Chapter 3

Professor Xavier's mansion was a buzz the nest morning with pre-school activity. Mary Ann got dressed alone then went on to the small balcony to watch the sun finish rising. She loved the fight between the reds, pinks and oranges of the sunrise and the blue of the day. She sighed contentedly then walked back in her room. As she walked out into the hall she was almost run over by Kitty, who was in a towel dripping wet. Mary Ann blinked then headed for the kitchen, where she knew she'd find Kurt. Rogue ran past her, following Kitty. She threw a good morning over her shoulder at Mary Ann then disappeared into her room. "What a strange group," Mary Ann said to herself.

She set off again toward the kitchen and was soon joined by Evan.

"Hey Mary Ann! I'm glad you decided to stay here. Where'd you move here from?" Evan quickened his pace and caught up with Mary Ann.

"Indiana."

"Where about?"

"South central. A small college community. You wouldn't know it.

"Bloomington? The home of Bobby Knight? Who wouldn't know of Bloomington?"

"The former home of Bobby Knight," Mary Ann pointed out. "I guess you do know it." She smiled at Evan, who smiled back.

Even held the kitchen door open for May Ann when the reached their destination. Kurt, Jean, Scott and Professor X were gathered around the table talking quietly. Logan was sitting by the window reading the paper and sipping on some coffee. They looked up when Evan and Mary Ann walked in. Their conversation stopped and there was an awkward silence before Kurt stood and greeted them. He grabbed his plate and went to get more food without another word. Evan picked up two plates and handed one to Mary Ann. She followed him to get food since Kurt was being so cold to her. She grabbed an orange juice and sat across the table from Kurt.

"Good morning Kurt."

"Hello. Sleep well?"

"Yes, very well."

Kurt smiled at her the started to inhale his second serving of breakfast.

"Mary Ann we leave for school in about 10 minutes. You're welcome to join us if you want," Scott said. He smiled at her then took his plate over to the sink.

"Ok. But just until I can get my car from Indiana. I'm having a friend drive it up then take the bus back."

Scott nodded then left the room.

"When you get home Mary Ann I want to talk to you about training your body to control your powers. And Kurt can show you the Danger Room if you'd like. I want you to start with no delay."

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Have a nice day at school everyone."

Mary Ann sighed and took her plate and cup to the sink. She wasn't very hungry anymore. For some reason she felt uncomfortable about the coming day. She ran upstairs to get her backpack then came back downstairs just in time to catch up with everyone and ride to school, sitting next to Kurt. He put his arm around her and smiled, goofily. Mary Ann, and the rest of the car, couldn't help but laugh.

Mary Ann suffered through three classes before she came to Computer Sciences. Her teacher handed her something and told her to go to the Principle. She passed Kitty on her way out.

"Hey Mary Ann. Where you off to?"

"The Principle. I don't know why though."

"Ok. Cool. See you at lunch."

"Ok."

Kitty watched Mary Ann walk down the hall and disappear around a corner before she took her seat in the room. She didn't know what Mystique was up to but she figured it wasn't good. What is Mystique knew about Mary Ann's powers? Would Mystique try to lure Mary Ann into the Brotherhood? Kitty started her assignment but just couldn't concentrate. She closed her work and asked for a pass to the nurse. The teacher let her go and Kitty raced to the Principle's office.

Mary Ann was sitting in a chair reading something. Kitty plopped down beside her.

"Are you in trouble to?" Mary Ann asked.

"No. Just thought I'd keep you company. I'm ahead on the class anyway."

"Oh. Um… ok." Mary Ann smiled and put the magazine down.

The door labeled Principle Darkholme opened and a young man exited.

"Next!" a strong female voice called from inside.

Kitty's stomach tightened as Mary Ann stood up and walked behind the door. It closed slowly and Kitty was left alone in the waiting room, hoping she didn't need to call Scott or Jean.

Mary Ann clutched her books tighter to her chest. Principle Darkholme sat with her back to her desk. Mary Ann swallowed hard and stood behind one of the chairs, unsure of what to do. Her eyes darted around the office, not really taking anything in.

"Sit down, please," Darkholme said. Mary Ann sat down slowly as Raven Darkholme spun around in her chair face her. She smiled at Mary Ann, slowly.

"I know what you are Mary Ann. You don't' have to hide from me. I'd like to help you," Raven said, her voice deep.

"I don't know what you're talking about. If I could just go back to class."

"Don't lie to me Mary Ann." Raven stood up and as she did her disguise faed and Mystique appeared.

Mary Ann stood also and backed away slowly. "I'm happy with the Professor and Kurt and everyone. Very happy."

"But I can offer you so much more."

"I'm happy where I am."

"You'll be happier with the Brotherhood." Mystique came around the desk and sat on the front edge.

"Kurt warned me about you. I'm not coming with you."

"Yes you are."

"No!" Mary Ann's back was against the door. She fumbled for the doorknob as Mystique faded into Rave Darkholme again. Mary Ann opened the door and ran out through the lobby. Kitty watched her pass then looked into Darkholme's office. She was still sitting on the desk, smiling. Kitty stood and ran after Mary Ann.

Kitty searched everywhere for Mary Ann. She found her out front of school, sitting in a tree.

"Mary Ann. What happened?" Kitty called.

"Nothing."

The pure blue sky was suddenly alive with lightening. Mary Ann had burned a hole from the leaves and was shooting lightening bolts through it. The doors to the school opened and Kurt and Scott came running out.

"Kitty what's going on?" Scott asked as he ran up to join her.

"Mary Ann had a meeting with Mystique."

Kurt closed his eyes tightly and bamfed up to where Mary Ann sat on the limb.

"What happened?" he asked, softly.

"Miss Darkholme asked, in fact almost forced me, into joining the Brotherhood."

"Oh. And…"

"I told her I was happy with you and the Professor. She said I'd be happier with her. Then I ran out."

"You won't be. Trust me. She cares about no one but herself and her own personal gain."

"I realize that. But still, she probably won't stop. You know that right?"

Kurt breathed in deeply and then sighed. "All to well."

"Hey you tow. The period is almost over. Are you two coming down?" Scoot called. His hands were shading his eyes and he was looking up into the tree.

"Yeah. Hold on." Just held his hand out to Mary Ann. She hesitantly took it and they bamfed back to the ground. Mary Ann stumbled but recovered quickly. Kurt held her up and their eyes met. Something passed between them, though they both didn't know what. The bell rang and students ran out for lunch.

"You gonna eat with us, Mary Ann?" Scott asked, smiling

"I'll sit with you. I'm not really hungry right now."

"Fair enough. I've gotta get my lunch. Catch up with you later." Scott waved then ran back inside the school.

"I'll go hold the table. See ya," Kitty walked off toward the gymnasium.

"So… do you want to come with me to get my lunch?" Kurt asked sheepishly.

"Sure since I have nothing better to do." Mary Ann bent over and picked her backpack up off the ground. Kurt put her arm through his and they walked back into school talking about nothing in particular.

Lance and Pietro watched Kurt and Mary Ann walk back into school together. Lance smirked at them and Peitro's eyes narrowed.

"I don't see why Mystique wants her so bad," Pietro said, sourly.

"Oh come on Pietro. Mystique is surrounded by guys. When Rogue left she was all alone again."

"But still, I don't see what the big deal is about her."

Lance sighed in frustration and leaned back into the lockers. Pietro crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. He stood up straight and turned to Lance. "I'm gonna go talk to her. See you at lunch?"

"Sure."

Pietro walked off toward Darkholme's office and Lance went the way of the cafeteria.

Pietro ignored everyone else in the waiting room and stormed into Darkholme's office. She was out of her disguise and talking to a dark figure behind her.

"Ah Pietro, we were just talking about you," Mystique said.

"Great," he said. He crossed his arms over his chest again and leaned all his weight on his right leg and started to tap his left foot quickly. "You're wondergirl was just outside cooking up a storm."

"I know."

"Lucky for her the X-Brats saved her."

"I know."

"Give it up, Mystique. She isn't going to join us."

"O contraire my young Quicksilver," the dark figure said. His voice was smooth and deep.

"What do you mean?"

From behind Mystique a silver metal box floated onto the table. There was only one button on it. Other than that the sides were smooth.

"What, you gonna throw it at her?"

"No. Brainwash her," Mystique said, calmly.

"Cheap."

"No one asked you, Pietro."

Pietro's sneer faltered. "Fine. So ahead, ruin everything we've worked for." He turned quickly and slammed the door on the way out. The students in the waiting room jumped at the loud slam and watched Pietro storm through the waiting room. They all jumped again as Miss Darkholme called the next student into her office.

Pietro sat down at the table next to Lance and out his feet up. Todd pushed them off the table and Pietro glared at him.

"What did Mystique say?" Lance asked around a mouthful of food.

"She's going to brainwash her."

"Taking the easy way out," Todd said.

"Yup."

"Why don't you like her?"

"I just don't."

"Lame."

"Shut up!"

The table fell silent after that. A few minutes later Fred Dukes joined the, he looked around the silent table, shrugged then started inhaling his food.

Outside, the X-Men were engulfed in conversations on anything from training to movies and clothes. Mary Ann sat in between Kurt and Evan, who were talking about video games. Mary Ann didn't say anything. She kept her hands in her lap and stared at her feet and a caterpillar crawling on the ground. She didn't hear Kurt call her name. It took his shaking her to get her attention.

"Mary Ann, you ok?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah."

"You wanna take a run in the Danger Room after school with me? It will clear your mind I promise."

"Sure."

Kurt smiled and put his arm around her shoulders. He could tell she was still worried about Mystique. He leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Don't sweat about Mystique. We'll look out for you now. You're part of the X-Men."

Kurt leaned back, but kept his arm about her shoulders. She blinked a few times and stood up. The table fell silent and everyone was looking at her. Kurt looked at her with his cheeks full of food. He had a worried look much like he had the night before when she walked out on dinner. She excused herself and walked back toward the school with her backpack slung over her left shoulder. She rubbed her tattoo and crossed her arms over her chest, tightly. She sighed and walked into the school. She sat down on a bench and pulled her journal out from her backpack. She flipped it open to a random page. She started reading, slowly.

September 1, 2000

I don't know what to do. Someone found out about it, again. Where do I go now? I can't keep bumping around the country all my life in fear of being found out as a freak. All my life I've tried to fit in but for some reason people seem to know about my powers. They know something is wrong with me. I just wish I could find a group that would accept me for me. I know john accepts me, all of me, but he's only one guy. Plus he's not like me… at all. I just wish I could find one group like me. Or even one person. I have to go. I'm not supposed to he here and someone's coming. Play for me.

TB

She didn't notice Kurt as he sat beside her. He crossed his legs and sat facing her on the wide bench.

"It's hard, being new. I know. But it will get better."

"I know," Mary Ann said. She didn't speak in response to what Kurt said. She was responding to her journal.

Kurt put a hand on her shoulder and she jumped. She threw down her journal and wrapped her arms around Kurt's neck. She felt his fur under the hologram disguise and started to cry. Her tears were soaked up by Kurt's shirt. They represented so much more than pain. She was angry at the world for making her hide who she really was and yet she was happy she'd found the X-Men, and Kurt. Kurt pulled her close to him and held her tightly. For a long while they sat there, embracing. The bell rang to signal there were five minutes left in lunch. No one really used this hallway, so they were alone. Mary Ann stopped crying and sat back from Kurt.

"It's ok," Kurt said softly.

Mary Ann nodded and took Kurt's hand. He smiled at her and ran his free hand along her cheek to dry the last remaining tears. She looked deeply into his eyes and kissed him lightly on the lips. He pulled back but hen kissed her more deeply. This time Mary Ann pulled back and squeezed Kurt's hand. They both didn't notice the rest of the X-Men watching and smiling at them. Scott took Jean's hand and walked the other way.

Later That Night

Scott sat on the couch in the rec. room with his head in his hands. Jean sat beside him, quietly. Professor Xavier sat across from them with Ororo and Logan. Scott had just told them about Mary Ann's run in with Mystique.

"This won't be all we hear from he on this matter. She wants Mary Ann and she'll try anything. They're lacking on good talent," Logan said.

"I know. But we can't always watch her." Scott said.

"I realize this. Logan, do you feel up to some substituting?" Professor Xavier said.

"Sure. Anything to keep out little Thunderbird out of Mystique's hands."

The Professor nodded. "It's late. You should get some rest. All of you."

Jean and Scott stood up and said good night. As soon as they left the Professor turned to Logan and Ororo.

"I feel that Mystique really wants Mary Ann. She's all along in a group of males. She'll stop at nothing to get Mary Ann away from us," Professor Xavier said.

"And from what I saw down in the Danger Room this afternoon, Mary Ann could be a great asset, to anyone," Logan said.

"Yes. She will be. Keep an eye on her you two. I feel rough times ahead of us."