Beep. Beep. Beep.
Suddenly her eyes snapped open, and X23 abruptly sat up. A big mistake, it turned out, for her head felt horrible. Like it'd been cracked in two. In all likelihood, it had. Underneath the covers of the medical bed she could tell her black uniform had been replaced with a simple white hospital gown. A firm hand was placed against her shoulder, and X23 pushed down the pain, her head rotating to view the other in the room with her.
Brown hair, red sunglasses... identified as Cyclops from her profiles on the X-Men. Their field leader and capable of powerful optic blasts. If he got his sunglasses off. X23 growled and leapt off the bed, grabbing Scott's arm and twisting it behind his back, her other hand clenched into a fist and pressed against the back of his head. The warning was clear enough: move and I pop the claws, right through your skull.
"Hey whoa... relax, we're not going to hurt you," he said, speaking calmly despite his life being threatened. "Listen... we just want to help you," he said, very gently. Like speaking to a small child. X23 growled, shoved Scott into the bed and broke for the door. The pain running through her body was abysmal, but she could tolerate it. It barely slowed her down. She slipped past the glass walls and into the hallway, leaving Scott to rub his wounded arm.
Professor, he thought. X23's escaping. I couldn't stop her.
Understood. Are you injured?
Nothing serious... you just worry about her, he replied, rubbing his sore arm. She'd damn near twisted if off, but Scott could forgive her. He knew she'd been through a lot not to trust anybody.
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X23 ducked down one hallway, then another, her keen senses alert for danger. Thankfully, apart from the hum of machinery, she heard no sounds of pursuit. Even Cyclops hadn't yet begun to chase after her. Sloppy, part of her thought.
Except they're not trying to keep you here as a prisoner, she reminded herself. X23 grimaced, growled low, as she ducked into a nearby elevator, riding it to the top floor. She already knew the layout of the mansion by heart, having already been here once was more than enough.
The elevator's doors slid open and X23 dropped into a crouch, prepared to leap forward and slice through anyone or anything that dared block her path to freedom. She was not, however, prepared for what greeted her. As the metal doors slid open there stood the little brown-haired boy only a year or so younger than she was. Jamie Madrox, she remembered from the SHIELD files. Codenamed Mutiple. He looked just as shocked to see her apparently, as she did him.
Suddenly her keen senses caught another scent as she moved forward. Jamie appeared ready to scream but X23 was upon him, grabbing his arm in a similar manner to what she'd done below with Scott, her fist pressed against his temple. As she did, two more figures entered the hallway, immediately heading over towards her, then slowing as they spotted her captive.
"Don't move!" she shouted, making herself very clear from the onset, even as she made out who the other two were. Her voice was sore and harsh from dissuse, but clear enough to be understood. Logan and Professor X. The telepath, she mentally cursed. She pressed her knuckles more firmly against Jamie's head. "If I even think you've entered my mind I swear I'll skewer this kid where he stands!" she shouted over at them, particularily at the telepath.
"Easy kid, relax... we just want to help you," said Logan, palms upraised in the universial 'I mean no harm' gesture. X23's eyes narrowed, glancing from Logan to Xavier, but they both kept their distance. Jamie, able to sense the delicate nature of the situation despite his young age, obediently remained both quiet and motionless, not wanting to give X23 any incentive to slice his head open. True, he might be able to stamp his foot and duplicate himself, get the duplicate to safety, then jump her, but he wasn't sure yet how well his duplicates took physical injury. Sometimes the bumps and bruises transferred when they merged back with him, sometimes not. Best to play things safe, he decided.
"I don't need your help! I told you that! I just want you to leave me alone!" she replied angrily.
"Kid, look, you're.." started Logan, but X23 cut him off.
"Stop calling me that!"
"Alright, look... you're wounded... you can lie to me all you want but I can smell the blood on you from here," replied Logan calmly, trying not to agitate the young girl. "We just want to help you recover. We are not your enemies," he added.
X23 hesitated, considering her options. Toss the little boy at them and run, and she could likely make it out. But still, out to what? The same empty, cold existence she'd had the last few months? How long had it been anyway... she'd lost track of time in that cave. Plus, there was this new threat. She had no desire to endanger any of the X-Men... but their resources could prove valuable. As well as their contacts with SHIELD.
And, she admitted to herself... she -wanted- to stay.
"I... I know you're not my enemies," she replied softly. She released her grip on Jamie, letting him run eagerly to duck behind the Professor and Logan, who just stood there, making no move towards her. "I will... accept your offer for aid... but I am not staying here long," she added meaningfully, her haunted green eyes flashing angrily.
"Soon as you're healed you can go on your own kid," replied Logan with a smile.
"Stop... stop calling... me... that..." murmured X23, as she swooned on her feet and fainted from blood loss.
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Once again X23's eyes opened to the sound of beeping technical gear. This time however she was relaxed, very serene. She knew she was safe here now. Without turning her head she could immediately sense that Logan was in the room, sitting in a chair next to her bed. Idly, she tilted her head to face him, her expression neutral.
"You fainted from blood loss, kid," said Logan, arms folded across his chest as he looked down at her.
"I pushed myself too far," she replied sullenly. "So what happens now?" she asked, glancing down at herself. Under the white sheets, she was starting to heal rapidly, and would likely be at full health ready by the evening.
"Right now you need to worry about getting well," he replied, standing and turning to leave. "We can discuss the rest in the morning... its very late."
"Weapon... er, Wolv... er, Logan," she stuttered, trying to think of an appropriate way to address the dark-haired man who'd saved her life. "I... I want to apologize for attacking one of your students. Two, actually," she realized, lowering her head shamefully. Her long, thick brown tresses flowed down to cover her features, concealing them from view.
"Its alright kid, but I ain't the one you should be apologizing too. But you can tell them yourself in the morning... that is... if you're staying the night," he replied with a smile.
"I... of course... in the morning I'll be healed... I can apologize then," she replied firmly.
"You know you can stay as long as you want," replied Logan, as he shut the door and turned out the lights. X23 lay her head back in the darkness, resting it on the uncommonly soft pillow beneath her head, and drifted off to sleep.
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Morning came with its usual bustle of activity, but today was subdued as soon as the students learned about the guest brought in last night. If not from the Professor or Logan, they heard it from firsthand accounts from Scott and Jamie. Or if not firsthand, then second hand from the mouths of Jubilee or Kurt, the gossipmongers among the Institute students. By breakfast, everyone was asking questions.
X23 rose from her bed, tilting her head. She could hear them all, though dimly, their voices and words indistinguishable at such a range and through the upper levels of the Institute. Their scents weren't as easily distinguished, but they were there, faintly. Under the overlying tones characterstic of hospitals. Logan's and Scott's were the strongest, and also another. Rogues? How peculiar.
The dark-haired girl slipped to her feet, stretching out her limbs and testing her body. A few parts, mostly along her left side of her body, where she'd been hit by the blast, were still sore. Her skin was a little more pink than usual, and a fraction more painful, but in time that would pass too.
X23 opened the door, glancing out into the empty hallway. No sign of anyone. She could go now, she realized. Make a break for it... the wide world was calling. But if she left now... she'd just be alone again.
Reluctantly, the former assassin made her way to the elevator and took the trip up to the main floor, clutching the white hospital gown close to her body. It engulfed her tiny form, but still... it felt so soft...
"Oh, good morning," came a soft voice to her right. X23 instinctively turned and crouched, her entire body tense, but she relaxed as she saw who it was. Ororo Munroe, the weather witch. X23 relaxed marginally.
"You look famished child... were you looking for the kitchen?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to the side as she regarded X23. Reluctantly, the dark-haired girl nodded, and Ororo smiled. Gently, she beckoned the little girl to follow her, and the two arrived just as the other students had cleared out, heading off to school. Jamie was already downstairs in the makeshift classroom with his instructor of the day. Who just happened to be Beast. Professor Xavier and Logan were at the table in the kitchen, enjoying a good breakfast as Ororo and X23 entered.
To be sure, the room immediately got very quiet. X23 kept downcast eyes as she walked in. It was more out of habit than nervousness with her. It was what she'd been taught to do since as long as she could remember. And though she was no longer a Hydra slave, old habits died hard.
"Good... good morning," she said, her voice deathly quiet. She tried to remember what Dr. Risman had been like. What was the word she'd used? Polite.
"Good morning," replied Professor Xavier, smiling politely as he indicated an empty chair for X23 to sit down in. Relucantly, the dark haired girl slid into it, aware of the three adults watching her as she quietly grabbed some food and roughly shoved it onto a plate.
"Here sweetie," said Ororo, handing her a glass full of orange juice, which X23 eagerly gulped down.
"Thanks," she replied earnestly, returning to her meal, sticking to the fruits and pastries. She had more than enough meat in her system, she needed a full and complete diet to keep going though.
"Will you be staying with us long, sweetie?" asked Ororo, gathering up her own dish and sitting down next to her. X23 paused, glancing at her, then back at the other two, who were also listening intently. It made her feel nervous. They reminded her of those blasted Hydra scientists, watching her every move.
"I... I don't know," she replied honestly. All her tough girl aura had dropped, and now she was just a scared, fourteen year old girl. "I..."
"Easy kid, relax," said Logan, coming over and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. It felt reassuring, somehow, that someone cared, and X23 clung to the hand.
"We understand this has all been very difficult for you," said Professor Xavier quietly, his fingers steepled. "But I built this Institute to help those like you... and you are more than welcome to stay here and recieve our help, if that is what you desire."
X23 sniffled, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill from her dark eyes as she watched Professor Xavier. He gently extended a hand towards her. The dark-haired girl glanced up at the other two adults, who smiled and nodded.
In that moment, X23 made her decision to try and live a normal life. Hydra had robbed her of that, but she was determined now she wanted it. She'd take the risk that she'd get hurt. She knew this wouldn't be easy by any stretch of the imagination, but she wanted this. She wanted to go to school, she wanted to have friends... and family.
She took Xavier's hand in a firm but warm handshake.
"The first matter, I fear, will be deciding on a name," said Professor Xavier with something close to a smile on his face.
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Author's Notes:
Yet another reference to the first X-Men movie, reminding you all no doubt of Logan's attack on Jean Grey. Well, X23 has finally come home, but things are not going to be easy for her, no sirree. Next chapter involves her name (I'm not very well calling her X23 throughout this entire story). Oh and in case any of you wondering, the title refers to the plot later to come. You'll see soon enough.
Comet-hime: I always look forward to your fan art, its so very beautiful. Especially since you so kindly offered to make some civvies for X23. Don't worry, she'll interact with both of your favorites, Tabitha and Amara, soon enough.
Elrohir the Writer: Yeah. But its a good dream. Like a fifth season of our favorite show in the whole wide world, ne?
Kinomi: You know I like all the characters of X-Men Evolution (except Havok). I even like Bobby, I'm just not some crazy obsessed fangirl like you! Although, I love your original character Torrent.
Scorpion: More to come, believe me. This will be a very long (hopefully not too long) story.
DoWriter12: Unfortunately you'll have to wait, but they'll make periodic appearances here and there. But I am saving their dramatic unveiling for later.
Glaivester: Very true. She can heal much faster then Logan, so any sort of wound she received would be healed in a matter of minutes. However, in chapter one, that isn't just a love-tap she received. Plus, although capable of healing she needs energy to do so. Things like proteins and carbohydrates to make new cells to replace the old... that's my theory, at least.
Stephanie-Priz: It's a chaptered story! I never do one-shots. Trust me, when the end comes, you shall know... generally after sappy reunions and climactic battles. You read Nullification, that's how you can tell its over.