Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men

A/N: My first fic, please be nice and let me know what you think? #?# means telepathic speech.

03 – Shopping Spree

It took a several days before Crystal was ready to get up completely. The Professor made sure she was never lost herself in sorrow. When he was too busy to come down and talk to her, he left his laptop with plenty of games for her to play. She never saw anyone else and considering the size of the place she wasn't surprised.

The Professor had said they had over 250 mutant children living here plus all the staff, his prized X-Men, so this place had to be huge. She had seen the schematics for the above ground school on the Professor's computer but he had locked out the entire top secret below ground training facilities. He told her they were there, as all the school knew about them anyway, but he wouldn't let her see what they were like. He didn't want her to get the wrong ideas. When she could finally stand up on her own she was moved out of the strange hospital into a room on the third floor.

Compared to her old room it was huge. It had a double bed, an en–suite, and a huge double window with a small roof just underneath that she could stand on. It was plainly decorated and whoever had lived here last had left in a hurry, as there were still traces of their stuff. In the wardrobe she found three posters for some American film, in the bathroom there was still a partially used bar of soap and in the chest of drawers there was a pale pink halter neck top. This she pulled out.

The Professor had told her that all her stuff had been ruined in the flood but promised to get a woman named Storm to take her shopping when she felt better. At the moment she was borrowing some clothes that the Professor had found for her. It was very strange to be wearing someone else's clothes but nether the less she slipped the halter neck on over the top of the purple t-shirt she was wearing. It was miles to big but it suited her blonde hair, green eyes and dark skin. She decided to hide it until she was big enough to wear it. For all she knew the woman who left it may come back for it. She would if it was hers because it was so nice.

Knock.

There was someone at the door. Maybe it was this Storm come to take her shopping, or maybe the Professor with something for her to play with. Quickly Crystal stuffed the top back into the drawer and opened the door. There stood a girl about sixteen with brown hair and two white streaks on either side. She wore jeans and a long sleeved top despite the fact that it was August. She also wore gloves on her hands that were stuffed into the pockets of her jeans.

"Hey Sugah, the Prof wants you over at his office," She said bending down to Crystal's height.

"Are you Storm?" Crystal asked curiously.

"I wish! Storm has way better powers than me" The girl replied, "I'm Rogue." Her accent was thick but understandable, "So you got Jedda's old room? Nice, most of us got dumped in dorms when we got here..."

"What do you mean?" Crystal replied as Rogue walked in and perched on the bed.

"A girl called Jedda used to live here. Downright unsociable if ya ask me. She up an' left in the middle of the night an' ain't bin seen since. So did you find anythin', hair dye maybe?" Rogue explained looking round.

"I found a top, a couple of posters and an partly used bar of soap. Nothing else." Crystal replied.

"Shame. We were all certain she wasn't a natural redhead. Oh well can't have everythin'. Come on Sugah gotta see the Prof." Rogue said, standing up to hold the door open. Cute kid she thought as she followed Crystal out.

"Ah Crystal there you are, thank you Rogue for bringing her." Xavier said as Crystal and Rogue walked into his office.

"Anytime" Rogue said before leaving. Xavier was sat in his wheelchair behind his desk. To his right was sat a lady in earthy colours and long white hair. Her skin was darker than Crystal's but not by much and her soft brown eyes watched her as Xavier spoke.

"Crystal, this is Storm who will be your tutor from now on. She will teach you how to control your powers and hopefully teach you how to use them responsibly. But first Storm has agreed to take you shopping with the allowance every student here gets. The money your mother and father have bequeathed you will be put into a trust fund until you are older, if that is fine by you?"

"Yes Professor" Crystal said. She knew how to look after money. Any that she got at home was only small amounts and bargain shopping was an art she had perfected.

"Now then where shall we begin?" Storm said standing up, and taking Crystal's hand. They walked out of the mansion discussing where they should go first.