Author's note: I hope that you will enjoy the real story after reading my little prologue.I realized I forgot to mention the pairings, and I shall do so now. Bogue, Remly. You would like to know who the "ly" to Remy's "Rem" is? Then you must keep reading!

P.S I suppose that I should give a listing of the character ages, so here you go. :

Storm: 35

Kurt: 39

Prof. X: (Honestly not sure, so I'll decide mid-fifties.)

Logan: ?

Scott: 29

Jean: 28

Remy:22

Sam/Bobby/Kitty/Gabrielle:18

Rogue:19

Jubilee:17

Oh, and of course, I do not own anything in anyway related to X-Men, other than Dragonfly a.k.a Gabrielle.

My humble thanks, The Vampire Pandora

Chapter 1

When she awoke, Gabrielle found herself lying on a white hospital bed, strapped with many wires to a large, beeping machine. In fact, there seemed to be machines and equipment all around her. A bright light shone down from above her, lighting up the room with clear brilliance. Gabrielle willed the panic not to seize her here. Breathing deeply, she forced her pounding heart to quiet and ordered her trembling hands not to call out to the earth around her.

Groaning slightly, she tried to roll onto her side, but was surprised to find she had been strapped down with leathers straps on her wrists and ankles. Peering down, she noticed a larger strip running across her abdomen. Now the panic was sweeping her, and Gabrielle could barely restrain it. She whimpered slightly, ordering the charges sweeping through her to stay grounded.

"Not here, not now...", she whispered to herself.

"Good morning my dear! I am very glad to see you've woken up. You have been sleeping for quite some time now."

The voice by her ear startled her and Gabrielle dared to take a glance at the source. A large, hairy, (blue!) man was crouching down next to her bed, smiling widely. Gabrielle screamed.

All at once the creature seemed hurt, his boyish smile drooping a little in the corners, before he rested an enormous hand on her arm. Gabrielle's eyes went wide at the sight of his enormous limb, and she screamed all the louder.

" Well, that really is enough", scolded the blue man, smiling still. " All of the hospital rooms are soundproofed. No one will be able to hear that racket you're making, well, except for Charles of course. But what doesn't that man hear?"

Chuckling, the man turned from her and began fiddling with the knobs on the machine next to Gabrielle's bed. Reading the printouts and quickly scanning the screen, he hummed under his breath before turning back to the girl.

"Well, everything seems just fine. You may have a slight head-cold, but nothing's broken. Oh, and we found some broken skin on your upper arm where we think a bullet must have grazed it. You're a very lucky young woman."

Gabrielle couldn't say a word. This animal man seemed friendly enough, but you could never rely on appearances. Kenton had taught her that. Turning her face away from her captor's blue one, Gabrielle fixed her eyes on the wall. Was that a Peanuts cartoon pinned to that message board?

" I understand that your frightened, Smiley, but you have nothing to worry about. My name is Hank, most people around here call me Beast but I honestly have no idea why! Care to enlighten me?"

Gabrielle did not turn around and no smile appeared on her tanned face. Obviously hurt at her unwillingness to talk, the Beast sighed and kept on inspecting his machinery. Panicked but also reassured by the sounds he was making, Gabrielle's violet eyes grew dim, and she fell into sleep once more.

" So you're sure she'll be alright Beast?"

"I can assure you Professor, she is perfectly fine, or at least as perfect as can be expected."

Gabrielle's eyes opened slowly at the sound of voices nearby. Looking over in their direction, she noticed Henry? Herb? talking to a elderly man in a wheel chair. Gazing at him, Gabrielle noticed his bald skull and still legs, but it was his voice that touched her most of all.

" Your accent...Are you from the Oxford region?"

The two stopped talking and looked over at her. Smiling, the man in the wheelchair rolled over to her bedside, closely followed by the beast man. Her crazed memories from earlier caught up with her, and she blushed slightly at her rudeness towards this creature, man, who had been nothing but kind to her. The toothy smile he gave her filled her with relief. At least he wasn't insulted or offended by her earlier words.

The man in the wheel chair took her cold hand in his warmer one, and placed the other on her forehead.

"Hello Gabrielle, how are you feeling?"

"Your, your voice", she exclaimed, "I heard you in my, my mind..."

He nodded kindly at her. "I have telepathic abilities Gabrielle, that's how I was able to find you and talk to you. And yes, I did spend quite some time in Oxford."

He frowned slightly at the leather straps on her wrists, and turned his chair to face the blue one.

"Beast, are these absolutely necessary? They must be most uncomfortable."

Quickly nodding, Beast proceeded to untie them, explaining to them both as he did so.

"I only did it out of fear that she would hurt herself. She was thrashing quite violently ,sir, during her sleep."

The older man, Charles, looked down at her concerned. Beast continued to untie the straps, until Gabrielle was able to sit up. Rubbing her wrists, she smiled faintly at Beast. Winking mischievously, he waved a little and walked off. The older man was still holding her hand, and Gabrielle slid her legs over the side of the bed to face him.

"Sir, um, Mister..."

"Professor Xavier, Gabrielle."

"Professor, I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound rude but, where am I! And how", her voiced dropped to a whisper, "how do you know my name?"

Xavier didn't seem surprised at her paranoia and smiled kindly.

"I know your name because I found it in your mind, along with a few other things that were, a little disturbing."

Gabrielle withdrew her hand.

"Professor, it's just that, please. Please don't tell anyone else that you know my name. If you need one, I suppose we could use my stage name..."

The professor only looked back at her.

"Rielle Delalune", she said softly.

The professor looked at her gravely for a moment, before nodding.

"Alright, if you don't wish them to know, I won't tell the others. Beast, of course, knows it, but I can assure you that few others even know you're here."

Gabrielle nodded her thanks to him. So, she could keep no secrets from this man. He had read her thoughts, her memories, he knew her name. That was altogether too much. Shaking her head slightly, and running a hand over her long black hair Gabrielle sighed. She shivered in her hospital clothes, and would have given anything for a bath. Crossing her arms over her stomach, she wasn't able to stifle the grumbling it made. Her cheeks blushed furiously, and the professor chuckled at her shyness.

"I take it you're feeling a little hungry".

"Famished", she replied, smiling.

Charles Xavier returned her smile, glad to see she was warming up, even if just a little. He held out his hand, and Gabrielle accepted it. Leading the frightened girl by the hand, he led her over to Beast, who was still fiddling with his equipment. Releasing her hand, the professor brought his own to his temples and sat quietly for a moment, before opening his eyes and looking up at Gabrielle.

"Kitty's on her way", he explained soothingly. "She'll bring you a change of clothes and find you a shower and sink."

Gabrielle was speechless. She didn't know this man, and yet he had opened his home to her, welcoming her and taking care of her. But as wonderful as it all seemed, Gabrielle had learned long ago that no one could be trusted. She had learned it all too well.

"Ah, Kitty, there you are", the professor called out as a preppy teen burst through the doors.

Dressed in a pink tank-top and blue jeans, Kitty looked bubbly and bright. With her glossy brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and her face perfectly made-up, Kitty looked like one of those girls that Gabrielle had never been able to become. Smiling to herself, she doubted that Kitty would have a nice pair of old, worn jeans or anything like the bohemian clothes that Gabrielle usually sported. As she noticed Kitty's immaculate, little white clogs, Gabrielle ached inside to have her comfy PF Flyers on her cold feet.

"Like, hi! My name's Kitty Pryde! Welcome to the institute!", the girl's bubbly way of speaking would easily have annoyed Gabrielle under different circumstances, but the girl was glad to see that the one who'd be helping her was friendly.

" My dear, if you would please go with Kitty", Xavier told her, pointing to a small annex of to the side.

Nodding a little shakily, Gabrielle stepped up to Kitty, who linked her arm through Gabrielle's and began leading her towards the room.

"Like, ok, I totally didn't know your size, but we seem to be pretty close. I brought you my comfiest jeans and a T-Shirt. I know it's, like, freezing down here but you will totally cook upstairs. Logan's still fixing the A.C".

Gabrielle took the clothes that Kitty handed her and stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. Kitty was right, her clothes did fit her, although the jeans were a little snug. As she pulled the T-Shirt over her head, the clasp from her silver locket opened, and the necklace fell to the floor. Carefully picking up the jewelry, Gabrielle attached it once more around her neck. God knew she couldn't lose this.

Holding the small peice of silver between her thumb and forefinger, Gabrielle felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Her older sister, Amelia, had given it to her on her twelfth birthday. The day of the accident...

Wiping her eyes dry, Gabrielle stepped out of the room to shrieks from Kitty.

"I just, totally knew they'd fit you!"

"Thanks", Gabrielle whispered to her, smiling.

"So professor, can I like, get this poor girl a shower or something?"

The professor waved his permission, and Beast called out to them.

"Come and see me if you need anything Smiley, I'll be here."

Nodding her thanks to the blue man who had been so kind to her, Gabrielle's arm was once more linked with Kitty's arm. As the girls left the hospital, Kitty asked Gabrielle jovially.

"So like, what's your name?"

"You can call me Rielle", Gabrielle answered her, smiling.

"Ok, so, the guy with the blonde hair is Sam, and that girl who's like, totally stuffing her face is Jubilee. Oh, and the two joined at the hip are Bobby and Rogue".

A collection of waves.

"And everybody, I totally want you to welcome Rielle."

Even less than a week ago, if anyone had told her that she would one day be standing in a crowded kitchen being introduced to fellow mutated teens, Gabrielle would have laughed. Uproariously. Honestly, it was never going to happen. And yet Kitty was leading her around, showing off the Institute and those who inhabited it.

Gabrielle nodded and smiled faintly at them. They seemed, well, nice. She did not, of course, know them and she wasn't sure she would want to. She smiled half-heartedly at Kitty's attempts to include her. Gabrielle was touched by her genuine selflessness, but she wanted nothing to do with these fellow mutants. She had learned long ago to never let others get too close.

Sam walked up to her and held out his hand. Unsure of herself, Gabrielle allowed him to shake her hand. Smiling politely down at her, he turned on his heel and left the kitchen, only to be followed by Bobby and Rogue, who had turned once more to look at Gabrielle on her way out.

Jubilee, however, seemed infinitely more welcoming. Putting down the peanut-butter sandwich she had been inhaling, she wiped her hands clean on the yellow jacket she wore. Smiling reassuringly, Kitty walked off a little, leaving Gabrielle standing still and awkwardly by the kitchen tables.

"So yeah, Rielle is gonna be rooming at the school for awhile", Kitty announced to Jubilee.

" I wonder who the Professor will bunk you with", pondered the lithe Asian girl. " It would be totally cool if you could live with us!"

"Yeah, but like, we're already full", Kitty replied, bitting her bottom lip.

"I don't think it really matters", Gabrielle said softly. "I don't plan on staying very long".

The other two girls looked at each other knowingly. Shaking her head, Jubilee sat down once more to finish her sandwich.

Kitty looked at Gabrielle empathetically, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Everyone feels that way at first", she stated firmly. "But, you'll see. The Institute, becomes like, your home. You begin to feel, like, totally accepted here."

"No hawden yoooar mootasions."

"Like, swallow first Jubs", Kitty sighed, wrinkling her nose in mock disgust.

Jubilee shot her a sour look as she swallowed the last bites of her sandwich.

"I said, no hiding your mutations."

Kitty nodded, obviously agreeing with her friend. Gabrielle was amused by her sleek, chestnut ponytail that bobbed from side to side as she nodded so feverishly. But talking about her powers and those of others was an uncomfortable subject for Gabrielle, and as nice as these two girls were she knew she was not ready to talk about her abilities with them. Especially since she was so ashamed at her lack of control. Gabrielle hoped the subject would finish where it started but like always, hoping was useless.

" So like, what can you do Rielle?"

Gabrielle looked down at her hands. How would she tell them that she didn't want to talk about herself, about her powers, anything? How could she when they had been nothing but wonderful for the short time she had known them.

"Kitty, maybe she doesn't feel comfortable talking about it", Jubilee scolded. "Not everyone is."

"Well, I don't see why it's such a big deal", Kitty replied in a defensive tone. "I think we should be proud of what we can do. For example, I", she stated happily, "Can phase through, like, anything. Solid stuff, stone, brick, person, that last one is totally gross, but like, it still comes in handy."

As if to prove her honesty, she proceeded to phase her hand through the solid oak of the kitchen table. Gabrielle's awe must have shown on her face, for a distinctive flush of pride colored Kitty's face.

"Well, mine's a little trickier to explain. I can, well I guess to sum it up I can blow things up", Jubilee confided. "It's a little tricky to control, and I guess it gets the better of me sometimes..."

"I know exactly how you feel", whispered Gabrielle.

"Pardon Ri? Oh, you like, don't care if I call you Ri? Or something?"

"Um, maybe Rielle will do for now", Jubilee laughed.

Squirming slightly in their attention, Gabrielle looked down at her hands.

"I suppose I can control, maybe I should call it manipulate, electricity. My body seems to be able to charge itself and unleash waves of it. Shocks, sometimes...

Gabrielle let her words trail off. She had said too much already. They were already looking at her the way she had never wanted them too. They had that uncertainty, that fear in their eyes. But as quickly as Gabrielle thought she had seen it, it was replaced by awe and amazement.

"Really? That's totally cool!", Kitty gushed.

"Our teacher, Ororo Munroe has a similar power, only she controls the weather. But even she admits how taxing it is. And you're only our age", Jubilee added.

"How old are you anyway?", Kitty asked.

"I was hoping she could answer that question and a few others a little later on during a meeting I'm calling", called out an accented male voice.

Gabrielle turned to see the professor who was wheeling his way over to where the girls stood assembled. Walking at his side was a tall man with dark brown hair. His eyes were hidden by a complex looking visor, and Gabrielle didn't know wether or not he was blind. So she tried to stare at him as he came in. But when he looked directly at her and smiled, Gabrielle knew he had seen her.

" Kitty, Jubilee. I believe your afternoon classes have already started. I should hate for you to miss them", the professor said reprovingly.

Jubilee smiled at Gabrielle and Kitty waved an energetic goodbye. As the two girls left, the kitchen seemed suddenly colder and more intimidating without Kitty's bright laughter or Jubilee's quick responses. Smiling at the professor, Gabrielle took a tentative step forward. The professor looked at her kindly and even the man at his side seemed nice.

I didn't tell him your name

There it was, that voice in her head. But as she looked upon Xavier's smiling visage, Gabrielle realized he was using some kind of telepathy.

But are you sure you do not want...No? Well, in that case...

"Rielle, I want you to meet Scott Summers, the shop teacher among other things here at the Institute", said Charles Xavier.

The man stood tall next to Xavier, and he seemed to ooze authority and leadership. Gabrielle decided she liked this man, but not only for those reasons. Hiding Mr. Summer's eyes was a strange kind of (goggle?), that covered both eyes and ended behind his ear. How hard it must be for him to wear something like that, and Gabrielle wondered why he did. It must take a lot of bravery to wear such a thing. She respected this man.

"Pleased to meet you", Scott said warmly, extending his hand to her. Gabrielle shook it, wondering what is was with handshakes in this place.

"Well, I see you've found the kitchen. Make yourself at home and eat anything you'd like. I'll come back shortly for you. I'd like you to meet the others if you don't mind."

"Not, not at all", Gabrielle answered, trying to look more confident then she sounded. "I'd love too."

"Excellent", Charles exclaimed. "I shall return soon, or send someone to fetch you."

And with that, the professor and Mr. Summers left the kitchen and Gabrielle to her own devices. Gazing about uncertainly, Gabrielle settled on an apple from a basket on the counter. Taking a small bite and savoring the sweet juices, Gabrielle allowed herself, it only for a short moment, to feel hopeful.