Trigger warning: Vomiting, unpleasant feeling.
Two days have passed and Logan hasn't woken up yet. The professor insists that we shouldn't worry and that Logan is going to be alright, but I can't help it.
Just the fact that he keeps repeating that we shouldn't worry, makes me even more worried, if that even makes sense.
But really, what else can we do?
I visit him every hour to make sure he is okay.
Ororo seams to really appreciate my help. She recognizes that I care and worry a lot for Logan, and informs me on every slight improvement.
She is quite anxious though, she is constantly stressing over Logan. She hasn't moved an inch from the side his hospital bed, she sits in a chair next to him and leaves the room only when necessary.
She eats there, sleeps there, she has neglected herself and everyone else, but who could blame her?
Evan is also worried about his aunt's health. He tries to support her any way he can.
He visits her and tries to distract her from Logan. even for a little. He is usually the one who brings her food and water .
We also have taken care of her chores. We kind of have everything in schedule around here and now, except of our own chores, we do Ororo's and Logan's as well, but we manage.
We all try to help in any way we can and if doing chores is that way, then we'll go for it.
Well, at least we'll do our best.
I thought to myself as I sat near the library's window and watched Kurt, Evan and Scott got out of the institute as they drove away passed the gates with Scott's convertible.
Ororo used to take care of all the meals since no one else around here knows how to cook for nine people, including teenagers with enormous appetites. Now that she can't however, we decided to pick someone by lot.
And sadly, for all of us, Evan and Scott were the "lucky ones".
They said they wanted to give it a try, so we gave them a chance.
It was a bad idea.
The kitchen was a fucking disaster and let's not talk about that slime they called soup.
We gathered again and decided to get take-out. So, Evan and Scott went to get the food as an apology for the mess they made, which left me, Jean and Rogue to clean up.
Kurt tagged along with the guys to get an extra hotdog. The silly fuzzy elf.
Rogue meanwhile was in our room. She said she would take a quick nap and told me to wake her up when the boys came back.
Jean was taking a shower, so I was now alone.
"Kathryn?" I heard Ororo call out to me and I turned to her in surprise.
She was standing against the doorframe.
"Ororo? Is there something wrong? Do you need help?" I asked quickly and she let out a slight chuckle.
"No, no everything is great," she said and I looked at her puzzled.
She noticed my confusion and smiled sweetly, making me more confused.
"He woke up. He asked for you," she said and my eyes widened.
"What?" I asked.
"Logan woke up, and the first thing he alsed was if you and Kurt were okay," she explained and I was still dumbfounded.
"He asked about me?" I asked in disbelief and she walked closer to me.
"Why are you so surprised? Don't you know how much Logan cares about you?" She said and I smiled as memories of all our interactions filled my brain.
"He told me how you followed him, about how you wouldn't leave him behind no matter how out of control he got, he also told me that you got him back to his senses. You were the one who gave him the courage to fight and I wanted to thank you for all that," she said, getting a hold of my hand and I was left astonished surprised once more.
"Thank me for what?" I asked and she squeezed my hand, a warm smile on her face.
"Thank you for caring for him as much as he cares for you," she said and placed me into a tight hug, I hesitated a for a short while but soon placed my hands around her waist.
"Always," I whispered into her neck as her soft, white as snow hair got in my face, but I didn't mind.
We pulled away and she wiped tears away from her eyes.
"Come on. Go, I know you want to see him," she said and I nodded.
I walked to the door but soon stopped in my tracks.
"Ororo?" I called her name, my voice just above a whisper.
"Yes, dear?" She waited for my response.
"Can you tell the others too? I bet they would like to see Logan as well," I said and she smiled.
"I will, now go on," she said making a sign for me to move, ushering me towards the right direction.
I took the stairs down to the second basement where the infirmary was.
I walked to Logan's block and the door was open.
I peeked my head inside only to see the Professor talking with Logan.
I met Logan's dark almost black eyes and felt relieved to see them full of life again.
They both noticed me and I walked fully inside.
"I could come later if you like, I didn't mean to interrupt," I said and turned to leave.
"No, Kathryn, stay, I should be going anyways, see you later Logan," Professor Xavier said and wheeled out of the room.
Logan eyed me while I still stood near the door.
"Hi," I said rubbing the back of my hand awkwardly, Logan smiled.
"Hi," he said, mimicking my tone and I shook my head in embarrassment.
I walked and sat at the chair next to him and hugged my knees while he watched my every move.
"How are you feeling?" I asked and he glared at me.
"I am good, now do you care to explain why the hell where you following me, if you already knew I was looking for trouble?" he asked, anger in his voice.
"I followed you because you were hurting! In that state, you were, trouble was the last thing you should have been looking for and I knew changing your mind wasn't even an option, so I did what I thought was right to keep you safe," I spoke my truth and he seemed to get my point, but it didn't seem to satisfy him.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous it was? You could have died there." he said sternly and I looked down.
"No, I couldn't have, as you saw yourself, I can handle myself just fine," I said and scoffed.
"Oh really? Is that fine? " He asked pointing at my shoulder.
"I've had worse and you know that better than anyone else," I said and he sighed, looking down.
Silence was what followed, that kind of silence that could actually kill you from inside, so I decided to break it before I started feeling worse about the situation.
"What if it was me?" I whispered finally meeting his eyes as he looked back at .
"What do you mean?" He asked softly.
"What if we switched places? What if I was going somewhere alone to face my past and I wasn't in any state to handle it? What would you have done? Would you have let me to go alone?" I kept shooting him questions. I could clearly see the answer inside Logan's eyes, but I needed to hear it.
"No," he said through his teeth.
"Then why are you scolding me for doing it?" I asked and he seemed uneasy.
He didn't answer.
"Is it because I am a kid? And you're an adult," I asked and he sighed.
"No, it's because I don't want to you to get hurt trying to save me," he responded and all his anger had finally faded away.
"I won't, I am capable enough," I protested.
"I know. I know that you are, but you can't handle everything, not yet. I know that you will be one of the greatest X-Men one day, but that day hasn't arrived yet. You are still young, you got a lot to learn to become the best of you," he said and I analysed his words.
"Understand me, I trust you. I know that you are capable of a lot of things and that you fight better than any fighter your age, but you should always be careful. Especially with Sabretooth," he said and I nodded.
"I understand, but why especially sabretooth?" I asked, I knew he and Sabretooth were enemies, but what does that have to do with me?
He didn't answer.
"Is it because of my scar? Because I lost two fights with him?" I asked and he stood up on his bed and turned his body so it was facing me.
"Sabretooth likes to see me hurt, he will do anything just to get under my skin. First time we met, I felt a connection, I knew you understood me and that meant something for me. After you ran that day after sabretooth hit you, we had a fight and he soon came to the conclusion that I cared about you, kid," he admitted and took a deep breath as if telling me this was lifting a weight off his shoulders.
"And when he attacked at the institute, he threatened to hurt you first chance he got, he said that he wanted to kill you, make it slow and painful and you gave him that exact fucking chance by going with porcupine and Rogue." he said and my jaw dropped.
"Oh shit, that's why you were so mad," I said and he nodded.
"Yes, and when we were in the mountain, he attacked and kidnapped me, he brought me to that man with the black coat and told me that I was there to do what I was created to do. He wanted me to kill mutants, starting with you and Kurt. He was going to make me kill you kids," he said and took another deep breath.
"That's what happened to people I care about; he hunts them down. He thinks that you are an easy target- " he explained but I cut him off.
"Then he's a fool, because I am not one." I said and he smiled.
"I know, just stay away from him please, please stop trying to get hurt, I am asking it as a favour," he said and I stood there with astounded.
Did the Wolverine just say please?
I relaxed and slowly nodded.
"Okay, I'll try, but no promises," I said and he once more stayed quiet.
Silence filled the room again, but this was a different kind of silence, it was the-calm-after-the-storm, kind of silence.
"Logan?" I said and caught his attention.
"Do you... Can I..." I tried to ask him but I hesitated.
What if he doesn't want to.
I thought.
"Do not overthink it, just say it," Logan said placing his hand on my uninjured shoulder.
"Can I. ... hug you?" I said still hesitantly.
He didn't answer, so I took that as a no.
"Sorr-" I was about to apologize for putting him in an awkward position, but he cut me off.
"You don't have to ask," he said with a smile and he pulled me into a tight hug.
"You know I thought you died for a long while," I said and felt a tear slide down my cheek.
"I am right here, half-pint," he whispered to me and I hugged him tighter.
I finally relaxed as I felt safe now that I knew that he was okay.
(Third person POV)
Logan knew that he loved the child as his own and that she reciprocated the same feeling.
He also knew that he meant what he had told her.
She was indeed capable of many things, and she had a long future waiting her.
He knew that she would grow up to be a bright woman. But at that moment she was a child, even if she didn't want to admit it.
She might have seen the darkness of the world at a very young age and she may be a better fighter than he was at her age. She has the spirit of a fighter, but she wasn't ready to face the world alone. Even if she couldn't see it, Logan did.
She had a long way till she was ready to stand at her own feet and stand against the world for her beliefs.
Logan also knew that he would be there to stand by her side when the time was right, but till then, he wanted her to be the child she never got to be.
Only if he could take the pain of her dark memories away from her.
Logan thought as he hugged the kid tighter.
The Professor and Ororo stood outside from Logan's infirmary room.
Charles looked proudly at Kathryn and Logan.
"Isn't this one of the most beautiful sights you have ever seen?" Ororo asked Charles and he nodded with a smile.
"Yes, yes, it is," Charles answered, voice full with emotion as he watched his loyal friend, Logan, and his dear student, Kathryn, finally realize their strong bond.
-Time Skip-
Night time arrived and everyone was heading to bed.
Logan was also moved back in his bedroom, but Ororo stayed in his room for the night, just in case something happened, even though Logan insisted that he was fine.
I, on the other hand, felt off.
I couldn't get rid of a tight knot in my stomach, no matter how many deep breaths I would take. The disgusting need to puke my insides out was building up and I didn't know for how long I could withstand it. The room around me was spinning like a carousel and all I wanted was to bang my head at the wall, seemingly enough to me the only solution that could save me from my headache.
I laid on my bed, facing the ceiling, wishing everything would just go away on its own.
I began turning in my bed, clenching either my head or stomach.
I groaned in pain as my stomach burned from the inside, it would stop hurting for a few seconds and then start again.
It felt like an invisible person was hitting me repeatedly and I couldn't protect myself.
I gasped in pain, once more I felt my skin burn from the inside.
I kept shivering as I felt liquid run all over me.
I moved and moved, jolting all around my bed, I rubbed my hands together trying to stop the feeling, but couldn't.
I felt it touching me, I could feel it passing from my chest to my limbs and I didn't know what to do.
I shot up on my bed but immediately regretted it as my head began ringing and I felt that liquid move with me.
I gasped as I felt it move all over my body, what the hell was wrong with me?
I thought and felt a sudden need to vomit, I moved once more standing up, trying to head for the bathroom, but I couldn't. I felt my legs giving in as I landed on my knees.
I choked as I felt the liquid move once more, but it changed direction it was now moving from my chest to my neck and out of my mouth.
I gagged as I felt more coming, I took deep breaths trying to take it easy.
I closed my eyes, making my head feel slightly better.
I felt a lump in my throat and gagged once again, ready to vomit but nothing came out.
It hurt, I felt like I wanted to release it, I wanted it out of me, but I didn't even know what it was.
All I knew was that it hurt.
I was so glad Rogue was a heavy sleeper, I thought as I glanced at her.
I wiped my mouth with my hand and groaned in pain for what seemed the hundredth time.
I ridded my head but it wouldn't stop, it just kept going, it felt like it would never stop.
I lowered my head till it touched my knees,
I closed my eyes furiously, I kept hold of my head, wishing that somehow this would make the pain go away.
And then I felt it again, moving inside of me.
I wanted it to stop!
I want it to go.
I thought from inside of me as I felt the sides of my head throbbing in pain.
I felt it, it was on my nose, it was running down my nose.
I felt dripping out, and streaming down to my lips and jaw finally landing on my knee.
I immediately reached up and touched the liquid, it was dark red it was a bit thicker than water.
It was blood, I sniffed my nose as I felt more coming.
I took a deep breath closing my eyes.
And slowly opened them again and looked at the floor.
Looked at my vomit.
My eyes widened when I realized it was blood.
Was I dying?
I thought and stood up, but grabbed into the wall trying to reach the professor's room for help.
Normally, I would have gone to Logan, but he was still recovering so I didn't want to bother him.
I knocked on his bedroom door.
"Professor?" I asked my voice raspy.
I coughed to clear my throat.
"Professor?" I said again and the door shot open.
"Kathryn? Something wrong?" He asked concerned and I nodded.
"Professor I-" I tried to explain what was happening to me but a sudden pain on my limbs stopped me.
The burning sensation continued and I rubbed the places I felt them from harshly in pain.
I rubbed harder and harder trying to make the pain go away. Professor grabbed my hands gently, but firmly.
"Stop, you're going to hurt yourself," he said and I looked down at my hands to realize that they were red and full of scratch marks.
I gasped in pain and looked at the professor helplessly as my vision blurred.
"No, no, child, hold on," he said panicking, but I felt my body giving up on me.
I felt my body hit the floor with a bang and I drifted off.
-Time Skip-
(Third person point of view)
Charles Xavier sat in his office, repeating the scene of Kathryn inside his head.
What had he done?
Was that the right thing to do?
What would happen when she found out the truth?
Would she hate him?
He thought and felt a tear stream down his cheek.
"Oh Leah, why did you do this? Why is Kathryn going to pay for your mistakes?" Charles asked as he was now sure of the truth.
Kathryn Pryde was the daughter of Leah Pryde.
All the similarities of their voices, features.
Their eyes were almost identical.
He thought and shook his head on himself.
"I should have known," he mumbled to himself but suddenly felt another presence near him.
"It was time you figured it out," she spoke from inside the shadows, her eyes glowing gold in the darkness.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked not sparing her a look as she walked out of the shadows and stood against the wall.
"Because I didn't want to make it easy for you, how did you find out anyways?" She asked and walked around the office only to stop in front of a sculpture of Charles' head, she examined it.
"She-" Charles began, but stopped as he couldn't find the right words.
"She what?" Mystique said annoyed at him, but kept examining the piece of art.
"She bled out," he said and she stopped moving.
She stood frozen, analyzing what Charles had just uttered.
She didn't expect for it to happen this early, this ruined all her plans.
She met Charles eyes only to see guilt, she thought at first that it was because of Leah, but no, it was something else.
"What did you do?" She asked calmly.
And he didn't dare to meet her eyes.
"Charles Xavier, what did you do this time?" She asked more aggressively.
"I blocked it, permanently," he said and Mystique scowled in anger.
"You did what?!" She screamed and crushed the sculpture to the floor.
It shattered in pieces, and Mystique walked through them to get to Charles face.
"You blocked it!? Why?!" She screamed and he looked directly in her eyes.
"She is too young, she wouldn't be able to handle it, this was the best thing I could do, if I can prevent this from happening, I will " he said more sternly.
Mystique shook her head .
"And let me guess? You erased all her memories of the event?" She asked and he nodded slowly.
Suddenly, Mystique laughed darkly making Charles shiver.
"You blame me for being manipulative, but look at you! Getting into your student's mind, erasing memories, blocking a part of them because you are afraid to tell the truth," she said and Charles didn't want to believe her.
"No! I was just trying to protect her-" he tried to deny her accusations but was interrupted by Mystique.
"The only person you are trying to protect, is you" she told him but he scoffed.
"Do not judge my actions from your standards," he said and Mystique moved and sat on his desk.
"Really? So, you aren't afraid to go tell her the truth? Explain to her that everything she is going through is because of you. Admit that her being abused by her mother is your fault. That you had a chance to save her from her misery, but you were blinded by selfishness and jealousy. Oh, and almost forgot, tell her about her father! Imagine her devastation when she finds out. She and Logan have a really close bond, but all of that will crumble to pieces when they find out. Logan most likely won't speak to you again if he finds out that you knew and never told him. Go ahead, Charles, tell her the truth,"
she said and Charles felt more tears streaming down his face.
"I... I regretted it, Raven, I try to redeem my self-every day. I am trying, I never meant for this to happen. I was young and careless, I felt betrayed. I wanted revenge, that's why I shoved her away. She betrayed me, Raven, how could I let her stay with me after all that? How could I have known the impact my actions would have on Kathryn's life. How could have I known?"
He said wiping tears away but she just smirked.
"You aren't afraid to tell her," She said with a long pause and Charles looked at her surprised.
"You are terrified, you are trembling even at the thought that she will find out." She said excitedly and Charles looked down in shame.
"Don't Worry, Charles, you don't have to tell her," She said and stood up from the desk and opened the window wide.
Charles watched her every move as she turned back to him with a Cheshire smile.
"Because I will and then will you see who that girl trusts, you or me," she said and before Charles could even protest, she turned into a black raven and flew away.
The professor had said many lies to cover up the hurtful truth, but he knew if Kathryn ever found out from Mystique, he would lose her forever.
He knew what he did was wrong, got in her mind without permission, he erased her memories,
He blocked a part of her.
He couldn't even say the word. He rubbed his head in frustration.
How could he?
He can't let her know, if she finds out the truth there was no going back.
