Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men, darn it!

V.V.V.V.V.V.V.V

Etienne slouched against the wall, wiping the sweat off his face with the back of his hand. He had been finally cleared by Hank for light physical exercise. If this was Wolverine going lightly, he'd hate to know what it felt like when he was going all out. He felt so abused he just wanted to make his way to the jacuzzi and fall down in it, but he had to stay. He watched the newest of the students at the Institute as she took her place in front of Wolverine on the sparring mat

When Brooke had first arrived, the Professor had been unusually quiet and told few X-Men of her background. Etienne was one of the few she had told about being accosted outside of a nightclub in her hometown. In order to get her away from the local police and their suspicions of a mutant, her parents had quickly contacted a friend who knew Dr. McCoy and of the Professor. She ended up in New York a few days later. No one was quite sure of her mutant ability. Tests done before she came to the Institute had proven she had an active X gene. The Professor thought that the attack had caused trauma that kept her unconscious mind from allowing her mutant abilities to manifest again.

Since the night Etienne had told her about the weird bond his empathy had forged with her, they had been inseparable. She really had a wicked sense of humor, but it showed so rarely and everyone else probably thought she didn't have one. They really enjoyed each other's company since they had so many likes in common. In fact, he was thinking of their date that night. He had talked Remy into going into town and picking up Independence Day, her favorite movie, from the video store for him. His attention was drawn back to earth when he heard Wolverine begin to give instructions.

::Are you sure about this Chuck?:: Logan didn't mind teaching anyone self defense, but he could smell exactly how nervous the girl in front of him was.

:It's been two months and her situation has not had any noticeable improvement. Hopefully these sessions with you will lead to some kind of a break through.: The Professor was watching the Danger room from the control area above.

Wolverine sighed and began explaining exactly what he was going to do. They started slowly; working on blocks and basic kicks that Brooke was already familiar with from her previous training. When she loosened up and became more comfortable, he began showing her some combinations. After about 15 minutes of that, he stopped and began reviewing throws with her.

"Now you have already covered throws while working with Storm right?" Wolverine waited for her to nod even though he already knew the answer to the question. "Good. Do you remember the throw I was working on with Patch over there?" He watched her look over at Etienne before nodding again. "Okay, I want you to try the same thing." She nodded and changed her footing into a ready stance. Wolverine took a deep breath and wondered if this was really the best thing to be doing. Then without warning, he closed in, going for the grab that would allow Brooke to use the throw she has already seen used previously

Etienne watched Wolverine lead Brooke through the basics and then into combinations. When they stopped the sparring and she looked over at him, he figured they were about to try the throw that he and Wolverine had been practicing. He watched the two combatants ready their positions, and then when Wolverine grabbed Brooke, all hell broke loose. The wave of anger and fear from Brooke had Etienne grasping desperately for his head, trying to block it out of his mind, every nerve on fire. He reinforced his mental shields and looked up groggily just in time to see Wolverine being thrown halfway across the Danger Room.

::Well we know what her mutation is now.:: The Professor caught the stray thought from Etienne as he tried to make contact with Brooke's mind. It had been shocking to see her morph so quickly and then stick a set of very large talons into Logan's chest before kicking him backwards across the room. ::Etienne, I can't make contact with Brooke while she's so upset. Can you try to calm her down before she goes after Logan again? Logan, don't move, you may trigger her to attack you.::

Etienne nodded and studied the 12 foot creature that Brooke had become. He had to admit she was the most beautiful dragon he had ever seen. Her body scales were a dark blue, almost black that faded to a light blue-purple shade on her belly and under the wings. Strips of clothing hung around her body where the transformation had busted seams. The dragon growled, flaring its wings and taking a few steps towards the wall where Wolverine was laying.

Etienne walked towards her slowly, still feeling woozy from the emotional barrage earlier. He began projecting calm and confidence at the center of the maelstrom that was her mind, quietly moving behind her. Without any warning, she turned and bared some of the biggest teeth he had ever seen, hissing. He stopped immediately in place, turning his head so that he was studying the creature from the corner of his eye. He faintly remembered reading where many animals considered a direct stare as a challenge. :Merde, hope dis don't get me killed.:

The dragon moved towards him, head lowered, rumbling deep in her chest. He held his breath as it came within striking distance, working to keep projecting a sense of calm that he did not feel at this point. He felt moist breath on his face as it bent closer, sniffing his scent. They stood that way for a moment, frozen, along with everyone watching. Without understanding exactly what he was doing, he reached up gently and grabbed the large head as it hung beside his own, pulling it down until the he could stare into the blue eyes. He felt her then, emotions swirling in the back of his head as the bodily contact negated his mental shields against her. In another moment, he had his hands full as she lost the shape and returned to human. Sitting on the floor, he gathered her into his lap, rocking slowly as she cried into his chest.

::Bobby, you and Ray get Logan and take him to the infirmary. Try to avoid Brooke and Etienne as much as you can. Etienne, when she calms down bring her to my office please. Everyone else is dismissed.:: Professor Xavier looked down at the floor of the Danger Room where two of his younger students were helping a very groggy Wolverine to his feet.

"What the hell happened?" Wolverine rubbed his head where it had come into contact with the wall.

::Brooke's mutant power seems to be the ability to morph. When you grabbed her, it must have triggered memories of the night she was attacked and she shifted to defend herself.:: The Professor answered the question while waiting for them in the hallway.

::So I guess we just got your breakthrough?::

::Yes.::

::Good, 'cause I think I broke my arm when I hit the floor if you hadn't.::