6

Don't Look Back

After doing some thinking Mica figured that since Jadyn was doing something constructive she might as well find something to spend her own time on. Considering she was supposed to start college the winter semester back home she thought that that was the way to go. So with a few ideas and determination she set out to go see Professor Xavier.

Mica sat down across from Xavier, "I want to go to college."

"I thought you might, however there is a problem."

Mica frowned, "What do you mean?"

"You have no transcripts." Charles said.

"So, can't you make it up?"

"I must feel you earned it. I'll make you a deal. You attend school here for the semester and when this semester is done I will make up a transcript with whatever grades you make."

Mica frowned with consideration, "Sure, sounds good."

"Now it's time to make out a schedule. I think you should take German with Professor Wagner."

"I get to be in one of Kur… I mean Professor Wagner's classes."

"Also I think you should take Biology and Debate."

Mica shrugged, "Ok, whatever."

- X -

Ten minutes later Mica found herself bouncing a basketball out in the yard. She wasn't to start classes until the next day. "Want to play a game?"

Mica turned and saw Piotr had come up behind her, "Sure, I was on the basket ball team in High School."

"You're in High School?" Piotr asked jokingly.

Mica glared at him, "Ha, ha. Don't give up you day job."

Piotr smiled at her and caught the ball, "Don't worry, I won't."

He started to dribble but Mica jumped up on his shoulders and grabbed the ball out of his hands. Jumping down she dribbled down and sunk a basket.

"Fowl!" Piotr shouted, "You can't use your powers or jump on my shoulders."

Mica stuck out her tongue, "Catch me if you can." then she took off running. Piotr was temporarily stunned then he grinned and went after her. Running into the mansion Mica moved with liquid grace but Piotr, being in such good shape, was able to keep up with her. He tackled her in the second story hallway and they went rolling, they stopped with Piotr on top.

"Gotcha." he whispered, careful not to disturb anyone.

Mica mocked frowned, "Yeah sure."

Piotr ginned and climbed to his feet. He held out a hand and helped Mica to her feet. Mica grinned back at and realized that she'd made her first friend.

- X -

"My first class is on Monday." Jadyn said, stretching out on her bed. Professor Xavier had moved them out of the guest rooms and into their own rooms. Jadyn had just finished moving her stuff in with the aid of her sister. She hadn't had much time to talk to her since all this began so maybe now would be a good time. "Hank said he would get me some of his class outlines to help out soon."

"My first class is tomorrow. And I made a new friend." Mica frowned, "I feel five years old saying that."

"Don't, I wanted to announce it to the world when me and Kurt got on good terms." She smiled to herself, "he's so sweet. So who's your new friend, no lemme guess, Piotr?" She grinned mischievously.

Mica frowned, "Yeah, how did you know?" she smiled, "We played basket ball together."

"I don't know, I just got a feeling." Jadyn replied, "so how much do you like 'im?"

Mica raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Well, he is a very, very attractive male. And he is quite nice. What do you think I mean." Jadyn wagged her eyes suggestively. "So do you like him like him or just friends?"

"I don't know, he's cute and nice but…never mind. I just don't think I'm ready to jump into another relationship."

"Ah. Well, that's understandable. Finally got some freedom. I know I'd welcome some single time," she frowned, then joked "except for fact that I'm single all the time."

"Oh?" Mica grinned mysteriously, "am I going to hear about two teachers necking it in the halls?"

Jadyn blushed deeply at that thought, although she wouldn't mind… "absolutely not. Mr. Wagner and I are only friends, besides why would he want to get with a girl he just met."

"Mr. Wagner? You can call him Kurt in front of me."

"Well, if the two of us are going to be co-workers than we have to have a certain reputation. We can't have our students think anything is going on between us." Jadyn said, trying to be serious.

"I'm not your student, well ok I am, but I'm also your sister. I know you're crazy about Kurt even if he doesn't. Come on, out with it." Mica said pushing away the guilty feeling that she should be the one spilling and not her sister, "Never mind, it's not like we're going to be here long enough for either of us to get involved."

"Well, actually Mica, the other night I talked to Xavier and it seems like we are supposed to be here. This is our world, how I don't know. He also told me that whether we go home is our choice or not. I have decided to stay. This is an amazing experience, I mean we're here," she motioned to the walls around them, "Xavier's school. It's real and they're real." She paused, her excitement dying as she gazed at her sister, searching for a reaction.

Mica froze, "But Jadyn, Mom?" she shook her head, "What about your degree and your future job? You want to stay? I mean I understand I guess about it being real but what about home?"

"That's just it, Mica. This is home. I love Mom, too, but she's not our real mom. Professor Xavier told me that when we're gone from that world all those who knew us forget. Anyway, don't you want to find out why we're here and what our place is? Haven't you ever felt like you didn't belong where we came from?"

"Everyday, but I thought that was how all teenagers felt. I don't know if I want to find out our place. You don't get it Jadyn, we're going to face hardship everyday. We're mutants, you've read the comics, seen the movies, watched the shows, the world hates us. Is that how you want to live your life? We were white middle class girls the closest we got to discrimination was when I was laughed at for wanting to be on the football team. Now we'll face it everyday. I can't even go out to the mall how I normally look because I might get beaten up. Can you handle that? It's not going to be like reading it in a book or writing it in a story."

Jadyn sighed. Mica was right. Living here would be hard, but in her own mind she figured it was better than having to live somewhere else where she knew she didn't belong. Now that she knew this was her world she wanted to fight for it, make it hers. She looked at people like Kurt who lived everyday in possible danger. She didn't want her sister in that kind of danger, she would never want that, but at the same time she couldn't turn her back on her world. "Yes. That's true, but we each have a choice. I'm willing to tough it out here if need be. If you want to go home you can, and I would want you to go home. And whatever you do, don't stay for me, or for anyone else. It's what makes you happy."

Mica laughed bitterly, "Do you really think I could go home without you? Go home to what? Ben or Sarah? No way, that chapter in my life is over. If you're staying and you're willing to fight so am I. I'm just telling you it's not going to be easy and we may not see the end of this war in our life time or the next. Besides how can I go knowing you would be in danger?"

"This is a serious decision, you sure you don't want to think about it anymore?"

"You know me, once my mind is made up it's over." Mica got up and kissed her sister on the cheek, "You're going to tell me about Kurt next time 'neh?" She flashed a smiled before disappearing out the door.

- X -

Later that night Jadyn found herself in the kitchen, her head resting and propped up by her clasped hands. Her lavender eyes were faraway as she thought of what had taken place between her and Mica. She hadn't expected Mica the decision she made. Of all things she had thought her sister would pitch a fit until Jadyn had agreed to go home. Yes, she had argued a bit over whether going or staying was the right choice, but she had changed her mind so quickly. Jadyn only hoped it was the right choice.

It was one thing to put her own life in danger, but to cause Mica to be in the line of fire was another. No matter what Jadyn had always tried to protect her sister, no matter how it seemed to Mica. Most of the time she just claimed Jadyn was treating her like a child even though she was nineteen, and that she could take care of herself. Her worry stemmed from her own experience. Jadyn was twenty one and still there were a lot of things she couldn't deal with. She wondered how Mica planned to take care of those things, if she had even thought of them at all. The fact was both of them were young, and they both needed as much help as they could get.

Jadyn looked up when she heard the door open. It was Kurt, and he looked weary and bedraggled. He didn't seem to see her as he entered because he was talking to himself in German and proceeded to do so until Jadyn said something. "Hallelujah!" She cracked, attempting to cheer him up. He didn't look happy at all. "He comes in through a door."

He turned to her, slightly startled, but then his placid expression changed into a smile. "Hello, Jadyn. I did not know you would be down here."

"Neither did I." She commented. "I just kind of found my way here."

"Funny how that happens." He replied. "Cannot sleep?"

"No. I'm too busy worrying about something." She answered. "I'm guessing you can't sleep either. Is it… no, never mind, I shouldn't ask that." She lowered her head. She had to be careful not to get too person. She didn't want to drag up bad memories or offend anyone, especially Kurt. He was last person she wanted to push away from her.

She thought about the things Mica had said. Am I going to hear about two teachers necking in the halls? That would be a dream. For Jadyn to allow herself to get that close to a man as wonderful as Kurt, for Kurt to allow her to get that close to him would be more than she would have ever wanted. I know you're crazy about Kurt even if he doesn't. Jadyn hoped he would never see. The fact that they were friends were enough. Perhaps one day they would be very close friends and even that would be worth it to keep silent.

Mica would call her crazy for living like that, and even Jadyn was confused about what she wanted to happen. For so long Kurt Wagner had been the creation of someone's mind. He wasn't real, and because of that it was so easy for Jadyn to attach herself to him, claim he would be the perfect guy. Sweet, caring, funny, but strong, inside and out. She had made someone like Kurt her standard and that had kept her safely tucked away from her feelings, from running into another disastrous relationship, because frankly she didn't believe a man like him was possible.

Now, however, Kurt was real and Jadyn was twisting. He was her dream, unfortunately any hope of being with him was also dream. She knew it was ridiculous to even think of the possibility the two of them could be together in any fashion. This was real life and they did not turn out how they did in books or movies. People didn't just look at each other and see their futures, nor did everyone find their fantasy love.

"You mean, is it Stryker?" Kurt inquired. "Yes, that could very well be it."

"You can't remember?" She asked.

"Sometimes I can recall my dreams, sometimes I cannot. I guess I could consider that a blessing." He smiled sadly, his eyes lifting to meet hers. Without a word Jadyn reached across the counter and placed her hand over his. He gazed at her a moment in surprise before smiling again, this time the much softer, shyer smile. "Do you ever have nightmares, Jadyn?"

She sighed. "Yes, I do. Probably nothing compared to what you see. In fact, in comparison, they're nothing."

"They are not nothing if they have a powerful effect on you." He said softly, and she noticed his eyes darken again, a haunted look coming upon them. "But you have to learn to not let them get hold of who you are, or they have won." He paused, letting the silence fall over them. Jadyn said nothing, feeling she should let this moment be his. After a while he spoke again, and had seemed to push whatever dark thoughts he had had away. "What are you worrying about?"

She told him about the her conversation with Mica, minus the parts about him. "I just feel like perhaps it is wrong for me to stay here. I know it's dumb, but I think Mica is staying because of me and if I had decided to leave instead of stay she would have done that. She said it was her choice, and that it was her that wanted to stay, too, but I am concerned. What if I've put her in some terrible danger? I'm different from her, Kurt. I shouldn't think like this, but it's true. They will see the two of us differently. What if someone decides my sister isn't worthy to live? What if some idiot comes along and wants to hurt her just because she isn't completely…" She paused, drawing in a quick breath. She felt she had went too far. Kurt was too quiet and still.

"Human?" He finished finally, and Jadyn could see his tail swaying behind him. She couldn't tell whether she had offended him or not. She was afraid she had.

"Kurt, I'm sorry." She said, "I didn't mean it like- -"

"Stop apologizing, Jadyn." He said, finding her eyes once again. "Your words do not hurt me. You are worried, and your concern is very real. Your sister may not be as … freakish … as I am, but her differences are enough to incur the wrath of the ignorant." He averted his eyes again. Jadyn felt a pain in her heart upon hearing his words.

"I do not think you are freakish, Kurt." She raised her hand from the table and briefly touched his face before gently brushing back some errant curls. "Far from it."

"If I did not look like this they would not have wanted me." He said softly, so softly Jadyn supposed she was not supposed to have heard it. He was talking about Stryker and his evil colleagues again. Very abruptly she was filled with anger.

"Kurt, do you know the reason I am staying here?" She asked, "people like you. People with the strength to fight the evils of this world, whether it be with their physical prowess, their social power, or … their faith. When they are gone, so is the hope."

Kurt raised his face again, a new look in his eyes, and they were the softest she had ever seen them. "No, Jadyn, hope lies in the hearts of people like you."

"Oh, Kurt…" She didn't know what else to say. She closed her eyes tightly before her emotions could catch up with her.

"Good night, and do not worry about Mica. I am sure she will be fine." He said softly, and vanished. Another night she might have tried and follow him, but not this night. Not after all of that. He deserved peace, and she wished she had some way to give it to him. Until then she would wait and hope.

Hello all... Muse here. I was getting anxious, so I decided to put out the next chapter. It was a little bit more serious than some of the others so tell me how ya liked it. Good news for Gambit fans. If the chapters go as me and Angel have laid them out he should be spotted in chapter 14 and come to the mansion in chapter 16. Also, the two of us have planned in detail up to chapter twenty five which takes place right after christmas. And we have the main ideas for what will happen in that year to come so I hope you stay tuned for the action and the drama.

Next Chapter: Mend - - Jadyn's first day on the job.

R&R.