Not Myself
By Princess Alexandria
Princess_alex24@hotmail.com
Erik sighed as the girls took a seat for breakfast. Christy left yesterday and they'd all moped around. Sure he was sad, but having them drag him further down wasn't fun. "Shields please." He gave an apologetic look to Annie when he said that, but he was tired.
"Sorry." Jessi answered for both of them. Erik just nodded gratefully when he couldn't feel Annie's heartbreak or Jessi's worry anymore.
"I know." He spoke quietly.
"It isn't like you won't see her again." Myeisha said after looking at all of them.
"You just don't understand." Annie spoke softly and Erik couldn't help but catch the leaking of emotions. Annie was right, Myeisha didn't understand. She thought Christy was fun, but she was an adult. Myeisha also didn't have any family that would have done what Christy did for them.
"There really aren't words to explain Christy." Jessi slipped in to talk when the awkward silence went on too long. "Imagine the best friend in the world, someone that would do anything for you. Someone you could talk to about anything. Someone that would watch your back all the time and…" Jessi sighed and her voice got quieter. "That person isn't even close to what Christy is."
"Well it's not like she's dead." Myeisha was giving off a little irritation, "or said she never wanted to see you again. She just went home."
Erik could tell they wouldn't be able to explain how worried they were. They couldn't exactly say they thought Christy might get arrested for murder, or that Jon wondered if she'd even remember to feed herself. "No she isn't." He spoke a little louder and did something he hadn't done before. He pushed a little reassurance into his friends to try and combat the depression. "And she'd want us to learn a lot before she comes back. I know I want to be able to show her how much better I am with my powers."
"Yeah." Annie sounded better. "I want to figure out how to use mine before she comes back." Erik gave her a small smile and grabbed his empty tray. When he turned around Ms. Frost was standing in the cafeteria doorway staring at him. His heart beat a little faster when the look continued. Did she catch what he did? Ms. Frost just turned around and headed for class.
"Well, I know I don't want to be late to her class." Jessi said as she grabbed tossed out most of her breakfast since she barely had time to eat. Erik glanced at her and noticed the concerned expression as Jessi glanced after their English teacher and then back at him.
Class went rather normally and Erik got the impression that he'd gotten away with it, that is until just before the class ended.
"Annie, Jessica, Jon, and Erik. Please stay after class a moment. The rest of you are dismissed."
********
Emma went about packing up her belongings while waiting for the other students to leave. When the door closed she turned to see the four still seated in a cluster on the side of the room. "Christy wanted me to watch over you. She was worried you wouldn't take her leaving well, and from the looks of those bags under your eyes I'd say she was right." She could tell Annie was very irritated with her at the moment and she just gave them a small smile. "Christy has been taking care of herself very well for a long time. You don't need to be so concerned." She set her papers down on the table, now neatly stacked to go. "If you have any concerns about the school, or anything else, I want you to remember that all the teachers here are interested in your well being. Also our computer lab is available for email, and I'm sure that Christy would love to hear from you on a regular basis."
Her eyes traveled to the girl thinking how very self important she was. "And Annie, I want to meet with you tonight after dinner. Come to my office at seven." Annie's eyes widened in a little alarm and Emma caught a memory of Tessa warning the girl about her. Good a little fear wouldn't hurt in this case. She gave Annie a small smirk and then turned to the others. "Erik, stay a moment, the rest of you are dismissed." The other three gave Erik a sympathetic look and were debating about actually doing it for just a second. They were a tight knit group and weren't sure Emma wasn't a threat.
They did leave before Emma was forced to say something about it, so now she could address what she saw earlier. Her Hellions had an Empath that abused his powers, and Emma had encouraged him at the time because she was so impressed by his power. Xavier wouldn't tolerate it here and she knew Christy wouldn't approve. "The school rules clearly state that influencing your fellow students mentally is prohibited and can be grounds for suspension. I won't report this. I know why you did it, just be careful in the future. Getting caught breaking the rules isn't how you want to start off your time here." Emma had to at least teach him discretion.
A few hours later Emma was setting her grading down on the desk in her office during her free period and turned around to see Scott at her opened door. She'd known he was waiting to get her alone since the meeting. "Well come on in Scott." She indicated the chair in front of her desk while taking the one behind it. It was a less than subtle reminder that she was in charge in her own office. He was clearly not happy with her report.
"She's a murderer."
Emma sat back in her chair and folded her hands in front of her. "Aren't we all Scott. I'm sure you've killed in battle, I know Logan has… I've killed, even your precious Jean has killed. It's the biproduct of living in a less than utopian world." Her tone indicated that she considered this argument ridiculous.
"But she kills because she likes it." He hissed and Emma's eyes narrowed.
"Don't claim to be telepathic Scott. I was in her mind and I can tell you that had nothing to do with it. She killed because she had to. What you so conveniently forget is that her world was in an Apocalypse, and people do violent terrible things when certain death is coming." The mere word Apocalypse made him flinch and she had used it to do that. It was his personal demon and they were all supposed to steer clear of it for him, but he wasn't as considerate for Christy and none of them thought twice about talking about Genosha around Emma.
"It's not the same. We killed in battle. She killed to rob them."
Emma sighed loudly. "Have you ever held a dying child in your arms Scott? Have you ever watched them slowly fade away from starvation while you fought desperately to save them? No, you haven't have you?" She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the desktop. "Have you ever had to explain to a child why he or she was dying? Or hold one crying about the fact that their sister had died, while knowing it was only a matter of days before the skinny child in your arms died as well because you couldn't feed him? Have you had to dig a mass grave, wondering how long it would be before you were laying in it? What would you do to get out of that situation if we had no law, no help, and no powers? What about no training, no supplies, or no technology?"
Her voice started to rise as she talked. "Dammit Scott, you aren't even trying to understand. You're so busy worrying about what she knows and what she can do that you aren't seeing her."
"Are you really seeing her, or what you want to see?" Scott's voice was cold. Emma stared at him without answering for a moment.
"I see her very well. Is that what this is about? Should I be flattered that you feel threatened by her?" Her voice held her condescension, "Because this jealous boyfriend act isn't attractive." She hadn't intended to have this conversation right now, but since the opportunity arose it was time. It was long past time.
"I'm not your boyfriend." Scott sat so rigidly.
"No, I'm just the woman you go to when your wife doesn't understand you, but I'm not good enough to touch in real life, you prefer a nice mindfuck. Don't worry I'm under no illusion that you'd ever leave the perfect Jean for me. You make that perfectly clear."
"This isn't about us!"
Emma took a deep breath and calmed her mind. "You're right, because there is no us." She spoke softly and could see his confusion at her using his description of their affair. "You and I both know you love Jean, and only Jean. Try talking to her for a change, because I'm not doing this anymore." She wasn't angry. Really she'd known what she was getting into when they got involved. "You don't love me, and I deserve better than second place."
"Where's this coming from?" Scott's rigid posture was gone as he spoke to her. His voice softer.
"Scott, I've never been in first place with anyone. Never had anyone love me more than anyone else, and I thought it was because no one could." She felt a bit exposed as she admitted this quietly. "I was content to just play around, that was all we were doing, playing around. I'll admit I was jealous of Jean, but not because she had you. I never loved you. I was jealous that she had anyone that felt so strongly about her." She could see his remorse, his sympathy, and she didn't need it. "But someone does love me Scott, and I can't start to explore that while I'm playing around with you." She stared into his face, into her own reflection in his sunglasses. "I really like her and it could be something more. More than I've ever had."
He was quiet, and Emma let him have his time to think. "It took one week? That's a little fast don't you think?" His words weren't accusatory. In fact they were calmer than she'd expected given his misconceptions about Christy.
"Scott, I just went through two years worth of her memories. Seen her at her worst and her best. Held her as she cried over what she'd done. It's not too fast." Emma took a deep breath. "And she knows who I am, knows me better than anyone around here. I don't know if this could be more, but I hope so. I know you never loved me Scott, but you do care." Emma knew he did. In all of their sneaking around they'd developed a friendship and Emma needed that now. "For me, try to get past whatever it is that has you so against her and really look at her. If you gave her a chance you'd see she's not the enemy."
Emma brushed her mind against his and could sense the confusing thoughts. "If you think she's trustworthy." He spoke slowly. "I'll take you at your word and I hope your right… about everything." His tone was a combination of warning and well wishing. "Well, I better get going."
"Talk to her." Emma referred to Jean. "You aren't nearly as messed up as you claim to be, and you're not being kind to Jean. She isn't a one dimensional person. She has some darkness of her own and probably wouldn't have any problem fulfilling your desires or listening to your concerns." She hadn't said that before, because she'd enjoyed being the wrench in their relationship. She'd been wrong.
********
Charles sat at his desk staring down at the copy of a file. The original was already sent to Shortpack, along with the plane tickets and cover story. The file detailed what he was going to tell Shortpack and Mystique about Christy. It listed some, but not all of her powers and included little background, nothing that would obviously contradict the history of this world's Christy. It wasn't easy to give them enough information and this didn't look like it was that. It was going to have to do though.
He wasn't sure about this. Emma thought Christy was stable, but still had doubts about her ability to avoid killing. The comments about Christy wanting to be herself and have a stable home life also bothered him a little. Was he pushing Christy in a direction she wasn't meant to go because he needed a shapeshifter? Did his need outweigh hers?
Christy could do so much good in this world if she learned to use her powers and became a spy. A woman willing to protect a tribe of over a hundred people obviously cared about people. He sat up straighter. She'd understand that this needed to be done, and she'd understand that she had a responsibility that went with her powers. She'd want her students to have a better world where mutants and humans could live together in peace.
He sent out her packet with a courier and Christy would find out who she'd be working with Tuesday night. Charles hoped he wasn't making a mistake in sending Mystique to Christy, but then Christy was hardly an impressionable teenager. His warnings should be enough.
He grimaced. There were too many shoulds in this mission. He didn't know Christy's mind, didn't know how she'd respond to Mystique, and didn't know if Mystique would find a way to somehow ruin his opportunity to have Christy as an operative. If Mystique weren't the best shapeshifter in the world… He just shook his head and moved to lock the file in his desk. He had a bad feeling about this, but he was going to go ahead with it. Christy could very well make a difference in this world and he was going to give her the opportunity.
********
Annie walked slowly towards the main building. She wasn't looking forward to her meeting with Ms. Frost. She'd even considered not going, but Jessi said that Ms. Frost would undoubtedly come get her if she did that and it would be worse for her. It wasn't fair. You shouldn't be able to get in trouble for what you think. It wasn't like she said anything. Annie's heart was beating a little faster. She'd never gotten in trouble at school before.
And what right did Ms. Frost have to censor Annie's thoughts? Her fist clenched as she walked up the stairs.
The door opened as she knocked on it. It hadn't been closed properly. Annie took a step inside and felt like stepping back outside again. Ms. Frost was sitting at her desk staring at papers and for a second Annie thought she'd not been noticed yet.
"Close the door and sit down." The voice was cold. Annie followed orders while wishing she didn't have this teacher at all. "I have been waiting to see how you adjust. I've ignored your blatant attempts to send negative thoughts my way and the fact that it disrupts my class because all the telepaths are picking up on it. No, I am not censoring your thoughts, but you will either need to shield them, or be more respectful around the professors here." Ms. Frost stared at her and Annie didn't like the fear she felt. It wasn't like Ms. Frost would hurt her. A part of her mind wondered if she'd tell Christy about this.
"Christy already knows." Annie took in a hiss of breath at that. "She's not happy. She's apologized to me for your behavior." Annie swallowed hard and tried to ignore the tears she could feel starting to gather in her eyes. She was so embarrassed. For Christy to feel she had to apologize, it must have been so humiliating. She let Christy down. It wasn't fair, they were just thoughts.
"Thoughts you were trying to project." Ms. Frost spoke a little softer. "You need to work with the Professor on shielding again. You aren't getting it. Even thoughts you didn't intend to project are out there. Every telepath around here knows you didn't like that Christy and I went out to dinner and a few may suspect why."
"Oh God." Annie felt her face fill with an embarrassing blush. Now she was the freak lesbian green student. Great. How was she supposed to fit in now? She had horrible thoughts about being teased for loving her teacher, and Christy didn't even love her back. Not that way.
********
Emma watched Annie start to pale and felt a hint of compassion. She'd fallen for a teacher when she was Annie's age as well, only that didn't turn out that well. Her father had him fired after Emma kissed him, thinking that the thoughts she'd sensed from him meant it would be okay. "I don't anticipate that the students will give you any trouble Annie, but if they do tell me. I don't support homophobic remarks in my schools. My brother was gay, and many telepaths are bisexual." The distracted nod indicated that Annie was at least hearing her. "You should try to meet someone your own age. There are a lot of nice girls here, and you know that Christy can't…" Emma just sighed. She could sense the pain Annie felt about the sentence she was about to utter.
Emma felt the ridiculousness of this conversation and just shook her head. They were both after the same woman. Emma's new seventeen year old student was lusting after the woman that Emma was seriously considering making her first girlfriend. She'd had female lovers, but nothing serious.
Well, this was a different take on the love triangle. This time she was in the better position, but she could sympathize with the woman in second place. She didn't doubt that Annie's affection was genuine and it was her first love. You never forget the pain of that one.
"Christy is always going to feel that she needs to take care of you and her other students. It's not the same sort of relationship." Emma had to make this clear for Annie's own good. "Christy wants a woman, one that's lived life a while and can hold her own. She's trying to be so gentle with you, but I want you to know you can't hold out hope, because it is never going to happen."
She could hear the mental mutterings of Annie telling herself not to cry in front of Ms. Frost and sighed. "Watch your thoughts, sign up to talk to the professor, because I know you don't want me teaching you shields and if you don't have it figured out in a week you'll be staying after class with me doing just that. That's all." Emma watched Annie leave and the slump in those shoulders. If someone had woken her up before she'd kissed her own teacher a lot of pain could have been avoided. She really was doing Annie a favor. So why did she feel so lousy about it? She'd actually been far gentler than any other student would have gotten for similar behavior.
********
Christy answered the door and a courier with strangely red eyes handed her the envelope and then silently went back to his van, bringing a larger box. Christy only expected the file, but she opened the door and watched him set it on the entryway floor. She'd have to move it later, it wasn't going to be easy to walk around. He pointed to the envelope in her hand as a none verbal message that it would explain the box. "Uh Thanks." She muttered when he turned to leave, still never uttering a word. That was kind of odd. She wondered if he could talk. That would explain it. He might be like Jono and Christy would never hear that. She nodded as she accepted her own made up story for his silence.
After closing and locking the door she ignored the box and carefully navigated her way around it to go back down to her private living room. The house was dark and quiet. She felt a strange reluctance to turn anything on. It felt like she was hiding. It was ridiculous to do that. She turned on the overhead light and sighed heavily before turning on the radio. The silence really bothered her and she didn't have to live with it. She missed the kids talking, or arguing over what to watch on T.V. She missed spending her free time with Emma. She missed not being alone.
The package was sealed really well and it took a frustrating few minutes to get it opened. When she did the file was rather sparse. The first page introduced a man named Shortpack and explained the box. Apparently he was less than a foot tall and needed a specially built dollhouse for things like a bathroom he could actually use and a bed he wouldn't get lost in. Now that was an inconvenient power. Christy wasn't sure that there was anything she could do to the house to make it easier for him. Her eyes traveled to the section about his powers and noticed he was a short range telepath. How was that different from a regular telepath? Well if he was like any of the other telepaths Christy met, he was going to be thrown by her inability to hear him. At least he could talk, otherwise things would get rather uncomfortable around here.
She set the first piece of paper down and picked up the next. Her eyes stared in disbelief at the codename listed there. Mystique. A small smile crossed Christy's lips as she read further down to double check the powers and it was really her. Christy read the entire page hungrily, looking for anything she needed to do to make Mystique's stay pleasant. The Professor's instructions for her weren't like the ones for Shortpack. He apparently didn't trust Mystique at all. Christy was supposed to share little, keep an eye out for treachery, and make sure neither of them used real guns in their missions. The tone of the words along with the unrealistic demand to not use real guns didn't sit well with her. It wasn't like she'd look for a chance to kill people, but you had to be able to defend yourself.
What was going on here? Professor Xavier and Mystique never got along in any universe Christy read about. Christy knew that in the past Mystique was forced to work for the government for a while, but after that she'd lost track of the comics. She had a feeling that she'd found a hole in her knowledge that really might be a problem. She was getting conflicting messages here and that was never good. Trust Mystique to train her, but trust her in nothing else, and watch her like a hawk while she's training Christy. How could she work with Mystique in something like this when she wasn't supposed to trust her? You had to be able to trust your partner. Lives depended on it.
Christy sat back on the couch and sighed. What little she knew about Mystique led her to believe she was a ruthless woman that fought hard to protect mutants in a more violent way than the Professor would care for. She loved Destiny and the seer died. She loved and cared about Rogue and Kurt. She was part of the Brotherhood and they fought the Xmen at times. Christy sighed heavily. Yes, she didn't know enough to either agree with Xavier's opinion or dispute it. Christy leaned forward and put the paper back in the file while she picked up the last one. This had the flight and time so that she could pick them up at the airport. The Professor sent them a picture of her so that they would recognize her and come up to her, since there was no telling what form Mystique would be using at the time. It also mentioned that she wasn't to ever tell anyone about Mystique's involvement with this, including the Xmen. Again warning bells were going off in her mind.
While Christy had an admittedly small bit of information about the shapeshifter she did know a bit more about Professor Xavier. He could be a bit judgmental when people chose a different path than his. As Christy did what the papers demanded and moved to burn them in the fireplace she made up her mind to make up her own mind. Xavier had clearly given his opinion on Mystique, but Christy wasn't so sure it wasn't biased as all hell. She'd give the blue woman a chance, because she had to work well with her and suspicions and distrust would just cause problems. Also she had to admit that she'd always liked what she knew about Raven Darkholme, the only openly bisexual character in the Marvelverse when she was reading them and coming out herself. Technically Irene was either gay or bisexual as well, but it was Mystique that was in the comics more. She did know however, not to trust Mystique with some of her own past. Mystique was rather mercenary. As Christy thought about the woman she found herself remembering things she'd forgotten, bits and pieces.
Christy started to change the sheets in Annie's room. Since Shortpack had his own bathroom in that little house Christy still had to put somewhere, this was the best room for Mystique. It had its own access to the upstairs bathroom. From there she found herself cleaning. It gave her something to do and it was better than just sitting and waiting.
********
The thin blonde woman stepped into the room and Shortpack turned to look at her. "You're late." He muttered as he turned to his laptop. His whole PowerPoint presentation was wasted now. They didn't have time to watch it. He turned it off. "Put it in the case would you?" He turned to see she'd switched to her normal form. Mystique closed the laptop and slid it into the last bag. "I'll have to brief you as we go." They had to leave for the airport now. It was a long flight from here to Washington state.
"Well Tiny Tim, what's the big emergency in the rainy city?" She swung the bag over her shoulder and switched to the form that went with the passport Professor Xavier sent. A non-descript woman of perhaps forty years old, in a business suit.
"It's Tacoma, that city is about an hour to the south of Seattle and has…"
"Skip the geography lesson and get to the facts." Shortpack grimaced at her rude interruption. He did a lot of research into this things and all she wanted to do was blow things up. Yeah, blowing things up was fun, but it took careful planning.
She picked him up and put her in the coat pocket she'd created in the outfit. It was a rather spacious pocket. He wished he didn't always have to travel this way, but he'd bring attention to them and they needed to blend in. At least they saved on airfare. His conversation went telepathic since it would look strange for the woman to be talking to her pocket as they left. ~The Friends of Humanity in Tacoma have been killing mutants out of dates. They average four couples a month. The Professor wants us to expose them and…~ He wasn't sure how this would go over. ~He found a new mutant, a shapeshifter that was planning to try and do this alone. He would like us to train her.~
~He's sending me to break up a small time F.O.H. operation and train some kid?~ Mystique sounded insulted.
~She isn't a kid. If you'd been back when you said you would, you would know that. She's a thirty year old woman that just found out about some of her powers. The Professor thinks she has potential as a spy and wants us to evaluate and train her. He gave specific orders that she be involved in as much as she can be, given her other responsibilities. She's a teacher and can't take time off work for this.~
~A part time spy? What is she Mrs. King and I'm playing Scarecrow? This is never going to work. Do we have to work around PTA meetings and her kid's flu? Does he think she'll save the world while being home in time to bake a cake for little Jimmy's birthday?~ Shortpack rolled his eyes at her sarcasm and assumptions. ~And how is a woman that old just now learning she's a mutant?~
~He wasn't too clear on that one.~ Shortpack had to admit that was strange. He'd started shrinking when he turned thirteen. Most of the mutants he knew either were born different or changed around that age. ~Her file said she was single and living alone. She teaches at a community college, knows basic firearms, and is in some sort of trouble. Given how he just told me you had a checkered past rather than saying you were a freedom fighter.~ He emphasized the woman's preferred term for her terrorist activities, ~Some trouble could be serious. I wish he'd just give me all the facts. How am I supposed to be someone's handler if he doesn't give me all the facts?~
~Get used to it kid. Facts in this business are hard to come by.~ Mystique's mental voice was a little more business like now. Sure, once he mentioned the woman was in trouble she took her more seriously. Shortpack hoped the woman didn't bake or Mystique might actually throw a fit. ~She got a codename?~
~None listed. From what I've seen she just found out what her powers were, probably needs time to think of one. It took me a month.~
~A month? To come up with Shortpack? Man you wasted your time.~ The amusement he could sense from her made it teasing rather than a real insult. ~So what name we got for her and what kind of powers are we working with?~
~You aren't even asking about the mission.~ He complained a bit. His presentation outlined the big players in that branch of the F.O.H. the patterns he'd found in the murders, and all Mystique wanted to know about was the woman.
~It's a small mission. He usually sends us out on bigger things, so the woman is the mission. This is just a training exercise to test her out.~
~Okay, well her name is Christy Taylor. Under her listed powers it had…~ He had to try and remember it all. The woman was loaded down with a few. ~Able to sense when people die, Ability to appear human to mutant detection devices, an approximation of a healing factor, enhanced strength, endurance, agility, and shapeshifting. But all of those are untrained. The Professor told me that she only exhibited the shapeshifting when a telepath took possession of her body… oh, and she's immune to telepathy. I won't be able to communicate with her even, its stronger than your immunity.~
~appears human to machines? Approximation of a healing factor? What does that mean? And she hasn't ever shifted on purpose? And how can she be immune to telepath and possessed by a telepath?~
~I hadn't really thought about that.~ Shortpack grimaced as he realized he'd missed that strange fact while he concentrated on the F.O.H. research.
~This isn't going to be a short mission. She needs more help than that.~ Mystique didn't sound pleased. ~Why isn't he just training her himself? I'm a spy not a teacher.~
~ I thought you were a terrorist.~ Shortpack sent sarcastically.
~That too.~ She didn't even rise to the bait. She was too busy thinking. He settled back for a nap. They were at the airport already, he could tell from the minds around them. It was going to be a while before he got to stretch his legs again.
********
"Now that you don't have the kids, maybe you could come over and help me paint this weekend." Christy's mother said over the phone. Christy was having a hard time not envisioning the last moments of this woman's daughter's life. She sure didn't want to spend time with her and worry about every little thing she said.
"I have a friend coming to stay with me for a while. I thought I might take her to Seattle or something for the day." Christy was a little proud of the cover she was making up on the spot. Mystique wouldn't have a problem with it.
"Really?" Her mother sounded a bit surprised. Christy could see why, before Annie both Christy's didn't invite people over that much. "Who?"
"You don't know her." Christy leaned against the kitchen cabinet. "We've been talking on the internet and she had some business in the area, so instead of renting an apartment for a month or two, I offered to let her stay in Annie's room."
"Well, you're becoming the little social butterfly." Her mother teased, but she wasn't thrilled. She had the same tone Christy's real mother did when she was going to work up to telling her she made a mistake.
"I need to finish cleaning up, she's coming in later tonight." Christy took the day off and was just calling her mother's double… damn, she was having trouble keeping things straight with that woman. Sometimes she felt like she was her mother and other times she didn't. It was really hard to keep things separate around her.
"Christy, be careful." Her mother was overly worried. Of course this was the woman that was concerned that Annie would rob her at first, until she got to know the girl and why she was kicked out of her home. Then she'd been Annie's biggest supporter. Christy was grateful that this woman wasn't as against mutants as the rest of the world. That would have been hard to deal with. "Is she like Annie?" That had become her mother's code for is she a mutant. She was paranoid about saying that over phone lines, and Christy understood that and appreciated the caution, although it may be overkill.
"Yeah…" Christy sighed. "Oh, and I'm a bit like Annie too." Came to her mind but she didn't say it. Awkward questions and conversations of the past would undoubtedly be the result and she couldn't keep up appearances if they got to reminiscing.
She checked the status of the flight a few times and left with more than enough time to get to the airport. It was a long drive and one she'd only taken a few days before. It made it easy to feel comfortable parking the car and wandering to baggage claim. Here she could have waited at the plane terminal, they weren't worried about terrorist in this world and the security wasn't as hyped up as it had been in her own before they found out about the end.
She found a post to lean against and waited. She started to glance around at the people after she saw the plane landed, trying to guess which one she was, even though she doubted the plane had let anyone off yet. It was just something to do while she was waiting. She noticed a pretty woman in a red dress walk towards her, and her heart beat a little faster thinking she'd found Mystique, but the woman moved past her and hugged a man Christy hadn't noticed behind her. She was just glad she didn't say anything, she'd started to stand taller, but that was the only mistake she made. Maybe trying to guess wasn't a good idea. She was supposed to act like she recognized whoever it was that came up to her, it might work better if she didn't seem to notice anyone until she was spoken to.
She felt ridiculous sitting there in the open waiting for someone else to recognize her. All she could do was stare at the luggage starting to go around the baggage claim and pretend that she'd zoned out.
********
Mystique had looked at the picture Shortpack had of the woman during the second leg of their flight. Pretty girl with streaks in her hair, shouldn't be hard to find. She waited patiently for the old man in the aisle seat to risk the traffic of the aisle so she could leave.
~Wake up boy, we're here.~ She thought at Shortpack and waited to see if he heard her.
~I am awake. I couldn't possibly sleep through that landing.~
~Good.~ She grabbed the computer case and angled it over the pocket she had him in protectively so that no one could bump into her there. She waited until the crowd died down even further to keep that from being a risk. Normally she'd transport Shortpack in something more solid feeling, but her cover this time wouldn't wear it so she had to be careful.
They didn't check any bags. You really couldn't trust the airlines to not loose them in a three leg flight. Still that was where they headed once Mystique had both carry-ons and exited the plane. She nodded to the flight attendant and gave her a flirtatious smile.
~She should be at baggage claim.~ Shortpack told her again, as if she didn't remember that from their discussion on the plane.
The Sea-Tac airport was not really that busy on a Wednesday night. She had no problem getting to where she was going, and she could see Christy right away. Instead of walking up to her she decided caution was called for. She moved to stand as if waiting for a bag in a spot that let her look right at the woman that came to pick them up. ~I see her.~
~Well why aren't we making contact?~
~I want to make sure she isn't like your friend Marcos. I'm not looking forward to getting another wanna be bounty hunter pointing guns at me, loaded or not.~ She sent back, but also she wanted to get a feel for the woman. Christy was leaning casually on the post looking for all purposes very bored and not aware of her surroundings. If it weren't for her glance at the men loudly walking past and the way her eyes sometimes took in the people Mystique would have believe she was completely unaware of the world around her, but it looked like she was just trying to look like it. She took in Christy's face. Pretty. A small wicked smile crossed her lips and she moved out of everyone's line of sight to change her form.
********
"Excuse me." An older voice made Christy turn to see the old lady staring at her. "Have you seen a tall red haired man waiting here? My son was supposed to meet me and it isn't like him to be late."
"I'm sorry." Christy glanced around at the other people waiting for bags and then back at the woman. Her head tilted to the side as she wondered.
"Oh never mind, I see him." The woman smiled and moved off towards the other baggage station. Christy sighed and leaned back against her post.
How long did it take to get off a plane and meet her here? Christy started to worry that Mystique missed her flight and she'd be standing there waiting for her until everyone was gone. Would the shapeshifter even be able to figure out where Christy lived to make her own way there?
"You'll never find your bags from way back here." The flirtatious male voice was so close it almost made her jump. She rarely had people sneak up on her. The noise in this place was too loud for her to have noticed it. She glanced at him and caught the grin and the confident playboy attitude.
"I'm waiting for a friend." She turned her eyes back to the bags, hoping the man would just take the hint.
"Boyfriend?" He didn't.
"No." Christy glanced at him again. "Do I know you?" She knew she didn't , but it could be the woman she was looking for.
"Not yet, but I sure wouldn't mind getting to know you." The leer was just a tad over the top. Christy glanced around the clearing out baggage claim and most of the people left were in groups of two or more. Her eyes traveled back to the one man next to her.
"Maybe you didn't get the memo, but I'm gay. You would have had better luck as a woman." She smirked when that gained a grin and a brief flash of yellow eyes. Bingo. She remembered that Mystique used to like to try and fool her lover that way, so it wasn't too hard to believe she'd play games with Christy to try and make her feel stupid. "Shall we go? You got everything?"
"Yeah, I got everything."
"Alright." Christy felt a bit awkward. She couldn't say the things she wanted to here and didn't really know about small talk for this meeting. Well, silence would seem awkward too. "Well, let's get the car."
********
Mystique was a little surprised how quickly Christy managed to end her game. Her eyes trailed over the woman as she followed her. Gay? This might just be an interesting assignment after all.
~We are here to work.~ Jiminy Cricket called from her pocket.
~Doesn't mean I can't have fun too.~ She smiled just a little as she watched the sway of Christy's hips. The woman moved a bit like a warrior, but she had a hint of feminine grace.