Silversi

Disclaimer: Kat is mine…the rest are on loan ;)

The day started out as just another ordinary boring day. For freshman college student Kat Kinther, she was glad that class was done for the day. She threw her books down in the seat next to her as she hastily threw the car into drive and headed home for the weekend. She was your average college student, she didn't really stand out in looks but you wouldn't really want to classify her as ugly either. She stood at about five foot eight inches, had amazing green eyes, and light blonde hair that reached her shoulders, and then cascaded off in different directions. Even though Kat had a mountain of homework to do…seeing X2 again wouldn't be all that bad. She was single handedly keeping their small-town movie theatre open, by seeing the movie five times previous…but another wouldn't be so bad, right?

Later on as Kat sat there in the still lightened movie theatre, she imagined what would happen if she was a mutant. What power would she have? There were so many chances of having something awesome…or something that would truly suck…like Rogue. Would she have something useful, so that she could help people, or would she just have a tongue like a snake? After much thought and trepidation, Kat decided that being a mutant would just be bad. They are all hated and feared, and she wouldn't want to go through all of that. It would be too hard for her to comprehend.

Finally the movie started, and the usual trailers rolled through, then the sweet credits passed by, and finally the movie started. Since this was Kat's sixth time viewing this movie, she could practically say all of the lines along with the characters. She squinted a bit as the screen was kind of fuzzy, but decided to pretend it was supposed to be that way. She sighed happily at Nightcrawler's amazing first scene.

Then something happened.

The screen seemed to glow really bright, so she blinked and kept her eyes closed when she could still see the light shining through her eyelids. Then the pain started in her head. It was worse then anything she had ever imagined. With her eyes still tightly closed, she clutched her head in agony. The only thing she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears. Then suddenly there was nothing. No noise, no pain…no light. There was darkness. Kat slowly opened one eye and then the other testing her sight. It didn't do much good, because she couldn't see anything anyway. She had this sensation of just floating in the darkness. It was the weirdest thing. Kat closed her eyes and shook her head, and was aware that her feet were on something flat now. She reached out with her hand and felt a wall in front of her, and opened her eyes squinting against the bright sun of a beautiful day.

Her eyes went saucer-like as she saw what the sign said that was directly in front of her. "Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters" Her mouth gaped open, and she pinched herself to see if it was just a dream. "Ow!" Kat cried out as her nails bit into her forearm. She blinked her eyes rapidly to no effect. Her surroundings stayed the same with no hint as to how she had gotten there.

Before Kat could even begin to piece together what had happened, she heard the roar of a motorcycle in the distance and getting closer. Kat took a deep breath, and decided that this was just a very strange dream. She tried in vain to remember who would be on a motorcycle coming toward the school. All of her knowledge of the X-men was buried in her head. She couldn't remember anything for the life of her. If she wasn't scared before, she was now. She knew that Xavier was the head guy of the X-men…and she was right in front of his school…but everything else was gone.

As the motorcycle got louder as it approached the school, Kat suddenly didn't know what to do. Should she hide or stay put? Her brain activity decided to leave her for the moment, so she ended up just standing there staring stupidly. In just a few seconds the person on the motorcycle comes to a loud stop just five feet away from where Kat was standing. For the life of her she could not remember who this person was. The name Logan surfaced in her mind, but that was all. Kat stood stalk still trying to not draw attention to herself.

Logan had picked up the girl's scent a block away from the school. She was frightened, and he could smell her fear in wafts as the wind blew in his face away from her. He sized her up without actually looking at her. Quick glances that made him not even seem to notice her told him enough. He took his time getting off the bike, put up the kickstand and snubbed out his cigar. Finally when he was ready, he looked at her long and hard.

At that moment Kat saw something that she didn't want to see again anytime soon: Logan having a really bad day. She didn't know that he had just fought in a street fight in New York. He had gone there to run a few errands, and observe the mutant crisis. He heard that there had been some outbreaks of mutant violence, and had wanted to see so first hand. When he had stopped for lunch, there in the alley were a gang of people beating up someone who was obviously a mutant. You could tell by looking at his green skin and bright red hair. Logan had intervened trying to save the kid, and had gotten ganged up on himself. Before he knew it he was left fighting guys that were just as big…or bigger. The mutant had high-tailed it out of there as soon as he could, leaving Logan totally alone. But that was how he liked it. As the five guys tried to pound away on him, he'd taken out two of them before one of them used a broken bottle that had gotten him more then a little roughed up. He was more mad at himself for not avoiding it.

But just by looking at the wild man standing in front of her (they kind of stared at each other for a few seconds) …she couldn't tell that the anger he was feeling wasn't directed at her. He was angry at the gang for beating up the mutant, he was angry at the mutant for leaving him to rot, and he was mad at himself for stopping at the diner for lunch. Basically…he was mad at the world. Kat felt her apprehension growing as his gaze leveled on hers…and wouldn't look away. Logan didn't recognize her as one of the students at the school…so why was she snooping around the gate?

Right as Logan opened his mouth to say something, Kat bolted. If her memory had been working correctly she would have remembered the running from the wolverine was the stupidest thing in the world she could have done at the moment. Just the look he bestowed on her was so enraged, she either had to run or faint, and since she wasn't a fainter…(or a runner for that matter) she ran anyway.

Logan watched her dash off with a half smirk on his face. If he was the wild animal he was named after, he would definitely have given chase right away. And make no doubt, he was going to go after her. His rational thinking came to this: potential spy = potential threat. Throwing the rest of his cigar to the ground, he smiled to himself and decided to quit humoring her, and gave chase. His intent was to catch her, try and question her then give her to Xavier to deal with.

Not even running, barely jogging after the girl's scent Logan began to plan out his evening. Her scent was fresh in the air because she was so freaked out, so his mind went to other things entirely. Now the only question that it came down to was…what for supper? Chinese or Pizza?

~*~*~*~

Kat glanced back behind her fearfully, wishing fervently for her knowledge of the X-men to return. Why couldn't she remember? So his name was Logan…was he a good guy? He had to be, coming To Xavier's school and all. So why was she running from him? Oh yeah…because he gave her the death look, that's why. As she glanced behind her again, she still didn't see him. He probably thought that she wasn't much of a threat, and let her go. At least that's what Kat was hoping. And he didn't look ready to sprint after her when she had taken off.

Convincing herself that she was safe now, she slowed down to a jog then a walk. She had never stood out before, so there really was no reason for him to come after her. Kat pressed a hand to the cramp in her side from running. She really needed to exercise more. She wasn't sure why…but she was starting to feel very queasy. It wasn't "going to throw up" kind of sickness…it was something that she'd never felt before.

Kat glanced around the school property, seeing some students here and there. She needed time to think…time to sort things out. If she could just have a moment, she might be able to remember some things. Just as she was starting to calm down, a strong hand grabbed her should from behind, and jerked her around. Kat literally screamed, and decked Logan in the jaw. (The impact of the punch was laughable. It startled him because he wasn't expecting her to fight back) But being the fighter he was, he held her shoulder fast, in an almost painful grip and reached out to grab the wrist that had punched him. Kat immediately started to try and squirm away from his grasp…unsuccessfully.

"Hey, take it easy!" Logan hissed quietly to her. He had just noticed they had gained an audience of kids. A scene was not what he needed right now. He didn't care what people said of him…never had. But he knew that Rogue did. She had dispelled many rumors to no avail. He didn't want her to try and quiet another one for him. "Come with me quietly right now…or else." Logan said quietly to her. His voice meant for only her to hear.

"Or else what?" Kat asked back, her voice almost shaking. She was quite literally freaked out. She jerked her wrist back from Logan (he still held her shoulder), as he grabbed the back of her shirt to move her in front of him as he walked.

"I don't know…but you probably won't like it!" Logan hissed, hiding a smile that had suddenly crept its way onto his face. He liked this kid…she had spunk.

~*~*~*~

At that same moment across the country, a deal was going down in New Orleans. The seller showed no emotion on his angular, stubbled face. His strange colored redish eyes revealed nothing. He watched intently as the buyer fingered the shipment of bottles in front of him.

"Is this all of it?" The tall man nodded. The short pudgy buyer looked around him, making sure the two of them were alone. "How much?"

"150." The tall man with the flowing trench coat replied. He had one hand in his pocket, and was absently running his thumb through a full deck of cards.

The buyer nodded, and looked down at the three cases of Red Fusion. His mouth watered for a taste. The buyer reached into his pocket (not noticing the seller tense the slightest bit) and pulled out a bunch of folded bills. (The seller going relaxed just a bit) The tall seller reached for it, but the buyer held back. "Wait…what's your name? What if I need more?"

The tall man with red eyes, and flowing trench coat gave the shorter man his trademark winning smile. "Remy." He grabbed the bills, tugging them through the buyer's fingers, and left.

Dis is lame. Remy though to himself. I'm da best tief in New Orleans…and I'm stuck boostin' soda pop. He rolled his crimson eyes, and started to walk at a fast pace down the darkened alley. He wasn't afraid. Remy, AKA Gambit knew this city like the back of his hand. Besides…it took a lot to frighten this Cajun. He turned a sharp left, and sighed loudly. I should be in da big league. Someday Remy…Someday.

Gambit stopped in mid-stride and turned around, his short brown hair whipping in the wind. He started talking even before he was all the way turned around. "Gambit no' in da mood ta teach an ameture how ta pick a pocket." His eyes focused on the young girl that was about five feet in front of him. She couldn't have been more then ten. "Hello, petite." Gambit said, changing and softening his tone. "What a little t'ing like you be doin' by you'self?" The little girl just looked at him with big brown eyes. She held out her arms affectionately toward him. Gambit had always had a soft spot for kids…he wanted a few of his own someday. He smiled warmly down at her. "Gambit will help you find yo' parents, petite."

Right as he took another step forward he didn't notice the two figure move in behind him. One of them held a big bat, and the other looked like a Vin Diesel wanna-be. As Gambit was just about to pick the girl up, the guy with the bat slammed it into Gambit's back. Gambit half turned ready to protect the girl, but the man slammed the bat into his back again, nearer to his neck. This one took him out. He hit the cement hard, unconscious. The girl's face was emotionless as she watched him fall. She turned and looked up at the Vin Diesel clone. He patted his pocket, came up with a few folded dollar bills, and handed it to the kid.

"Thanks Joe." The girl turned into a strikingly beautiful woman. She had raven black hair that fell like a waterfall down her back, and cold, compassionless cobalt blue eyes. She smiled invitingly at Joe, snatched the bills away, and literally swayed away.

"That Carla sure is something." Joe sighed, staring wistfully after her.

"She's a mutie." The guy with the bat sneered. "She's something alright. A freak."

Joe shrugged, undaunted and moved to help his friend lift the unconscious Cajun, and place him in the waiting vehicle. Gambit was in trouble.

~*~*~*~

Kat wanted to tell Logan that he was making a scene, that everyone was staring at them as they passed by; many students and even a couple of teachers on his way to find Xavier. Scott was one of the guys that started to trail behind Logan, wondering what was going on. He kept his distance hoping to discern some information from afar at first. "Come on Logan—

Kat started to say, but jumped a bit in surprise when he jerked her to a halt, and turned her to face him. Scott was ready to intervene at any moment. He was tensing for action. Kat glanced at Logan, then around her (not noticing Scott) at all of the students watching them. She was more then a little embarrassed at the scene they were making.

"I never told you my name." Logan said, it wasn't a question.

"You…must have." Kat said cautiously, trying to back up a bit…trying to get him out of her personal space. He would have none of it, and held her fast until she winced from his fingers biting into her shoulder to get her to stop. Before Logan could say anything else, luck struck Kat in avoiding Logan as a figure with a blue face, and blue demeanor suddenly appeared directly beside them.

"Logan…" Nightcrawler stopped. His yellow eyes went from Kat to Logan, and back and forth. "…who is this?"

"A spy." "A guest." They both said together.

Nightcrawler shrugged, and noticed Scott a few feet away, still tensed for action. "Well…Xavier wants to see you. He said to bring the spy…or guest with you. It's important."

"Now you're in for it." Logan said to Kat to try and scare her. He didn't have to…she was definitely freaked to start with.

"Come." Nightcrawler said, taking Kat's hand in his own blue hand. He gave Logan a look to let her go, which he reluctantly did. Then he teleported out of sight, and Scott and Logan were left looking at air.

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Well…that's all for now folks. Tell me what you think. Do you like, do you hate? I would love your feedback.

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