Xavier's Institute for higher learning
"Bullet can you please come to my office?" Charles voice came over the intercom system I had hooked into the X-mens communicators. Xavier has trouble entering my mind even just to send a message so this is the only way I could keep a line open for him, thankfully he does not abuse it.
"In a few minutes Charles, I am a little busy at the moment." I replied as I typed away at my laptop.
"You have a guest who would like to speak to you." Charles said and I sighed before thinking about who could possibly be here to see me.
"Alright I will be there soon just keep them entertained for a few more moments." I said as I finished my work.
"You said I have a guest Charles. I said as I walked into his office. "Oh Ms. Blaire, I was beginning to think you blew off my offer." I said as I greeted Allison.
"No just merely put it off. After my mutation became public my CD sales dropped drastically along with my ticket sales. I decided to put on one last tour, a farewell tour if you will before packing up my microphone." She said and I nodded.
"I am glad to see you were not harmed, especially after I showed you how easy it is to breach your security." I said and she nodded.
"You don't understand I have been performing since I was 13. I had to say goodbye." She said and I shook my head.
"I do understand, it is extremely hard to walk away from the only thing you have ever known. But sometimes it is necessary and there are always other thing to fulfill you." I explained. "So you made up your mind and decided to become a member here?" I then asked her.
"Well I seem to remember you promising to set up an exercise to show me your skills in an effort to make me feel safer." She said and I smiled.
"And I did, I am willing to showcase my talents whenever you wish to see them." I explained.
"How about right now?" She asked.
"No problem, follow me." I said.
"Pardon me Ms. Blaire." Charles said before turning his attention towards me. "There is usually not much you cant set down and finish later do you mind if I ask what it is you were doing when I contacted you?" Charles asked.
"I was rewriting the code to the security system that shield upgraded for us. The left a few trap doors so that they could keep tabs on us, I sealed those doors." I explained.
"Are you certain that they would do such a thing?" Charles asked as Alison looked on confused.
"This is Nick Fury Charles, Remember the bug he planted in your office? Did you really think he would not have a back up plan? Don't be naïve when it comes to Fury that is a mistake." I said.
"I will remember that, thank you Bullet you may go." Charles said.
We walked out of the office and I gave Alison a tour as we walked through the mansion. I pointed out the classrooms the cafeteria the rec room the library and the gym before we reached the elevator to the sub basement.
"So why did he call you Bullet? I thought your name was Jason if I remember correctly?" Alison asked.
"Bullet is kind of a nickname. For all intents and Purposes my name is Jason Woodbury but more people know me as Bullet." I said and she nodded.
"I can see why. Do you always have those with you?" She asked eying the pistol in the holster on my hip.
"I am never out of arms reach of one. In my previous line of business I never knew when I may need one and I did on numerous occasions." I explained.
"you never told me what it is that you did before coming to this place." She said as we boarded the elevator.
"Private security for sheiks and princes and government leaders." I lied and she looked at me.
"You must have been really good." She said.
"And really expensive." I explained not lying this time.
"What made you decide to change course, you are still young?" She asked.
"Just needed a change of pace." I replied as we stepped off the elevator and I led her to the large metal room.
"I thought an exercise was set up?" She asked as we walked into the bare room.
"Just a minute I said as I stopped at the locked footlocker I put just outside of the danger room that I stored various equipment used for training in. I grabbed what I needed and we walked into the danger room. "Computer run training exercise 58437." I said and the room changed into a large wooden structure.
"Wow I have never seen anything like this what is it?" She asked.
"Virtual reality training simulator. This is what is known as a kill house used by many branches of military and police officials for training their men. Its is slightly modified here." I explained.
"How so?" She asked.
"They shoot at dummy's who don't shoot back. Are you ready?" I asked her.
"They shoot at us in there?" She asked and I could sense the fear growing in her voice.
"I will keep you safe that is my primary objective. But in order to do so I need you to trust me and follow every instruction I give you." I explained.
"Is this safe?" She asked.
"It is with me guarding you." I said and opened the door to begin the exercise and she uneasily followed me.
I drew my Sig sauer from my holster and crept slowly to the beginning of the exercise.
"Stay low." I said as we crept along a wall ducked underneath a window. I kicked the wall and heard two different guns fire from the other side of the window. Judging by the sound I was able to locate their position in the room. I turned to face the window and fired a round through the plywood hitting one in the leg before standing and shooting the other in the head. Once the second target fell to the ground dead I fired a kill shot into the first target who was on the ground from the bullet wound to the knee. "Clear." I said and she stood up to see the two bodies laying on the ground. We approached another hallway and I heard a woman screaming from around the corner. "Do not make a sound they have a hostage and at the first sight of us they will kill her." I explained and she placed a hand over her mouth. "I need you to dive across to the other side of the hall."
"No way." She whispered.
"I need to draw the fire of the remaining enemies. the one with the hostage will be no problem but the others could prove to be a nuisance." I whispered in return.
"You want to use me as bait?" She asked.
"Yeah." I answered.
"No I wont do it." She replied.
"Very well, cover your ears." I said as I pulled a flashbang from my pocket and pulled the pin. I tossed it down the hall and waited for the bang. Once I heard it I turned the corner and fired three quick rounds and three bodies dropped the hostage had her hands over her eyes but other than slight retinal burns se will be alright. "Clear." I spoke louder now.
"You are good." She said as she walked down the hallway noticing the bodies and placement of the shots. We came upon another room and this time with the enemies behind a door.
"How are you planning on getting through this one?" She asked.
"Cover your nose and mouth and you will find out." I said as I pulled a smoke grenade this time and holstered my gun. I opened the door slightly and toseed the grenade in.
"Its smoke, I cant see." One enemy said.
"Hold your position." A second one said and I didn't hear any more.
I reopened the door and ran in before sliding in on my knees through the smoke I grabbed an ankle and tripped one man before climbing onto his back and pulling a knife from its sheath and slitting his throat. All that could be heard was the gurgling sound of a man choking on the blood making its way out of his throat and the second man began to panic. I rolled towards him and sprung up grabbing his gun and making him hit himself in the face with it. He dropped and I grabbed his head jerking it to the side snapping his neck. I got to my feet and the smoke began to clear. "All clear." I yelled and Alison crept into the room with her shirt still covering her nose and mouth.
"That's a little brutal isn't it?" She asked.
"But you are alive and that was the point was it not?" I asked in return.
"Good point but that was sneaking and taking the men out when they didn't know it was coming how would you defend me in another situation?" She questioned.
"Computer run hand to hand training simulation 39056." I said and we found ourselves in an old warehouse surrounded by enemies with various weapons ranging from chains to baseball bats and knives. "Stay behind me." I said as I began circling to my left preparing to line up my attackers.
The first man approached me with no hesitation and lunged his knife for my chest. I chopped his wrist with my right hand and his hand with my right sending the blade flying across the room. His wrist snapped from the force and I grabbed it and squeezed until he dropped to his knees. A second man charged after men and I kicked him in his shin causing him to fall to the ground in pain before kneeing the man I was still holding on the ground in his face rendering him unconscious. I then stomped on the second mans chest breaking rips and crushing his left lung. He would be no more use in this fight. Two more enemies stepped up and attacked at the same time. I ducked a right fist and kicked and hit a nerve on the inside of ones leg temporarily paralyzing it while I lifted my leg into the side of the second attackers face. Three down, I delivered a right cross to the other attacker who couldn't stand and he went limp, four down. The remaining four began spreading out and I backed up slightly refusing them the opportunity to get to Alison. They all charged at once and I dropped low as fist started flying. I began attacking pressure points and nerves rendering one after another useless to fight.
"End simulation." I said after digging my hand underneath ones ribs and dropping him to the ground writhing in pain.
"Incredible, you are every bit as good as you say you are." Alison said as the simulated enemies faded. "I have seen my security take down a few unruly fans and even paparrazi but never that many in a group like that." She then said as I walked us toward the exit of the room.
"Aikido huh?" Logan asked standing outside of the room.
"Best style to use when facing multiple attackers. Quick fluid movements and painful techniques used for incapacitating foes quickly." I replied and he grunted.
"Oh and another great reason for staying. Logan right?" Alison asked eying the Wolverine from head to toe.
"Yea darling." Logan said before walking into the danger room himself and shutting the door behind him.
"He fights too?" Alison asked.
"Yea you are more than welcome to watch. We have an observation room." I offered and led the way.
We sat in the observation room for nearly an hour watching Logan tear apart opponent after opponent. I glanced over from time to time noticing her excitement watching him do his thing. Looks like Logan has another member in the Wolverine fan club.
"So what do you think?" I asked as she stared on watching a sweaty Logan not letting up on the hologram enemies.
"I think I am going to like it here."
The weekend rolled around and Xavier had buses chartered and a field trip planned to go to the New York City natural history museum. His hopes were to better explain mutation and how things change over time as a way of teaching them about mutant Evolution. Sadly though most of the kids just wanted to see dinosaur fossils. I opted to drive me and a few of the students as most of the students were still a little weary of me. Those that rode with me were piotr in the passenger seat because he is too tall for the back and Kitty, Jubilee, and Rogue in the backseat.
"I don't see why we are going to this, it was optional. I cant believe I let you guys talk me into this." Jubilee griped from the back seat.
"We are going to keep an eye on the younger students." Rogue said.
"Its an educational experience, one day at a museum wont hurt you Jubilee." I remarked as we pulled out of the driveway behind the bus.
"We are going on a trip with 30 mutants, it very well could kill me." She argued and I had to laugh at the truth behind the comment when I thought about everything that could go wrong.
"It will be fun Jubilee, lighten up." Kitty said excitedly.
"Sorry but dinosaurs don't really do it for me Kitty. We should just ditch the museum and go shopping." She replied and I rolled my eyes.
"Sorry Jubilee, not going to happen. We already signed up there is no backing out." I said.
"What if we leave the boys to do their thing once we get there and we will find a way to have some fun." Rogue offered and that seemed to cheer her up slightly.
"How do you feel about the museum?" Kitty asked the giant Russian who had yet to say a word.
"It should be a very valuable learning experience." He said quietly and tried moving his legs to et comfortable as he was a little cramped in the car.
We arrived at the museum shortly later and walked in to register our group with the museum guide. A woman in her mid thirties and a man in his late twenties split our group and each took half of us. Jean and Scott went to chaperone one group and left me and Storm to chaperone the others. We began making our way through the museum and the man leading us pointed out many different dinosaurs and began telling us mostly accurate facts. He made a few mistakes but it is nothing I am not used to. I have learned not to call people out on small errors because it makes me look like a dick.
"Is that a triceratops?" Jamie Maddox asked pointing to a large fossil re-creation.
"Actually Jamie that is a Achelousaurus." I answered and the guide looked at me in shock. "It is in the same family as the triceratops but a different species. It is much smaller and its has two horns at the top of the frill in its head instead of on the front of its skull." I then.
"You are right but how do you know that?" He asked.
"Ugh just a hobby of mine." I lied and gestured for him to continue the tour."Wow what is that?" Jamie asked a few minutes later.
"That Jamie is called a-" I began before glancing at the guide. "Sorry I will let you do your job." I said to the man.
"No please go right ahead." He said.
"Alright, This is a quetzacoatlus. It was a relative of the pterodactyl. It inhabited the skies of North America and lived between 65 and 80 million years ago. It is the largest known species of the pterosaur family. It is believed to have fed on fish and other smaller animals or dinosaurs. As scary as it would be for something this size to swoop down on a prey the quetzacoatlus was believed to hunt on the ground like a raptor." I explained and many of the students looked up at me.
"Lets get back to the tour shall we?" The guide then asked but the damage was already done.
Throughout the rest of the day the students began turning to me for answers to their questions and the guide seemed a little annoyed that no one was paying any attention to him. Rogue Jubilee and Kitty joined us about halfway through the day and as I was explaining the features of a Neovenator I overheard them talking. I was planning on tuning them out until I heard what they were talking about.
"Oh my god cute and smart please tell me he is single." Jubilee said and I smirked at the compliment I wasn't supposed to hear.
"No he is in a committed relationship." Kitty quickly jumped in knowing Rogue quick enough to know something is going on between us whether we had actually told any one or not.
"That's a shame he is a serious catch." Jubilee then added.
"Yea he sure is." Rogue replied and I smiled and turned my head toward them before winking to let them know I heard them.
"Oh my god he heard us. I am so embarrassed. Does he have hearing like professor Logans?" Jubilee asked them.
"No my mutation just allows me to know pretty much everything that is going on around me at all times." I said as I walked past them to the next exhibit.
The day continued until we had seen everything the museum had to offer and it was time to head back to the Institute. We loaded the bus back up and then got back in my car before driving back. After arriving back at the institute and making sure all of the students got back inside Scott approached me and I gestured to Rogue letting her know I would see her later.
"Bullet, I heard you took over as the guide for your group. The Students really seemed to like you. Hopefully we will see you around the institute a little more." Scott said through his ruby tinted glasses.
"We see each other plenty, we have been on missions together Scott." I explained.
"Yes but when here at the institute you do not make yourself part of the group very often. It makes people uncomfortable." Scott said.
"Your right. I do not normally like to be around large groups of people but today wasn't so bad. I will try making myself a little less scarce and see how it goes." I agreed, after all giving it a shot wont hurt right?
"That is wonderful to hear Jason." Storm said as she floated toward us.
"Ororo please, you know I do not like to be called Jason." I said turning to the well mannered earthly woman.
"And you know I do not like to call you Bullet. However it is wonderful to hear that you will be making more of an effort to be a part of the institute. The students really seemed to like you. Today alone I believed you changed numerous opinions about yourself." She said.
"I know what everyone has thought of me and in a way they are right. I am a bit of a shut in but today was a good time. It felt good to be able to extend my knowledge onto other young minds and the intrigue they showed was refreshing." I explained.
"You should consider taking a teaching job." Scott said.
"I have quite a lot on my plate at the moment but I will keep an open mind and maybe down the line. Let me see how everything goes with showing my face more often first." I said and Scott and Storm shook their heads.
"That is understandable. Have you made any progress with the young mutant you are keeping captive?" Storm asked?
"None, she has been sitting in the dark for a week with no human interaction with anyone but me and she has not broken, hell she has not even cracked or fractured. She is a rock." I said and just remembered that me and X-23 have not had our round of questions today. I have yet to try interrogation techniques but maybe today I take that step. "If you all would excuse me I would not like to let her think she gets a day without me." I said making my exit before they insist on talking to me any longer. I do not have a problem with either of them but they are both extremely persistent about me being a participating member of the institute and they will continue to shove it down m throat until I sit down for a movie night.
I made my way out of the mansion and back to the cottage in the woods. I went through my normal process to unlock my house and I walk inside to the welcoming quiet that I have grown accustomed to. I walked to my secret room and removed the floor panel revealing the blast door and I pulled my gun out of its holster switched my clips to adamantium rounds and chambered a bullet before opening the blast door. I flipped on the light and jumped down into the cell or shelter that I was using as a cell. Just like every day I come down here X-23 growled and launched herself at me. You would think after getting shot enough she would learn but oh well I know to expect it now. I am going to have another scar to add to my collection from the second day I had her here, she caught me by surprise and I didn't react as quickly as I should have, so now 13 stitches are lacing the back side of my neck.
"23 good day." I said and she growled as she got back to her feet after the bullet wound in her chest healed. "Still just sounds huh? We really are going to have to get past that or you are going to be here for a long time." I said and she sat down quietly.
"You must think I am an idiot. Do you honestly want me to believe that if I tell you what you want to know that you will release me? I know you Bullet, I grew up at the same facility you did. Or did you not know that?" She asked.
"I had my suspicions. I escaped almost 7 years ago, you are what 14 years old? They had to have kept you there somewhere. That kind of makes us like long lost family, right?" I asked and she snarled. "Well I guess we are back to noises then. I am going to go broke keeping you here. Food to keep your strength up is not cheap. But it has got to be a lot better than the crap Stryker gave us am I right, or did you get special treatment?" I asked and she remained silent.
"I was thinking tonight of making us some thick juicy porterhouse steaks, Rare for you right?" I asked and she looked at me curiously. "Yes of course rare for you, silly me what was I thinking? That depends on if I feel like going through the trouble of cooking or not, I may just order a pizza it would be easier. How do you feel about green peppers and mushrooms?" I asked and she looked on in disgust. "It sounds good to me but still not quite as good as a thick center cut slab of beef." I said and she was practically salivating.
"I know what you are trying to do I wont tell you anything." She said and I sighed.
"That's too bad, I could use someone to conversate with. You see I have been having some trouble lately, My mind processes emotion and just about anything at extremely high speeds but one thing I have never really learned is how to respond to these emotions or emotional gestures. I have been seeing this girl Rogue, she is an amazing girl although she doesn't know how great she is and I have been trying to come up with a way to show her but I keep drawing blanks. Sure I could buy her jewelry or something pretty, I have the money but she doesn't seem like the type of girl to fall for monetary possessions. On top of that her birthday is coming up and I need to get her a gift but what do you get such a sweet southern belle all she wants is me for some odd reason that I don't understand. From a woman's perspective what does she see in me?" I asked and she looked completely depressed. "Apart from that everyone wants me to be a part of this institute but honestly you know how I grew up, they are a big happy family, I have never had a family and do not know how to be a part of one. My life has been murder, murder kill, kill I never grew up with parents who loved me or brothers or sisters to fight with that I love unconditionally at the same time. I grew up with Sgt. Anderson and Colonel Robinson. I am not made for the close knit get to know each other group of people that this place offers, I belong on a battlefield taking down a ruthless dictator." I said and she began pulling on her hair.
"Shut up, just shut the fuck up!" She screamed angrily.
"I'm just trying to vent, I have some things I need to get off of my chest and I assumed that since you don't want to talk that maybe you would listen." I said calmly but she still just sat there.
"And don't even get me started on the X-men. Cyclops really doesn't live up to his potential as a leader. He is great tactically but he lacks the necessary nerve to make certain calls that need to be made in the field. I'm sure you know what I am talking about. Then there is Jean, nothing Scott says or does is wrong in her eyes. Her powers come in very useful but god can that get annoying. Wolverine is too headstrong and charges into situations when he isn't fully aware of what he is facing, thankfully he is practically unkillable. You know I think it is Storm that really holds us together as a group. She has that calming aura around her. You know I have never really known what an aura is until I met her. Sure I know what it is technically but I don't think I have ever experienced it before-" I began.
"Ok, ok you win. What do you want to know?" She asked looking as if she was ready to stab herself in the brain even if it would only be a temporary relief.
"Where is Stryker?" I asked quickly before she decides to start being quiet again.
"I don't know." She replied.
"I recruited a new girl today. I am not 100% sure of what her power does but she is a high profile mutant. She has a crush on Wolverine but he really isn't the type to settle down. Hell you know him as well as I do. He is more the type to-" I began again.
"I am being honest. You know how Stryker is. If there is any chance of his base becoming compromised he packs up and moves his whole operation." She said.
"Where is he moving to?" I asked although I am sure it will get me nowhere.
"Did he ever tell you where he was planning on moving to in case of a security risk?" She asked in response.
"A girl like you with hearing like yours, you have to have heard something." I said and she shook her head.
"All I know is after you escaped we stayed mobile for a few weeks to ensure that no one was on our trail before settling down again." She responded.
"Thank you. That is all I needed to know." I said and began to make my exit from the blast door.
"Bullet." She said getting my attention. "I will kill you for this." She said and I smiled.
"Of course you will. Rare right?" I asked before closing the blast door behind me and leaving the light on for her this time.
"How long are yah planning on keeping her?" Rogue asked after we finished eating the steaks I made for us.
"I have all of the information I need from her she will be released as soon as I can be sure she will not return here and endanger any of the students." I responded grabbing our plates and taking them to the dishwasher.
"How do you plan on making sure of that?" She responded.
"Honestly I have no idea." I answered before taking her hand and helping her from her seat. We retired to the den where the new television I bought was set up.
"You have a form of entertainment finally." She said admiring the large television.
"Anything for you your majesty." I joked and bowed to her. She pushed me onto the sofa and I grabbed her wrist wile falling pulling her on top of me. Her lips met mine for a brief second before she pulled away and looked into my eyes. Before I could mutter a word her lips crashed hard onto mine once again. Her lips parted and our tongues battled a fierce war for dominance in which I got the upper hand after wrapping my arm around her and rolling her over. She wrapped her legs around me and began pulling my hips into her pelvis.
"Too bad we will not get to use the T.V. tonight." She whispered sexily into my ear and I had to pull away.
"Marie, wait. I am sorry but we cant do this." I said and she looked hurt. "I want to, but we barely know each other and for any other woman that would be fine but not with you." I explained.
"Ugh I want yah bullet." She sighed.
"No you want passion, lust, the feel of another person. You can have that without sex. I want you to go into this knowing that you are doing this not because you have missed out over the years but because you honestly want to give yourself to me." I said and she scooted away from me and sat up.
"So what's on?" She asked after grabbing the remote and turning on the t.v.
"Nothing yet." I explained as we were met with static.
"I will tap into the institutes cable tomorrow, for now I bought some movies." I said and grabbed a bag full of blu=rays I bought.
"Gladiator no, boondock saints no, Is this any good?" She asked pulling out the James bond collectors set I purchased.
"I personally love James bond. The film makers did a really good job of keeping things as realistic as they could and he does a lot of things the same as I would were I placed in the same situation." I explained.
"Which one should we watch?" She then asked.
"Dr. No is the first movie. But it is not completely necessary to watch them in order." I explained.
"Which one is your favorite?" She asked while reading the summary of a few of them.
"From Russia with love is my personal favorite." I responded and she grabbed the copy and placed it in the blu ray player.
We layed side by side uncomfortably on the couch but neither of us minded or if she did she didn't say anything. The movie ended and Rogue released a long yawn.
"Yah were right that was good. The special effects kind of sucked but it was a good movie." Rogue said.
"It was released in 1963 what did you expect?" I responded.
"Can we watch another one?" She asked clearly not wanting to call it a night but another yawn said otherwise.
"We can have a whole marathon tomorrow if you want. But for tonight I think you need some sleep." I said as I got up from the couch and offered her my hand.
"Ok." She said as she took my hand.
I walked her back to her room and kissed her goodnight before heading back to my cottage. I walked inside and upstairs to my bathroom to brush my teeth and get changed for bed myself. I placed my gun in my safe and laid down.
...
"Why didn't you do it?" I asked as I grabbed my pistol out of the safe I didn't lock.
"Why did you leave the bunker unlocked?" X-23 asked as she turned back to me after attempting to leave my bedroom.
"I wanted to see how strong of a hold Stryker had on you." I answered and got out of my bed with my pistol trained on her forehead.
"And?" She asked.
"You didn't kill me. But maybe you knew I was awake, still you could have taken the opportunity. I will ask again why didn't you?" I asked one more time.
"I was going to then I saw the scars." She responded.
"What do my scars have to do with anything?" I asked curiously.
"Just because I heal doesn't mean I don't have scars of my own. The sick shit they did to me, I will never recover from that. At least they knew to take it easy on you for fear of killing you. Me they restrained me and took their sick twisted pleasure out on me." She said and hung her head. "But you, I tried to kill you and the rest of the X-men and all you did was put me in your bunker, you gave me decent food and never once hurt me out of anger or frustration. I always brought the gunshots on in your self defense. You knew the whole time that my mission was to kill you and you showed me compassion. Why would you do that?" She asked.
"Have you ever seen the movie Frankenstein?" I asked.
"Didn't get much television if you recall." She said and I smiled.
"Well that's too much to get into but basically why I did it is to show you that you don't have to be the monster you were created to be. You can start your own life do whatever you want to do. I did." I said.
"So what are you going to do with me now?" She asked.
"I am going to let you go free. Do whatever you want to do. I will keep an eye on you until you leave the institute grounds but after that you are on your own. Just be careful, Stryker will be looking for you." I said as I holstered my gun and walked down the stairs with her walking behind me.
"That's it your really just going to let me go?" She asked.
"You can go back to the bunker if you want." I joked and she snarled.
"Thanks Bullet." She said before walking out of the door. She stood there looking around for a few minutes before turning back to me.
"I have nothing, where do I go?" She asked.
"That's completely up to you. Follow your instincts." I answered. "But if you would rather make a fresh start tomorrow, I have bacon for the morning." I said and she looked even more confused now.
"You would be willing to let me stay?" She asked.
"A great man once did it for me. I only wish to be half the man he is." I responded and opened the door back up allowing her entrance. "The couch is much more comfortable than the cot in the bunker."