Somewhere I Belong

Chapter 10

Shay's head dropped lower on her hand as she stared at the Chemistry book before her. Next to that was a dictionary.

"Wait, Mr. McCoy, I don't-" she sighed and looked up at the big, blue beast before her.

Hank McCoy, alias Beast, pulled hack from the computer he was staring at to look at Shay. "Ya know, Shay. That can wait till Monday," he tried to smile at her.

Shay looked back down at the book. "I haven't got anything better to do," she said softly, but not soft enough for Hank to miss.

"I believe Kurt and Jamie are down with Logan in the Danger Room. Why not go run around for awhile?"

Biting her lip, Shay suddenly picked up her books and pulled them to her chest. "Nevermind. I'll go study in my room." She moved to leave when Hank stopped her.

"Logan said you've missed the last two lessons."

Hank heard her sigh loudly. Her shoulders slumped forward slightly, her whole stance echoing an almost defeated figure.

Shay had the sudden urge to tell someone something, anything, whatever it took to relieve all the shit she was feeling and Hank was more like a semi-father to her anyways.

"I just don't want to hurt anybody again."

Hank leaned back in his chair. "Any of us are willing to listen to you at anytime, Shay. Me, Ororo, Logan. I know the Professor has told you-."

Shay turned around, a sad smile on her face. "I don't think anyone wants to hear about my fucked-up problems." Hank raised an eyebrow at her language. "Sorry," Shay muttered.

Pulling her books tighter against her chest, Shay took another step back, towards the door. "I'll see ya later, Mr. McCoy." She left Hank alone in the lab, staring at the empty door.

A few minutes after Shay left the lab, Logan walked in from the same door. Hank had turned back to his computer and was pecking away at the keys when Logan appeared. Hank didn't even notice him until Logan leaned against the table beside him. When he finally did, Hank looked up at him. "How was the Danger Room?"

Logan gave a grunt. "Jamie tripped and it got too crowded for me and Kurt. We'll try it again tomorrow."

Hank smiled slightly and looked back at the computer screen, though he watched Logan out of the corner of his eye as he spoke next. "I just had a talk with Shay."

Looking over at Hank, Logan crossed his arms. "Did you tell if she misses another training session she's going to be in real trouble?"

"I think she's already in real trouble, Logan." Hank pushed himself back a little ways from the desk, turning to face Logan. "I heard about the last time she was training, with Kurt. Sounds as though she confused Kurt with her father, or that's what Charles believes."

"What's Chuck got to say about this?" Logan demanded.

"You know Charles. He believes Shay's privacy is most important, though he's reassured me she's sound."

"I doubt that," Logan muttered as he looked away from Hank.

Hank smiled. "Pot calling the kettle black?" He looked back at his computer and typed a short sequence before looking back at Logan. "She's young and in a new place, Logan. Give her time to grow comfortable with all of us. Not everyone comes easily."

"She's not that young and I really don't like all the hush-hush about her past. Does Charles know he's putting some of these kids in risk?"

Hank sighed and shook his head at the other man's argument. Trust Logan to be untrusting. "Logan, you could always give her another chance. Though, that would be hard, seeing she won't go near the Danger Room."

"Another chance, huh?" Logan repeated, giving Hank a skeptic look. "And if she phases out and attacks another kid like she did Kurt?"

Hank shook his head. "Don't put her in the same position. You know she won't even step into the Danger Room's door if there are others in there. Try something one-on-one first."

Logan stared at the floor for a few quiet seconds, thinking it all over. The kid did deserve a second chance. Hell, he knew he'd used a few second chances himself and he'd be able to handle her attacks.

Letting out a sigh, Logan stood up straight. "What the hell. If she's up for it, I'll help her get over whatever this is."

A smile lightened Hank's face. "I'm sure she'll appreciate it. Maybe it'll help her start to trust a few of us around here."

"She doesn't seem to have a problem trusting the elf," Logan answered, walking towards the exit of the lab. "Kurt won't stop worrying about her."

"Worrying about what?" Hank turned in his chair, watching Logan stop in the doorway and look back over his shoulder.

"Not real sure, Hank. He's probably just picking up on everything that's been going around about the girl."

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A few miles away from Xavier's School, Remy LeBeau, better known as Gambit, peered over the edge of the window, watching Alton Lanson sitting at his desk, phone in hand. It had been two weeks since Alton got his pay off and after the plans and dossier had been delivered, and the ex-CIA agent had barely left the office.

For the past two hours, Alton had been on the phone, talking nonstop and Gambit wasn't sure who was on the other end.

With a sigh, Gambit dropped back down, gaze shifting around the grounds, barely lit by the moon. This was not Gambit's idea of a fun. Not one to normally take orders, watching some guy chit-chat on the phone for two hours was almost torture.

While Gambit sat outside in the cold, Alton leaned forward in his chair.

"I'm not shitting you. She can actually heal people… How? I don't know how. She's a damn mutant… You can do whatever kind of bloody tests you want." Alton flipped a page in Shay's dossier. "My boys will deliver her to you, but not all the way and you have to keep the location secret. … Cause they have other mutants that read minds. … Yeah, yeah. … What? No, she's not dangerous and even if she is, you guys drugs to keep her out of it. … Good, good. Now price… Are you kidding me? … Yeah, ok. … Next week? That's not a lot of warning, but we can do it. "

Saying he'd call with final arraignments, Alton hung up the phone. He smiled to himself as he slipped a few documents into an empty manila folder, then he placed the folder into a briefcase, much like the one Magneto had given him.

****Notes****

None really, I just like bugging you guys.