Disclaimer: I don't own it. If I did... well... Logan would be my boyfriend.
Author's note 1: I must apologize for delaying this update. I had a bit of writer's block. Here it is. Enjoy.
The next few minutes passed in silence as the three mutants finished their dinners. Magneto was the first to break the silence. "My dear, Victoria…"
"I never told my name was Victoria. And you can't read minds." Tory interrupted.
"I know more about you than you think."
Tory stood. "And just how did you get this information?"
Mystique gave Magneto a look that said "Tell her or I will."
Magneto sighed; he knew better than to upset Mystique. "My dear, take my hand and read my mind."
Tory hesitantly took the offered hand. She focused.
A young girl, around twelve, was being carried, unconscious, to the front door. Magneto and the girl's mother were trying to stop the men. The leader turned to face them… It was Stryker… The girl in his arms was Tory… "Don't worry, Magneto…Victoria will have no memory of tonight, or even the fact that she's your daughter."
Tory let go of his hand with a jerk. "What the hell? Are you saying that I'm…?" She couldn't bring herself to say the words.
Magneto nodded. "William Stryker kidnapped you when you were twelve. It was just after we learned that you too were a mutant."
Tory pushed her chair back from the table. "This is too weird. I'm leaving."
"Victoria, wait." Magneto pleaded.
She turned and glared at him. "No… stay away from me until I figure things out." She said as she ran out the door.
Magneto sighed and turned to look at Mystique. "Do you think she'll come back?"
Mystique shrugged. "Who knows?" He replied sadly.
Tory came to a screeching halt when she saw Logan leaning against the truck. "What the hell are you doing here?" She demanded.
"I'm getting my truck back." He said smugly.
"That isn't the only reason you came after me."
"You're right. You ran out on the professor."
"And I told you why."
"Well, maybe that reason wasn't good enough." Logan shot back.
"Well, maybe I just don't give a shit!" Tory replied angrily.
"Oh I think you do care. I think you care so much it hurts. And I think that scares you." Logan said roughly.
Tory pulled away. "Go to hell!" She snapped. She turned and walked towards the motel.
Logan watched her leave. He was going to let her go, then, he remembered that she still had his keys. He ran after her and quickly caught up with her. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"
"My motel room, now go away." Tory had too much on her mind to deal with Logan at the moment.
"I'm not going anywhere until you give me a better explanation."
"I already said all I have to say to you! Now leave me alone!"
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because you still have my keys."
Tory angrily tossed his keys at him and went inside the Motel. Logan followed quickly behind her. He attempted to follow her into her room, but she slammed the door in his face. Silas, who was pushing a cart down the hall, shook his head. "Leave her be, boy, leave her be."
"Who the hell are you?"
"My name's Silas. I own this motel, and I will not have you bothering that sweet young lady."
"Listen, she kissed me and then stole my truck. I think I'm entitled to an explanation."
"Just give her time. She'll talk to you when she's good and ready."
Tory dead bolted the door and slumped to the floor. Why won't these people just leave me alone? She thought. This is too much. I don't want to choose a side. She shivered. What if Magneto really is my father? But about Jason? Wouldn't that mean that he isn't really my brother? She shook her head. No! He is my brother! Magneto is a liar! Tears fell down her face as she stared off into space. She eventually cried herself to sleep. When she was asleep, memories that she had buried for years finally came flooding back into her dreams.She sat in the waiting room of a doctor's office. A boy who looked a little older than her was sitting across from her. "Hi." He said quietly. "I'm Jason. What's your name?"
"Victoria. But I like to be called Tory."
Jason smiled. "Tory is a nice name."
A stern looking man came into the waiting room. He looked at Victoria. "Victoria, would you come with me?"
"Why? What did I do?"
"You didn't anything. But it is time for your appointment."
"Ok." Victoria said and followed him back into an exam room. She vaguely felt the sharp pinch of a needle being injected deep into her skin. She sank to the floor as the room began to spin. Her head hit the hard floor and she lost consciousness.
A few hours later
"Victoria…" A voiced said. It held a lot of concern. "Victoria, dear can you hear me?"
She opened her eyes groggily. "What's going on?" She mumbled.
"You hit your head and were knocked unconscious." The man said.
She reached up and felt a large bump forming on her forehead. She looked around. She didn't recognize anything, even though she felt she should. "Where am I?"
"You're in my clinic."
"Who are you?"
The man looked hurt. "Don't you recognize me?"
Tory shook her head. "No, I know I've met you…"
The man frowned. "You must have hit your head quite a bit harder than I thought. It must have given you temporary amnesia. I'm your father, Victoria. Your brother Jason is out in the waiting room. He's quite worried."
"Oh." Victoria said softly.
"Let's go home now, Victoria."
"Ok." She followed him out of the exam room.
Jason stood when they walked out into the waiting room. He put his arm around Victoria. "Are you ok, Tory?"
"Yeah, I think so…" Tory said softly.
"Jason, take your sister out to the car."
"Yes, sir. Come on Tory. We'll be home soon."
"Were is home?"
Jason paused, a bit uncertain. "It isn't far. Besides, in a few weeks, we get to start at the new school."
"What new school?"
Jason waited until they were outside and couldn't be heard by their father to answer. "Xavier's school for gifted children, we finally get to be out on our own."
There was a loud rap at Tory's hotel door. She jolted awake and stood to open it. She found Silas on the other side. "Can I help you?" She asked suspiciously.
"Well, I just wanted to see if you were doin' alright. You seemed upset when you came in earlier." The older gentleman replied.
"Oh, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern."
"Is there anything I can get for you?"
"No, I've got everything I need, thanks."
Silas shrugged. "Well, then, don't hesitate to ask for anything."
"Thanks, but I just plan on getting a few hours of sleep." Tory said, stifling a yawn.
"Rest well." Silas said with a nod and left.
Tory shut the door behind him. She looked at her still packed duffle bag. I'm not staying here. She thought. I don't trust Silas. I think he is too close to Magneto. She remembered her dream. Was that really a memory? Or is Magneto just toying with my head? She lifted her hand up and felt the bump that had never really healed. She couldn't remember anything before the fall. She had a few memories between that and the day she had gotten the adamantium skeleton. But they were more like flashes than anything.
She dug her wallet out of her bag and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. She wrote a note to Silas.
Silas, thank you for the room and for not asking too many questions. I'm sorry I have to leave without saying goodbye. This should cover my room fee. If it doesn't, I'll be back through eventually. Thanks again.
Tory
She placed the note and the money on the bed. She picked up her bag and headed for the window. She secretly hoped that Logan was still around town. She knew what she needed to do. She maneuvered her way out of the window and landed on her feet. "You headin' out?" A familiar gruff voice asked from behind her.
Tory turned to see Logan smoking a cigar. She grinned nervously. "I was actually kind of hoping to find you." She said quietly.
Logan raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"Yeah, I need to get back to the school. I think your professor might be able to help me out."
Logan grinned. "Follow me, the truck is this way."
Author's note 2: Yeah, a fall to the floor wouldn't be enough to give Tory amnesia. But just hang tight. It will all be explained later.
