Anna and Rogue stared at the unmistakable figure that was Logan, who was
standing at the top of the steps outside the mansion.
"Has he moved at all?" Asked Rogue. She was starting to realise that she was going to be in a lot of trouble.
"Probably not. He's full of metal or something, isn't he? Like a damn machine." Replied Anna. She wasn't really bothered about facing the music. What was the worst they could do? Send her back to England?
They walked down the drive and as they neared the mansion they saw Xavier had joined Logan. Anna leaned the bike against its kickstand and they approached the firing squad.
Xavier looked at them both, taking in their crumpled clothes, messy hair and hungover expressions. Rogue looked distinctly uncomfortable, but Anna merely lit a cigarette and sat on the bottom step, with her back towards them.
Xavier spoke first, "Rogue, will you please go and wait in my study? I will be along shortly to discuss your actions and punishment."
Rogue put her head down and murmured, "Yes, Professor." She handed Anna the bag of beers and walked into the institute.
Xavier looked back at Logan, who was looking at his daughter with an expression mixed with relief and complete anger. A typical parents expression.
Anna turned and said, "So what's my punishment? Back to England?"
Xavier gave her a wry smile, "Unfortunately not, Anna. As I am not your legal guardian, it is not my place to deal with you. It is, however, your father's."
And with that he went to deal with Rogue.
'Shit.' Thought Anna. She half turned and looked at her father, who was now standing with a slightly puzzled expression, and, she noted happily, he looked scared. She waited him out by putting her bag behind a small shrub, next to the steps.
"I can't believe how irresponsible you are." Logan started carefully. He wanted to have a relationship with his daughter and was terrified of scaring her off.
Anna stood up and ground out her ciggie on the floor. She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to one side, watching him.
Logan took a deep breath and continued, "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Anna raised an eyebrow, "I didn't hurt your bike. I even put some petrol in."
Logan shook his head, "About you! You could have fallen off and hurt yourself or met someone who was too strong for you and Rogue to fight off and .... and .... You could have ended up dead in a ditch for all I knew!"
He stopped, Anna stared open mouthed, she thought he was upset over the bike, but to pull out the most over used (and frankly most rare occurring) "dead in a ditch" line was nothing short of over reacting.
"You were worried about me?" She asked, still shocked.
"Of course, you're my daughter. I would kill anyone who hurt you." Logan brightened. This was easier than he thought, and they were actually bonding.
He looked at his daughter. She was so small; any man could just take advantage. He felt his anger rise up and clenched his fists.
"But, you still did wrong, and I'm going to have to punish you." He continued, bracing himself for fireworks.
Anna smiled and shook her head, "What are you going to do? Spank me?"
Logan opened his mouth to say she deserved it, and thought better, instead he said, "No, as from today, until I say so, you are confined to the institute and the grounds. And you are to attend every danger room session. Is that clear?"
Anna lit another cigarette and said, "Crystal." She turned and walked down to the gardens, before she rounded the corner, she stopped and said, "Oh, by the way, you do know it takes both parent and child to make a punishment work?"
Logan paled, "What?"
Anna continued, "Yeah, you can only punish me if I let you, and I'm not, so I'll just carry on doing what I want."
She walked off and got about five yards before she felt Logan's arms pin hers to her sides and him pick her up.
"What the hell are you doing? Have you gone mad? PUT ME DOWN!!!!!" Anna screamed kicking and thrashing. Logan tightened his grip and walked into the mansion.
He walked into Xavier's study, now free of Rogue, and deposited his very annoyed daughter, onto the carpet and stood in front of the door. Xavier looked at Anna who had stood up and was breathing heavily, with her fists clenched to the stony faced Logan.
"Would you mind telling me what is wrong, somebody?" Asked the Professor.
Logan looked at him and said, "I tried to punish her and she's impossible. I've given up."
Anna glared at him, "Like you did sixteen years ago!"
Logan ignored the comment and Xavier addressed Anna.
"Anna, I've been meaning to talk to you. When you first came to us, and I read your mind, I sensed a lot of anger in you. Perhaps you would be willing to discuss it. You may find it could help you."
Anna looked at him, "What? You want to read my mind?"
"Yes." Replied Xavier.
"No. My thoughts are private, and my past. I can deal with it and it doesn't make me angry!" Anna shouted the last bit and clenched her fists again. Logan shifted uncomfortably.
She turned to her father, "Now are you going to let me out or do I have to go through the window?" She approached him and as she reached him she felt a small jab in her backside, she turned and saw Xavier holding a hypodermic needle.
"You drugged me?" She asked before the sedative reached her brain and she staggered against Logan, he caught her and set her down on the leather sofa.
"Yes, Anna. I'm afraid I had to. Your behavior is becoming more erratic and I have the other students to think about." Replied Xavier, with a grim expression.
Logan looked at the professor, "Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Charles? She's just a kid."
"Yes, Logan. She needs help." He said, placing his hands at the side of Anna's head.
Anna lay on the sofa, her mind hazy. She heard the professor explain his reasons but was unable to take it on board. She felt his hands on her head and couldn't fight any more.
Xavier looked at Anna's glazed eyes and remembered when Rogue had come to them. She had been confused and wary, but she hadn't been violent. Eventually she had come to trust them and was now a committed member of the X-Men, but Anna was another story.
She was reckless and Charles knew she was hiding a lot. He also knew that if she didn't share her pain, she would eventually consume herself and anyone around her.
He scanned her mind and eventually found what he was looking for. He pulled away and looked at her.
"So young," He murmured, then looked at a very confused Logan and said, "Take her to her room and have someone watch her. Bring her to me when she wakes. I need to talk to her."
Logan wanted to ask, but the solider in him obeyed and he picked up his unconscious daughter and carried her to her room.
Kitty was passing by the living room and he asked her to follow. He entered Anna's room and gently laid her on the bed.
"What happened to her?" Asked Kitty, her blue eyes large.
"That doesn't matter now. Can you watch her and tell me the minute she wakes up?" Asked Logan. Kitty nodded and started to cover Anna with a light blanket.
Logan took one last look at his daughter and walked from the room.
Kitty picked a book from Anna's shelves and sat in a chair.
About an hour later, Anna stirred and within seconds Kitty had phased through the floor and ran to Xavier's study.
Logan went to her room and walked in, Anna was sat on the bed wearing a confused expression. He approached her and helped her stand.
"Xavier wants to see you. I have to take you to him." He said softly. He wasn't happy. He didn't like the fact that Xavier had drugged his daughter or read her mind against her will, and his.
Luckily Anna was still slightly woozy from the drug and she walked quietly beside him to the study.
Xavier looked up as they walked in. Anna sat on the sofa and, taking no chances, Logan sat next to her.
The professor came around from the back of the desk and sat in front of them.
"Anna, I'm sorry for what happened before. I felt it was necessary."
Anna mumbled something under her breath that sounded distinctly like "Tosser."
"I saw enough, however, to explain your actions and attitude and I would like to talk to you about your mother."
Anna looked up, shocked, "I told you, she died from a heroin overdose."
Xavier pushed on, "No, she didn't, did she? I think you are hiding the truth from yourself. You have nothing to fear Anna. I want to hear your side of the story. I saw the whole thing, but your memory is placing you in the third person. An observer. I need for you to tell me what happened that night, to help yourself."
Anna looked at him closely. She hadn't even told Michelle, but she had no alternative. She cleared her throat and began her story.
Anna bounced up the stairs to her and her mother's flat. She glanced at the doorknob and was relieved to see it was free of a red ribbon, her and her mum's secret code for "I'm working".
She walked in and dumped her bag in the small hallway. Slamming the door, she called out for her mother. No answer, so she entered the small kitchen and looked at the fridge door. There was no note, and Anna started to get worried. Her mother never went out without leaving her a note to say where and when she'd be back.
She knew Anna could look after herself. Gale had seen Anna's powers.
Anna got a can of coke and cracked it open as she headed to her mum's bedroom; she pushed the door open and looked inside.
She dropped the can and ran to her mother, who was draped across the bed. Anna grabbed her hand and shouted, "Mum, wake up."
Gale opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. Her eyes were glazed and she started to shake uncontrollably. Anna knew before she even saw the needle next to her. Her mother had fallen off of the wagon.
She grabbed the phone from the bedside table and called 999. The woman on the line told her that an ambulance was on its way.
Anna picked her mum's hand up and said, "Come on, mum. Don't die. I need you. I love you too much. Please."
She buried her face into her mother's arm and started to cry. Her mother moaned and she looked up.
"Why, you were so close. We would have been so happy again." Asked Anna, not expecting a reply. She and her mother had struggled to wean Gale from the killer drug six months ago and she was so close to getting it out of her system.
Gale moaned again, and whispered something. Anna bent close to her mother's mouth and heard snatches of a sentence.
"Couldn't help ....... So sorry."
Gale started to shake again and the terrified twelve year old began to scream. She knew her mother was dying and in a lot of pain.
Anna climbed onto the bed and cradled her mother's head in her lap. She stroked her flame red hair, the one trait Anna hadn't inherited from her, and knew what she had to do.
She bent over and whispered, "I'll always love you."
Summoning her emotional and considerable physical strength, she broke her mother's neck.
Gale immediately stopped shaking and Anna lay next to her sobbing.
In the distance, she heard the ambulance sirens.
Anna felt the tears run down her face and wiped them away angrily. She saw her father clenching his fists so hard they turned white.
Xavier asked gently, "Are you all right, Anna."
Anna shook her head and fumbled to find her cigarettes. She lit one, shaking, and inhaled deeply.
"I'm so sorry for making you talk about this, but my only interest is to help you. We are not your enemies. And I would like to continue theses sessions with you, maybe once a week?" Xavier asked.
To his surprise, Anna nodded. She looked at him and he nodded, "Yes, you may leave."
She got to her feet, and nearly ran from the room.
Logan breathed out loudly, and said, "I had no idea. No wonder she's so angry. My poor little girl." He made to stand up, when Xavier stopped him.
"While I agree, Logan, it is wonderful that she has agreed to talk to us and open up, but I'm afraid that isn't all of it."
Logan looked at his friend and said, "What do you mean?"
Xavier raised his hands and said, "I don't really know. But there is something inside of her that is buried deep. I know it relates to her powers, but I sense that is where her anger comes from. I also suspect that her mother, although it was merciful, was not the only person she has killed."
"Dear God. But she's a child." Said Logan, refusing to believe it.
"Who has had to grow up very quickly at a very young age. Her powers didn't help either. She wasn't aware of other mutants and has convinced herself that she is indestructible."
"A God complex?" Asked Logan.
"Exactly. This is a very delicate and complex issue and we cannot rush her." Said Xavier.
Logan said nothing, his head was spinning, but he walked out and stood in the front hall. He saw Anna sat on the steps watching Kurt and Evan throwing a ball to each other.
'I can't believe it, I refuse to.' He thought, angrily. Yes, his daughter had had a terrible start in life, but a murderer? He pushed it out of his mind and went to plan that day's danger room session.
Rogue flopped down beside Anna and sighed.
"Get sent to Coventry then?" Asked Anna.
"Wha'?" Asked Rogue, looking confused.
"So, you got into a lot of trouble."
Rogue leaned against the railings, "Two months probation. Ah have to clean the danger room, the jet, all of the cars an' Logan's bike."
Anna winced, "Ouch!"
"So, what did ya get? Are they sending ya back to England?" Asked Rogue.
"Ha! I should be so lucky. I'm grounded to the mansion and grounds until Daddy say otherwise, and apparently I have to attend all of the danger room sessions." Laughed Anna, flicking her cigarette.
"Apparently?" The Goth looked unsure.
"Yeah, I'm not doing it. I steal his bike, buy beer underage, stay out all night and the worst he does is ground me. I don't think he has the guts to stand up to me." Smiled Anna.
"Ah don't think Wolverine's scared of anyone." Replied Rogue.
"Except his daughter. I told you, He can't risk alienating me. This is a real father/daughter relationship, him wrapped around my little finger."
Rogue laughed and then winced, holding her head.
"Hangover?" Asked Anna.
Rogue nodded her head.
"Yeah, I have a cure for that. Hair of the Dog." Anna stood up and pulled Rogue to her feet. She leaned over the railings and her hand found the bag she'd abandoned earlier. She checked the contents and started up the steps to the front door.
"A wha?" Said Rogue, following her into the mansion.
"Hair of the dog that bit you. In other words, more alcohol. Not enough to get pissed, but enough to make you feel better."
They got Anna's room and she pulled out a bottle of clear liquid. She gulped some down and handed it to Rogue.
"What is it?" She asked sniffing it.
"Vodka." Seeing the other girl wince, Anna added, "I know! But it's all I managed to sneak back from Lance's"
"Ya pulled me outta there in about seven seconds, but ya managed to think tah grab some vodka?" Asked Rogue, laughing.
"Always thinking!!" Anna smiled, tapping the side of her head.
She and Rogue drank nearly the entire bottle and presently they forgot about their hangovers.
A hour later, they were hanging out of the window smoking cigarettes, when they saw Lance Alvers walking towards the front door. They ducked just as he looked up.
"Bloody hell! Why is he here?" Asked Anna, as they hid under the ledge.
Rogue coloured up, "Well, it could be tah see Kitty."
"WHAT?"
"Well, they were sorta seeing each otha." Started Rogue. Anna smacked her hand to her forehead and fell over sidewards.
"Well, lets just hope he feels guilty and is going to keep his mouth shut." She sent up a silent prayer and hoped someone was listening.
They crept to the top of the stairs and hid in the shadows listening.
They could see Kitty chatting happily to Lance, and Scott and Jean sat on a sofa, glaring.
Lance said something to Kitty, and she said "Anna?" loudly. Anna leaned forwards to hear and Lance saw her. She lost her balance, mainly due to the drink, and fell down the stairs.
She lay at the bottom and shot a dirty look at Rogue who had fallen out from behind the plant she was crouching behind, from laughing.
Lance tried to help her up, but she shook him off and glared at him. Kitty looked at them both, and said, "Lance, how do you know Anna?"
Lance looked at Kitty, then Anna and finally the floor. Kitty saw she wasn't getting anything from him, so she looked at Anna.
"Anna, how do you know my boyfriend?
"Boyfriend? Rogue said you two were sort of seeing each other." Cried Anna, shocked. She had been with guys before, who had girlfriends, but she didn't know them. She didn't like them. Kitty was OK.
"Lance asked me to go steady last week, we kept it quiet because we didn't think anyone would approve." Kitty shot a pointed look at Scott and Jean.
Anna's head was spinning, and not just from the drink. She hadn't known at all about Lance and Kitty. If she had, she wouldn't have done anything. But Lance had, well he hadn't lied because she never asked, but he could have said something.
"You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend." She spat at him. Lance shifted and looked at Kitty, then back to Anna.
"I came to see you, to ask you to keep it quiet. I was really drunk and it's Kitty I want to be with. Last night was a mistake."
Anna was furious, "Yes, all seven times!" She turned to the brunette, whose eyes were filling up, "Kitty, I had no idea. I just met him, and he never said anything. I'm so sorry."
Kitty walked to Lance and punched him on the jaw, she screamed, "GET OUT, YOU LYING, CHEATING SCUMBAG!!!" Lance scrambled up and with one last look at Anna, ran out of the door and down the drive.
Kitty turned to Anna, and raised her hand to slap her. Anna caught her hand and said, "Hey. I didn't know, OK. I'm sorry, but he didn't say anything."
Kitty was breathing heavily, and snatched her hand back, saying, "You slut. You could have asked him."
Anna looked at her, and replied, "Now hang on. Most guys say 'Oh sorry, I've got a bird.' Instead of going upstairs with someone."
"You had to have seduced him. You're nothing but trouble, and have been a thorn in everyone's side since you got here. I hate you. I hope you rot in hell."
With that she ran off crying. Jean stood up and ran after her. Scott walked to Anna and fixed her with a frosty glare, "Scratched your itch then? With whoever came along first? Kitty's right, you are trouble. I wish you had never come."
Anna stared at him and then at Rogue, who was still at the top of the stairs looking shocked, and finally to Kurt and Evan, who had heard the row and come running, they too looked disgusted.
Anna finally found her voice, "You think this is my fault? I DIDN'T KNOW!" She ran up the stairs, and then stopped, "You're right though. I wish I wasn't here too. Guess you wont have to worry about that for long."
And then she disappeared into her room.
The young X-Men looked at each other, then to Logan and Storm, who had just walked into the room.
"What has happened? We heard shouting." Asked Ororo.
Scott explained and Logan ran up the stirs to his daughter's room. He pushed the door open and looked around. The window was open and a note was on the mirror. It read; Good riddance. A.
He heard his bike start and ran to the window in time to see Anna race out of the gates and out onto the road.
"Has he moved at all?" Asked Rogue. She was starting to realise that she was going to be in a lot of trouble.
"Probably not. He's full of metal or something, isn't he? Like a damn machine." Replied Anna. She wasn't really bothered about facing the music. What was the worst they could do? Send her back to England?
They walked down the drive and as they neared the mansion they saw Xavier had joined Logan. Anna leaned the bike against its kickstand and they approached the firing squad.
Xavier looked at them both, taking in their crumpled clothes, messy hair and hungover expressions. Rogue looked distinctly uncomfortable, but Anna merely lit a cigarette and sat on the bottom step, with her back towards them.
Xavier spoke first, "Rogue, will you please go and wait in my study? I will be along shortly to discuss your actions and punishment."
Rogue put her head down and murmured, "Yes, Professor." She handed Anna the bag of beers and walked into the institute.
Xavier looked back at Logan, who was looking at his daughter with an expression mixed with relief and complete anger. A typical parents expression.
Anna turned and said, "So what's my punishment? Back to England?"
Xavier gave her a wry smile, "Unfortunately not, Anna. As I am not your legal guardian, it is not my place to deal with you. It is, however, your father's."
And with that he went to deal with Rogue.
'Shit.' Thought Anna. She half turned and looked at her father, who was now standing with a slightly puzzled expression, and, she noted happily, he looked scared. She waited him out by putting her bag behind a small shrub, next to the steps.
"I can't believe how irresponsible you are." Logan started carefully. He wanted to have a relationship with his daughter and was terrified of scaring her off.
Anna stood up and ground out her ciggie on the floor. She put her hands on her hips and cocked her head to one side, watching him.
Logan took a deep breath and continued, "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Anna raised an eyebrow, "I didn't hurt your bike. I even put some petrol in."
Logan shook his head, "About you! You could have fallen off and hurt yourself or met someone who was too strong for you and Rogue to fight off and .... and .... You could have ended up dead in a ditch for all I knew!"
He stopped, Anna stared open mouthed, she thought he was upset over the bike, but to pull out the most over used (and frankly most rare occurring) "dead in a ditch" line was nothing short of over reacting.
"You were worried about me?" She asked, still shocked.
"Of course, you're my daughter. I would kill anyone who hurt you." Logan brightened. This was easier than he thought, and they were actually bonding.
He looked at his daughter. She was so small; any man could just take advantage. He felt his anger rise up and clenched his fists.
"But, you still did wrong, and I'm going to have to punish you." He continued, bracing himself for fireworks.
Anna smiled and shook her head, "What are you going to do? Spank me?"
Logan opened his mouth to say she deserved it, and thought better, instead he said, "No, as from today, until I say so, you are confined to the institute and the grounds. And you are to attend every danger room session. Is that clear?"
Anna lit another cigarette and said, "Crystal." She turned and walked down to the gardens, before she rounded the corner, she stopped and said, "Oh, by the way, you do know it takes both parent and child to make a punishment work?"
Logan paled, "What?"
Anna continued, "Yeah, you can only punish me if I let you, and I'm not, so I'll just carry on doing what I want."
She walked off and got about five yards before she felt Logan's arms pin hers to her sides and him pick her up.
"What the hell are you doing? Have you gone mad? PUT ME DOWN!!!!!" Anna screamed kicking and thrashing. Logan tightened his grip and walked into the mansion.
He walked into Xavier's study, now free of Rogue, and deposited his very annoyed daughter, onto the carpet and stood in front of the door. Xavier looked at Anna who had stood up and was breathing heavily, with her fists clenched to the stony faced Logan.
"Would you mind telling me what is wrong, somebody?" Asked the Professor.
Logan looked at him and said, "I tried to punish her and she's impossible. I've given up."
Anna glared at him, "Like you did sixteen years ago!"
Logan ignored the comment and Xavier addressed Anna.
"Anna, I've been meaning to talk to you. When you first came to us, and I read your mind, I sensed a lot of anger in you. Perhaps you would be willing to discuss it. You may find it could help you."
Anna looked at him, "What? You want to read my mind?"
"Yes." Replied Xavier.
"No. My thoughts are private, and my past. I can deal with it and it doesn't make me angry!" Anna shouted the last bit and clenched her fists again. Logan shifted uncomfortably.
She turned to her father, "Now are you going to let me out or do I have to go through the window?" She approached him and as she reached him she felt a small jab in her backside, she turned and saw Xavier holding a hypodermic needle.
"You drugged me?" She asked before the sedative reached her brain and she staggered against Logan, he caught her and set her down on the leather sofa.
"Yes, Anna. I'm afraid I had to. Your behavior is becoming more erratic and I have the other students to think about." Replied Xavier, with a grim expression.
Logan looked at the professor, "Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Charles? She's just a kid."
"Yes, Logan. She needs help." He said, placing his hands at the side of Anna's head.
Anna lay on the sofa, her mind hazy. She heard the professor explain his reasons but was unable to take it on board. She felt his hands on her head and couldn't fight any more.
Xavier looked at Anna's glazed eyes and remembered when Rogue had come to them. She had been confused and wary, but she hadn't been violent. Eventually she had come to trust them and was now a committed member of the X-Men, but Anna was another story.
She was reckless and Charles knew she was hiding a lot. He also knew that if she didn't share her pain, she would eventually consume herself and anyone around her.
He scanned her mind and eventually found what he was looking for. He pulled away and looked at her.
"So young," He murmured, then looked at a very confused Logan and said, "Take her to her room and have someone watch her. Bring her to me when she wakes. I need to talk to her."
Logan wanted to ask, but the solider in him obeyed and he picked up his unconscious daughter and carried her to her room.
Kitty was passing by the living room and he asked her to follow. He entered Anna's room and gently laid her on the bed.
"What happened to her?" Asked Kitty, her blue eyes large.
"That doesn't matter now. Can you watch her and tell me the minute she wakes up?" Asked Logan. Kitty nodded and started to cover Anna with a light blanket.
Logan took one last look at his daughter and walked from the room.
Kitty picked a book from Anna's shelves and sat in a chair.
About an hour later, Anna stirred and within seconds Kitty had phased through the floor and ran to Xavier's study.
Logan went to her room and walked in, Anna was sat on the bed wearing a confused expression. He approached her and helped her stand.
"Xavier wants to see you. I have to take you to him." He said softly. He wasn't happy. He didn't like the fact that Xavier had drugged his daughter or read her mind against her will, and his.
Luckily Anna was still slightly woozy from the drug and she walked quietly beside him to the study.
Xavier looked up as they walked in. Anna sat on the sofa and, taking no chances, Logan sat next to her.
The professor came around from the back of the desk and sat in front of them.
"Anna, I'm sorry for what happened before. I felt it was necessary."
Anna mumbled something under her breath that sounded distinctly like "Tosser."
"I saw enough, however, to explain your actions and attitude and I would like to talk to you about your mother."
Anna looked up, shocked, "I told you, she died from a heroin overdose."
Xavier pushed on, "No, she didn't, did she? I think you are hiding the truth from yourself. You have nothing to fear Anna. I want to hear your side of the story. I saw the whole thing, but your memory is placing you in the third person. An observer. I need for you to tell me what happened that night, to help yourself."
Anna looked at him closely. She hadn't even told Michelle, but she had no alternative. She cleared her throat and began her story.
Anna bounced up the stairs to her and her mother's flat. She glanced at the doorknob and was relieved to see it was free of a red ribbon, her and her mum's secret code for "I'm working".
She walked in and dumped her bag in the small hallway. Slamming the door, she called out for her mother. No answer, so she entered the small kitchen and looked at the fridge door. There was no note, and Anna started to get worried. Her mother never went out without leaving her a note to say where and when she'd be back.
She knew Anna could look after herself. Gale had seen Anna's powers.
Anna got a can of coke and cracked it open as she headed to her mum's bedroom; she pushed the door open and looked inside.
She dropped the can and ran to her mother, who was draped across the bed. Anna grabbed her hand and shouted, "Mum, wake up."
Gale opened her eyes and looked at her daughter. Her eyes were glazed and she started to shake uncontrollably. Anna knew before she even saw the needle next to her. Her mother had fallen off of the wagon.
She grabbed the phone from the bedside table and called 999. The woman on the line told her that an ambulance was on its way.
Anna picked her mum's hand up and said, "Come on, mum. Don't die. I need you. I love you too much. Please."
She buried her face into her mother's arm and started to cry. Her mother moaned and she looked up.
"Why, you were so close. We would have been so happy again." Asked Anna, not expecting a reply. She and her mother had struggled to wean Gale from the killer drug six months ago and she was so close to getting it out of her system.
Gale moaned again, and whispered something. Anna bent close to her mother's mouth and heard snatches of a sentence.
"Couldn't help ....... So sorry."
Gale started to shake again and the terrified twelve year old began to scream. She knew her mother was dying and in a lot of pain.
Anna climbed onto the bed and cradled her mother's head in her lap. She stroked her flame red hair, the one trait Anna hadn't inherited from her, and knew what she had to do.
She bent over and whispered, "I'll always love you."
Summoning her emotional and considerable physical strength, she broke her mother's neck.
Gale immediately stopped shaking and Anna lay next to her sobbing.
In the distance, she heard the ambulance sirens.
Anna felt the tears run down her face and wiped them away angrily. She saw her father clenching his fists so hard they turned white.
Xavier asked gently, "Are you all right, Anna."
Anna shook her head and fumbled to find her cigarettes. She lit one, shaking, and inhaled deeply.
"I'm so sorry for making you talk about this, but my only interest is to help you. We are not your enemies. And I would like to continue theses sessions with you, maybe once a week?" Xavier asked.
To his surprise, Anna nodded. She looked at him and he nodded, "Yes, you may leave."
She got to her feet, and nearly ran from the room.
Logan breathed out loudly, and said, "I had no idea. No wonder she's so angry. My poor little girl." He made to stand up, when Xavier stopped him.
"While I agree, Logan, it is wonderful that she has agreed to talk to us and open up, but I'm afraid that isn't all of it."
Logan looked at his friend and said, "What do you mean?"
Xavier raised his hands and said, "I don't really know. But there is something inside of her that is buried deep. I know it relates to her powers, but I sense that is where her anger comes from. I also suspect that her mother, although it was merciful, was not the only person she has killed."
"Dear God. But she's a child." Said Logan, refusing to believe it.
"Who has had to grow up very quickly at a very young age. Her powers didn't help either. She wasn't aware of other mutants and has convinced herself that she is indestructible."
"A God complex?" Asked Logan.
"Exactly. This is a very delicate and complex issue and we cannot rush her." Said Xavier.
Logan said nothing, his head was spinning, but he walked out and stood in the front hall. He saw Anna sat on the steps watching Kurt and Evan throwing a ball to each other.
'I can't believe it, I refuse to.' He thought, angrily. Yes, his daughter had had a terrible start in life, but a murderer? He pushed it out of his mind and went to plan that day's danger room session.
Rogue flopped down beside Anna and sighed.
"Get sent to Coventry then?" Asked Anna.
"Wha'?" Asked Rogue, looking confused.
"So, you got into a lot of trouble."
Rogue leaned against the railings, "Two months probation. Ah have to clean the danger room, the jet, all of the cars an' Logan's bike."
Anna winced, "Ouch!"
"So, what did ya get? Are they sending ya back to England?" Asked Rogue.
"Ha! I should be so lucky. I'm grounded to the mansion and grounds until Daddy say otherwise, and apparently I have to attend all of the danger room sessions." Laughed Anna, flicking her cigarette.
"Apparently?" The Goth looked unsure.
"Yeah, I'm not doing it. I steal his bike, buy beer underage, stay out all night and the worst he does is ground me. I don't think he has the guts to stand up to me." Smiled Anna.
"Ah don't think Wolverine's scared of anyone." Replied Rogue.
"Except his daughter. I told you, He can't risk alienating me. This is a real father/daughter relationship, him wrapped around my little finger."
Rogue laughed and then winced, holding her head.
"Hangover?" Asked Anna.
Rogue nodded her head.
"Yeah, I have a cure for that. Hair of the Dog." Anna stood up and pulled Rogue to her feet. She leaned over the railings and her hand found the bag she'd abandoned earlier. She checked the contents and started up the steps to the front door.
"A wha?" Said Rogue, following her into the mansion.
"Hair of the dog that bit you. In other words, more alcohol. Not enough to get pissed, but enough to make you feel better."
They got Anna's room and she pulled out a bottle of clear liquid. She gulped some down and handed it to Rogue.
"What is it?" She asked sniffing it.
"Vodka." Seeing the other girl wince, Anna added, "I know! But it's all I managed to sneak back from Lance's"
"Ya pulled me outta there in about seven seconds, but ya managed to think tah grab some vodka?" Asked Rogue, laughing.
"Always thinking!!" Anna smiled, tapping the side of her head.
She and Rogue drank nearly the entire bottle and presently they forgot about their hangovers.
A hour later, they were hanging out of the window smoking cigarettes, when they saw Lance Alvers walking towards the front door. They ducked just as he looked up.
"Bloody hell! Why is he here?" Asked Anna, as they hid under the ledge.
Rogue coloured up, "Well, it could be tah see Kitty."
"WHAT?"
"Well, they were sorta seeing each otha." Started Rogue. Anna smacked her hand to her forehead and fell over sidewards.
"Well, lets just hope he feels guilty and is going to keep his mouth shut." She sent up a silent prayer and hoped someone was listening.
They crept to the top of the stairs and hid in the shadows listening.
They could see Kitty chatting happily to Lance, and Scott and Jean sat on a sofa, glaring.
Lance said something to Kitty, and she said "Anna?" loudly. Anna leaned forwards to hear and Lance saw her. She lost her balance, mainly due to the drink, and fell down the stairs.
She lay at the bottom and shot a dirty look at Rogue who had fallen out from behind the plant she was crouching behind, from laughing.
Lance tried to help her up, but she shook him off and glared at him. Kitty looked at them both, and said, "Lance, how do you know Anna?"
Lance looked at Kitty, then Anna and finally the floor. Kitty saw she wasn't getting anything from him, so she looked at Anna.
"Anna, how do you know my boyfriend?
"Boyfriend? Rogue said you two were sort of seeing each other." Cried Anna, shocked. She had been with guys before, who had girlfriends, but she didn't know them. She didn't like them. Kitty was OK.
"Lance asked me to go steady last week, we kept it quiet because we didn't think anyone would approve." Kitty shot a pointed look at Scott and Jean.
Anna's head was spinning, and not just from the drink. She hadn't known at all about Lance and Kitty. If she had, she wouldn't have done anything. But Lance had, well he hadn't lied because she never asked, but he could have said something.
"You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend." She spat at him. Lance shifted and looked at Kitty, then back to Anna.
"I came to see you, to ask you to keep it quiet. I was really drunk and it's Kitty I want to be with. Last night was a mistake."
Anna was furious, "Yes, all seven times!" She turned to the brunette, whose eyes were filling up, "Kitty, I had no idea. I just met him, and he never said anything. I'm so sorry."
Kitty walked to Lance and punched him on the jaw, she screamed, "GET OUT, YOU LYING, CHEATING SCUMBAG!!!" Lance scrambled up and with one last look at Anna, ran out of the door and down the drive.
Kitty turned to Anna, and raised her hand to slap her. Anna caught her hand and said, "Hey. I didn't know, OK. I'm sorry, but he didn't say anything."
Kitty was breathing heavily, and snatched her hand back, saying, "You slut. You could have asked him."
Anna looked at her, and replied, "Now hang on. Most guys say 'Oh sorry, I've got a bird.' Instead of going upstairs with someone."
"You had to have seduced him. You're nothing but trouble, and have been a thorn in everyone's side since you got here. I hate you. I hope you rot in hell."
With that she ran off crying. Jean stood up and ran after her. Scott walked to Anna and fixed her with a frosty glare, "Scratched your itch then? With whoever came along first? Kitty's right, you are trouble. I wish you had never come."
Anna stared at him and then at Rogue, who was still at the top of the stairs looking shocked, and finally to Kurt and Evan, who had heard the row and come running, they too looked disgusted.
Anna finally found her voice, "You think this is my fault? I DIDN'T KNOW!" She ran up the stairs, and then stopped, "You're right though. I wish I wasn't here too. Guess you wont have to worry about that for long."
And then she disappeared into her room.
The young X-Men looked at each other, then to Logan and Storm, who had just walked into the room.
"What has happened? We heard shouting." Asked Ororo.
Scott explained and Logan ran up the stirs to his daughter's room. He pushed the door open and looked around. The window was open and a note was on the mirror. It read; Good riddance. A.
He heard his bike start and ran to the window in time to see Anna race out of the gates and out onto the road.