Guardian Reborn: Chapter 3

Type of Story: Standalone (Could become series)

Rating: PG

Characters: X-men, OC

Feedback: Emily_joyner@ureach.com

Web Site:

Disclaimer: I don't own them; I only play with them…

Additional Disclaimer: I'd like to think that I'm being original here, but more than likely I'm not. If anyone else has read anything like this, please let me know so that I can give credit where it's due!

Kitty was just finishing plugging the last network cable into the back of the last computer when she noticed Beldiara motion for her to stand up.  As she did so, the Professor and Dr. Grey walked into the room.  It didn't escape her that Beldiara got her up before she could get caught and that there was no indication beforehand that they were coming.  Odd, that.

The Professor looked around and his gaze settled on Beldiara.  He took in her clothing and her bearing and couldn't help but think to himself that she seemed familiar.  He couldn't place how he knew her, and dismissed it for the moment.  He looked inquiringly at Kitty and John.

John flushed, looking from the Professor and Dr. Grey and then turned to Beldiara.  "Ms. Guardian?  This is Professor Xavier and Dr. Grey.  Dr Grey?  Professor?  This is Beldiara Guardian from Guardian Network Consultants."  Charles and Jean couldn't help but start slightly at the show of manners from John, but quickly recovered and moved forward to shake hands with the young woman.

Introductions made, hands shook, pleasantries exchanged and discussing innocuous items such as how lovely the school was and what lovely weather they had been having out of the way, Jean finally cut to the chase.  "Excuse me, Ms. Guardian. But why exactly are you here?"  Beldiara set Jean on edge for some reason and she wanted to know why the woman was here.

Beldiara smiled to herself.  The redhead almost exuded anxious bewilderment and protectiveness.  She couldn't fault Jean, though.  She herself was just as protective about her loved ones.

"Well, Dr. Grey.  Kitty here was troubleshooting a problem and thought that she made the issue worse.  Being a little impulsive, they called me in and discovered it was a simple unplugged cable.  It's been taken care of and we've worked out payment arrangements."  Beldiara didn't think all of the details needed to come out right now… no harm, no foul.

Kitty and John looked at each in relief.  She wasn't going to rat them out.  But then what she said really hit them.  Payment arrangement?  Huh?

Charles looked at Beldiara in interest.  "What payment arrangements did you three make, if I may ask?"

Beldiara looked at Charles and then at Kitty and John.  "They are going to work for me on the weekends and pay me back a portion of each paycheck.  They'll get training, to keep further incidents like this from happening, and take care of their financial responsibilities at the same time."

"That sounds quite fair, Ms. Guardian." Charles stated.

Jean frowned.  There just wasn't something quite right here.  She decided to do something she normally wouldn't do.  She opened her mind and gently probed into Beldiara's thoughts.

Only to be just as gently pushed away and slammed out.

Jean stepped back slightly, she was so surprised.  Blinking at her, she noticed Beldiara smile slightly at her.  Jean flushed at her own impetuousness.  She knew she had been caught, but wasn't sure how.  She had never run into something like that before and tried again, only to run into shields the likes of which she had never seen.  Not even Logan's mind was shielded like that.

Jean stepped back some more, letting Beldiara know that she was backing down.  But she projected the thought to her that she would be watching her, as long as she was associating with the children.  Beldiara nodded in acknowledgement to the warning.  Jean couldn't be sure if she actually heard her, though. She had never run across someone quite like Beldiara.

Charles watched the exchange between the two women.  The only indication of something taking place was Jean stepping back and blushing and Beldiara nodded slightly.  He looked curiously at Beldiara and was struck again by how familiar she looked.  Where did he know her from?