Hannah woke up to the sounds of birds cheeping outside her
window, she stretched and turned to her side clutching a pillow close to
her. It was the first goodnight's sleep she had had in ages. She looked
over at the various array of shopping bags now adorning her dresser. They
were full of jeans, tops, shoes, skirts....everything the latest fashion.
It was obvious her godfather had footed the bill, and money was no object.
When she had come back to her room last night after her little adventure in town, she had showered and then rummaged through the bags, trying on various things. She felt like a little girl at Christmas. But one thing was missing, there was no one to share her excitement with. At least in England there had been a bodyguard. Something was better than nothing. She had started to get into a funk again. Feeling sorry for herself, but then decided that was stupid. If she could talk to strange guys in bars, surely she could talk to the others in the mansion. She had gone to bed with the feeling that things were definitely going to get better around here.
Now she seemed ready to face a new day. As she pulled on the new pair of jeans and the form fitting black v neck tshirt, she looked in the mirror. Something was different. Yesterdays fiasco was a mistake that was for sure, but she had learned something. The real world was nothing like she had imagined. But she was ready to embrace these experiences, it was one step towards her new life of leading a normal existence.
She was anxious to get to the piano this morning, a sudden brainstorm had hit her. Not only reinvent her outer appearance but what about her playing styles. She had been forced to play Chopin and Mozart, Debussy and Bach. And although she loved their music, it had never been the music of her choice. She liked jazz, a little boogie woogie. Yesterday playing in the bar, on that out of tune upright piano had been a challenge in more ways than one. She hadn't played that piece in so long, and it came right back to her, sounding better than ever despite the wolf calls and the condition of the instrument. As she sat at the piano bench this morning, she felt rejuvenated and nothing could stop her.
Logan spent his morning in the danger room, then headed for the kitchen for something to eat. As he rode up in the elevator from the underground levels his heightened senses kicked in and he was aware Hannah was in the conservartory playing. As the elevator doors opened instead of making the left to go to the kitchen, he went right being drawn to her playing once again.
Standing quietly in the doorway, he saw a different person in front of him, The solemn moody sonatas he was use to hearing, had been replaced with a happy boogie woogie similar to the one he had heard briefly yesterday. And her demeanor at the piano was unlike his previous encounters of her sitting in this exact same place. As her hands flew across the keys, there was a bounce in them, her body swayed with the music. He couldn't make out her face, but he was pretty sure she was smiling. He smiled to himself, this hardly seemed like the same girl at all. Rogue's inappropriate teenage attire had been replaced with a smart pair of jeans and a plain black top. Her long black hair was hanging free and loose. Watching her took him to a place which had a vague familiarity to it, but he didn't understand why. He had never known anyone who played before, never sat at a piano in his life . In his immense concentration, he leaned against the door frame and the door began to move causing him to lose his balance, grumbling 'oh, shit', he awkwardly fell to the floor.
Hannah immediately stopped playing and turned with the distraction coming from the doorway. When she saw Logan pulling himself off the ground she couldn't help but smile,hiding her mouth with her hand, she even managed a giggle.
"What are you laughing at? I lost my balance." he grumbled.
She immediately got up and moved towards him, this took him by surprise since he had hoped to make a quick exit. But Hannah had reached for his hand before he could turn to leave. He looked down at his hand inside hers and wasn't sure if he liked it or not. He had never been fond of touching. Unless he was the one instigating it. She noticed his stern look, but didn't let go, "Come with me." As she pulled him towards the piano, he put up a minimal amount of resistance.
When they got to the piano, she placed her hands on his shoulders, "Sit down." She ordered.
He now resisted and with one swoop managed to knock both of her arms, so she let go immediately. She was a bit surprised but she wasn't about to give up, "I just want to teach you something."
He waved his arms in front of her, "Oh, no, you don't. I can't be taught a thing. I don't have one musical bone in my body."
"You love music, Logan, that means you do...come on, let me try. I have never taught anyone anything, you can be my guinea pig. Storm mentioned the other day that maybe I could teach. How will I know if I don't try?" She pleaded.
"Not on me." He started heading back towards the door, and she stood there with her hands crossed over her chest feeling a little let down. He had expected her to badger him more and when she didn't he slowly turned towards her. She wasn't looking at him, her head down, the smile he had witnessed earlier replaced with a glum frown. She was scuffing her shoes over the tiled floor, causing black marks to surface. He let out a sigh, and slowly moved towards her.
She didn't budge from her spot, didn't realize he had made his way back to her, until she saw his scruffy black boots inches away from her own feet. She slowly looked up, the glum face still in place.
Logan shook his head not really understanding this hold she had on him, "You can take that puppy dog look off your face now. You win." Not knowing her possible mutations, he considered she could be controlling him with her mind. It was possible. Or was that just what women did to get men to do what they wanted. In all his years, he managed to stay away from that kind of woman. And he really didn't believe she was like that. She was much to naive and innocent about men in general.
She managed to smile coyly, "Really? You'll let me teach you?"
"You can try, but I'm warning you, don't be disillusioned. I doubt that I'll be playing some fancy Beethoven piece after an hour."
"I was thinking Mary Had a Little Lamb, would be a good start.."
"Now wait a minute, Beethoven is one thing, but a kids nursery rhyme, I don't think so."
"Might ruin your reputation, eh, Logan?" She teased him.
He furrowed his brow at her as he sat on the right side of the piano bench, stretching both arms out in front of him, " Alright then, let's get this show on the road."
She sat next to him, feeling incredibly satisfied with herself. As he rested his hands on the keys, Hannah found herself drawn to them, intrigued by them. Logan was well aware of her glances and the awkward silence that now hovered over them. "What are you waiting for? I could easily change my mind, you know." He started to stand up, and she snapped out of her daze.
"No, no....don't go." she grabbed onto his shirt sleeve trying to pull him back down, but he resisted on purpose.
He sat back down and turned to her, smiling. "Mistake number 1, if you're going to teach anyone anything, Hannah, you have to be in charge, none of this pleading and whining."
"I'm not whining. And since when are you an expert on teaching?" she questioned.
"Never said I was, but I have a hell of a lot of life experience, kiddo and the way you make it out there is with confidence, show them who's in charge."
Hannah took a deep breath, "Right, Logan, can we now cease with the inane babble and precede with the lesson. You are wasting my valuable time." She turned to him looking serious, but the corner of her mouth curled slightly.
"Good...improvement definitely. I like it. You're learning."
"So you can teach, Logan. you know, I've learned more from you in the past few days, then I've learned in all my life."
" Somehow I think that's an exageration. And it's not teaching, it's just common sense, lessons you learn in everyday living."
"Well, obviously I haven't lived then." Why she was drawn to him she wasn't sure. He was mysterious and moody, and complicated. Logan caught the look in her eye, one of envy and fascination. He was feeling incredibly uncomfortable. She put him on a pedestal, one he didn't deserve.
She realized she had been staring at him. She quickly snapped out of it, "Right....let's begin." She took his right hand and placed it on the white keys beginning at C. She did the same with hers. She played a C Major scale and recited the letter names.Then looked up at him, "Come on, do it with me."
Logan looked towards the door, god, no one better see him do this. He felt like a fool. If he could remember grade school, he was sure it would have been very similar to this experience. But he was a grown man, reciting letters of the alphabet. Slowly he played each key repeating the letters. Why did he ever agree to this?
* * * * *
* * *
Charles heard the music coming from the conservatory as he wheeled down the hall. It was Heart and Soul, one of the first duets every child learned on the piano. He had visions of his goddaughter teaching one of his young students but as he approached the room, he realized that wasn't the case.
He entered the room and found Hannah and Logan at the piano. With one finger Logan was concentrating on the melody, Hannah proficiently playing the chords in the bass clef, and calling out a letter name when he couldn't remember the next note. She offered words of encouragement as she began to speed up. Logan was actually enjoying this, a smirk on his face, but not taking his eyes away from the keys. Finally it was too much for him and he stopped, Hannah smiled at him, "That was brilliant. You could be a fine musician, Logan."
"Not with these hands." he joked.
Hannah looked down at his hands, remembering what she had witnessed ...the claws. She wanted to touch them, run her fingers across the backs of them, where the claws emerged. "Your hands....I think they're amazing." Logan noticed her stare, and then was startled by a voice from behind them.
"Bravo, Logan, your many talents never cease to amaze me." Logan stood up, a bit embarrassed being caught in this situation. Charles eyes then focused on the raven haired beauty in his presence. My god, she was so like her mother.
Hannah felt awkward, the way he was staring at her. Logan watched the exchange of glances and noticed Hannah immediately drop her head. It was a shame that she kept regressing back into this shell, he thought. She was trying so hard to find herself and Logan couldn't help but notice her confidence growing daily.
Charles spoke up, "Hannah, I am so sorry there has been such a delay in our reunion."
She clammed up, Logan noticed she clutched her hands together and nervously began to rub them together, her breathing became heavier. He wondered if he should stay or go. But decided it was best if he wasn't apart of this. Awkwardly he spoke up, "Well, I'll leave you two, you have a lot of catching up to do." He had glanced at Hannah, but she hadn't looked at him, but as soon as he began to walk away from her she grabbed onto his hand and quietly mumbled, "No, you have to stay...please." Her voice, although quiet sounded desperate and frightened.
It concerned him, Chuck was the last person anyone should be afraid of. He was torn. The professor now staring at them both.
"I'm sure Logan has other things to do, Hannah. I was hoping we could have this time together. It's been way to long, and there is so much we need to catch up on."
Feeling strength from Logan next to her she slowly lifted her head and found her voice, "Why now? You haven't seemed to care in the past 10 years. Have you really ever been concerned with what I've ever done. If so you have an extremely odd way of showing it."
Charles remained calm, "I understand your misgivings, but to say that I haven't been concerned with your welfare is far from the truth."
"Oh, that's right, you sent my parents a check every month. Money solves everything." she sounded so bitter. Charles was a bit surprised with this new turn in her personality. Maybe hanging around with Logan hadn't been the wisest choice.
"I got you out of London just in time, Hannah. You were in danger, and I believe still are."
"The Xmen got me out of London, not you."
Logan started feeling incredibly uncomfortable in the middle of this conversation and had no idea where it was going. He didn't really want to know. He could have easily pulled his hand away from hers but he noticed that his being there was giving her some kind of strength.
There was a silence, then Charles spoke, "Logan told me last night you have a lot of questions, And I am prepared to be honest with you at this time, but."
"Of course there is always a but when I'm concerned."
"I feel this is between you and I, and we don't need to be dragging Logan through the family laundry so to speak."
"I haven't kept anything from Logan. I feel comfortable with him here. I don't feel comfortable alone with you."
Logan could no longer remain silent, "Hannah, I think the professor is right"
She didn't want to let go, but the pain that suddenly shot through her head was unbearable and she abruptly dropped his hand. Charles watched as she grabbed her head with both hands, her headaches were back. She felt the words filling her head, and she couldn't concentrate.
Both Charles and Logan were concerned and he moved his wheelchair closer to her, then turned to Logan, "Help her to the couch, she's experiencing some kind of information overload." Logan looked confused, "I'll explain....just get her to the couch, she needs to relax."
"Somehow I doubt that's going to happen with you here, Chuck." Hannah couldn't hear anything, but she knew they were talking as Logan moved her to the couch. He sat her down, and immediately put a comforting arm around her and tried to talk to her in a soothing tone, "Hannah, it's alright...." he turned to Chuck...."What am I suppose to say to her? This isn't my expertise"
"I think you have been an incredible comfort to her, Logan...you're doing just fine."
Logan looked back at Hannah who still was clenching her head and her eyes were shut tight, she looked as if she was in an incredible amount of pain, "Hannah, look at me, ." She slowly turned towards him, knowing he was speaking to her, but still unable to hear the words. But there was something in his eyes, behind the furrowed brow.
Slowly the words began to fade, the kindness in Logan's eyes gave her a peaceful feeling, and he was relieved to see her come back to her old self, "I don't understand what happened, I couldn't hear you, but I knew you were talking to me. There were so many words in my head."
She wanted an answer, and was searching Logan's face for one, but he turned to the Professor. Hannah followed his gaze. Not to happy that the professor was the one with the answers she turned back to Logan, he gently squeezed her hand, "You have to listen to him, Hannah. He can help you."
She knew she had to remain calm or the headaches would come back, but she didn't like the way Logan had said this last statement. "Help me? What do you mean help me? Is there something wrong with me?"
Charles remained calm as he looked into her eyes, "There's nothing wrong with you. But you are different."
"I don't understand what you're saying." There was a slight panic in her voice and she felt Logan squeeze her hand, when she turned to look at him he averted his gaze. He now felt he had betrayed her. The last few days he knew about her mutancy and had said nothing.
Charles continued, "There's no easy way to say this to you, Hannah. But your mother never wanted you to know. You were a bright child with an incredible career in front of you, she believed it would hold you back, being different."
"I've always been different. They made me different, kept me away from everyone, from the real world....but you mean something else." He put his head down for a few minutes wanting to say just the right thing, and then it hit her, she shook her head, "No....you can't possibly mean....there is no way...I couldn't be." She pulled her hand away from Logan's and stood up.
"Hannah, you must stay calm." Charles pleaded.
"They said that to me all the time....and I did....all the time...I'm a mutant aren't I? I am everything my father loathed. Why was I never told? And what does this all mean?" She paced the floor, aggravated, frustrated, her hands flaying every which way. She wanted to cry. Run away and just cry. "I don't even know who I am anymore...it was bad enough before, but this......it changes everything."
"It doesn't have to. You can live a perfectly normal existence once you learn how to control your power. That is why I set up this school, Hannah...to help children understand their mutancy and control it."
"I don't want to understand it. I want it to go away."
"It isn't going away. What you just experienced a few minutes ago, Hannah was an overload of some kind, and it will get worse if you don't learn to take care of it."
She looked over at Logan, remaining calm, but ready to cry at any minute "You knew didn't you? I thought you were my friend, and you knew....this is no different than what it was like in England, everyone keeping everything from me. You had no right."
"Logan is not to blame here, Hannah. I knew it was my place to explain. I knew how painful this would be for you. That is one reason why I have been avoiding you. "
"Painful? You have no idea. So, I guess the next question is what is my mutancy....what special power do I have?" Her voice sounded bitter, sarcastic.
"You have a photographic mind. I believe what you are experiencing when you have headaches is an overload of all the information that has been stored there over the last 10 years."
She had to admit she wanted to know what all the words were about, but she was still agitated with him. "10 years....that's as far as I can remember of the past, so why didn't I know? You said my mother didn't want me to know. But it was happening to me, and I don't understand how I couldn't know." She turned from the window and looked back at him.
"It happened to you long before you turned 15, Hannah. You were born with the X gene, like the rest of us here were. You were gifted, everyone was aware of that at a very early age. Your ability to absorb every book you ever read at a very rapid speed, to memorize a piece of music in minutes..."
"So what you are saying is I wasn't gifted, it was all a freak of nature, that I really have no talent, that my mutant ability is what made me what others called gifted, so basically it was all a lie."
"The talent you have at the piano is your own, Hannah. It has nothing to do with your mutant powers. The ability you possess has allowed your repertoire to expand immensely, that is all."
"None of this makes any sense." She almost felt like laughing. She paced the floor.
Logan looked over at Chalres, "Do you want me to leave?"
"She wants you here, please stay."
"I don't want him here. He's betrayed me just like you have." She turned to Logan, "You were the one person I trusted here." There was a fire in her eyes and Logan was speechless. Another headache began to emerge but this time the pain was unbearable and she screamed as she grabbed her head,her legs began to buckle and Logan immediately rushed her to her side as she collapsed into his arms.
Charles immediately summoned Jean through telepathy, while Logan carried her to the couch. Laying her down gently. She was shaking and still clutching her head, Logan began to panic, "Do something, Chuck....my god, it's like she's having convulsions."
"Jean's on her way. I think the best thing at this point is to sedate her."
When Jean entered the room, she saw Logan leaning over Hannah on the couch, he immediately moved out of her way. They exchanged a brief glance as he backed away from her. The strain between them still evident. She wondered if their friendship could ever be rekindled. She refocused on Hannah, opening the bag she had brought with her. Jean prepared a sedative, rolling up Hannah's sleeve she administered it with ease and within seconds Emma's body relaxed. Jean turned to Logan and Charles, "I take it you told her."
"This is much worse than I ever managed." Charles replied.
"Has she been having frequent attacks?" Logan didn't know what they were talking about.
"No, as far as I know this has been the first occurence of this kind." Jean turned to Logan, who looked confused and was trying to comprehend what was taking place. She wondered what the relationship between these two had become.
Charles continued, "She'd probably be more comfortable in her own room. Logan, could you possibly return her there?" Logan nodded. Then Charles turned back to Jean. "And Jean would you mind sitting with her. I think we will have our work cut out for us when the sedative wears off."
"Of course, professor." Jean watched as Logan easily picked Hannah up in his arms. The look of concern was evident on his face, as he gazed down upon her.
"We are going to have to deal with this situation very carefully. Hannah's anxiety and aggravation are incredibly high at this time and could only cause more problems. I only wish she could trust us and allow us to help her. We have to break through this wall she has put up around her." He was addressing himself to Jean, but Logan listened intently.
"I will do my best, professor, you know that."
"Of course you will, Jean. You have always come through for me. And I must believe Hannah will come through this time without too much pain and she will accept her mutancy."
Logan was a little bit annoyed that he now was being shut out but then he looked down at Hannah. so peaceful in his arms. All that was important was Hannah's well being.
Once Hannah was settled in her room, Charles turned to Logan, "I think you've done all you can for now, Logan. Jean and I can handle the situation now."
"I should be the one that stays with her."
"You will only upset her at this time,Logan."
"And you won't? That's good, Chuck." Jean was surprised that he was arguing with Charles.
"You were adamant earlier, Logan, that you wanted nothing to do with this. And you are getting what you want. Hannah is in good hands now. Jean is perfectly capable of helping Hannah through this."
"She hasn't had any contact with her whatsoever. Oh, I forgot she can read her mind...I'm sure Hannah will love that. Great way to bond, have a lasting friendship. Is that how she plans on helping her through this?" The rage began to surface again. The scowl intended for Jean, full of anger and bitterness.
Jean was a bit surprised by this outburst, "Logan, you are too personally connected to her right now. Having little or no connection will make it easier. She is less likely to get upset and I can help her deal with what she is experiencing. I don't think you can."
"I don't know how you can say that. I probably understand her better than anyone here." Logan began to feel confined in this small room and felt there was nowhere to let off the steam building up inside him. He took a few steps toward the bed, Hannah's sedated figure only giving him more reason to state his case. Then turned back towards Jean and Charles, "I know what it's like to feel angry and upset by someone's betrayal. To feel you are a freak with no one on your side. You, Jean, have always had reassurance and guidance from Chuck here or Scott. I know what she is going through as far as feelings go. I don't think you do."
Chuck noticed the tension between them. Ever since London, there had been a distance between them. But he didn't interfere, it was something they needed to work out. But he saw the pain in Jean's eyes. Where once the two of them had enjoyed each other's company, Logan now was uncomfortable in the same room as her. "You have a point, Logan. And I will take that into consideration. But for now, I think we need to leave Jean and Hannah alone. I don't want you to see her for the rest of the day."
This only added more fuel to the fire, "You can't tell me what I can and can't do."
"I know you want what's best for her. You are right, you can do what you please., but I think you will take my advise."
Logan felt he had betrayed Hannah, not ever meaning to. And really wanted to make it right. Her last words before she began to have seizures kept replaying in his head. That look in her eyes, was one he wasn't likely to forget anytime soon. And now he wasn't able to do anything.
Jean caught his gaze, hoping to find that look he had once possessed in her presence. She had once been the one to calm him, but that was no longer the case. He was incredibly angry right now, feeling he was being shut out. She felt she needed to reassure him somehow, "Logan, I will keep you informed what's going on."
"Don't bother. I don't want you in my head, Jean. So stay out." He turned abruptly and stormed out of the door.
She began heading towards the door, "Logan, please wait"
Charles blocked her way with his chair, "Leave him. He can take care of himself, Jean. Hannah is our concern now."
"But, professor..."
"You have to put your feelings for him aside, Jean."
"He's going to run again, professor. You know that."
"And he'll be back like always." He looked down at his goddaughter. "He won't leave her. Maybe you don't want to hear that. That he could possibly have feelings for someone else."
"You've been reading his mind?"
"No....I don't know what he's feeling for her, I respect his privacy, Jean. Logan doesn't like me interfering. I have gained his trust by not invading his thoughts. But he shows more emotion than he would like people to see. " Charles was right. Logan liked to come across as the tough guy but when he cared about someone it was hard for him to hide those feelings even behind the scowl he possessed most of the time.
Charles noticed Hannah beginning to stir, , "I will leave you two."
Jean felt she needed to say something, "Professor, I'm not in love with Logan. I love Scott."
"I know."
"I want him to be happy."
"Of course you do. We all do, but I am not sure any person can accomplish that feet, Jean. Until Logan understands his past, he will remain as he is. He sees a younger version of himself in Hannah. Scared, frightened, angry, bitter...searching for something. Much like himself. " He looked down at his goddaughter, knowing that he had caused most of those feelings in her. He had made a mistake. He was hoping he could make up for some of it. There was a small chance of that happening. As she stirred he recalled happier times when he had read her stories before bedtime, he had watched her run along the sands of the French Riviera, she had been happy and carefree like other children. And then the mutation had reared it's ugly head, and their whole lives had changed.
Jean noticed Charles staring off into the distance. "Professor?"
He snapped out of the daze and smiled at her, "Be gentle with her, Jean. She has always been so sensitive. I don't want her to have to suffer in anyway."
"I'm sure she's going to be fine. No matter what has happened in the past, professor, Hannah must know that you care deeply for her. She'll come around."
"I do hope your right. Hannah means the world to me." He took one last glance and then slowly turned his chair and headed out the door. Jean watched after him and then down at the young woman. Boy, she sure had an effect on the men around here, that was for sure. She had never seen Charles or Logan behave in such a manner. Well, she had her work cut out for her. Two people she cared deeply for were suffering because of this young woman. And she would do everything she could to help her.
When she had come back to her room last night after her little adventure in town, she had showered and then rummaged through the bags, trying on various things. She felt like a little girl at Christmas. But one thing was missing, there was no one to share her excitement with. At least in England there had been a bodyguard. Something was better than nothing. She had started to get into a funk again. Feeling sorry for herself, but then decided that was stupid. If she could talk to strange guys in bars, surely she could talk to the others in the mansion. She had gone to bed with the feeling that things were definitely going to get better around here.
Now she seemed ready to face a new day. As she pulled on the new pair of jeans and the form fitting black v neck tshirt, she looked in the mirror. Something was different. Yesterdays fiasco was a mistake that was for sure, but she had learned something. The real world was nothing like she had imagined. But she was ready to embrace these experiences, it was one step towards her new life of leading a normal existence.
She was anxious to get to the piano this morning, a sudden brainstorm had hit her. Not only reinvent her outer appearance but what about her playing styles. She had been forced to play Chopin and Mozart, Debussy and Bach. And although she loved their music, it had never been the music of her choice. She liked jazz, a little boogie woogie. Yesterday playing in the bar, on that out of tune upright piano had been a challenge in more ways than one. She hadn't played that piece in so long, and it came right back to her, sounding better than ever despite the wolf calls and the condition of the instrument. As she sat at the piano bench this morning, she felt rejuvenated and nothing could stop her.
Logan spent his morning in the danger room, then headed for the kitchen for something to eat. As he rode up in the elevator from the underground levels his heightened senses kicked in and he was aware Hannah was in the conservartory playing. As the elevator doors opened instead of making the left to go to the kitchen, he went right being drawn to her playing once again.
Standing quietly in the doorway, he saw a different person in front of him, The solemn moody sonatas he was use to hearing, had been replaced with a happy boogie woogie similar to the one he had heard briefly yesterday. And her demeanor at the piano was unlike his previous encounters of her sitting in this exact same place. As her hands flew across the keys, there was a bounce in them, her body swayed with the music. He couldn't make out her face, but he was pretty sure she was smiling. He smiled to himself, this hardly seemed like the same girl at all. Rogue's inappropriate teenage attire had been replaced with a smart pair of jeans and a plain black top. Her long black hair was hanging free and loose. Watching her took him to a place which had a vague familiarity to it, but he didn't understand why. He had never known anyone who played before, never sat at a piano in his life . In his immense concentration, he leaned against the door frame and the door began to move causing him to lose his balance, grumbling 'oh, shit', he awkwardly fell to the floor.
Hannah immediately stopped playing and turned with the distraction coming from the doorway. When she saw Logan pulling himself off the ground she couldn't help but smile,hiding her mouth with her hand, she even managed a giggle.
"What are you laughing at? I lost my balance." he grumbled.
She immediately got up and moved towards him, this took him by surprise since he had hoped to make a quick exit. But Hannah had reached for his hand before he could turn to leave. He looked down at his hand inside hers and wasn't sure if he liked it or not. He had never been fond of touching. Unless he was the one instigating it. She noticed his stern look, but didn't let go, "Come with me." As she pulled him towards the piano, he put up a minimal amount of resistance.
When they got to the piano, she placed her hands on his shoulders, "Sit down." She ordered.
He now resisted and with one swoop managed to knock both of her arms, so she let go immediately. She was a bit surprised but she wasn't about to give up, "I just want to teach you something."
He waved his arms in front of her, "Oh, no, you don't. I can't be taught a thing. I don't have one musical bone in my body."
"You love music, Logan, that means you do...come on, let me try. I have never taught anyone anything, you can be my guinea pig. Storm mentioned the other day that maybe I could teach. How will I know if I don't try?" She pleaded.
"Not on me." He started heading back towards the door, and she stood there with her hands crossed over her chest feeling a little let down. He had expected her to badger him more and when she didn't he slowly turned towards her. She wasn't looking at him, her head down, the smile he had witnessed earlier replaced with a glum frown. She was scuffing her shoes over the tiled floor, causing black marks to surface. He let out a sigh, and slowly moved towards her.
She didn't budge from her spot, didn't realize he had made his way back to her, until she saw his scruffy black boots inches away from her own feet. She slowly looked up, the glum face still in place.
Logan shook his head not really understanding this hold she had on him, "You can take that puppy dog look off your face now. You win." Not knowing her possible mutations, he considered she could be controlling him with her mind. It was possible. Or was that just what women did to get men to do what they wanted. In all his years, he managed to stay away from that kind of woman. And he really didn't believe she was like that. She was much to naive and innocent about men in general.
She managed to smile coyly, "Really? You'll let me teach you?"
"You can try, but I'm warning you, don't be disillusioned. I doubt that I'll be playing some fancy Beethoven piece after an hour."
"I was thinking Mary Had a Little Lamb, would be a good start.."
"Now wait a minute, Beethoven is one thing, but a kids nursery rhyme, I don't think so."
"Might ruin your reputation, eh, Logan?" She teased him.
He furrowed his brow at her as he sat on the right side of the piano bench, stretching both arms out in front of him, " Alright then, let's get this show on the road."
She sat next to him, feeling incredibly satisfied with herself. As he rested his hands on the keys, Hannah found herself drawn to them, intrigued by them. Logan was well aware of her glances and the awkward silence that now hovered over them. "What are you waiting for? I could easily change my mind, you know." He started to stand up, and she snapped out of her daze.
"No, no....don't go." she grabbed onto his shirt sleeve trying to pull him back down, but he resisted on purpose.
He sat back down and turned to her, smiling. "Mistake number 1, if you're going to teach anyone anything, Hannah, you have to be in charge, none of this pleading and whining."
"I'm not whining. And since when are you an expert on teaching?" she questioned.
"Never said I was, but I have a hell of a lot of life experience, kiddo and the way you make it out there is with confidence, show them who's in charge."
Hannah took a deep breath, "Right, Logan, can we now cease with the inane babble and precede with the lesson. You are wasting my valuable time." She turned to him looking serious, but the corner of her mouth curled slightly.
"Good...improvement definitely. I like it. You're learning."
"So you can teach, Logan. you know, I've learned more from you in the past few days, then I've learned in all my life."
" Somehow I think that's an exageration. And it's not teaching, it's just common sense, lessons you learn in everyday living."
"Well, obviously I haven't lived then." Why she was drawn to him she wasn't sure. He was mysterious and moody, and complicated. Logan caught the look in her eye, one of envy and fascination. He was feeling incredibly uncomfortable. She put him on a pedestal, one he didn't deserve.
She realized she had been staring at him. She quickly snapped out of it, "Right....let's begin." She took his right hand and placed it on the white keys beginning at C. She did the same with hers. She played a C Major scale and recited the letter names.Then looked up at him, "Come on, do it with me."
Logan looked towards the door, god, no one better see him do this. He felt like a fool. If he could remember grade school, he was sure it would have been very similar to this experience. But he was a grown man, reciting letters of the alphabet. Slowly he played each key repeating the letters. Why did he ever agree to this?
* * * * *
* * *
Charles heard the music coming from the conservatory as he wheeled down the hall. It was Heart and Soul, one of the first duets every child learned on the piano. He had visions of his goddaughter teaching one of his young students but as he approached the room, he realized that wasn't the case.
He entered the room and found Hannah and Logan at the piano. With one finger Logan was concentrating on the melody, Hannah proficiently playing the chords in the bass clef, and calling out a letter name when he couldn't remember the next note. She offered words of encouragement as she began to speed up. Logan was actually enjoying this, a smirk on his face, but not taking his eyes away from the keys. Finally it was too much for him and he stopped, Hannah smiled at him, "That was brilliant. You could be a fine musician, Logan."
"Not with these hands." he joked.
Hannah looked down at his hands, remembering what she had witnessed ...the claws. She wanted to touch them, run her fingers across the backs of them, where the claws emerged. "Your hands....I think they're amazing." Logan noticed her stare, and then was startled by a voice from behind them.
"Bravo, Logan, your many talents never cease to amaze me." Logan stood up, a bit embarrassed being caught in this situation. Charles eyes then focused on the raven haired beauty in his presence. My god, she was so like her mother.
Hannah felt awkward, the way he was staring at her. Logan watched the exchange of glances and noticed Hannah immediately drop her head. It was a shame that she kept regressing back into this shell, he thought. She was trying so hard to find herself and Logan couldn't help but notice her confidence growing daily.
Charles spoke up, "Hannah, I am so sorry there has been such a delay in our reunion."
She clammed up, Logan noticed she clutched her hands together and nervously began to rub them together, her breathing became heavier. He wondered if he should stay or go. But decided it was best if he wasn't apart of this. Awkwardly he spoke up, "Well, I'll leave you two, you have a lot of catching up to do." He had glanced at Hannah, but she hadn't looked at him, but as soon as he began to walk away from her she grabbed onto his hand and quietly mumbled, "No, you have to stay...please." Her voice, although quiet sounded desperate and frightened.
It concerned him, Chuck was the last person anyone should be afraid of. He was torn. The professor now staring at them both.
"I'm sure Logan has other things to do, Hannah. I was hoping we could have this time together. It's been way to long, and there is so much we need to catch up on."
Feeling strength from Logan next to her she slowly lifted her head and found her voice, "Why now? You haven't seemed to care in the past 10 years. Have you really ever been concerned with what I've ever done. If so you have an extremely odd way of showing it."
Charles remained calm, "I understand your misgivings, but to say that I haven't been concerned with your welfare is far from the truth."
"Oh, that's right, you sent my parents a check every month. Money solves everything." she sounded so bitter. Charles was a bit surprised with this new turn in her personality. Maybe hanging around with Logan hadn't been the wisest choice.
"I got you out of London just in time, Hannah. You were in danger, and I believe still are."
"The Xmen got me out of London, not you."
Logan started feeling incredibly uncomfortable in the middle of this conversation and had no idea where it was going. He didn't really want to know. He could have easily pulled his hand away from hers but he noticed that his being there was giving her some kind of strength.
There was a silence, then Charles spoke, "Logan told me last night you have a lot of questions, And I am prepared to be honest with you at this time, but."
"Of course there is always a but when I'm concerned."
"I feel this is between you and I, and we don't need to be dragging Logan through the family laundry so to speak."
"I haven't kept anything from Logan. I feel comfortable with him here. I don't feel comfortable alone with you."
Logan could no longer remain silent, "Hannah, I think the professor is right"
She didn't want to let go, but the pain that suddenly shot through her head was unbearable and she abruptly dropped his hand. Charles watched as she grabbed her head with both hands, her headaches were back. She felt the words filling her head, and she couldn't concentrate.
Both Charles and Logan were concerned and he moved his wheelchair closer to her, then turned to Logan, "Help her to the couch, she's experiencing some kind of information overload." Logan looked confused, "I'll explain....just get her to the couch, she needs to relax."
"Somehow I doubt that's going to happen with you here, Chuck." Hannah couldn't hear anything, but she knew they were talking as Logan moved her to the couch. He sat her down, and immediately put a comforting arm around her and tried to talk to her in a soothing tone, "Hannah, it's alright...." he turned to Chuck...."What am I suppose to say to her? This isn't my expertise"
"I think you have been an incredible comfort to her, Logan...you're doing just fine."
Logan looked back at Hannah who still was clenching her head and her eyes were shut tight, she looked as if she was in an incredible amount of pain, "Hannah, look at me, ." She slowly turned towards him, knowing he was speaking to her, but still unable to hear the words. But there was something in his eyes, behind the furrowed brow.
Slowly the words began to fade, the kindness in Logan's eyes gave her a peaceful feeling, and he was relieved to see her come back to her old self, "I don't understand what happened, I couldn't hear you, but I knew you were talking to me. There were so many words in my head."
She wanted an answer, and was searching Logan's face for one, but he turned to the Professor. Hannah followed his gaze. Not to happy that the professor was the one with the answers she turned back to Logan, he gently squeezed her hand, "You have to listen to him, Hannah. He can help you."
She knew she had to remain calm or the headaches would come back, but she didn't like the way Logan had said this last statement. "Help me? What do you mean help me? Is there something wrong with me?"
Charles remained calm as he looked into her eyes, "There's nothing wrong with you. But you are different."
"I don't understand what you're saying." There was a slight panic in her voice and she felt Logan squeeze her hand, when she turned to look at him he averted his gaze. He now felt he had betrayed her. The last few days he knew about her mutancy and had said nothing.
Charles continued, "There's no easy way to say this to you, Hannah. But your mother never wanted you to know. You were a bright child with an incredible career in front of you, she believed it would hold you back, being different."
"I've always been different. They made me different, kept me away from everyone, from the real world....but you mean something else." He put his head down for a few minutes wanting to say just the right thing, and then it hit her, she shook her head, "No....you can't possibly mean....there is no way...I couldn't be." She pulled her hand away from Logan's and stood up.
"Hannah, you must stay calm." Charles pleaded.
"They said that to me all the time....and I did....all the time...I'm a mutant aren't I? I am everything my father loathed. Why was I never told? And what does this all mean?" She paced the floor, aggravated, frustrated, her hands flaying every which way. She wanted to cry. Run away and just cry. "I don't even know who I am anymore...it was bad enough before, but this......it changes everything."
"It doesn't have to. You can live a perfectly normal existence once you learn how to control your power. That is why I set up this school, Hannah...to help children understand their mutancy and control it."
"I don't want to understand it. I want it to go away."
"It isn't going away. What you just experienced a few minutes ago, Hannah was an overload of some kind, and it will get worse if you don't learn to take care of it."
She looked over at Logan, remaining calm, but ready to cry at any minute "You knew didn't you? I thought you were my friend, and you knew....this is no different than what it was like in England, everyone keeping everything from me. You had no right."
"Logan is not to blame here, Hannah. I knew it was my place to explain. I knew how painful this would be for you. That is one reason why I have been avoiding you. "
"Painful? You have no idea. So, I guess the next question is what is my mutancy....what special power do I have?" Her voice sounded bitter, sarcastic.
"You have a photographic mind. I believe what you are experiencing when you have headaches is an overload of all the information that has been stored there over the last 10 years."
She had to admit she wanted to know what all the words were about, but she was still agitated with him. "10 years....that's as far as I can remember of the past, so why didn't I know? You said my mother didn't want me to know. But it was happening to me, and I don't understand how I couldn't know." She turned from the window and looked back at him.
"It happened to you long before you turned 15, Hannah. You were born with the X gene, like the rest of us here were. You were gifted, everyone was aware of that at a very early age. Your ability to absorb every book you ever read at a very rapid speed, to memorize a piece of music in minutes..."
"So what you are saying is I wasn't gifted, it was all a freak of nature, that I really have no talent, that my mutant ability is what made me what others called gifted, so basically it was all a lie."
"The talent you have at the piano is your own, Hannah. It has nothing to do with your mutant powers. The ability you possess has allowed your repertoire to expand immensely, that is all."
"None of this makes any sense." She almost felt like laughing. She paced the floor.
Logan looked over at Chalres, "Do you want me to leave?"
"She wants you here, please stay."
"I don't want him here. He's betrayed me just like you have." She turned to Logan, "You were the one person I trusted here." There was a fire in her eyes and Logan was speechless. Another headache began to emerge but this time the pain was unbearable and she screamed as she grabbed her head,her legs began to buckle and Logan immediately rushed her to her side as she collapsed into his arms.
Charles immediately summoned Jean through telepathy, while Logan carried her to the couch. Laying her down gently. She was shaking and still clutching her head, Logan began to panic, "Do something, Chuck....my god, it's like she's having convulsions."
"Jean's on her way. I think the best thing at this point is to sedate her."
When Jean entered the room, she saw Logan leaning over Hannah on the couch, he immediately moved out of her way. They exchanged a brief glance as he backed away from her. The strain between them still evident. She wondered if their friendship could ever be rekindled. She refocused on Hannah, opening the bag she had brought with her. Jean prepared a sedative, rolling up Hannah's sleeve she administered it with ease and within seconds Emma's body relaxed. Jean turned to Logan and Charles, "I take it you told her."
"This is much worse than I ever managed." Charles replied.
"Has she been having frequent attacks?" Logan didn't know what they were talking about.
"No, as far as I know this has been the first occurence of this kind." Jean turned to Logan, who looked confused and was trying to comprehend what was taking place. She wondered what the relationship between these two had become.
Charles continued, "She'd probably be more comfortable in her own room. Logan, could you possibly return her there?" Logan nodded. Then Charles turned back to Jean. "And Jean would you mind sitting with her. I think we will have our work cut out for us when the sedative wears off."
"Of course, professor." Jean watched as Logan easily picked Hannah up in his arms. The look of concern was evident on his face, as he gazed down upon her.
"We are going to have to deal with this situation very carefully. Hannah's anxiety and aggravation are incredibly high at this time and could only cause more problems. I only wish she could trust us and allow us to help her. We have to break through this wall she has put up around her." He was addressing himself to Jean, but Logan listened intently.
"I will do my best, professor, you know that."
"Of course you will, Jean. You have always come through for me. And I must believe Hannah will come through this time without too much pain and she will accept her mutancy."
Logan was a little bit annoyed that he now was being shut out but then he looked down at Hannah. so peaceful in his arms. All that was important was Hannah's well being.
Once Hannah was settled in her room, Charles turned to Logan, "I think you've done all you can for now, Logan. Jean and I can handle the situation now."
"I should be the one that stays with her."
"You will only upset her at this time,Logan."
"And you won't? That's good, Chuck." Jean was surprised that he was arguing with Charles.
"You were adamant earlier, Logan, that you wanted nothing to do with this. And you are getting what you want. Hannah is in good hands now. Jean is perfectly capable of helping Hannah through this."
"She hasn't had any contact with her whatsoever. Oh, I forgot she can read her mind...I'm sure Hannah will love that. Great way to bond, have a lasting friendship. Is that how she plans on helping her through this?" The rage began to surface again. The scowl intended for Jean, full of anger and bitterness.
Jean was a bit surprised by this outburst, "Logan, you are too personally connected to her right now. Having little or no connection will make it easier. She is less likely to get upset and I can help her deal with what she is experiencing. I don't think you can."
"I don't know how you can say that. I probably understand her better than anyone here." Logan began to feel confined in this small room and felt there was nowhere to let off the steam building up inside him. He took a few steps toward the bed, Hannah's sedated figure only giving him more reason to state his case. Then turned back towards Jean and Charles, "I know what it's like to feel angry and upset by someone's betrayal. To feel you are a freak with no one on your side. You, Jean, have always had reassurance and guidance from Chuck here or Scott. I know what she is going through as far as feelings go. I don't think you do."
Chuck noticed the tension between them. Ever since London, there had been a distance between them. But he didn't interfere, it was something they needed to work out. But he saw the pain in Jean's eyes. Where once the two of them had enjoyed each other's company, Logan now was uncomfortable in the same room as her. "You have a point, Logan. And I will take that into consideration. But for now, I think we need to leave Jean and Hannah alone. I don't want you to see her for the rest of the day."
This only added more fuel to the fire, "You can't tell me what I can and can't do."
"I know you want what's best for her. You are right, you can do what you please., but I think you will take my advise."
Logan felt he had betrayed Hannah, not ever meaning to. And really wanted to make it right. Her last words before she began to have seizures kept replaying in his head. That look in her eyes, was one he wasn't likely to forget anytime soon. And now he wasn't able to do anything.
Jean caught his gaze, hoping to find that look he had once possessed in her presence. She had once been the one to calm him, but that was no longer the case. He was incredibly angry right now, feeling he was being shut out. She felt she needed to reassure him somehow, "Logan, I will keep you informed what's going on."
"Don't bother. I don't want you in my head, Jean. So stay out." He turned abruptly and stormed out of the door.
She began heading towards the door, "Logan, please wait"
Charles blocked her way with his chair, "Leave him. He can take care of himself, Jean. Hannah is our concern now."
"But, professor..."
"You have to put your feelings for him aside, Jean."
"He's going to run again, professor. You know that."
"And he'll be back like always." He looked down at his goddaughter. "He won't leave her. Maybe you don't want to hear that. That he could possibly have feelings for someone else."
"You've been reading his mind?"
"No....I don't know what he's feeling for her, I respect his privacy, Jean. Logan doesn't like me interfering. I have gained his trust by not invading his thoughts. But he shows more emotion than he would like people to see. " Charles was right. Logan liked to come across as the tough guy but when he cared about someone it was hard for him to hide those feelings even behind the scowl he possessed most of the time.
Charles noticed Hannah beginning to stir, , "I will leave you two."
Jean felt she needed to say something, "Professor, I'm not in love with Logan. I love Scott."
"I know."
"I want him to be happy."
"Of course you do. We all do, but I am not sure any person can accomplish that feet, Jean. Until Logan understands his past, he will remain as he is. He sees a younger version of himself in Hannah. Scared, frightened, angry, bitter...searching for something. Much like himself. " He looked down at his goddaughter, knowing that he had caused most of those feelings in her. He had made a mistake. He was hoping he could make up for some of it. There was a small chance of that happening. As she stirred he recalled happier times when he had read her stories before bedtime, he had watched her run along the sands of the French Riviera, she had been happy and carefree like other children. And then the mutation had reared it's ugly head, and their whole lives had changed.
Jean noticed Charles staring off into the distance. "Professor?"
He snapped out of the daze and smiled at her, "Be gentle with her, Jean. She has always been so sensitive. I don't want her to have to suffer in anyway."
"I'm sure she's going to be fine. No matter what has happened in the past, professor, Hannah must know that you care deeply for her. She'll come around."
"I do hope your right. Hannah means the world to me." He took one last glance and then slowly turned his chair and headed out the door. Jean watched after him and then down at the young woman. Boy, she sure had an effect on the men around here, that was for sure. She had never seen Charles or Logan behave in such a manner. Well, she had her work cut out for her. Two people she cared deeply for were suffering because of this young woman. And she would do everything she could to help her.