disclaimer: The X-Men don't belong to me and neither does any of the songs
I've used. I thought it sounded like a neat idea, anyway, this is my first
fan fic so please be kind, and enjoy.
~ Part Three ~
Damaris Elizabetta Lockhart spent the next twelve months in intensive training with her gifts. Xavier counted those he knew with specific names and found there were ten, plus those without names. She was becoming stronger in her gifts each day. She'd proven to be able to outlast Logan in the danger room, with stamina and endurance. She was just as good - if not better than Gambit with martial arts. She thought well on her feet in a battle, like Cyclops and didn't get over-emotional if something happened to one of the team. She carried the same compassion into each situation as Rogue, Storm, Jean and Jubilee. Xavier sat in the control room above the danger room, watching as Lizzy fought with the team. Due to her extraordinary powers, she quickly gained control of her gifts and learned the forms of martial arts that Logan and Gambit had been working to teach her. Magneto had dropped out of sight for the time; Charles only raised the security and the team's awareness. There was something very familiar about Lizzy, he assumed it was simply that she was Evie's granddaughter. The woman he'd loved in college stood beside him now, a rekindled fire burning between them. He was thankful she had come back into his life. He knew it would only be a matter of time now before he could ask this woman what he'd longed to in college. A question he'd hesitated to ask because her father was sick. He reached over, his fingers closing over hers. She smiled and turned her hand, lacing her fingers through his.
"I can't thank you enough, Charles."
"I've enjoyed having you here, Evelyn. Lizzy's been a breath of fresh air. Most of my students hate their gifts when they first come here; she's enjoyed them and loves to learn new ways to using them."
Evelyn smiled. "She's a lot like her grandfather, and her father."
Xavier looked at her. "Tell me what happened to them."
Evelyn looked down into his face. "It's a long story, Charles. It sums up to this: I left my daughter's father when I learned I was pregnant. He had such high hopes and big dreams for his life - I couldn't bring myself to hinder them in anyway. My daughter's name was Isabella. She unfortunately chose a similar path for her life. She got involved with a man that maybe she shouldn't have. When she learned she was carrying Lizzy, she left. He looked for her for a while, then chose to follow after his dream. Isabella died giving birth to Lizzy. She was normal, so it was more than her body could handle."
"Were her gifts obvious from birth?"
"Telekinesis. I had such a time trying to keep things in place when she'd get hungry or upset. I had to be right on top of it."
"That couldn't have been easy for you."
"It wasn't, but you have to learn to deal with the cards fate's dealt you. If I hadn't been a mutant as well, I don't think I would have survived it."
"No, I don't imagine." Xavier glanced down at the team, then looked up at Evelyn again. There were things about this situation that bugged him. He couldn't place every detail and make it make sense. Like why Isabella had left her daughter's father. Why Lizzy had no idea of who he was. Or why Evelyn was keeping those answers from him. "Why did she leave Lizzy's father?"
"Because he was an older man. Charles, . . . Magneto is Lizzy's father."
Charles Xavier stared at her. He never would have thought that his oldest enemy and once-friend would be the father of the young girl standing in his danger room. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind. Did Magneto know this? Is that the real reason he was trying so hard to get her? Why had Evelyn hidden this from him? Did Lizzy know that her father had been the one trying to get her? "Evelyn, why have you kept this from me? Does Magneto know?"
"I don't believe he does. He never gave any hint that he might know."
"You've spoken to him then?"
She nodded slowly. "Years ago now. He came looking for Isabella. Thank God that Lizzy was in school."
Xavier took a deep breath and released it. What choice was he left with now? What did Magneto really know? What other secrets was Evelyn hiding from him? She'd done well in shielding her mind from him until now. He'd have to give her credit for that. "Magneto must never learn the truth about her."
"I know that, Charles."
"Good." Xavier pushed a button on the intercom, and the danger room training sequence started to dissipate. "Lizzy, could you get cleaned up and come to my office?"
"Sure, Professor."
"You can't tell her, Charles!"
He looked over at Evelyn. "I have no intentions of telling her about Magneto. We have another exercise planned for today."
~ ~ ~
After a shower, Lizzy walked into the professor's office and sat down in the chair in front of his desk. They had come to the point of being on a first name basis, and had actually become good friends. "What's going on, Chuck?"
"Tell me something your grandmother won't. When was your mother born? I know you don't know who her father was."
"44 years ago on October fifth, in Mercy Hospital, in New York City. Why?"
He sighed as he studied her. Evelyn didn't need to tell him now who Isabella's father had been, he knew all too well. Evelyn had given birth just six months after she'd left him. He stared at the young girl sitting before him. If Isabella was his daughter, then Damaris Elizabetta was his granddaughter, and Magneto had been having an affair with his daughter! That was just sick!
"What's troubling you so much, Professor Xavier? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"We both know that I could find out." She shifted her position in the chair to mimick the way he always sat. "Come on, you're always asking us to open up to you, why don't you open? Tell me what it is that's troubling you."
He turned to look at her unsure what to say to her. He had to admit that her imitation of his listening posture would be sort of amusing, if not for the seriousness of the situation. "Give me some time, Lizzy, and all things shall be made clear. I have promised to keep no secrets from you."
"All right. Is that all you wanted then?"
"For now. Would you send your grandmother in on your way out?"
"Sure. Is it okay for me to leave the mansion now? Some of the girls and I wanna go to the mall."
"With a group. I would prefer it if Logan went with you. His senses are heightened, he'd know before anyone else if trouble was near."
"All right. Thanks, Professor."
"Lizzy."
She turned back around and looked at him. "Yeah?"
"I'd prefer it if you didn't leave unless Logan was with you."
She nodded unsure of his paranoia. "All right."
He stared after her as she left his office. He longed to take her into his arms and tell her that he was her grandfather. He'd learned of her longing for her grandfather and her father when she first came to the mansion. Now he knew all the answers to the questions she'd asked and he couldn't yet give them to her. He'd promised her he would never lie to her or keep secrets from her about what he learned about the two men missing in her life. What was he left to do now? He was rubbing his forehead when Evie walked in the room. "You wanted to see me, Charles?"
~ ~ ~
Lizzy came back downstairs to the locker rooms. She, Rogue, Kitty, Jubilee, Storm, and Jean were planning on heading to the mall, as it was still early. She'd sent Logan a telepathic message to come out as soon as he'd finished, because she needed to talk to him. Though she was old enough to make her own decisions and not have to be told what to do, she trusted the professor and when he asked her not to go anywhere she didn't. unfortunately it had been a year since she'd gone anywhere off the mansion grounds. She knew Logan wouldn't be big on spending all day in the mall with her while she picked out a new wardrobe, so she'd settle for just getting a few new things. As Piotr came out ten minutes later she looked up at him. "Is Logan still in there?"
"Still in the shower."
She waited another ten minutes then she knocked on the guys locker room door. She knew Logan didn't take more than ten minutes in the shower. He'd bragged that it didn't take him half the time to get cleaned up that it did Cyclops. "Hey, cover up I'm coming in."
"Stay out!" Scott cried.
"Don't be a wuss, Cyclops. I need to talk to Logan."
"Whoa, looks like Logan's got the girl y'all want," she faintly heard Morph say. She rolled her eyes. Logan didn't have any part of her! Lizzy pushed the door open slightly, so she didn't have to yell through it, but couldn't see in. "I'm not gonna come in, but could one of y'all tell Logan to get out here. I know he doesn't taken more than ten minutes in the shower, and I really need to talk to him."
"I will relay the message," Beast said.
"Thanks, Hank."
Bobby, Evan, Scott, Hank, Remy, and Morph had all left the locker room within ten minutes. Scott stopped on his way out. She hadn't given up and walked away after all. She was still waiting there for Logan to come out. Whatever it was that she had to say to him must be something pretty important. "What did you need Logan for, Lizzy?"
"The girls and I want to go to the mall, but Professor Xavier said I couldn't go if there wasn't a group of us - and Logan going along."
Scott studied her. She was the most well-behaved twenty-two year old he'd ever met. Even he didn't always do what the professor wanted him to do. "I'll go with you. I'm sure that would be all right with the professor."
"Would you? I mean, I need to get some new clothes; it might take a while."
"It's okay. I'll go."
Lizzy smiled. "Great. Let me tell the others and throw something on my face. Fifteen minutes tops." She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Scott!"
Scott smiled as he watched her run to the elevator and impatiently wait for it. Girls and shopping - that ought to be lots of fun.
"What do you think you're doing, Bug Eye?"
Scott turned to look at Logan. "What's the matter, Logan; are you jealous that you can't have this one too?"
Logan grabbed Scott by the throat and backed him up against the wall. "You listen close, Pretty Boy! That girl ain't ordinary! Don't hurt her...and keep your eyes peeled. There's a reason the professor wouldn't let her leave here alone!"
"Put me down, Wild Boy, unless you want a hole through your forehead," Scott choked out.
Logan released Scott and took a step back. "I'm just warning ya."
"If you're so concerned, why are you hiding from her? Why don't you take her?"
"That ain't your concern."
"She doesn't have a crush on you, if that's what you're concerned about."
Logan growled at him, then headed up the stairs.
"She's been stuck here in the mansion for a year. She's gotta be going out of her mind with cabin fever!"
"Don't make excuses, Pretty Boy! I can smell it all over you!"
~ ~ ~
Figuring he had some time to wait, Scott went into the kitchen, where Logan, Gambit, Morph, Beast, Piotr, Bobby, and Spyke were. He poured himself a cup of coffee as he waited for Lizzy and the other girls. It had been about ten minutes already, but he knew how girls were. They take at least half an hour to get ready just to go to the store. He'd learned a thing or two about women being engaged to Jean, and living in a house full of teenage girls for most of his life. He leaned back against the counter and lifted the mug to his lips for a sip. Lizzy picked that exact moment to come into the kitchen. He looked at his watch then back at her. She was dressed for the weather wearing blue jeans, hiking boots, and a tighter long-sleeved T-shirt. She'd pulled her long black hair back into a braid and wore little make-up, bringing out her best features. She looked good! "Twelve minutes, I'm impressed."
She smiled. "I told you, it would only be fifteen. Where are the others?"
"Still getting ready. We're all gonna go, Cher. Gambit got some t'ings he needs," Gambit said as he came up along side of her, his arm sliding around her waist.
Lizzy arched a brow at him, taking his flirtation in stride. He'd flirted with her and every other girl in the mansion since they'd met. "Who all's we?"
"The professor and your grandmother are the only ones staying here. They haven't come out of his office since you sent her in," Jean said as she came into the room.
Lizzy realized then that Logan was going. For whatever reason, he'd purposely ignored her. She glanced at him through Cyke's eyes. He was standing on the other side of the room with a cup of coffee, watching her. It hurt that he'd ignored her, then decided to tag along after Scott agreed to take her. What had she done to deserve that? He'd been so nice to her despite his grouchy disposition. Now he was gonna act like a dork? admitedly, he probably hated the mall and going with a bunch of girls wouldn't be a picnic for him, but friends do things for each other. Logan had acted like he was her personal protector put in the mansion just to keep Magneto from getting to her, and now he was all attitude again? That was wrong! She looked up Cyclops, a smile curving her full crimson-colored lips. "Would it be all right if we took your car instead of riding in one of the vans? I don't think I can handle being crowded into a van right now. The thoughts of freedom are too tempting."
Scott smiled. "Sure."
"Gambit can take you, Cher. He borrow Cyclops's car, or we take his motorcycle. You like his ride," Gambit promised.
"Back off, Cajun!"
Those in the room turned to look at Logan. "Gambit just trying to be nice to da girl."
"Leave her alone!"
Lizzy touched Gambit's arm. "Thanks, Remy. I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm pretty safe with Scott, besides I've never ridden on a motorcycle before. But I'll keep the offer in mind."
"Let's get out of here," Logan yelled and left the kitchen.
"Grumpus," Gambit said.
"When isn't he," Bobby said as they headed out after Logan.
~ ~ ~
Rogue and Jean decided to ride along with Scott and Lizzy. For whatever reason, Jean decided she didn't like them being alone together. Rogue and Lizzy had grown close, just like sisters and did a lot of things together. "What bug crawled up Logan's shorts," Rogue asked on the way to the mall.
"Who knows," Scott said. "He's been acting funny lately."
"It's my fault."
"What do you mean," Jean demanded.
Lizzy looked into the back seat where Jean sat with Rogue. "I scare him. Here lately, even with my telepathy being under control, all he has to do is think something when he looks towards me, and I hear it. I usually try not to think about it or respond. I'm still getting used to telling the difference between when somebody's talking to me and when I'm hearing their thoughts."
"That would scare Logan. He's got a lot of memories he won't share-even with the professor," Scott said.
Lizzy looked at him. "You mean the ones like when they plated his bones, or when they did the memory conditioning?"
Scott glanced at her. "How'd you know about those?"
"My first night in the mansion. I was trying to figure out what it was about Logan that had made me feel so safe. I used my telepathy and felt everything that he'd gone through then."
"Logan's pretty sensitive about things like that," Rogue said. "He's probably concerned about how that's affected you."
"Or he's just afraid it's gonna happen again," Jean said.
Lizzy turned around in the seat. Scott decided to turn the radio up. It was tuned into a local station that was playing Christmas music in the SPRING!!! Duh! Lizzy was staring out the window when a familiar song came on the radio. "I love this song!"
Scott leaned over and turned it up a little more. The song was This Gift by 98 degrees. "It's a beautiful sentiment. But what man's gonna propose on Christmas?"
"A romantic one," Jean said.
Lizzy glanced at her, then at Scott. It was obvious there was some kind of resentment between them. She decided not to even ask about it. What was between Jean and Scott is between them. "Romance is overrated. I mean just look at Gambit. He'll romance a woman until she's flying so high, she thinks her feet'll never touch the ground, but it's hollow. When a guy does something because he really cares it means more than candlelight and soft music."
"When a guy does something because he cares, it is romance," Jean said. "Gambit's just flirting, baiting the hook."
Lizzy turned and looked at her. "I'll argue that with you. admitedly, Gambit is baiting the hook, but just because a guy's being nice, it doesn't mean he's trying to romance a girl. Kurt does all kinds of things for me, but he never romances me. He does things because he cares. I see him maybe three times a year and he's always sending me beautiful post cards and little trinkets. Then there's Warren, though we aren't really friends anymore, he was always doing things for me . . . wait, that's a bad example. He was trying to romance me."
"See," Jean said.
Lizzy looked at her again. "Scott's taking me to the mall in his car, but he's not trying to romance me."
"Don't bet your life on it," Jean said.
"What do you say we get something hot to drink before we get to the mall," Scott asked. He pulled into a near by gas station to fill his tank. The two vans followed his lead.
Rogue smacked Jean's arm. "Sh!"
~ ~ ~
Lizzy ran into the little convenience store with Rogue, Kitty, Storm, and Jubilee. They'd be getting the drinks while the guys gased up their vehicles. "Jean's challenging you."
Lizzy looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "What are you talking about?"
Rogue grabbed a cup and began filling it with coffee, glancing around to see who was watching. "She's mad because she doesn't have Scott's full attention anymore. She used to get a lot of attention from the guys."
Lizzy shook her head. "Why would she care if I get more attention than she does? Why would she take it out on me?"
"Because it's only since you've been around. She's had a thing for Logan since he came to the mansion, and she and Scott have known each other for a long time," Rogue said.
"But Scott's not flirting with me. We're friends. He doesn't even like me that way. And Logan's got this whole 'don't touch me' attitude. Especially lately."
Rogue looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She was having a hard time believing that she couldn't see what was there.
The girls got hot coffees, cappuccinos or hot chocolates for everyone, Lizzy's treat. Storm argued with her in the store, and didn't want to let her pay for it, but Lizzy'd insisted. They were laughing when they came back out. "We'll see you at the mall," Lizzy said as she and Rogue walked over to the car. Lizzy had to get in the back because Jean was sitting in the front seat.
Scott glanced back at Lizzy. "Sorry."
"No problem. Here you go. Rogue said you liked regular lattes."
"Thanks. Could you hold on to it for me?"
"Okay." Lizzy slid back in the seat. Okay, she thought, maybe Rogue was right. Jean wasn't acting very friendly anymore. She couldn't find any other reason why she wasn't. She hadn't really even flirted with Scott until just before they left the mansion. She was getting really tired of people dishing out the attitude. When they hit a stop sign, Lizzy slid forward in the seat and put the cup to Scott's lips. Her face was next to his so she could see what she was doing. "Be careful; it's hot." She tilted the cup up so he could get a sip.
Scott smiled, intrigued. He took a sip of the steaming liquid. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." She slid back in the seat.
Rogue leaned over. "Talk about baiting a hook," she whispered.
Lizzy glanced at her. "Darlin'," she began borrowing Logan's favorite phrase, which he never used on her or Rogue. "-I done already baited the hook, as you pointed out, now I'm reeling him in."
"That depends on what yah want from him. If yah was Gambit yah'd be reelin' him in."
"Okay! I'm baiting the hook!"
Rogue smiled as she looked at her. "What changed your mind?"
Lizzy shrugged. "A girl needs to do something with her life. Why not with a good lookin' stable man like Cyclops? Come on, he knows what he wants out of life and he's going for it."
"Maybe because this same girl secretly has a thing fer someone else. Like a fuzzy-faced grumpus that goes by the name Wolverine."
Lizzy looked at her, startled that she knew. "And it's useless. The quicker I realize that the better."
"It's not polite to whisper," Scott said from the front seat as he looked at them through his rearview mirror. "What are you two talking about?"
"None ya!" Rogue said.
~ ~ ~
Jean reluctantly left Scott alone with Lizzy when they got to the mall. As they walked through the mall, Lizzy looked at Scott. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in the car. I know it seemed really flirtatious, but I only wanted to make sure you got some of your coffee while it was still hot. I shouldn't have acted that way."
"It's okay. It was actually kind of fun."
Lizzy smiled. "Cool. (pause) So, tell me why does Jean hate me now?"
"She doesn't hate you. She's always been close to the professor, and you've taken her place in a lot of ways. And she's upset with me, because we were on the verge of getting married and it didn't turn out so well."
"What happened?"
"Logan."
Lizzy's eyes got huge. "Oh." She didn't know how to respond to that. She wanted to know more and how it was Logan's fault, but it was a subject she couldn't discuss further with Scott. Of course, she could always read his mind. He wasn't aware of it when she did. She focused on him as they walked. A moment later she knew the whole story. So Logan had had a thing for Jean when he'd first come to the mansion? That figured. She couldn't say she blamed Jean too much for finding him attractive.
As they shopped with Logan lurking on their heels, they talked about less touchy subjects. Scott gave her his opinion of the clothes she picked out and waited patiently as she tried a few things on. She smiled one time as she tried on a cute little sequined black dress. It was actually kind of modest for the style, only hinting at cleavage, and reaching just above the knee. She came out of the dressing room. "What do you think?"
Scott stared at her, then smiled. "Very nice!"
"Really? It doesn't make me look slutty?"
"No! You look gorgeous."
"Cool." She turned and walked back into the dressing room. She could hardly believe she was doing this. Modeling only the most important man-catching clothes for Cyclops.
Scott took each load of things she got out to his car before they went into the next store so neither of them had to carry it around. "So, you don't know who they are," Scott asked.
"No. Gran says she left Grandpa because she didn't want to squash his dreams. And she says mom left my dad because he was a ruthless tyrant, and he'd never change. Gran knows who he is, but she won't tell me."
"Have you ever thought of looking for him?"
"All the time - for both of them. There has to be a good reason why Gran won't tell me though."
Scott was surprised at her faith in her grandmother. "You sure put a lot of faith in people."
"I guess I do. When you love someone you trust them - often blindly. You don't get mad when you think they've let you down, just disappointed."
"Yeah. Is that why you were so upset when Logan ignored you - because you love him?"
Lizzy stopped and looked at him. "I do love Logan."
Scott's shoulders fell just slightly, but Lizzy recognized it as disappointment. She reached out and touched his arm as she looked into his red-lensed glasses. "I love all of you. I feel Logan's pain. Everything he questions, I understand. I empathize with him, like no one else, that's what we share. I was hurt that Logan would ignore me, but like I said; when you love someone you don't get mad, just disappointed, and I've learned to deal with disappointment."
Scott searched her amethyst eyes. "Is that the only reason?"
"That I was hurt?" When he nodded, she could only hope he didn't see the lie in her eyes as she said, "Yeah."
"Oh."
Lizzy smiled. "Besides, Logan's old enough to be my father."
Scott made a face.
"Hey!," Logan thought as he stood not too far away watching them. He wasn't old enough to be her father. Admitedly, he didn't know how old he was, but he knew he hadn't fathered her, or any girl her age! (At least he didn't think he had!) And what did old Bug Eye there think he was doing acting so friendly with her? He'd warned him about that! If that boy only knew who her father was - - who her grandfather was! One thought kept coming back to him. "What's the matter, Logan; are you jealous that you can't have this one too?" Was he jealous? Could he be? No! How could he be jealous over the professor's granddaughter? He didn't have anything going with her. No that wasn't it!
~ ~ ~
Rogue, Lizzy, and Storm had spent most of the next day out shopping at the mall with the younger recruits. The boys had picked up the sayin' "Who's your daddy?" And after a long day of hearing it every hour on the hour, Lizzy warned them that she would scream the next time one of them said it. They didn't think she was serious, but none of them risked it.
Xavier smiled as they came back in the mansion. "I see you're all well. Did you enjoy yourselves?"
"We did," Storm said. "I'd forgotten how much fun it was shopping with the girls."
"The boys didn't bother you too much, did they?"
"Not too much," Lizzy said. The guys took off before she could tell the professor how much they had irritated her with their favorite phrase.
It was then that Logan and Morph came up out of the danger room. The first thing that rolled off Logan's tongue was, "Who's your daddy?!"
As promised, Lizzy screamed. "I hate that," was her following statement.
Logan drew his claws. "You ever scream like that again, girly, and I'll be fixin' it so you can't."
She arched a brow at him. "Then you'd better not say that stupid phrase again, or you'll be missin' somethin' else!"
"Don't threaten me!"
"You're the one who'd better not threaten me, Little Man!"
He growled again.
Lizzy arched a brow at him. She was getting used to his growl. It was actually kind of . . . attractive. She smiled at him, as he came closer to her. "Oh, Baby, do it again! I love it when you growl!"
Logan stared at her, stunned. She, like Cyclops, wasn't intimidated by him or his gruff responses. He'd messed up big time in showing his soft side to her so quickly.
She turned then and walked up the stairs.
Storm looked at Logan and the professor as Rogue headed up the stairs after Lizzy. She didn't even know how to respond to that. So she simply changed the subject. "Bobby continuously used the phrase 'Who's your daddy?' today. It became rather annoying. Elizabetta promised to scream if she heard it again."
"So it appears," Xavier said.
("Sorry about the Little Man thing, Logan.") He arched a brow at the telepathic message.
~ Part Three ~
Damaris Elizabetta Lockhart spent the next twelve months in intensive training with her gifts. Xavier counted those he knew with specific names and found there were ten, plus those without names. She was becoming stronger in her gifts each day. She'd proven to be able to outlast Logan in the danger room, with stamina and endurance. She was just as good - if not better than Gambit with martial arts. She thought well on her feet in a battle, like Cyclops and didn't get over-emotional if something happened to one of the team. She carried the same compassion into each situation as Rogue, Storm, Jean and Jubilee. Xavier sat in the control room above the danger room, watching as Lizzy fought with the team. Due to her extraordinary powers, she quickly gained control of her gifts and learned the forms of martial arts that Logan and Gambit had been working to teach her. Magneto had dropped out of sight for the time; Charles only raised the security and the team's awareness. There was something very familiar about Lizzy, he assumed it was simply that she was Evie's granddaughter. The woman he'd loved in college stood beside him now, a rekindled fire burning between them. He was thankful she had come back into his life. He knew it would only be a matter of time now before he could ask this woman what he'd longed to in college. A question he'd hesitated to ask because her father was sick. He reached over, his fingers closing over hers. She smiled and turned her hand, lacing her fingers through his.
"I can't thank you enough, Charles."
"I've enjoyed having you here, Evelyn. Lizzy's been a breath of fresh air. Most of my students hate their gifts when they first come here; she's enjoyed them and loves to learn new ways to using them."
Evelyn smiled. "She's a lot like her grandfather, and her father."
Xavier looked at her. "Tell me what happened to them."
Evelyn looked down into his face. "It's a long story, Charles. It sums up to this: I left my daughter's father when I learned I was pregnant. He had such high hopes and big dreams for his life - I couldn't bring myself to hinder them in anyway. My daughter's name was Isabella. She unfortunately chose a similar path for her life. She got involved with a man that maybe she shouldn't have. When she learned she was carrying Lizzy, she left. He looked for her for a while, then chose to follow after his dream. Isabella died giving birth to Lizzy. She was normal, so it was more than her body could handle."
"Were her gifts obvious from birth?"
"Telekinesis. I had such a time trying to keep things in place when she'd get hungry or upset. I had to be right on top of it."
"That couldn't have been easy for you."
"It wasn't, but you have to learn to deal with the cards fate's dealt you. If I hadn't been a mutant as well, I don't think I would have survived it."
"No, I don't imagine." Xavier glanced down at the team, then looked up at Evelyn again. There were things about this situation that bugged him. He couldn't place every detail and make it make sense. Like why Isabella had left her daughter's father. Why Lizzy had no idea of who he was. Or why Evelyn was keeping those answers from him. "Why did she leave Lizzy's father?"
"Because he was an older man. Charles, . . . Magneto is Lizzy's father."
Charles Xavier stared at her. He never would have thought that his oldest enemy and once-friend would be the father of the young girl standing in his danger room. A thousand thoughts ran through his mind. Did Magneto know this? Is that the real reason he was trying so hard to get her? Why had Evelyn hidden this from him? Did Lizzy know that her father had been the one trying to get her? "Evelyn, why have you kept this from me? Does Magneto know?"
"I don't believe he does. He never gave any hint that he might know."
"You've spoken to him then?"
She nodded slowly. "Years ago now. He came looking for Isabella. Thank God that Lizzy was in school."
Xavier took a deep breath and released it. What choice was he left with now? What did Magneto really know? What other secrets was Evelyn hiding from him? She'd done well in shielding her mind from him until now. He'd have to give her credit for that. "Magneto must never learn the truth about her."
"I know that, Charles."
"Good." Xavier pushed a button on the intercom, and the danger room training sequence started to dissipate. "Lizzy, could you get cleaned up and come to my office?"
"Sure, Professor."
"You can't tell her, Charles!"
He looked over at Evelyn. "I have no intentions of telling her about Magneto. We have another exercise planned for today."
~ ~ ~
After a shower, Lizzy walked into the professor's office and sat down in the chair in front of his desk. They had come to the point of being on a first name basis, and had actually become good friends. "What's going on, Chuck?"
"Tell me something your grandmother won't. When was your mother born? I know you don't know who her father was."
"44 years ago on October fifth, in Mercy Hospital, in New York City. Why?"
He sighed as he studied her. Evelyn didn't need to tell him now who Isabella's father had been, he knew all too well. Evelyn had given birth just six months after she'd left him. He stared at the young girl sitting before him. If Isabella was his daughter, then Damaris Elizabetta was his granddaughter, and Magneto had been having an affair with his daughter! That was just sick!
"What's troubling you so much, Professor Xavier? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"We both know that I could find out." She shifted her position in the chair to mimick the way he always sat. "Come on, you're always asking us to open up to you, why don't you open? Tell me what it is that's troubling you."
He turned to look at her unsure what to say to her. He had to admit that her imitation of his listening posture would be sort of amusing, if not for the seriousness of the situation. "Give me some time, Lizzy, and all things shall be made clear. I have promised to keep no secrets from you."
"All right. Is that all you wanted then?"
"For now. Would you send your grandmother in on your way out?"
"Sure. Is it okay for me to leave the mansion now? Some of the girls and I wanna go to the mall."
"With a group. I would prefer it if Logan went with you. His senses are heightened, he'd know before anyone else if trouble was near."
"All right. Thanks, Professor."
"Lizzy."
She turned back around and looked at him. "Yeah?"
"I'd prefer it if you didn't leave unless Logan was with you."
She nodded unsure of his paranoia. "All right."
He stared after her as she left his office. He longed to take her into his arms and tell her that he was her grandfather. He'd learned of her longing for her grandfather and her father when she first came to the mansion. Now he knew all the answers to the questions she'd asked and he couldn't yet give them to her. He'd promised her he would never lie to her or keep secrets from her about what he learned about the two men missing in her life. What was he left to do now? He was rubbing his forehead when Evie walked in the room. "You wanted to see me, Charles?"
~ ~ ~
Lizzy came back downstairs to the locker rooms. She, Rogue, Kitty, Jubilee, Storm, and Jean were planning on heading to the mall, as it was still early. She'd sent Logan a telepathic message to come out as soon as he'd finished, because she needed to talk to him. Though she was old enough to make her own decisions and not have to be told what to do, she trusted the professor and when he asked her not to go anywhere she didn't. unfortunately it had been a year since she'd gone anywhere off the mansion grounds. She knew Logan wouldn't be big on spending all day in the mall with her while she picked out a new wardrobe, so she'd settle for just getting a few new things. As Piotr came out ten minutes later she looked up at him. "Is Logan still in there?"
"Still in the shower."
She waited another ten minutes then she knocked on the guys locker room door. She knew Logan didn't take more than ten minutes in the shower. He'd bragged that it didn't take him half the time to get cleaned up that it did Cyclops. "Hey, cover up I'm coming in."
"Stay out!" Scott cried.
"Don't be a wuss, Cyclops. I need to talk to Logan."
"Whoa, looks like Logan's got the girl y'all want," she faintly heard Morph say. She rolled her eyes. Logan didn't have any part of her! Lizzy pushed the door open slightly, so she didn't have to yell through it, but couldn't see in. "I'm not gonna come in, but could one of y'all tell Logan to get out here. I know he doesn't taken more than ten minutes in the shower, and I really need to talk to him."
"I will relay the message," Beast said.
"Thanks, Hank."
Bobby, Evan, Scott, Hank, Remy, and Morph had all left the locker room within ten minutes. Scott stopped on his way out. She hadn't given up and walked away after all. She was still waiting there for Logan to come out. Whatever it was that she had to say to him must be something pretty important. "What did you need Logan for, Lizzy?"
"The girls and I want to go to the mall, but Professor Xavier said I couldn't go if there wasn't a group of us - and Logan going along."
Scott studied her. She was the most well-behaved twenty-two year old he'd ever met. Even he didn't always do what the professor wanted him to do. "I'll go with you. I'm sure that would be all right with the professor."
"Would you? I mean, I need to get some new clothes; it might take a while."
"It's okay. I'll go."
Lizzy smiled. "Great. Let me tell the others and throw something on my face. Fifteen minutes tops." She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Scott!"
Scott smiled as he watched her run to the elevator and impatiently wait for it. Girls and shopping - that ought to be lots of fun.
"What do you think you're doing, Bug Eye?"
Scott turned to look at Logan. "What's the matter, Logan; are you jealous that you can't have this one too?"
Logan grabbed Scott by the throat and backed him up against the wall. "You listen close, Pretty Boy! That girl ain't ordinary! Don't hurt her...and keep your eyes peeled. There's a reason the professor wouldn't let her leave here alone!"
"Put me down, Wild Boy, unless you want a hole through your forehead," Scott choked out.
Logan released Scott and took a step back. "I'm just warning ya."
"If you're so concerned, why are you hiding from her? Why don't you take her?"
"That ain't your concern."
"She doesn't have a crush on you, if that's what you're concerned about."
Logan growled at him, then headed up the stairs.
"She's been stuck here in the mansion for a year. She's gotta be going out of her mind with cabin fever!"
"Don't make excuses, Pretty Boy! I can smell it all over you!"
~ ~ ~
Figuring he had some time to wait, Scott went into the kitchen, where Logan, Gambit, Morph, Beast, Piotr, Bobby, and Spyke were. He poured himself a cup of coffee as he waited for Lizzy and the other girls. It had been about ten minutes already, but he knew how girls were. They take at least half an hour to get ready just to go to the store. He'd learned a thing or two about women being engaged to Jean, and living in a house full of teenage girls for most of his life. He leaned back against the counter and lifted the mug to his lips for a sip. Lizzy picked that exact moment to come into the kitchen. He looked at his watch then back at her. She was dressed for the weather wearing blue jeans, hiking boots, and a tighter long-sleeved T-shirt. She'd pulled her long black hair back into a braid and wore little make-up, bringing out her best features. She looked good! "Twelve minutes, I'm impressed."
She smiled. "I told you, it would only be fifteen. Where are the others?"
"Still getting ready. We're all gonna go, Cher. Gambit got some t'ings he needs," Gambit said as he came up along side of her, his arm sliding around her waist.
Lizzy arched a brow at him, taking his flirtation in stride. He'd flirted with her and every other girl in the mansion since they'd met. "Who all's we?"
"The professor and your grandmother are the only ones staying here. They haven't come out of his office since you sent her in," Jean said as she came into the room.
Lizzy realized then that Logan was going. For whatever reason, he'd purposely ignored her. She glanced at him through Cyke's eyes. He was standing on the other side of the room with a cup of coffee, watching her. It hurt that he'd ignored her, then decided to tag along after Scott agreed to take her. What had she done to deserve that? He'd been so nice to her despite his grouchy disposition. Now he was gonna act like a dork? admitedly, he probably hated the mall and going with a bunch of girls wouldn't be a picnic for him, but friends do things for each other. Logan had acted like he was her personal protector put in the mansion just to keep Magneto from getting to her, and now he was all attitude again? That was wrong! She looked up Cyclops, a smile curving her full crimson-colored lips. "Would it be all right if we took your car instead of riding in one of the vans? I don't think I can handle being crowded into a van right now. The thoughts of freedom are too tempting."
Scott smiled. "Sure."
"Gambit can take you, Cher. He borrow Cyclops's car, or we take his motorcycle. You like his ride," Gambit promised.
"Back off, Cajun!"
Those in the room turned to look at Logan. "Gambit just trying to be nice to da girl."
"Leave her alone!"
Lizzy touched Gambit's arm. "Thanks, Remy. I appreciate the offer, but I think I'm pretty safe with Scott, besides I've never ridden on a motorcycle before. But I'll keep the offer in mind."
"Let's get out of here," Logan yelled and left the kitchen.
"Grumpus," Gambit said.
"When isn't he," Bobby said as they headed out after Logan.
~ ~ ~
Rogue and Jean decided to ride along with Scott and Lizzy. For whatever reason, Jean decided she didn't like them being alone together. Rogue and Lizzy had grown close, just like sisters and did a lot of things together. "What bug crawled up Logan's shorts," Rogue asked on the way to the mall.
"Who knows," Scott said. "He's been acting funny lately."
"It's my fault."
"What do you mean," Jean demanded.
Lizzy looked into the back seat where Jean sat with Rogue. "I scare him. Here lately, even with my telepathy being under control, all he has to do is think something when he looks towards me, and I hear it. I usually try not to think about it or respond. I'm still getting used to telling the difference between when somebody's talking to me and when I'm hearing their thoughts."
"That would scare Logan. He's got a lot of memories he won't share-even with the professor," Scott said.
Lizzy looked at him. "You mean the ones like when they plated his bones, or when they did the memory conditioning?"
Scott glanced at her. "How'd you know about those?"
"My first night in the mansion. I was trying to figure out what it was about Logan that had made me feel so safe. I used my telepathy and felt everything that he'd gone through then."
"Logan's pretty sensitive about things like that," Rogue said. "He's probably concerned about how that's affected you."
"Or he's just afraid it's gonna happen again," Jean said.
Lizzy turned around in the seat. Scott decided to turn the radio up. It was tuned into a local station that was playing Christmas music in the SPRING!!! Duh! Lizzy was staring out the window when a familiar song came on the radio. "I love this song!"
Scott leaned over and turned it up a little more. The song was This Gift by 98 degrees. "It's a beautiful sentiment. But what man's gonna propose on Christmas?"
"A romantic one," Jean said.
Lizzy glanced at her, then at Scott. It was obvious there was some kind of resentment between them. She decided not to even ask about it. What was between Jean and Scott is between them. "Romance is overrated. I mean just look at Gambit. He'll romance a woman until she's flying so high, she thinks her feet'll never touch the ground, but it's hollow. When a guy does something because he really cares it means more than candlelight and soft music."
"When a guy does something because he cares, it is romance," Jean said. "Gambit's just flirting, baiting the hook."
Lizzy turned and looked at her. "I'll argue that with you. admitedly, Gambit is baiting the hook, but just because a guy's being nice, it doesn't mean he's trying to romance a girl. Kurt does all kinds of things for me, but he never romances me. He does things because he cares. I see him maybe three times a year and he's always sending me beautiful post cards and little trinkets. Then there's Warren, though we aren't really friends anymore, he was always doing things for me . . . wait, that's a bad example. He was trying to romance me."
"See," Jean said.
Lizzy looked at her again. "Scott's taking me to the mall in his car, but he's not trying to romance me."
"Don't bet your life on it," Jean said.
"What do you say we get something hot to drink before we get to the mall," Scott asked. He pulled into a near by gas station to fill his tank. The two vans followed his lead.
Rogue smacked Jean's arm. "Sh!"
~ ~ ~
Lizzy ran into the little convenience store with Rogue, Kitty, Storm, and Jubilee. They'd be getting the drinks while the guys gased up their vehicles. "Jean's challenging you."
Lizzy looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "What are you talking about?"
Rogue grabbed a cup and began filling it with coffee, glancing around to see who was watching. "She's mad because she doesn't have Scott's full attention anymore. She used to get a lot of attention from the guys."
Lizzy shook her head. "Why would she care if I get more attention than she does? Why would she take it out on me?"
"Because it's only since you've been around. She's had a thing for Logan since he came to the mansion, and she and Scott have known each other for a long time," Rogue said.
"But Scott's not flirting with me. We're friends. He doesn't even like me that way. And Logan's got this whole 'don't touch me' attitude. Especially lately."
Rogue looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She was having a hard time believing that she couldn't see what was there.
The girls got hot coffees, cappuccinos or hot chocolates for everyone, Lizzy's treat. Storm argued with her in the store, and didn't want to let her pay for it, but Lizzy'd insisted. They were laughing when they came back out. "We'll see you at the mall," Lizzy said as she and Rogue walked over to the car. Lizzy had to get in the back because Jean was sitting in the front seat.
Scott glanced back at Lizzy. "Sorry."
"No problem. Here you go. Rogue said you liked regular lattes."
"Thanks. Could you hold on to it for me?"
"Okay." Lizzy slid back in the seat. Okay, she thought, maybe Rogue was right. Jean wasn't acting very friendly anymore. She couldn't find any other reason why she wasn't. She hadn't really even flirted with Scott until just before they left the mansion. She was getting really tired of people dishing out the attitude. When they hit a stop sign, Lizzy slid forward in the seat and put the cup to Scott's lips. Her face was next to his so she could see what she was doing. "Be careful; it's hot." She tilted the cup up so he could get a sip.
Scott smiled, intrigued. He took a sip of the steaming liquid. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." She slid back in the seat.
Rogue leaned over. "Talk about baiting a hook," she whispered.
Lizzy glanced at her. "Darlin'," she began borrowing Logan's favorite phrase, which he never used on her or Rogue. "-I done already baited the hook, as you pointed out, now I'm reeling him in."
"That depends on what yah want from him. If yah was Gambit yah'd be reelin' him in."
"Okay! I'm baiting the hook!"
Rogue smiled as she looked at her. "What changed your mind?"
Lizzy shrugged. "A girl needs to do something with her life. Why not with a good lookin' stable man like Cyclops? Come on, he knows what he wants out of life and he's going for it."
"Maybe because this same girl secretly has a thing fer someone else. Like a fuzzy-faced grumpus that goes by the name Wolverine."
Lizzy looked at her, startled that she knew. "And it's useless. The quicker I realize that the better."
"It's not polite to whisper," Scott said from the front seat as he looked at them through his rearview mirror. "What are you two talking about?"
"None ya!" Rogue said.
~ ~ ~
Jean reluctantly left Scott alone with Lizzy when they got to the mall. As they walked through the mall, Lizzy looked at Scott. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you in the car. I know it seemed really flirtatious, but I only wanted to make sure you got some of your coffee while it was still hot. I shouldn't have acted that way."
"It's okay. It was actually kind of fun."
Lizzy smiled. "Cool. (pause) So, tell me why does Jean hate me now?"
"She doesn't hate you. She's always been close to the professor, and you've taken her place in a lot of ways. And she's upset with me, because we were on the verge of getting married and it didn't turn out so well."
"What happened?"
"Logan."
Lizzy's eyes got huge. "Oh." She didn't know how to respond to that. She wanted to know more and how it was Logan's fault, but it was a subject she couldn't discuss further with Scott. Of course, she could always read his mind. He wasn't aware of it when she did. She focused on him as they walked. A moment later she knew the whole story. So Logan had had a thing for Jean when he'd first come to the mansion? That figured. She couldn't say she blamed Jean too much for finding him attractive.
As they shopped with Logan lurking on their heels, they talked about less touchy subjects. Scott gave her his opinion of the clothes she picked out and waited patiently as she tried a few things on. She smiled one time as she tried on a cute little sequined black dress. It was actually kind of modest for the style, only hinting at cleavage, and reaching just above the knee. She came out of the dressing room. "What do you think?"
Scott stared at her, then smiled. "Very nice!"
"Really? It doesn't make me look slutty?"
"No! You look gorgeous."
"Cool." She turned and walked back into the dressing room. She could hardly believe she was doing this. Modeling only the most important man-catching clothes for Cyclops.
Scott took each load of things she got out to his car before they went into the next store so neither of them had to carry it around. "So, you don't know who they are," Scott asked.
"No. Gran says she left Grandpa because she didn't want to squash his dreams. And she says mom left my dad because he was a ruthless tyrant, and he'd never change. Gran knows who he is, but she won't tell me."
"Have you ever thought of looking for him?"
"All the time - for both of them. There has to be a good reason why Gran won't tell me though."
Scott was surprised at her faith in her grandmother. "You sure put a lot of faith in people."
"I guess I do. When you love someone you trust them - often blindly. You don't get mad when you think they've let you down, just disappointed."
"Yeah. Is that why you were so upset when Logan ignored you - because you love him?"
Lizzy stopped and looked at him. "I do love Logan."
Scott's shoulders fell just slightly, but Lizzy recognized it as disappointment. She reached out and touched his arm as she looked into his red-lensed glasses. "I love all of you. I feel Logan's pain. Everything he questions, I understand. I empathize with him, like no one else, that's what we share. I was hurt that Logan would ignore me, but like I said; when you love someone you don't get mad, just disappointed, and I've learned to deal with disappointment."
Scott searched her amethyst eyes. "Is that the only reason?"
"That I was hurt?" When he nodded, she could only hope he didn't see the lie in her eyes as she said, "Yeah."
"Oh."
Lizzy smiled. "Besides, Logan's old enough to be my father."
Scott made a face.
"Hey!," Logan thought as he stood not too far away watching them. He wasn't old enough to be her father. Admitedly, he didn't know how old he was, but he knew he hadn't fathered her, or any girl her age! (At least he didn't think he had!) And what did old Bug Eye there think he was doing acting so friendly with her? He'd warned him about that! If that boy only knew who her father was - - who her grandfather was! One thought kept coming back to him. "What's the matter, Logan; are you jealous that you can't have this one too?" Was he jealous? Could he be? No! How could he be jealous over the professor's granddaughter? He didn't have anything going with her. No that wasn't it!
~ ~ ~
Rogue, Lizzy, and Storm had spent most of the next day out shopping at the mall with the younger recruits. The boys had picked up the sayin' "Who's your daddy?" And after a long day of hearing it every hour on the hour, Lizzy warned them that she would scream the next time one of them said it. They didn't think she was serious, but none of them risked it.
Xavier smiled as they came back in the mansion. "I see you're all well. Did you enjoy yourselves?"
"We did," Storm said. "I'd forgotten how much fun it was shopping with the girls."
"The boys didn't bother you too much, did they?"
"Not too much," Lizzy said. The guys took off before she could tell the professor how much they had irritated her with their favorite phrase.
It was then that Logan and Morph came up out of the danger room. The first thing that rolled off Logan's tongue was, "Who's your daddy?!"
As promised, Lizzy screamed. "I hate that," was her following statement.
Logan drew his claws. "You ever scream like that again, girly, and I'll be fixin' it so you can't."
She arched a brow at him. "Then you'd better not say that stupid phrase again, or you'll be missin' somethin' else!"
"Don't threaten me!"
"You're the one who'd better not threaten me, Little Man!"
He growled again.
Lizzy arched a brow at him. She was getting used to his growl. It was actually kind of . . . attractive. She smiled at him, as he came closer to her. "Oh, Baby, do it again! I love it when you growl!"
Logan stared at her, stunned. She, like Cyclops, wasn't intimidated by him or his gruff responses. He'd messed up big time in showing his soft side to her so quickly.
She turned then and walked up the stairs.
Storm looked at Logan and the professor as Rogue headed up the stairs after Lizzy. She didn't even know how to respond to that. So she simply changed the subject. "Bobby continuously used the phrase 'Who's your daddy?' today. It became rather annoying. Elizabetta promised to scream if she heard it again."
"So it appears," Xavier said.
("Sorry about the Little Man thing, Logan.") He arched a brow at the telepathic message.