A week passed, then two.

Thankfully, the principal of Bayville High had heard no word of the incident concerning Sarah and the use of her claws. The bullies had been hushed up pretty well by the thought of crossing a mutant as dangerous as she was, and had made themselves scarce. Two had been too scared to come into class for a week, claiming they were sick. The third ducked out of sight the instant he saw Sarah or another Institute kid walking down the hallways, now more keenly aware of the danger of picking on mutants.

So things proceeded better for Sarah. The first day had indeed been her first, but things began to steadily get better, and by the second week of school she felt herself ready to proceed with class procedures without the aid of a nearby Institute student to 'hold her hand' so to speak. Her workload was piling up as some of her teachers were nearing their big first tests, but Sarah felt confident she could do well.

She did, however, avoid traveling behind the gym to get to her transport to and from school. She went through the school, in easy view of the teachers and other students. Bullies rarely struck in public, even if the public shared their anti-mutant opinion. It was instinctive.

Training at the Institute had begun formally for Sarah. True, she was already as skilled an operative and fighter as Logan himself, and he and Hank altered their teachings for her accordingly. They focused on her teamwork skills, partnering her with various New Recruits to see how well she functioned in a team. She wasn't very good (Hank pointed out this must've been hereditary, to which Logan growled) but she was improving steadily over time. That and some standard 'survive what we throw at you' sessions at high levels in the Danger Room had helped to give Sarah a way to vent her anger, much like Wolverine did.

Logan wasn't often around, he was out and about, searching for clues, contacting SHIELD and the like. Sarah, despite relaxing into her newfound role as student and teenager, was indeed still aware of the attack on her life. Someone was still after her, and they had to take action to stop whoever it was. She wanted to help, but Logan insisted the safest place for her was the Institute, with them. She never went out into public unless it was accompanied by at least one senior X-Man, or one of the teachers.

But in the meantime, she was enjoying her new life. Her bursts of anger were becoming rarer and less frequent, and usually it never got beyond her growling or slamming her fist harmlessly into the wall. By comparison Logan was a lot worse. Her nightmares were also becoming less frequent, and now Sarah felt capable of handling them herself, and no longer sought out Ororo for help like she had the first night at the Institute.

The Professor called every few days, but progress with his disciple Jean was not occuring. If anything, her power surges were growing worse, and sometimes it was all Professor Xavier and Doctor MacTaggert could do to keep them under control.

Little happened those past few days. Apart from a minor riot outside the Brotherhood house, things had been relatively quiet. Thus Sarah found more time to peacefully enjoy herself and explore the aspects of teenage life. Music, movies, fashion, and more. At first new and frightening, it added to the charm.

She'd grown close to all of them. Scott, Tabitha, Jamie, Rogue, even Bobby. In the past few days each and everyone of them had done something to endear themselves to her heart, make her consider them part of her family. Even little Jamie, though he hadn't realized it or done it on purpose. But the sight of him, slipping on the floor and landing in a small cluster of himselves, it had been enough to make Sarah burst out laughing. Her first pure, innocent laugh. Before, she'd laughed, but it hadn't been perfectly sincere. It was a learned response, from watching others. She hadn't really felt the need to laugh. Her smiles were much the same, though now they were coming more easily, and sincerely.

She was in heaven. She stared at the bright rays of light for so long she barely noticed the gathering clouds of darkness overhead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alright everyone this is a little different from most training exercises we've taken part in, so listen up," stated Logan, drawing the attention of all the students present. All the core X-Men, even the teachers, plus Sarah and Bobby were present. The two of them had been specifically invited to participate in this training exercise. Bobby was being unusually solemn, making every effort to appear as serious as the others standing next to him.

Sarah was suited up in her new uniform. Just prior to his departure the departure of Professor X, he'd gone ahead and ordered from his usual sources a uniform fitting for the former assassin. It was a relief no longer having to borrow from Jubilee. Her new uniform was like the other New Recruits, with special gloves similar to Logan's, to accomodate her claws properly in a fight, and boots of a similar nature. Professor Xavier had the foresight to have hers specially designed.

"Jean's gone, so Sarah and Bobby here are going to cover for her. The drones are specifically set to register damage. Remember, we just want to disable, no casualties."

"Why not?" asked Sarah, genuinely curious.

"If we run into a situation where we're fighting normal humans, we want to be able to take them down without taking them out," replied Logan. "X-Men don't kill."

Though X23 considered this a very odd creed at best, she obliged and kept her claws sheathed while she and the others prepared for the session to start. Not just an assassin, but sometimes Hydra wanted their victims alive for 'interrogation'. Thankfully, she'd never been on a mission of that sort herself. As the others began to prepare, she'd noticed the use of codenames instead of given names. She did the same. She'd kept her codename X23, mostly because she couldn't think yet of anything else that fit her. Logan had suggested Lynx, but it didn't feel quite right. She'd been trained to take people down before.

Wolverine tapped his comm badge, located just over his heart on his new uniform, designed as the now rapidly familiar 'X' symbol. "Go ahead, Farm-Boy, start 'er up."

Sam, up in the control room with the other New Recruits, obligingly tapped the console and started up the pre-set Danger Room sequence. Then he and the others settled back in their seats to watch. The air in the Danger Room shimmered, and the holograms kicked in, replacing the cold iron walls with the bustle of downtown Bayville. Right in front of city hall. In mid-scenario, as the protestors had immediately began storming the white steps and heading towards Mayor Richardson. His opponent, also present, they noted dryly, was none other than former Principal Kelly. He wasn't their target though, or the one they needed to protect.

"Storm! Cool 'em off! Iceman, get a barrier up around the Mayor!" shouted out Cyclops, already taking careful aim and blasting at the feet of the more unruly of the mob. A few backed off, but most rushed forward, swinging any and everything they could use as weapons. Mostly small arms, knives and clubs and posters. Nothing to worry about.

X23 launched herself forward as the other X-Men split up to do what they did best, as X23 did what she too did best. Kicked and punched and flipped and generally ripped through the crowd, knocking down anyone who got too close for her liking. Wolverine was right behind her, his movements backing her up, making sure neither of them remained vulnerable. All around them the mobsters fell, though none were hurt worse than a day at home wouldn't heal. Only once had Wolverine popped his claws, and that was in some especially big punk's leg to drop him. X23 hadn't done it once yet.

As she fought, X23 couldn't help but be reminded of the punks she'd been fighting back at Bayville High. The bullies who'd picked on her for being a mutant. And now these mobs. Her rational mind knew they were just artfully concealed machines and robots, but they could've just as easily been real. This was who they were fighting to protect? People who not only hated and feared mutants but any humans who even liked mutants too? Like Kurt's girlfriend, Amanda?

"Nightcrawler! Get the Mayor out of here!" shouted Cyclops over the downpour. Storm's powers were working overtime to disperse the less hearty of the crowd and send them running for cover.

"On it!" came the blue-mutants reply. In two quick 'ports, the Mayor was safe, but the X-Men weren't. The mob had just turned its attention to them. X23 ducked another clumsy attack, uppercutting her opponent and knocking him flat onto his back in less than three seconds flat. She was mildly disappointed.

Should've been two seconds.

The session abruptly ended, and X23 relaxed as the holograms vanished and the machines went back to gods-only-knew where for repairs. Sarah straightened herself up, stretching out her somewhat sore muscles and rubbing her hands along her knuckles, which were a bit sore. But all in all, she was pleased she'd managed to keep her cool.

"Good work," stated Logan, drawing all those concerned back into a semi-circle around him. "Very damn good work. Especially you two," he added, nodding at Bobby and Sarah. "You two did well, kept your cool, and worked as part of the team. Nicely done."

"Nothin' we couldn't handle," replied Bobby in his typical flippant manner, making an exaggerated motion of cracking his knuckles.

"Prof called last week, had me set this session up for you two based on your progress and experience in the field. And since you passed, I owe you both some congratulations. You're both official X-Men now. Welcome to the team," added Logan, giving them both one of his rugged, crooked grins.

Sarah was immediately swarmed with congratulations, though she hadn't felt she'd earned them. She just hoped Logan and the Professor knew what they were doing. She smiled and shook hands, even with Hank and Ororo, but then felt she needed time to adjust to this, and politely excused herself from the Danger Room and headed off to change out of her uniform, which was wet from Storm's rain and slick with sweat.

Still, she'd never felt happier.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oh Sarah, hey! What's new?" asked Jubilee, as the two girls passed in the hallway later that evening.

"Not much. Yourself?" she replied politely.

"I am capital B, bored with this place," stated Jubilee. "Me, Kurt an' Bobby were headin' out to watch a movie, wanna come?"

Before Sarah could reply, the window at the end of the hallway suddenly darkened, and the two girls caught a glimpse of a helicopter descending. It went by fairly quick, but Sarah's keen eyes spotted the very distinct American sigil on the back. Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate. SHIELD.

"Looks like I can't," she replied, tensing instinctively. "Mr. Fury wouldn't have come here himself unless something big had happened... I should go find Logan."

"Another time then," replied Jubilee, who headed down the adjacent hallway, as Sarah made her way to the balcony overlooking the foyar. There stood Logan, waiting as Nick Fury opened the glass doors and stepped inside. Not just him this time though, he had company. Dr. Deborah Risman followed behind him, her head lowered respectfully before Logan. He just sneered and crossed his arms, making no secret of the fact that he didn't like the blonde doctor.

"Dr. Risman," said Sarah, as she descended the stairs. She admitted, she had mixed feelings about meeting her again. In some ways, she'd been very nice to Sarah during her time with Hydra. In others, she'd been responsible for her creation and horrible life. Even moreso than Logan, who'd been unaware of her existence until a year ago.

"X23..." she stated breathlessly as she looked up, hardly able to believe the young lady standing before her was the same girl who'd fled Hydra.

"It's Sarah now," said Logan darkly. "She has a name."

"Of course," replied Deborah quietly. "Sarah.... its very nice."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the distance, a figure crouched, keeping to the shadows. A binocular rested in his hands, as he kept watch on his target. X23. She had no idea how closely she was being watched, by himself and Gauntlet and half a dozen other agents. Gauntlet and himself were master trackers, and able to watch from a distance. The others were normal humans, and some good masters of deception. They'd managed to keep a much closer eye on her, though inside the Institute or in Bayville High too closely.

But the helicopters meant something was up, and the shadowy figure moved in closer, recognizing immediately the much hated symbol of SHIELD on the side of the 'copter. And more importantly, recognized those who stepped out of it. He'd been briefed on all of Hydra's enemies, including the traitor. Nicholas 'Nick' Joseph Fury, director of SHIELD. And Dr. Deborah Risman, the turncoat scientist who'd left SHIELD and nearly led to their destruction. Both of them, here, speaking to Weapon X and X23. Trouble was up, doubtlessly.

The agent reached up and tapped his wristband, openning a secure link to his fellow operative Gauntlet. It was short-range, only able to reach to the other side of Bayville, where their temporary base had been set up. Near the mines.

"Gauntlet, we got trouble..."

"How bad?" came the static-filled reply.

"Bad enough that you need to let our boss know... both Fury and Risman just showed up on the Institute grounds."

"That's bad."

"Inform Hydra Command... I'm going to move in try and get a closer look..."

"Keep an eye out for..."

"I know," replied the agent, as he switched off communication and dropped down stealthily into the shadow of the tree he'd been in. Wasting time in pointless information did not concern him. He moved in closer, keeping in the shadows, and careful not to attract attention from the students playing frisbee in the yard or the security system.

As graceful as a cat he leapt up and grabbed the roof, vaulting up and over, landing into a shadowy crevice not easily noticed. His black uniform and trench coat allowed him to blend in easily, as was its intention, his talons dug into the side of the building, keeping him stationary. So he leaned back, tilted his ears in the direction he desired... and listened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Let's cut to the chase," broke in Fury. "Believe it or not I do have other assignments to get to. But the good doctor here thinks she knows who the assassin may be."

"I know who it is," she replied softly, her every syllable laced with fear. Her body was bathed in the scent, nearly enough to make both Logan and Sarah sick. "And the agent is undoubtably Hydra."

Logan, observing the strict customs of host, beckoned them in and led them to the kitchen so they could all make themselves comfortable. He took his customary perch on the windowsill, arms crossed, listening. Waiting to pounce on any tidbit of information that was produced. Sarah sat at one end of the table, Deborah at the other. Fury stood behind her while she began her story.

"The operative's name... is X24."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

Definently sped through and very short, but I'm wrapping up X23's first days at the Institute to get to the main plot: Weapon X24. Now hopefully the title makes considerably more sense.

DoWriter12: I think that's true with all my stories. I always work up to really big climaxes, teasing the audience (you guys) with bits of information slowly. I'm so mean, aren't I? Enjoy what's to come.

The Rogue Witch: Scott isn't broken up yet because the poor fool actually thinks Jean is coming back. Muwahahahahahahahahaha! Glad I pulled of Kurt's spiritual side well, its kinda hard being non-spiritual myself. Oh and Rogue wasn't moving in, they were just being friendly. For now. ^_^

Steven P.P: That was my line of thought too, plus you gotta remember these guys get lasers and razor disks thrown at them on a near-daily basis. Gotta have nerves of steel for that.

Elrohirthewriter: Well thank you. I hope you enjoy what's to come. That's one of the benefits of not being able to know what's to come. Its more surprising.

Kinomi: Its just a cute little Sam/Rahne I decided to stick in at the last minute. Glad you liked it though. As always, more to come.
Scorpion: Soon.

Ultimate R-Man: Ultimate Spider-Man? What'd I get from that? I never even read/heard of it. If you mean Ultimate X-Men I never read that either.

Lyranfan: I am just so very, very glad my take on religion got through without anyone nailing me to a board. Glad you liked the diversity, I had to make most up since all I could come up with was Kitty being Jewish. I'm still not sure what to do with Sarah just yet. Maybe I'll resolve that later.

Comethime: Yay, more piccies! You always draw such great artwork. Glad you like Rahne as a wiccan, I think it fits her too.

Zoken: Kurt's interaction with the squirrels was to emphasize his connection with nature (he's furry like an animal himself, really) not his gentleness. Its also another nod to Internutter's stories, who's had the elf tame deer before, if you can believe that. Glad you like the story, I'll certainly read yours once its up.