Scout's eyes glazed over as she clicked through the online profiles of missing children. None of the preteen girls with brown hair and brown eyes looked like her. Does nobody miss me or even know I'm gone? The gloomy thought reminded her of Pietro's words about money the night before. I won't be a freeloader. Scout left the missing children database for a site full of job listings. Her age disqualified her from all but odd jobs, and her status as a mutant disqualified her from all of those except one.
"Housecleaner wanted at Xavier Institute to clean bedrooms, dining area, and lounge areas. $13/hour. Must be comfortable with mutants." Below the small description was the address and phone number.
A few more searches later and the Xavier Institute became more familiar to Scout. Apparently, it was a school and safe haven for mutants, and in the past year it had come under controversy over the X-Men, a proclaimed mutant superhero group trained at the Institute. Scout was disheartened to know that the people she was staying with were classified by the news as the Brotherhood, a mutant terrorist cell. No wonder they teased Lance for dating an X-Man. Still, money is money, and they have been kind to me. Scout scrawled the phone number and address on a piece of paper and resolved to call them once she got back to the boarding house and when the other Brotherhood members were distracted.
The clock on the computer screen told her it was almost one o'clock, so Scout ended her session and sat outside the library waiting for Lance.
At the conclusion of the tour, Ms. Munroe informed them that Logan would fill them in on Danger Room sessions, and Hector finally had something to look forward to. Sure, to stay here meant housework, but at least he could fight.
"Logan's not going to stalk us and watch us as we sleep to find our weaknesses, is he?" Renée asked with a laugh.
"Shoot," a gruff voice spoke. "You ruined the surprise."
The three turned to see Logan stomping towards them. "You'll be training with the New Mutants tomorrow morning at eight," he said. "If you're late, I'll find you, and you'll be joining me for extra training to make up for what you missed."
"Great," drawled Hector, earning him a venomous glare from Logan. After Ace and Renée responded more politely, Logan grunted and went outside.
Ms. Munroe reminded the three to ask for help if they needed anything (with that regal smile that Hector would swipe of her face if it wouldn't get him fried to a crisp). Once she finished, Ace announced that he would be heading to the Bayville Library. After assuring Ms. Munroe that he knew the way and that he'd be back in time for dinner, he left.
Renée chirped that she would be in the lounge, and as she turned to go, she hissed in Hector's ear, "Try to make a good impression this time."
With that, Hector was left alone with Ms. Munroe. Was her smile becoming forced? "You seem a bit agitated, Hector. Is there anything that's making you uncomfortable?"
Before Hector could answer, Mr. McCoy bound into the room. "Ororo!" he shouted. "I was in the lab when Charles told me you were showing some new students who actually want to do chores around the place. Where are they?" When Ms. Munroe said where Ace had gone, Mr. McCoy beamed. "A scholar. I like him already."
Renée was in the lounge, but at least Hector was present, so he was first to be introduced to "Henry 'Hank' McCoy, the X-Mansion's brilliant scientist," as Ms. Munroe put it.
Mr. McCoy chuckled and held out his hand. "And babysitter. I sure hope I can count on you three to clean your rooms, at least."
Hector shook Mr. McCoy's hand and allowed himself to enjoy the kind company, and assured Mr. McCoy that Renée was obsessive about organization.
"Even so," Mr. McCoy said, "I've decided that since the students are going to be here a lot more often now that school's out, this place could use some extra help."
Ms. Munroe blinked and smiled. "You actually took my suggestion?"
"What's going on?" asked Hector.
"I put out an online ad for a housecleaner," explained Mr. McCoy. "Not to take care of the whole place, of course, just someone to make sure nothing spawns in dark corners of bedrooms and to spiff up the dining and lounge areas." He shoulders slumped a bit. "Nobody's answered after a week though. Oh well. What's three more busybodies to look after?" His disposition became a bit more positive. "Now Hector, would you mind introducing me to Renée?"
Hector shrugged. "Don't see why not."
"Excuse me."
Scout looked up to see a pale young man with black hair and blue eyes addressing her. "May I help you?"
The man's eyes narrowed at her and suddenly the collar of Scout's T-shirt felt rather tight. "Why are you out here alone?"
Scout gulped and strained to not sound nervous. "Who are you?" she asked too quickly. She tried.
His eyes widened, and then his brows furrowed before he explained, "I'm sorry. You look like someone I know. My name is Ace. You are?"
"Hey!" Scout breathed a sigh of relief as a Jeep pulled up and Lance's voice rang out. "Scout, is this guy bothering you?" Lance parked and began to glare daggers at Ace.
Scout turned towards Ace. "Well, you know my name now. Am I really the person you think I am?" she asked. A hopeful smile crept grew on her face. If Ace really were looking for her, perhaps he could help restore her memories.
Ace carefully scrutinized her before shaking his head. "On close inspection, no," he said. "You're not the one I'm looking for. You and her are really similar though. Same name, even." He backed away and bowed slightly. After a quick apology, he quickly spun around and walked into the library.
Disappointment clouded Scout's mind as she got into the Jeep and focused her eyes on the ketchup stain next to her right knee. I thought I had a lead. I shouldn't have been cold to him. What if I was the girl he was looking for but then my mannerisms made him decide that he's better off without-
"You okay, Scout?"
"Huh?" Scout turned towards the driver's seat. Lance's eyes were on the road, but a pensive frown was on his face. "Just a bit disappointed," she answered honestly. There was nobody looking for her and what she thought was a lead was a weird coincidence. Scout slumped in shotgun and took incredible interest in the fraying seams of the seat.
"It's amazing how you can express disappointment with that smile on your face," joked Lance. "Do you ever stop smiling. The only time you weren't was right after I woke you up."
"I don't know," replied Scout. "I guess not. I mean, you guys are great accepting me and all and giving me a place to sleep. Why shouldn't I be happy?" Lance grinned and ruffled her hair.
They pulled into a construction site. The whirring of heavy machinery and the metallic, earthy scent of industry made Scout feel inexplicably uneasy. Lance apparently noticed her discomfort because he took her hand and led her to a trailer where they ate sandwiches. As she wolfed down her lunch, Scout made small talk by asking Lance about his job.
"It's all right," Lance said. "My boss was fine with me being a mutant and all so long as I don't use my powers, but he does make me work alone so that I don't make the other guys uncomfortable. Why do you ask?"
Scout bit her lip. "Well, I was thinking about what Pietro said about money-"
"Don't worry about what Pietro thinks," interrupted Lance.
"But I don't want to be a freeloader," protested Scout, "and what if something happens? You don't seem content just getting by on whatever money Pietro's dad was sending you."
"You bet I'm not!" Lance yelled, and Scout flinched. "We were his pawns, and now he thinks he can buy our forgiveness for trying to get us killed?" Lance pinched the bridge of his nose. "All right. I get what you're saying." Scout's smile widened. "Just don't do anything dangerous, okay?"
"Oh not at all," Scout said. "I just need to interview for a housecleaning job."
"Which house?"
"The only mutant-friendly place for someone like me to work," Scout paused for Lance to swallow the piece of food in his mouth before she continued, "the X-Mansion." She was glad for her decision when Lance started.
"Seriously?!" he said. "Of all places to go begging for money…" Lance trailed off and Scout could observe the gears in his head began turning as his eyes darted back and forth. "No, you know what, that's actually perfect." His mouth spread into a grin and a mischievous glint shone in his eyes.
"Is it because Kitty's there?" Scout said with an equally mischievous smile.
"Heh, guess the others informed you, but yeah," Lance said. "It's hard to arrange dates with her since security's pretty tight, but if you get to work there and they don't know you're with us, I may just be able to enjoy dinner and movie for once without an overgrown badger growling down my neck." Scout furrowed her brows. "You'll know who I'm talking about when you get there."
He brought her close and scrawled some information on a piece of paper. First was a P.O. Box. That nobody except Brotherhood members and leaders knew about it. Also, the X-Men would likely accept an e-mail address instead of a phone number. "Just tell them that you're tight on money and phone bill needs to be kept low," said Lance. "If it makes it any easier, it is kind of the truth."
Scout nodded. "I can easily set up an e-mail address back at the library," she said. "Kitty must be someone really special for you to plan something so thoroughly for her."
A genuine smile graced Lance's face at that moment. "Yeah," he murmured. "She's someone special." Lance glanced at the bemused expression on Scout's face and he snapped back into authority mode.
The two were in a conspiracy together during the drive back to the library as they discussed how she would travel between the X-Mansion and Brotherhood house. Scout was caught up in the fun of being in on a secret, and concerns on the past faded into the back of her mind.