Chapter IV

With the help of Dr. McCoy who wouldn't let her do anything on her own, Shela had all her things organized and put away. She was now propped up on her bed with a large book on her lap while Beast scanned all the books that now lined the shelves.

"My, this is quite a collection you have. Have you read all of these?"

"Not yet, though I have a feeling that now I will have all the time needed to." She jested. She had books of all sorts, though most were fantasy and science fiction. She had a whole shelf devoted to encyclopedias of vampires, witches, fairies and other mythical creatures. She had spell books, books on religions, and histories from different countries and cultures; mostly Japanese. The extent was enough to request two extra shelves.

"I can't imagine what you do with all these books." He said, lost in wonder.

"Exactly that," she said simply. "I imagine. I let my mind wonder through the dimensions and realms of the made up worlds. Not many can even begin to dream what lies beyond the simple boundaries of bindings."

"Truer words have never been spoken. So where do you find all these books?"

"Internet. If I get bored enough, or if I find an interesting topic, I'll hunt it down. And with all the tips I made at the bar, along with the pay, I was able to get most of them used. The encyclopedias and spell books were all brand new when I got them though. It's kind of unusual to have them in the first place… unless you're a librarian or a teacher."

"Yes, I could imagine. You're a vary bright young lady." He said, turning to face Shela. "Ororo told me how you got to work at the bar Logan found you at, but my question is how it is we didn't know about you until about a week ago?"

"How did you guys find me in the first place? Why? I'm nothing special, so why does it matter whether or not you found me at all?"

"Ah, I was wondering when you'd ask that question. I am sure Charles would prefer to explain that to you. Speaking of which, you have an appointment with him tomorrow."

"Really? When?"

"At six in the afternoon, he has classes all morning and I would rather you stay in bed for as long as possible. So we have it arranged so he will come here to speak with you."

"Thank you, but you didn't have to do that…"

"Oh it was no trouble at all. Now get some rest, you'll need it if you ever want that leg to heal."

"Yes sir." She said, nodding her head with a smile. Dr. McCoy returned the smile then left her to her book. She turned on her stereo and as Give it All by Rise Against stared playing, she couldn't help but sing along. It was one of her favorite songs.

The laptop sitting on the table next to her bed had burned several copies of that one song to many of her cd's. She didn't have favorite bands like everyone else did, she had favorite songs. And of all the songs Rise Against had released, she loved that one most. It was like a drug for her. So she bought the cd just to burn that one song on other cd's full of songs she wasted money on purchasing cd's to acquire.

As she sang, she read the book on her lap. This one was of course a fantasy of her favorite series. 'The Voyage of the Jerle Shannara: Ilse Witch', by Terry Brooks was what she was reading now. She felt so connected to one of the characters, not only in talent, but fears as well. She didn't go as far as to call Bek Rowe her kin, but she was close. They were like kindred spirits, and that's what people would have seen if her door wasn't closed. A spirit of a boy around eighteen years old clad in Elvin attire, curled up next to her with a sword strapped to his back and his head on her shoulder. She wasn't even aware of what she was doing. As the songs changed from one to the next, she sang subconsciously. Some time through the book, she fell asleep.

She was pulled from her deep slumber by an arm wrapped around her waist. She tried to snuggle closer to the figure when her eyes snapped open and a thought slapped her in the face. There shouldn't be a 'figure' in her bed with her. When she realized what she was looking at, she mentally screamed. Lying next to her was no illusion. It was truly Bek, his long brown hair falling gracefully from his warmly tanned face.

"This… can not be happening." She said, causing him to stir in his sleep. She poked him in the ribs, trying to get him to wake up before anyone showed up. Looking at her stereo, she found it was well into the night or morning rather. Twelve forty eight, no one in their right mind would be up.

"Come on, get up." She whispered harshly. He finally opened his blue eyes and stared straight into hers. He suddenly jolted up and sprang from the bed. Shela winced in pain at the sudden disturbance in her leg.

"What's going on here? Who are you? Where are Walker, and the air ship?"

"Shhh," she hissed at him, nursing her leg. "You're going to wake everyone up. And a better question is; what were you doing sleeping on me?"

He stared at her, lost for a moment then suddenly unsheathed his sword. "Demon! Tell me what you've done with my friends!"

She shushed him again, this time using her gifts. She made him calm down and lower his sword, and then instilled an idea of who she was and where he was in his mind. "Feel better?"

"No… and yes… how did I get here? And why do you have animal ears?"

She smiled sadly and looked down at the bed. "I don't know. Fait just decided to slap me in the face with this one. I am a freak among freaks." She said, letting her odd sense of humor out again.

"You're a strange one, I'll give you that, but I won't go as far as to call you a freak. Trust me when I tell you I've met stranger creatures."

"Well first of all, I'm not a creature; my name is Arana, though my mom calls me Shela. Long story short, grand parents in Australia, thought it would be a good nick name, so what about you?"

"I am Bek Rowe, younger cousin of Quentin Leah, apprentice to the Druid, Walker. I…"

"Yes, yes, yes, I knew that already. Can you tell me something new?" Arana cut him off. Looking at her clock, she sighed in defeat. "Listen, it's late, come over here." She pulled a set of pillows out from under her back and gave them to him. "In the door over there is a stack of quilts, take as many as you need. I'd offer you my bed, but I kind of can't move from it."

"Why can't you leave you're bed?"

"My leg is broken in who knows how many places and Hank said, and I quote, 'You need your rest.' Hate it when people tell me that. I know how to take care of myself."

"I'm sure." He said sarcastically, following her instructions.

"I am sure," she defended. "It wasn't my fault that my leg broke. It wasn't my fault that two nimrods decided to start a fight in the bar, and it wasn't my fault the damned ceiling decided to fall on top of me."

"Whoa, hold up, what happened?"

"I'll explain it tomorrow, right now…" the door swung open and Logan stepped in, nose flaring. But Arana was one step ahead. She was already using her voice, so she just dropped the tone and volume so what ever Logan saw, he shook his head and looked at her funny.

"Shela? Who were you talking to? I heard voices."

"I was talking? Damn it," she shook her head sadly and let a tear fall down her cheek. "I'm even using it in my sleep."

"Whoa, hold on kid. Don't start crying on me. Here, how about I get you a glass of milk?" He said hurriedly, not wanting to see her cry. He was gone and down the hall before her voice gave out.

"How'd you do that?" Bek demanded, dropping the quilts on the floor.

"That's my mutation. Here, those born with magic are known as Mutants and they clam it to be the work of the X-gene. That's why I'm here, because I am a mutant, though most of the others at least look normal. I have cat ears and tail, and all the sense that come with it. What he saw was an illusion. He didn't see you, and hopefully I was able to distract his attention away from your smell. Now go to sleep. We'll have time to talk tomorrow."

"Alright, but what if he comes in here again?"

"He won't. He didn't go to get milk, I sent him to bed. So he's not coming back."

"Alright. Good night Arana."

"Good night Bek."