Not
Myself
By Princess
Alexandria
Princess_alex24@hotmail.com
Christy was pleasantly surprised that she didn't get motion sickness. She remembered a trip she'd taken to Nebraska once and had been concerned that she'd barely manage to not use the motion sickness bag this time again.
Jon and Erik had helped get all their bags down from the overhead compartments and they went in search of the baggage claim. Emma had said someone would meet them there, and Christy was looking forward to finding out who. She was going to enjoy this visit as much as she could while it lasted, and meeting the people she'd read about would definitely be enjoying. She did wonder though, how much other X-men had heard about her, or if she was now just Scott's groups secret.
As they were picking up the luggage, and the kids had a lot more than Christy did since they needed things to hold them over until the rest of their belongings arrive, Logan moved to stand beside Christy. "Brought a van." Was all he said while they waited for Jessi to grab her last bag. Christy glanced around and was relieved that it was only him and not a telepath. She hadn't told anyone what happened yet. She thought it was best to not trust the phone lines with this.
The van was large enough for all of their stuff and Logan didn't mention that it was really too much stuff for one week. Christy also hadn't mentioned that all the kids would be staying yet, since that would lead to questions of how she managed to talk them into that sight unseen.
Once they started driving the kids stared out the windows, their earlier tiredness gone.
"They'll be staying." Christy spoke quietly while the kids talked among themselves.
"Okay. I'll make sure they get permanent dorms and not guest rooms then." Was the response from Logan. He glanced at her, obviously he had questions, but he was letting it slide for now.
"Can you arrange for them to be together?" Christy knew there were bad roommates out there, and these kids had already learned how to live together. It would be less stress during this already stressful time. "They're a team." That was one thing Christy saw they really learned. When things fell apart during training, they all did their part. They worked together.
When Logan focused on driving Christy stared out the window and thought about her team. She'd have to tell the Professor how Annie protected the car, had things ready to go, and helped to take care of the others until Erik and Jessi came out of their shock, and Jon woke up from the drugs. How even after the stress of holding his Empathy in control Erik managed to cover their tracks, and how Jessi stood and protected her and Jon. Only Jon was taking down in that battle, but Christy had no doubts that he would have done his part. There was no shame in his missing that battle, even though he felt like there was.
People shouldn't have to expect to get drugged while kissing their girlfriends, and the fact that it had happened to so many mutants around their home showed Christy that there was a battle that needed to be waged there. One that the police had done such a poor job on that Christy was going to have to ask for real help. Her kids almost became part of the F.O.H.'s serial killing spree of mutant couples. They'd followed the cases, saw the similarities, and it was time to do more than just watch.
********
Logan glanced over at Christy when her scent faded out again. It was doing that a lot. He could see her fist clench and her jaw tighten. There was definitely a story behind why the kids had decided to stay.
He looking into the rearview mirror and could see a miserable Annie staring out the window as unseeing as Christy was and the other three were a bit less energetic than he remembered.
"We should get there in time for dinner." He told Christy and she finally looked back at him. One thing that was going to be interesting about Christy's visit was that no one bothered to let Bobby know she was gay. That kid was in for some serious humiliation when his no doubt elaborate plans to get a date hit that snag. It was Emma's idea.
********
Annie was surprised at the number of trees she saw in the area as the van pulled down a small street. Christy glanced at the street sign and seemed to straighten up.
"I know you guys haven't been around a lot of mutants…" Christy spoke quietly and glanced at Logan a little embarrassed looking about making that comment. "Here students don't have to wear image inducers." Annie felt her hand move nervously to her own image inducer. She wore it most of the time and wasn't sure she wanted to not wear it. "And if you think someone has a lousy power, they don't want pity." Annie just stared at Christy for a second. The woman really sounded like she'd been here before.
A brick fence came into view and they pulled up to an iron gate. Once they were through that everyone in the car, except Logan was staring around. It was more than a mansion, it was huge. The landscaping was the most beautiful Annie had ever seen, and the buildings… there were a few buildings around, all white and all huge. What had they signed up for. She glanced at Christy and even she was a bit stunned looking.
There were groups of students on the lawn, talking and Annie could see actual visible mutation. A girl with what looked like fairy wings was talking to a group of blonde girls that could have been clones of each other. There was a guy that looked so much like a cat it was hard for Annie to tear her eyes away. This is what Christy meant, don't stare.
"This place is a bit bigger than I thought." Christy spoke quietly to Logan and he turned to look at her a second, as if that surprised him. "I had no idea… how many students do you have?"
"Over a hundred… don't know the exact number. You'd have to ask the Professor about that." Over a hundred students? Annie turned to look out the window again. Over a hundred mutant students. She could hardly believe it.
********
Erik stepped out of the van and moved so that Annie could follow him. This was the new school? For a school with so many people in it, there was less emotional noise.
~That is because our students learn to create mental shields.~ A voice in his mind startled him and Erik tensed up as he looked around. ~I'm Professor Xavier… and a telepath. I've sent out some people to take your bags to your rooms. Please let Ms. Taylor know that I'm expecting to see you all in my office soon.~
"Ah, okay." Erik muttered, feeling a bit odd about talking to the air. Annie gave him a funny look, but Christy seemed to take it all in stride. She just waited for him to talk, like she'd expected her students to go crazy and start talking to themselves. "Umm… the Professor wants to see us, and he's sending someone out to get out bags."
Jon moved a bit closer, "How do you…"
"Telepath."
"Oh." Jon's eyes widened a little and Erik smirked at him. This school was definitely going to be different.
********
Bobby checked his appearance once more in the mirror before opening the front door. Christy was here! He started down the stairs towards the group pulling luggage out of the van, and noticed the woman that had to be here. Yes, the others had said she was about his age, and they were right. Emma had even mentioned that Christy might have a spare night and want to see the city. It was a shock that Emma was suggesting he ask the woman out, but Bobby had already planned to do that.
"Hey, you guys can just leave that." He smiled and glanced at Logan, who would end up taking care of the luggage and moved closer to the woman. "I'm Bobby."
She smiled at him, obviously happy to meet him. "Hey Bobby. I'm Christy. Finally get to meet you after talking on the phone eh?" Eh? She must be part Canadian.
"I'm here to escort you to the Professor's office."
One tall thin boy stepped closer. "We just got the invite."
********
Christy and the kids followed Bobby into what looked like the main building. The hallways were wide, the staircases were impressive.
"Welcome to Hogwarts." Bobby joked when the kids and her got inside and he closed the door behind them. "We will be taking you to the office and sorting you into houses."
Christy remembered reading a few of those books. "No need. I already know what the hat would say for them all." She grinned at his surprised expression.
"What are they talking about?" She heard Jessi whisper to Jon.
Annie answered her, "Harry Potter books."
Bobby moved to walk a little closer beside her as the kids trailed after them. "Ah… a Harry Potter fan." He smiled flirtatiously and Christy just grinned. He was as joking and teasing as she thought he'd be. "So what would be your house milady?" He glanced at her, "I'm betting… Griffandor?"
"Slytherin." Her smile was tight. This was a little to close to home and the reason she'd… this wasn't fun anymore. Slytherin meant you were a bit underhanded and willing to do some dirty deeds to get what you want. She hated knowing that applied to her, but after her world found out it was doomed, it became painfully clear that was what she was. Griffandor's were the noble heroes that did what was right… like Bobby. He looked a little surprised at her comment.
If she looked at this world through the four houses in that book, and Christy wasn't willing to call anything just a book anymore, not after her move into this world… She'd say Annie and Erik were the noble type. Jon was a loyal follower, and Jessi… Jessi was the most likely to end up like Christy if she wasn't careful.
"Well this is the Professor's office." Bobby's grin was back as he opened the door for them. "I'll be around to show you your room if you want…" Christy's eyes widened just a little as she realized that the group that visited her house had left out one important thing when telling Bobby about her. He was interested in more than being helpful. Christy glanced in and noticed that team, minus Logan, were in the room.
"No, I'm sure Emma or Jean can show me. Thank you." She didn't want to lead him on. They stepped in the room and Christy was impressed at the size of the office. He could have some large meetings in here if the Professor wanted. And the Professor was smiling at her kids, welcoming.
"You're not a Slytherin." Annie moved up beside her and whispered. Christy just gave Annie a small smile, knowing that Annie just didn't know.
"Ah, it's good to finally meet you all." The Professor started to speak. "Please sit down."
********
Jessi listened to what sounded like a rote speech about living together with humans, and peace. It sure sounded different from what her father had talked about. They sat on chairs in front of the Professor's large desk, well her and the others did. Christy was leaning up against the wall near Emma and watching this all quietly.
"Ms. Taylor already faxed us your school records, so I took the opportunity to create a class schedule for you." Jessi felt like groaning. She wanted to be able to go out and see New York while Christy was here. This was supposed to be their spring break.
The Professor turned to face her and Jessi felt a blush start. She was still not used to his telepathy, even though he'd used it a few times already to answer questions some of them had been thinking about. "I'm sure that classes can wait a few days for you to adjust to your new home. You should have plenty of time to go sightseeing with Ms. Taylor."
"Charles, are you sure that is best. They will be behind as is." Ms. Frost spoke and Jessi's brief moment of relief started to fade.
Christy's voice was a bit quiet and a bit… off. "I bought tickets to a play, and we have a few other plans." Jessi was surprised at that. This was the first she'd heard of it. "Classes can wait."
"Really? What play?" Annie sounded excited about that. Jessi glanced at her friend and wished she had the nerve to tell her she was being too obvious, but no one ever talked about it.
Christy smirked at them. "My secret."
"Just one moment." Emma's voice started to rise.
"I just have this week Emma." Christy turned to face the blonde woman and Jessi didn't like the sadness she could hear.
"Well, I'm sure they'll be no problem with waiting." The Professor spoke again. "I hope you all have fun at the play."
"Do we have all the normal things taken care of now?" Christy moved to lean more heavily on the wall while looking at the Professor.
********
Christy watched Professor Xavier studying her after she asked that question. She let them do the normal welcome speech and talk about the school, but she had something she needed to say. A few things actually.
"I believe that takes care of the orientation." He folded his hands together. He turned to the kids and nodded at them. "I have someone coming down to show you to your rooms. You can prepare for dinner, we should be eating in a half hour."
Once the kids left, and Annie didn't look like she cared for leaving Christy behind, Christy started to talk. "Okay, I have a few things to say. I am in the loop… something happens to one of my kids, you call me. I don't care if you don't think I can do anything… I get that call." She was a bit worried about the things that tended to happen around the X-men and if one of her kids went missing, she wasn't going to sit home and wonder.
"We can put you down as next of kin for all of them." He nodded that he understood.
"And we have a bit of a situation." Christy sighed. Erik's nightmares were worse than ever since the attack. Jessi was a bit clingy with Jon, and Annie looked helpless sometimes as she watched the others trying to come to grips with it all.
"This would be why I have four new students when I originally only had one confirmation?"
Scott had started to stand a little taller and Christy could see the rest of the adults in the room were a bit more alert.
Christy reached into the bag she'd kept with her and pulled out the newspaper. When she moved towards his desk to set it down he looked a bit puzzled. At least they hadn't raided her kids minds, or they'd already know. "I had to kill a few people a couple days ago." She spoke matter of factly and could hear the X-men snap to attention. "And I needed to get the kids out of the blast zone."
"Kill?" Scott's voice rose with a hint of a lecture in it. He didn't even know the situation yet.
She took a deep breath and had the impression that the Professor told the others to keep quiet, because Scott wasn't asking questions yet. "I made the mistake of letting my guard down. I split up my group… and we were attacked when we were training." This world had started to make her soft. "The F.O.H. in my state are little more than serial killers." Christy thought of Jessi and how much knowing her own fathers group would have killed her, knowing that hurt her. "And I wasn't willing to let them take my kids."
"You had to use that gun you bring with you." Jean spoke softly. "How many?"
"Two dead, four got away."
"And the kids?" Scott asked and his tension was clear.
"The kids watched each other's back… they acted like a team, and I'm proud of them." Christy's eyes swept the room and took in the somberness of everyone. "I don't think the police will have enough to catch me, but the kids… they needed to get away from all that."
"We'll do what we can to help them deal with what they saw." The Professor spoke a bit distractedly as he appeared to be planning.
Christy just nodded.
"Could those deaths have been avoided?" Scott asked.
"I had an Empath with me, don't you think I would have avoided putting him through that if I could have?" The hand on her shoulder was a shock and Christy turned to see Hank there, a sympathetic expression on his face. He didn't use the image inducer here.
********
Annie walked into the dining room and there were round tables all over the place. It was a cafeteria. Jessi was right next to her and they glanced around trying to find Jon and Erik, and hopefully Christy. People glanced at them and Annie felt incredibly out of place. Finally she spotted Erik and Jon waving to them. They were sitting at a table to themselves.
"Man, this place is…" Jessi started and Annie had to agree. They'd get lost in this place fast. After they sat down Annie was surprised when a blue boy and another girl asked to sit with them. Blue… and he just walked around. It started to make Annie almost wish she'd turned her image inducer off, but she wasn't about to do it now. Maybe tomorrow.
He started asking about their class schedules and telling them about the teachers and the classes. A few more students sat down with them and added their opinions. It was starting to feel a bit less awkward being the new kid.
********
Christy followed the wheelchair bound Professor into a different room and found a large table and several people that looked a bit familiar, but no kids. "Where are the…"
"Children." He smiled at her. "They are in the cafeteria, getting to know some of the students. I wanted you to meet with some of my X-men, so we are having a private dinner." Christy felt a little bit of panic at meeting more X-men. That woman in the corner had to be Storm and the woman she was talking to must be Rogue. The blue man with wings was easily Warren. "I also wanted us to get to know you better, since you already seem to know a bit about us." He looked at her, "Is that alright, or would you prefer I have someone take you to the cafeteria?"
And that was an awkward question. If she walked in there and there weren't any teachers she'd make her kids stand out in a bad way. "Could you let them know I'm eating somewhere else, and I'll visit them later tonight?"
"I'd be glad to." Christy then followed more into the room and noticed a few eyes following her. All of the team that had come to meet her in Washington was here, and so many others. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Hank held out a seat for her next to him and she moved to take it with a tense smile.