What is this? This can't be a new chapter. I don't believe my eyes. Well, believe it. This chapter has sat on my computer for the better part of 3 months, I just wasn't sure that this was the path I wanted to take with the story. I haven't thought of anything better so this is all I can give you.
I hope to have more time for all my stories. That means I plan to continue each and every one. I have made some progress on Mother Amazon but I'm still a long way from posting. I hope to give Ranma a bit of time to think about his/her life in China, but that probably won't come until chapter 7. I'm sorry for the delay but I haven't really been able to concentrate on my work. I've been dealing with a lot of different pressures and stresses that have left little time for anything else.
I do suggest reading the previous chapters of this story as a refresher; it has been a long time after all.
Jean had been waiting for Ranma as he spoke to the professor. Ranma had left his mind open to her and she, for the first time in her life, felt disgusted at the professor's actions. She saw Ranma stop at the doors before he spoke to the professor one last time. Ranma had cut the link, so she had no idea what had been said.
She approached Ranma, laying a comforting hand upon his shoulder. Ranma sighed as he grabbed Jean's hand. "Don't worry about it Jean. I'm okay, I'm used to that kind of reaction by now."
"But you shouldn't have to be used to it. I don't know what's come over the professor, he's not like that."
"But he was like that to me. That's all that matters. He was angry Jean, but that gave him no right to try and interrogate me. I was invited; even if it wasn't by him he should still respect the fact that I am a guest, your guest Jean. The way he treated me, is the same as if he did the same to you. You don't deserve that Jean. I better leave. If I stay the professor is likely to blame you."
"But where will you go?"
"I hear England is nice this time of year. I might decide to swim out there. Tonight thought, I don't know. I'm sure something will turn up."
"You don't have to leave Ranma…"
"I have to Jean. I'll be in touch." Ranma disappeared before her eyes. The link between herself and Ranma was still being suppressed.
As tears fell from Jean's eyes she remembered back to how they had met.
It had been a trying day for Jean Grey. The X-Men were all currently nursing injuries they'd received from fighting Magneto earlier in the day. It took a fair amount of luck before they were able to repel his attacks. He'd retreated, but they all knew it wouldn't be long before he'd returned.
Jean had fought him to the best of her abilities but it was she who was first to fall against him that day. Her powers were just not refined enough to have been effective. It would take some thought on her part on how she can use her power effectively against one such as Magneto, but she would find a way. Though it was a given that she would only be able to use them once before Magneto would develop some kind of protection from them.
She now sat outside the mansion, staring up at the stars in the sky. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the heat of the day. She was remembering a time when life had been so much simpler. She never had to worry about evil geniuses hell-bent on taking over or destroying earth, powerful mutants seeking the death of all humans on earth or any other threats that some had never even considered possible.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the world seemed to change about her. She suddenly found herself upon a tiled roof. The sky looked much different now than it had just moments before. Where once she saw stars there was now only the afternoon sun. Looking around she spotted a little Asian girl with hair as red as her own. The girl sat with her head down, it was clear from the sounds the girl was making and the way her shoulders shook that she was crying.
Jean's heart went out to the girl. If she'd spent any more time contemplating her own fate she knew she'd look much like the girl before her. Jean approached the girl. She noticed then as she moved that she was in an astral form. She laughed at that, if it hadn't been for her training with the professor she'd never have thought this possible. Astral projection was something that most considered a hoax. Jean shook her head; she didn't have time for these thoughts.
Jean spoke to the girl using her mind. "Child, look up, please." She saw the redhead stiffen in surprise. The girl quick wiped at her eyes before looking up. The girl seemed surprised that someone had gotten that close but didn't seem at all startled that a ghost was suddenly talking to her.
"Who are you?" the girl questioned, her voice raw from crying.
"My name is Jean Grey. I suddenly found myself on this rooftop and couldn't help notice that you were upset." Jean was very cautious to keep her comments neutral. It wouldn't do to upset the girl any further. Jean was surprised to hear such a masculine laugh at her comments.
"You have no idea, lady. These last few weeks have been pure hell."
"Everyone has rough times in their lives. I was thinking about what hell I had just traversed when I found myself here upon this roof."
"Most would find something like that a bit strange, lady. Though I've witnessed events … hell I've lived through events that would leave normal people a quivering mess. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be so crude."
"If you have the time, would you be willing to share your story?"
"Normally I wouldn't, but I feel that I may be able to trust you."
Jean suddenly started feeling a tug from her body. "Oh no! Sorry to interrupt but I'm going to have to leave. I still want to hear your story but I don't think I have too much time left. If you don't mind I can do something that will allow me to talk to you in your mind. Then we can talk no matter how much distance lies between us."
"Is that safe?"
"Perfectly. Just think of me as your imaginary friend."
"If that's the case, then you will be my only friend."
"We'll have to hurry. I don't…"
"Just do it Jean. I could use someone to talk to."
Jean wiped her eyes as the memories faded. She was sad that Ranma was suppressing their link, but she knew that once he dealt with emotions he would again allow her access.
Rogue settled down behind Ranma on a nearby roof. She thought about saying something to the boy but instead stood back to watch. She was surprised when Ranma turned his attention to the dark corner she'd settled herself in.
"You can come out Miss. I know you've been following me since I left the mansion. The Professor send you?"
Rogue stood silent. The boy may have been bluffing.
"I know you're there. I can hear you breathing. I also heard you land. Why don't you come out an talk?"
Rogue stepped out into the light. "How'd ya know I was followin'?"
"I can sense your presence. You have a really powerful aura that's hard to miss if you know what to look for. I just don't understand why your body's energy flows backwards."
"What do ya mean, flows backward?"
"Exactly what I said. Energy normally flows from one's center outward, though yours seems to come from everywhere else and flows toward your center."
"Did Jean tell ya 'bout us? How we're different 'en most? I'm a thinking it's 'cause of that. Ya see, whenever I go an touch anyone… I haven't killed anyone yet, but it's been close a time or two. Normal people, they just get hurt, but when its anotherun like me, I get their powers for a time."
"It must be hard for you. Having a power like that that you can't control. It's a shame really, a beautiful girl like you. One day you'll find someone you can share your life with. I'll prove it to you."
"Whatta ya mean by that, sug?"
"Give me your hand." Seeing her indecisions Ranma continued. "Just trust me. I won't be hurt."
Having no idea what Ranma meant to do Rogue shakily offered her hand. Ranma gently took hold of her wrist with one hand. He placed the fingers of his other hand against her glove and looked her in the eye. Rogue understood that he was asking permission to remove her glove. She nodded to tell him it was all right. She could feel tears welling in her eyes, refusing to fall. She was hoping that he wouldn't be hurt by this.
Ranma slowly pulled of the glove, revealing beautiful milky white skin. He set the glove in his lap. He looked Rogue in the eye as he folded his hand around hers. Rogue jumped a little at the unfamiliar contact with her hand. Rogue closed her eyes. She couldn't bear to see his face as she waited for that horrible sensation of feeling a person's life flowing from them, the mental agony she suffered as she relived their most personal memories. It never came.
She opened her eyes to find Ranma smiling at her. She looked down at her hand to see that they were indeed touching, skin to skin. Suddenly her tears were falling freely. She wept like never before, but these tears were much different than the others before them. These were tears of happiness. She threw herself against him clutching him as she cried.
Ranma winced at the strength Rogue was using against him. "No one deserves to be alone. There are others like me. There may not be many, but they are out there. I have mastered the basics of manipulating my own energy. It only takes a minute amount of my concentration to hold off the effects of your own energy."
"I heard what Wolverine said 'bout you bein' human an all, is 'at true?"
"It's true. I may have been touched by magic a couple of times, but all my skill and ability is what all humans are capable of. Jean once told me that people like you are the next step in human evolution. I didn't believe it then and I don't believe it now. You just have an affinity for abilities that would take some all their lives to master. This shortcut does not come without its weaknesses. Where a martial ability makes ones skin as hard as steel, actually having steel skin makes you more susceptible to lightning or electricity. It also means that Magneto guy Jean told me about has an incredible advantage."
"Ranma, thank you. I haven't been able to be this close to anyone in years. It's been so long since anyone… Thank you." She leaned forward and captured his lips with hers. She put as much passion into the kiss as she could muster. When Ranma began to respond she felt as if she were in heaven. If it hadn't been for their need for air the kiss would have lasted much longer.
"That's the first real kiss I've ever had. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"Ya have nothing to be sorry about. I look forward to more."
"It's not that I regret it or anything Rogue. It's just that I finally got out of a mess where different women were vying for my affection. I think it may be to soon for me to consider a relationship. Besides, when I said you'd find someone to share your life with I didn't mean me." He laughed suddenly. "Though I can't blame you for your choice."
Rogue swung at him. She was surprised that he didn't even react to being hit, granted she'd used very little strength, but even Wolverine would have complained about such a hit.
"Did I mention that I love strong women?" He smiled.
She swung at him again this time sending him about 10 feet from where he once stood.
"That strong enough for ya?"
"Is that some kind of challenge? What do you say we try a light spar?"
"Don't be upset if I hold back."
"Don't you be upset if I don't. I've got a pretty good measure of what you can handle."
"Bring it on."
"Rogue! Are you all right?" Jean asked with concern.
"I'm fine, Jean. Y'all should see the other guy." Rogue drawled as she limped toward her room.
Jean followed Rogue with her eyes as she walked out of sight. She turned back around when the door opened. Wolverine entered helping Ranma stand. Ranma looked like hell. He had a black eye, swollen lip, broken nose, probably some bruised if not broken ribs from the way he was holding himself, one leg he wasn't putting any pressure on, the other was barely holding him up. His clothes where ripped to shreds and he was bleeding from just about everywhere. The smile on his face seemed totally out of place.
"So you must be the other guy?"
"Wha can I say, she's goo. Now if ou don't mind…" He trailed of as he collapsed unconscious.
"Don't worry Jean. Your boy will be fine. Hank'll have 'im fixed up in no time."
"I can't believe this. Why was he fighting with Rogue?"
"No idea, darlin'. Though I'd have to say if that boy had a few more years on him, Rogue may have been forced to go all out."
"I see. How was the fight then?"
"I thought the fight was amazing before they got to the junk yard. Rogue got that limp when Ranma hit her with a Lincoln. 'Course he only bragged until she hit him with a bus."
"A bus? And he survived?"
"Came out from under it with a smile."
"Why don't you get him down to Henry's lab Wolverine. Have him call me when he wakes up." Professor Xavier instructed from the hallway.
"Whatever you say, prof."
"How are you feeling, Mr. Saotome?"
"What do you care?"
"After the way I treated you I guess I deserve that. I really am sorry for the way I acted. I allowed my pride to get in the way and judged you harshly. I'm in your debt Ranma. I don't know what you did for Rogue, but I deeply appreciate it. I've never seen her so happy."
"If Jean hadn't told me what little she did I wouldn't have been able to be so helpful. It never hurts to trust someone." Ranma disappeared from the bed he was lying in.
Xavier felt the air displaced as Ranma passed by. He cursed himself. "That boy will never trust me." He thought. "Though I can't find fault with him. It was my own selfish pride that created this rift."
"Logan, a moment of your time, please." Xavier implored.
"What ya need, prof?" Woverine turned, fixing the professor with a curious stare.
The professor looked unsure for a moment, but his resolve strengthened not a moment later. "I thought that maybe you could give me some insight on a situation I'm having."
Wolverine laughed. "If yer talkin' bout that Ranma kid then it may help for ya to change yer attitude."
Xavier looked confused for a moment. He'd been very forward with Ranma as he tried to apologize. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm sayin' that Ranma don't trust ya, cause he can still feel that yer suspicious. Start treatin' him like ya would any of us. A little trust goes a long way. And don't intrude in his mind, no matter what, even to talk to him. If ya need to speak with him then ya need to go to him yerself." Wolverine looked at the professor, trying to determine if he'd said enough to make Xavier understand.
Xavier nodded. "Thank you Logan, I'll take your advice to heart. Good-night Logan."
"Same to you prof. If ya see Ranma, tell 'im to find me. I'd like to learn about his fighting style."
"Good evening, Jean," Ranma paused, turning his attention to Cyclops. "Mr. Summers."
"Evening Ranma, what do you need?" Jean closed the book on Japanese culture that she had been reading as she looked up at Ranma.
Ranma fidgeted a little as he thought of what he wanted to say. "Nothing, really, I just thought that you'd like to introduce me to some of the others you've told me about."
Jean put the book aside with a small frown. "I'm sorry Ranma, but the only one here you haven't met is Storm. All the others won't be back until later in the week." She really had hoped more of the X-Men would be here at the mansion when she brought Ranma. She hadn't counted on the others being away.
Ranma smiled, it didn't matter that we wouldn't get a chance to see the others before he left. He was just glad that Jean had taken him away from his troubles. Now he would have the time to decide what he wanted to do with his life; and, more importantly, if he was going to return to Japan at all. "That's okay Jean. I'm sure Storm is every bit as interesting as the others."
