** Jumpstart**
Xavier was having an early breakfast in the kitchen with three very guilty looking joy riders. The girls just picked at their food, waiting for the lecture. Xavier maintained an expressionless countenance, and waited to see who would be the first to crack. His money was on Jubilation Lee. She looked the guiltiest.
"Professor, we're so sorry," Jubilee said in an annoyingly whiny voice. "We had no idea something like that would happen."
"Oh, fess up, Jubes. He already knows everything. It was your idea, and we all rationalized the danger away. We are all guilty, professor," Kitty admitted.
"Is Danielle okay?" Rogue asked.
"Why do you ask, Rogue?" Xavier inquired.
"She didn't seem to want to come back," Rogue tried to explain. "She told us not to wait."
"Yeah, professor, is she mad at us?" Kitty asked.
"Dani was so different at that lab. You should have seen what she could do! She was shooting electricity, or something, out of her hands," Jubilee said. "It was way cool!"
"We're not here to discuss anyone but the three of you. Just what do you think is appropriate punishment for this?" Xavier asked. This should be interesting.
"You're letting us choose?" Jubilee asked. This is great, she thought. We can turn this to our advantage.
Do you really think so Jubilee? Xavier asked her in telepathy. He watched her face turn green. She hadn't learned that you just can't put one over on a telepath.
*****
Danielle woke up to an empty bed. She wasn't sure if she should be disappointed or relieved. She felt miserable, like her head was going to explode. Dani tried to reach up to rub her head and realized she couldn't move. She tried to call someone, but couldn't speak. Oh, god! What's happening?
Logan opened her door, carrying a breakfast tray. He walked over and smiled, "Mornin' darlin, how'd ya sleep?" he asked as he set the tray on the table. Dani didn't move a muscle, and she didn't smell right. Something was terribly wrong.
"Dani, what's wrong?" he asked as he sat on the bed and gently lifted her into his arms. Her eyes were open and full of panic, but her body was limp. Her skin was dull and almost grey. Her breathing was shallow and ragged. "Oh, god, Dani! Baby, talk to me!"
I can't move, Logan. Why can't I move? she asked him telepathically. Thank god she had learned how to talk to him this way.
Logan wrapped her in the blanket and scooped her up. "Everything is going to be okay, don't worry," he comforted her as he carried her into the hall. "Jean! Hank! Get out here!"
Xavier's reassuring voice interrupted his panic, I've already alerted them, and we'll all meet you in the infirmary. Try not to worry.
Don't worry? Like hell!
*****
Nearly an hour had passed, Beast and Jean were running every test they could think of; EKG readings were perfect, no trace of toxins, no nerve damage, nothing. In short, Dani was a picture of health. Logan, Scott, and Xavier waited for news. Rogue, Bobby, and several other students were in the hallway outside. Logan stalked around the room. He was getting impatient.
"Well? What is it? What's wrong with her? Did Gabriel do something to her?" Logan demanded.
"Physically, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Danielle, but she's barely conscious, paralyzed, and nonresponsive. Charles, is it psychological?" Jean asked delicately.
Xavier had already done a general scan of her mind and found nothing that would cause this. "No," he answered. He needed to know what had happened yesterday. "I had hoped to get a general briefing on your mission at our meeting later, but now it's imperative we go over details," Xavier said. "Beast will stay with her, everyone else, to the war room." Xavier paged Kurt to meet them there.
Crossing the hall to the war room was like weaving through a crowd at a rock concert. "Danielle is in good hands, don't worry. I'm sure you all have something you can be doing, so get to it. Rogue, Kitty, and Jubilee will come with us," Xavier informed them. He did not expect to see so many students hanging around. Danielle had obviously made an impression on the student body.
As everyone took their seats, Xavier thought about what could be wrong with Danielle. He was convinced this was not related to any experiment, there just hadn't been time for it yesterday. He decided to start his questions with the girls.
"Rogue, what happened in the lab?" Xavier asked.
"Dani just appeared in front of that scientist guy. She made Magneto and Mystique disappear, and then talked for a couple minutes. Then that guy shot energy at her. It didn't hit her, though, she sort of absorbed it, and then used it against him," Rogue summarized.
"Wait a minute!" Scott interrupted. "Logan, what did Gabriel say before Magneto fried him? Didn't he say she was a power converter?"
"Yeah, I remember that. What the hell is that supposed mean?" Logan asked Xavier.
"I think it is the answer to our question. You might say Dani has exhausted her batteries. She needs a recharge," Xavier reasoned. "As much as I hate to use the word 'experiment,' I believe we will need to conduct a few tests. Thank you all, the meeting is over."
*****
"Oh, no. You can't possibly be serious! I won't do it," Scott protested, "In her condition, I'd probably kill her!"
"Dani is dying, Scott. She needs energy, and she's too weak to make her own. She needs a boost," Hank explained. "Your energy bursts are the most well controlled, you have to do it."
"Hank says it's the best way and I trust him. Just use the lowest setting," Logan said. "I promise I won't kill ya if it doesn't work."
Logan's wrath was the least of Scott's worries. Danielle looked terrible. There were sensors taped all over her head with wires running to a monitor. Her vital signs were very weak. Her skin looked purple, like she was starved for oxygen. Scott didn't like the idea of aiming that optic energy at a friend. He felt sick to his stomach when he remembered his fight with Jean at Alkali Lake. At least there, he was being controlled by Stryker. This time it was his choice, and he would have to live with the consequences of this decision. Dani was weak and defenseless. If they were wrong, he didn't even want to think about what this would do to her. He'd never be able to live with himself if he hurt her. But they said she was going to die without energy. Scott decided to take the chance.
"All right, I'll do it," he caved. "Everybody stand back." God help me, he thought.
Scott adjusted the dial on the side of his visor to the lowest setting and aimed for Dani's chest. He braced himself, and released a blast. The laser didn't hit with force, but seemed to just flow into her. He could almost feel the energy being pulled out of him. Scott was bewildered and he stopped. "What the�" He demanded.
"Hey, Scooter, don't quit now, its working!" Logan exclaimed. Dani's color was looking better, and her breathing was stronger. Logan had never felt so relieved.
"Turn it up, and let her have whatever she can absorb," Hank said. "Don't worry. You can see it won't hurt her."
Jean watched Scott hovering over Danielle. She could read his inner conflict and tried to reassure him. Its okay, Scott. Just fire until I tell you to stop. She told him as she watched the monitor. She felt his emotional turmoil as well. Scott had formed some sort of bond with Danielle. It wasn't a romantic attachment, at least not yet, but there was definitely something there. He was hesitating. It reminded her of that night at the Statue of Liberty. She had hesitated. Scott wanted to blast Magneto, but she told him to wait. That night she had been afraid for Logan. Scott was afraid for Danielle.
Scott touched the control that freed his optic energy. He was always so careful, never allowing himself to lose control of his gift. Accidents with his eyes were deadly. But the overwhelming force that had always frightened him was no threat to her. The crimson energy just poured into Dani, and her body started glowing red. Okay, that's enough, Jean's voice said. He released the switch and the beam of energy was once again safely contained behind his ruby quartz lenses.
Scott let out a long sigh of relief. He had such a knot in his throat, and he hoped he'd never have to do anything like that again. Dani had nearly died, but he was able to save her. He was never more proud of his gift than right now.
Dani's body convulsed and her eyes flew open. Her body was glowing red, but her eyes were glowing purple. Dani's face contorted in pain as she hugged herself and tucked into a fetal position. Logan ran to her but Xavier stopped him.
"No, Logan, don't touch her!" Xavier warned. "The energy could kill you."
She was in pain, and he couldn't even touch her. Logan was going crazy.
Dani's aura faded from bright red to a soft white as her body started to relax. She laid back and covered her face with her hands. "Logan?" she said.
"Right here darlin," he said as he sat next to her. "You gave us a scare."
"How do you feel?" Hank asked her as he timed her pulse.
"Like a train wreck. What happened to me?" she asked as her glow finally faded.
"A side effect of your mutation. The energy you use to transport, heal, and throw around doesn't come from inside you." Jean explained. "You draw it externally, convert it, and store it until needed. You over exerted yourself yesterday, and almost didn't recover."
"You don't just need the energy to use your powers, you need it to live. Your body is dependent on a minimum level of energy to maintain itself," Hank added. "You cannot allow yourself to exhaust your full energy supply."
"I don't understand. If I draw energy externally, shouldn't I be able to constantly recharge myself?" Dani asked. This was too bizarre.
"You need energy to make energy. Your body shut down without it. We had to give you a jumpstart, like a car battery," Hank clarified.
"How?" she asked. Did they stick her finger in a light socket? How do you 'jumpstart' a mutant?
Scott was uncomfortable. He didn't know what Danielle would think of being shot by a force that cuts through solid rock. Not to mention it was a friend that did it. He cringed and braced himself for a harsh reaction.
"Scott was kind enough to share a bit with you," Xavier said. "He saved your life."
Dani didn't know what to say. She looked at Scott, and could see he felt awkward. She had to at least put him at ease. She gave him a warm smile. "Thank you, Scott," she said.
"Any time," he said. He was just glad it worked.
Scott noticed the look Logan was giving him, and smiled. Only Scott and Xavier noticed Logan silently mouthing the words 'thank you.' His sincerity was genuine. Scott was surprised. They had really come a long way. After their initial introduction, Scott thought he and Logan would never be friends. He disliked Logan immediately, and could tell the feeling had been mutual. But after getting to know him, Scott could see that there was more to Logan than attitude. Logan was a poster boy for the phrase 'you can't judge a book by its cover.' Scott figured he could tolerate having Logan around.
"All right, Dani's going to live, but she needs to rest," Jean said.
"Do I have to stay here? Can I go back to my room?" Danielle asked.
"Only on one condition," Hank said sternly. "No powers."
"Hank is right. You need time to recover and build your strength up. No orbing," Xavier ordered. "Logan will take you back to your room."
Dani knew better than to argue. Her head was still killing her, and she just wanted to sleep. Logan carried her back to her room. He hadn't spoken a word to her since she woke up. She wondered what was on his mind. When he got her tucked back into bed, he finally broke the silence.
"Get some sleep. I'll check on you later," he said, then kissed her forehead.
Dani gave him a shaky smile, closed her eyes and was out cold.
*****
Sitting in Xavier's office felt decidedly uncomfortable. Scott didn't have trouble talking to the professor about anything, but this time he thought he might. Right after leaving the infirmary, Xavier asked to speak with him in private. But Scott did not want to talk about it.
"What is it with you and Danielle?" Xavier asked Scott.
"I don't understand what you mean? There's nothing, we're just friends," Scott said defensively. Where was he coming from here?
"You have feelings for her," Xavier informed him.
. Scott thought of Dani as a friend. She seemed to understand him right away. Most people didn't see past his quiet reserved image. Only Xavier and Jean had ever taken the time to look. But Dani was more sensitive than most people. She had looked through into his eyes and touched his heart. But Scott loved Jean. He wouldn't ruin what he had with her; they were just getting back on track.
"I like her, as a friend. She's the first person I've met since you and Jean who looked past the shades. I guess that got to me," Scott admitted. "But even if there were no Jean in my life, it wouldn't matter. Dani's in love with Logan."
"But are you in love with Dani?" Xavier prompted.
"No," Scott stated firmly. "I love Jean."
"That was a comfortable answer," Xavier said sarcastically.
"Why are you so worried about this?" Scott demanded.
"I'm only going to bring this up once, and then forget about it. Feelings can change, and Danielle is vulnerable," Xavier warned. "Friendship is great, but I don't want to see you and Logan fighting over a woman again."
Well, now, that was a painless conversation. What was he saying? Stay away from Logan's girl?
No, I'm not saying stay away from Logan's girl. I'm saying you better be sure. Otherwise, leave it alone.
Damn! Scott wasn't sure of anything anymore.
*****
Three teenage girls were working off their detention. 'Let the punishment fit the crime,' eh? Wash and wax EVERY car in the garage. One per day until they were all done. That would take forever! Jubilee was dead meat! This was all her fault. There go our social lives for at least two weeks.
"Watch where you spray that hose, Kitty!" Jubilee complained.
"You mean this hose?" Kitty asked as she aimed right at Jubilee and soaked her.
"You realize, of course, that this means war!" Jubilee informed her.
"Bring it on," Kitty challenged. Jubilee took the bucket of soapy water and let her have it. Both girls were completely soaked. Rogue was laughing uncontrollably. Jubilee and Kitty decided that she looked too dry. Kitty turned the hose on Rogue.
"Oh, you did not just go there," said Rogue. She wrestled the hose away from Kitty and sprayed them both. "Mess with the bull and you get the horns."
Logan was sitting on the patio drinking a beer and smoking a cigar. He was enjoying the sunshine, and trying to forget. He had been so close to getting his answers. Not only had the man died before answering any questions, Logan didn't get to kill him. Life was unfair. Dani nearly died this morning. She would probably sleep until tomorrow, giving him a lot of time to think. It was quiet out here except for the three joy riders that were washing his Jeep. They were having too much fun.
Someone came up behind him. "Hey, Logan," Jean said, "Is Danielle resting?"
"She went out like a light," He said, then pointed to the water logged girls. "Charles calls that punishment?" Logan asked.
"The water fight was optional. The punishment is washing and waxing every car in the garage. They will be at it for a while," Jean explained.
"They better put at least two coats of wax on my Jeep," Logan said sternly. "It better shine."
Jean just smiled. Logan was acting angry, but he was just glad to have them home safe.
*****
Kurt was a surprisingly good cook. When Storm said let's have a picnic, she hadn't expected him to make the food. She'd planned on a simple lunch with sandwiches and fruit. Kurt had made homemade bread and chicken salad. His sandwiches were fantastic. Kurt was spoiling her. She wasn't sure exactly where this was, but it was beautiful. They were on the banks of a lake hidden in a grove of willow trees. It was very intimate. Storm was in a modest one piece swimsuit and Kurt was wearing shorts and a white tank top. They were laying on a blanket, soaking up the sun. Storm could see his scars clearly, and they were fascinating to her. The designs were beautiful, and erotic. She leaned over and kissed the design on his shoulder. She opened her mouth and traced the design with her tongue. Kurt moaned, and his body shuddered with bliss.
"Mein Gott," Kurt exclaimed, "you are insatiable." He was going to take her in his arms, but she pushed him back. Ororo rolled over and straddled his hips. She pulled his shirt off and smiled down at him wickedly.
"You like me insatiable," she teased. "You're going to show me every scar, so I can kiss them all better."
So she wanted to play doctor. He could handle that.
