RV: This is a long chap so we'll do the shout outs in the next chapter.
Beware of longness!
`~!@#$%^(
"What is that girl doin'?" Wolverine asked me as he and Rogue come up behind me with Nightcat.
I shifted into a wolf so my eyes would adjust to the darkness. Stepping forward I followed Ember into the wooden place. My sharp ears caught the sound of leaves being crunched. I turned to see Rogue and Wolverine following. I snarled, telling them to stay where they were. They seemed to get the hint.
Suddenly, Ember screamed. I ran toward the sound and saw her being pushed against the wall by a boy- no scratch that- a man. He focused his blazing eyes on me. "So I see your puppy followed you," he laughed in Ember's ear.
"Nah, if that were my dog your ass would be gone," she retorted.
I shifted back into a human surprising the man. "Let her go!"
Reluctantly, he removed his arms from Ember's middle. She backed away slowly her angry gold eyes never leaving the man. Two other guys appeared behind him. I spread my wings purposely shielding Ember with one.
"Who are you?" the man asked.
Ember shoved my wing down and answered his question, "Ember."
"Let's use real names," I suggested to Ember. "I'm Amber. My codename's Silverwing."
"Milani," Ember said again. "Who are you three?"
"Hunter Bowen," the first guy said with a bow. He had light brown hair and eyes like his name. He rose above Milani and I in a stunning six two.
Another guy stepped forward. He flicked his wrist and three purple flowers appeared in his hand. He handed them to me, smiling. I took them looking into his dark blue eyes and at his black hair. I felt my face turn bright red. Milani nudged me in the arm grinning mischievously. The guy's smile widened as he introduced himself, "I am Darren Numair."
O_O O_O O_O
Hunter Bowen. Wow! There wasn't much else to say. His light brown hair was shaggy and fell into his hunter green eyes. He stood almost good foot taller than me and was surprisingly strong. I could actually feel his muscles through his black T-shirt when he had grabbed me around the waist and lifted me off the ground.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I whistled for the others to Amber and I. Ashley POOF!'ed next to Amber causing Hunter and Darren to step back a step. Logan and Rogue arrived seconds later. Logan's breathing sounded ragged. *Time to lay off them cigars, healing factor or not* I thought with as secret smile.
"Who are your friends?" Hunter asked while reaching for something in his back pocket.
"The guy is Logan or Wolverine. Rogue has the white streaks in her hair. Ashley or Nightcat is next to Amber," I replied calmly. "We were sent to find you and your two friends and take you back to the institute with us if you all want to go." I glanced around the makeshift campsite. "There was three of you right? I'm not seeing things again am I?"
"There are three of us," Darren assured me. "Tobias went to go lay down. He was injured after the fight we had with this huge guy. What was his name, Hunter?"
"He called himself 'The Blob'," he answered.
"Yeah that's right. There was this really annoying and smelly guy. Toad I believe this name was."
"Could you show us to Tobias?" Amber asked Darren. "We can take him someplace and have his injuries looked at."
"Sure, follow me." Darren led Amber and Ashley whom Amber motioned to follow also, to Tobias. They rounded a tree and disappeared from sight.
"Is there anythang ya need to gather an' take with ya'll?" Rogue asked Hunter.
He nodded. "Give me a minute."
Logan grabbed Rogue's arm and pulled her away. "We'll go get the Blackbird fired up," he said to Milani as he glared at Hunter. "Will you be okay, squirt?" She nodded and the duo left.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened. You kinda freaked me out by approaching so quietly," he apologized. "Would you like a tour of my humble home?"
I smile at him. "Why not?" I followed him further into the campsite. It consisted of three tents arranged in a triangle with a fire in the middle. Hunter entered the first tent they came upon. "This yours?"
"No its Darren's." He picked up a pillow case filled with clothes. He put a picture and a baseball glove with a baseball into the pillow case.
"How long have you lived like this?" I asked annoyed by the awkward silence.
"Since we were fourteen or fifteen years old. Tobias's parents and Darren's grandparents flipped out. They found out that we were mutants and turned them out." He exited the tent and entered another one. "This is mine. Feel free to browse."
"What about you?" I inquired noticing the sleeping bag. It had my favourite Rugby team jersey sewn on it.
"I've been on my own for years. Ever since my mother passed away almost seven years ago," he said gruffly. He stuffed his pillow case and Darren's into the sleeping bag and rolled it up.
"I'm sorry. I lost my mom when I was twelve. My older brother had to help my dad raise me and my twin sisters," I sympathized. "Do you need any help?"
Hunter shook his head. "Wait here while I go get Tobias's things," he said before leaving me alone in the tent.
I sit on the cold hard ground and wait for Hunter to return. Seconds later he burst into the tent angrier then hell. He pulled an eight inch blade from the waist band of his jeans and points it at me. "Where'd they take Tobias? They couldn't have gotten outta here that fast."
"Calm down, Hunter. You don't want to fight me," I warned him. He swiped the blade at me and missed by a few mere inches. He came at me again and got my sleeve. I shot a fire ball at his hand. The knife dropped to the ground glowing red hot. He stared at his hand in disbelief.
O_O O_O O_O
We followed Darren to Tobias's tent and went inside. Tobias seemed to be sleeping but his eyes snapped open the instant we were five inches from his makeshift bed. He had dark brown hair that was a bit long for a guy and fell into his hazel eyes. He looked like nothing out of the ordinary until he sat up. Two black bat-like wings rose behind his head. I knelt down and asked about his injuries. He never said a word as he pointed to his broken arm and opened his shirt to reveal a long scar across his chest.
"We need to get him to the institute to have these wounds treated," I said to Darren. He and Tobias nodded in unison. Ashley and Darren helped Tobias up then she teleported them to the jet. As I left the tent I heard Hunter yell, "Where'd they take Tobias?!?" Running to his tent as a wolf I saw Hunter swipe at Milani with a knife. Just as he dropped it after Milani hit it with a fire ball, I dashed in snarling. He turned into a larger wolf and knocked me across the clearing. His claws left a bloody streak across my shoulder blade. Ember formed a fire wall around Hunter to prevent him from coming after me.
"Amber! Explain to Hunter why Tobias isn't in his tent," Milani yelled after she transformed into a tiger.
"We took him to the jet," I breathed. "So we can get him medical attention."
"With his consent?"
"Of course," I answered, standing. Wait a second. why were my legs shaking? Without warning, they gave out from under me. Milani rushed over in her human form.
"Amber, what's wrong?" she asked her eyes full of concern.
"I don't know. I feel sort weak," I said softly. I stood back up shifting back into a human. I extinguished the fire with my ice. Hunter stood also in human form. I blinked wearily as Logan, Rogue and Darren came walking up to us.
Everyone began arguing at once. I couldn't understand their words as everything became an echo and then darkness. I felt my body fall into someone's arms. Then consciousness left me completely.
O_O O_O O_O
"Nice catch," I said to Darren after he lifted Amber into his arms. "Is she okay?"
"I'm not sure but we should get her to a hospital."
"Check out her back, bub," Logan grunted. "She's got wings. Wings make her a mutant. People ain't exactly linin' up to help us."
"Let's just get her inta the Blackbird an' back ta the mansion," Rogue said taking command. "Ember, shift inta a tiger and carry Amber on yar back. Ya'll get there quicker. Hunter, ya help her. We'll catch up."
I did as she commanded and shifted into an orange tiger as Hunter took on a black leopard's form. Darren placed Amber across my back and I took off towards the Blackbird. Hunter kept pace next to me to help keep Amber on my back.
We slowed as the plane came into view. Hunter returned to his form and lifted Amber off me. Changing back, I led him up the plane's ramp. Ashley was sitting next to Tobias. She's trying to get him to do something. I could tell by the way she sat with her back ramrod straight. Tobias was refusing.
Shaking my head I motioned for Hunter to follow me towards the front of the plane. "Lay her down here," I ordered pointing to two chairs side by side. As he laid Amber down I made my way to the back of the jet.
Ashley followed. "What happened to Amber? She was just fine when Tobias and I left."
"Don't know. She just passed out. Here take these for Tobias," I said handing her a blanket and two pillows. I grabbed another two pillows and a blanket for Amber. "Keep him warm." I walked back to where I left Hunter and Amber. I tucked the pillows underneath her head and covered her with the blanket. "Stay with her until I tell you otherwise," I ordered him.
"Yes ma'am!" he said giving me a mock salute.
I roll my eyes but smile as I turn to the cockpit. Sliding into the co- pilot seat, I start the engines. Seconds later Rogue appeared next to me in the pilot's chair. "Everyone, take a seat an' buckle up," she called back. Seatbelts could be heard snapping closed as we took off.
* * *
Rogue landed the plane more gracefully than Cyclops could even dream of doing. Darren lifted the still unconscious Amber into his arms and followed Rogue down the jet's ramp. Hunter moved towards the sleeping Tobias. I gently laid a hand on his forearm and shook my head. He and I made our way down the ramp.
Xavier was waiting for us with Jean and Scott. Upon seeing Amber, his head whipped around and asked Rogue, "What happened to Silverwing?"
"Weh don't know, Professor. She was just standin' there an' got dizzy or something before she passed out," Rogue explained.
"Jean, we need your help in here," Logan called poking his head out the door. "One of the boys was injured."
"Rogue, show him," Jean nodded to Darren, "to the infirmary. I'll be there in a couple minutes." She disappeared into the Blackbird as Rogue motioned for Darren to follow her.
I watched the trio leave, worried about Amber. Hunter patted my shoulder in silent knowing. I weakly smiled up at him. "Professor, this is Hunter Bowen. The one carrying Amber is Darren Numair and the injured one is Tobias."
"Messer," Hunter supplied.
"The injured one is Tobias Messer."
O_O O_O O_O
Darren, Hunter, and Milani sat on the couch across from Rogue and Ashley who sat on the loveseat. Xavier naturally sat in his wheelchair in between them. Hunter was the first to break the ice. "It's a nice place you've got here."
"Yeah, it's huge," Darren agreed.
"Thank you," Xavier smiled. "Tell me, what are your powers?"
"Well. I can shift into any animal I like as long as I've seen what it looks like," Hunter replied. He turned into a red-tailed hawk and flew around the room to demonstrate his ability. He landed on Milani's shoulder careful as not to hurt her. He was rewarded by a small smirk.
"I can make silver shards and the sky become dark," Darren replied as he materialized a white dove in his hands, "and some minor illusions."
"What about Tobias?" Ashley asked softly.
"He's never spoken of his powers or anything else for that matter," Hunter said after shifting back into himself. "Ever since Darren and I met him, he has been silent. We only know what he's written down for us." He moved to stand behind Milani and rested his hands on her shoulders.
"Not a word?" Xavier asked.
"There may have been a few here and there but nothing important," Darren replied.
"I see." Xavier rubbed his chin, thinking. "Those wings of his, they are of a bat, aren't they?"
Hunter shrugged, "I think so."
O_O O_O O_O
I awoke with a major headache. I sat up dizzily on the steel table I was on. Glancing down I saw I had only my underclothes on so I quickly grabbed a near by blanket and covered myself. I glanced around the room nervously. "Um. is anyone in here?"
"Amber, you're awake. Good," Jean said coming out of the shadows of her lab. "I was just checking your power levels. Could you lie still for a second?"
"Uh sure of course," I answered lying back down.
"Hmm. no change," she murmured handing me a pile of clothes. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better. Thank you." I took the clothes and began putting them on. "How's Tobias doing?"
"He's sleeping right now but he'll live. The others are waiting for you in the living room."
Nodding, I left the infirmary and rode the elevator up to the main floor. I opened the living room door quietly and poked my head in. I saw the others turn their heads to look at me. Smiling shyly I walked in and closed the door behind me.
"Welcome back Amber," Xavier chuckled.
I started to say something but Ashley wrapped her arms around my neck cutting off my air as she screeched in my ear. "I WAS SO WORRIED!!"
"Good to know." I managed to choke out.
I watched as Milani shook her head and stood up. "Hey, Barbie, if you're so happy that's she's alive, why are you strangling her?!"
Ashley let go of my neck immediately as I gasped for air. Composing myself I sat down on the couch in between Milani and Darren. "How long have I been out?"
"A while," Milani answered as she too sat. I noticed that she allowed Hunter to put his hands on her shoulders. Xavier too noticed and smiled brightly at me. However Milani was oblivious to our silent communication as she continued to talk. "You've been out since 8 last night until approximately 3:30 this afternoon when you walked into the room and were almost killed by Barbie."
"Wow! What happened to me?"
"We don't know. We couldn't find anything to contribute to it." Xavier leaned forward in his wheelchair. "Where did the dizziness start?"
"About right here," I said pushing my hair covering the left part of my face and pointed to the scar I received three years ago on prom night. Xavier's brown eyes turned from calm to somewhat sad and worried. I looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing Amber," Xavier said softly.
Milani noticed the change too and glanced at me. ~ He's hiding something ~ she thought to me.
~ So I noticed ~ I replied then realized we weren't talking like normal. ~ Wait a second! How. What. Huh? ~
~ I think I've pick up a new power. I suppose it's from being around the professor so much. ~ She stood up and turned to Xavier. "Amber and I are gonna go for a walk."
"Yeah!" I said standing up too fast. I got dizzy and started to tip but Darren caught me before I hit the floor. "Thanks Darren."
"No problem. Be careful."
"I will," I answered grabbing a snickering Milani and dragging her out of the room.
"Nice shot, Romeo, catching her twice in twenty-four hours," I heard Hunter laugh.
I blushed and walked faster. Milani began laughing her head off. I merely stuck my tongue out at her which made her laugh even more. Groaning I shoved the door open and stepped out into the warm sun. I started for Ororo's gardens and made sure Milani was following.
`~!@#$%^(
RV: Ugh! That was a horrible chapter to type! I am never writing a chapter that long ever again.
AW *raises bottle of Diet Coke*: Ahem!
`~!@#$%^(
"What is that girl doin'?" Wolverine asked me as he and Rogue come up behind me with Nightcat.
I shifted into a wolf so my eyes would adjust to the darkness. Stepping forward I followed Ember into the wooden place. My sharp ears caught the sound of leaves being crunched. I turned to see Rogue and Wolverine following. I snarled, telling them to stay where they were. They seemed to get the hint.
Suddenly, Ember screamed. I ran toward the sound and saw her being pushed against the wall by a boy- no scratch that- a man. He focused his blazing eyes on me. "So I see your puppy followed you," he laughed in Ember's ear.
"Nah, if that were my dog your ass would be gone," she retorted.
I shifted back into a human surprising the man. "Let her go!"
Reluctantly, he removed his arms from Ember's middle. She backed away slowly her angry gold eyes never leaving the man. Two other guys appeared behind him. I spread my wings purposely shielding Ember with one.
"Who are you?" the man asked.
Ember shoved my wing down and answered his question, "Ember."
"Let's use real names," I suggested to Ember. "I'm Amber. My codename's Silverwing."
"Milani," Ember said again. "Who are you three?"
"Hunter Bowen," the first guy said with a bow. He had light brown hair and eyes like his name. He rose above Milani and I in a stunning six two.
Another guy stepped forward. He flicked his wrist and three purple flowers appeared in his hand. He handed them to me, smiling. I took them looking into his dark blue eyes and at his black hair. I felt my face turn bright red. Milani nudged me in the arm grinning mischievously. The guy's smile widened as he introduced himself, "I am Darren Numair."
O_O O_O O_O
Hunter Bowen. Wow! There wasn't much else to say. His light brown hair was shaggy and fell into his hunter green eyes. He stood almost good foot taller than me and was surprisingly strong. I could actually feel his muscles through his black T-shirt when he had grabbed me around the waist and lifted me off the ground.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I whistled for the others to Amber and I. Ashley POOF!'ed next to Amber causing Hunter and Darren to step back a step. Logan and Rogue arrived seconds later. Logan's breathing sounded ragged. *Time to lay off them cigars, healing factor or not* I thought with as secret smile.
"Who are your friends?" Hunter asked while reaching for something in his back pocket.
"The guy is Logan or Wolverine. Rogue has the white streaks in her hair. Ashley or Nightcat is next to Amber," I replied calmly. "We were sent to find you and your two friends and take you back to the institute with us if you all want to go." I glanced around the makeshift campsite. "There was three of you right? I'm not seeing things again am I?"
"There are three of us," Darren assured me. "Tobias went to go lay down. He was injured after the fight we had with this huge guy. What was his name, Hunter?"
"He called himself 'The Blob'," he answered.
"Yeah that's right. There was this really annoying and smelly guy. Toad I believe this name was."
"Could you show us to Tobias?" Amber asked Darren. "We can take him someplace and have his injuries looked at."
"Sure, follow me." Darren led Amber and Ashley whom Amber motioned to follow also, to Tobias. They rounded a tree and disappeared from sight.
"Is there anythang ya need to gather an' take with ya'll?" Rogue asked Hunter.
He nodded. "Give me a minute."
Logan grabbed Rogue's arm and pulled her away. "We'll go get the Blackbird fired up," he said to Milani as he glared at Hunter. "Will you be okay, squirt?" She nodded and the duo left.
"Look, I'm sorry about what happened. You kinda freaked me out by approaching so quietly," he apologized. "Would you like a tour of my humble home?"
I smile at him. "Why not?" I followed him further into the campsite. It consisted of three tents arranged in a triangle with a fire in the middle. Hunter entered the first tent they came upon. "This yours?"
"No its Darren's." He picked up a pillow case filled with clothes. He put a picture and a baseball glove with a baseball into the pillow case.
"How long have you lived like this?" I asked annoyed by the awkward silence.
"Since we were fourteen or fifteen years old. Tobias's parents and Darren's grandparents flipped out. They found out that we were mutants and turned them out." He exited the tent and entered another one. "This is mine. Feel free to browse."
"What about you?" I inquired noticing the sleeping bag. It had my favourite Rugby team jersey sewn on it.
"I've been on my own for years. Ever since my mother passed away almost seven years ago," he said gruffly. He stuffed his pillow case and Darren's into the sleeping bag and rolled it up.
"I'm sorry. I lost my mom when I was twelve. My older brother had to help my dad raise me and my twin sisters," I sympathized. "Do you need any help?"
Hunter shook his head. "Wait here while I go get Tobias's things," he said before leaving me alone in the tent.
I sit on the cold hard ground and wait for Hunter to return. Seconds later he burst into the tent angrier then hell. He pulled an eight inch blade from the waist band of his jeans and points it at me. "Where'd they take Tobias? They couldn't have gotten outta here that fast."
"Calm down, Hunter. You don't want to fight me," I warned him. He swiped the blade at me and missed by a few mere inches. He came at me again and got my sleeve. I shot a fire ball at his hand. The knife dropped to the ground glowing red hot. He stared at his hand in disbelief.
O_O O_O O_O
We followed Darren to Tobias's tent and went inside. Tobias seemed to be sleeping but his eyes snapped open the instant we were five inches from his makeshift bed. He had dark brown hair that was a bit long for a guy and fell into his hazel eyes. He looked like nothing out of the ordinary until he sat up. Two black bat-like wings rose behind his head. I knelt down and asked about his injuries. He never said a word as he pointed to his broken arm and opened his shirt to reveal a long scar across his chest.
"We need to get him to the institute to have these wounds treated," I said to Darren. He and Tobias nodded in unison. Ashley and Darren helped Tobias up then she teleported them to the jet. As I left the tent I heard Hunter yell, "Where'd they take Tobias?!?" Running to his tent as a wolf I saw Hunter swipe at Milani with a knife. Just as he dropped it after Milani hit it with a fire ball, I dashed in snarling. He turned into a larger wolf and knocked me across the clearing. His claws left a bloody streak across my shoulder blade. Ember formed a fire wall around Hunter to prevent him from coming after me.
"Amber! Explain to Hunter why Tobias isn't in his tent," Milani yelled after she transformed into a tiger.
"We took him to the jet," I breathed. "So we can get him medical attention."
"With his consent?"
"Of course," I answered, standing. Wait a second. why were my legs shaking? Without warning, they gave out from under me. Milani rushed over in her human form.
"Amber, what's wrong?" she asked her eyes full of concern.
"I don't know. I feel sort weak," I said softly. I stood back up shifting back into a human. I extinguished the fire with my ice. Hunter stood also in human form. I blinked wearily as Logan, Rogue and Darren came walking up to us.
Everyone began arguing at once. I couldn't understand their words as everything became an echo and then darkness. I felt my body fall into someone's arms. Then consciousness left me completely.
O_O O_O O_O
"Nice catch," I said to Darren after he lifted Amber into his arms. "Is she okay?"
"I'm not sure but we should get her to a hospital."
"Check out her back, bub," Logan grunted. "She's got wings. Wings make her a mutant. People ain't exactly linin' up to help us."
"Let's just get her inta the Blackbird an' back ta the mansion," Rogue said taking command. "Ember, shift inta a tiger and carry Amber on yar back. Ya'll get there quicker. Hunter, ya help her. We'll catch up."
I did as she commanded and shifted into an orange tiger as Hunter took on a black leopard's form. Darren placed Amber across my back and I took off towards the Blackbird. Hunter kept pace next to me to help keep Amber on my back.
We slowed as the plane came into view. Hunter returned to his form and lifted Amber off me. Changing back, I led him up the plane's ramp. Ashley was sitting next to Tobias. She's trying to get him to do something. I could tell by the way she sat with her back ramrod straight. Tobias was refusing.
Shaking my head I motioned for Hunter to follow me towards the front of the plane. "Lay her down here," I ordered pointing to two chairs side by side. As he laid Amber down I made my way to the back of the jet.
Ashley followed. "What happened to Amber? She was just fine when Tobias and I left."
"Don't know. She just passed out. Here take these for Tobias," I said handing her a blanket and two pillows. I grabbed another two pillows and a blanket for Amber. "Keep him warm." I walked back to where I left Hunter and Amber. I tucked the pillows underneath her head and covered her with the blanket. "Stay with her until I tell you otherwise," I ordered him.
"Yes ma'am!" he said giving me a mock salute.
I roll my eyes but smile as I turn to the cockpit. Sliding into the co- pilot seat, I start the engines. Seconds later Rogue appeared next to me in the pilot's chair. "Everyone, take a seat an' buckle up," she called back. Seatbelts could be heard snapping closed as we took off.
* * *
Rogue landed the plane more gracefully than Cyclops could even dream of doing. Darren lifted the still unconscious Amber into his arms and followed Rogue down the jet's ramp. Hunter moved towards the sleeping Tobias. I gently laid a hand on his forearm and shook my head. He and I made our way down the ramp.
Xavier was waiting for us with Jean and Scott. Upon seeing Amber, his head whipped around and asked Rogue, "What happened to Silverwing?"
"Weh don't know, Professor. She was just standin' there an' got dizzy or something before she passed out," Rogue explained.
"Jean, we need your help in here," Logan called poking his head out the door. "One of the boys was injured."
"Rogue, show him," Jean nodded to Darren, "to the infirmary. I'll be there in a couple minutes." She disappeared into the Blackbird as Rogue motioned for Darren to follow her.
I watched the trio leave, worried about Amber. Hunter patted my shoulder in silent knowing. I weakly smiled up at him. "Professor, this is Hunter Bowen. The one carrying Amber is Darren Numair and the injured one is Tobias."
"Messer," Hunter supplied.
"The injured one is Tobias Messer."
O_O O_O O_O
Darren, Hunter, and Milani sat on the couch across from Rogue and Ashley who sat on the loveseat. Xavier naturally sat in his wheelchair in between them. Hunter was the first to break the ice. "It's a nice place you've got here."
"Yeah, it's huge," Darren agreed.
"Thank you," Xavier smiled. "Tell me, what are your powers?"
"Well. I can shift into any animal I like as long as I've seen what it looks like," Hunter replied. He turned into a red-tailed hawk and flew around the room to demonstrate his ability. He landed on Milani's shoulder careful as not to hurt her. He was rewarded by a small smirk.
"I can make silver shards and the sky become dark," Darren replied as he materialized a white dove in his hands, "and some minor illusions."
"What about Tobias?" Ashley asked softly.
"He's never spoken of his powers or anything else for that matter," Hunter said after shifting back into himself. "Ever since Darren and I met him, he has been silent. We only know what he's written down for us." He moved to stand behind Milani and rested his hands on her shoulders.
"Not a word?" Xavier asked.
"There may have been a few here and there but nothing important," Darren replied.
"I see." Xavier rubbed his chin, thinking. "Those wings of his, they are of a bat, aren't they?"
Hunter shrugged, "I think so."
O_O O_O O_O
I awoke with a major headache. I sat up dizzily on the steel table I was on. Glancing down I saw I had only my underclothes on so I quickly grabbed a near by blanket and covered myself. I glanced around the room nervously. "Um. is anyone in here?"
"Amber, you're awake. Good," Jean said coming out of the shadows of her lab. "I was just checking your power levels. Could you lie still for a second?"
"Uh sure of course," I answered lying back down.
"Hmm. no change," she murmured handing me a pile of clothes. "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better. Thank you." I took the clothes and began putting them on. "How's Tobias doing?"
"He's sleeping right now but he'll live. The others are waiting for you in the living room."
Nodding, I left the infirmary and rode the elevator up to the main floor. I opened the living room door quietly and poked my head in. I saw the others turn their heads to look at me. Smiling shyly I walked in and closed the door behind me.
"Welcome back Amber," Xavier chuckled.
I started to say something but Ashley wrapped her arms around my neck cutting off my air as she screeched in my ear. "I WAS SO WORRIED!!"
"Good to know." I managed to choke out.
I watched as Milani shook her head and stood up. "Hey, Barbie, if you're so happy that's she's alive, why are you strangling her?!"
Ashley let go of my neck immediately as I gasped for air. Composing myself I sat down on the couch in between Milani and Darren. "How long have I been out?"
"A while," Milani answered as she too sat. I noticed that she allowed Hunter to put his hands on her shoulders. Xavier too noticed and smiled brightly at me. However Milani was oblivious to our silent communication as she continued to talk. "You've been out since 8 last night until approximately 3:30 this afternoon when you walked into the room and were almost killed by Barbie."
"Wow! What happened to me?"
"We don't know. We couldn't find anything to contribute to it." Xavier leaned forward in his wheelchair. "Where did the dizziness start?"
"About right here," I said pushing my hair covering the left part of my face and pointed to the scar I received three years ago on prom night. Xavier's brown eyes turned from calm to somewhat sad and worried. I looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing Amber," Xavier said softly.
Milani noticed the change too and glanced at me. ~ He's hiding something ~ she thought to me.
~ So I noticed ~ I replied then realized we weren't talking like normal. ~ Wait a second! How. What. Huh? ~
~ I think I've pick up a new power. I suppose it's from being around the professor so much. ~ She stood up and turned to Xavier. "Amber and I are gonna go for a walk."
"Yeah!" I said standing up too fast. I got dizzy and started to tip but Darren caught me before I hit the floor. "Thanks Darren."
"No problem. Be careful."
"I will," I answered grabbing a snickering Milani and dragging her out of the room.
"Nice shot, Romeo, catching her twice in twenty-four hours," I heard Hunter laugh.
I blushed and walked faster. Milani began laughing her head off. I merely stuck my tongue out at her which made her laugh even more. Groaning I shoved the door open and stepped out into the warm sun. I started for Ororo's gardens and made sure Milani was following.
`~!@#$%^(
RV: Ugh! That was a horrible chapter to type! I am never writing a chapter that long ever again.
AW *raises bottle of Diet Coke*: Ahem!