ViciousAssassin: I'm glad that you really liked that first scene in the garden and true her garden might one of the few calming places around. You'd be amazed how many people thought that was morning sickness. Yep a little foreshadowing with Logan and Ororo there lol. Yep no one wants to hear that kind of stuff about their relatives especially siblings lol.
Kaliann: Yeah I think after a few months X23 would learn to open up more and they would make a nice family all three of them. As for poker night…these things just come to me I guess.
Mark C: Thanks we figured Logan/Ororo should talk about X23 and how she'll fit in to their relationship. Her revenge against the New Mutants is up at the end. Well Scott is a leader so its about time he started acting it, but as for being friends…that could take years.
Doza: Yeah X23 will get the family she deserves. Well I don't do miracles mainly in my fics so no miraculous unexplainable pregnancies if that's what you're thinking I prefer to have reasons for mainly a lot of stuff. Yeah but I don't want to drag this out too much with the poker night and stuff but I'll try and fit a bit more in.
Jenskott: Maybe a little unintentional match maker lol. Yeah I know you'd want more Jean/Scott focus well how about in the next chapter?
The Uncanny R-Man: Yeah I think her garden would be a very nice and calming place too. You'll see them together as a family by the end of this. Careful with the reviews don't want to give too much away to the others. I actually forgot that bit in your FF story.
GothikStrawberry: Yep I think that was a great X23 moment there. Flesh eating virus, that's one of the signs? Huh and why is it everyone thinks it's morning sickness? Man I wrote all that 'she can't have kids' thing enough times so people wouldn't think that, oh well.
Silver Warrior: I'M glad you liked that Slickboy wrote that scene and the one with X23. Yeah a green Kurt would look a lot like Best Boy lol.
KSimonT-X: Yep this is a major fic with major issues in it. Although I hope the balance between action/angst/drama and stuff is going well. Yeah green isn't her color isn't it? Trust me Mystique gets hers in the end of this chapter.
Seam Mallory: Yes I got that the first time, you just didn't get my response. If you want you can always give your ideas but I doubt we'll use it since by this point all the major things have been planned.
Thanks to: X00001, Coldqueen, Joker
AN: For everyone that keeps asking there will be an Epilogue at the end of this that thanks place 19 years later and Ororo/Logan will be married by then, but the actual wedding won't take place in this. Also Mystique will get her revenge in this chapter.
Hellfire and Brimstone
CHAPTER 62: FRIENDSHIPS
Jack/Logan
It was late at night at the Xavier Institute after yet another day of madness. The New Mutants were continuing to torment Mystique with an endless array of welcoming pranks, the latest of which involved hair dye that had turned her hair pink and some how she couldn't use her powers to change it that caused her to let out a war cry that echoed throughout the whole mansion. And for Logan, who had sensitive hearing, it was something he most certainly didn't need.
After having heard the enraged yells of the raging shape shifter, he chose to sequester himself in the den where he reacquainted himself with his old friend, Jack Daniels. With the complications caused by the Hellfire Club, his memories of Deathstrike, Mr. Sinister, Mystique's recruitment, and his blossoming relationship with Ororo, it left the old Weapon X warrior little time to just sit back and relax. And ever since Laura came into his life, he had been given plenty to think about and reflect upon.
Of all the changes he had endured in his long illustrious life…Of all the tribulations from World War II to Weapons X…None was more dramatic to him than becoming a father. He remembered the feeling he got when he signed that birth certificate, officially making him Laura's father. It was strange…Yet surreal in a way. It was as if something that had always been missing inside him was all of the sudden found after so many years of desolation. Now…Whenever he looked at Laura he felt a sense of peace inside of him…A peace that years of struggle could never match.
And of course, there was also Ororo's growing role in both his and Laura's life. Ever since they began their relationship, they had been trying to make up for lost time. And whether it was catching up on all the dates they could have enjoyed or the sex they could have had, it was a hell of a journey. But now…It was becoming more profound now that Laura was a part of his life. Now…They were actually talking about having Ororo legally become Laura's mother.
Laura had already made it clear to the both of them that she wanted Ororo to be her mother and nobody else. And after all the help she had given her, Logan honestly couldn't blame her. But there were still obstacles to overcome in order to do this. Unlike him, Ororo wasn't related to her by blood in any way and since they weren't married, there would be a few legal obstacles to overcome.
Nevertheless…For Laura, such obstacles were worth it in the end. That girl had been deprived of everything in life…And damn it, he was going to give her what she deserved…He was going to give her a family. And who knows…Maybe the possibility of him and Ororo being married wasn't so far out.
Taking yet another gulp of his beverage, Logan let out a deep sigh as he let the alcohol relax his being. There was still activity with the latest prank on Mystique and the older boys taking part in a little poker game they had organized, but for the most part Logan was content with simply drinking the rest of the night away. But for once…He wouldn't have to drink it away on his own.
"Hey…I was wondering who stashed all the liquor around here," said Jack as he entered the den, capturing Logan's attention as he looked up from his bottle.
"What? Don't tell me you're surprised bub…" said Logan, sounding rather indifferent to the mutant warrior since he didn't know him very well and tended to be a recluse.
"Who said I was?" answered Jack as he simply made his way over to the couch and sat down besides the former living weapon, letting out a deep, exasperated sigh.
"Havin' trouble sleepin'?" inquired Logan, noticing the mutant warrior's rather slouched demeanor.
Slayer found himself simply rubbing his sore head in response, for he never really was all that good about hiding his restlessness…Even if he had grown somewhat used to it over the course of so many years.
"Yeah…But I'm used to it," said Jack as he rubbed his eyes and shifted his gaze towards some of the liquor that Logan had on hand, "So are you gonna hog all this stuff or are you going to make me fight you for it?"
"Knock yourself out bub…" said Logan, who couldn't help but laugh somewhat, "I didn't know warriors were allowed to drink."
"Well…There's no rule against it, so why the hell not?" said the mutant warrior as he took a bottle of whisky and began to take large gulps.
It had been a while since Jack had a chance to unwind. Between training the regulars, helping out around the mansion, and dealing with the incessant visions that wouldn't stop haunting him…There was plenty of cause for stress. And warrior or not…He did enjoy a nice stiff drink every now and then to help null his ever troubled mind.
As Jack and Logan continued to drink, they gradually became more relaxed. Mystique's yelling had died down from the prank and things were finally starting to get a bit quieter as a few of the younger residents were finally turning in for the night. Yet still, neither of them talked much…Which was okay with them since they enjoyed a little silence every now and then. And for Logan, it was nice to be able to savor the joys of alcohol with someone else for a change.
"Look, Jack…" he said, breaking the silence, "I never did get a chance to thank you earlier for helping out with Laura. She's been through some pretty rough patches to say the least and well…Thanks for helping her."
"No problem, Logan…" assured Slayer as he took another gulp, "Laura's a great kid…She's got lots of potential. She's strong…Dedicated…Determined…Like father like daughter I guess."
"Yeah…I guess," said Logan, once again feeling that deep sense of impact that such words had on him, which Slayer seemed to pick up on.
"Must be hard though…" he commented, "Being a father to a teenage girl who went through so much hardship…I honestly don't know how you manage."
"To be honest bub…I don't know either," said Logan with another chuckle, "I never thought in a million years I'd end up a father…Less alone a girl like Laura who went through the same shit I had to go through. But…I guess fate has a way of messing with you."
"Indeed…Although I never was one to believe in fate," said Jack as he took another sip, becoming increasingly tipsy, "One of the major tenants of being a warrior is making your own destiny…And that's what I've been doing ever since I picked up my sword. It hasn't been easy to say the least…And man has it gotten rough. But…I guess it's all a matter of making choices and living with them no matter what the outcome."
"Tell me about it…" said Logan in full agreement, "Sometimes it's almost impossible to manage."
"And at times…It is," said Slayer, speaking from a great deal of experience.
As Logan watched the mutant warrior continue to soak up more and more liquor, he couldn't help but grow increasingly curious about this mysterious man who had helped them all so much against Sinister. He had been at the institute for months…Yet he was still this big enigma that nobody could even begin to understand. He just kept to himself all the time…Doing his duty, helping out whenever he could, and maintaining his anonymity through it all. He never talked about his past, his life, or even why the hell he was doing what he was doing.
And like so many of the others, Logan found himself inquiring further…Hoping to learn more about this mysterious warrior.
"So how do you manage it, bub?" he found himself asking as he set down his bottle of Jack Daniels, "How does a guy who fights evil demons, uses impossible magic, and follows the ways of a samurai deal with it all?"
For Jack, he had been wondering that very question for many years. But every time he thought about it, he couldn't help but chuckle a bit…Because by all accounts, his line of work should have driven him crazy years ago. Yet somehow…Someway…He managed. No matter how crazy things got or how many hardships he endured…He still managed to keep fighting. His reasons for doing so hadn't changed much over the years, but that only helped make him stronger in the end…And given what he had face, he could use all the strength he could muster.
"I…Can't give you a complete answer to that one, Logan," said Slayer with a slight laugh as he took another large gulp of whisky, "I guess it helps to have nothing to lose. And it helps to always remember what my cause is and why I do what I do."
"And what causes is that?" asked Logan.
"Honor…" he said simply, "So simple…Yet so vast…Honor means a lot of things from person to person. But to me…It means more than just the way I go about fighting. To me…It's the solid, untouchable, intangible force that keeps me going. It drives me to go beyond my limits…To accomplish what I couldn't by sheer will alone. It's unwritten…Vague…And broad. It encompasses so much…Compassion, generosity, strength…Yet in the end, it comes from within. Everybody has the power…It's just a matter of how they use it. Fighting for peace, justice, or truth is all well and good for some…But fighting for honor…Now there's a fight that truly bears the soul in all it's grandeur."
"Honor…That's a hell of a beast," said Logan, also finding himself laughing somewhat along with the mutant warrior.
"I know," he conceded, "But it keeps me going from battle to battle. It keeps me strong though enormous ocean of sorrow that is my fucked up life."
That gave Logan a lot to think about as he took in the meaning behind Jack's message. Having spent time in Japan, the land that gave rise to the samurai, he knew very well the value of honor and it's importance to any warrior regardless of where they come from or the times they exist in. For him, it spoke volumes about why he kept doing what he did even after facing the worst humanity had to offer with Weapon X and the Hellfire Club. And the more he thought about it, the more he could understand where Jack was coming from.
Yet the more he looked at him, the more curious he became. It was one thing to have a good solid cause worth fighting for to carry into battle, but it was quite another to manage each passing day. Fighting had never been a problem for Logan…It was getting through the little things that was a challenge. And if it hadn't been for Xavier and Ororo, he'd hate to think how he would have ended up. But for this guy…He didn't seem to have any of that. He was all alone…Nobody to guide him…Nobody to give him support when he needed it. It was clear he was strong fighter…But it was also abundantly clear that he was also a very tortured soul.
"But what about when you're not fightin'?" asked Logan, pressing a little further, "How does a guy like you get by from day to day? I already know as well as everybody else here that you can fight, but I don't think anybody has a damn clue as to how somebody like you holds himself together when you're obviously a wreck."
Once again, Jack let out a slight laugh as he took another gulp of whisky, letting the alcohol befuddle his mind, providing him with a welcomed escape. While fighting was never an issue for him, such things didn't necessarily apply when it came to the daily rigors of life. Yet still, Jack Robinson managed…In his own special way.
"I just take it one day at a time, I guess…" he answered, "It's easy to lose yourself in a fight…But when it comes to things like sleeping, eating, and just plain getting by, that's a real challenge. But…I manage."
"I can see…" said Logan, taking another sip of his Jack Daniels, "So what's your secret?"
"There's actually nothing really secret about it…" said Jack with a shrug, already noticeably tipsy, "I get up…Eat whatever I can, go wherever I need to go, and fight whatever I need to fight. And when it's all over, there really isn't much more to do other than go out, scrape whatever money you can get, have yourself a nice relaxing drink, and try to fuck every hooker you can before sunrise."
That last part almost got Logan to spit out his drink and actually began coughing as his mind processed what Jack had just said. It wasn't so much unusual more than it was simply…Unexpected. Hearing that from a guy like this just wasn't something he had anticipated hearing. This guy was clearly a strong, compassionate, warrior…But he also was still clearly human and some of that simply came as a shock to Logan as he looked back at the mutant warrior wide eyed as if he had just grown a second head.
"You're kidding right?" said Logan with a priceless look on his face.
"Nope…" said Slayer, trying to keep himself from laughing at the sight of Logan's expression, "Like alcohol…There's nothing in the warrior code that says you can't enjoy the simple pleasures of the body or enlist the services of the worlds oldest profession. It's a great way to keep bad memories and haunting visions away…And when you've got as many as I do combined with a raging libido that comes with being a mutant, a warrior, and a mystic…Then you begin to get an idea of just what it takes for a guy like me to find a little contentment in this world of shit."
As crazy as that sounded…It did make a weird bit of sense to Logan. Nevertheless, it still left plenty of questions.
"That's…Not somethin' I would've expected from a guy like you," he said, needing a rather serious gulp of liquor after that.
"Hey, sometimes you just gotta use what you can to get by," said Jack with another shrug, "And for me, sex is a pretty good remedy when you see the kind of shit I see…"
"Sounds like you get around…" said Logan, once again finding himself laughing at the notion of a guy like Jack finding solstice in something like hookers.
"Oh believe me, I do…" he said with a grin, "Ask any girl who works the streets in San Francisco and they'll probably know me in some form or another. Usually, it takes more than one girl to get me through the night, so I've been through quite a few over the years. I think the most I ever did at once was six…"
"Six!" said Logan, once again turning to face the mutant warrior with a humored look, "Is that physically possible?"
"Oh believe me, Logan…It's possible," said Jack confidently, "My all seeing eye doesn't just see darkness…It can also see what a woman wants and how she wants it. Add to that, part of my training in every from of martial arts in existence also happens to involve advanced sexual practices that help me satisfy anybody I'm with to the fullest extent, add to my vitality and prowess, and keep me going on through the night. Because as a warrior, it's my job to stay true to my duty…And sometimes, that just happens to involve satisfying women in the best possible way."
If Logan wasn't already half drunk, he would have fainted from hearing stuff like this…But as things were at the moment, he simply laughed. He had no idea a guy like Slayer, who had shown them such great power and skill, could be so…Human. He had the same weaknesses everybody had…He just happened to wield a lot more power and bear a much heavier burden. But at least now he had an idea of how this guy managed from day to day…Even though it was a bit unusual by any stretch of the imagination.
"You got some balls on ya, bub…" said Logan as he sunk into his seat, holding his half empty bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand.
"Hey…The girls don't seem to mind," said Jack with another laugh, "It may involve a lot of money at times…But then again, that's what Vegas is for. An all seeing eye goes a long way there as long as I'm careful and stay within my limits."
"I can only imagine…" said Logan in response as silence once again fell over the two men.
Logan and Jack simply laughed as they continued to drink…Enjoying what peace they could find in the joys of a little alcohol and a little casual chit chat. It had been quite an eye opener to say the least for Logan, but after having learning a bit about what made this guy tick, he could honestly say he had a newfound respect for this guy who was so often defined as a walking enigma. There was still plenty about him he didn't understand…But for now, that didn't seem to matter as they continued to drink the night away.
"You really are a hell of a character, Jack…" said Logan, letting out another laugh as they both took another drink.
"Logan…" said the mutant warrior as he cast his friend a somewhat tipsy glance, "You don't know the half of it."
-New York, The Next Day-
Sage and Ororo were walking down the busy streets of New York on the way to an old hangout of theirs. It was a café near the New York University where they had studied thanks to Charles when he took them in. The two of them were on their way to meet the third member of their old group Ororo's sister Vivian. Even though Vivian was a few years older then Ororo and Sage they had all been close since they had been together for years at Xavier's.
When Ororo and Vivian first showed up at the mansion from Africa Sage had been the one to show them around. Back then she wasn't the strong will women she was now. She had just been this scared teenager that he found on the streets that didn't know what was happening to her. Sage remembered those early years of how when she started to hear voices and her mind seemed to be in overdrive giving her massive headaches.
She had been in a foster home at the time and when she started hearing thought she ran, trying to get away from all the minds. It was pure luck that Xavier picked up on her mind with his own powers and was able to help her. After that Xavier became her mentor and when Ororo and Vivian came they were her first real friends. "I can't wait to see Vi, I mean it's been years." Sage said adjusting her sunglasses.
"Yes it has been too long since the three of us got together." Ororo stated, "I think it was shortly after her wedding when you left for SHIELD."
"Sorry I couldn't tell you guys but the training was top secret and I wasn't allowed outside contact, especially with all the undercover missions I had to do."
Storm padded her shoulder, "I know and trust me I'm glad that you're back."
Sage gave a small smiled at that, "Yes it is nice to be back, I feel like I've come home again." As they walked on they came to their old hangout and in and outside table Vivian was there waving to them. Vivan got up and hugged her sister and then gave a big one to Sage who she hadn't seen in years.
"God Sage you look incredible," Vi told her, she really was. She had become more athletic since last time and looked stronger and radiated strength about her. Her hair was longer and she looked like she had a full life.
Sage smiled back at her, "You don't look so bad yourself. I'm sorry I missed out on so much like Evan's birth I would have liked to have seen that."
Vivian sighed a little at the name of her wayward son, "Yes I know."
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up anything that would get you upset," Sage said quickly seeing her face.
Vi just waved it off, "It's been a few years since he ran off with those other mutants…We still miss him and I wish he would visit or at least call more. All we get are letters now and then."
Ororo shook her head, "I swear that boy needs a good talking to, there are times I want to go down there and find him and give him a lecture about family."
"You'd actually go down there?" Sage was surprised at that, "Did you finally get over your claustrophobia?"
"No but as long as the tunnels aren't too small I can cope."
Vi placed a hand on her sister's hand, she knew full well that day when she had been buried alive still haunted her, "Ororo you don't have to do that, I just hope Evan comes to his senses and at least tried to keep more in contact. But with all you have been through lately I can't feel he's actually safer down there," Ororo had told her everything well almost everything that had happened. She didn't go into too much detail about the events some things were just very private but her sister knew that there had been more to the story but didn't pry. What she had heard was bad enough as it was and she was scared for her sister and the children under their care.
"I can not blame you for thinking that." Ororo admitted.
"So…what's new with you and Carl?" Sage wanted to try and take the conversation in a new direction.
"Oh things are fine…in fact," Vi smiled at them, "We were thinking of trying for another child."
"Really? That's wonderful," Ororo said smilling.
"Yes I wanted to have another child before both myself and Carl got too old for it, this may be our last chance and maybe…maybe this time we'll do things right and not go as wrong as we did with Evan," Vivian said a bit sadly.
"Vi, it wasn't your fault. You and Carl did the best you could to raise your child. Evan made his own choices, we've all had to come to accept that." Storm told her sister holding her hand with both of hers.
Vivian smiled a little then, "Yes well speaking of family when are you two going to start? Are you still single Sage?"
Sage smiled and shook her head, "Oh no trust me I'm seeing a wonderful man, Henry McCoy."
Vivian thought back to that man, "You mean the teacher at the mansion? The one that turned blue and furry?"
"Yes that's him. It's so refreshing to meet a man that I can hold a conversation with on quantum mechanics and not have his eyes glaze over." The other two laughed at that, they knew that back in the day she had always had trouble finding the right man. Either she went out with intellectual types but when things got serious she had never been satisfied. So she turned to jocks like a football player in University but outside of the bedroom he was boring and only wanted to talk about sports.
"Trust me he's the best of both worlds. He's kind, poetic, a beautiful mind and his fur is actually very soft and nice. It's like sleeping with a giant Teddy Bear." That got Ororo laughing at that image. "Oh stop it, like you and the Wolverine haven't spent most nights in your rooms."
That shut up Ororo as she blushed and made Vivian looked at her sister with a small smile, "You know Ororo always did have a thing for the more 'wild' ones back in African village. I swear she only went after the more adventurous of the warriors of the tribe."
Sage smiled remembering some of the stories and how more free spirited the both of them had been. Although Ororo most of all, "True I just hope that she doesn't fall back into old habbits."
"Like what?" Storm demanded.
"Remember the first time you took a swim in the pool?" Sage said and Ororo groaned remembering that, "Boy was Xavier socked to see a naked teenager in his pool."
"We didn't have bathing suits in the village it was perfectly natural there! I didn't know any better!" Vivian was holding in her laughter at that day, poor Xavier hadn't been able to look Ororo in the eye for a few days after that. "Besides I've grown up since those days, and I have a responsibility to the children there."
"So I take it things with Logan are going good?" Vivian asked to change the topic and save her sister from any more embracement.
"It's going very well," Ororo smiled, "I've never been happier plus you know about Laura the little girl that was cloned from him? That he took in as his own daughter?" Vivian nodded, that had been a strange conversation and to hear that human cloning was farther ahead then the world thought was a scary thought. Not to mention the things Ororo had told her what that group Hydra had done to the poor girl too.
"Well she wanted me to be her mother…I've talked it over with Logan and well…To be honest you know I've always wanted a family of my own, ever since you first got pregnant I was envious of what you had Vi. So I'm thinking…I could try. She's a very trouble girl and kind of reminds me of how we were when we lost our parents and we had no one but us to relay on."
Vivian nodded with a smile on her face, "That very kind of you Ororo, and I hope this works out."
"Yeah and if Ororo and Logan ever get married you'll have a niece in the family." Sage joked and Vivian laughed and smiled at that.
"I've never thought of that, maybe you should bring Logan and her over one night for supper. I would like to meet her," Vivian then had another though, "Actually Sage why not you come and bring McCoy with you as well?"
Sage brightened up at that, she knew that Hank never got out of the mansion as much as he should, "I think I can talk him into that."
"Good and I bet Ororo can do the same with Logan knowing her," She grinned at her sister, "So…when do you think we can set this up?"
-Xavier Mansion-
Jamie and Rahne walked hand in hand with each other. So far they were really pleased with their relationship. Rahne had learned a lot about Jamie that no one else bothered to know. Like how his parents were scientists like her mom. And how he hoped to one say follow in their footsteps and us his knowledge to help mutants. That was also something Rahne wanted to do one day, to go back home on Muir Island and help her adopted mother with all the mutants there. There were a lot of mutants that her mother cared for and she tried to help as best she could when she had been there.
Then of course there was just how romantic Jamie was to her. He made her breakfast in bed a few times and on the day that was one month to the day they started to date he took her out to a nice place to eat. A very nice family restaurant and it had been great. She learned from her hearing that he was getting tips from the older boys and the fact that he was trying so hard to be so good to her and to make her feel appreciated and cared about it really touched her. No one had gone through so much for her before.
Jamie really was the sweetest, kindest boy she knew and he made her laugh and have a goof time too. She was certain that she might be more then just liked him. She was wondered if she was falling in love with him? Or was is what she heard as 'puppy love' or was it a crush? Either way she liked how he made her feel. Like she was important to someone and that she mattered.
To Jamie, Rahne was the most beautiful girl in the world to him. Her red hair, green eyes and the way she talked, how could he not? She was the perfect girl, she was outgoing, wasn't too hung up on looks like some of the other girls and saw him as not the 'kid' of the group but as an equal. That fact that she was a really cute girl who liked him more then just a friend was very nice as well. "So what do you want to do now?"
"Dinnae know, I mean we kind of got that prank o' Mystique set up," She smiled and remembered how they had switched her soap with this hardened green stuff that when you used water made an terrible smell. Jamie had researched it and with Rahne making sure the lab was clear of Hank and Sage they managed to come up with it.
Jamie smiled at that, "Oh yeah but boy she's hanging in there. I don't think we've done this many pranks since last April Fools."
"Oh aye that was hilarious. But she had it comin'. I mean after all she did."
"Yeah let's see," Jamie counted them off on his fingers, "There was the whole exposing mutants and blowing up the mansion. Kidnapping Scott and Xavier, then messing with Rogue a lot of times, leading the Brotherhood against us, oh and releasing Juggernaut out, twice!"
Rahne nodded her head, "No one has still seen him either…How someone that big can hide is a mystery."
"Yeah you think a ten foot guy in brown armour would stand out," Jamie shrugged as they walked into the den seeing the girl formally known as X23 sitting there alone looking out a window. She had been pretty much to herself most of the time and nothing much was known about her personally. Jamie was a little uneasy about her, he had been there when she attacked although he had just walked out of his room for a glass of water when she nailed him with one of those disk things.
Rahne on the other hand was curious, there was no one else that was her age and X23 was the only other fifteen year old girl around. Rahne had always been the youngest girl and it was nice to have someone else her own age around so she didn't feel so 'young' compared to the others. It was times like that she got that was how Jamie felt a lot of the time.
Rahne walked up to the girl, "Hey, what are ye doin'?"
Laura looked at the redheaded Scottish girl and shrugged, "Nothing much. Jack is training the others and Logan is helping out…Ororo is visiting her sister…So nothing really."
Rahne frowned a bit, "Well…Why dinnae ye hang out wit' us?"
X23 looked at her and Jamie, sure over the last few months she had been living with a large amount of people but truth was she didn't know how to 'make friends' as Logan had said that she needed to do. She didn't know where to start and so she just kind of sat there among the groups just watching and trying to learn how to be 'normal' and how to interact with others.
Jamie decided to might as well try, the girl just seemed really alone a lot of the time. Something he could relate to, "Yeah come on, we were going to go play outside why not join us?"
She blinked a few times trying to figure out what to say but Rahne gently took her hand and started to lead her, "Come on, I bet that ye will have fun." She smiled at her and it was a kind one that X23 felt she could trust a bit. They walked out to the lawn as Jamie had left for to get a few things.
While he was gone Laura looked at the redhead next to her, "Why are you doing this?"
She was a bit surprised by that and just shrugged, "Ye looked lonely, and both me and Jamie know how that feels. See back home I got nae one o talk or play wit'. Me mom runs a hospital/research center and a lot o' her time is helping poor mutants who are hurt or who cannae use their powers properly."
"She sounds nice."
"Ach she is…Although technically…She's my adopted mum. See I was raised by this man named, Reverend Craig. See me, real mum died givin' birth tae me…I never knew her and I was raised by him," Rahne face fell a bit remembering all those horrible years. "He…Was nae a good person tae me. He always yelled at me and punished me for all sorts o' things. Then when I changed…He called me 'demon' and ran me out of town. Moira found me and took me in as her own daughter."
X23 listened in, she never knew any of this and giving her usually happy self you wouldn't think it. "I think I can relate…"
Rahne smiled a little and nodded, "Aye I think ye can….Actually we got quite o' bit in common." Laura tilted her head wondering what else. "Power wise, I mean I got enhanced senses too and a slight healing factor. It's nae as good as yours or Mr. Logan's but it keeps me from getting' a cold now and then at least."
"I didn't know that, how good are your senses?" Laura felt kind of nice to have someone else other then her father she could talk to about this stuff. There were some things that Logan seemed too timid to talk about.
"Enough tae smell all the older kids when they are up tae being intimate unfortately. At least when they don't shower." Rahne sighed. "Oh and laundry is a pain, I mean I once found some o' Roberto's gym socks and they stank somethin' fierce."
X23 smirked at the face she made, "I've noticed that too, and the smells after the Danger Room sessions all the sweat and smells are hard on my nose at times."
Rahne laughed a bit, "Oh aye tell me about it."
Just then Jamie returned with a few things, a football, baseball and gloves and a Frisbee, "Hey sorry it took me so long but I got bumped into by Ray and Roberto running out the door. I think they were running late with those twins they were seeing, it took me a minute to pull my others back in."
"Still seeing those two huh? Wonder if we'll ever met them?" Rahne pondered, Jamie just shrugged.
"So…what's up first? Ladies pick."
"I'm…Not familiar with how you play with any of these." Laura said examining a few of them. She had seen a few of the game being played but some of the rules still escaped her.
Rahne picked a football and Jamie set aside the rest, "Nae a problem we'll teach ye, so girls against boys?" Jamie smiled and clapped his hands making another version of him. It had taken him a year to figure out just the right amount of force to make one or two copies and to perfect it. Rahne tossed the ball to X23, "Okay here is what we do."
X23 listened in on the explanation and soon the game started up. It was just for fun and they were allowed to use their powers. Unfortunately at one point she got carried away and 'killed' the ball with her claws while trying to catch it. She was glad when they just shrugged it off and played catch instead. Apparently they went through a lot of balls and equipment here. Catch wasn't as fast paced as the other game but it was still nice. Pretty soon she found herself having fun with her two new friends. At least she guessed she could call them that.
They continued to play with each other for the next few hours and besides being with Ororo, Logan or the Danger Room. This was the most fun Laura had had in a long time. She had been denied a lot in her life, mostly of a childhood and for the first time she felt like her age should be. She smiled and had fun without a care in the world. She couldn't wait to do this again and hoped that with them she could learn to make more friends. But at the moment she just wanted to take it one step at a time.
-Later that Day-
"XAVIER!" came a booming voice as the doors to the Professor's study were kicked open with the kind of rage associated with an angry grizzly.
"Hello Mystique…" said the Professor with a sigh, having heard her coming from a mile away as he looked up from his study of the book Jack had given him.
The shape shifter slammed the door behind her, looking as though she was ready to tear into the Hulk if she had to. There were still streaks of green in her hair from the prank the New Mutants had pulled on her earlier, but now she looked even more disheveled than before as she took deep breaths in an effort to keep herself from exploding.
"I know I agreed to behave and I know I agreed to at least make an effort with this place, but there's only so much I can take!" she shouted as she slammed her hands upon his desk.
"What happened this time?" sighed Xavier, rubbing the sore temples of his head.
"Those little punks you call students won't stop hounding me!" she yelled, "I swear, even the Brotherhood wasn't this frustrating! I've had my things frozen, I've had cherry bombs stashed in my closet, and I've had Tabasco sauce dumped in my lunch! And in case you haven't noticed…There's also that little bit they pulled on my hair!"
Xavier seriously didn't need this right now. He had already talked to the New Mutants responsible for Mystique's mishaps on several occasions, yet still they insisted on 'welcoming' her in their own way. And while he knew that the younger students always had a way of pulling pranks…It was certainly not helping things get any more peaceful around the institute.
"I'll…Talk with them again," he assured her, "I'll have them participate in a few extra chores around here, hopefully keeping them busy."
"Damn it Charles! Do you think that will stop them!" she shot in response, trying with all her might to keep herself from going ballistic, "Look…I know I'm not exactly welcome here. But how in the hell am I ever going to earn any trust around here if those little punks keep pushing me to my limits!"
"It's something we'll just have to work around, Mystique," answered Xavier calmly, "The New Mutants have done this kind of thing before and believe me, I'll do what I can to stop this madness. I don't want them hounding you any more than you want to endure it because as long as you live in this institute, you have a right to go without such hazing. It's only a matter of getting them to realize the consequences of their…"
Just then, Xavier got an idea…An idea that anybody would have found completely crazy and unorthadox. Yet in managing an institute full of super powered mutant teens, he had come to understand that sometimes unusual problems required unusual solutions. He remembered how some of the New Mutants had pranked Scott and Jean when they first arrived and he remembered how long it took for them to stop. And if such complications were to be avoided, taking into account that Mystique might not have as much will power as Scott and Jean, drastic action would have to be taken. And that's exactly what he was going to do.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" said Mystique, starting to get a little uneasy about the expression on the wheel chair bound man's face since it wasn't something she was used to seeing.
"I just had an interesting idea…One that may help alleviate your problem," he said, smiling to himself, for he had a feeling Mystique was going to like this.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, now growing quite curious as to what he was implying.
"Well…" he began, "Consider this…"
Danger Room
Later that day, the New Mutants suited up and gathered in the danger room for yet another scheduled session. After having seen some of the regulars limping off after one of Slayer's arduous sessions, they were glad they were still going through more 'modest' regiments organized by Beast, Sage, or even Ororo at times. While they did participate with the others from time to time…It was nice not to have to deal with the rigors people like Logan and Slayer organized.
In addition to the seemingly ordinary session, the New Mutants were in high spirits. After having accomplished yet another dazzling prank on Mystique, they definitely had plenty of reasons to be in a good mood. While it had earned them a few extra chores, a lecture from Xavier, and heavy scorn from Kurt and Rogue…The look on Mystique's face when she found out her shampoo was hair dye was all worth it in the end.
"So what's on the list of 'welcoming' rituals next oh wise prankmaster," joked Jubilee towards her boyfriend, Bobby, who had been organizing most of these pranks.
"Hmm…That's a tough one," said Bobby, rubbing his chin with a grin on his face as he thought about it, "So many possibilities…So little time."
"Maybe we could do something with her pillows this time!" suggested Roberto, "Anybody ever use crazy glue before?"
"Oh yeah! One of mankind's greatest inventions!" said Tabitha, entertaining thoughts of how that might turn out, "And maybe we could try it with other things as well like her hair brush, her toothbrush…"
"Or her tampons…" snickered Ray.
"Oh man…Anybody who did that would seriously be digging their own grave," said Amara, although she couldn't help but entertain thoughts of the shape shifter's reaction.
"Yeah! That would really piss her off!" said Bobby with an eager grin.
"Dude…She would kill us in our sleep if we pulled that one," said Sam, already knowing as well as the others just how angry the shape shifter could get.
"Hey, I'm surprised she hasn't killed us already," made Rahne, "She did, after all, try to blow us all up at one point."
"All the more reason she endure something like that," reasoned Bobby, "It's only fair."
"Yeah," said Jamie in agreement, "But I have to wonder…Just how much more of this can she take?"
"I'm not sure," said Jubilee with a shrug, "But I guess we'll just have to find out!"
Just then, they all heard Xavier's voice echo over the speakers from the observation deck.
"Hello my students, glad to see you're all ready for another session," said Xavier casually as the younger mutants shifted their attention towards him.
"Hey, no problem Professor," said Bobby confidently, "You said it yourself, X-men have to be ready for anything."
"Well said, Iceman," said the Professor with a grin, "And with that thought in mind, I decided to make a last minute change to your activities today."
"Change?" said Tabitha curiously, "What kind of change?"
This was the part where Xavier was forced to suppress his true intentions with this. While he knew there may have been some risk involved in doing this…He felt as though it would be an appropriate solution to alleviate some of the issues that had been lingering for the past few days. And with that, he unveiled his so called 'changes.'
"I've given Beast and Sage the day off," he said, causing a few snickers amongst the New Mutants, thinking about how they may choose to spend that time, "And instead…I've assigned a special instructor to teach this session."
"Special instructor?" said Jubilee, feeling a strange sense of dread welling up in her stomach for some reason, "What do you mean?"
Then, with a grin on his face, Xavier hit a single button, opening up a door along the wall in besides them…Revealing to them the identity of just who would be teaching them for the next three hours. And as soon as they saw who it was…A look of sheer horror feel upon the New Mutants' faces, for it was none other than the woman they had been tormenting since they arrived…Mystique. And judging from the wide grin on her face, they were in for a hell of a haul.
"No…Please God no," dreaded Bobby, shaking his head furiously, "We're all doomed!"
"Call the morgue guys…I think we should tell them to expect a crowd," muttered Tabitha.
"Fuck the morgue…Call the undertaker!" exclaimed Jubilee.
"Oh man…We are dead…We are SO dead!" groaned Ray.
"Well…It was nice knowin' y'all," said Sam in full agreement.
"Yeah…It's been fun," said Amara.
"No way!" said Jamie as he and Rahne looked back up at the observation deck, "Professor! You can't be serious!"
"Yeah, this is…" began Rahne, but Xavier cut her off.
"I trust you'll listen and follow her as you would any other instructor," said Xavier in a casual, calm tone, unable to suppress his grin, "Good luck New Mutants…I hope you all benefit from this."
And with that, Xavier shut off the microphone and wheeled himself out of the observation deck…Leaving the horrified New Mutants all alone with their new instructor.
"Oh shit…" said Bobby as Mystique approached them with a mischievous grin, hinting that she had one hell of a session planned for them.
"You said it, Iceman…" she told them, taking in the nervous looks they were giving her, for these kids were about to learn just how much of a bitch payback could be, "I am your instructor now and I intend to teach you a thing or two about the world of combat. But don't worry…I intend to be every bit as welcoming to you as you guys have been to me."
NEXT UP CHAPTER 63: A TOUCH OF DARKNESS