BNW 7/?

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Many thanks and a mega-shoutout to all the list-sibs who contributed possible X-names for Darien and assisted with X-Men info. Your creativity and generosity continually astound me, as does your patience. You've waited long enough.... Congrats Karen. (aka Kazzoh) You hit on the absolute perfect name, babe. Contrary to what you stated in your long ago e-mail, (which I still have) it wasn't silly at all and you were a tremendous help. Thanks!

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6:00 A.M. : STAFF BREAKFAST: THE FOLLOWING DAY

"Storm, how can you be so stubborn when I'm about to die of frustration? Please tell me..." Jean pleaded, nearly ready to pull her friend's plate away and hold it hostage if it would get her the information she sought. Storm merely chuckled, turned a calm smile on Jean and repeated her refusal in a sweet, relaxed tone.

"I am not stubborn, I am patient. Nature works in her own way and in her own time... as do I."

"You're going to wait for the mission briefing, aren't you?"

"That would be a good time to voice my thoughts, I agree. His ability... it is stunning."

"Yes. I'm amazed at how well he deals with what's been done to him. If I were offered the choice he was faced with... I don't know what I'd do."

"Nor I. He and Logan are so alike... yet so different. Both manipulated and deceived, both changed in ways that will cause them physical and emotional pain for the rest of their lives... Why did Darien emerge so well adjusted and adaptable, and Logan become so isolated, fearful and angry?"

Jean shook her head and turned her eyes to where the two men in question sat on opposite sides of a distant table, silently eating.

"Dark and light, but sides of the same coin..." she commented softly.

"Indeed." Storm replied, nodding in agreement. "We should try to find a free moment or two and encourage Darien to talk about his experience. It might give us insight into relieving some of the burden Logan carries."

"Hmm. Not a bad idea. Not a bad idea at all... After the briefing?"

"Yes." She responded simply, now conducting her own observation of Logan and Darien.

Finally pushing away his plate, Darien sighed, picked up his glass and drained the remaining juice. He stared at the container for a long time, as if it were a crystal ball that held all the answers he was seeking. Logan watched him surreptitiously for a while, then decided to speak up, tossing out a rare joke, hoping it would lighten the younger man's mood.

"Lemme guess; in three days you'll meet a tall, dark, woman and take a long ocean journey."

"Huh?"

"Never mind, kid. You done?"

"Yeah... I guess." Darien responded vaguely, setting the glass down

"You didn't eat much."

"I didn't take much."

"Like I said."

Darien smiled lightly.

"I wasted food last night trying to make my body believe it was starving. This time..."

"I get it. Done the same myself often enough. My first couple days here I don't think I ate enough to feed a dust bunny." Logan admitted as he rose to his feet. Darien did the same and trailed his roommate out of the dining hall.

"Mind if I ask why?"

"I didn't feel like being around people. Most of my adult life I've been alone. The rest of the time I was bustin' some brainless jackoff's ass so I could go back to bein' alone. When I came here... the professor showed me it didn't have to be that way... that there were people like me that understood some of what I'd lived through." He reluctantly revealed as they walked to the elevator. Darien hesitated, but found the courage to ask another question as the car started to rise.

"So now you're okay with people again?"

"Not for the most part, no. Some I can at least tolerate. Some, like Xavier, are alright. He's tryin' to do good in the world... thinks he can make a difference. I'm not so sure, but he believes and I respect him so I don't give him aggravation about it." he said as the doors opened and they stepped out.

"Yeah. I know somebody like that too. He's my best friend but sometimes he just gets on my last nerve with all the 'Truth, Justice and the American Way' crap he pushes on me. Like you said, though, we really get along most of the time so I've learned to keep my mouth shut."

"When he starts wearin' a red cape an' thinkin' he can fly..."

"No problem. I have the funny farm on speed dial."

Though it was low and sounded almost like a growl, Logan coughed out a genuine laugh. He then looked grimly at Darien.

"You ever tell anybody about that..."

"Lips are sealed, I swear."

As they entered Xavier's office, Darien hesitated in the doorway, suddenly tense but unable to determine why. Logan turned back and spoke to him.

"You okay?"

"Fine... I think. I just.. I kinda felt like something was... off."

"Like what?"

"It was nothing. Forget it."

"Are you sure, Darien?" Xavier asked, concerned. "You should listen to your instincts, always..."

"I am. It was a little shiver... nothing big. Let's get going." He countered, moving in and taking a seat on the sofa between Storm and Cyclops.

"Of course."

The older man turned, touched a control and the same screen that had given his team their first look at Darien now displayed a picture of what looked like a large office building. "This is Magneto's latest acquisition; a chemical processing plant. My information indicates that, using the guise of a legitimate pharmaceutical company, he plans to use it to create several different mutagenic formulas, all with devastating effects on humans. Once they're finished he then plans to deliver them to as many people as he can reach, in as many ways as he can think of... Yes, Darien?"

"Huh? I didn't say anything out loud did I?"

"No, but you look significantly dazed and confused. I know you must have questions..."

"It's okay. Yeah, I'm a little behind, but I can wait 'till the end to talk all your ears off. Go on."

"Thank you. Once I complete the briefing, we'll gladly give you whatever information we can."

"And I'll give back all the gratitude you can handle."

"I can see that. Now, back to this plant..."

It took the better part of an hour before Xavier was done detailing the entire mission. The questions Darien asked afterwards pleased and impressed the others. His words clearly showed his intelligence and proved that, even if he didn't quite understand every bit of background or all the specialized terminology, he had been paying close attention and would be able to execute the plan with no trouble. Once they were done, however

One by one, the others got up and prepared to head for their classrooms, each desiring at least a little peace and quiet before the students descended on them. Jean halted Storm, whispered in her ear, and Storm called the others back momentarily.

"Jean has just reminded me that I have forgotten something vitally important. Darien. Most of us here have chosen other names, ones related to our abilities or sometimes our personalities. Watching you last night, witnessing what you can do, I was struck by a possible name for you. If you do not like, it of course you are free to choose your own, or none at all... but I thought it very appropriate."

"Okayyy..." he responded cautiously, grinning at her. "Somehow I think I'll regret not making you tell me in private first, but... go ahead."

"I was inspired by the substance that veiled you. The way it looked when it fell away reminded me of a brief winter snow shower, so I thought perhaps... Flurry?"

Darien was silent for almost a minute. He paced away from the group, paused then paced slowly back. At last a brilliant smile broke out on his face and the room suddenly seemed to be sparking with energy.

"I like it. I really like it. It's... cool. Whoops, no pun intended, there."

"Apology accepted." Xavier laughed. "Alright everyone. Class will be starting soon. Best be moving on with the day. Oh yes, Logan. I don't believe you have any classes scheduled this morning."

"No. I'm free 'till two-thirty."

"Then would you mind helping Darien do some exploring? I'm certain that his curiosity will soon be getting the better of him and I'd rather he have a knowledgeable guide."

"You mean you want somebody to blame if he ends up back in the infirmary."

"Precisely. Thank you, my friend."

"Sure. C'mon, kid. I'll give you the fifty-cent tour."

"Fifty-cent? No way, I'm not worthy of the fifty cent tour. Make it twenty-five."

"Yeah, I'll shove your twenty-five cents where the sun don't shine unless you get movin' smartass..." Logan retorted, but there was no trace of rancor or even irritation in his voice. As he and Darien left, they were walking fairly close together, talking quietly about where they should go first. Pre-occupied with classes in general as well as individual students, noone paid any special attention to Cyclops, who was utterly focused on Wolverine and the newcomer. Once they'd entered the elevator, he finally tore himself away, shaking his head as if to clear it of something dark, malodorous and clinging. Lips tight and thin, he strode away, headed for the garage and his first class.

In the now empty office, a trembling female form began to appear on the floor, slowly re-entering the visible world one agonizing piece at a time. Though extremely weak, she had enough strength to release herself from the prototype backpack strapped around her torso and crawl a foot or so away from where it had fallen. Utterly exhausted and racked with fever and nausea, she curled into a ball, closed her eyes and let unconsciousness claim her.

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TBC......