Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men. Evie is my character.

/Personal thoughts/

~~telepathic communications~~

Chapter 4

Saturday morning found everyone packed and locking down home, once again. By 10 AM the Helix was ready to fly.

At the mansion, the professor had told his team about Mutant X coming to visit them again. Rooms were prepared and the girls worked on a special lunch to welcome their friends. Jesse and Brennan had helped on a small mission with Scott and Jean not too long ago; but it had been about a year since the two teams actually spent time together. Excitement filled the air as children and adults alike, waited in anticipation. Finally, the Double Helix softly landed in the field beyond the gym. As Adam and his team walked out onto the field they were first greeted by the elementary children who ran up and buzzed around the group like a swarm of bees, jumping and hugging as they 'escorted' them to where the professor was. As Adam approached first, he saw Charles, in his wheelchair, with his X Men standing casually in an arc behind him.

Smiling and taking his outstretched hand Charles greeted, "Adam, it is good to see you again. Welcome back to our home. Welcome back to all of you," he stated as he met the eyes of the four members he knew and each stepped forward to shake his hand.

Immediately, Adam extended his arm to Evie, who was standing to one side by Jesse. Stepping forward he made introductions. I would like you all to meet the newest addition to Mutant X. This is Dr. Evelyn Kihliya." Smiling he added, "Soon to be Evelyn Kane."

She looked down slightly embarrassed but was pleased that Adam was proud to introduce her like that.

Adam continued formally, "This is Professor Charles Xavier, founder of the school and head of the X Men.

"Congratulations, My Dear. It's very nice to meet you." He took her hand and smiled at her, then with his mind spoke again. ~~Perhaps your loveliness will show him there is more to life than his lab.~~

"Thank you," she tried to stifle the shock of Charles unexpected intrusion but not before a subtle giggle escaped her lips.

Adam cocked an eyebrow and glanced first at Charles and then at Evie, uncomfortable at knowing he was out of the loop. "I guess I should have warned you beforehand," Adam smirked, "Charles is a very powerful telepath." He shot his friend a menacing glance as the professor smiled slyly in response.

They moved their attention past Charles to the first figure standing to his side. "This is Scott Summers," Adam resumed, "also known as Cyclops, team leader. Scott has to always wear his ruby glasses to control the powerful energy constantly emitted from his eyes."

"Hello," Scott said as he offered his hand.

"Hello," Evie smiled.

"This is Dr. Jean Grey-Summers. Besides being Scott's wife," Adam smiled at her, "she's also telekinetic and telepathic."

Jean smiled, "Welcome."

"Thank you."

"This is Ororo Monroe also known as Storm. She has the ability to control the weather." He leaned in and pretended to whisper. "The last time we were here, she caught a cold and we had snow in May." Everyone laughed.

"Adam, stop it." Ororo feigned insult as she turned to smile at Evie and shook her hand.

[Someone walked up quietly and joined the X Men. His approach was silent to all but one. It was this one who claimed his attention by her mere presence. He stared intently.]

After winking at Ororo to prove his jest, he continued, "Next we have, Marie. She's called Rogue and has the power to absorb life energy by her touch. She also has the ability to fly and strength to rival Superman." Adam saw Rogue step forward and glare at him as she began to take off one glove. Quickly he added, "And the grace of a perfect southern belle."

"That's bettah, Sugah. Ya'll can't make me out tah be some unladylike clod."

"The farthest thing from my mind, I assure you." Adam took her gloved hand and kissed it.

"Ah'm glad you're here. We're gonna haftah have a talk about this one." Rogue smiled at Evie.

[She immediately sensed he was there; watching her, challenging her. She knew he was the predator and she was the prey. That wasn't a position she took often. She turned to see the look in his eyes. Without turning feral and threatening she just held her ground and stared back.]

Clearing his throat and moving on, Adam said, "This is Remy LeBeau."

Stepping forward quickly and taking Evie's hand to his lips the Cajun charmed, "Remy is pleased to make the acquaintance of such a lovely lady, Chere."

Adam interrupted, "Ahem,…Gambit has the power to charge and detonate inanimate objects."

"Turnabout, mon ami," Gambit grinned at Adam and returned to put his arm around Rogue.

[Brennan could always sense Shalimar's feelings. This time was no different. She was right next to him. He looked down and noticed she was staring intently. Casually following her gaze, he saw a man he hadn't noticed before. /He's staring down Shalimar. Evidently he doesn't know how dangerous that is./ The intensity of their stares and the tense feeling he was getting off her made him cautious. He looked back at the man, trying to read his body language.]

As they approached the next figure, Evie tried not to give in to the temptation to stare. The man was huge in stature. A doctor by the sight of him; professionally dressed right down to the embroidered lab coat. What made him so unusual was the hue of skin, a dark blue, and the short fur, also blue, that covered his visible extremities. "This is Doctor Henry McCoy," Adam offered, "The Beast. He's one of the most brilliant scientists I've ever met and his strength and agility are superhuman."

"A pleasure, Doctor." Hank took her small hand in his. "I've read many of your proposals. They're very insightful and quite provocative. I would like to speak with you about your theories when we have time."

"Thank you," Evie smiled. "I would like that." Evie was dumbfounded that this man could be called…Beast. "Please, call me Evie."

As Hank stepped back, Adam saw a man he didn't recognize.

[Sensing the change in the air, Logan turned his stare to the male next to the beauty. /He can sense her. This is going to be fun./ Logan gave him a sly grin before turning his attention to the professor.]

[Shalimar looked up briefly at Brennan; speaking uncertainty with her eyes to his silent questioning gaze.]

Noticing his friend's hesitation, Professor X spoke. "Adam, this is Logan. I believe when you were here last, Logan was in Alaska. He recently came back to us. Known as the Wolverine, he has the agility and heightened senses of the wolf. Because of his mutant ability to heal quickly, he was able to survive an operation which graphed the metal adamantium to his entire skeleton and gave him unique weapons."

*Snikt* Wolverine stoically held up his hands to offer display.

"Logan, I would like you to meet Mutant X, lead by Dr. Adam Kane. Though not a mutant, he is the leading mind behind genetic mutations. His fiancé, Dr. Evelyn Kihliya has the ability to heal herself, much like you, but also the ability to heal others."

Logan, not being a man of many words, just nodded.

The Professor continued, "Emma DeLauro is a psionic with the ability to read and alter the emotions of others and can release mental energy to incapacitate her opponents."

Emma smiled and Logan nodded with a slight grin.

"Jesse Kilmartin can phase his body and walk through walls much like our Kitty. He can also phase anything or anyone he touches. In the reverse he can also mass his body solid and deflect any attack. Perhaps even your claws," the professor added with slight humor.

Logan just raised an eyebrow.

"Shalimar Fox has the feral abilities of a cat. She is extremely strong and has sparred admirably against Rogue."

Shalimar again felt his intense gaze as she politely nodded to him, her eyes staring and confrontational. A soft growl reached her ears. She knew no one else could hear it.

Logan knew she could and was amused at her intentional lack of reaction.

"Brennan Mulwray can generate and throw bolts of electricity." Brennan noticed Logan momentarily look to him and nod then return his attention to Shalimar.

At that moment Kitty came out of the mansion and whispered into the professor's ear.

"Wonderful, thank you," he told her. "Everyone, please come inside. Lunch is ready to be served in the dining hall."

Kitty ran to Jesse and threw her arms around his neck. "Jesse, I'm so glad to see you again."

Jesse swept her up and around before dropping her gently to her feet. "Hey, Squirt, I've missed you. Run into anything lately." He smiled as she playfully punched his shoulder then took his hand and led him into the mansion.

As everyone walked inside, Brennan instinctively put his arm around Shalimar's waist as he led her away from Logan's stare.

/Oh, this IS going to be fun./

As they entered the dining hall, guests first, Logan, from his position in the back of the crowd, heard a scream. It was Jubilee. Immediately his claws were out and he was intently moving to the front of his team, who, with some amusement, let him pass. He and Jubilee were very close. She was like a kid sister to him and there was no way he was going to let anything happen to her. Darkness covered his face as he saw her running toward that man.

Brennan smiled as this young lady approached him. He knew what to expect and released Shalimar.

Jubilee ran up and jumped into his waiting arms. "Sparky, you're back! I couldn't wait to see you again." She kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Hey, Firecracker, I missed you, too, kid." Brennan pulled her into a tight hug then put her down as he felt her squirm to get away.

With a sudden indignant tone she announced, "I am no longer a kid," as she smoothed her hair.

Chuckling and playing her game Brennan exaggeratedly looked her up and down, "Yes, you're right. You're definitely not a kid anymore." He extended his hand and messed her hair; then turned as he heard Logan retract his claws.

"Jubilee…," Logan glared at Brennan who smugly returned his glare, seeing the young girl walked obediently over to her friend.

After lunch, the professor had Mutant X shown to their rooms. He asked for a meeting to discuss the reason for their visit. Everyone else was invited to enjoy their afternoon.

In the professor's office sat Adam, Evie, an anxious Marie with Remy by her side, Jean, Scott and Hank.

"Please, Adam, tell us what you have found. Can this really work?" the professor asked, opening the discussion.

Adam leaned forward in his chair. "I do believe we can make this work. All genetic mutation must be balanced. I regularly check my team and occasionally have to give them what they refer to as a 'tune up.'" With a smile toward Marie, he stood up. "Without these 'tune ups' they seem to find it harder to maintain control of their abilities. Now, their genetic structures are constantly mutating, therefore balance is always threatened. In natural mutants it may not be the same. From the initial testing, though, I found imbalances in Marie's DNA."

Turning to walk to Marie, he squatted in front of her chair and took her gloved hands in his. "It may be that when your powers originally manifested the genetic sequencing may have never righted itself. With Hank's knowledge of your particular physiology, we can work together," he momentarily glanced at Hank who nodded his approval, "and find a way to alter your genetic make up to be properly balanced. I believe that'll give you control to use your gift at will." He was pleased to see the smile on her face.

"Ah might be able tah take these gloves off and actually touch again?" She voiced her thoughts, freely showing her emotions of hopefulness and joy.

"Are dere any risks to Marie? Remy don't want to see mon chere hurt." He lovingly tightened his arm around her shoulders.

Standing up, Adam replied, "I need to do additional testing. Some of that testing may be slightly painful. I'd need blood and tissue samples. Evie would be able to heal you immediately."

Worry began to creep into her voice. "But that would mean she would haftah touch me." Turning to Evie, "Ah don't want tah hurt ya."

"Don't worry, you won't. I'll be fine," Evie tried to allay her fears.

"She's a powerful healer," Adam added, proudly smiling at his love. Turning back to face Marie; he spoke again. "The actual resequencing would take a while, since we have to, in affect, change every DNA strand in your body. We would have to put you to sleep for that and it would have to be done without medication." Smiling and turning to Charles he went on. "Emma could do it with a psionic blast but I'd rather avoid the trauma."

"That's not a problem. I could easily put Marie to sleep."

Scott finally joined the conversation. "When can all this be done?"

"Anytime, but Marie would have to be completely off duty until we're done. I would need her constantly available through the testing. After the actual procedure it may take a little time to recover and then adjust to the idea of being touched," replied Adam.

"I think," Charles added soberly, "that even though we are all anxious for this to happen, it would be wise to take the rest of the weekend to allow Mutant X to get settled in. Then we can begin fresh on Monday. Rogue is officially off duty as of now. This will also give you the weekend to prepare yourself. Even though this is what you want, you must understand that all of this will be an emotional and physical drain on you."

"Ah understand. Thank ya, Professor."

Since the meeting was going on behind closed doors the rest of Mutant X were cheerfully reacquainting themselves with the students they knew and meeting the ones who had come since their last visit.

Logan pulled Jubilee aside. "Hey, Jubes, what's with you and Mulwray?"

Amused she remarked, "You jealous, Wolvie?"

"Don't play me, kid." He grinned but she could see he was concerned. After all he didn't know anything about this guy and she was all over him.

"Relax. When they were here last year, Professor X asked him to take over your self defense class for May 'til school was out. We got to talk a little and become friends." All of a sudden she brightened with a memory. "You should've seen it. It was so cool. On Memorial Day, Ororo, Brennan and I put on a fireworks display. We had a ball. That's why he calls me, 'Firecracker'."

Logan just watched him in the distance but then turned to see Shalimar.

Jubilee saw the change in his expression. "Forget it, Dude. She belongs to Brennan. They're in deep."

"Yeah? I think I'll have to ask her about that."

TBC