, get changed and get going. She sighed and headed out the door.
Once Faye reached outside, the cold night air hit her skin fiercely. She stopped, put down her bag, put on her newly-acquired trench coat, grabbed her bag, drew her collar closer to her neck, and shoved her hands into the pockets. Watch guard duties were going to be extra tough today, the weather usually gets rough around this time of the year. She started walking when an engine roared near her.
"Need a ride, babe?" asked a gruff voice behind her.
"I thought ya didn't want anythin' ta do with me," she said bitterly, without turning.
"I don't, but I'm worried about ya."
"Well, I'm fine. I don't need your help," she said as she started walking again.
Logan hopped out of his bike and grabbed her arm. He gripped it hard, he really wanted to hurt her; hurt her for being so stupid, hurt her for acting like she didn't care, hurt her for being so beautiful and for messing with him so much. She tried breaking from his grip, but his fingers only dug deeper into her arm.
"Whatcha doin' here?" he asked.
"This and that."
"Experimentin'," he said, sniffing her hair.
"Genetics, mostly. DNA and stuff. I do have a reputation to keep."
"Still lookin' for an answer, ain't ya?"
"SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING?!?!?!?" screamed Tom on her ear.
Faye put her hand head and groaned. Logan looked at her curiously. She reached inside her ear and pulled out a small spiral hook. A voice could still be heard from it. Logan chuckled and let go of Faye's arm.
"Thanks, Logan," she said, jamming the communicator into her pocket.
"No problem, anytime. Now, how about I take ya home?"
"Sure. Glad to see that your pride and joy is feeling better. I'll make it up to you somehow," she said wrapping her arms gently, but firmly, around his waist.
"Yea, I'm sure ya will," he said, softly stroking the back of her hand.
He turned the bike on and drove down the street, unknown that at a distance a dark figure watched them.
"An envelope. What do you think? It came with today's mail," he answered.
"But we never get any mail," said Fred.
"Exactly," said Pietro. "This is very strange."
"Open it," said Fred.
"You open it," said Pietro.
"I'll open it," said Tabitha, taking the envelope from Pietro's hands.
"Ok, but if it blows up, it's been nice knowing ya," said Pietro, sarcastically.
"Idiot...Ok, here goes nothing," said Tabitha.
She sat down on the floor and put the envelope on a small coffee table. The others surrounded her and looked anxiously at the envelope. She opened the envelope and gasped. On top of the table, she dumped a bunch of dollar bills and a note.
"Whoa! We hit the jackpot, yo," exclaimed Todd.
"Ok, where did you guys get all that money?" asked Lance as he was coming into the room. "Did you guys rob a bank or something?"
"Although I am fast enough to do that, no, we didn't. It came in the mail," said Pietro. "Hey, there's a note here," he quickly added, and snatched the note before anyone could even blink.
"Well, what does it say?" asked Todd making room for Lance, who was shoving him aside.
"It says:
'I have a little job for you to complete. It's for someone who needs to be taught a lesson, and I know you're just the guys to do it. The money is just a taste of the reward you'll be getting upon completion of the job. But remember: don't ask, don't tell. I'll get in touch with more instructions later.'
"Funny," he added, after he was done. "It's not signed."
"I don't like the sound of that," said Fred, eyeing the money.
"I don't know, yo. What if it's something we can't handle?" asked Todd.
"What are you talking about?" asked Lance. "There's nothing we can't handle!"
"Besides look at all that money! All we have to do is get a little rough with some punk! It'll be fun! Let's do it, you guys," said Tabitha.
"I agree with her, guys. We could really use this kind of money," said Fred.
"Well, I don't care what you guys think. I'm taking it. I don't care what Mystique or Magneto will think," said Pietro. "Besides, they left us here with no other choice but to look after ourselves."
"It's settled then. The Brotherhood is back in action," said Toad, jumping up.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Professor?" said Scott entering the library. "Do you have a minute? I have a problem."
"Sure, Scott. What's wrong?"
"I don't really know how to approach it, though."
"Just try something."
"Well, what should I do if I think a friend of mine is lying?"
"Do you know what he or she is lying about?"
"No, I've just got a weird feeling about it. It could be that this friend is.....a mutant."
"Well, now, that is a rather delicate situation. You should make sure of it first. Not everybody is ready to deal with the fact that mutants indeed exist."
"I know and that's mostly what I'm confused about, I don't know if she...or he, really has powers."
"I suggest you make sure first before saying anything. Now, if you really care about this friend, you should be there for her...or him. He or she will need your support no matter what."
"I understand. Thanks, Professor," said Scott, leaving through the door Logan had just opened.
"What's with the kid?" asked Logan.
"He's concerned about his friend Jade. He said that she's been acting weird."
"How's he know? Didn't he just meet her?"
"Yes, about two weeks ago, but he thinks that something about her doesn't particularly fit."
"And ya got all that by askin' him?"
"Well, I'm afraid I'm guilty there, old friend," said Xavier with a small smile on his face.
"And ya didn't happened ta see anything else while in there, did ya?"
"I saw that she has extremely good grades, that she has already caught up with most of the school work that took the other kids the entire semester to do and that she just had a really strong headache today. That's enough to make anyone suspicious, isn't it?"
"And...?" asked Logan, trying to keep calm.
"And I'd say she's either a telepath or really, really good."
"Hmm...and what are the chances that she's really, really good?" he asked walking toward the door.
"Very slim I'd say. Logan, would you please try to contact this girl, tell her that I'd like to speak to her privately, at any time she sees fit. And, Logan, please do try to be as courteous as you can."
"Are ya sure ye're not better off giving this assignment to someone else? Like red or half pint or something."
"If this girl turns out not to be a mutant, it would compromise her relationship to any of the students that actually go to Bayville High. No, right now I can't risk exposing the kids like that. I can't send Hank, lest her be scared; and Ororo is still resting after the attack so there's only you. I'm sure you won't mind, will you?" asked the Professor searching his mind.
"Nah, I'll get to it," he said, calmly.
"By the way, Logan," said the Professor, looking out the window, "how's your bike? You've been working on it all day."
"It's good," Logan grunted, rapidly, and left the room. He had to warn Faye.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Faye!" screamed Tom in the communicator. He had been trying to reach her for a while now and she still wouldn't answer. The first communicator that short-circuited earlier had been replaced by another one, but there were still many problems with it.
She had been sitting at a department meeting with Dr. Markes and some of the other researches at the university. Faye jumped up, somewhat shaken and startled.
"Is everything all right, Sakura?" asked Markes, stopping in the middle of his presentation.
"Yes, well, I'm good. I'm just very anxious to get back to work," she said, laughing.
"Well, I can't argue with inspiration. You may be excused. I've already covered your section so I'll just run things by you later, ok?"
"Yes, thank you very much," she said, not forgetting to bow slightly to him and to the others before leaving.
"Kids," said Markes after she closed the door. The others laughed with him and he got back to his presentation.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Faye reached the quiet of her office and breathed easier.
"What now? You know, ya really gotta stop doin' that, bub, I'm runnin' outta explanations. I really otta let ya have it," she said, angrily.
"Yes, well, I wish I had the time, or the stomach, to translate whatever you said in the Logan jargon you picked up and now tend to use when you're mad, but...I've got better things to do."
"Oh, yeah, like what?"
"Like act as your secretary, for one. Rat has already called twice."
"When did we get a phone?"
"We didn't. I hacked into one and used it as cheese for the Rat. I know what you're going to ask, and yes, I did trace his call. He called from a pay phone at the corner of Bayville Avenue and Ludlam Avenue."
"Bright, busy place, anyone could've seen him. Why do it from there?"
"True, anyone could've used the same phone as well. There are at least a couple of them on streets like that."
"Whatever his reason was," she shrugged. "What were the messages?"
"The first one was beware. He sounded very nervous and after a while repeated the same thing, the phone went mute for a second or two and then there was a very weird noise on the other side of the line. Some of my circuits even went haywire for a while."
"Oh, so that's why it was so quiet over there. That's very strange."
"Yes," Tom answered, ignoring Faye's little comment. "However, he then promptly called back--it was a different number this time--and said something about meeting you tonight at 1:30; and something else about not having much time. I didn't understand it very well, there was a lot of static."
"On a pay phone?"
"I know, anyway, here's a recording of it. I'll play it back for you."
"Okay," she said, sitting back in her chair and closing her eyes.
Rat's raspy voice started filling her ear, it seemed frantic and very nervous.
"Tonight...1:30 (static) portant (static) sage (static) there isn't much time (static) re not (static) time (static)...."
"God, that's awful. Make a copy of it and put it on a cassette tape. I'll get it with you when I get home. I need to listen to it very slowly."
"Sure thing, love."
"I'll be home in a few. Oh, I just remembered, did you find out what happened with the communicator this morning?"
"Nope, nothing yet. I'm still working on it. I want to take a look at that earpiece."
"I'll just give it to you when I get home, then."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The clock struck ten o'clock and Faye's eyes were getting tired. She couldn't take much more of that life, but she had to go on. She looked through the microscope once again.
*No change,* she thought and rubbed her eyes slowly.
She put her head back and heard the base of her neck crack. She sure could use a break right about now. She needed to get over to her home, talk to Tom, and then get to the Institute to assume her post as a lookout.
She got up from her stool and started collecting the several Petri dishes she had laid before her.
"Tomorrow, you guys," she murmured as she put them all away.
She collected her stuff and checked the time again. She now had less than 20 minutes to get home, get changed and get going. She sighed and headed out the door.
Once Faye reached outside, the cold night air hit her skin fiercely. She stopped, put down her bag, put on her newly-acquired trench coat, grabbed her bag, drew her collar closer to her neck, and shoved her hands into the pockets. Watch guard duties were going to be extra tough today, the weather usually gets rough around this time of the year. She started walking when an engine roared near her.
"Need a ride, babe?" asked a gruff voice behind her.
"I thought ya didn't want anythin' ta do with me," she said bitterly, without turning.
"I don't, but I'm worried about ya."
"Well, I'm fine. I don't need your help," she said as she started walking again.
Logan hopped out of his bike and grabbed her arm. He gripped it hard, he really wanted to hurt her; hurt her for being so stupid, hurt her for acting like she didn't care, hurt her for being so beautiful and for messing with him so much. She tried breaking from his grip, but his fingers only dug deeper into her arm.
"Whatcha doin' here?" he asked.
"This and that."
"Experimentin'," he said, sniffing her hair.
"Genetics, mostly. DNA and stuff. I do have a reputation to keep."
"Still lookin' for an answer, ain't ya?"
"SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING?!?!?!?" screamed Tom on her ear.
Faye put her hand head and groaned. Logan looked at her curiously. She reached inside her ear and pulled out a small spiral hook. A voice could still be heard from it. Logan chuckled and let go of Faye's arm.
"Thanks, Logan," she said, jamming the communicator into her pocket.
"No problem, anytime. Now, how about I take ya home?"
"Sure. Glad to see that your pride and joy is feeling better. I'll make it up to you somehow," she said wrapping her arms gently, but firmly, around his waist.
"Yea, I'm sure ya will," he said, softly stroking the back of her hand.
He turned the bike on and drove down the street, unknown that at a distance a dark figure watched them.