The Power of Hope
Chapter Four
By: Lily Handle
Author's Note: Well, sad to say I still have writer's block, actually it's more like writer's jam. I can write certain scenes for this story, such as the ending or certain scenes for this chapter, but making it a congruent whole is driving me nuts. Anywho, please read and review.
-----
Thea Chandler was equal parts grateful for Mr. Logan and suspicious of him. She knew there was something going on between him and Hope, there was no way she couldn't noticed. It was easier to tell with Hope though, who couldn't hide her emotions worth a damn, especially from her sister. Then there was that moment in the Canadian hospital where Thea had seen Logan simply standing by Hope's bedside, holding her hand. It had been startling to see such gentleness in a man she considered only half tamed. Now though, with Hope in so much trouble, she had to make sure whatever was going on between the two of them wouldn't hurt Hope in any way. It was going to take some carefully prying, only first she was going to make sure Hope was okay this morning. She had been forced to get a room in a near by motel when the night staff had chased her out of the hospital. She hadn't slept well, she had been too worried to get anything but a few hours. As soon as the sun had risen she was off for the hospital again where she had come upon another interesting sight. Logan once again looking gentle was standing at the window, looking in at Hope, which was why Thea was thinking devious thoughts of matchmaking and sisterly harassment.
"Good morning Mr. Logan," Thea said, watching the man close himself off again.
"Mornin', your sister is awake." He stepped to the side to giver her room to look in. Instantly she had her face pressed to the glass, waving when Hope caught her eye.
"I'll be in, in a minute," She yelled through the glass, then without a second thought to Logan, dove for the door, pushed through the weary looking guards and rushed to hug her sister, "How are you feeling? Are you hungry? Do you need to use the bathroom? Should I get one of the nurses?" Thea babbled as relief rushed through her.
"Thea," Hope tried to jump in, but when Thea got going, she kept going.
"I know you've been tied down all this time, but me and Papa, we were here earlier, but Papa had to get Mama from the airport. You remember she was in Paris, for the Dêfou's wedding? Well she's on her way back..."
"Thea..."
"But he'll be back soon, and then he can tell you all about a meeting he had with Colonel Fury, and Mr. Xavier and..."
"Thea!" Hope shouted, finally cutting her off, "I'm sure Papa will fill me in when he gets back, but please, can you see about getting these restraints undone?"
"Sure, sure," Thea nodded rapidly, then hugged Hope again, "I'm sorry, you know how I get when I'm nervous."
Hope leaned her head against Thea's shoulder, "I know."
"I'll try and hurry. Be right back," She patted Hope's hand before hurrying off, heading for the nurses station at the end of the hall. "Excuse me," She said to a blonde haired nurse, "Can someone undo the restraints on my sister? Hope Chandler?"
The nurse didn't even glance up at her, "Only the patient's doctor can place an order for restraints to be removed. Morning rounds are in two hours."
Thea pursed her lips, "Are you sure you can't make an exception? She's been tied down since yesterday."
"No exceptions."
"Please?" Now the nurse glanced up, a look of stead fast no on her face, "All right then, thank you." She walked back to her sisters room, an other option popping into her head.
"Sorry sis," She said, leaning down as if she was going to kiss Hope's cheek, "I'm going to untie these myself, just hang tight."
"Thea, no, if you get caught," Hope warned, trying to pull her wrist away.
"Pshaw, I never get caught."
-----
Logan mentally groaned when he caught Hope's sister untying the restraints. Best he could guess was the guards wouldn't notice, but the morning nurse would, she was watching Thea with a frown. He walked to the window and tapped on the glass. Both women froze for a second, then he heard Hope give a laughing groan. In a few seconds Thea was out in the hall, standing next to him. He grabbed her arm and pulled her a little farther away from the guards.
"What?" She snapped, jerking her arm from his hold.
"At least close the blinds."
"What?"
Logan resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "The blinds on the window here, close them so you have more time," He ignored her suspicious glare, "You're welcome." She opened her mouth to speak, but his cell phone going off interrupted her.
"Logan," He answered, stepping away from Thea.
"I'm at the Hoover building with North, let's talk," Fury said.
"I stopped taking orders from you a long time ago, Fury."
"Yeah, but you're still showing up."
"Give me ten," He growled, then hung up and turned back to Thea, who had been listening, "I've got a meeting, I'll catch up with her again, as soon as possible."
"But..." Thea sighed, "All right then." Logan started for the door, "Have a good time, don't worry about her, she doesn't give a rat's ass if you're there or not." Was the last thing he heard from Thea and the rattle of the blinds.
Fury met him at the door, making it easier to get through the metal detectors and all the levels of security, "He got it pretty early this morning," Fury said while they walked down towards the private cafeteria of the building, "I've briefed him on the basics, but thought you'd want to add a final note to the conversation."
"When is he going to start?" Logan asked, scanning the area as soon as they stepped into the sedate atmosphere of the cafeteria. The man in question was sitting near a corner window, looking out at the city. Hadn't changed, Logan thought, studying the man.
"Going with me to the hospital once we're done here." The approached the table, the man noticed long before they made it, and smiled when he saw Logan.
"Good to see you don't change, comrade," Maverick said while Logan took a seat at the table.
"Thinking the same thing about you," Logan answered, "I generally don't. How were things in Berlin?"
"So-so, I thought a trip state side would clear my head, and guard detail seemed like a perfect reason to stop by." Maverick held out a hand, and Logan took it in a tight grip. The closet thing Logan had ever had to a brother, David North, a.k.a. Maverick had seen him through some tough spots. They'd gone on suicide missions together as part of the CIA's Weapon X project, along with Creed. While the project had been disbanded, Maverick had chosen to stay in the military, working with the U.S. and Germany. Logan hadn't seen him in years, but he was always aware of his movements, just as he was sure Maverick knew of his. He was the only person Logan would trust watching out for Hope.
"It won't be an easy detail, solider," Fury said, "You'll be watching out for anti-mutant advocates with a revenge motive, but I want you plain clothes, you're our secrete weapon."
"Yes sir."
"Right now some of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s best lawyers are before a judge, working on taking jurisdiction from the MPD. If we get it, you're going back to Berlin. If we don't, Logan and I will be doing some digging, but I want your ears open for anything you might hear coming out of the C.I.A."
"I'm going back to Bayville for a bit," Logan jumped in, "I started some searches last night, but I'll pass what I have on to Kitty, who'll use that to start hacking. I'm going to do some footwork." He'd start by talking with Stryker.
"If bail is granted, Murdock plans on taking Dr. Chandler to New York where they'll start working on the defense. If she'd incarcerated, I'll put in partial isolation. Mutants in the prison are unable to use their powers, she'll be in real danger in the general population," Fury continued, "I want you to follow her to Vegas, solider, someone will follow her and try for her even if she is in prison."
"Yes sir," Maverick looked between Logan and Fury, "There are a lot of "ifs" in this situation. I can see why you would like me involved."
"When any of us gets anything important we'll meet at the Institute," Fury glanced at Logan out of the corner of his eye, "Military technology seems to malfunction there." Logan tip one corner of his mouth up in a smile, "You see Dr. Chandler this morning?"
"Yeah, awake and alert." Being harassed by family, but awake, he thought.
"So, tell me about her," Maverick leaned forward, putting on elbow on the table and his chin in his hand, "I want all the latest gossip."
Logan shot him a glare, "Think you're funny, huh Ricko?"
"Boys, wait until after we've figure this out to kick the crap out of each other. Solider, let's go." Fury rose from the table, "Don't do anything stupid."
-----
Hope sat with her legs cross on the hospital bed, a paper spread out over her lap. So far, her case had made the front page of the New York Times, Washington Post, L.A. Times and the Chicago Tribune. Thea hadn't been able to get any other newspapers, but Hope would bet she was on the front page of those too.
"Well, at least my stocks are doing well," Hope muttered, tossing the paper away from her. "I'm sorry for the bad publicity, Papa."
"Don't you worry about it," He father scolded. He had arrived with her mother a few hours ago, and after a very lengthy explanation of what Hope had missed while she was out, they'd settled around the room to wait. Hope was very bad at waiting.
"And anyway, there's no such thing as bad publicity," Thea reminded her, and Hope rolled her eyes.
"Thea, don't say such things," Her mother scolded, in the same tone as her father.
"Mama, I'm just..." Thea trailed off her eyes narrowing on the door. Hope turned to see what had gotten that murderous glint in her sister's eyes, "Well, look who's here." Fury stood talking with the guards outside the door, behind him a towering muscle bound man dressed in a sweater and jeans.
"Now, Thea, be nice," Her father warned, "Colonel Fury's doin' what he can to make up for everythin'."
"I'll be nice, you'll see," Thea muttered and Hope shot her a glare.
"You're no better than Michael at times," She whispered to her sister.
"Just you wait, he'll have heard about this by now, and he's gonna come chargin' in to rescue you," Her sister shot back, "Then we'll see who's better."
"Girls, this ain't the time to be fightin' with each other," Their mother cut in, but Hope was grateful she could still have family fights. At least part of her life was still normal and familiar.
"Dr. Chandler," Fury said when he stepped into the room.
"Good morning, Mr. Fury," Hope said smiling, "Sorry for causing you so much trouble."
"Trouble's what I live for, Doctor," He said with a shrug, "Now, I'd like to introduce Lieutenant Colonel David North. He's been assigned to stand guard over you for the duration of the trail."
"Pleased to meet you, sir," Hope turned, her legs dangling over the edge of the bed, and offered her hand to the large muscled man, "Call me Hope or Doc."
"Maverick." He took her hand and instead of shaking it like Hope expected he leaned down and kissed it. "Don't worry ma'am, I'll take care of you."
Hope found herself blushing, and heard Thea snort, "Well, thank you, Maverick."
"I'll be right outside the door if you need me," He saluted Fury before walking back out and standing out like a sore thumb outside her door.
Fury glanced at his watch, "Right about now the lawyers should be getting out of court, I'll go see if we got jurisdiction. You just hang tight Doctor."
"Thank you, again, Colonel," Hope called after him.
"I wonder what this Maverick's credentials are," Her father said, watching the man through the window.
"If Fury hand picked him, I think they must be pretty extensive, and very good," Hope reassured him. She knew her family's faith in Fury was wavering from this, but she still trusted him. He'd come through for the X-men, he would come through for her. The students, Hope realized with a start. How were they going to handle this? Would they be the MPD's next targets? Where they so determined to police all mutants that they would go after kids? She mentally sighed, there wasn't a limit to these people's methods, so yes they would. She picked up the paper she had discarded, maybe Garfield would take her mind off her troubles.
------
Kitty closed her locker with a sigh, she wished she knew what was going on in Washington. Like the other students at the Institute they had been shocked to hear that the new Mutant Policing Division had arrested and charged with murder. Kitty couldn't believe anyone could think Dr. Hope had murdered anyone she was just too nice. The students had tried to convince the Professor to let them go to Washington to show support for Dr. Hope, but they'd lost and been sent to school. How was she suppose to focus on English when everything that was going on? She spent an hour every night filling out her registration packets, which sometimes asked some really stupid questions. Did it really matter if she had a family history of psychiatric problems? Yeesh. Kitty slipped into her English class room, head down, knowing many of the students still whispered about her and her abilities. Man, sometimes she wished the Sentinel disaster had never taken place.
"Students, please open your books to page 285, we'll continue to read Othello," The teacher said after the bell had rung. Kitty opened her English text book, only reading bits and pieces of the text while spinning a pencil between her fingers. She had other things on her mind, outside of Washington and the registration. Right now the Institute's computers were humming and searching through file after file looking for key words. Once it found a key word it would pull that file for Mr. Logan and her to look through later, when they had the time. She wanted to get her hands on the keyboard and start the hard stuff though. Hacking into the CIA files, MPD files and the buried Trask files for clues. Mr. Logan hadn't told her when he'd need her to start hacking, because they had to go through the files accessible to the public first, but she was itching to start. She was half way through the first scene of the first act when a knock came at the door. Principal Kelly walked in, casting a scowl over the room, lingering on her.
"Mrs. Riddedic, I need to see Miss. Pryde in my office. She'll need to bring her things with her," He said, in a slight growl. Kitty swallowed nervously while she packed her things with her. She knew the Principal didn't like her or the other students from the Institute, and she didn't like the idea that she was being called into his office. She followed him silently down the halls to his office, twirling one stand of hair nervously while trying to think of any rules she might have broken. Nothing jumped to her mind. When she stepped inside his office she was surprised to see Mr. Logan waiting inside, standing stiffly in front of the desk.
"Mr. Logan here says you have a family visit scheduled for this week," Principal Kelly said, walking around to his desk.
"Uh," Kitty said, glancing at Mr. Logan. His face was unreadable as usual, but he relaxed for a second, cluing her in. "Yeah."
"You didn't think to inform the school in any way? To get any of the homework you'll be missing from your teachers?"
"Miss. Grey is going to take care of it," Mr. Logan said, "She volunteered."
Principal Kelly glanced at Mr. Logan, it was the first time she had seen him seem slightly afraid of a mutant, "This would be Jean Grey?"
"Yeah." Kitty watched a silent battle occur between the two men, she knew Mr. Logan would trump the Principal.
"Well then, I can't see any reason to keep you here," Principal Kelly glared, "See you in a week, Miss. Pryde." Kitty thanked him, and followed Mr. Logan out of the office. He didn't say anything until they were in the X-van.
"The Doc's going up for bail today," He said, "I want to give that hot shot lawyers of hers as much leverage as I can. You, me and the Professor are the only ones in the Institute who know about the computer searches. So, you, me and the Professor are going to start compiling what we've got to get the Doc out."
"Okay," Kitty said brightly, "So, why'd you pull me out of school?"
"Need you at the Institute, Kitty-cat, simple as that."
"Yeah, okay." She wondered why the whole week though, seemed, like a long time. Maybe she was finally going to get into the serious hacking now.
------
"Docket number 275, the people versus Dr. Hope Chandler, charge is murder in the first degree and violation of the Mutant Restriction Act." Hope stood handcuffed behind a table, Mr. Murdock stood next to her, reading her case file in brail. Oh god, Hope thought again, glancing over her shoulder. Her family was sitting in the front row, glaring at the judge like if she dared deny Hope bail they'd have her gavel. Charles had shown up as well, along with Hank, they were sitting right behind her family. All of them helped settle her but the massive crowd of media was making her nervous. Maverick was imposing, standing right behind her like a shield. He was blocking most of the cameras, but most of them had swarmed her outside the courthouse. When she'd been led in, they started firing questions, almost knocking her over in their efforts to get a statement. She'd almost lost her temper and said something around the lines of piss off, but had controlled herself and kept her mouth shut. Maverick had swept an arm through them, parting them like the Red Sea for her. Now, she was being studied by a white haired woman in her late sixties in a judge's robe.
"How's the defendant plead?" The judge asked, looking over at Mr. Murdock.
"My client enters a plea of not guilty," Mr. Murdock said, looking up from the file.
"Don't they all?" The judge swung her eagle eyes around to the prosecution, "And what about bail Mr. McKenna?"
"We'd like no bail, your honor. The defendant has the means to flee and currently lives in a school for training mutants. We believe she's a flight risk as well as a danger to the people."
"Mr. Murdock for the defense, your honor. My client is prepared to turn over her driver's license as well as her passport. As to being a danger, my client has no past criminal record, this is the first time she has been brought before the court."
"I see no reason to deny bail, Mr. McKenna," The judge said, dryly.
"Then the people ask she wears a tracking bracelet along with turning over her passport, as well as having her bank accounts frozen."
"Any objections, Mr. Murdock?"
"That's fine with the defense your honor."
"What's the magic number, Mr. McKenna?"
"The people ask bail be set in the amount of two million."
"So ordered. Bail is set at two million dollars, defendant will turn over her passport, wear a locator, and her bank accounts will be frozen." The judge banged the gavel once, and the bailiff came towards Hope.
"How do I post bail?" Hope asked Murdock quickly, before she could be dragged off.
"Don't worry, Dr. Chandler, I'll take care of it."
-------
Author's Note: Well, you'll have to wait for the next chapter to see if Logan does anything stupid. And of course more fun with Maverick, because he's just such a loveable guy. Please read and review.