Chapter 8
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The sun burned down through a clear sky, reflecting off green leaves, and the wind whispered through the French countryside an hour's ride and half an hour's walk away from the villa. But today, nature held no comfort. A white horse raised his proud head and pricked his ears at the sound of a scream rippling over the hill. Then another and another.
Nadya fell to her knees in the sun-warmed grass, her head bowed to the earth. Hot tears watered the ground and sadness wracked her body as she screamed out her frustration.
"I understand...but I don't. It makes me so physically sick to watch them do this to themselves. To torture themselves like this! And there's nothing I can say! Nothing!" She sat up, the blood rushing back down from her head as she spoke to the sky.
"I was happy! I am happy! Why should I feel guilty because I am at peace with being who I am, with what I am? Why should I feel awful because they can't seem to be content?" But her anger dissipated as quickly as her tears; she wasn't angry with them. She was angry with herself; she just didn't understand.
Shadowfax--a horse named for a beloved story--ambled over to where the girl sat, his nose touching her shoulder.
"I don't understand, Shadowfax. I just don't understand. I want to help but I can't; everything I say just seems to drive it deeper, make them hurt more. It's beyond me and that hurts more than anything. But it's not about me and I'm so sick of it when it turns around to be about me; I make such dumb mistakes and say the wrong things at the wrong time. I'm tired of being self-centered. I just can't seem to help my friends." She was honestly in pain; her hand clutched at her heart because it hurt so much.
The intelligent animal nickered quietly and stepped away, knowing that he had nothing she needed aside from a presence. The wind pulled at her hair, making her eyes tear more, blurring the lines of the countryside. But, again, it held no comfort.
'Mama...I miss you. I need you right now. I need your help; what am I doing here?' But there was no reply, no gentle hand on her cheek, no quiet voice with an answer for her heart.
Shadowfax again moved towards Nadya, lowering himself to curl his long legs beneath him and lie next to her on the grass. The horse just lay there, his side against hers, for no other reason than to comfort if at all possible.
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"Professor, can you feel where she is?" Piotr asked, shedding his armor mutation.
Charles looked at the younger man then closed his eyes and focused. It took a few minutes, but then Xavier nodded.
"She is west of here.....a good hour's ride," he replied.
"And why should we help them?" Logan asked. He had sat down as the immortals had left the room to search for their friend. They all had gotten quiet after Methos' outburst, somewhat calmer. Logan, however, was loath to let go of any of his emotions, and right now he had a lot of them.
Charles closed off his mind but not before detecting a hint of jealousy. Piotr, of course, was awash with pain, anger, and, to his credit, concern. Not to mention youthful…infatuation. Scott and Ororo were also stressed as well as angry.
'And me? Well, I could use a long rest when this is all overwith.' Charles rubbed the bridge of his nose. Then he felt the sensation of amusement...particularly when a person wants very much to laugh but holds back. Charles turned back to find Joe Dawson still seated in his chair.
"And why did you not help the others look?" Charles asked tersely.
"Someone's got to wait here in case she comes back. Besides," Joe tapped a leg with his cane. "I'm only good for so much."
"Why are you here exactly?" Scott asked, arms crossed over his chest. "What part do you play in all of this...."
"...mess?" Joe offered. A large grin split his face, pulling at the salt and pepper of his short beard.
"Something funny, bub?" Logan growled.
"Yeah...actually, lots."
Logan cocked his head to the side and glared at the man to continue.
Joe complied. "This whole situation is one big barrel of laughs. We've got two groups of people who hate each other and yet have a common enemy, and, on top of that, we have the possibility of a Romeo and Juliet story...though, hopefully, not with that bad an ending." Joe chuckled, pointing to Piotr who this time did blush.
"Add to that the fact that we have got you and Methos at each other's throats," Joe looked back at Logan. "While Talia is having fun playing with the children--perhaps a little too much fun." He looked at Logan again.
Snickt The claws extended.
"Apparently, she isn't the only one." Joe laughed, not at all intimidated. "And, of course, there's MacLeod trying to play the boy scout or clan chieftain for the immortal race again. While the two of you try for the same for your people." The Watcher gestured to the Professor and Scott.
"What about me?" Ororo asked half-heartedly.
"You're there to look pretty.....like me." Joe smiled and leaned back in his chair smugly. Ororo actually laughed.
"Those were very intuitive statements, Mr. Dawson." Professor Xavier commented.
"Part of my job."
The Professor raised an eyebrow.
"I'm a Watcher. MacLeod's Watcher to be specific. It's what I do: I watch them."
"Watch them what?" Scott asked.
"Live," was Joe's reply. "Observe and record....never interfere." He smirked at the last part. "Of course, I forget that oath, from time to "
"You're very resourceful and observant," said Charles.
"For a mere mortal...or should I add for a mere human to that?"
"I was not trying to...." Charles began to salvage once more.
"Neither was I." Joe saved the day. "You know what the whole problem with this is? Besides your friend over there who doesn't seem to understand the concept of forgive and forget?"
Logan growled.
Joe met him eye to eye. "I've seen worse, pal. You wanna cut off my arm? Go ahead. I'll get a prosthetic for that, too." He then shook his head and returned his attention to Xavier.
"When I look at him," Joe pointed to Piotr, "And Nadya, all I see is a guy and a girl doing the same thing that kids have been doing for a long time. And that is all I see. 'Cause that is all that is important. And don't you think I am going to let what you are stop me from beating you good if you so much as even think about hurting her." Joe finished, pointing his cane at the Russian.
Piotr swallowed and nodded.
"Well-spoken words, Mr. Dawson, but carrying them out is another matter." Charles sighed.
"So start. Wipe the slate clean, before it gets too dirty to do so." Joe replied.
"If you think I am going to be nice to that...that..." Logan stood, snarling and pointing in the direction that Methos had gone.
"Man." Talia finished from the doorway.
Logan turned to her.
"Just like I am a woman...unless you want to contest that statement."
Logan shook his head and retracted his claws.
"Good. And I do hope you weren't planning on hurting my friend." Talia looked from him to Joe and back.
Logan crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought you found threats to be a waste of time."
"Who said I would do anything?" Talia looked to Joe then back to Logan again, who grimaced.
The combined scent on her was annoying him.
She turned to the Professor and spoke. "You said earlier that you might be able to find her...." she trailed off.
"I already have." Charles motioned to Piotr, sending him a mental picture of the place. "He will help you to find her."
Talia stood and looked Piotr over. "Thank you." She then turned to go.
"When do you think you will be back?" Charles asked as she neared the doorway.
"Will there be something to come back to?" Talia turned about again.
"I should hope so."
"Give us a few hours." Talia revolved again and left, a huge smile playing over her face.
Piotr followed.
So did Ororo.
"Storm, where are you going?!" Scott demanded.
The white-tressed 'weather witch' half-turned her head to him again. "I'm going to help them."
"Why?" Logan questioned.
"Because Nadya is my friend, too." With that, she walked out onto the balcony and rose into the air.
As the Immortals were just about to leave, Storm hovered down over the Land Rover.
"What do you want?" Methos snapped, pausing with his hand on the open car door.
"I want to help you. I want to help Nadya."
Talia smiled up at Ororo. "You can fly?"
Ororo seemed a little taken aback but then realized that she had not flown since meeting the Immortals. "Yes, I can."
"Good, take this!" Talia tossed her a walkie-talkie. "Apparently, the Professor has given Piotr here an image of what the place looks like. We'll describe and you scout ahead, deal?"
Ororo's mouth curled up a little and her ice-blue eyes twinkled. "Deal." Then she rose into the sky and headed off, following the sun's westward path.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
The hour grew late and the sun's warmth was giving way to evening's cool. Nadya lay on the grass, her eyes closed, her breathing slow. She was asleep. Completely exhausted from her tears, every reservoir of emotion drained, she'd lain down on the grass by Shadowfax and fallen asleep. The warmth of the horse's side and his strong breaths lulled her to sleep, into a place where dreams hovered on the edges. A place of just...quiet.
A slim brown hand pushed aside the tall grass, a small foot flattening the blades. A barefoot child moved stealthily through the grass towards the sleeping figure, pausing at every change of breath. No, she still slept. The child crept closer until she stood at the young woman's side.
"Mama?" She reached out a hand, almost touching the woman's cheek. Green-hazel eyes smiled quietly. "Mama?" she whispered again as the woman's eyes began to open. "Wake up..."
"Wake up...wake up, dear."
Nadya's eyes slowly focused on the owner of the voice above her. Soft, almost familiar. "Mama?" For a moment, for one glorious moment, she thought...
"No, dear. It is me," the voice replied, "Ororo."
Nadya finally opened her eyes, the blurs snapping into concrete lines and colors, the most powerful of those the shock of Storm's white hair and the ice of her eyes. But the ice melted, crystal blue pools, calm like the sea after a tempest.
Ororo sat next to Nadya. Shadowfax lifted his head and snorted at her new scent.
A small hand on his proud neck stilled him. "It's all right, Shadowfax."
Ororo smiled. "He is a very smart animal."
Nadya sat up slowly, nodding. "Shadowfax takes care of me."
There was silence for a while and then Ororo spoke again. "Why did you run away?"
Silence. Only the wind in the trees.
"Have you ever straddled the line, Ororo?" Nadya lifted her head to look at the woman. "Ever stood on both sides and none at the same time? That's where I am, and I don't know how to make it all fit. I feel as though I missed something important along the way, but what it is, I don't know." She looked away over the countryside.
Ororo was silent. What burdens did this young woman carry? What weighed her heart so heavily? "Nadya," Ororo turned her friend's face back to her. "You are guilty of nothing but that same offense as your friend Methos. You are human. We are none of us perfect. None of us with all the answers…no matter how we may wish it. Even at 22, you are still learning, my friend. You are still growing."
"Sometimes..." Nadya pulled up several blades of grass, laying them in a weave pattern, "Sometimes I just miss my mother."
Ororo leaned forward and drew the young woman into her arms. "She would be proud of you. She gave her daughter the greatest gift a mother can: a simple heart."
The two friends sat in silence for a while, just being. Suddenly, a walkie-talkie crackled between them. "Ororo?"
Releasing Nadya, Ororo picked up the walkie-talkie. "I found her, Talia."
"Good. We will be there in a few."
Nadya looked at Ororo. "I want so desperately for this to work. The last thing the world needs is three species at each other's throats. And, honestly, I'm afraid that both mutants and Immortals would lose such a battle. I fear for you all."
Storm touched her friend's hair gently, a wise smile curling her lips. "Do not fear for us, Nadya. Live each day, love us, and mend."
Just then, Shadowfax lifted his head, snorted again, and rose quickly to his feet, his ears pricked. In a moment, the Land Rover entered the clearing.
"Nadya!" Duncan jumped out as soon as it stopped. "Nadya, what are you doing here?"
She held up her hand. "Can we...not now?"
Talia nodded from her place half-in, half-out the driver's side door. "It can wait."
Nadya then saw that Piotr was also in the Land Rover. She didn't say anything, though, and neither did he.
Methos moved towards Shadowfax. "Nadya, you ride with the others. I'll ride him back."
But Shadowfax stepped back as Methos reached for his reins, snorting.
"You do not ride Shadowfax, Methos. Either he will bear you or he won't." Nadya said to the ancient. In truth, the animal was more like his fictional counterpart than anyone could guess.
Methos raised his brows in question. "Oh, really?" Then he turned to the horse, moving towards him again. "So, how about it, old man?"
Shadowfax regarded him with large, rolling eyes for a moment and then bowed his head with a snort.
A smile pulled at the sides of Nadya's mouth. "He says yes."
Then she moved towards the Land Rover. Duncan moved into the backseat with Piotr and Nadya sat up front with Talia. The eldest Immortal threw the SUV into gear and turned about, heading for the villa again. The car was silent. When they were gone, Methos swung up into Shadowfax's saddle, glancing at Storm who hovered in the air above him. Then he glanced down again, gathering up the reins.
"What did she say?"
Storm looked down at him, silent for a moment. "It can wait," was her only answer before she glided off into the gathering dark of the sky.
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The sun burned down through a clear sky, reflecting off green leaves, and the wind whispered through the French countryside an hour's ride and half an hour's walk away from the villa. But today, nature held no comfort. A white horse raised his proud head and pricked his ears at the sound of a scream rippling over the hill. Then another and another.
Nadya fell to her knees in the sun-warmed grass, her head bowed to the earth. Hot tears watered the ground and sadness wracked her body as she screamed out her frustration.
"I understand...but I don't. It makes me so physically sick to watch them do this to themselves. To torture themselves like this! And there's nothing I can say! Nothing!" She sat up, the blood rushing back down from her head as she spoke to the sky.
"I was happy! I am happy! Why should I feel guilty because I am at peace with being who I am, with what I am? Why should I feel awful because they can't seem to be content?" But her anger dissipated as quickly as her tears; she wasn't angry with them. She was angry with herself; she just didn't understand.
Shadowfax--a horse named for a beloved story--ambled over to where the girl sat, his nose touching her shoulder.
"I don't understand, Shadowfax. I just don't understand. I want to help but I can't; everything I say just seems to drive it deeper, make them hurt more. It's beyond me and that hurts more than anything. But it's not about me and I'm so sick of it when it turns around to be about me; I make such dumb mistakes and say the wrong things at the wrong time. I'm tired of being self-centered. I just can't seem to help my friends." She was honestly in pain; her hand clutched at her heart because it hurt so much.
The intelligent animal nickered quietly and stepped away, knowing that he had nothing she needed aside from a presence. The wind pulled at her hair, making her eyes tear more, blurring the lines of the countryside. But, again, it held no comfort.
'Mama...I miss you. I need you right now. I need your help; what am I doing here?' But there was no reply, no gentle hand on her cheek, no quiet voice with an answer for her heart.
Shadowfax again moved towards Nadya, lowering himself to curl his long legs beneath him and lie next to her on the grass. The horse just lay there, his side against hers, for no other reason than to comfort if at all possible.
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"Professor, can you feel where she is?" Piotr asked, shedding his armor mutation.
Charles looked at the younger man then closed his eyes and focused. It took a few minutes, but then Xavier nodded.
"She is west of here.....a good hour's ride," he replied.
"And why should we help them?" Logan asked. He had sat down as the immortals had left the room to search for their friend. They all had gotten quiet after Methos' outburst, somewhat calmer. Logan, however, was loath to let go of any of his emotions, and right now he had a lot of them.
Charles closed off his mind but not before detecting a hint of jealousy. Piotr, of course, was awash with pain, anger, and, to his credit, concern. Not to mention youthful…infatuation. Scott and Ororo were also stressed as well as angry.
'And me? Well, I could use a long rest when this is all overwith.' Charles rubbed the bridge of his nose. Then he felt the sensation of amusement...particularly when a person wants very much to laugh but holds back. Charles turned back to find Joe Dawson still seated in his chair.
"And why did you not help the others look?" Charles asked tersely.
"Someone's got to wait here in case she comes back. Besides," Joe tapped a leg with his cane. "I'm only good for so much."
"Why are you here exactly?" Scott asked, arms crossed over his chest. "What part do you play in all of this...."
"...mess?" Joe offered. A large grin split his face, pulling at the salt and pepper of his short beard.
"Something funny, bub?" Logan growled.
"Yeah...actually, lots."
Logan cocked his head to the side and glared at the man to continue.
Joe complied. "This whole situation is one big barrel of laughs. We've got two groups of people who hate each other and yet have a common enemy, and, on top of that, we have the possibility of a Romeo and Juliet story...though, hopefully, not with that bad an ending." Joe chuckled, pointing to Piotr who this time did blush.
"Add to that the fact that we have got you and Methos at each other's throats," Joe looked back at Logan. "While Talia is having fun playing with the children--perhaps a little too much fun." He looked at Logan again.
Snickt The claws extended.
"Apparently, she isn't the only one." Joe laughed, not at all intimidated. "And, of course, there's MacLeod trying to play the boy scout or clan chieftain for the immortal race again. While the two of you try for the same for your people." The Watcher gestured to the Professor and Scott.
"What about me?" Ororo asked half-heartedly.
"You're there to look pretty.....like me." Joe smiled and leaned back in his chair smugly. Ororo actually laughed.
"Those were very intuitive statements, Mr. Dawson." Professor Xavier commented.
"Part of my job."
The Professor raised an eyebrow.
"I'm a Watcher. MacLeod's Watcher to be specific. It's what I do: I watch them."
"Watch them what?" Scott asked.
"Live," was Joe's reply. "Observe and record....never interfere." He smirked at the last part. "Of course, I forget that oath, from time to "
"You're very resourceful and observant," said Charles.
"For a mere mortal...or should I add for a mere human to that?"
"I was not trying to...." Charles began to salvage once more.
"Neither was I." Joe saved the day. "You know what the whole problem with this is? Besides your friend over there who doesn't seem to understand the concept of forgive and forget?"
Logan growled.
Joe met him eye to eye. "I've seen worse, pal. You wanna cut off my arm? Go ahead. I'll get a prosthetic for that, too." He then shook his head and returned his attention to Xavier.
"When I look at him," Joe pointed to Piotr, "And Nadya, all I see is a guy and a girl doing the same thing that kids have been doing for a long time. And that is all I see. 'Cause that is all that is important. And don't you think I am going to let what you are stop me from beating you good if you so much as even think about hurting her." Joe finished, pointing his cane at the Russian.
Piotr swallowed and nodded.
"Well-spoken words, Mr. Dawson, but carrying them out is another matter." Charles sighed.
"So start. Wipe the slate clean, before it gets too dirty to do so." Joe replied.
"If you think I am going to be nice to that...that..." Logan stood, snarling and pointing in the direction that Methos had gone.
"Man." Talia finished from the doorway.
Logan turned to her.
"Just like I am a woman...unless you want to contest that statement."
Logan shook his head and retracted his claws.
"Good. And I do hope you weren't planning on hurting my friend." Talia looked from him to Joe and back.
Logan crossed his arms over his chest. "I thought you found threats to be a waste of time."
"Who said I would do anything?" Talia looked to Joe then back to Logan again, who grimaced.
The combined scent on her was annoying him.
She turned to the Professor and spoke. "You said earlier that you might be able to find her...." she trailed off.
"I already have." Charles motioned to Piotr, sending him a mental picture of the place. "He will help you to find her."
Talia stood and looked Piotr over. "Thank you." She then turned to go.
"When do you think you will be back?" Charles asked as she neared the doorway.
"Will there be something to come back to?" Talia turned about again.
"I should hope so."
"Give us a few hours." Talia revolved again and left, a huge smile playing over her face.
Piotr followed.
So did Ororo.
"Storm, where are you going?!" Scott demanded.
The white-tressed 'weather witch' half-turned her head to him again. "I'm going to help them."
"Why?" Logan questioned.
"Because Nadya is my friend, too." With that, she walked out onto the balcony and rose into the air.
As the Immortals were just about to leave, Storm hovered down over the Land Rover.
"What do you want?" Methos snapped, pausing with his hand on the open car door.
"I want to help you. I want to help Nadya."
Talia smiled up at Ororo. "You can fly?"
Ororo seemed a little taken aback but then realized that she had not flown since meeting the Immortals. "Yes, I can."
"Good, take this!" Talia tossed her a walkie-talkie. "Apparently, the Professor has given Piotr here an image of what the place looks like. We'll describe and you scout ahead, deal?"
Ororo's mouth curled up a little and her ice-blue eyes twinkled. "Deal." Then she rose into the sky and headed off, following the sun's westward path.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
The hour grew late and the sun's warmth was giving way to evening's cool. Nadya lay on the grass, her eyes closed, her breathing slow. She was asleep. Completely exhausted from her tears, every reservoir of emotion drained, she'd lain down on the grass by Shadowfax and fallen asleep. The warmth of the horse's side and his strong breaths lulled her to sleep, into a place where dreams hovered on the edges. A place of just...quiet.
A slim brown hand pushed aside the tall grass, a small foot flattening the blades. A barefoot child moved stealthily through the grass towards the sleeping figure, pausing at every change of breath. No, she still slept. The child crept closer until she stood at the young woman's side.
"Mama?" She reached out a hand, almost touching the woman's cheek. Green-hazel eyes smiled quietly. "Mama?" she whispered again as the woman's eyes began to open. "Wake up..."
"Wake up...wake up, dear."
Nadya's eyes slowly focused on the owner of the voice above her. Soft, almost familiar. "Mama?" For a moment, for one glorious moment, she thought...
"No, dear. It is me," the voice replied, "Ororo."
Nadya finally opened her eyes, the blurs snapping into concrete lines and colors, the most powerful of those the shock of Storm's white hair and the ice of her eyes. But the ice melted, crystal blue pools, calm like the sea after a tempest.
Ororo sat next to Nadya. Shadowfax lifted his head and snorted at her new scent.
A small hand on his proud neck stilled him. "It's all right, Shadowfax."
Ororo smiled. "He is a very smart animal."
Nadya sat up slowly, nodding. "Shadowfax takes care of me."
There was silence for a while and then Ororo spoke again. "Why did you run away?"
Silence. Only the wind in the trees.
"Have you ever straddled the line, Ororo?" Nadya lifted her head to look at the woman. "Ever stood on both sides and none at the same time? That's where I am, and I don't know how to make it all fit. I feel as though I missed something important along the way, but what it is, I don't know." She looked away over the countryside.
Ororo was silent. What burdens did this young woman carry? What weighed her heart so heavily? "Nadya," Ororo turned her friend's face back to her. "You are guilty of nothing but that same offense as your friend Methos. You are human. We are none of us perfect. None of us with all the answers…no matter how we may wish it. Even at 22, you are still learning, my friend. You are still growing."
"Sometimes..." Nadya pulled up several blades of grass, laying them in a weave pattern, "Sometimes I just miss my mother."
Ororo leaned forward and drew the young woman into her arms. "She would be proud of you. She gave her daughter the greatest gift a mother can: a simple heart."
The two friends sat in silence for a while, just being. Suddenly, a walkie-talkie crackled between them. "Ororo?"
Releasing Nadya, Ororo picked up the walkie-talkie. "I found her, Talia."
"Good. We will be there in a few."
Nadya looked at Ororo. "I want so desperately for this to work. The last thing the world needs is three species at each other's throats. And, honestly, I'm afraid that both mutants and Immortals would lose such a battle. I fear for you all."
Storm touched her friend's hair gently, a wise smile curling her lips. "Do not fear for us, Nadya. Live each day, love us, and mend."
Just then, Shadowfax lifted his head, snorted again, and rose quickly to his feet, his ears pricked. In a moment, the Land Rover entered the clearing.
"Nadya!" Duncan jumped out as soon as it stopped. "Nadya, what are you doing here?"
She held up her hand. "Can we...not now?"
Talia nodded from her place half-in, half-out the driver's side door. "It can wait."
Nadya then saw that Piotr was also in the Land Rover. She didn't say anything, though, and neither did he.
Methos moved towards Shadowfax. "Nadya, you ride with the others. I'll ride him back."
But Shadowfax stepped back as Methos reached for his reins, snorting.
"You do not ride Shadowfax, Methos. Either he will bear you or he won't." Nadya said to the ancient. In truth, the animal was more like his fictional counterpart than anyone could guess.
Methos raised his brows in question. "Oh, really?" Then he turned to the horse, moving towards him again. "So, how about it, old man?"
Shadowfax regarded him with large, rolling eyes for a moment and then bowed his head with a snort.
A smile pulled at the sides of Nadya's mouth. "He says yes."
Then she moved towards the Land Rover. Duncan moved into the backseat with Piotr and Nadya sat up front with Talia. The eldest Immortal threw the SUV into gear and turned about, heading for the villa again. The car was silent. When they were gone, Methos swung up into Shadowfax's saddle, glancing at Storm who hovered in the air above him. Then he glanced down again, gathering up the reins.
"What did she say?"
Storm looked down at him, silent for a moment. "It can wait," was her only answer before she glided off into the gathering dark of the sky.