The New Recruit
Rogue leaned her back against the large oak tree, eating off of a green apple. She turned the page of the book in front of her face, ignoring the comments, and the commotion going on around her by fellow students. Her concentration only broke, when she heard her best friend, sitting next to her, pulling out her lunch, "Hi, luv!" Elizabeth smiled, settling in front of Rogue, sitting Indian style.
Rogue smiled, putting down her book at her side. She and Elizabeth had been best friends since Elizabeth stepped foot into the Xavier Institute; a year and a half ago. Rogue admired Elizabeth's strong spirit, and fiery personality, that seemed to be untamed by any man that crossed her path. She examined Elizabeth; she was one of the most beautiful girls Rogue has never seen; her body had been reformed to resemble an Asian, but she was awfully exotic; her waist long newly dyed purple hair fell around her shoulders, and covering her arms. She wore a new outfit today; one that she and Rogue went shopping for; a dark purple long scoop sleeved shirt, that fitted her form perfectly; black low cut flare jeans, exposing a tiny bit of her toned stomach that was wrapped with a silver belly chain. Elizabeth had worn her usual black steel toed boots, that she liked to refer to as, "her shit kickers". They looked like the opposite couple of best friends; but their personalities matched exactly.
Rogue sighed, digging through her brown bag filled with her lunch. Elizabeth unwrapped a sandwich, and began to take bites off of it, "What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked her.
Rogue looked up at her, "I don't know, Betts. Remy and I have been together for so long, and the poor guy can't even touch me normally. We always have to make sure I've got that stupid metal collar that Hank invented around my neck." She sighed.
Elizabeth frowned at Rogue. "Rogue, he cares for who you are inside. Besides, I think the fact that you were unable to touch each other for so long is what attracted him the most!" Elizabeth said with a smile, "He found you to be a wonderful challenge!" She grinned.
Rogue smiled, rolling her eyes, "Yeah, I guess. So, we going to that party at Wanda's tonight?" Rogue asked her, before shoving a chip into her mouth.
Elizabeth swallowed her sandwich, nodding. "Yeah, why not. Pietro and I have patched things up." She told her.
Rogue stared at her, "Patched things up?"
Elizabeth shrugged, nodding, "Well, we're not back together, we're just friends, I guess you can say. A relationship will never work between him and I. He's so used to being the typical ladies' man, and I need someone that'll have no problem fighting hand to hand by my side during missions; I need someone that is around me in the institute, you know?" She explained, looking up at Rogue.
Rogue nodded, with a smile, "Yeah, you're right. I don't know how Kitty can do it with Lance." She said.
"Well, simple," Elizabeth then grinned up at her, placing her hands on her hips, shimmying in a mocking fashion, "He rocks her world!" She mocked.
Rogue laughed with her, continuing their lunches together.
*~*~*~*
Wanda walked out of her classroom, merging into the crowded hallway of students, alongside with Rogue. "So, you guys coming tonight?" Wanda asked, dodging students brushing past her.
Rogue nodded, "Yeah, we'll all be there." She told her.
"So, who's this new guy you all are getting at the Institute?" Wanda smiled at Rogue.
The two gothic mutants stood in front of Wanda's locker. Rogue leaned against the locker next to her, "I don't know. The Prof hasn't said anything to any of us. Just that we'll meet him later on today when we're all at home. Supposedly, he's another telepathic/telekinetic. But, the Prof told us the strength of this guy's powers reached further than Jean's, Betsy's, or even the Prof's!" Rogue told her.
Wanda looked at her, with her eyes opened wide with shock, "Are you serious? That's pretty damned powerful if you ask me!" She gasped, "Well, if he's cute, bring him over tonight!" Wanda invited.
Rogue nodded, "Will do." She then saw Elizabeth walking towards them, "Well, we'll all see you guys later tonight. Bye hun!" Rogue smiled at Wanda, before leaving Wanda's side to rush with Elizabeth to the parking lot outside.
"Bye Rogue. Tell Betsy I said hi, and I'll see her later tonight!" Wanda called after her.
Rogue waved her down, letting her know she got the message.
*~*~*~*
"Well, Nathan, would you like to consider staying here at the mansion?" Charles asked the young man sitting in the chair across from his desk.
Nathan sat in the chair, his muscular arms crossed across his chest. "Well, I really need to stay a couple of days, just to check stuff out, and see what it's like, I guess." Nathan sighed.
Charles nodded with agreement at Nathan's request, and looked up at the door, as it opened, followed by the commotion of the residents. They each settled in the couches, exchanging glances with the new face sitting in the chair across from Charles. "Everyone, I would," Charles paused, looking around, noticing a couple of the students missing, "Where's Elizabeth and Rogue?" He asked.
"Oh, sorry Professor, Elizabeth and Rogue are caught in a bit of a jiffy." Brian smiled.
Charles nodded, "Very well. Students, this is Nathan Brashear. Nathan, these students are also mutants; known as the X-Men." Charles introduced.
Nathan tilted his head up in greeting. "Well, let me introduce you to everyone," Charles smiled, "That is Scott Summers."
Nathan noticed a young man, wearing ruby red shades. The young man had clean cut dark brown hair, splitting down the middle, falling to his cheekbones. "And next to him is Jean Grey." Charles gestured to the young woman sitting next to Scott; she had dark auburn red hair that fell to her mid-back. He glanced at the largely built young man next to her, with black spiked short hair, and piercing blue eyes, "That is Peter Rasputin."
Charles went on introducing the rest of the team, Brian Braddock, Tabitha Smith, Remy LeBueau, Kurt Wagner, Kitty Pryde, Raymond Crisp, Bobby Drake, Evan Daniels, and Amara Aquilla. As he was going to finish, they looked up at the door, as it opened, "Sorry, we ran into traffic. Stupid accident on the damned highway!" Rogue snapped, walking into the room.
Nathan's eyes glared at her, noticing the slight resemblance. She had shoulder length dark brown hair, with also platinum white bangs of the same length. She had emerald green eyes, dressing gothic, almost every visible flesh of hers was covered. "This here is Rogue." Charles introduced.
Rogue looked up, noticing the young man in the chair, "Oh hi! Sorry." Rogue smiled.
"Rogue, this is Nathan Brashear. He's new to the institute." Charles told her.
Rogue glared at him, noticing also the resemblance. "Hmm. Like your hair." She smirked.
Nathan slightly smiled, "Yours too."
His eyes moved to the door, as a young woman closed it. He couldn't keep his eyes off of her; exotic; purely exotic is what came to his mind. "Elizabeth, this here is Nathan Brashear." Charles said.
Elizabeth stared at him; he had clean cut dark brown hair, that fell in wisps around his face, with slightly longer platinum white bangs. He was rather built, with brown eyes that seemed to be piercing into her soul. "Nathan, this is Elizabeth Braddock." Charles introduced.
The others in the room glanced back and forth between the two, seeing the long stare they shared towards one another. "Wow—", Nathan then stopped himself, "I mean, hi." He quickly corrected.
Snickers could be heard from the other students. "Hello." Elizabeth slightly smiled, as she made her way to sit next to Brian.
Good god, you're beautiful, Nathan thought. Elizabeth glared up at him, hearing his thought, as if he had spoken out loud. Seems Jean and I aren't the only telepaths around here, she telepathically told him.
Nathan smiled, glaring at her; pleased she was also sharing the same abilities as one of his own. He was suddenly eager to learn what other abilities she shared. Charles slightly smiled, sensing an obvious attraction between the two, "Elizabeth, why don't you show Nathan to his room?" Charles offered, breaking the silence.
"I'll show him!" Jean hurriedly volunteered.
"Better that Elizabeth does it Jean." Charles said.
Elizabeth stood, as Nathan stood up from his chair, grabbing onto the duffel bag at his feet. "Follow me." She coyly said, opening the door.
Nathan eagerly followed Elizabeth out of the room. He closed the door behind them. "Oh oh." Brian smirked.
"Prof, what's his history?" Rogue asked, curious of his looks.
"Well, apparently Nathan was adopted as an infant. He's currently 20 years old; he's a telepath and powerful telekinetic. Surprisingly, his telepathy reaches far beyond mine in some fields. He's been able to control his abilities for some time, however his telepathy is growing; nearly far beyond his control. His mother suggested to send him here." Charles explained.
"Does he know who his real parents are?" Rogue asked.
Charles shook his head, "Nor does he care to find out. He's made it clear of his anguish towards his real parents for the feeling of being abandoned. So, he remains close to his foster parents, currently."
*~*~*~*
Elizabeth opened the door, ushering Nathan into the large room. "Welcome to Mutant Manor. We do hope you enjoy your stay, Mr. Brashear." Elizabeth smiled.
Nathan smiled at her, his 6'1" built figure towering over her petite, toned 5'6" height. He walked into the room, looking around. "Nice." He confidently smiled.
He dropped his duffel bag onto the bed. He unzipped the bag, still sensing her presence at the doorway. "So, where you from?" Nathan asked.
Elizabeth placed her hand on her hip, "Britain. You?"
Nathan turned to face her. "Hmm. A British girl, huh?" He smiled. Elizabeth shrugged with a smile, and he continued to answer her question, "San Francisco." He told her.
Nathan turned back to his bag, to dig through the contents. Elizabeth examined his clothing; a black well fitted t-shirt, that defined his muscular build perfectly; and black wide legged jeans, covering the black steel toed boots on his feet. "Well, enjoy your stay." She smiled, as she began to close the door after her.
"Wait." Nathan said, stopping her, as he turned to face her.
Elizabeth stopped, looking at him. "I'm not really familiar with this town. Maybe you could show me around tonight?" He asked.
Elizabeth smiled, "Well, I'm flattered for the offer, but I'm busy tonight." She told him. "There is a party with other mutants, if you would like to join us?" She offered, quickly after seeing his look of rejection.
His face lightened at the offer, "Sure. You gonna take me?" He asked.
Elizabeth shrugged, smiling, "We'll see. You may need to get past my twin first." She smirked.
"Your twin?"
"Brian. He's my twin brother. He makes sure of acknowledging others of his protectiveness over me." Elizabeth smiled.
"I wouldn't have guessed." Nathan grinned.
"It's a long story." Elizabeth sighed, "I'll have to tell you about it at another time." She smiled up at him, as she left, closing the door behind her.
Nathan raised his eyebrow, as she left. He then nodded with a smile, "I think I'll stay." He mumbled.
