Author's Note:
I can't believe I didn't consider this earlier. I thought that I might take the time to clear up a few things before I continue. This story occurs in an alternate universe that combines the Movie verse with the Evo verse and Comic verse. I just take what I need and move on, you know, like locusts. For example: In this story Kurt is an adult and teaches at Xavier's school, but Toad is a teenager, aka Todd Tolensky as in the Evo verse (which means he couldn't have died like in the 1st movie, confusing, I know, but you'll catch on) - Thanks for your time. Now back to the story. Oh yeah and *-* implies telepathic speech.
"The Dead Boy from Britain"
Vash was trying her best to enjoy her lunch, she really was. It was hard enough not to have impure thoughts of one red-eyed Cajun but it was another story when he was sitting right in front of her performing some very interesting tricks involving his tongue and a spoon.
"Would you cut that out!" she blushed against her will.
"What Ah doin', chere?" He smirked.
"You know exactly what you're doing." She said dropping her fork in disgust.
"So," Remy began. "Why Marie call you Future Gurl? Yo' mutant power tellin' da future or sumthin'?"
"No." she answered. "I teleport. Ya know, I think about where I want to be and I'm there in a BAMF!" she added with a grin.
"Okay den." He shifted in his seat and stared her directly in the eye. "So why she call ya dat den?"
An evil grin spread across Vash's face.
"Maybe cause I'm from the future." She stated plainly.
A similar smile spread across the Cajun thief's face.
"Really." He stated in return. "So, you already know what a devil dis Cajun is in bed, eh?"
Vash let out an exasperated groan.
"God you suck, Cajun."
"Only if ya ask me ta, chere." He added with a wink.
The school's cafeteria was just like any other that you'd find in America; loud and bustling with activity. Static had not fully realized how populated the school really was until now. He sighed to himself and took it all in.
"What's wrong, babe?" Jubilee asked.
"Nothing." He replied. "I'm just not used to this, that's all."
"Ya don't have cafeterias were your from?" she smirked.
"Ha, Ha." He replied dryly.
"C'mon let's sit over here."
And with that the electrically inclined young man found himself practically dragged behind Miss Lee. He found that they were heading for the table that was currently being shared by Vash and Gambit.
"Hiyah, Cajun." Jubilee said as she bonelessly plopped down in her seat. "I see you and Vash are getting acquainted."
"Vash here just tell me that she from de future." The Acadian replied.
"She is." Jubilee said before biting into her burger.
Gambit's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Ya kiddin' right?" He sputtered.
"Fraid not." Static interjected. "Me and sis here dropped through some inter dimensional tear in time itself some three days ago."
"Oh." The Cajun replied.
"Yeah, you know Mister Wagner and Miss Storm? They are their parents." Jubilee continued after she swallowed her mouthful.
Gambit looked completely stunned. It was not a look that Vash had every seen on the thief's face. In all the time that she had spent with him before her inter-dimensional trip through time she had seen many faces of Remy but this one was truly priceless.
"I told you Cajun." She smirked.
Remy gave a small grunt a leaned back into his chair.
"Is dat why y'so mean ta Remy, chere?" he asked. "What Ah do ta make ya so mean?"
This question got a look of interest from Jubilation and looks of total terror from Static and Vash.
"Yeah," Jubilee asked. "Remy is way too hunkalicious for you ta be treating him this way, Chica. What's the deal? He broke your heart or sumthin'? I mean like back in the future?"
Vash gave a sigh of frustration. She could not believe that is was so obvious. Was she really that transparent?
"First of all, I don't want to talk about it. Second of all, it's none of your business. Third of all, I would never hold something against Remy that he hadn't even done yet. And Fourth of all,-" She paused. "You really believe that I am from the future?" This last question was directed at Remy.
"First of all, yes, dis Cajun done experienced way weirder t'ings den an inter-dimensional 'whatcha ma call it' in time. So dis nothin'. And second of all-" The Acadian paused for breath. "So we 'are' gonna eventually date, huh?"
At this response Vash throw up her hands in frustration and Jubilee and Static burst into hysterics. They were so hysterical that they hadn't noticed that Bobby and Rogue were approaching the table.
"What's so funny?" Rogue asked.
"Oh, nothin' chere." Remy replied suave grin firmly in place.
"You guys mind if we sit here?" Bobby asked.
"Course not." The auburn haired thief said sliding over to make room.
"Vash just told Remy that she and Static are from the future." Jubilee said finally answering Rogue's question.
"Oh." The skunk haired southerner replied, obviously surprised. "I thought we might let him get a little more settled in before we dropped all the weird stuff on him."
They were interrupted once again by the ever excitable Kitty Pryde, she was beaming and this could only mean one thing. She had new gossip.
"Hiyah, Kit," greeted Jubliee.
"Hiyah, Jubes." The hazel-eyed girl replied in response.
That mischievous grin just got larger.
"Okay, I'll bite." Bobby finally said.
Kitty let out a relieved sigh.
"It's about time!" she groaned and launched into full on 'Kitty-with-a- secret' mode. "I know something you don't know." She erupted all sing- songy.
"Yes?" Static interjected.
Kitty took a seat next to Static at the table.
"Ok." Kitty began. "You know that new student that was supposed to be showing up sometime this month?"
"Yeah?" Jubes replied.
"No." Static and Remy whined.
"Well of course you don't silly." Kitty said grinning madly.
"He's from England or somethin'." Rogue began. "He was in some kind of accident when his power emerged. The professor's supposta be helpin' him or somethin'."
There was a gasp from Static and his eyes went wide.
"It's Jono, Vash!" he practically yelled.
"Who the fuck is Jono?" Vash asked.
Static suddenly became aware that everyone at the table was staring at him. He suddenly realized that he was giving out information that he probably had no right to reveal. Damn, his knowledge of all known mutant history.
"Jono?" Jubilee asked. "Is that his name?"
"Yeah," Kitty replied. "Jonothon Starsmore. He's here now. In the basement."
"Yeah, that's Jono." Static mumbled to himself.
****
In the cafeteria, Scott Summers could immerse himself in nothing and everything all at once. He could just wrap himself up in the loud over powering force of a room full of teenagers and ear shattering music. He didn't have to think about some mission that Xavier would send him on, a math lesson or the aching pain in his heart. He could focus on what had made his beloved so happy for all the years that she spent here. The kids.
How Jean had loved the children. She was never endingly fascinated with each and every one of them. Every night before they went to bed she had some story about one of them. She always said that they were the future and how important it was that they led them on the right path. She would have made a great mother.
There he was again wallowing in his grief again. He really had to stop that; it wasn't healthy. Jean would have wanted him to move on, besides the kids needed him.
"That's easy for her to say, she wasn't the one that lost her one and only true love in a freak dam explosion/flood and is forced to live out the rest of her life without the one person she's ever loved."
Damned dam, damned school, damned kids, damned bitter existence.
"Ah, angst efficiently quelled."
****
Kurt and Logan shared a table in the cafeteria every time they had lunch duty. They hardly ever said anything to each other; they just sat there, not talking. Kurt had learned a long time ago that when Logan was eating it was best to just be quiet and not make any sudden movements. But today was not a day for silence. Kurt was in a desperate need for conversation. And for some reason he thought that maybe Logan could help him with his troubles. So, he brought out the heavy artillery. He heaved the biggest sigh he could mutter. Logan looked up from his smorgasbord of fried chicken and mashed potatoes and raised an eyebrow, but still not a word. This response received another rather large sigh. Logan responded with sigh of his own.
"What is it elf?" Logan finally asked.
"Well since you asked." Kurt began rather excitedly, too excitedly if you asked Logan.
Kurt began to recount his Sturmliebe's rather strange behavior since the arrival of the twins. He made sure to leave out the part where he started crying like a big, blue, tailed baby and had to be hauled to his room by Scott before anyone saw him. Only moments later he ended the tale with-
"So you see, Herr Logan, I am at a loss. I do not know what it is that I should be doing and my Sturmbliebe, she still refuses to talk to me."
Logan didn't know if it was the lack of food in his stomach, the fact that the elf had just went into way too much detail about his personal life or the fact that Ray "Berzerker" Crisp was playing "Eat You Alive" by some dude with a limp biscuit, on his radio a little too loudly for his taste, but he was quite sure that he felt one of his trademark berserker rages coming on. But just as he rose from his seat to do so, Jubilee and Static showed up to stop him.
"So, Wolvie," Jubilee said as she took a seat, dragging Static down with her. "What's with this dude livin' in the basement?"
****
[In the Basement]
Static had finally broke down and told his luncheon buddies the tragic story of Jonothon Evan Starsmore. Young Mister Starsmore had spent his whole life in living in London, England with his alcoholic father, just barely getting by. Well to make a long story short, Jonothon found out he was mutant only three months ago when his mutant powers manifested in a huge explosion of psionic energy that came from Jono's own body. The blast blew a whole in the boy's body stretching from his mouth on down through his chest. The boy had come nothing more than a living corpse. He was no longer capable of the most basic bodily functions such as eating and breathing. Since then the boy had been in a constant state of depression. And Static said that he spent the better part of his stay at the mansion hold up in the basement away from everyone because he was ashamed of his appearance. Vash knew that her brother would have gone on and on if she hadn't interrupted him but the story so stirred her soul she felt an intense need to go see the boy in hopes of bringing him upstairs into the world of the living. But unfortunately she was not alone. Gambit had insisted on going down stairs with her.
Vash hoped that her sharp ears would pick up the boy's movements and with the help of her night vision she would be able to pick him out in the near pitch black of the basement. Gambit was no help what so ever in the search, be had taken the opportunity to try and persuade Vash to engage in a much better use of her time. Namely a continuation of what they had began the night before.
"Would you get your hands off of my ass?!" Vash finally screamed.
Just as Gambit was about say something ever so clever, he was interrupted by what could only be described as a voice in his head.
*If yer wouldn't mind, I would 'preciate it if yer took yer ass and yer friend back upstairs an' got a bloody room.*
Vash and Gambit were shocked into utter silence. It was Vash who finally found the courage to speak.
"Jonothon, is that you?"
*Who the 'ell are ya? And how the 'ell did ya know I was down 'ere?*
The disembodied voice was most definitely British. Apparently telepathy was Jono's only avenue of communication. Of course, since he no longer had a mouth let alone vocal cords.
"Hiyah, Jono" Vash squeaked. "Me and my friend, Remy just came to welcome you to Westchester."
"Yeah, Mon ami." Remy sputtered nervously, so totally out of character for the thief with so-called nerves o' steel. "We didn't mean to disturb ya none, we can leave if ya like."
Remy tugged anxiously at Vash's arm.
"C'mon, chere." He whispered. "Let's go."
"Fuck off, Remy. I didn't ask ya ta follow me anyway."
Apparently Jono had decided to be civil and properly introduce himself to his would be welcoming committee. Unfortunately, he approached from the side opposite to the one Remy and Vash were facing and scared them nearly half to death. Remy let out a scream that if you hadn't been in the room, you would have sworn had come from Vashoba. After they calmed themselves they finally got to take a look at the mysterious Mr. Starsmore.
****
Ororo found herself walking in the hallway and mumbling to herself. She had been looking all over for her boyfriend and had yet to find him. She had checked his room, the roof, the school grounds (by air no doubt) and even the staff kitchen. Still no Kurt. She grimaced to herself when she realized what she had to do. She would have to go to the cafeteria, he was mostly likely there. He loved the children, no matter how loud and annoying they could get. Storm hated the cafeteria. She loved the kids, but when they all got together in one room with food, they turned into wild animals. She avoided it at all costs at his time of day, but if she was to get rid of her nagging feel of guilt anytime soon, she would have to go. Kurt was sure to be there and if she didn't catch him now it would probably forever before she worked up enough nerve to do this again.
****
"Who told you about that Starsmore kid?" Logan asked.
"Kitty." Jubes answered. "Static filled in the rest."
Before Logan could say anything else Static practically erupted.
"What do you mean she won't even talk to you?" Static asked, and frankly he was a little perturbed.
Kurt had retold his story of woe when Jubilee and Static showed up being that Logan had been no help what so ever.
"That's so fucked up." Jubilee added.
"Hey, kid, watch yer mouth!" Logan responded.
"I mean what kind of girlfriend turns tail and runs whenever-" Jubilee paused her statement and turned to Logan, he still had that intimidating stare plastered on his face. "STUFF gets rough."
"Hey, that's my mom you're talkin' 'bout." Static whined.
"Hey, buddy, I'm trying to help you out." Jubilee said in her defense. "If Kurt here and the weather-" Jubliee paused again. "WITCH don't make up it's a fair chance you and ol' gurl won't exsist."
"True." Static stated plainly.
"Well who crowned you Queen of Inter-Dimensional Time Logic?" Logan grunted.
"I just know these things." She retorted. "Ain't ya ever watched Sci-fi movies Wolvie? We got ta get this show on the road."
"I say ya just go talk to her and say how sorry ya are. Women just eat that shit up." Logan offered.
"Hey!" Jubilee groaned.
"But I didn't do anything." Kurt sputtered.
"It don't matter, just come at her all sorry like and she'll forgive ya." Logan continued.
"But he didn't do anything." Static interjected.
"I say you go up to her and tell her whose boss." Jubilee offered. "Women love a macho man. Kurt I think that you have been punkin' out lately and its time you got in touch with ya balls."
"Jubes!" Logan groaned.
That last comment just cracked Static up.
"But really, Pop." Static said once he gained his composure. "I think Jubilee is right. Mom seems like a pretty strong personality."
Logan grunted in agreement.
"I think you should just go up to her and say that you think she's acting like a jackass."
"Static!" Logan hollered.
Kurt's chest had visibly puffed out and he seemed to wear a mask of resolve.
"You're right, Liebling." Kurt said to his son. "I should go talk to Sturmliebe. She has been rather rude to me lately. I think I deserve an apology."
"That's right Mister Wagner." Jubilee chimed in.
"Good luck, Dad." Static said beaming.
And with that Kurt was out of the cafeteria with a-
Bamf.
"Well, we certainly are the dynamic duo, huh Static my boy." Jubilee said to her new partner in crime.
"Ya do know ya just sent the elf to his death, right." Logan said causally.
"Ya don't think she'll zap 'im, huh, Wolvie?" Jubilee asked in all seriousness.
"Hope not." Logan replied. "I hate that burnt flesh smell."
Logan suddenly perked up.
"Somebody's at the door." He uttered as he got up from his seat. "Better go see who it is."
****
Scott had long since let the loud ruckus of the cafeteria and was on his way to his classroom to prepare for his next class when he heard a knock at the front door. When he finally opened it he was surprised to find three teenagers standing behind it. Two boys; one tall and lanky, the other, a bit shorter and pale with stringy brown hair. With them was a blond girl dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, chewing furiously on some gum. The blond extended her hand to Scott and he took it cautiously.
"May I help you?" Scott asked wryly.
The blond answered. "This Xavier's School for Gifted Youngster's?"
"Yes." Scott replied.
"Good." She said between gum pops. "Cause we're gifted."
[In Chamber's Chamber.HE, HE. (ok I won't do it again).]
Once the lights were on, Jono Starsmore was quite an interesting study. He was dressed in all black even down to the bandages that wrapped around his mouth and upper torso. He looked like some kind of a slash between a gothic bondage freak and a biker. Vash found herself staring uncontrollably. He had this weird glow about him. It was a faint blue shade that he seemed to radiate. He had chestnut brown hair that hung loosely in his face. As he walked toward the Vash and Gambit, he swept away a few unruly strands to reveal a pair of huge brown eyes. They reminded Vash of something she couldn't quite place.
*So yer two gonner stop gawking an' introduce yerselves?*
Vash was startled out of her revelry by that very British voice in her head again.
"Er- yeah." Vash stumbled. "My name's Vashoba and this is Remy LeBeau."
"Gambit." Remy added as he reached out his hand. "Jono?"
The Goth boy hesitantly took the Cajun's hand and gave it a loose shake.
*Jono or Chamber. I don't mind. Just not Jonothon. Only folks who are pissed at me call me Jonothon.* The Goth boy said in his strangely invasive psi talk. *So yer two always come bargin' in people's personal space or am I just special?*
"We heard that you were here and-" Vash said still staring rather rudely.
*And yer were curious, 'uh? That's interestin', the professor told me that no one knew I wus 'ere.*
"Yeah, well we have our connections." Vash said smirking slightly.
Jono had finally got a good look at his would be welcoming committee. It consisted of a teenaged girl dressed completely in black with long black hair. Her heavy black eye shadow was in sharp contrast with glowing yellow eyes. Accompanying her was a tall, lanky guy with a Cajun accent. He had eerie red eyes and was dressed in a long brown trench coat.
*Welcome to Mutant 'igh* he thought to himself.
"Yeah well, maybe we should let Chamber here get settled, huh chere." Gambit began grabbing Vash's arm.
"Yeah, sure." Vash gave in to being dragged away, staring all the while. "See ya around, okay, Jono?" she added with a full grin.
*Yeah, sure.*
Jono watched as the black haired girl grabbed her companion and practically disappeared in a cloud of yellow smoke. He continued on with the job of unpacking and taking in his surroundings. He only hoped that everyone else weren't so damned friendly. He had chosen the basement for a reason; it hopes that he wouldn't be bothered when he didn't have to be. Maybe the interruption wasn't that bad. Well things had gone better than he'd thought his first encounter with the other residents of the school would have gone. Yeah, they did scream but that was only because he's snuck up behind them. That Gambit bloke was a little twitchy but all in all it wasn't that bad. That Vashoba girl was kind of cute; got to love a girl with an appreciation for black and leather.
He had begun to feel a little better about things for just a second before those usual bitter feelings reemerged. Who was he kidding? What would she possibly what with him? Maybe that smile she gave him was just a nervous tick. People did tend to get that way around him.
*Pull it together Jono.* he told himself. *That Cajun bloke was probably 'er boyfriend anyway.*
So Jono did what he always did when he was feeling down. He slinked back to bed and sulked while the TV hummed in the background.
****
[Upstairs.]
Scott had finally been joined by Logan in his attempt to find out just who exactly their new visitors were. The blond haired girl whispered back and forth with her two male companions, while Scott and Logan awaited the professor's arrival.
"So," the blonde began. "What kinda paperwork we gotta fill out ta get in this joint anyway?"
Before Scott or Logan could answer the professor interrupted.
"Now Miss Smith," Xavier said his ever present smile intact. "If we would have known that you and Mr. Alvers and Mr. Tolensky were coming, we would have been a little more prepared."
Miss Smith, as Xavier had referred to her, approached the professor with caution.
"So, you're Xavier, huh?" she said, eyes narrowed. "Me and my boys need a place ta crash."
"Well, Miss Smith, is it?" Scott began. "This isn't a boarding house."
"Yeah," Logan nearly growled. "Or didn't you read the sign out front."
"Yeah, yeah." The pale boy spoke up. "We came here for the classes, too."
"Mister Tolensky," the professor began. "If education is what you truly seek then you are in the right place. Paper work is not important right now. We can worry with such formalities later on."
The professor turned to leave the troop of assembled mutants.
"Now if you would excuse me." He said in parting. "I have a physics class to prepare for. Logan you don't have class for a while, would you attend to our new students."
"Sure, Chuck." The Canadian replied. "Follow me, runts."
The taller boy took exception to the last remark but thought better of arguing with the scary, hairy man.
The new students were little more talkative than Logan would have preferred. By now one would think that he was used to hyperactive teenagers, but these three were in a class of their own. The blonde, Tabitha she said her name was, was going on and on about how she first found out she was a mutant. The boys, Lance and Todd weren't as forthcoming until prompted by the girl. They seemed harmless, just a little rude. And if the professor allowed them to stay then they had to be on the up and up. Logan had learned a long time ago that Chuck was a pretty good judge of character.
[Meanwhile.]
Kurt had Un-Bamfed right outside of the cafeteria and frightened an already on the edge Storm in to a hissy.
"KURT!"
Kurt's 'I-mean-business-and-I-am-going-to-get-some-much-over-due- respect-from-my-Sturmliebe' attitude dissipated immediately.
"Sturmliebe," he croaked weakly. "I am so sorry."
Storm let out a relieved sigh.
"I have been looking all over for you."
"Really?" Kurt croaked.
"Yes, I desperately need to apologize." Storm began.
"Really?" he squeaked.
"Yes, I have been such a bitch to you and the children." She continued.
"Really?" he squeaked again.
"YES! You didn't deserve it. They don't deserve it." She continued.
"Really?" Kurt squeaked again, unable to regain a masculine tone.
"Those poor children; they have been through so much in past three days. And so have you."
Kurt Wagner was completely floored. In all the time that he had dated Ororo Munroe she had never apologized for anything, let a lone being wrong. It was more amazing than he ever thought that it could be and there was more.
"Kurt."
"Yes, Sturmliebe?" Kurt forced out after awaking from this obvious dream.
"We really need to talk to those kids." She began. "There is something that they are keeping from us. I know it. When I was talking to Static the other day he said something about them not seeing us for a while."
Well, so much for sorry, repentant Sturmliebe. Back to 'bossy-I-must know-everything-or-the-world-will-stop-now-follow-me-like-a-wounded-puppy -dog' Sturmliebe. And so he did, he followed his beloved down the hall and listened intently to her conspiracy theory.
I can't believe I didn't consider this earlier. I thought that I might take the time to clear up a few things before I continue. This story occurs in an alternate universe that combines the Movie verse with the Evo verse and Comic verse. I just take what I need and move on, you know, like locusts. For example: In this story Kurt is an adult and teaches at Xavier's school, but Toad is a teenager, aka Todd Tolensky as in the Evo verse (which means he couldn't have died like in the 1st movie, confusing, I know, but you'll catch on) - Thanks for your time. Now back to the story. Oh yeah and *-* implies telepathic speech.
"The Dead Boy from Britain"
Vash was trying her best to enjoy her lunch, she really was. It was hard enough not to have impure thoughts of one red-eyed Cajun but it was another story when he was sitting right in front of her performing some very interesting tricks involving his tongue and a spoon.
"Would you cut that out!" she blushed against her will.
"What Ah doin', chere?" He smirked.
"You know exactly what you're doing." She said dropping her fork in disgust.
"So," Remy began. "Why Marie call you Future Gurl? Yo' mutant power tellin' da future or sumthin'?"
"No." she answered. "I teleport. Ya know, I think about where I want to be and I'm there in a BAMF!" she added with a grin.
"Okay den." He shifted in his seat and stared her directly in the eye. "So why she call ya dat den?"
An evil grin spread across Vash's face.
"Maybe cause I'm from the future." She stated plainly.
A similar smile spread across the Cajun thief's face.
"Really." He stated in return. "So, you already know what a devil dis Cajun is in bed, eh?"
Vash let out an exasperated groan.
"God you suck, Cajun."
"Only if ya ask me ta, chere." He added with a wink.
The school's cafeteria was just like any other that you'd find in America; loud and bustling with activity. Static had not fully realized how populated the school really was until now. He sighed to himself and took it all in.
"What's wrong, babe?" Jubilee asked.
"Nothing." He replied. "I'm just not used to this, that's all."
"Ya don't have cafeterias were your from?" she smirked.
"Ha, Ha." He replied dryly.
"C'mon let's sit over here."
And with that the electrically inclined young man found himself practically dragged behind Miss Lee. He found that they were heading for the table that was currently being shared by Vash and Gambit.
"Hiyah, Cajun." Jubilee said as she bonelessly plopped down in her seat. "I see you and Vash are getting acquainted."
"Vash here just tell me that she from de future." The Acadian replied.
"She is." Jubilee said before biting into her burger.
Gambit's eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Ya kiddin' right?" He sputtered.
"Fraid not." Static interjected. "Me and sis here dropped through some inter dimensional tear in time itself some three days ago."
"Oh." The Cajun replied.
"Yeah, you know Mister Wagner and Miss Storm? They are their parents." Jubilee continued after she swallowed her mouthful.
Gambit looked completely stunned. It was not a look that Vash had every seen on the thief's face. In all the time that she had spent with him before her inter-dimensional trip through time she had seen many faces of Remy but this one was truly priceless.
"I told you Cajun." She smirked.
Remy gave a small grunt a leaned back into his chair.
"Is dat why y'so mean ta Remy, chere?" he asked. "What Ah do ta make ya so mean?"
This question got a look of interest from Jubilation and looks of total terror from Static and Vash.
"Yeah," Jubilee asked. "Remy is way too hunkalicious for you ta be treating him this way, Chica. What's the deal? He broke your heart or sumthin'? I mean like back in the future?"
Vash gave a sigh of frustration. She could not believe that is was so obvious. Was she really that transparent?
"First of all, I don't want to talk about it. Second of all, it's none of your business. Third of all, I would never hold something against Remy that he hadn't even done yet. And Fourth of all,-" She paused. "You really believe that I am from the future?" This last question was directed at Remy.
"First of all, yes, dis Cajun done experienced way weirder t'ings den an inter-dimensional 'whatcha ma call it' in time. So dis nothin'. And second of all-" The Acadian paused for breath. "So we 'are' gonna eventually date, huh?"
At this response Vash throw up her hands in frustration and Jubilee and Static burst into hysterics. They were so hysterical that they hadn't noticed that Bobby and Rogue were approaching the table.
"What's so funny?" Rogue asked.
"Oh, nothin' chere." Remy replied suave grin firmly in place.
"You guys mind if we sit here?" Bobby asked.
"Course not." The auburn haired thief said sliding over to make room.
"Vash just told Remy that she and Static are from the future." Jubilee said finally answering Rogue's question.
"Oh." The skunk haired southerner replied, obviously surprised. "I thought we might let him get a little more settled in before we dropped all the weird stuff on him."
They were interrupted once again by the ever excitable Kitty Pryde, she was beaming and this could only mean one thing. She had new gossip.
"Hiyah, Kit," greeted Jubliee.
"Hiyah, Jubes." The hazel-eyed girl replied in response.
That mischievous grin just got larger.
"Okay, I'll bite." Bobby finally said.
Kitty let out a relieved sigh.
"It's about time!" she groaned and launched into full on 'Kitty-with-a- secret' mode. "I know something you don't know." She erupted all sing- songy.
"Yes?" Static interjected.
Kitty took a seat next to Static at the table.
"Ok." Kitty began. "You know that new student that was supposed to be showing up sometime this month?"
"Yeah?" Jubes replied.
"No." Static and Remy whined.
"Well of course you don't silly." Kitty said grinning madly.
"He's from England or somethin'." Rogue began. "He was in some kind of accident when his power emerged. The professor's supposta be helpin' him or somethin'."
There was a gasp from Static and his eyes went wide.
"It's Jono, Vash!" he practically yelled.
"Who the fuck is Jono?" Vash asked.
Static suddenly became aware that everyone at the table was staring at him. He suddenly realized that he was giving out information that he probably had no right to reveal. Damn, his knowledge of all known mutant history.
"Jono?" Jubilee asked. "Is that his name?"
"Yeah," Kitty replied. "Jonothon Starsmore. He's here now. In the basement."
"Yeah, that's Jono." Static mumbled to himself.
****
In the cafeteria, Scott Summers could immerse himself in nothing and everything all at once. He could just wrap himself up in the loud over powering force of a room full of teenagers and ear shattering music. He didn't have to think about some mission that Xavier would send him on, a math lesson or the aching pain in his heart. He could focus on what had made his beloved so happy for all the years that she spent here. The kids.
How Jean had loved the children. She was never endingly fascinated with each and every one of them. Every night before they went to bed she had some story about one of them. She always said that they were the future and how important it was that they led them on the right path. She would have made a great mother.
There he was again wallowing in his grief again. He really had to stop that; it wasn't healthy. Jean would have wanted him to move on, besides the kids needed him.
"That's easy for her to say, she wasn't the one that lost her one and only true love in a freak dam explosion/flood and is forced to live out the rest of her life without the one person she's ever loved."
Damned dam, damned school, damned kids, damned bitter existence.
"Ah, angst efficiently quelled."
****
Kurt and Logan shared a table in the cafeteria every time they had lunch duty. They hardly ever said anything to each other; they just sat there, not talking. Kurt had learned a long time ago that when Logan was eating it was best to just be quiet and not make any sudden movements. But today was not a day for silence. Kurt was in a desperate need for conversation. And for some reason he thought that maybe Logan could help him with his troubles. So, he brought out the heavy artillery. He heaved the biggest sigh he could mutter. Logan looked up from his smorgasbord of fried chicken and mashed potatoes and raised an eyebrow, but still not a word. This response received another rather large sigh. Logan responded with sigh of his own.
"What is it elf?" Logan finally asked.
"Well since you asked." Kurt began rather excitedly, too excitedly if you asked Logan.
Kurt began to recount his Sturmliebe's rather strange behavior since the arrival of the twins. He made sure to leave out the part where he started crying like a big, blue, tailed baby and had to be hauled to his room by Scott before anyone saw him. Only moments later he ended the tale with-
"So you see, Herr Logan, I am at a loss. I do not know what it is that I should be doing and my Sturmbliebe, she still refuses to talk to me."
Logan didn't know if it was the lack of food in his stomach, the fact that the elf had just went into way too much detail about his personal life or the fact that Ray "Berzerker" Crisp was playing "Eat You Alive" by some dude with a limp biscuit, on his radio a little too loudly for his taste, but he was quite sure that he felt one of his trademark berserker rages coming on. But just as he rose from his seat to do so, Jubilee and Static showed up to stop him.
"So, Wolvie," Jubilee said as she took a seat, dragging Static down with her. "What's with this dude livin' in the basement?"
****
[In the Basement]
Static had finally broke down and told his luncheon buddies the tragic story of Jonothon Evan Starsmore. Young Mister Starsmore had spent his whole life in living in London, England with his alcoholic father, just barely getting by. Well to make a long story short, Jonothon found out he was mutant only three months ago when his mutant powers manifested in a huge explosion of psionic energy that came from Jono's own body. The blast blew a whole in the boy's body stretching from his mouth on down through his chest. The boy had come nothing more than a living corpse. He was no longer capable of the most basic bodily functions such as eating and breathing. Since then the boy had been in a constant state of depression. And Static said that he spent the better part of his stay at the mansion hold up in the basement away from everyone because he was ashamed of his appearance. Vash knew that her brother would have gone on and on if she hadn't interrupted him but the story so stirred her soul she felt an intense need to go see the boy in hopes of bringing him upstairs into the world of the living. But unfortunately she was not alone. Gambit had insisted on going down stairs with her.
Vash hoped that her sharp ears would pick up the boy's movements and with the help of her night vision she would be able to pick him out in the near pitch black of the basement. Gambit was no help what so ever in the search, be had taken the opportunity to try and persuade Vash to engage in a much better use of her time. Namely a continuation of what they had began the night before.
"Would you get your hands off of my ass?!" Vash finally screamed.
Just as Gambit was about say something ever so clever, he was interrupted by what could only be described as a voice in his head.
*If yer wouldn't mind, I would 'preciate it if yer took yer ass and yer friend back upstairs an' got a bloody room.*
Vash and Gambit were shocked into utter silence. It was Vash who finally found the courage to speak.
"Jonothon, is that you?"
*Who the 'ell are ya? And how the 'ell did ya know I was down 'ere?*
The disembodied voice was most definitely British. Apparently telepathy was Jono's only avenue of communication. Of course, since he no longer had a mouth let alone vocal cords.
"Hiyah, Jono" Vash squeaked. "Me and my friend, Remy just came to welcome you to Westchester."
"Yeah, Mon ami." Remy sputtered nervously, so totally out of character for the thief with so-called nerves o' steel. "We didn't mean to disturb ya none, we can leave if ya like."
Remy tugged anxiously at Vash's arm.
"C'mon, chere." He whispered. "Let's go."
"Fuck off, Remy. I didn't ask ya ta follow me anyway."
Apparently Jono had decided to be civil and properly introduce himself to his would be welcoming committee. Unfortunately, he approached from the side opposite to the one Remy and Vash were facing and scared them nearly half to death. Remy let out a scream that if you hadn't been in the room, you would have sworn had come from Vashoba. After they calmed themselves they finally got to take a look at the mysterious Mr. Starsmore.
****
Ororo found herself walking in the hallway and mumbling to herself. She had been looking all over for her boyfriend and had yet to find him. She had checked his room, the roof, the school grounds (by air no doubt) and even the staff kitchen. Still no Kurt. She grimaced to herself when she realized what she had to do. She would have to go to the cafeteria, he was mostly likely there. He loved the children, no matter how loud and annoying they could get. Storm hated the cafeteria. She loved the kids, but when they all got together in one room with food, they turned into wild animals. She avoided it at all costs at his time of day, but if she was to get rid of her nagging feel of guilt anytime soon, she would have to go. Kurt was sure to be there and if she didn't catch him now it would probably forever before she worked up enough nerve to do this again.
****
"Who told you about that Starsmore kid?" Logan asked.
"Kitty." Jubes answered. "Static filled in the rest."
Before Logan could say anything else Static practically erupted.
"What do you mean she won't even talk to you?" Static asked, and frankly he was a little perturbed.
Kurt had retold his story of woe when Jubilee and Static showed up being that Logan had been no help what so ever.
"That's so fucked up." Jubilee added.
"Hey, kid, watch yer mouth!" Logan responded.
"I mean what kind of girlfriend turns tail and runs whenever-" Jubilee paused her statement and turned to Logan, he still had that intimidating stare plastered on his face. "STUFF gets rough."
"Hey, that's my mom you're talkin' 'bout." Static whined.
"Hey, buddy, I'm trying to help you out." Jubilee said in her defense. "If Kurt here and the weather-" Jubliee paused again. "WITCH don't make up it's a fair chance you and ol' gurl won't exsist."
"True." Static stated plainly.
"Well who crowned you Queen of Inter-Dimensional Time Logic?" Logan grunted.
"I just know these things." She retorted. "Ain't ya ever watched Sci-fi movies Wolvie? We got ta get this show on the road."
"I say ya just go talk to her and say how sorry ya are. Women just eat that shit up." Logan offered.
"Hey!" Jubilee groaned.
"But I didn't do anything." Kurt sputtered.
"It don't matter, just come at her all sorry like and she'll forgive ya." Logan continued.
"But he didn't do anything." Static interjected.
"I say you go up to her and tell her whose boss." Jubilee offered. "Women love a macho man. Kurt I think that you have been punkin' out lately and its time you got in touch with ya balls."
"Jubes!" Logan groaned.
That last comment just cracked Static up.
"But really, Pop." Static said once he gained his composure. "I think Jubilee is right. Mom seems like a pretty strong personality."
Logan grunted in agreement.
"I think you should just go up to her and say that you think she's acting like a jackass."
"Static!" Logan hollered.
Kurt's chest had visibly puffed out and he seemed to wear a mask of resolve.
"You're right, Liebling." Kurt said to his son. "I should go talk to Sturmliebe. She has been rather rude to me lately. I think I deserve an apology."
"That's right Mister Wagner." Jubilee chimed in.
"Good luck, Dad." Static said beaming.
And with that Kurt was out of the cafeteria with a-
Bamf.
"Well, we certainly are the dynamic duo, huh Static my boy." Jubilee said to her new partner in crime.
"Ya do know ya just sent the elf to his death, right." Logan said causally.
"Ya don't think she'll zap 'im, huh, Wolvie?" Jubilee asked in all seriousness.
"Hope not." Logan replied. "I hate that burnt flesh smell."
Logan suddenly perked up.
"Somebody's at the door." He uttered as he got up from his seat. "Better go see who it is."
****
Scott had long since let the loud ruckus of the cafeteria and was on his way to his classroom to prepare for his next class when he heard a knock at the front door. When he finally opened it he was surprised to find three teenagers standing behind it. Two boys; one tall and lanky, the other, a bit shorter and pale with stringy brown hair. With them was a blond girl dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, chewing furiously on some gum. The blond extended her hand to Scott and he took it cautiously.
"May I help you?" Scott asked wryly.
The blond answered. "This Xavier's School for Gifted Youngster's?"
"Yes." Scott replied.
"Good." She said between gum pops. "Cause we're gifted."
[In Chamber's Chamber.HE, HE. (ok I won't do it again).]
Once the lights were on, Jono Starsmore was quite an interesting study. He was dressed in all black even down to the bandages that wrapped around his mouth and upper torso. He looked like some kind of a slash between a gothic bondage freak and a biker. Vash found herself staring uncontrollably. He had this weird glow about him. It was a faint blue shade that he seemed to radiate. He had chestnut brown hair that hung loosely in his face. As he walked toward the Vash and Gambit, he swept away a few unruly strands to reveal a pair of huge brown eyes. They reminded Vash of something she couldn't quite place.
*So yer two gonner stop gawking an' introduce yerselves?*
Vash was startled out of her revelry by that very British voice in her head again.
"Er- yeah." Vash stumbled. "My name's Vashoba and this is Remy LeBeau."
"Gambit." Remy added as he reached out his hand. "Jono?"
The Goth boy hesitantly took the Cajun's hand and gave it a loose shake.
*Jono or Chamber. I don't mind. Just not Jonothon. Only folks who are pissed at me call me Jonothon.* The Goth boy said in his strangely invasive psi talk. *So yer two always come bargin' in people's personal space or am I just special?*
"We heard that you were here and-" Vash said still staring rather rudely.
*And yer were curious, 'uh? That's interestin', the professor told me that no one knew I wus 'ere.*
"Yeah, well we have our connections." Vash said smirking slightly.
Jono had finally got a good look at his would be welcoming committee. It consisted of a teenaged girl dressed completely in black with long black hair. Her heavy black eye shadow was in sharp contrast with glowing yellow eyes. Accompanying her was a tall, lanky guy with a Cajun accent. He had eerie red eyes and was dressed in a long brown trench coat.
*Welcome to Mutant 'igh* he thought to himself.
"Yeah well, maybe we should let Chamber here get settled, huh chere." Gambit began grabbing Vash's arm.
"Yeah, sure." Vash gave in to being dragged away, staring all the while. "See ya around, okay, Jono?" she added with a full grin.
*Yeah, sure.*
Jono watched as the black haired girl grabbed her companion and practically disappeared in a cloud of yellow smoke. He continued on with the job of unpacking and taking in his surroundings. He only hoped that everyone else weren't so damned friendly. He had chosen the basement for a reason; it hopes that he wouldn't be bothered when he didn't have to be. Maybe the interruption wasn't that bad. Well things had gone better than he'd thought his first encounter with the other residents of the school would have gone. Yeah, they did scream but that was only because he's snuck up behind them. That Gambit bloke was a little twitchy but all in all it wasn't that bad. That Vashoba girl was kind of cute; got to love a girl with an appreciation for black and leather.
He had begun to feel a little better about things for just a second before those usual bitter feelings reemerged. Who was he kidding? What would she possibly what with him? Maybe that smile she gave him was just a nervous tick. People did tend to get that way around him.
*Pull it together Jono.* he told himself. *That Cajun bloke was probably 'er boyfriend anyway.*
So Jono did what he always did when he was feeling down. He slinked back to bed and sulked while the TV hummed in the background.
****
[Upstairs.]
Scott had finally been joined by Logan in his attempt to find out just who exactly their new visitors were. The blond haired girl whispered back and forth with her two male companions, while Scott and Logan awaited the professor's arrival.
"So," the blonde began. "What kinda paperwork we gotta fill out ta get in this joint anyway?"
Before Scott or Logan could answer the professor interrupted.
"Now Miss Smith," Xavier said his ever present smile intact. "If we would have known that you and Mr. Alvers and Mr. Tolensky were coming, we would have been a little more prepared."
Miss Smith, as Xavier had referred to her, approached the professor with caution.
"So, you're Xavier, huh?" she said, eyes narrowed. "Me and my boys need a place ta crash."
"Well, Miss Smith, is it?" Scott began. "This isn't a boarding house."
"Yeah," Logan nearly growled. "Or didn't you read the sign out front."
"Yeah, yeah." The pale boy spoke up. "We came here for the classes, too."
"Mister Tolensky," the professor began. "If education is what you truly seek then you are in the right place. Paper work is not important right now. We can worry with such formalities later on."
The professor turned to leave the troop of assembled mutants.
"Now if you would excuse me." He said in parting. "I have a physics class to prepare for. Logan you don't have class for a while, would you attend to our new students."
"Sure, Chuck." The Canadian replied. "Follow me, runts."
The taller boy took exception to the last remark but thought better of arguing with the scary, hairy man.
The new students were little more talkative than Logan would have preferred. By now one would think that he was used to hyperactive teenagers, but these three were in a class of their own. The blonde, Tabitha she said her name was, was going on and on about how she first found out she was a mutant. The boys, Lance and Todd weren't as forthcoming until prompted by the girl. They seemed harmless, just a little rude. And if the professor allowed them to stay then they had to be on the up and up. Logan had learned a long time ago that Chuck was a pretty good judge of character.
[Meanwhile.]
Kurt had Un-Bamfed right outside of the cafeteria and frightened an already on the edge Storm in to a hissy.
"KURT!"
Kurt's 'I-mean-business-and-I-am-going-to-get-some-much-over-due- respect-from-my-Sturmliebe' attitude dissipated immediately.
"Sturmliebe," he croaked weakly. "I am so sorry."
Storm let out a relieved sigh.
"I have been looking all over for you."
"Really?" Kurt croaked.
"Yes, I desperately need to apologize." Storm began.
"Really?" he squeaked.
"Yes, I have been such a bitch to you and the children." She continued.
"Really?" he squeaked again.
"YES! You didn't deserve it. They don't deserve it." She continued.
"Really?" Kurt squeaked again, unable to regain a masculine tone.
"Those poor children; they have been through so much in past three days. And so have you."
Kurt Wagner was completely floored. In all the time that he had dated Ororo Munroe she had never apologized for anything, let a lone being wrong. It was more amazing than he ever thought that it could be and there was more.
"Kurt."
"Yes, Sturmliebe?" Kurt forced out after awaking from this obvious dream.
"We really need to talk to those kids." She began. "There is something that they are keeping from us. I know it. When I was talking to Static the other day he said something about them not seeing us for a while."
Well, so much for sorry, repentant Sturmliebe. Back to 'bossy-I-must know-everything-or-the-world-will-stop-now-follow-me-like-a-wounded-puppy -dog' Sturmliebe. And so he did, he followed his beloved down the hall and listened intently to her conspiracy theory.