Author's note: This is another Chris chapter and it kinda explains her past. Chris is sorta a blabber mouth but she's secretive about her past. At least, she would *like* to be. Anyway, here's the last chappy. I'm going to write a ROMY and KIETRO filled sequel. Along with tons of twists and maybe a girl for Wolvie. Also, Sam/Chris and Amara drama.

Shout outs:

Ishalfahand: Damn strait she picked his pocket. She's gotta keep the thief on his toes. :) Promise Romy in the sequel.

Rogue4eva/remy4eva: Thanks for your compliments. You're too sweet. And you're making my head big. Oh well, who needs to wear hats. Hope you like my ending.

Destiny Phoenix: Gotta love the fluffiness. I know I do. Watch out for my sequel, more fluff promised. But also arguments and drama!!

Arielle2: I love the Amara stuff 'cause she seems so innocent but no! Kietro will be plentiful in the sequel. No worries. But knowing those two, they're going to have trouble getting it together.

GambitsGal: Thank you for reviewing. I hope you like the ending and the sequel. Enjoy.

Making a Connection

by, Caliente

Chapter 15 – Explaining the Past

Chris's POV – After the kids, minus Kitty and Rogue, arrive home from school

Chris, would you please join Ororo, Logan, and me in my study the Professor's thoughts invaded her mind as soon as she entered the mansion. We've talked with your family and now we'd like to talk with you.

Chris felt her muscles tighten with fear. Sure Professor she projected fearfully. She made her way to his office after bidding good-bye to the other teens. She hesitated at the door before reassuring herself. 'Come on chica. They already know. The damage is done. Just go in and take whatever it is that you deserve. Be strong.' She sighed and pushed the door open. Unlike the last time that she went to the room, this time the feelings were not kind and reassuring. Hank looked at her curiously, while Ororo looked sympathetic for her situation. Logan's angry glares were less than soothing and Professor Xavier's eyes screamed disappointment. 'Great. They must hate me.' She sighed again.

"Chris," Ororo started. "Child, please sit. We won't push you. We just want to hear your story."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she choked back sobs. "Sí," she whispered so quietly that only Logan heard her with his heightened senses. She was so upset that she didn't bother to translate her Spanish slips. "I guess I should start at the beginning. Mi padre, Christopher Stone, was working for the Queen's Secret Police and mi madre, Isabella Maria Santiago Cruz, a.k.a. Stealth," at this name Logan's eyes widened with disbelief and Professor Xavier's eyes seemed to glaze over slightly, "was working for the Columbian Government Spy Ring. Mi madre was a mutant who had cat like reflexes, agility, and always seemed to land on her feet. They met as they were both searching for information on the Weapon X program–"

Logan interrupted when he heard that name. "Weapon X," he growled, "What did they want with it?"

Chris looked confused. "How should I know? I think their governments were interested in forming their own programs. I don't know why they wanted to know about you."

Logan's eyes narrowed as he tried to comprehend. "You've known I'm Weapon X. What the fu–"

Logan the Professor cut him off. I think we should allow Chris a chance to tell her whole story and please watch your language. Logan grunted in agreement before turning back to Chris expectantly.

Chris took a deep breath before continuing, "Like I was saying, they met and fell in love. They ran off together and were married. 2 years later they welcomed me, Christina Isabella Cruz Stone, into the world. They went on to have my two hermanas Alexandria and Michelle. They trained all of us in the ways of the spy. They made sure that we could use weapons, have amazing fighting skills, logical thinking, could speak many languages, and had proper morals. As our padres were raising us, they would also were working as paid thieves and assassins. We were vaguely aware of their activities; however we were not part of it. When I was 11, mi madre was kidnapped by Dr. Nathanial Essex, a.k.a. Señor Sinister" At this name, all of the teachers cringed. Though the X-Men had never had a run in with him, he was well known to the adult mutants for his horrible cruelty and terrible genetic experimentation. "for mutant experiments. Mi padre sent my two sisters to live with mi tío y tía so he could go rescue our mamá. I refused to go and stop my training, so mi padre agreed to let me join the Bawston Thieves Guild for 2 years." To show that she wasn't lying Chris moved to expose her ankle. There was a small tattoo of a family crest with the initials TG inside. "The mark of the guild," Chris told the adults as she pointed to the tattoo. "It's for those who work with the guild but are not members." Ororo's eyes widened and she let out a small gasp.

"Ah, so you know of the guilds Storm," Chris said in a nonchalant sort of way. "So you're either a thief or an assassin. Interesting."

"Child, in my past I was many things, a thief included," came Storms calm reply. "I once knew the Prince of Thieves even." She let out a small laugh. "Or at least part of me did." She smiled slightly before adding, "But this is not the time. Please continue your tale."

Chris eyed the Weather Witch with interest before picking up her story, "The Guild promised to keep me safe and in return I would work with them. I decided that I should probably pick up an alias to keep my childhood identity separate from my new one. My mamá had always said that I was her sunshine, so I decided to use the Egyptian God of the Sun as my namesake. Re was a God, so I changed it to Rea because I wanted it to be strong but feminine. I'm not at liberty to discuss Thief business, however during one of my summer vacations, I was allowed to visit the New Orleans Thieves Guild" at the mention of the New Orleans Guild both Storm and Logan's eyes became very wide. Logan seemed to mutter something like "Cajun" under his breath while Storm seemed to suddenly be lost in a memory. Chris however, chose to ignore them and carried on, "with three other senior thieves. While working with the guild, I met Remy LeBeau who was 15 at the time." Now even the Professor and Hank's eyes were wide.

"Child, you know Remy LeBeau?" inquired Storm with a faraway look in her eyes.

"Yes," Chris answered meekly. She didn't like where this was going. "He and I worked together…"

"Damn Cajun," muttered Logan.

"So, you knew one of Magneto's Acolytes before he joined him. Tell me –" the Professor began.

"I know why he joined Magneto," Chris cut in. "It's because of who he was working for before he joined Magneto but that comes later."

"Very well," replied Xavier. "Please continue."

Chris nodded. "I became Remy's "partner in crime" around town. After three months, I returned to Bawston, I was greeted warmly by the Guild and served the remaining 9 months of my agreement. I heard nothing from Remy and all I know is that he was banished from the guild and New Orleans. After my time with the guild, I went to live with mi tío y tía who were still receiving the occasional letter from mi padre alerting them to the fact that he was still alive and he was looking for mi madre. A year passed, I continued thieving for game and training myself. I even met up with a girl named Yuriko and we did some work together. Unfortunately she was using me to help her get revenge and I broke all ties with her.  Then when I was 14, I received a cryptic message from Dr. Nathanial Essex, or Señor Sinister, telling me that I if I could acquire the Mai-Tai crystal, I could save mi padres. The Bawston Thieves Guild already had their eyes on it but dressed as Rea, which was still my thieving identity, I intercepted them after the theft. I managed to take out the 5 thieves and steal the crystal. I traveled to Dr. Essex and found an awful laboratory full of death and torture. As I waited I saw Gambit hiding in the shadows and Dr. Essex laughed and told me that Remy, or Gambit as he was called, worked for him because Gambit was in debt after Dr. Essex helped him with his mutant powers. I found mi padre severely beaten and mi madre all but dead from his experimentations." Chris tried to choke back the sobs but they overcame her. Tears raced down her face. Storm came over and put a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Shh my child," she whispered soothingly. "If you cannot continue, we understand."

"No," Chris cried defiantly, "I'll continue." Her voice dropped to a whisper that was barely audible. "I-I put mi madre out of her misery," fresh tears rolled down the young girls cheeks. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath trying to force the words out. She looked around the room, her eyes begging forgiveness, "I stabbed her in the heart with my Sais blade. She managed to mouth a gracias (thank you) before she was gone." The teachers all looked shocked. This poor girl, having to kill her mother to stop her pain. Having to live with that for the rest of her life. Chris hurriedly continued her story, "I managed to save mi padre because Dr. Essex was good to his word and at the time, neither of us were mutants so he had little use for us. I gave him the crystal in exchange for la vida de mi padre (my father's life). I returned with mi padre to Bawston and as soon as he was fully healed he left again. He decided to rejoin the Queen's Secret Police because now that his esposa (wife) was gone there was no point to stay. He abandoned me because he blamed me for her muerte (death)." Chris's voice became decidedly harsher as she spoke of her abandonment. "He took mis hermanas with him and refused to contact me. About half a year later, I found out I was a mutant when my powers manifested while I slept one morning. The rest you already know." With that said Chris rose from her chair and headed for the door.

"Beanie where are you goin'?" asked Wolverine in a gruff tone. "We're not finished here."

"I think we are," Chris stated curtly in a tone that reflected her anger and hurt. Her eyes were still brimming with tears as she continued, "I'll be gone by nightfall."

"Child, please," Storm pleaded with the young girl, "we don't want you to leave." Ororo moved across the room and joined the child. She pulled the girl in a comforting hug.

Chris moved back and locked her pale grey eyes into the Weather Witches brilliant blue ones. "I-I–" Chris took a deep breath before trying again. "I'm just not sure that I belong here."

"Nonsense," Hank interjected. "We all have things in our past and present that are hard to deal with, present company included. This is the best place for you, where you are with your own kind."

"Yes," Ororo concurred, "They will understand and accept you for who you are. You are now a part of this family and we won't let you leave unless you want to."

"Thank you for your kindness," replied Chris with a small smile through her tears. "Must I tell the other students of my past?"

"Share what you wish," answered the Professor. "But keep in mind that secrets do not build trust. You may return to your room if you wish."

"Okay," Chris said in a small voice. "Thank you." She gave a short wave as she exited the room.

"Do you think she'll be alright?" Storm asked cautiously after the girl exited the room.

"I can't say," Professor Xavier answered looking up at the concerned woman. "But I think that she'll be able to overcome her past hardships." He smiled at the instructors. "She's a strong young girl."

Wolverine nodded and smiled to himself. 'Beanie'll be just fine.'

~*~*~*The End*~*~*~

I hope you enjoyed my story. Look out for my sequel if you enjoyed this one. I think I'm gonna call it "Unexpected Connections" but I'm not 100% sure. It should start really soon. It'll pick up right where this one left off. So I'll happily take any suggestions you want to dole out. I hope to get some feedback… Thank you all for reading. Adios for now.