BNW 5/?

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8:00 A.M.

"Students, your attention, please. I only have one or two announcements this morning, but they are important, so please listen carefully. Firstly; the soccer game scheduled for this afternoon has been postponed one hour due to a last-minute make-up test involving both co-captains of the team. Secondly; over the next few days, you will be seeing a new face here at the school. While he settles in, I ask that you not descend on him en-masse the moment he appears or barrage him with questions. Your teachers can provide only what details they themselves have been given, so please afford them the same courtesy. Thank you."

Rogue, seated a few feet from Bobby in first period, lowered her head and turned away slightly to hide her ear-to-ear grin.

"Okay, I know you too well not to ask. What?"

"Nothin'."

"C'mon, Marie. Give it up." He whispered. "You can barely keep from giggling. What's going on?"

"Later, okay? I'll tell ya at lunch, I promise, but you have to swear not to go spreadin' it around. Everybody else'll be mad if they find out."

"Sure, I understand. Just a little hint..."

"Robert. Marie. This may only be homeroom, but I still required closed mouths."

"Sorry, Dr. Mcoy."

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THE INFIRMARY

Slowly, hesitantly, Darien Fawkes accepted that consciousness would soon be restored to him whether he was prepared for it or not. Eyes still tightly shut, he lay still and listened guardedly to the noises around him, both familiar and unknown. As his body and mind gradually re-connected, the consistent tones of a cardiac monitor, a sound he knew all too well, registered with him and dim memories caused his heart-rate to soar. He tried to calm it and maintain his façade of heavy sleep, but within seconds light footsteps were hurrying to his side, alerted by the sudden upsurge in output from the monitor's speakers. A moment later soft, reassuring hands were smoothing over his damp brow and caressing his wrists and fingers.

charles? he's waking. join us, but take your time. he'll be disoriented for a while yet

on my way.

"Mr. Fawkes?"

Darien grunted and pulled slightly away from her touch.

"I know you're scared and confused, but it's alright. You're safe here. You can open your eyes."

"No... can't... I can't see..."

"Yes you can. I counteracted the drops you were given. Try... even if it's only for a second, just try..."

Darien frowned and sighed deeply, presenting an uncanny impression of a grumpy, put-upon toddler refusing to take foul tasting medicine. Fortunately, having dealt with the male teachers and students many times over, Jean was well prepared for a man who acted like a child when hit with the slightest injury or hardship, so she smiled and persevered. "I'm sorry that you had to go through this. I know it's hard to believe, but I promise, your eyes are fine. Now... one try? Just give it a chance."

The young man huffed out another annoyed breath and pried his eyes open a little at a time. "That's it. Go slowly. Let your vision adjust. I kept the lights very low, but that still might be too much. Slowly...."

"Uh-uh. No good. Put me back under and send me home." He demanded sulkily, closing his eyes again.

"Still blurry, hmmm? That should resolve itself in a few minutes. The corneal cloak you were dosed with is very powerful."

"The... what?"

"Corneal cloak. The drops that prevented you from seeing while you traveled here. C'mon... one more time. Let me see those beautiful eyes..."

Though he didn't fall for her flattery in the slightest, if Darien's life had taught him anything it was to make the best of your situation until you could find a way out of it. Grunting in resignation, he acceded to Jean's request. This time he kept his eyes open long enough that the shapeless, faintly colored blurs above and around him coalesced into a few recognizable objects and one stunning redhead. It wasn't hard for him to choose what to focus on.

"Speaking of beautiful..."

"Thank you." Jean replied dryly, gently ruffling his hair. "Your vision is clearing up, I take it?"

"Oh, yeah."

"Good. Try and relax while I unlock your restraints."

His pulse racing once again, Darien frantically stared from his wrists and ankles to where Jean stood a few feet away, manipulating switches. He didn't begin to calm down until the padded cuffs holding him secure finally unlatched, and even then his pulse didn't drop all that much.

"It's alright. Easy..." she soothed, moving back to his side.

"Easy?! Lady, you had me tied down! Don't tell me to take it easy! I thought I was here as a guest!"

"I'm sorry, but it was a necessary precaution. When you meet Wolverine you can ask him why. We instituted the policy because of him."

"Wolverine? Sounds like somebody the Hell's Angels'd be afraid of."

"That's not a bad description actually." Jean commented as she helped Darien sit up. "Go slowly. You've been unconscious for quite a while."

He gave her an irate glare and a mildly sarcastic response..

"Yeah, I know. Stupid jackass..... he coulda knocked me out or blinded me. Fat bastard didn't have to do both...." he grumbled, no longer talking to anyone but himself. His head came up and a full-blown tirade died in his throat when he heard the door open. The man gliding toward Darien in the wheelchair exuded authority, but for the first time in his life, that aura didn't disturb or frighten the younger man. He somehow understood that this man received the deepest respect and had more than earned the right to it. When Xavier drew close, stopping and extending his hand, Darien grasped it nervously, releasing it after only a moment.

"Mr. Fawkes. I am Charles Xavier, founder and director of this institute. Welcome."

"Thanks. Yeah... so you... you run this whole hospital?"

"It's much more than that. If you feel up to a short walk, I'd be happy to show you."

"I... I guess. I might need somebody's elbow... just in case..."

"I can handle that." Jean reassured him. Gradually, she helped the young man onto his feet, stabilizing him until he felt confident. The trio then moved slowly out of the infirmary, Xavier and Jean silently discussing his condition and their immediate plans as they traveled.

how is he doing, jean?

he's getting there. it will take a while for him to adjust mentally and emotionally. physically, he seems fine, though I haven't really had the time to do a proper examination...

that can wait. for now, let's make getting him settled in his room a priority.

i'm just glad he'll have time to rest before logan gets back. i'm still not sure about that decision, charles. the two of them...

they'll get along fine, jean. i'm positive of it. trust my intuition.

oh, i do, charles, but you won't be the one putting in stitches or bandaging heads.

When the trio reached Darien's temporary quarters, the young man stood in the doorway for a long moment, surprised by how luxurious the space was. Once he realized there was a second bed in the room, however, he found incentive to speak.

"Hang on... I have to have a roommate?"

"You don't have to, no. I thought it might make it easier for you than being alone in a strange house." Xavier replied.

"I guess that makes sense. Who is it?"

Jean coughed discreetly and made stalling noises. Xavier chided her telepathically and gave Darien a straight answer.

"His name is Logan. He's one of our instructors, actually. Martial arts and hand to hand combat. You might also hear him referred to as Wolverine."

"What? But she said... I don't think this'll work. See, I'm a hider, not a Navy Seal. Couldn't you put me in with somebody small and cute?"

"The... nick-name doesn't necessarily reflect the personality."

"And in this case?"

Xavier smiled and chose not to directly answer the question this time.

"I think you two will find you have a great deal in common. Your bags are against that wall nearest the bathroom and dinner is promptly at six. Until then I suggest you get some rest Mr. Fawkes. We have a tremendous amount to do in the next few days."

"Rest he says... don't know where I am, don't know why I'm here. Sure, I'll rest..."

"The Professor's right. You've been through a lot in the last forty-eight hours. Besides, sedated sleep isn't the same as natural sleep. Trust me, the minute you lay down, you'll be out like a light. I'll see you at dinner."

Darien grunted and turned to face into the room as the other two exited.

charles, i'm concerned. it's sounding more and more as if the people he works for sent him into this blind, deaf and mute. that wasn't the agreement you made...

no... no, it wasn't. we'll just have to bring him along slowly. The sort of things he's going to experience in this house will be shocking to say the least.

we don't have time to protect him or fully prepare him for what the X-men are all about. you of all people know that this mission has to be planned and successfully completed within the next seven days or we're all in grave danger.

we'll have to do the best we can, then.

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JUST AFTER LUNCH: THE HANGAR

As the ramp on the jet was slowly raised and secured, Logan stole a glance back at his passengers, focusing momentarily on Marie. Thanks to the harness, she was not quite bouncing in her seat, but she was making a concerted effort. He found himself smiling just a little. Despite the assignations the girl had thrown at him, he had not stayed mad at her for long. Eventually, he had forced himself to remember that she was a teenager. In his considered opinion, none of them were particularly well-versed in the art of what-not-to-say and when-not-to-say-it and that meant that almost everything was forgivable. A minute or two later, when her excitement threatened to get out of control, he admonished her, but in a warm, relaxed tone that told her she was no longer number one on his list of least favorite people.

"Marie. I know you love flyin' in the jet, but try an' sit still, huh? One good shot of turbulence and you'll go right through the ceiling."

"Sorry. I just can't believe I'm here! And I get to miss afternoon classes!"

"Doesn't mean you won't have to make up the work."

Rogue's smile dimmed and her excess energy evaporated.

that was cruel, logan. Xavier sent with a faint chuckle.

got her calmed down didn't it? strap in. we're about ready to get going.

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TBC...