Gabby's Story
Chapter 3: Anniversary Blues
Jamie was up before the sun and she looked at her alarm clock. The glowing red numbers clearly said 5 AM. The room was dark and Jamie tripped on her shoes as she stumbled toward the bathroom. Once the light was on and her eyes were used to the brightness, she felt sleep leave her and her body begin to wake up. She washed her face and took a quick shower to finish off the waking process. She got dressed in a white tank top and long black shorts, her usual attire for training with Logan. She couldn't believe that the first six months had gone by so fast. It seemed like only yesterday she had arrived at the school and started her new life. She brushed her teeth and put on a workout headband to keep her hair back during training. Her brown locks had grown over the months but still kept her classic playful but messy look. It was six thirty now, her shower had been longer than she thought, and she opened her door to head down to the Training Room early like she had always done. As soon as she opened the door the looked down and he heart rose 20 feet in the air. There at her feet sat a dozen, long stemmed, yellow roses, her favorite flower. Only one person knew her favorite flower. She reached down to pick up the roses and the note attached to them, even though she already knew how had sent them.
"Good morning pretty girl. I can't wait to see you at Logan's morning session. This, being the morning that marks our six month anniversary, is quite honestly the greatest morning I have ever experienced. I couldn't think of a better way to spend it but by being with you. See you soon, Love - Peter." Jamie bit her bottom lip, which was quite red from so much biting, and held the note close to her heart. She turned back into her room, closing the door with her foot.
"I never would have thought, never could have imagined I would ever find someone like him. I didn't know anyone could care about me that much, or that I would care that much about someone else. This is a feeling I never want to loose. I mean you could search the entire world over 10 times and never find a guy better than him," Jamie thought to herself. She put the note in the box Peter had made her for Valentine's Day. It had a picture of them on the front and was covered in jewels and lug nuts. She put the roses in a vase on her bedside table and hurried down to the Training Room, light as air. Plus she wanted to surprise Peter.
Like always, Jamie was the first to arrive for her session. She sat down in the doorway and suddenly she sensed someone coming, a sly smile spread across her face and she slid into a shaded corner. She watched the ground in the doorway and the tall shadow she was expecting appeared. Jamie jumped into Peter's arms and they both fell to the floor. Jamie sat on top of Peter's stomach breathing hard.
"Do you surrender?" she asked in a very serious tone.
Peter smiled and a grin broke over Jamie's mock serious face. "I always surrender to you Jamie. How could I not surrender to such a pretty girl? I would have to be stupid, why even dumber than Matt the Rat." Jamie jumped off Peter and stuck her tongue out at him as she gave him a hand up.
"You're smart to surrender to me, I would have had to take you by force if you hadn't," Jamie said in her best army general voice, "'cause I could never be without you," she added more seriously. They looked into each other's eyes and found what they were both looking for, unconditional love. Being rejected in society, their bond together was made even more heartfelt and important.
Peter rubbed his back, "So I see you got my gift," he said. Happy six months, pretty girl." Jamie loved his nickname for her; he didn't even have to say it, just being with him made her feel like the most beautiful woman alive.
"Happy Anniversary," Jamie said.
A few minutes later Logan came into the Training Room. Jamie and Peter stopped talking when he entered, Peter smile but Jamie was still extremely cautious of him. Her smile was fake and Logan could see through it to her real feelings. He was disappointed that she still didn't trust him, but he couldn't do much about it. It was also partly his fault; he never made her feel very comfortable. In fact he gave her the same look of suspicion she gave him.
"Hey Logan, how are you doing this morning?" Peter asked.
"Can't complain…yet," he said referring to the fact that class had not yet started. "How are you kid?" He said to Jamie, conversation between them was always awkward.
"Can't complain, can't complain," she said forcing another fake smile in an effort to hide her thoughts. Jamie sat back down against the wall while Peter talked to Logan; it was just guy talk, nothing she was interested in.
The Professor entered the room a few minutes later; behind him were Scott, Jean, Storm, Kurt, and Kess. "Good morning all," said the Professor. "I hope we all slept well."
"Very well," they all agreed.
"So what's the subject of the session today Logan?" Peter asked as he had always done.
"Well today I think we'll break up into pairs. First we'll practice basic martial arts, and then later we will use powers. Alright let's get into sparring groups. Cyclops you're with Kurt. Jean your partner is Kess, and I'll take on Storm. So Peter that means you will be with Jamie. Take your positions and we'll begin on my mark," Logan instructed.
Jamie and Peter stood facing each other, stretching out when Peter said quietly, "Talk about a way to spend our anniversary."
Jamie gave him a sassy look, "Well don't expect me to take it easy on you," she said. Peter laughed and so did Jamie, but inside she was thinking to herself, "I wonder if Logan did this on purpose." She was shaken from her thoughts, however, when Logan yelled for them to start. Jamie smiled, knowing she was in her element, as they got ready. Jamie made the first move, she dropped down to a squat and kicked Peter's legs out form under him. He jumped back up and they fought hand to hand for a few minutes. Then, when Peter had Jamie stuck in a position where she couldn't move, she looked around the room and saw her friends all fighting in a fashion similar to that of her and Peter. She broke free from his incredibly vice-like grip and she kicked high to his head, he blocked but not the second time, though Jamie didn't hurt him. Her fighting style was smooth and flowed with her body. She was cat-like almost at times, cat-like mixed with a hard core street style fighting. All her moves were liquid and when she was fighting she felt so natural and in control. Though she didn't let it soften or distract her in a battle.
Almost an hour later Logan called for them to stop. Breathing hard, they all came to a stop, some giving pats on the back, some gasping for breath.
"You really work them out, Logan," the professor said, he enjoyed seeing what his students did during their training sessions, "That's good." Logan could only nod in response, for in his match, Storm had been the victor.
Once he regained his breath he said, "Alright now we will try it with our powers, but be careful about it. We don't want any injuries."
A look that said "That's a very bad idea," flew across Peter's face. Jamie gave him the same nervous look. They both knew that they could cause serious damage if they weren't careful. Jamie's adamantium claws could cut through anything, including Peter's Colossus form. Peter knew he was a danger because when he became Colossus he couldn't control his super-strength. "I hope this is over in a few minutes, I don't know how long I can control myself. And if I hurt Jamie I don't know what I'd do," Peter thought to himself. He mouthed, "I'm sorry," to Jamie in advance and she nodded because she understood. He removed his shirt revealing a muscular, flawless upper body. Jamie couldn't help but smile and Peter blushed. They got more serious and in a few seconds Peter's body was covered in metal plates. Jamie clenched her fists and her claws slowly slid out of her knuckles. Each time that happened she got a feeling of pain but also of satisfaction. They started fighting in a style much like they had before. Jamie was mostly defensive and didn't make any attacks on Peter. A few times, however, he came too close and she ended up with a busted lip. It went well after that until he caught her in the side of the head. She knew that it would soon become a black eye but she continued fighting. Peter was beyond upset, but knew he couldn't do anything about it.
They had been fighting for a while when Peter made another moving attack on her. Jamie ducked, but instinct told her to slash upward and she cut through his stomach with her claws. Peter cried out in pain as he sank to his knees holding his stomach. His metal plates disappeared as quickly as they had appeared and Jamie ran to his side. Jamie kneeled down and held his head to her chest as silent tears rolled down her face. She looked into his eyes searching for something that would make her feel better. She found nothing but the pain in his face and felt even worse.
"Oh please let this all be a bad dream that I'll wake up from soon," she though to herself. Peter wanted to tell her everything was alright, but he couldn't. Everything was not alright. He tried to give her a look of courage but the pain was too much and he felt himself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness. As soon as they heard Peter's cry everyone stopped fighting and ran to him.
"Quick, Kurt, go to the hospital wing and get a stretcher," Scott said. In the blink of an eye Kurt returned to the Training Room with a stretcher. Once Logan and Scott had gotten Peter into the stretcher Kurt teleported himself, Peter, and Scott to the clinic. Jean, Storm, and Kess ran upstairs to the hospital wing to make sure that he would be alright. Jamie still kneeled on the floor where she had been, tears continuing to roll down her cheeks. Aside from Logan the room was empty. Jamie got up and wiped her eyes.
"You ok kid?" Logan asked. He went over to her trying to help her. He knew he had asked a stupid question, but he didn't know what else to say. He was being sincere because he could clearly see how distraught she was.
"Why did I do that?" Jamie sniffled, "What in the world could have possessed me to hurt him?" Her voice was quiet but shaky, and her look was solemn. Logan had to lean close to hear her. He put his arms around her in a comforting embrace.
"Shhh," he told her as he let her cry openly in his shoulder. The scene was like that of an older brother with his younger sister. Jamie bawled away, letting everything flow out of her. "You couldn't help it; it was just your instincts. He knows it wasn't on purpose," Logan said.
Jamie looked at him; her flaming eyes flowed with tears of stinging pain and frustration. "But why HIM, of all people, why did I have to hurt HIM?" She wiped the tears away and got control of herself. Logan looked at her and saw a very different person from what he had seen before. Jamie looked much older and wiser than Logan expected; it surprised him a bit. Then in a calm, feminine voice she said, "I'm sorry Logan, I didn't mean to yell at you like that." She laughed despite her tears trying to look brave even though she was torn up inside. "Has this ever happened to you? Instincts and all?" she asked him smiling as she calmed down.
"Yeah it has," he said releasing her from their embrace, "to someone I really care about, but she's ok now. Well you had better hurry up to the clinic," he finished. He didn't want to go into further detail about that story with her.
Jamie turned away and started for the door, but she turned back around, "Thanks Logan," she said with a thankful smile.
"Anytime kid," he said and watched her leave. She still had that mature look, and looked like anything but a student as she left. "I wonder what goes on inside her head," Logan thought as she turned the corner and left his sight.
By now the rest of the student had woken up and were heading down to breakfast. It was obvious that news of the accident was traveled quickly, judging by all the whispers that followed her. Jamie felt very self-conscious and guilty as she walked down the hall. People stared at her and some shot her dirty looks. "If you can't control yourself, you shouldn't be around other people," a nameless voice called out. Jamie told herself to ignore them, but inside she felt the pain of their words cut deep. She walked faster on her way to the clinic and as she turned to enter the hallway a greasy face met her. Jamie was in no mood for his comments now and she told him so.
"Get out of my way rat-boy," she said. Her words dripped with icy venom.
"What's wrong?" he asked, "Trouble in paradise? I thought you two were all lovey-dovey. What kind of freak attacks her boyfriend?" His tone was accusing and malicious and it fueled the fire in Jamie's eyes and heart.
"I don't have time for you, Matt. Now get out of my way," she repeated, her voice escalated in anger and in volume.
Knowing he had gotten to her inner core, Matt decided to push her farther. "What are you going to do, get Peter to take care of me?" he smiled a wicked smile. "Oh wait he can't, because you, the freak, attacked him. Man that's got to hurt." He shook his head as he finished his sentence but Jamie's fist collided with his face. Matt lay stunned on the floor as Jamie walked over him.
"I told you to get out of my way, next time, listen," she said and walked on to the clinic.
As she entered she saw Peter lying on a table with Storm and the professor looking over him. The professor turned when she came in and saw her on the verge of crying again. Seeing Peter like that had jerked her heart. "Jamie you know this is not your fault," the professor said. Jamie wanted to nod but she couldn't, she was weighed down with so much guilt. Despite what anyone said she still felt completely responsible for Peter's pain.
"Jamie?" Peter said in a raspy voice. He had been given pain medication and was quite drowsy from that and the shock inflicted by his wounds. Storm and the professor left Jamie and Peter be by themselves and talk.
"It's best to leave them alone," Professor said to Storm, "maybe he can convince her that this is not her fault."
"You're right," Storm replied, "But it was honestly very foolish of Logan to pair them together. There should be no reason for any of this."
"Calm down Storm, this is no one's fault. It's just an unfortunate happening," said the professor. Storm agreed and they walked on to his office, where they would have a meeting with Logan, Jean, and Scott.
Jamie moved to the cold, steel table where Peter lay. She looked into his eyes which were once bright and hazel but now their shine was masked by the sickly painful look his wounds induced. Her eyes followed he hand to his stomach where Storm had taped gauze. Despite the gauze, blood showed through in three long marks. She gently touched the gauze and Peter winced.
"Careful," he said, "it's tender." He smiled through the excruciating pain even as she filled again with tears. She moved to wipe them away but Peter caught her hand. "Don't cry," he said softly. He put his hand to her face and gently touched her cheek. "I guess you were just too quick for me in a fight," they both had to reach deep but found the strength to lightly laugh. Peter's face quickly changed from one of happiness to one of pain.
Jamie's smile faded away, "Peter you are the last person I would EVER want to hurt, I'm so sorry."
"I know, I know that's why I'm not mad. If you were anyone else I would have to take you down." He smiled once again and his strength and purity pulled a smile from the inside to the outside of her face. "There's what I like," he said.
Jamie looked at him with loving eyes, "How is it that you always turn even the worst thing into something good?" she asked.
"Well I would hardly call this good, but I guess that's just part of my charm," he replied and Jamie bent down and kissed him. It was a sweet, wonderful kiss and reminded her just how much he meant to her.
After a few minutes Jamie pulled away, her guilt vanished. While their faces were still close, almost touching, Peter whispered to her, "That's the best medicine I've ever taken." He stared into the deep pools of her eyes, letting the moment linger.
Then Jamie stood up, "So do you want a scar from this?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" Peter asked perplexed.
"Well we can't have you lying around getting fat forever. So do you want a scar from it or not?"
Peter smiled, understanding, "Well you have already left a scar on my heart so I would be honored to have another one from you; something to remember the first six months by."
"Alright you charmer, relax this might feel weird," she said. Jamie put her hands over his stomach, feeling the energy that surrounded him. She peeled off the bandage and a sudden pang of guilt hit her when she saw the actual wound. She regained herself and placed her fingers a millimeter away from the marks. She closed her eyes and concentrated very hard on the image in her head. She focused on Peter's stomach healing and a faint green glow peeked out just under her fingertips. Slowly but surely the bleeding stopped and the slash marks decreased in size. Peter held his breath as he watched this happen. His wounds were gone and the small scar left would always remind of that day. Jamie relaxed and peered at her handiwork.
"You are some kind of angel," Peter said and he got up and replaced his shirt. He took her hand and they left the clinic. After stopping by the professor's office to explain; Jamie and Peter went into the kitchen.
By now lunch time had come around and Jamie followed Peter to the cafeteria. They walked in and the entire room hushed. Kess stood up and yelled, "Over here guys!" She was the type of person who would do anything regardless of whether or not it was appropriate or acceptable. Jamie blushed lightly as they walked to the other side of the room where Kess sat with John her boyfriend. John Fuller was tall but thin. He was the perfect size for Kess. He had brown hair that reached the base of his shoulders and a rocker attitude that had the air of knowing more. He was also telepathic and telekinetic so he probably did know more than he let on to. They were a sneaky pair, and got along awesomely. "So explain what happened," Kess said shoving some of her lunch to Peter and Jamie. John did the same, eager to hear what the story was.
"Yeah man, I heard you got wiped in a training session, how'd you heal so fast. Or is Kess lying again?"
"I didn't lie," she protested, "I haven't lied in a long time."
"Sure," John said and Kess punched his arm, but he replaced it around her shoulder.
"Well some one here has a little more to her than I thought," Peter replied. "Jamie healed me."
"Woah, Jamie. You healed Peter?" Kess asked not understanding.
"Well yes, if I concentrate hard enough then I can my ability to heal to someone else."
"Gee, you girls keep getting better and better," John said.
They finished their lunch while the steady buzz of talk returned to the rest of the room. In his corner, Matt watched them out of a pair of black eyes. If looks could kill, the lunch room would have been a morgue. He was furious about what had happened, but he was also forming a plan.
After lunch Kess and John went to a movie, but even though they had been invited Jamie and Peter decided to stay at the mansion. They wanted to spend their anniversary quietly together, away from all the hustle of the rest of the world. The events of the day were pushed from their minds as they got closer together. They walked through the forested area surrounding the Mansion and took a trip to the small pond in the back of the building. Jamie picked some flowers and decorated the garage with them in remembrance of their first meeting. Love at first sight is always remembered. Night began to fall and they went back inside. Peter walked Jamie up to her room, just as he had done six months ago when they had finished doing their homework together for the first time.
"Well here is where I leave you," he said, "This has been the greatest, albeit most painful, but definitely the greatest day yet. Each day I spend with you is better than the previous one."
"I love you Peter," Jamie said. It was the first time she had ever said that to him and they both felt the strong connection between them become even more permanent.
"I love you too," Peter said, and they kissed one more time. They didn't kiss every two minutes like some couples did; they cherished their kisses and made sure that each lasted just as long as it should. Each one was a piece of heaven in taste-able form. Peter left and Jamie closed her door. She went to bed and just as she turned out her light and her mind went to dream land.
After they had all gone to sleep the professor called a meeting among the teachers in his office. Storm, Jean, Scott, and Logan came to his study.
"I want to talk to you about what happened today. No I'm not going to point fingers, Logan," the professor said when he read Logan's mind. "I know that this was the fault of no one. But I'm sure the rest of you didn't expect Jamie to heal Peter did you?"
"No we didn't," Scott said. "In fact when that happened I know I was shocked."
"Well, I think we were all expecting her to be just like Logan, but apparently she does have a difference in powers," Jean said.
"I agree, I thought at first that I should read her mind, to find out more about her. But now I think that there is no cause for alarm or anything of that matter. I think that the events of today should not be forgotten but that they aren't anything to worry about," the professor reassured them.
"I think there's more to her than we think," Logan said. He had been silent through the meeting but chose to express his opinions now. "She is different but the same, in a way. I don't know how to explain it, but there's definitely more to her."
"I agree with Logan," Storm interjected. "I think we should keep what happened today in mind as we learn more about Jamie. She's a wonderful girl, I love her to death, but I think there are things about her that even she doesn't know or understand."
"Well you all have come to some interesting points, yes Storm I believe you are right. There are things about her she doesn't know or understand, but we'll have to learn along with her. That's all for now, I think we can all rest well tonight. Tomorrow is a new day and we will have to be ready for any surprises it brings about." They bid each other good night and went to bed. Logan's last thoughts were about the change he had seen in Jamie that day. He wouldn't forget them anytime soon.
As midnight came around the mansion had finally settled down and every room was quite and full of sleep. Each person, regardless of power, species, religion, ethnicity, hate, or love, was asleep and in a place where the dangers and events of the outside world could not touch or change them. The night was perfect.
