Whisperings - Interrogation
By kiragecko

Being the second part, where attempts at clarification lead to more confusion and emotions are aroused.

I hate needles. For some reason this was the thought I awoke to. Needles and…

"Dr. McCoy?"

"Ah, our intriguing patient has returned to the domain of the animated. Is there any way I can assist you, mademoiselle?"

"Why was Mrs. Wisdom angry with me?"

"You are, I assume, referring to Miss Katherine Pryde, one time amour of Mr. Peter Wisdom? I feel she may have unresolved feeling for her erstwhile love that could account for her extravagant response."

"She divorced him?"

"They were not wed."

Silence. They were wed. They had a kid. I'd seen them a couple days ago, kissing in a rather disgusting manner. They WERE married. But then, so was Mrs. Drake.

"Where's Aaron?"

"I do not believe I know of the entity you are referring to."

"Please, Dr. McCoy, Mrs. Wisdom's son. Aaron Wisdom. He's sixteen, isn't a mutant. Please, Mr. McCoy, what happened to him?"

There was a long silence. When he finally spoke his voice was quiet and sad.

"I will return. I need to talk to some acquaintances. Please rest while I am gone. We will speak more when I am back."

I was left to my thoughts. I couldn't move because he had strapped me down - to protect an injured body part or to keep me from escaping? There was nothing to do but think. It wasn't very pleasant. What had happened to everyone I knew? Why weren't my parents here? It was an endless cycle of questions and there was no way to distract myself. It felt like days before the door opened again.

"I believe it would be to the benefit of both parties if you would give us some more information about yourself, my dear. Perhaps a name?"

It hadn't been real to this moment. I had just thought something terrible had happened to the people I cared about, something they wouldn't tell me about. Now I realized these people didn't even know me. They were not my friends and family at all.

"I should ask, what's YOUR name." The words were clipped- I was angry now.

A short pause.

"I had thought you had knowledge of my appellation. You have been referencing me in the correct manner."

"You aren't Dr. McCoy. I thought you were because I was in a clinic and it made sense but you're not. I want to know who you are and why you're playing with my head!"

Another pause. What would be his next move?

"Alright. I should be delighted to make formal introductions. It would be easier to explain our actions if you would impart us with a little knowledge of your previous life but I will attempt even if you choose not to.

"I am Dr. Henry McCoy. I am part of the group known as the X-Men. We fight to protect both mutants and humans from aggressors of any type. You are in Xavier's Institute, a school for mutant youth; though we are open to anyone."

I interrupted him there. I was half way between shock and blinding rage.

"I'm in North America!"

There was a surprised sound from the Beast imitator.

"Of course, you were not aware of this? I had thought you lived with the X-Men."

"There are no X-Men! At least not real ones. Who are you really?"

"I had not thought her history would be quite so divergent…" He was musing to himself now and it made no sense. Divergent history? "Still, I must calm her, stress could be damaging at this point… I am attempting to illuminate you. Please find patience for my awkward narrative.

"It seems we have not occupied the same time plane for an extended period of time. As the world outside conforms to my companions and my experiences it could be assumed you are the displaced personage. Your orientation in this temporal location will be difficult but could be much eased if both sides chronicled our existential experiences. As I am not aware of the anomalies between our birth times I am likely to omit vital information. Still, the base actuality is this - you are not in the time/place local of your development and the folks you knew are in all probability different."

Time travel. To the past, I guess. That's what he's saying.

"What year?"

"It is the year 2005 anno Domini."

I tried to translate, but couldn't. When had they stopped using that system? I couldn't remember but I didn't think it had made it past the 1900's. Had it? I would have to find some other measurement.

"How old it Mrs. Wisdom?"

"I would refer to Miss Pryde as Miss Pryde and I would have to ask her exact age. Why do you ask?"

"I want to know how long ago it is."

While he went to talk to Mrs. Wisdom I figured out how old she was. She was 18 when she had Aaron and he was 16. That made 34. Okay.

"Miss Pryde is 21."

No. That was not okay. She had to be less then 17. "No she isn't."

"I'm sorry?"

"She isn't 21. Aaron was three then!"

"I see. It seems we vary place as well as time. I believe the term for this is an alternate reality."

"You mean like Rachel?"

"You know of Rachel Summ… the daughter of Scott and Jean?"

"Yeah. She isn't Rachel Summers here?"

"I believe she is going by her mother's name at the moment."

"Jean is alive?"

He started at the vehemence in my voice. I was too disoriented to hide it. They may call her a hero but the Phoenix is evil and Jean is responsible for it.

"No, Jean is not alive at the moment."

He sounded like he wanted to say more, but he decided not to. I wasn't surprised. There are always unsaid things when you talk about the Phoenix.

After a pause he answered the original question.

"Yes, it is possible that you have had an occurrence similar to Rachel's. Could you tell me more about your time so we could be sure?"

He was trying again. I wasn't telling him anything until I knew I could trust these people.

"Why don't you tell me about here and I can see how things are different for myself."