Logan was afraid to move, but not because of what he felt for Athena; all of his emotions seemed to collide when Athena finally finished her story at dawn. He didn't even know what he was—whether he was angry at her for deceiving him, enraged at her for making him sorry when she should have been when he attacked her, or just feeling mad at the concept of love, that this woman had pulled a curtain over his eyes and made him mad with desire at her beauty—when she really was a monster in the clothing of a beautiful woman.
In any case, he didn't want to hear another word from Athena. When the last word was still ringing in his ears, he stormed out of the medical bay. Athena wasn't surprised; she'd hoped for better, but she knew that most people didn't accept a vampire living within their midst too lightly, unless the vampire was someone that they already cared about deeply. She and Logan had hardly shared a bed, and all that they had shared in terms of emotions was a few times when they lustily looked into each other's eyes. Athena counted herself lucky that Jean had been benevolent to accept the truth and keep it, and, more importantly, look at her as a person and accept her as a good person. Why else had Jean saved Athena from the vampiric death that had brushed her pallid cheeks? Athena now knew that not everyone was as pleasant-minded as Jean, and Athena now knew that Logan wasn't one of those people.
Soon after Logan left, Kurt and Jean came in to see an Athena that was trying to rise from her bed and sit on it. Unfortunately, she stumbled and Kurt teleported to her position just in time to keep her from falling. "You must ve very carevul. You've never had so many holes in vou." Kurt steadied his good friend on the bed, and helped her lie down. Kurt sat beside Athena's right side, and Jean walked over to the left side of the girl's bed. "How are you feeling?" Jean said, smiling. Athena nodded, feeling fine, if only a little nauseous on her feet. "I feel a little sick, almost seasick, but I think I'll be fine in a few hours. I just need to lie down and keep talking . . ." Athena's eyes closed halfway, and she sighed deeply as she tried to calm down and cope with everything that had happened to her. However, Athena's concentration and state of ease was disturbed by what she heard, barely audible in the living room of the Academy.
Logan was telling everyone else in the living room—meaning all the other X-men—what she was. She swallowed, dreading their impression of her when she would finally have to leave the medical bay. At least I finally told him why I'm here . . . instead of him being further deceived. And everyone else as well . . .. Athena could have laughed at herself. Why was she thinking of 'him'? He had already showed her that he hated what she was, and that he far from had any sort of feelings for her. I've lost two men in the course of twenty-four hours . . . . just great. Well, I guess that's what happens when you have the body and brain of a seventeen-year-old. Why couldn't Akasha have turned me when I'd been a little older? Athena let the hurt in her heart spread to her brain and develop into a mild headache. She felt hurt over her Lestat leaving her . . . he said he wanted to stay with his old love Louis, and had taken their little daughter with him; she felt hurt and angry over her own poor choice and decisions. Most of all, she felt hurt and utterly tired after the long ordeal that was her life. Looking up at Jean, Kurt, and Professor Xavier, and thinking of all the people she had left at Xaphania who loved her still—her father and two brothers, along with the three matrix who she had chosen as the top male fighters, and the two girls who were the second and best top fighters—Athena knew that her life lay within them. Though she needed love, (marriage had been something her father had been pushing her into for a while now) Athena decided that she would forsake it. What had it done for her? Given her a broken heart, and a broken life. Friendship was perfectly fine, and familial love was Heaven. But romantic love? Please, Athena thought. Promoting romantic love is the reason why Aphrodite was always pegged as a dumb bitch and slut when I was a kid. Athena smiled at Xavier, as well as Scott, Rogue, Bobby, and Storm, who had surprised her by coming to see how she'd been doing.
Closing her eyes as Xavier put his hand on her forehead, Xavier spoke in a soothing manner to the young girl. "Sleep, now, my little goddess. You've been through a lot." Xavier smiled at Jean, motioning her to come and help him put Athena at ease using telepathic power. They both knew that Athena's was an ancient mind, due to the ancient blood that had left its mark within her veins. Sleep, they both whispered to Athena's subconscious. Against her will, against her desire to know why everyone but Logan had come to see her, Athena slept, her troubles scattered to the wind.
"Poor girl," Scott said, sitting next to Athena's bed as she slept away the morning. "Imagine having to go through all that pain, and still having the strength to be great at something." He smiled as he looked at Storm sitting on the other side of the bed, and added, "It kinda reminds me of Jean. That damn Phoenix once took over her powers and made her emotions crumble, but now she's with me and saving lives and mastering her own power." Scott beamed with pride, at his Jean and at the tenacity of this young girl slumbering peacefully in front of him. It was as if he had the opportunity to see the cycle of life repeat one of its long cycles again.
Storm smiled. "I just hope that all of us come to embrace Athena. We'll need her if this war between her and Siete ever does come here." Storm bit her lip, but found herself looking at the youth in Athena's face, a face that was young after more than four thousand years. She felt that Athena was more child than woman, and added, almost a barely audible whisper, "It's nice to have her here, anyway. I miss having another teenager padding around the Academy." Storm smiled, and started to gently pull back the young girl's black hair.
The Professor came in at a moderate pace on his wheelchair, and smiled at Storm, then nodded at Scott. "How's she doing?" he said, his voice attempting not to wake the sleeping girl. Scott rose, knowing that it was time to exchange shifts. He wondered who would be coming with the Professor to watch over Athena; Scott was appalled when he saw Logan, wearing only a white, sweaty undershirt, his claws extended, enter the medical bay.
"She's doing fine, just sleeping off her fatigue, really," Scott said, his voice at first quiet, but it grew in intensity and his face curled in visible hate as he continued, "but she'd be a lot better if a certain someone weren't here." Scott glared at Logan, but Professor Xavier raised his hands to come between the two men, seemingly always at odds. "Scott," Xavier said kindly, "you and Storm may go. Athena will be fine with Logan and I here." Swallowing a bit, and trying to poorly conceal his sorrow, Xavier turned to Scott, and said, "She's bound to wake up soon, anyhow." It was about twelve o'clock, but they all knew that Athena would likely sleep away the afternoon as well. What Professor Xavier was saying was just something to ease his own pain and sorrow for the girl who may very well have been his daughter. Scott nodded to Storm, and they both left Xavier and Logan to take their places beside Athena's bed.
Xavier, who had no children of his own, smiled and tried to make himself feel better for the one daughter he felt he had. For, unbeknownst to anyone but Lupin Solcannis himself, Xavier was Athena's godfather in the event that anything happened to Lupin. After all, Lupin was getting old in werewolf terms, and needed someone to take care of his roguish daughter who needed affection and comfort probably more than anyone else did in the world. Xavier knew this, and pulled out a beautiful box for Athena. The box was black satin, and he opened it gently. Inside lay a beautiful flower made of gems. It was a red flower, made of finely cut rubies, and the stem and assorted parts were made of black and canary diamonds. The whole flower was probably a little bigger than the palm of the average person's hand, and probably cost a fortune. Xavier was more than happy to clip it in Athena's hair, on a section of hair that lay just above her ear, and was as black as the hair that Athena had been born with. "Do you like it?" Xavier whispered to the girl, and as she smiled gently in her sleep, the Professor smiled as he took her smile as a 'yes'. Xavier decided to only watch his goddaughter sleep, and be there if she woke up.
Looking over at Logan, who was more interested in the well being and cleanliness of his own adamantine claws than Athena, Xavier sighed and spoke quietly. "Logan . . . Logan." Logan was so preoccupied with himself that he almost missed the Professor's call. He growled subtly, and said, "What?" His voice was gruff and almost like the growl of a wolf. He was noticeably pissed, and obviously didn't want to be in this room, much less look at Athena. After what she's done . . . her lies . . . why does everyone believe that she's good? She's only a girl who loves blood and suffering. And to deceive… Out of respect for Xavier and everything that he'd done for him, Logan paid attention to the good Professor.
"Why are you so angry with Athena? She 'deceived' everyone, not just you. But she had to . . . Athena had to keep her intent secret because, according to her, Siete has his pockets and hands everywhere."
"Yeah, according to her. Why should we believe her? We've only just met her!" Logan's clenched his jaw in momentary anger, and then released his hold on his teeth. "She could just be here to get blood from all of us, and leave us to rot in the Academy!"
"Logan, she didn't. She got synthetic blood from me— just enough to live and do normal sorts of magic. Remember, she's an ancient vampire. Had she wanted to, she could have done anything and everything she wanted to in the few minutes she was conscious. Athena has the power to kill us all within a half hour, or change us all into her puppets within ever less time. But regardless of all this power, she didn't, and wanted us as her friends."
"But why didn't she . . . why did she . . .. " Logan was lost for words. He knew what the Professor had been talking about, but the crime that he was most angry with Athena about wasn't about her deception. It was . . .. something Logan couldn't describe in words. However, for the understanding of Xavier, he tried his damned hardest.
"Why did she deceive me into loving her? I don't love women who like the taste of blood." Logan, though he hated the young girl at the surface, couldn't bring himself to look at her. Though he tried, he didn't want to, deep within himself.
Xavier saw this, and started to gently speak. "Why can't you look at her?" It wasn't a question to Logan; it was something he wanted to ponder, and hopefully help Logan realize what lay beneath his own feelings. "They say that nonchalance is true hatred—that if someone can look at you and say that they honestly don't care about you, they are the people who hate you. A person who feels hatred and enrage towards a person still, at some level, cares about that person." Xavier looked at Logan, and he knew that the Professor wanted him to look at Athena and cure this confusion within him.
Defying all of the cautions and warnings within him, screaming and trying to get his eyes to look away from the girl, Logan forced his eyes towards her. Breathing in and out, matching Athena's breathing rhythm by accident, he just looked, staying as still as possible, not daring to move.
Somehow, all of the electrical connections within his brain that controlled his muscles made his right hand reach up to Athena's hair, and slightly adjust the beautiful ornament that the Professor had put onto Athena.
Night had fallen before anyone had noticed, and an awake Athena, feeling back to herself and reality, was in Storm's room, helping her select a dress for her dinner. Athena couldn't help but beam at the thought that her friend, Kurt, had a date with the amazing and kindly woman that he had fancied for a long time. Storm and Athena had talked a great deal about Kurt's past, and the friendship they had shared in Germany.
"He's a lot of fun, Kurt," Athena said, her voice bubbly and excited, "when we were in Germany together, he and I used to have fun going out drinking and dancing and singing at German bars. He can't hold his liquor, mind you," Athena said, giggling, "but he's a wonder on the dance floor and can sing, even though he's got a deep accent."
Storm was enjoying all of the stories about Kurt, and felt the butterflies in her stomach ease a bit. "I'm just so worried about tonight. I haven't had a date in . . . " Storm tried to remember the last date she'd been on, when she realized she couldn't. " Well, I can't ever remember having a date." Athena smiled, and finally found a nice dress that would fit Storm like a glove. "Don't worry; you'll be great. You're a beautiful woman, and Kurt likes you a lot." Athena knew that Storm was the girl for him; she hadn't seen him so happy since those days in Munich when she and her friend had painted the city red. Storm felt the friendship of Athena, and looked at the dress she had selected. She had forgotten that it was even in her own closet; it was a beautiful white dress that Athena thought would show off her figure, but wouldn't be too forward or provocative.
"Well, don't just look at the thing," Athena said, teasing her, "go put it on." Storm hurried off to her bathroom, and taking her time, she put on the dress, which really did fit like a glove. Athena waited in front of the bathroom door for the moment when Storm would come out, wearing the dress. The wait had been more than worth it—Athena beamed as she was reminded of the aura of her mortal mother when she looked upon Storm. She had a regal quality about her, but Storm also looked womanly and remotely motherly as well. "Oh, Storm," Athena gushed, "it looks beautiful on you. Kurt will be stunned." Athena and Storm glanced at the clock, and realized that Kurt would come knocking on Storm's door in a little less than five minutes.
"Are you ready?" Athena said, excited for her new friend. "I don't think you'll need any makeup—you're already beautiful without it. But there's something I want to give you." Athena, reaching up at her own hair, got the beautiful hair clip that Xavier had given her when she'd been sick a few minutes ago. "I want you to wear this tonight." Athena would have said 'have', but it was from Xavier—and she already treasured it. But Storm was happy to wear it just for tonight, and Athena helped her slip it off just as Storm was putting on her own simple high heeled shoes, only about two inches in height.
Just as Storm was ready, a knock came at the door. Athena went to the door, and was thrilled to see a Kurt that was fully dressed in a lovely burgundy suit. His smile was charming, and Athena knew that Kurt liked Storm when his blue skin was perfectly visible—he hadn't bothered to cover it up with makeup. When Kurt asked, "Is Storm vere?" Athena beamed, nodding her head and getting a dolled up Storm.
Meeting at the door, Storm and Kurt smiled and complimented each other's clothing. Taking her arm, Kurt carefully escorted Storm downstairs, where a car was waiting to take them to a fancy restaurant, and afterwards dancing. Athena waved to Storm like a proud mother sending her daughter out into the world.
When she'd cleared up the mess she and Storm had made while getting Storm ready for her date, Athena decided to go find Scott. She had nothing to do herself—she didn't really feel like making the trip to Logan's room to get her books to study—and wanted to see what she could do after having been sick for a while. Knocking on Scott's door, she was pleased to find him reading a book on his own. According to Scott, Jean was somewhere on her own, playing a game with Rogue or one of the other students.
"Hey Scott," Athena said to him casually, "the danger room here—it's used for combat training, right?" Scott's eyebrow cocked curiously, and he put down the book he was reading. "Yeah. Why?" His voice was a bit playful; he hoped she was suggesting what he'd been wanting to try with her all along—he wanted to see just how skilled she was, and whether she was truly a better fighter compared to a mutant, rather than just another matrix or matrixa.
"I was wondering if you could come with me, and I could, you know, try some of my own moves in it? I don't know exactly how it works. . though I overheard something about holograms and simulations when Lupin was discussing it over the phone once." Athena grinned, and Scott grinned back at her.
"My dear, come with me. You don't know how long I've wanted to pit someone like you against a mutant training system. And perhaps . . . another mutant."
Athena grinned, saying in an arrogant manner, "I hope that by that you don't mean for me to fight you," as a smirk spread over her face, "because I'd just simply demolish you."
Scott laughed, enjoying her tenacity. "We'll see, my dear. We shall certainly see."
