Lucky Me

Chapter 072


"Julie, so help me if you're faking this I'm going to strangle you and make it look like an accident!" The girl didn't flinch or even twitch a muscle.

I was more annoyed than scared.

Then I remembered I was going to probably have to face the Professor, Cyclops and Storm about this. Suddenly the fear soaked into my brain. My first instinct told me to call the airlines, book a one-way flight to the Bahamas, and never come back.

My second thought was that maybe I should call a funeral home for dead girl on the floor.

Not dead, I noted. She was still breathing after all.

Dang that meant I had to get a doctor. Not that I wanted her dead, I wasn't that sadistic (or cruel, or demented, you get the point). I felt a sick smirk come on my face; at least someone was having a worse day than me for a change.

Oh yeah, the doctor.

Dr. Hank! If he was a creature of habit, I knew he'd still be in his lab. Walking, not running (that would attract too much attention) down the halls. I felt relieved to see the great blue man hunched over a tiny microscope.

"Dr. Hank?" He turned and gave me a toothy smile.

"Miss Summers! To what do I owe this honor? Usually the only time I see you is when you're bleeding or in need of an explanation." He seemed to think about something, "or when someone else is bleeding and you need to give an explanation."

Ignoring that, I started to laugh nervously, "uh, looks like you've got some time on your hands." Suddenly calling the airlines was looking much better.

This got his curiosity as he tipped his head to the side, "I don't have any pressing matters currently."

"I have the perfect thing to perk up a slow night."

"Hank!" Oh crap. That was Sam. The shout sounded like it was coming from the general direction of the Danger Room.

I think there was a phone in this lab somewhere; I still could call for a plane ticket. . .

"If you'll pardon me for the briefest of moments." The furry doctor bounded by me. I really wanted to make a run for the front door, instead (being the idiot) I followed the doctor down the hall back to the Danger Room.

By the time I got there, Dr. Hank was already checking for a pulse before scooping Julie up in his arms.

When he caught sight of me he glowered, "is this the perk?"

There was no happiness in his voice (much like the time I threw my shoe at Bobby-Jerk and destroyed one of the science projects he had been working on).

I was so so dead.


"That was irresponsible! Julie could have really been hurt!" One day later and I was getting personally chewed from ear to toe by Scott. "What were you thinking? Were you thinking? You were put in charge to look after the welfare of your teammates not create their downfall!"

He went on seething and I felt my tears start to sting my eyes, "S-Scott-"

"Don't!" He snapped. "I don't want to hear your excuses, Blyt. You should have known better than trying some crackpot stunt like that. Did- you even stop to think if this was the most reasonable way to approach her?"

He glared down at me from where I stood, my feet nervously doing a half dance. My whole body was shaking from over emotion. I wanted the emotion sponge (Julie) there to soak up some of my surplus.

Professor only 'tsked' me because he knew what I was up to. He did say I went too far, but to say anymore would also hold him in contempt. Jean had tried to calm Scott down as he told me to meet him in one of the ready rooms. Trust me, the room didn't make you anywhere near ready.

This one-sided butchery lasted about ten minutes so far. Going from 'what were you thinking' to incoherent grunts of frustration.

It wasn't like Julie was permanently hurt. In fact there was nothing physically wrong with her, Dr. Hank could only theorize that her empathy must have caused her fainting spell. Julie was out and about again early the next morning in fact.

Finally, after not being able to take it anymore I screamed in my mind for Jean to come and rescue me. She came in a moment later, trying to tame the reign in the savage beast and allowing me have an opportunity to flee.

I slipped out and ran to my room. I heard Miss Ororo ask what was wrong and then I heard the same question come from a few other people. All I wanted was to get to my room before the tears started to be too noticeable.

Once in my room I slammed the door, leaned against, and then slowly slid down. I wrapped my arms around my knees and cried.


"What the hell did he do to you now?" Chris whispered, always so tactful.

"Who is he?" I croaked out (though still in a whisper, it sounded like the dying words from a frog), last night must have drained me more than I cared to admit.

Chris' face twisted into utter disgust, "If that idiot did anything I'll-"

"Do nothing." I finished, "It wasn't him. It was," I nodded my head in Scott's direction.

Following my general nod, Chris rolled his eyes. "Oh man, not him again."

I got defensive, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I'm sick of hearing you cry over that egotistical airbag."

My mouth opened, but what came out was not the retort I was thinking, "Y-you can hear me?"

He stiffened instantly.

"Uh, yeah. So what if I can?" Always on defense. There were several very nasty little comments floating around on my tongue. Instead I just gave him a smile that was a nice smile (at least I thought so; I knew this girl when she smiled it made you ask yourself if you remembered to write out a will).

"Thanks."

He seemed to be thrust into an uncertain zone as he found the person across the table interesting, "For what?"

"Not making a fuss, not embarrassing me." I let my smile stay on my lips for a mere second more, "'cause if you ever told anyone, I'd kill you."

"Yeah, right." Chris rolled his eyes and gave me another odd expression before pulling his attention to Stacey, who had started to rant about teenage hormones again.

Wonder what her problem was?


Doomsday had finally arrived.

The day when Scott and Storm had reached a decision about the Julie situation, not the yelling at the Prof in front of everyone situation.

Oh, and Daisy still had to wear her tin collar and stayed mostly in her room or the sub basement. Julie made a full recovery and been acting stranger ever since. The girl who used to plow through everyone in the hall way was suddenly saying 'sorry' and 'excuse me' for barely brushing clothing.

The girl was odd and because she just had to go and pass out, I was in trouble.

Once again I found myself in the so-called 'Ready Room' facing the demon side of my 'parent'. Arms crossed, jaw set, and muscles tensed. Oh goody, I was going to walk out of here limping (or in a body bag-correction, bags. There was no way they were going to leave me in one piece.)

Miss Ororo started to calmly explain the reasons why I was there and what it was I should learn from the 'punishment' they were going to put on me.

"You realize, Blyt, that when you have to manually remove a teammate from an exercise you have to face the consequences to your actions. We have discussed this and, in the past, have been put in similar situations as you find yourself in now."

I kept my eyes forward, shoulders squared and waited for my death sentence (anyone else getting the feeling I shouldn't be allowed to breathe without asking permission first?).

"We are going to allow you to-defend yourself on this matter if you so chose." Huh? They were going to let me talk freely? Without worrying about having my head gnawed on by the angry Scott beast? I think someone slipped them something!

I was afraid to start fidgeting for any reason. I had to look like an adult at that moment and showing nervous habits was considered childish. Realizing, also, that if I stood my ground, the nuclear holocaust of Scott's temper probably wouldn't be as harsh (at least it wouldn't show its effects on the outside of me).

"I'm-not going to apologize for my intentions," I spoke slowly and in a controlled voice. I was afraid if Scott said two bad words to me together I was going to break down and cry (again). "Perhaps I could have done it differently, but there is nothing wrong with my intentions."

"And what were your intentions?"

"My intentions are," I clarified, to let them know I was still going to pursue this, "to get information from Julie regarding her past."

"And simply asking her, did you think of that?" I snorted and Storm's face thawed a bit.

"You've talked to her; she's not exactly the friendliest person in the world."

"That still does not give you the right to treat her the way you did." Cyclops kept a hold on his stubborn, biased view of the situation.

Irritated, "I never laid a finger on her." I sighed and muttered under my breath, "and yet if it was you who did this there wouldn't be a problem."

"What?" That word had to be created in the darkest, coldest part of Antarctica. Why did this man have the best hearing? I thought Mr. Logan was the only one around that had that 'can hear a fly sneeze and ruin a beer in a down town Manhattan bar on a Friday night in the middle of happy hour' hearing.

I was smart and choose not to reply.

"Why did you feel it necessary to even interrogate her?" Storm asked.

My shoulders sagged a fraction. "B-Because I saw what happened with Daisy when we-I didn't dig deeper though I knew something was going on." I cast my eyes downward, "I don't want to have to put my team through that again."

A few moments of silence passed and it finally got to me. Glancing up I saw them turned toward one another and caught in a passionate embrace (ha-ha, made you scared!). No, when I looked up they were turned toward each other quietly talking. Couldn't they kick me out of the room like they normally did? Why did they have to talk about me when I was right there?

Not that I could hear anything, mind you.

For all I knew they could be talking about what was on television tonight, but after another few minutes they faced me again.

"Blyt," Storm started, "you realize what you did was inappropriate, correct?"

"Only in method." And only in theory.

"Good, then you shall not be punished for your actions. Next time, take more caution when trying to—draw out information from a fellow team member." There was something in her smile, which lead me to believe she'd 'played' with her teammates in similar manners before (and yet probably never got punished. Would you really want to tick someone off who can fry your feathers by simply willing it?)

There was no controlling my face as shock and surprise hit me squarely in the chest. Another time I did something stupid and wasn't going to get into trouble about it? Wow! Well, the Professor said he'd wait until I found my 'block' about accepting my mutant ability, but that was all details.

Miss Ororo gave me a small smile and a soft pat on the shoulder as she left the room. I was still in too much shock to budge. Scott was just standing there, and then, then he gave a miniscule sigh and followed Storm out.

Di-Did they just not get upset? Did this just happen? Someone give me a frying pan to make sure I was not making this up!


Once again, we were in the Danger Room. And like always, we were put in the most ridiculous of scenarios to 'be prepared for anything'. My eyebrows ticked in irritation, apparently Jean or the Prof. got into my mind at some point during the batter and bruise Kookie fiasco Scott put me through a few days ago.

We were staring at the cast of Jersey Shore look-a-likes who were actually nose eating slugs.

I kept my distance from Julie (though I wouldn't have minded deforming her appearance by letting a slug have her nose). Chris was frying, Adrian was slicing, and I was circling.

Occasionally I would get brave enough to attack one of the slug things, but after I got part of their face caught on my new claws—er, talons I decided to stick to circling and delegating.

At the end of the session, Scott was waiting outside in the hall. I thought he was going to start fussing about something, but instead he turned to Adrian and Julie (the girl accused Adrian of slashing one of the slugs next to her and therefore getting her gooey).

"Good job you two, keep up the excellent work."

I was in front of them, but when I heard that I spun around so quickly Chris got a face full of feathers. My mouth hung open as Adrian smiled and said 'thanks' (Julie grunted) and then Scott disappeared into the Danger Room.

Argh!

They didn't do anything and they were getting compliments? I was busting my feathery black behind and he only criticized me! I felt so angry that it got Julie's attention.

She smirked, "Somebody's jealous."

I ground my teeth together and stormed to my room.

Life stunk!


Friday and I was jabbing another heaping spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. If Scott came in and said a word about my snack, I was likely to 'practice' with on him with my talons.

I was still miffed (putting it feather lightly) about the whole compliment thing, which Scott had given to the other two. Argh! I was the one working myself to insanity, sure they might have been too, but did they have to hear nonstop about the horrible job they were doing?

No.

Sitting in the rec. room watching some lame music video about guys and girls or something like that, I huffed. Chris was in the video/DVD nook digging for a movie that had been on his mind all day. Something about an angel, a doctor, and music in the sun. I really didn't care at that precise moment.

"Oh no, she's broken into the ice cream." I shot a glare in Jack's (though he wasn't wearing the image inducer) general direction as he came into the rec. room.

"You better watch it."

"Yikes, someone really did ruffle your feathers." Glare. "Okay, okay, so what's wrong now?"

Now? Was he implying that I normally had things 'wrong' with me? Did I change so fast that he couldn't keep up?

I shook my head; it wasn't his fault (for once).

"Just—things."

"Ah, well, then maybe I can get your mind off of 'things' next Saturday, if you want." He tried to say it in a way that screamed deeper meaning but I knew he was just 'shy' (ha-ha) about asking.

"Sure why not, I'm guessing you're going to be using your image inducer, right?"

"You bet! Well, I'll leave you to—" he tipped his head to the side watching the television, "—this. Bye."

My rapid Cookies n' Cream hog feast started to slow (my stomach was turning green from trying to hold in two mini-cartons of ice-cream, a bag of Oreos, four cans of Mountain Dew and two Reese's peanut butter cups. How'd I get all this? Let's just say I basically had to sign away my first born to Paige.) This would be the third time 'Jack' and I would go on yet another friend date.

It was weird, but it was nice to be a normal teenager for a few hours every week. I smiled.

Life still stunk, but there was some air freshener getting sprayed to cover up the smell.


"I have to go back where?"

Professor tapped the end of his designer pen on the edge of his expensive desk, "to Dr. Frese's."

Yeah okay, so I did hear right. I just was in complete disbelief. Chewing over in my mind how long it would take for Adam to whip up another disgusting character on an image inducer, the Professor spoke up again.

"Not for your sake," although I was sure he'd love it to have been. "But for Daisy's. She originally requested Julie, but due to her—unstable condition I am hesitant with the prospect of-" Having an emotion controlling girl get her knickers in a twist? "A situation arising."

"So-I have to go to this session for moral support?"

"For strength."

Give her Jack Daniels, that'd give her strength (and a hangover or so I was told).


I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest.

If I had felt a slight discomfort coming back to the psychiatrist's office, Dr. Frese looked like she just stuffed her bra with hot coals and then sat on a rather large, pointed object. I wasn't even wearing a fake image and I still freaked her out!

Oh, the power! The power!

"You're Daisy, correct?"

The normally perky girl next to me on the couch squished her face up in distaste.

"I prefer, Daisy-Mae."

"All right, Daisy-Mae then." Dr. Frese looked over at me nervously, gave a quick smile and promptly examined her papers. Daisy was supposed to be here for two freakin' hours.

I would personally rather pluck off every hair on my head and feather on my wings than sit here and try not to fall asleep. D-M was talking rapidly about all sorts of things (I think, I wasn't really paying that close of attention). Dr. Frese got into the habit of the 'smile and nod' method of listening (meaning she wasn't really listening either).

The one thing that did catch my attention was what the 'good' doctor had to say about the next session.

Two little words stuck out in this whole conversation they held. My mind refused to move on (and for once my mouth refused to move) and Miss Rogue drove us both back to the mansion before it really registered.

When it did sink in, I got peeved.

I got angry.

In other words, I stood in the middle of the male wing and started to make an idiot out of myself as I screamed out, "What the freak does she mean group therapy!"