Wolf: I'm sorry I haven't been updating ZT, but I did update my other story! Don't I get brownie points for that?
Kurt: *folds his arms over his chest* No! No brownie points for not updating us! Bad, bad, Paper Wolf! *starts smacking wolf with a rolled up news paper*
Wolf: *takes the paper and beats Kurt with it* Hey, you ungrateful brat! I was doing you a favor and keeping your other half preoccupied with Dakota! Don't hate me because you were a rotten teen with ADHD!
Kurt: *growls and chases after wolf* Take that back!
Logan: These two haven't seen each other for a few months and they're already fighting each other?
Kitty: Yup. -.-
Storm: I guess that means one of us has to do it, doesn't it?
Everyone: *stares at Scott*
Scott: What? Why me? Aren't I getting punished enough for this?
Everyone: *folds arms over their chests*
Scott: *sighs* Alright already! *clears throat and turns to the audience* The Paper Wolf doesn't own Wolverine and the X-Men. She just owns this story and Allyce. Even though you might want to sue, you won't get any money. It's a sad fact, but she's broke.
Wolf: *staggers back towards the group* Please… *pant, pant* read and *wheeze wheeze* review… and always… *cough cough*
Everyone: Smile until you stop! We get it already!
Chapter Five: Fool's Game
I feel like there's something inside me…
I've been keeping a closed lid on it for quite some time now…
But it's just not worth it anymore!
You better start believing in nightmares…
You're in one!
And it's a long way till dawn…
Zero stood outside of the mansion as she stared out into the back yard; looking over at the large pool below. She stood up on the concrete wall like a living statue; never moving save for the freezing wind that blew through her hair. She hadn't made a move that would suggest that she'd jump, so it was okay to say that she wasn't going to try anything unthinkable. She had been standing there since her afternoon training session with Scott. She didn't know exactly how long she had stayed out there when she made her way out of the infirmary after Beast took care of her injuries, but she knew it had to be for a while because the sun was setting and the temperature was dropping. She heard apology after apology since she made her way out of the Danger Room. It was like Scott was a bad guy now or something, but Zero just waved them off and told them not to worry about it – saying that's she's been treated worse.
The others have tried to get her inside from the cold and have something to eat, but all efforts proved to be in vain. She wouldn't budge. Not for anyone. Not even Kurt could get her to come inside without using force. He actually tried to teleport Zero inside to the kitchen, but Zero walked right back out the door. He had to give up after the first few tries.
He was beginning to get angry with himself and Scott for Zero's behavior. He was angry with Scott for putting his friend through all the trouble to control her powers, but he was angrier with himself for not stepping in when he knew something was wrong. It just wasn't fair!
'This is my December…
This is my time of the year…
This is my December…
This is all so clear…
This is my December…
This is my snow covered home…
This is my December…
This is my all alone…'
Ororo had tried to coax the girl into coming inside, but even though her gentle personality worked with the others she's come across, it didn't seem to effect Zero at all. Emma had read the girl's mind and told the others to leave her alone and that she'll come inside when she's good and ready to, but no one would listen to her. Kitty had taken a stab at talking to the girl, but she remained silent; keeping her mouth closed against her friend's wishes. Bobby even tried making the girl laugh with his corny jokes and laid back attitude, but even he wasn't enough able to break the girl's silence or unbreakable shell. Logan eventually tried to get the girl to come inside from the cold, but gave up after she broke free from his vice like grip. It was the first sign of retaliation that she has shown since her session. Things were not looking good for the girl, but Logan couldn't do anything about it if Zero was unwilling to cooperate. He sighed and went off somewhere ; giving up all hope of reaching her.
Scott finally came out of his room and wondered through the halls after a few hours of sulking. He didn't think he did anything wrong when he was helping Zero gain control over her powers. He didn't really want her to live the life of an X-Man, but since she proved that she was capable of taking care of herself, there wasn't much he could do about it now. He also knew that he'd be working with a bitter Zero from now on, too. That didn't sound too good on his part, but it that's the way the others wanted it; then who was he to stop them?
He finally made his way over towards the back of the mansion, and found the trio standing outside of the door leading to the balcony. He soon regretted walking over when he saw what they were staring at. It was Zero standing against the wall with her back turned towards them. He could tell she was still sore about what had happened in the Danger Room, and now started to feel slightly guilty as he now knew the damage he had caused.
Even though he hadn't seen many sides to the girl, he had never seen her behave so dramatically. It was like she was a totally different person than the little girl he had seen wondering about the place with the others. Zero now looked slightly scary.
She was tensed up and gripping the wall in front of her. She didn't move from her spot or slouch, or anything normal teenagers who would throw a fit when something didn't go their way. She just stood as still as a statue; like she wasn't alive anymore. It was actually a slightly unnerving sight.
'And I…
(I just wish that I didn't feel like there was something I missed.)
And I…
(Take back all the things that I said to make you feel like that.)
And I…
(Just wish that I didn't feel like there was something I missed.)
And I…
(Take back all the things that I said to make you.)
And I…'
Kurt noticed that Scott was standing before them, and narrowed his eyes at him. His two fingered hands rolled into fight fists at him. It was almost as if he was getting ready to attack. How dare he show himself after what had caused the poor girl? She hadn't done anything to him!
He may have felt unbridled anger and rage towards Scott for what he's done, but he held it in and relaxed slightly, but the look on his face told him otherwise…
"What is she doing out there?" Scott asked in a hollow tone; already guessing at the possible answer.
Bobby shrugged his shoulders and gave him a blank stare. "How should we know? She hasn't come inside since early this afternoon." He answered in a puzzled tone; looking back at the girl outside.
"We've tried to get her to come inside, but she just won't do it." Kitty said in a worried tone; following Bobby's example and looked out towards Zero. "Kurt and Logan had tried to remove her from where she is, but she just goes right back out to that spot."
"And she won't even say a word to anyone…" He said in a nasty tone; giving Scott his ugliest glare. He knew why Zero was acting out, but he was going to be the better man and keep it secret so Scott could keep his pride.
Scott gave the trio a surprised look before he looked over at Zero with concern in his eyes now. He knew Zero was upset with him about the whole training session this afternoon, he never guessed she would be this upset. He only wanted to prove his point, not make her hate him!
'Give it all away!
Just to have somewhere to go to!
Give it all away!
To have someone to go home to!'
Zero sighed and looked down at her hands. One had an ugly scar running across the palm, and crisscross scars on the girl's lower arm. Both scars brought up the nasty car accident that changed her life, and a few stray tears dropped from her red eyes. She then closed her hands into tight fists and drew blood from her palms; dripping out onto the concrete wall she was standing on. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Scott stirred up some rather… unpleasant memories.
She knew she shouldn't be mad at Scott – he was only trying to help her control her powers before she ended up hurting herself or someone else, but he didn't have to go an hurt her feelings the way he did. It just wasn't fair!
Zero already knew that the trio was standing outside watching her, she could feel their concern and worry growing by the second, and she had half a mind to turn around or call out for them to leave her alone, but she remained as she was. She stayed right where she stood and kept her focus on the landscape before her. She didn't need to worry about how they felt; she was dealing with things the best way she knew how – thinking them over before she decided anything. She still had a lot to think about after all.
Kurt clenched his fists tightly and sent Scott an evil glare. "Ve have all tried talking to her, here Scott," he said through gritted fangs, "vhy don't you try?"
Bobby and Kitty looked over at the older man staring at the elf with shock on his face. "I don't think that would be such a great idea, guys. She doesn't like too well. Maybe we should just leave her alone and let her get over whatever's bothering her on her own?"
Kurt growled and puffed out his chest in defiance. "It's vorth a shot…" He growled in a warning tone as his tail darted side to side. "Ve have tried everything else."
"She'll get sick if she doesn't come inside soon." Bobby said in a worried tone. "Even I know that, and I walk outside in the lower temperatures without a shirt on!"
" And it's getting closer to Christmas by the day! I don't want Zero lying in a sick bed while we're enjoying the holidays!" Kitty said in a final tone as she Scott a pleading looking.
Scott groaned and hung his head in defeat. "Alright, alright, I'll talk to her." He said in a slightly mournful tone. He knew Zero guessed Zero would still be sore with him about their session, but he really didn't want to face her when she was mad. "Just don't be late for my funeral…"
'This is my December…
These are my snow covered trees…
This is me pretending...
This is all I need!'
Scott carefully made his way over towards the girl standing on the concrete wall. She made no signs of being aware of Scott walking towards her. She just kept her eyes on the landscape.
"I know you're there, Scott…" Zero said in an unpleasant tone; not breaking her focus. "And I don't like being watched or worried over."
Scott sighed, and made his way over towards the wall; leaning against it as he joined the girl. "It's quite the view, isn't it?" He asked in a pleasing tone; hoping she wouldn't try to get away from him and falling off the wall in the process. "I used to come here when I was your age when I wanted to be alone. To think about things that bothered me."
Zero sighed and closed her eyes. "Why have you come here? Do you enjoy pouring salt on wounds? I've had my fill of you for one day." She said in a flat tone; not bothering to look down at the man beside her. "I'm perfectly fine, I just need to calm down a little more and I'll be back inside before anyone knows it."
"That maybe true, Zero," Scott said in a knowing tone; looking up at the girl. "but why not just go to your room to cool off? It's warmer there anyway." He reasoned in a concerned tone.
'And I…
(I just wish that I didn't feel like there was something I missed.)
And I…
(Take back all the things that I said to make you feel like that.)
And I…
(Just wish that I didn't feel like there was something I missed.)
And I…
(Take back all the things that I said to make you.)
And I…'
"If this is your idea of making me feel better, then save it and from the emotions of the others, I'd say they've heard it, too." Zero said coldly as she watched a few birds fly into the sky. "The more people come out here and bother me, the longer it will take me to get things in order and calm down. I'm still upset about what happened earlier today you know."
Scott rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I know you're mad at me, Zero, but you have to understand the danger of not having your powers in control. You could end up hurting someone or yourself if you're not too careful."
Zero sighed and clenched her fists tightly again. "I know the risks, but the stunt you pulled isn't the way to go about control of your powers. Not for me at least. I've had these powers for a long time before I came here." She whispered in a bitter tone, "It's not my fault I have no control over my empathy."
Scott sighed and hung his head in shame. "Emma told me that you can't control your empathy because of the car accident. I understand how you feel and what that is like."
Zero finally turned her eyes towards Scott with a condemning look. "How would you know? You have your visor and sunglasses. You have complete and total control over your powers!" She hissed in a venomous tone.
"I was orphaned when the family plan crashed. I can't just take off my glasses and be normal like the others." Scott told the girl in a hollow tone; leaning onto the wall and looking out to see the landscape. "So, we're not so different from each other."
'Give it all away!
Just to have somewhere to go to!
Give it all away!
To have someone to go home to!'
Zero looked over at Scott with a surprised look on her face as she watched him looking out onto the grounds. He looked much differently at the moment, and it made Zero take another look. He looked so sad when he thought back on his life, and it showed up on his face. Zero could only imagine how he must feel about topics like these.
"I get. You were only trying to help me, but your methods are a little rough for a girl." Zero said in a reasoning tone as she sent the man beside her a gentle glare. "I may have some athletic capabilities, but that was no excuse to be so harsh. You brought up a lot of ugly memories and it still hurts."
Scott looked over to the girl and gave her an understanding nod. "I know and I'm very sorry. I should've have treated you like that, Zero. Between you and me, I think you had it a lot harder than I did." He said in a sad tone; offering the girl beside him a weak smile. "It's not fair that you had to go through all of that alone. If I had known our training session would turn out the way it did, I would've done something else to help you. I didn't know I was going to open a can of worms like that."
Zero relaxed her figure and folded her arms over her chest. "I have no use for apologies, Scott." She muttered under her breath, looking up at the sky to see that it was now starting to snow. "Apologies are something of a rarity in my time, so I don't need them. I had to learn that lesson the hard way and here is no different."
"But it's still nice to know that someone is remorseful after doing you wrong." Scott chimed in as he placed a hand on her shoulder; causing her to look up. "I think you've come a long way since you creamed me and Kurt earlier, and I promise that the next time we have a go in the Danger Room, which from the pounding you gave me, I hope won't be anytime soon, but when we ever do have another round, I promise it will be different for you. And less painful for me, okay?"
Zero gave Scott an arrogant smirk and a nod. "You've got yourself a wager, Scott! I'll be more than happy to show you the floor next time!" She said in a pleasing tone as she offered him a happy smile.
Scott smiled in return and turned to walk back into the house. He stopped and looked over his shoulder and gave Zero a playful smile. "I know you already know this, but everyone is worried about you, Z. You don't have to come inside any time soon if you don't want to, but wouldn't it be nice to come inside and help Bobby and Kitty with the Christmas decorations? It'd be fun and if you'd like we could talk… or maybe play chess. I know you like the game and all."
Zero smiled weakly at Scott, but gave him a slight nod. "If you can get those mother hens to stop worrying about me long enough, I might actually be in before Kitty gets started pulling out the decorations." She retorted playfully to herself as she didn't take her eyes off the scenery before her. "I'm still mad at you, you know."
Scott chuckled at the girl and placed his larger hand on the top of her head; messing it up as he rubbed it gently. "I know. And I'd be mad, too." He answered before he made his way into the mansion; leaving the girl to her thoughts.
'Give it all away!
Just to have somewhere to go to!
Give it all away!
To have someone to go home to!'
The trio watched as Scott made his way inside, and stopped him from leaving them by bombarding him with all kinds of questions.
"Is she still mad?" Kitty asked in an expecting tone; crossing her arms over her chest and began tapping her foot at the man before her.
"Is she gonna come back inside soon?" Bobby added in a worried tone; looking out to the girl.
"Vill she be alright now?" Kurt asked in a cold tone; keeping his eyes on the taller man.
Scott took a shocked step back andheld his hands up in defense. "She's still mad at me. And she'll be inside as soon as she calms down, but with everyone one worrying over her won't help her. So, I think it's best if we all just leave her alone for a little while longer." Scott said in a reasoning tone as he looked outside towards Zero.
After a few moments, everyone decided it was for the best, and went on their separate ways.
"Well, the longer we wait for Zero to come around, the longer we'll have to wait to putting up the decorations. I'm going to go get them at least." Kitty said in a mind set tone; turning on her heel to go collect the decorations.
"I'll come, too! Those boxes seem to get heavier every year!" Bobby chimed in; rushing over towards Kitty.
"That's the spirit. Once you've set up the boxes, I'm sure Zero will be ready to come inside and join the fun." Scott said in a friendly tone; giving the two a small smile.
The two left the room and Kurt waited until they left before he turned towards Scott. "She voodn't be in zis mess if it veren't for you." He said in a nasty snarl.
"I know. I screwed up. I went outside and apologized to her. She told me that she'll be alright if we all don't bother her and let her calm down on her own." Scott said in a rough tone; turning away from the blue demon. "I realize I shouldn't have treated her like I did, and I feel really bad for it. Isn't that enough?"
Kurt didn't say anything about the subject, he just teleported away from the man, and made his way into his room. Still sore at Scott for the harsh training he brought upon Zero earlier that day…
Wolf: Okay. Now, I'm officially out of ideas for this story. It's only just started in going downhill. But for all you Kurt fans out there who love to see some major fluffy between the two, I need some ideas. Please feel free to send them in PM if you'd like to see your idea in my story.
Bobby: And what about Christmas? You do realize that it's almost Easter, right? Shouldn't you be doing a chapter for Easter?
Wolf: -.- We've already been through this, Bobby! I like winter. And what's the first holiday that is considered romantic in winter? I'll give you three guesses and the first two won't count.
Bobby: *scratches head* Christmas?
Everyone: *face palms* Now he gets it.
Emma: So Wolf has a thing for the cold? Well, I guess it's true what they say about people born in the winter. They really do prefer winter overall. I'm not surprised. You are born in January.
Beast: She drops off major hints in ALL her stories that let's her readers know when her birthday is. She does leave all kinds of hidden messages in them, as well. I wouldn't be surprised if no one picks up on them.
Wolf: Would Beast like to be shaved in the next chapter? No? Then shut up and sit down!
Beast: *yelps and runs away*
Wolf: :-P My bark is worse than my bite. Please enjoy your stay at ZT and kindly review. I always enjoy positive feedback, but absolutely hate any negativity, and will kindly use them as target practice. ^_^. I'm always open for any ideas, and will do my best to use them in my future chapters. Just PM me and let me know what you think!
And always, smile until you stop…
TPW