The Purpose of Hope
Chapter Three
By: Lily Handle
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Author's Note: Sorry about being slow about the updates guys. No time to work on fic, even though all the little characters in my head have been getting ticked at me. Please forgive me oh merciful readers! Also, I want to wish everyone a happy New Year and hope they have a great 2006!
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"Look, Doc, all I'm sayin' is you should wait before talking to your academic buddies about what happened last night," Logan said, sitting at the foot of the bed watching Hope as she dressed for the day.
"I'm not going to talk to them," Hope said, rolling her eyes at him, "I'm going to wait until the test results come back and then I'm going to talk to my academic buddies."
"The kid isn't a test subject to be picked apart and studied."
"Of course he isn't. I'm not saying that he is, but Logan, I don't know what happened to Pietro. I might, and I repeat that, might know what happened after I get the test results. I may not. If I don't know what happened, I'm going to contact some people who might be able to help me figure it out."
"They'll treat him like a case study," Logan growled and Hope sighed, stopping halfway through buttoning her shirt. She turned to him with that "my patience is running out and I'm trying not to glare" look he found amusing.
"How about a compromise Logan?" She offered, holding a hand out to him, "Before I go to my academic buddies for help, I'll run it by Charles? Will that put your mind at ease?"
"No," Logan said flatly, but took her hand and pulled her into the circle of his arms, "I don't like the idea of doctors poking their noses into this."
She raised one eyebrow at him in a gesture that was curious and elegant at the same time, "Logan, a doctor is poking her nose into this already, at Magneto's request."
"And if Magneto doesn't like you telling your buddies about his son?" He watched her eyebrow slink back down and a cautious look cross her eyes. "Didn't think about that did ya, Doc?"
Hope threw up her hands, "Alright, so I forgot to calculate in the psychotic megalomaniac into my plan, please forgive me." She started buttoning her tidy white shirt while mumbling to herself.
"Just lookin' out for the kid," Logan commented, easily hearing what Hope was saying to herself.
"That's what I'm trying to do!" Hope waved a finger at him, "And stop eavesdropping, it's impolite."
"Kinda hard not to, darlin'," He pointed out and she smiled at him.
"Impossible man," She rolled her eyes and started to twist her hair into her traditional efficient knot, "Now, back to the topic at hand, whether or not you agree with me, I'll check with Charles before I talk to anyone about Pietro. You can take up your complaints with him." She leaned down and kissed his forehead, "I'm going to check on Pietro and see you later for flight training, okay bub?"
"Anyone ever tell you you're one of a kind Doc?" Logan asked as she stepped out of his arms and headed for the door.
She shot a look over her shoulder, "Yes, but I don't kiss and tell. Oh, and Logan, before you go talk to Charles, because I know you will, you might want to get dressed."
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Slinging her weapon of choice, a stethoscope, around her neck as she walked into the Infirmary, Hope wasn't quite sure what she'd find. Last night, after Magneto had almost killed Dr. Dominguez, Charles had offered up the Institute as the place where Pietro could recover and get treatment. So, they had moved the unconscious boy here and he was now under Hope's care. She would be the first to admit she was a little nervous about taking care of the X-men's greatest enemy's son. If Pietro died, well, Hope didn't want to think about that. He was still unconscious when she started to check on his pulse. She lifted his eyes lids back and watched his pupil response. She checked blood pressure, temperature, anything she could think of. All of it was normal. Except for the fact that he was unconscious.
"What's wrong with you?" She asked him. "What aren't you telling me?"
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By the time third period rolled around, Kurt figured out something was wrong with him. His skin felt itchy, like thousands of fleas. And he was having a hard time breathing. It wasn't anything major. It was just that going up the stairs he'd been short of breath be the time he reached the top. That had never happened before. Maybe he was just eating too many donuts and maybe he really did have fleas. He scratched at his shoulder.
"Is it warm in here or something?" He asked Rogue, who had third period US History with him.
"No, it's cold if ya ask me," She whispered back. So, Kurt went back to taking notes. Five minutes later, he started coughing.
"Do you need some water Mr. Wagner?" The teacher asked, looking at him with concern.
"Ja," He said, and dashed out of the room. He was gasping by the time he reached the water fountain. And he wasn't itching anymore, so much as burning up. All his muscles felt tight and his skin was crawling. Yeah, something was seriously wrong with him. Taking gasping, shallow breaths, he teleported himself to the Institute.
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"Doc, I just don't get it," Logan said, holding open the door to the flight simulator for Hope, "You can fly the Velocity like you were made for it, but the simpler, much easier to fly the Jet, you crash in minutes."
"Well, the Jet is intimidating," Hope admitted sheepishly, "All those buttons and gages, I mean, what if I hit the wrong one?"
"And there are less buttons in the Velocity? Doc, you have ta know how to fly the Jet. We use it more than the Velocity, it's faster, it's better equipped, and hell it's just better."
"That's a matter of opin…" Hope trailed off as a low pitched alarm started and yellow lights blinked rapidly, "Medical alarm? Pietro!" Hope was off in a flash, running as fast as she could towards the Infirmary. Logan ran right beside her. She burst into the Infirmary to find Kurt, doubled over and gasping.
"H..hel…help…me," He managed, then collapsed onto the ground. Hope was by his side in an instant, ripping of his holo-watch with one hand and looping her stethoscope over her neck with the other.
"Get him on to the bed!" She ordered Logan, but he was already scooping Kurt up. "Damn it, he's got hives!" Hope pushed away from the bed. She flung open one of the cabinets, grabbed a syringe from a drawer and a bottle from the cabinet. She dashed back to Kurt's side, ripping of the syringe cover with her teeth. She was more careful while filling it with Epinephrine.
"What's going on?" Ororo appeared at the door of the Infirmary, "Kurt!" She rushed over and Hope spun around, blocking her, "Doctor!"
"Out!" She barked, and Ororo back pedaled out, "Do you know how to put in an IV?" She asked Logan, holding down Kurt's arm so she could slide the needle into his arm. Without a word, Logan grabbed everything needed to set one up. So, Hope pushed him from her mind and focused on hooking Kurt up to machines.
"IV's in," Logan called.
"Oxygen, 2 liters. It's not bad, it's not bad," Hope said to herself, reading the machines, "His heart rates a little elevated and his oxygen levels are a little low, but he's not bad."
"I wouldn't count your chicken's just yet, Doc," Logan warned, sliding an oxygen mask over Kurt's nose and mouth.
"Damn it, don't tell me that," She snapped, "I'm the damn doctor. Now, be of some use to me and shut those damn alarms off." She stepped back when Kurt lurched up from the bed and took a deep breath. He dropped back to the bed, and went still.
"What the hell?" Hope started double checking everything, but, "He's fine. His heart rate has leveled, oxygen levels are…leveling...but, but…"
"Woah! Doc, what the hell are you doing?" Logan asked when Hope started to slap Kurt across the face.
"Nothing," She dug her pen light out of her pocket and checked Kurt's eyes, "Normal, equal." She turned around and scrambled for a few tools.
"Sweetheart, while it's fascinatin' to watch you scramble around, you mind telling me what's going on?"
She wrapped a one inch piece of surgical tubing around Kurt's arm and prepared to draw blood, "One moment he's having an allergic reaction, just like Pietro, only less violent. So, if he had the same reaction as Pietro to the Epinephrine, Kurt's temperature should have gone up, and he should have started seizing," Hope looked up from where she was drawing blood, "He didn't, but, I'll bet my medical license, when we look at the blood, it's the same."
"So what do we do know?"
Hope tapped the vial of blood against her palm, "Let Ororo in for one, I'm sure by now the Professor and Hank are outside as well, they'll want answers." Logan crossed to the door and indeed everyone was outside, waiting. Hope immediately looked towards Ororo, "Sorry about that. I didn't want you getting in the way."
"Was it that serious?" Ororo asked.
"That's the odd part, when I saw the hives, I knew right away that Kurt was having an allergic reaction," Hope looked down at Kurt, "After what happened last night, I assumed that he may be having the same type of reaction that Pietro did. It was a wrong assumption. Kurt certainly had an allergic reaction, but he didn't seize or have any of the serious heart problems Pietro did."
"Is it the same thing, Doctor?" Charles asked, looking concerned.
"I can't say for certain," Hope admitted, "But I have a sneaking suspicion that when I get the blood looked over, I think it will be the same as Pietro's."
"That hasn't come back yet though," Hank pointed out, "What's your theory based on?"
"Kurt's unconscious, Pietro's unconscious, both after an anaphylactic episode, it's only conjecture, but I think it's the same thing." Hope shrugged.
"It is spreading? Will other students be at risk?" Charles frowned.
Once again, Hope shrugged, "If Kurt had had the exact same reaction as Pietro, same intensity of the attack, I would be tempted to say yes, but Kurt's was just too normal and with a shot of Epinephrine, he was fine. And allergic reactions aren't contagious. If Pietro and Kurt had the same reaction, then they both came in contact with the same allergen."
"So, the other students will be alright?" Ororo looked relieved.
"Unless they came into contact with whatever both Kurt and Pietro did," Hope corrected, "What we needed to know is what in Kurt and Pietro's lives over lap. Anything they ate, touched, maybe even breathed in."
"Logan, Ororo, head to the Brotherhood house, ask them to join us here. When the students get home, we'll talk with those closest to Kurt along with the Brotherhood and see if there is a connection like Hope suggested," Charles ordered. Logan and Ororo nodded and left the Infirmary, "We have the technology here to work on the blood, I would prefer it if you spent the rest of the day on it, Dr. Chandler."
"I would be glad to if I knew how to. My specialty isn't in laboratory work," Hope pointed out, "If I was able to do the tests I needed, I wouldn't have sent the blood out in the first place."
"Can you get it here quicker?"
"I can offer up money, maybe get things moving fast with a few well placed bribes," Hope offered.
"Good, I want to make sure none of the other students are in danger."
"Professor, I may be able to do the test myself," Hank said.
"Good," Charles fixed Hank with a look that confused Hope, "With you two working closely together, we should quickly have more than theories."
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Sitting on the opposite sides of Charles office from each other the Brotherhood and the X-men looked very uncertain. Not of each other, at least not of each other this time. They were afraid of what the Professor had just explained to them. As the leader, Scott took it upon himself to take charge of the conversation.
"I have lunch with Kurt everyday," He said, looking towards Dr. Chandler who had a little note book perched on her lap. "He eats whatever the cafeteria is serving, just like everyone else."
"He sometimes gets a snack from the vendin' machines," Rogue added, "Just before we go ta US History together. Ah think he saves it for after gym class."
"Does he get anything specific?" Dr. Chandler asked not looking up from the notebook she was writing in.
"Not really. Usually chips or a candy bar."
"And Pietro? Does he get anything from the vending machines? How about the cafeteria?" Dr. Chandler glanced towards the Brotherhood. Scott felt a little sorry for them. He got the feeling that they were worried about Quicksilver, but they hadn't stayed at the Institute. Scott was sure the Professor had offered up rooms to them, but apparently their worry didn't over ride their animosity for the X-men. That's why Scott only felt a little sorry.
"Pietro?" Toad snorted, "He brings his own lunch or goes out and grabs a bite."
"How about what he drinks then? Any specific soda or sports drink?" Dr. Chandler prompted, looking towards Scott and then back to Toad.
"He likes Cherry Coke," Blob said, "And that fancy green apple stuff you can get at the specialty store."
"Kurt likes that," Kitty chimed in, "He gets it whenever he can."
"Has he had any recently? Today even?"
"No, he was complaining yesterday that he didn't have any free time anymore," Kitty looked towards the floor and wrung her hands together nervously, "He said he could really go for one of those."
"And Pietro?"
"Yeah, he was drinking one two days ago," Lance grumbled, "Might be more than that."
Dr. Chandler took a deep breath, "Have either of them had anything unusual to eat or drink? Something outside their normal diet?"
Scott exchanged glances with his team, they all shrugged, "Not that we've noticed, Dr. Chandler."
"Pietro doesn't hang around the house a lot," Wanda said stiffly, "He prefers to go out when he can."
"Do you know where he goes? Maybe who he goes with?"
"Why do you care?" Lance snapped suddenly, glaring at everyone in the room like what had happened was their fault.
"She's trying to help your friend," Scott glared, "That's why."
"We didn't ask for help," Lance shot back between gritted teeth.
"Boys, when we're done here you can go beat each other senseless, but until then I'd like it if you could be civil with each other," Dr. Chandler said. She didn't shot, didn't snap, but her tone clearly said she wasn't enjoying their little exchange. Scott watched Lance bristle and waited for him to tell off Dr. Chandler so Scott could then show him the door, but Lance only crossed his arms over his chest and looked surly.
"Thank you," Dr. Chandler looked again at Wanda, "Do you know where he goes?"
"He doesn't always tell us," Wanda shrugged, "He usually just leaves, but he likes to go to Zone, it's a dance club."
"Has Kurt ever been there?" Once again Scott glanced towards his team.
"Not that he's ever mentioned, and he'd have to clear it with the Professor," Scott said, glancing towards the Professor for confirmation.
"Well," Kitty said shyly.
"Well what?"
"Kurt mentioned Amanda wanted to go. She may have taken him there like once," She said stiffly, "Though I don't know if they like actually went," She added hastily.
"It's a connection," Dr. Chandler smiled, "We've got somewhere to start looking. Now, I want you all to think about the questions I've asked. Maybe something will come to you later and if you think of anything that makes you suspiscious, tell me."
"So, you really think that like there's something we're all allergic to out there?" Kitty asked.
"I only have theories," Dr. Chandler stressed, "I can't tell you anything for certain just yet, but I think it's highly possible."
"And if we got near whatever Kurt and Pietro did?" Jean asked, "Can we have the same reaction?"
"I can only assume that yes, it's possible," Dr. Chandler sighed, "I've got epi-pens for anyone that wants one. They have a single standard dose of Epinephrine in them and they should help you through a reaction."
"I suggest that for the time no one goes out alone," The Professor said, "I know it seems like a lot to ask when we're still unsure about what's happening, but it would be best if there is help near by." The Professor looked towards the Brotherhood, "My offer is still open. You are welcome to stay here, close to Pietro and close to help."
"Yeah, thanks, but no thanks, we'll get by on our own," Lance drawled, though Scott didn't miss the nervous looks Toad and Blob exchanged, "Are we done here?"
"Unless Dr. Chandler has anything else to add."
"Do you want the epi-pens?" She asked, gesturing to the box that was on top of the Professor's desk.
"We don't need the charity," Lance growled, which caused Dr. Chandler to shake her head. Lance got up and walked out of the office. The rest of the Brotherhood followed, but Wanda paused at the door.
She looked over her shoulder, "Is he…is there any change?" She asked, looking at Dr. Chandler through lower lashes.
"I'm sorry, no, he's still stable but unconscious." Wanda nodded stiffly and walked out of the office. There was a few minutes of silence before Scott stood up from where he was sitting.
"Can we get those pens now, Dr. Chandler?"
"Of course."
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"We should have stayed," Toad said to Fred as they sat outside the house that night.
"Yeah, well, Lance would kill us if we did," Fred shrugged his massive shoulders, "It's not like we go to that club anyway."
"Yeah, but what if Pietro brought back whatever it was that got him sick, huh? I mean, we could be next, ya know?" Once again Fred shrugged.
"Man, I don't want my heart to stop! And I've seen that doctor lady heal people before, I mean, that's a really useful thing when you're dieing."
"Pietro didn't die," Fred pointed out.
"Because that doctor was there!" Toad yelled, leaping down from the steps to look up at Fred, "We should go back, they'll let us stay. And if we go now, Rocky will never know."
"We're just going to walk there?"
"No man, we'll take a bus or something," Toad looked over his shoulder, "I've made it this far, I don't want to die now." Fred drew a deep breath. He knew he wasn't smart. Most of what that doctor had said had confused him, but he knew Toad was scared about it. But he also knew it didn't take much to scare Toad.
"I told ya, I'll look after ya," Fred said, "I promised, didn't I? I think we should stay. Lance will look after us. He did get Pietro to the hospital." Toad seemed to think about it for a minute.
"Man, I hope you're right man," He said and hopped back up the steps to Fred's side. So did Fred, he liked it when he got things right.
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Author's Note: Um, Nightcrawler fans, please don't kill me! hides in corner behind blast proof shield I love the blue fuzzy dude as much as you do, but I just picked him out of the masses, so don't kill me! On another note, I have no idea what exactly Hank knows about medical stuff, but I figured since in the 90's cartoon he seemed to know everything, he might as well help out. That and it also gives me a way to build the tension between Hope and Hank about, well, if you've been reading you know what. Man this is a long author's note. Please review!