X-MEN R

HARPY: THE BEGINNING

CHAPTER TWO: HARPY AWAKES



An hour later Jean Grey called the others into the examination room. When they were all settled she began to explain what she had learned about the girl.

"The girl is a mutant. Apparently her mutation manifested itself all at once. That stuff we found on her wings was her blood and skin."

"What do you mean?" Scott asked.

"What it means is that her wings, fully formed, literally ripped their way out of her back. The same with the talons on her hands and feet. The pain must have been unbearable."

"Now what?" asked Logan.

"Now we wait." answered Professor X. "Until she wakes up we've done all we can."

"We should- - -." began Scott.

He was interrupted by a Psychic scream that must have been heard by the entire school.

"HARPY SCARED!!!"

Startled they turned to the girl who was cowering at the head of the bed. Logan, who was the closest to her reached out to calm her.

"Hey. It's okay. We won't harm you." he said gently.

Panicky, she slashed at him with a taloned hand. Logan jumped back.

"Watch out!!!" yelled Jean." Her talons can rend any substance known to man, including adamantium."

"Jean," said Professor X. "You try, maybe a female will be better."

"Yes Sir." Jean said.

Walking slowly towards the girl and talking soothingly she approached the girl. The girl stopped cowering and looked at jean. Opening her mouth she let out chirps, whistles and trills. Then Jean heard in her head, "No hurt Harpy?"

Jean tried to answer back telepathically but it didn't work. Then she spoke out loud. "No. We won't hurt you."

The girl moved to the foot of the bed and reached out her arms to Jean. Jean took the girl into her arms. The girl chirped and trilled contentedly.

"Harpy happy." The girl spoke into Jean's mind.

"It appears that she has lost the ability to speak normally and gained the power to speak telepathically. Her thinking patterns are slightly different from normal humans. Her mind is more childlike." Jean said.

"What is your name child?" asked Professor X gently.

"Harpy." She said into their minds.

"I guess that's what we'll call her." said Scott.

"There's another thing about her you should know." said Jean. "It's something I picked up."

"What is it, Jean?" asked Scott.

"Well, uh, it's- - -."

"Spit it out red." said Logan.

"Harpy likes girls." Jean told them.

"What?" puzzled Scott.

"Harpy likes GIRLS." Jean said again.

"Oh." said Scott. "OH!! You mean_ _ _?"

"Yes." answered Jean.

"Well that is important indeed. "Commented Professor X. "What are we going to do with her tonight?"

"She'll sleep with me tonight." said Jean. "Sorry Scott. You'll have to sleep somewhere else."

"You can always bunk with me, bub."

"Yeah, right." said Scott. "I'd rather sleep outside in the blizzard."

"Suit yourself." Said Logan.

"Will you be okay Jean?"

"What's the matter Cyclops. Afraid Harpy will hit on your girl?" said Logan, grinning wildly.

"Go to hell, Logan." Scott replied.

"Already been there. It was a lot of fun." smiled Logan.

"I think we should all turn in for the night." Said Professor X.

After saying goodnight to everyone, Jean carried Harpy to her room. Harpy was already asleep. Jean laid her into bed being careful of her wings. Then pulled the quilt up over Harpy so she would be warm during the night.

She looked at the sleeping girl for a minute, then got ready for bed herself. She slipped into bed, then lay there for a while thinking about Harpy. The girl would need a lot of help adjusting to her new form. In the morning Jean would try to help Harpy find some friends to help her adjust. Feeling better know Jean fell asleep.



END CHAPTER TWO.