Overload

Mulan was leaning on her balcony ballast when she caught the sent of brimstone. Kurt had just ported to his balcony and upon seeing Mulan, he waved. When she waved back he ported to her balcony.

"Hi." He said, then seeing her surprise he turned on his hologram. "Is zat better?"

Sensing his self-consciousness, she pulled herself back to real time. "No." Then to his amazement, she reached over and pressed his watch. "That's better."

"Y...you...don't care how…I look?"

"You just surprised me when you teleported." She then walked into her room.

"Oh, I didn't see you in…vell," he scratched his head, "anything."

"Maybe 'cause I didn't show."

"Everyone vould love to meet you."

She snickered at the thought.

"Vhat's so funny?"

"Everything." When Kurt didn't answer she continued more seriously, "I just have some issues."

"'Kay. Hey, dinner vill be served in a few minutes. Vill you join us?"

Mulan was about to say no when Kurt quickly continued, "It'll be a, um, sit down meal. No buffer."

"'Kay, I'll come down."

"Vonderbal, let me show you a shortcut." He then touched her arm and ported to the top of the staircase.

Rogue was near when they appeared in a cloud of brimstone. For a moment all the lights in the institute brightened then faded back to normal.

"Woah, 'lectric surge," Rogue said.

Mulan quickly regained her composure from the shock of being teleported and the bad memory it had brought back. "Does that happen often?" she asked, knowing she had caused it.

"Ja, especially when Cerebro's on line."

Nodding Mulan started downstairs with Kurt and Rogue.

"We missed you today."

"Jetlag."

"So, you vill have to tell us all about Texas."

"What's to tell? Oh, we're not all cowboys or hicks."

Kurt paused, "How…?"

"I get that question all the time."

"So," Rogue asked, "what do ya want ta do ahfter dinner?"

"Go jogging. Ya'll?"

"Danger-room session."

"Ve're giving a demo for all ze new ones."

"You should join us," Spike rolled up on his skateboard. Popping it up, he carried it and took off his helmet. "You must be Mulan. I'm Even Daniels. Ya like to board?"

"Never got into it, but lately I haven't had the time."

Upon entering the dining room the foursome dispersed to their seats. Mulan sat by Logan. As everyone ate, her control lessened and her telepath went crazy. Hearing everyone's thoughts she found what a shock she was to all the others. Some, who had not run into many Goths were surprised at her black garb and make up. Others thought she was a snob for not joining anyone.

Charles could sense her presence in his mind and tried to communicate, but the strain and free thoughts were quickly giving her a migraine. Instead of leaving she stayed and tried to make small talk with Logan and Ororo.

Logan could tell that something was wrong with his charge. "You okay?" he whispered.

"I'll be fine." She wasn't about to tell him that every time the silverware clinked against a plate it might as well have been a semi's horn blairing in her ears. Soon that horn became a sonic boom, and an image of a plane coming right at her and the sound of people stampeding, screaming out of a room kept going through her mind.

Finially the meal ended. Jean and Kurt gathered the dishes. Logan called the rest to follow him downstairs. As they left Charles mentally asked her to stay behind.

(Your telepathy is slightly overpowering."

(It's nothing really.)

(You seem to be in pain.)

(Just a migraine.) "I'd better go upstairs."

"Very well." Charles then joined the others as Mulan started toward the staircase.

"Hey, they vent zat vay," Kurt said, bamfing next to her.

"Well, I'm going this way."

"Vould you like me to port you?"

She froze in place as the image of the plane ran through her mind. Once again the lights brightened up. "No thanks, I'll get there."

"Did I frighten you earlier?"

Mulan changed the subject, "Do ya'll have any ibuprofen or Tylenol?"

"Ja, in ze infirmary. I'll get you some." He then disappeared in a cloud of smoke. When he reappeared in the hall she was gone, so he ported to her room. She opened to his knocking; obviously in the middle of changing because her shirt was off. "Here you go."

"Thank you. See you in the morning."

As he walked off, she closed the door. Quickly taking the pills she collapsed on the bed falling into a fitful sleep.