A/N: Momentary panic attack…lost notebook! Need future writings! Found it anyway, on w/ the story.
Rather to Sabere's disappointment (but as she had expected), Kurt declined the "soap opera" and pled fatigue, bidding her goodnight and leaving the room by foot.
Sabere was in too much shock to notice this change of behavior. This evening had taken a turn she had not expected – first, spilling her most painful memory to a blue-skinned, religious German, then kissing him. Never mind the fact that she could never face Logan again; and what the Professor had picked up she could only imagine. Either way, she was embarrassed – and content. If Andy had one flaw, it was his occasional belligerence and lack of manners. Kurt, on the other hand, was so gentle and serene. Sabere felt totally at ease around him – trusting, confident – and from what she could tell, he felt the same about her.
The celebration seemed to be winding down at last, so after a quick mental check to make sure no one was nearby – I wish this wouldn't wear off – she returned to her room.
A folded piece of paper lay on her pillow. Curious, she raised her hand and called the paper to her while still standing five feet away from it.
=Well done.=
Sabere panicked momentarily – that voice was not Xavier's.
=It's Jean. I'm sorry to break in like this, but Xavier hasn't taught you shields yet, so I thought I'd take advantage of the opportunity.=
=To do what?=
=Talk to you. May I come in?=
Sabere sighed and stuffed the note into a drawer. =Go ahead.=
The door opened and Jean Grey walked in. Sabere was immediately jealous – the woman wasn't more than four or five years older than her, but she had the most gorgeous and intelligent green eyes in a face that managed to be strong and pretty at the same time. Her deep red hair was stylishly and flatteringly cut, making Sabere wish her own lackluster dark blonde was anything but.
Jean smiled and Sabere had to fight to keep from scowling. "Am I interrupting anything?"
"Nope, Logan already took care of that. Is anything wrong?" Sabere knew she sounded bitter, but she couldn't help it – besides, Jean was still in her happy I'm-not-dead bubble and didn't seem to notice.
"Actually, I wanted to ask you about your powers. It's really unusual that they've emerged this late – actually, I don't think it's ever happened before."
"I don't want to talk about it," Sabere replied tersely. I already spilled once this evening, and the last thing I want from you is your pity.
"That's fine," Jean replied, showing no signs of being offended. "I know you're a telekine, and that you have amazing reflexes – Xavier mentioned a healing talent, but there wasn't really much time to talk."
"Yeah, he thinks I can heal anything short of a fatal wound," she answered, thinking wryly back on the "accident" in the training room. Apparently he'd forgiven her. "So far I haven't had much testing opportunity, which I guess is a good thing."
"Hmm." Jean seemed on edge, like she had a burning question, but wasn't sure if she should ask or not.
=But that's not the real reason you're here, is it?= Sabere asked, deciding to turn Jean's powers back on her.
=No…I…= Jean didn't reply, but Sabere could read her mind easily.
Fear, for one thing – fear of what this Stryker is planning, of what could happen – fear of death, and not only hers – and fear of love? No, fear of bonds – and the weaknesses they cause – and my weakness –
=You're afraid I won't hold up,= she accused. =You think I'm too weak for all this.=
Jean tried to cover, but it was impossible to lie mind-to-mind.
=Xavier is, too,= she said apologetically. =You haven't really had true combat experience, and your powers are untrained enough so they might not do us any good against this.=
=So what do you want me to do? After all, that isn't my fault.=
=Train harder,= came the reply she'd been expecting. =Combat training every day now, and more work with offensive telekinesis.=
=But if this drug takes out powers - =
=At least you'll know how to use them when you need to. Now I know you wanted privacy, so we'll talk more tomorrow.=
Sabere nodded and shut her out, pointedly turning her back and recovering her note. Jean left without another word, and Sabere unfolded the note and stared at the words without reading them.
They still don't trust me! I'm fighting their fight, learning their rules, spilling my guts to them, and they don't think I can take it!
She took a deep breath to calm herself – the last thing she wanted now was Xavier coming in asking why she was so angry. Focusing on the note, her anger faded to disappointment and a little fear –
Sabere –
I don't know when you will get this, but I haven't had much of a chance to tell you earlier so I will do so now. Professor Xavier has asked me to go with Kitty Pryde to the military base and see what is happening there. I leave early tomorrow and will be gone for two or three days (All I know is that the base off the coast of Maine. We're taking the jet.) Xavier has volunteered Logan to take over your training until I return. Good luck with him. I can assure you, I was not happy with the Professor's choice – judging by his, well, what could pass for manners, he will not be a good match for you. However, you are free to show off your skills – as he might say, kick his ass. You've learned plenty, and hopefully enough – I doubt this whole incident will end quietly.
Take care,
Kurt
Sabere balled the note up and hurled it in the general direction of the garbage can. If her night could go any further downhill, this was it. Kurt leaving for doubtless danger – and leaving her to stand up to Logan's taunts and reportedly vicious fighting style – was not what she wanted to hear. Never mind her residual telepathic skills – the "wall" Xavier had constructed didn't seem to be holding up. She was deathly afraid of it breaking down and letting her drown in emotions, like what had happened in Xavier's office.
A knock on the door interrupted her gloomy thoughts. "No, go away, come back tomorrow…" She groaned and flopped face-first onto the bed.
"Okay, I'll wake you up at four in the morning to say good-bye," came Kurt's voice from outside.
She sat up and telekinetically flung the door open. "You're leaving me with Logan? The Wolverine? Never mind he'll try to dice me, I won't be able to look him in the face! While you head off into the headquarters of anti-mutantness…"
"Sabere," Kurt said gravely, walking in and seizing her shoulders, "you need sleep. Both Kitty and I are perfectly capable of getting out of danger if we have to. Besides, most people run away when they see me, no?"
"No, in a military base they'd say 'Mutant!' and start shooting at you, then run away."
"They can't catch me." Kurt grinned and kissed her forehead. "Now get some sleep. I want you to be well rested and ready to take on Logan tomorrow morning. And when I return - "
"- if - "
"- when I return, I don't expect to see you in the health wing because you couldn't handle the Wolverine. Make me proud, okay?"
She started to protest again, but a massive yawn cut her off. Kurt laughed and gently pushed her back down on the bed. "I'll be fine, Leibe, I promise. I'll be back in three days."
And before she could say anything else, he vanished.