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Meh. I don't feel like thinking up something witty or silly to say at the beginning of this so think of something funny and pretend I wrote it.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! Maybe one day I'll actually get to respond to you!

~~ = thoughts

** = telepathic communication

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"I'm sorry professor but this is all he had to offer, Forge designed it. I know you didn't want it to be this way, but it's the only thing Mr. McCoy says will work."

"I understand Scott. It is…unfortunate…that it had to be done."

"Huh. I don't see th' hang-up. Way I figure it was him that started this. We got a right to some answers and if this th' only way to keep blue boy here around…"

Kurt flinched at the sound of Wolverine's voice. However something inside told him not to move or open his eyes, but to take in all he heard. He was deep within the lion's den and had to tread with the utmost caution. The three men were silent. He wondered if they noted his return to consciousness.

"Well…whenever he wakes up…" Footsteps faded away, and guessing by the heavy footfalls it was Wolverine who had left.

Feeling slightly more at ease, Kurt turned his mind and his senses to his surroundings. His back was against something hard and cold, as if he had been recently placed there. He wondered how long he had been unconscious. He concentrated on the sounds, but could pick up nothing but the low steady hum of some far away machine. Frustrated by the lack of clues as to his whereabouts he chanced opening his eyes. It took only a second to see the bald old man sitting there, staring intently at his face.

He closed his eyes quickly, hoping by some miracle that the man had not seen, but he knew it was futile. Thoughts shot rapidly through his mind. The other two speakers were gone…should he attempt an escape? He had been warned of the dangerous powers of Charles Xavier, would he be able make it past him? He was just a crippled old man, he didn't look so mighty in person…

"I know you are awake Kurt."

~Shit. What should I do…~

"Kurt, we are not going to harm you."

~Bullshit, you psycho cripple. You'd better not touch me or I'll bite your hand off…~

Xavier shook his head sadly; the boy's thoughts rang clear in his mind. What had Mystique told him to make him so angry, and so afraid? He knew he should have expected this kind of reaction, but it was always difficult to listen to one so young already filled with hate.

Kurt opened his eyes and glared at the ceiling. This room was very much like the room he'd been in when he'd found the vial. He had to be close. If he could just…

"Kurt, I'm afraid escape is quite impossible."

The younger mutant bared his teeth, his yellow eyes flashed angrily in the professor's direction. ~Can't you shut up old man?~ A second thought followed the last, though this time not aimed at him. ~How does he know my name anyway?~

"I know your name because I can read your mind Kurt Darkholme."

The boy turned to stare at him nervously. So it was true. Everything his mother had told him was true. Fear like icy water gripped his heart. He pushed himself upright and slid away, or at least he tried. He cried out in surprised anguish. His wrists and ankles were bound by thick metal bands attached to some sort of metal wire which ran into holes in the floor, greatly limiting his mobility. He snarled at the old man. Enough of this! His mind screamed, that's it, I'm gone! He focused on the forest outside the mansion, but found nothing happened. Panic rose in his chest.

~I…I can't teleport!~

*Calm yourself Kurt. Please, I only want to talk*

At the sound of the professor's voice in his mind the young mutant seemed to go wild. He shrieked an ungodly oath and struggled against his bonds, his yellow eyes seemingly mad with torment. It was if he had been touched with a burning brand.

"Stay out of my head you crackpot!" He lunged at Xavier, fangs bared, stopped short only by the bands that bound him.

"Please, I only wish to speak."

"I know what you want you freak!" the blue mutant was screaming harshly at the top of his lungs. "You want to get inside my head! You want to brainwash me and use me like you use all your lackeys!"

Xavier recoiled at the vicious outburst. *Logan, I need your help*

His throat growing ragged and his voice hoarse from yelling, Kurt sank into a crouch, his hands covering his head protectively. He whimpered softly. He'd been told what the madman in the wheelchair did to his victims…

"Please Kurt…"

"No…" the teenager wept, his energy drained from his struggle. "Leave me alone…stay away from me…"

"You called Chuck?"

Xavier sighed and shook his head, "I'm afraid there's not much we can do right now… He is unwilling to listen."

"I'll make 'em listen," the burly man stepped forward and hoisted the teenager up by his shirt.

"Logan no! Put him down!" Wolverine reluctantly acquiesced, but not before giving the boy a menacing look. Kurt was trembling from fear and cold and slumped heavily down on the floor, tail between his legs. He sobbed.

"Yer lucky this time monkey." He strode out of the room, obviously annoyed.

The professor rubbed his temples wearily. So much for showing no aggression towards the boy.

*Ororo, will you please bring some blankets down?*

*Of course professor.*

Kurt was absolutely exhausted. He had no idea what time it was, or how long he'd been in the institute. All he could do was curl up in the pile of blankets the white haired woman had left for him and sleep.

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This chapter was supposed to be longer, but I'm too tired to write any more. Hopefully I'll be updating again tomorrow. Review!