Disclaimer:

See chapter 1.

Chapter 4: Who Are You

Emma stared in disbelief. The silhouette was becoming larger and more clearly defined than before. Thankfully the screaming had stopped.

It was a boy.

She wasn't quite sure what she'd expected after the gash had appeared, but she was certain a boy wasn't it. Maybe a demonic other-world creature…?

'I really have been living here fortoo long…'

Although she couldn't rule out the possibility that he was only be appearing to be human…

There was smoke drifting up off him and black grime and blood was smeared across his feminine features. He looked like he'd been on the losing end of a fight; scratches covered his face, blood was soaking through in patches on his clothes making them stick to his body and he seemed to be having trouble breathing. Each breath he took rasped wetly and a crimson mist seemed to be exhaled from between his lips.

His body was gradually growing awkwardly upside down out of the slit. From the way the boy was hanging, when he actually fell, he was going to hit the floor head first and with some force. This was demonstrated seconds later, when the dark brown duffel bag which had been slung across his narrow shoulders, slipped off and over his head and hit her desk with a dull 'thump'.

Glancing round the room, Emma saw most of the students had recovered and were now watching in open-mouthed amazement at what was happening. She rose onto shaky feet and leaned against her desk for support as she moved nearer.

She knew she should be wary.

Her headache had almost instantaneously disappeared as soon as he had appeared.

And he was coming through the ceiling, for goodness's sake!

But there was something about him…He seemed strangely familiar, as if she'd seen a photograph of him before…Or perhaps glimpsed somewhere in a dream…

Emma gave a self-deprecating half-smile at her ridiculously childish romanticisms and shook her head, grateful to do so without a stabbing pain.

She took a step closer. Instinctively, she knew there would be no danger from this boy and so she took the opportunity to observe him.

He was rather beautiful in a delicate way. His hair was typically short -shaved at the back but with longer strands falling haphazardly towards the front- and an attractive reddish-brown, but matted with sweat, black grime and what looked like dry blood.

His body was swathed in baggy blood-stained clothes; a khaki green army jacket covered his upper half along with a dirty-looking grey t-shirt. His lower extremities were only just becoming visible and Emma suddenly became aware of the students talking. She glanced sideways at them and was relieved to note that they all appeared to have recovered from briefly passing out and seemed to be suffering no ill effects.

"Ah mah Gad, 'e's comin' through tha ceilin'!"

"For a half-dead looking dude, he looks pretty damn good to me…"

"Ladies, please, you can all have a turn with Jamie, there's more than enough of him to go around…"

Someone snorted. "You wish."

"Why is he talking in the third person? Only super-villains do that…"

"And this is supposed to be more unbelievable than anything else we've faced, how?"

Well, at least they weren't panicking…

Emma turned her attention back to the boy and felt an odd excitement rush through her as she saw only his feet had yet to be released, his legs were encased in torn and baggy jeans. She stared at him, hanging limply upside down and was secretly amazed he could manage it look completely natural while unconscious.

Completely unconscious…

Grimacing slightly at the remaining twinge she received from doing so, Emma stretched out her telepathy towards the hanging figure.

And almost fell over in shock when she encountered nothing.

There wasn't even the faintest signs that the person in front of her had brain activity. That couldn't be right! Every living creature (except plants, of course) had a psychic signature, even if she couldn't decipher it…

Animals were quite beyond her ken, though she'd never admit it. Ones with smaller brains like rats and pigeons (basically the same thing) were supposedly too simple for telepaths to 'read'. .Jean had been able to communicate with higher functioning animals like dolphins and primates…

It was the sign of a very powerful telepath.

Damn her.

But that couldn't be right, she could still see his chest moving weakly, he was alive! There must be some trace…Even brain dead people had a psychic signature… But there wasn't even traces of a mental shield or barrier…It just wasn't possible!

'And I suppose appearing through a glowing white tear in the ceiling of a classroom full of mutants is?' She thought sarcastically to herself.

Suddenly there was a 'bamf' sound of air being displaced and the acrid stench of sulphur, as Kurt Wagner AKA "Nightcrawler" appeared on her classroom's window sill in a battle pose, obviously ready for trouble. His golden, pupiless eyes darted around the room.

"Fräulein Frost, are you al-" He stopped as he caught sight of the upside boy. "Mein Gott!" An annoying valley-high school accented voice called out in bored tones;

"Kurt, like, what's the sitch? Has Mrs. Frost's lesson gotten out of control again?" Emma felt herself bristle, much like a cat faced with a particularly obnoxious and salivating dog.

"Ah…Not exactly…" He trailed off, obviously confused about how to classify the situation. His blue demon-shaped tail flicked anxiously as he stepped down from the sill and his three-fingered hands clenched defensively around his drawn cutlasses.

'Mrs…? And what does she mean, again!' However, outwardly, Emma merely raised an eyebrow.

"Katherine dear, so glad you could join us…I know how hard it is for you to drag yourself away from your little dungeon…Interaction with people must be quite the adjustment after spending all day with machines that are programmed to do whatever you command…" She drawled as the girl appeared; her head and shoulders drifting up through the floor. Katherine "Kitty" Anne Pryde AKA "Shadowcat" flushed an angry red. Her most recent boyfriend, a human, had recently broken up with her. He had not given the usual "You're a mutant freak!" reason for the break-up however, but rather the more embarrassing (and amusing in Emma's opinion) one of: "You're a control freak!"

It was still a sore spot.

One that Emma exploited with absolutely no compunction whatsoever.

"Oh yeah? Well you woul-" Here her, as she would later claim, extremely witty and cutting rejoinder was interrupted by the classroom door being smashed open. Three figures leapt into the room.

"Rachel!" Scott yelled, disproportionately alarmed. His ruby sunglasses masked the movement of his eyes, but suddenly he had bounded across the room and swept her into his arms. Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy AKA "Beast" and Elisabeth "Betsy" Glorianna Braddock AKA "Psylocke" were close behind.

"I'm fine, dad." Rachel managed, smothered in his protective embrace. Emma tried not to stare longingly at the display of love and affection, focusing instead on the boy.

She was not wishing he would hold her like that…

"You're bleeding!" His voice rose in concern and Emma heard a snort of derision from Rachel.

"Jeez dad, it's just a nosebleed. Calm down."

"How did this happen!" Scott's voice became angry. "Emma, what have you been doing in this class!" He was trying to blame her? Emma turned slowly, reluctantly taking her attention off the helpless boy and stared at him.

"Scott darling, it can't have escaped your attention that we have a guest, can it?" She raised an eyebrow questioningly, masking her hurt that he had instantly accused her of harming Rachel behind icy irony.

He hadn't even asked if she was alright…

Scott's head turned slightly, as did Elisabeth and Hank's, to take in the sight of the suspended young man.

"Oh my word!" Exclaimed Hank, reaching up with one blue-furred paw to smooth back his mane from golden feline eyes. His bestial body relaxed from it's aggressive posture in surprise. "Where did he come from?" He asked, adjusting his spectacles as if doing so would suddenly change what he was seeing.

"He's dead." Elisabeth stated flatly, in an upper-class British accent, while her Eurasian features stared inquisitively up at him. Fear flared briefly in Emma's heart. "My, my…He's taken quite the beating, hasn't he?"

The 'corpse' chose that moment to complete it's passage through the rip and fell out ungracefully. Moving with a speed that she would not have believed possible of herself, Emma darted forward and managed to catch him awkwardly in her arms.

Kurt hadn't even had time to teleport.

There was another brief flash of light as the rip sealed itself completely, leaving no trace of it's existence.

"Well. That's something you don't see everyday." Elisabeth commented lightly, only the slight tightening around her eyes showing her concern.

Emma glanced down at the body resting peacefully in her arms and was transfixed. Tendrils of russet fringe curled against the weathered and darkened skin of his forehead, while his full red lips were marred by several bloody splits. One cheek was raised and purpling; obviously severely bruised. His cheek bones were high, lending him a slightly elvish cast which was only emphasised by his delicately curved ears. Blood was trickling from one of his nostrils and she carefully wiped it away with her thumb, wondering briefly at the spark of tenderness she felt as she did so.

"What-?" A voice, coming from right beside her startled Emma badly and she almost dropped her precious burden. "Excuse me, Emma. I did not intend to startle you." Hank spoke soothingly to Emma, perhaps sensing her turbulent state.

"I-it's alright Henry. I don't know what's been the matter with me today…But, he's badly hurt. I can't even feel his mind. We need to get him to the Med Lab as soon as possible." Unconsciously, Emma spoke more softly, futilely trying not to disturb the insensate boy. She stared fixedly at the boy's chest and was reassured to see the slow movement indicating he was still alive.

She was surprised how relieved she felt knowing that.

"Of course," Hank agreed, eyeing the slashes and bruises with some concern. "Kurt, could you manage two passengers?" Nightcrawler bowed deeply.

"It would be my pleasure, Herr McCoy." He replied, stepping forward.

"Wait," Emma spoke quickly, holding him closer, "can you take three?" Everyone's eyebrows rose simultaneously. This was unusual behaviour, especially from one so typically distant as Emma.

"I-well…yes Fräulein, if you are sure... ?" He asked hesitantly.

"NO! He shouldn't be going anywhere until we're certain he's not a threat to the Mansion!" Scott said angrily, finally distracted from his overprotective mothering of Rachel. Betsy looked at him, amused.

"Yes, you're quite right Scott. He's definitely a threat, isn't he? Look at him, all big strong and manly…Quite obviously a dangerous foe, he has that standard evil 'I'm-plotting-the-downfall-of-you-all-' look about him…" She grinned at him, her clear British accent somehow sounding all the more mocking, and tossed her purple hair out of her face, exposing the red lightening tattoo over her left eye. Scott flushed angrily.

"He probably caused all these headaches, fainting and nose-bleeds. If that's his power or a side-effect of his power, I'd say that's pretty darn dangerous!" Emma was becoming impatient. They did not have much time, she could barely feel the movement of ribs now and she was becoming irritated with Scott's, however well-meaning, paranoia.

"At the moment the only dangerous thing about him is his health if it doesn't get medical attention soon!" Retorted Emma, less than amused. "This isn't the time for discussion, Scott. Henry needs to treat him now, before he gets even weaker. He's in any position now to harm anyone. Kurt, if you would…?" Emma snapped and turned away ignoring him. Scott sucked his cheeks in and folded his arms, the very picture of displeasure.

"Ja." Kurt looked slightly uncertain at Scott's obvious disapproval, but stepped forward and paced one hand on each of their shoulders.

"I don't agree with this Emma, he is a dangerous unknown. This could be one of Mystique's plots, we should find out more about him before we compromise our security like this. I'm strongly against this course of action, as Team Leader and Headmaster, I want it on the record that I objected very seriously to this. As Headmistress I think it's your responsibility to the children, to ensure their safety above all!"

"Damn it Scott! Can't you see he is a child?" The boy couldn't be more than sixteen. His face was creased in innocence and Emma clenched her jaw to prevent the rest of the undoubtedly acidic comeback on the tip of tongue from escaping. She wasn't feeling particularly tolerant of his paranoid fears at the moment; they were just wasting valuable time. If Scott caused his death…

She nodded curtly at Nightcrawler, reigning in her anger and frustration at Scott being so high-handed. He seemed to have forgotten they were supposed to be equals and that her opinion counted for as much as his. Maybe more so because she seemed to be doing all the work recently…

The classroom disappeared in a 'bamf' of black smoke and for a split second there was only darkness. Then black smoke was clearing from around them again and the sterile interior of the Med Lab surrounded them.

"Thank you Kurt. Emma put him on the examination table here." Said Beast, quickly shrugging into a white lab coat. She followed his directions and reluctantly placed the boy down and smoothing his long fringe out of his eyes as she did so. Her arms felt cold as his shared warmth gradually left her.

It had been nice to hold someone.

'For God's sake, Frost! Get a grip! Are you really so starved for human contact, you'd miss holding a comatose boy!'

Angrily, she jerked her hand away and strode over to Hank, who was pulling some white rubber gloves on, taking care not to rip the material.

"Let's get started, shall we?" He said calmly, no trace of worry or concern about his critical patient. He picked up a tray of sharp, shiny implements and stood beside the examination table. Kurt paled as much as his dark inky blue skin would allow and his pupiless golden eyes widened.

"I haff, ah, some important matters to attend to…If you do not require any further assistance…?" He asked pleadingly, eyes avoiding the medical tools studiously, while his tail betrayed his agitated state as it twitched and writhed behind him. Hank's face curled up into a smile, as much as his muzzle would allow,anyway.

"Very well, I would not wish to detain you…"

"I vill pray for his soul. Herr McCoy, Fräulein Frost, if you vill excuse me... " Kurt gave a relieved smile, then bowed to Emma and him before disappearing in another 'bamf' of black smoke.

Hank then seemed to forget Emma's existence altogether and he set to swiftly and efficiently examining his patient, muttering aloud as he did so. She stood silently next to him and watched intently as he took a pair of long, sharp scissors and began to cut up the middle of the t-shirt.

"Emma," she started slightly, "could you lift him up and pull his jacket off? I need to be able to see the extent of the damage for myself." Emma nodded and walked around to the opposite side of the table. She slipped her arm behind the boy's back, gently supporting his weight and allowing the jacket to slip off relatively easily.

"Thank you. Now, I'll just remove this…" He muttered, finishing snipping the t-shirt and peeling it open. "Oh my stars and garters!" Emma moved quickly over to him, heart pounding.

"Henry?" She questioned and seeing his shocked expression, followed his eyes downwards to where they were fixed.

She blinked.

Oh.

He was a she.

Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)

The Who, Who Are You (chorus)

Author notes:

The 'bamf' noise is the official sound Nightcrawler makes in the comics when teleporting. Weird but true…

BTW – b () mentioned something about Psylocke and Emma way back in their first review, so here's my response (I kept forgetting):

After the Shadow King incident Psylocke/ no longer had the use of her own telepathy and is immune to any form of others' telepathy– including telepathic attacks, probes or even attempts at communication (a result of her brother Jamie's manipulation of the quantum strings that comprise her body). She's also immune or at least highly-resistant to other forms of psychic based powers like ex-marauder Vertigo's extreme disorientation powers. Due to Jamie's alterations, Psylocke is also immune to any physical and mental alteration by beings who can radically restructure reality, like Proteus or the Shadow King (although she can still be killed in more traditional manners, such as being stabbed or shot). Her current psi-shields are also of enormous strength and completely out of her control (she can not lower them to "invite" telepaths or other psychic beings into her mind etc)./

And Emma:

/Upon their meeting in Genosha Cassandra Nova labelled Emma's psychic abilities as 'bush league' in comparison to herself. Regardless of that statement, Emma can formidably hold her own even against those of more considerable might. An example of this was her victory over Rachel Grey (Marvel Girl II) on the Astral Plane; while Rachel may have had significantly more raw power, Emma's refined skills enabled her to claim victory over the relatively inexperienced Rachel. Also in contrast to Cassandra Nova's claim, other characters in the comics and canon writers label Emma as a "high-order telepath," capable of extraordinary telepathic feats./

As I once told a friend of mine: "Boom. She rules." (grin)

Text from Wikipedia, the online bible for everything.

Comments/reviews/speculations arealways welcome.