Day by Day

"That's right Jesse just keep focusing," Xavier spoke. Jesse was currently focusing his powers on a small lamp. "Just think only about keeping that one lamp's power shut down." Immediately the entire room flicked the lights. Two light bulbs exploded. "Or not…"

"I can't do this!" Jesse fumed. "I'm a failure!"

"Jesse you're not a failure," Xavier told him. "It takes time to master mutant abilities."

"I've been here for how many weeks and I still screw up!" Jesse groaned. "I'll never get this power right!" The lights flickered again.

"Jesse control your emotions," Xavier told him. "They're tied into your powers."

"I know, I know…" Jesse groaned. Another light bulb exploded. "Oh man…I thought it was just electric stuff I blew up."

"Well there is electric wiring in the light switches," Xavier said. "You will get this Jesse. Just keep practicing."

"Yeah right, can I go now?" Jesse asked.

"We'll try this again tomorrow," Xavier dismissed him.

Warren walked in as Jesse left. "How's it…"He saw the broken light bulbs. "Still not working huh?"

"He's still plagued by self doubt," Xavier sighed. "I really thought we'd have made more progress by now."

"Well on the other hand Paige has adjusted quite well with her mutation," Warren told him. "I wonder why she seems to catch on so fast?"

"Well some mutant's powers are easier to control than others," Xavier shrugged. "Especially if they don't tie in with emotions."

"The kid's been through a lot," Warren said. "Just give him time."

"I don't know if I'm doing any good at all," Xavier sighed.

"Well take a look for yourself," Warren pointed. Outside Jesse had ended up in a basketball game with Jamie. Jessie didn't seem to mind that Jamie kept accidentally making clones of himself. He and the boy were having fun.

"See," Warren pointed out. "He doesn't feel like a complete outcast. That's got to be worth something. Being around some of the other kids helps. At least he doesn't feel like he's alone."

"Still it will be a long time before Jesse is able to control his emotions like the others," Xavier sighed.

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"And another wonderful day at Bayville Hell comes to a close," Tabitha grumbled as she, Jean, Kitty and Rogue went to their lockers.

"Hey at least none of us got detention today for once," Kitty sighed.

"I think it's only because the teacher in charge of detention is sick of us," Rogue remarked. "Must have made a deal with all the other teachers or something. None of my teachers have said two words to me in class all day."

"I guess they figured out that screaming at us won't make us go away so they're trying the silent treatment," Rogue said.

"Well at least no one is picking fights with us," Kitty grumbled.

"No they're just staring at us like we're some kind of diseased lepers and talking behind our backs," Rogue grumbled. "And that's just the teachers!"

"We only have three weeks to go," Jean told them. "Just hang in there. It will be okay. We just have to…" She went to her locker and stopped cold.

"Oh god…" Tabitha's jaw dropped when she saw what was written there. Spraypainted on the locker were the words MUTANT WHORE.

"Three guesses who did this!" Rogue balled her hands into fists. "That jerk Duncan is gonna…Jean! Jean!" Jean ran off before they could stop her. "Jean!"

"What's going on? What…?" Scott ran up then saw the locker. His fists clenched in rage. He went after Jean.

"That's it!" Tabitha fumed. "I have had it! Somebody needs to teach Duncan Dunderhead a lesson!"

"Tabitha what are you gonna do?" Rogue asked.

"What somebody should have done a long time ago!" She stormed off.

Scott meanwhile had caught up with Jean in back of the quad. It was deserted. Jean was about to fly off when Scott grabbed hold of her arm. "Jean are you crazy?" He looked around. "What if someone saw you!"

"I don't care!" Jean shouted.

"Yes you do," Scott pulled her into his embrace. "Come on…It's okay. It's okay."

"No it's not okay! I don't know if I can take it anymore Scott," Jean sobbed. "Every day it just gets worse!"

Scott held her. "I know, but we're going to get through this together. We are going to graduate. We won't let them drive us out!"

"I know I should be above this but I'm not! It hurts Scott! It hurts when people I thought were my friends treat me like…like something that belongs in the sewer!" She sobbed. "I try to block their thoughts and emotions but sometimes they get through and…oh god Scott. Their thoughts are so cruel and ugly! Some of them enjoy the thought of us being hurt or worse!"

"I know," He stroked her hair. "It hurts me too. And it kills me to see them treat you like this."

"I'll never understand why they hate us Scott…" Jean sighed. "It's different when the Misfits call us names. I mean given our past history. But even those guys on their worst day aren't as bad as this! Did you know I've been getting notes stuffed into my locker that have been saying the exact same thing? Or worse?"

"No…" Scott stiffened. "I didn't. Duncan?"

"I recognize some of the handwriting," Jean sniffed. "Him I don't care about but there are a lot of others that…God Scott I don't even dare show them to the principal! For all I know he might be writing some of them himself! I've glimpsed his thoughts, he's capable of it!"

Scott growled. "If any of them tries anything I'll…"

"Scott no…" Jean stopped him. "Don't think that I haven't been tempted to blast them myself. But that would only be giving in wouldn't it?"

"I suppose." They stood together for a moment.

"You know when we graduate we'll both be the first outed mutants to graduate from this high school," Jean said. "And then nobody can say that mutants can't function in a normal high school. We have to keep fighting Scott. For the others we leave behind and for all other mutants everywhere forced to hide who they are in order to be safe. We have to do this."

"Well I guess I didn't need to give you the pep talk didn't I?" Scott smiled.

"I'm sorry I unloaded everything on you like that," Jean sighed. "It's just been so hard lately. I just needed to let something go."

"Jean we all have our moments of weakness," Scott said. "Despite everything else, we're only human."

"That's what they keep telling us," Jean sighed. "But I wonder if being human means acting like…" She shook her head. "I just wonder if trying to prove that we are only human after all is such a good thing. Maybe not being human like them is a good thing. I don't know…"

"That's just the hurt and anger talking," Scott said. "You just have to remember…"

BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!

"What was that?" Scott yelled.

"Oh no…" Jean looked at him. "Tabitha!"

"You called?" Tabitha walked by with a sweet look on her face, dusting her hands.

"TABITHA WHAT DID YOU DO?" Scott gasped.

"Let's just say Duncan and his friends will be walking to school for a while," Tabitha grinned. They looked at the parking lot and saw that Duncan's car was on fire.

"Oh…no…" Jean groaned.

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"Tabitha…" Xavier sighed. "To say I am disappointed in you is an understatement."

"I know what you're gonna say," Tabitha interrupted him. "Misuse of powers, got expelled from school, added to the bad reputation of mutants everywhere blah, blah, blah! You can punish me all you like. I'm still glad I did it! Especially after what they did to Jean! I don't care! Bayville High's a joke anyway! I'd rather stay here and go to class where I can learn something other than how much everyone in the world hates our guts! So just tell me what my punishment is, how many years I'm grounded and get it over with!" She folded her arms and glared at him from her seat.

Xavier watched her. "Obviously average punishments are not going to be enough," He said simply. "I am going to have a serious discussion with the faculty on how best to handle this. Obviously you are prohibited from leaving the Institute for quite some time. I think you might benefit right now with a level 12 Danger Room session with Scott. I want you to report to the Danger Room immediately."

"Fine," Tabitha shrugged as she got up and left.

Hank walked in as she left the room. "Well?"

"Sometimes I have no idea what to do with that girl," Xavier sighed. "Just when I thought we've reached her she pulls a stunt like this!"

"Well you know Tabitha has a temper," Hank shook his head.

"To be honest I'm amazed she lasted this long," Xavier sighed.

"I'm not defending Tabitha's actions mind you," Hank said. "But it was not without provocation. Scott just told me what happened and there's more." He took out a piece of paper. "He made Jean give this to me. It seems that Mr. Matthews and his friends have been leaving letters like this in her locker for some time now."

Xavier's eyes glistened in rage as he read this. "Why hasn't she reported this to the principal or the teachers?"

"Do you really need to ask that question?" Hank looked at him. "Some of the other girls have been getting letters similar to this as well, but it seems Jean's the main target."

"I knew things were difficult," Xavier breathed. "But this…" His hand clenched in rage around the paper, crumpling it. "This is intolerable."

"Well we could complain to the principal but something tells me our plea will fall on deaf ears," Hank told him. "If you think about it, this episode is a bit encouraging. Tabitha did it in defense of Jean. That's got to mean something. At least her heart's in the right place."

"Yes but her actions weren't," Xavier said. "However understandable. With all the protestors, threats, guns and now this it's a wonder the majority of our students are as composed as they are."

"Let's face it Charles this is not an easy situation," Hank reminded him. "It's hard enough for adults but they're all still kids. We have to remember that. And considering Tabitha's background it's no wonder she snapped. We have to be flexible when disciplining her but she needs limits as well. She's the type of girl who when confronted with something harsh she'll give as good as she gets. We have to be stern but not severe. Obviously the girl needs more counseling and anger management therapy."

"This from the man who mooned Senator Kelly on live television," Xavier gave him a wry look.

"Well…" Hank shrugged. "He was really getting on my nerves."

"CHARLES DID YOU HEAR WHAT THOSE BASTARDS ARE DOING TO THE GIRLS AT THE SCHOOL?" Logan roared as he walked in.

"Yes Logan I am well aware of the problem," Xavier winced.

"If any of those punks lays so much as a finger on any one of 'em…" He shot out his claws and sliced up a nearby vase.

"Now Logan don't make me call Storm back," Hank held up his hands. "Calm down."

"I AM CALM!" Logan roared. "I SAY WE GO OVER TO THEIR HOUSES FOR A PERSONAL VISIT!"

"Oh yes and have a nice rational discussion with them while you are pointing your blades at their private parts," Hank said sarcastically. "That will certainly clear things up."

"You gotta admit it's a very effective tactic!" Logan snapped.

"It's also an effective tactic for getting the police involved," Hank pointed out.

"Perhaps Tabitha has more self-control than I thought," Xavier muttered. "Certainly she has more than some of the instructors here."

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"Okay Scooter," Tabitha had suited up and entered the Danger Room. "Ready to be killed in action. Let's get this over with."

Scott was waiting there suited up as well. However there was a cooler on the floor as well as two chairs in the room. "Actually…" Scott told her. "We can just do a lower level after we have a drink. Soda?" He opened up the cooler.

"Yeah…" Tabitha said hesitantly. "It's not drugged is it?"

"No sit down and take a load off," Scott motioned.

Tabitha did so. "Geeze you're Mr. Mellow today. I was sure you were gonna go ballistic on me after what I did to Duncan. Why are you being so nice?"

"Well I kinda owe you," Scott told her.

"Really? How?" Tabitha asked.

"Because if you didn't blow up his car I would have. Only I was gonna wait until Duncan was in it," Scott took out a soda. "Here."

"Thanks," Tabitha took a sip. "How's Red?"

"She's okay."

"Did you show Hankster the letter?"

"Yeah I told him all of it. And worse, Logan was there as well. It took him and Storm to keep from hunting Duncan down and slicing him to ribbons."

"Well not that he doesn't deserve it, the creep," Tabitha took another sip. "Only thing I regret is that now I may have made things worse for you guys. I'm sorry."

"Look I know you know that you shouldn't have lost your temper like that," Scott told her. "But I also know your heart was in the right place."

"Yeah well Red and I may have our little spats but…" Tabitha waved. "I mean it's nothing compared to what those creeps are doing! Besides we outcasts ought to stick together."

"Hmmm," Scott nodded. "Maybe we can get the Misfits to go over to their houses and 'talk' to them. It certainly would be fun to see someone else on the receiving end for a change."

"You know Scooter you're developing a real mean streak," Tabitha grinned. "I like it."

"Well then you won't mind a level seven run," Scott grinned.

"I take back what I said," Tabitha grumbled.