I do not own claim to any of the X-Men or their universe (just my girl Mimik) and I make no money from this. Enjoy!

Beast was sitting at his computer, typing away, but stopped and stared as he saw me, his eyes going straight to the hair.

I raise my hands and shrug and he smiles and then stands. He points to the bed and says, "I borrowed a pair of shoes from one of the other female residents. I hope they are to your liking."

I look at the shoes and grin, combat boots, I don't even know her but I like this girl.

I walk over and put on the socks that were next to them and then slip on the boots, "Wow they actually fit."

Beast grins, "Excellent. Now I'm sure the Professor has found someone already to make us some breakfast so if you would like to accompany me upstairs I'll show you to the dining hall and kitchen. Later, if you'd like, we might be able to find a student who isn't in class to give you a tour of the mansion."

I raise my eyebrows at that, "Mansion? I thought this was a school?"

Beast tilts his head side to side, "Eh, yes and no. The school is within the mansion, but it is not like an institutional school run by the government."

I nod in understanding and walk over and kick the snoring man in the chair lightly in the leg. He growls and says; "It's about ti-"

He stops when he sees my hair, raising an eyebrow.

Again I shrug and say, "I felt like I needed a change."

He grunts and says, "Come on, I'm hungry."

He leads me out of the med lab and into a hallway made from the same blue-colored steel. He nods towards a door close by on the other side of the hall and walks over to it. It slides open to reveal a small circular empty room.

He and Beast step in and then I follow. The door slides shut and for a brief second I panic, but then I just remember seeing Wraith's corpse and smile. The room moves slightly and I realize that this is an elevator and it's going up.

After a few moments it stops and the door opens again. I see someone run by and I jump, instantly shifting into to my favorite form, keeping the hair style and the clothes the same though, just too lazy to change it all.

I step out and look at my new surroundings; everything has an old polished wood look to it and seems warm compared to the cool steel below. I can hear and smell all sorts of different people, a few hints of familiar scents. Most seem to be above us on another floor sleeping and as I take it all in I realize Xavier was right. There's no hint at all of the terror or pain that you would get back at the facility.

I relax just a bit more and turn to Logan, "Nice place ya'll got here."

He smiles a little, fondness in his eyes as he looks around the place, "Yeah, it's pretty nice."

He starts walking again, leading us towards a smell that made start to salivate. We walk into a large room with several long tables surrounded by chairs in it and then a pair of swinging doors led us into a large kitchen.

.

I stopped as the full aroma hit me in the face like a sledge hammer; I actually had to wipe the drool off my chin.

Wolverine chuckles and says, "Hungry?"

He walks over to an island counter in the center of the kitchen where there were plates heaped with scrambled eggs, pancakes, and BACON…

He grabs two plates and hands one to me and I look around to see the Professor sitting at another smaller table with Jean and another man I didn't recognize. He was tall with medium length brown hair, pulled back into a ponytail, and burning red eyes and he smiled charmingly at me as I looked him over.

Wolverine and Beast fill their plates and I do the same, not caring if I looked like a pig with the amount of bacon I piled there.

I sat at the end of the table, farthest away from everyone with my back to a wall.

Xavier and Jean watch me over their empty plates and the new guy grins while flipping a coin through his fingers with ease. Logan sat close, but not too close as to invade my personal space. Beast sat on the other end where there was more room for his large frame.

I tense up as I sense everyone but Logan (who was already munching on his food) staring at me.

I look up at them all, "What?"

Wolverine grunts, swallows, and says, "Your hair, kid."

"Oh…"

I shrug for the third time, "I haven't cut it in years and I just thought one more little change wouldn't hurt."

The new guy smiles and winks at me, "I like it mon cher."

His accent is definitely from New Orleans.

I smile and say, "Merci, moi aussi."

His eyes widen, "Ah you speak French?"

"I can speak anything; I have yet to find a language I didn't understand."

I pick up a piece of bacon and bite into it. I closed my eyes and savored it. This has got to be the best thing I have ever tasted. Without realizing it I purr in pleasure, as I mow down the rest of it.

The Cajun laughs and says, "You like Gambit's cooking, no?"

I stop purring and look at him, swallowing the rest of my food, "You made this?"

Xavier smiles, "Lucky for you Gambit has poor sleeping habits and was up this early, so I requested that he help us make breakfast."

I look up at the large picture windows and see that the darkness is slowly starting to brighten as the sun comes up.

"Well, thank you, Gambit is it?"

He nods, "Oui."

I continue eating, a bit slower and watch as the sun lightens up the window. It feels weird though, sitting with these people, eating breakfast. It's almost like I feel normal, human.

I nearly fall backwards in my seat as a voice in my head says, "You ARE human, Kim."

Everyone looks at me like I'm crazy, "Did- I- Nevermind…"

Xavier says, "You're not crazy, what you just heard was my voice projected into your head telepathically. I did not mean to startle you."

"Normally you guys can't get in my head unless I'm drugged or I actually let you in."

I look at the deceivingly weak man and he says, "It would seem that any mental shields you had in place are non-existent at the moment. But you must also know that I'm probably quite a bit stronger than most of the other telepaths you've met."

I frown, "Makes sense why you were kept alive then."

Jean stands up, briskly taking care of her and Xavier's plates, before walking out of the room, the stink of fear and anger, drifting behind her.

I look down at my plate and continue eating, feeling like an idiot. I'm not used to having to step around other people's feelings as well as having other people worry about mine. Humans know how to deal with all the emotional crap; I just deal better with needs like hunger, sleep, exercise, and all the other basic stuff.

.

Beast gets up and washes his plate and says, "Well I do believe I am going to take a brief nap before my class starts, Am I covering your class again today Logan?"

Logan grunts and Beast nods and walks out.

His communication skills haven't improved since when I was little.

At that thought I look up at Xavier, "When do I get to see those files? I mean, I don't have to see Wolverine's, that his business, but Creed's and mine, I do have a right to."

Xavier sighs, "If you are so insistent to see them, we can view them today, but would you mind waiting until after my final class this afternoon. That way we won't be disturbed and you can peruse them all you like."

I frown, I don't see why he has to be there, I mean it is my file…

Xavier must've read my mind 'cause he says, "I understand you are very curious about your past, but there are certain things that may happen that could require a telepath, such as if you have another episode like that the others told me about."

I clench my teeth and then nod, "Fine, we'll do it your way. I take it you've already looked through it then?"

Xavier hesitates then nods, "To ensure that I would be prepared for what may happen when you read them yourself."

My anger builds but I suppress it, keeping the image of Wraith's mutilated body in the fore front of my mind.

Xavier grimaces and then says, "I do believe that I will head back to my room and try to sleep for the next couple hours as well. I will leave you in Logan and Remy's care. They will show you to a room that you can have as long as you are staying here and if you would like they can give you a tour as well."

He backs away from the table and then rolls himself out into the dining area, the doors swinging behind him.

I watch the doors swing and then glance over at Gambit and Wolverine, "So…"

Wolverine finishes the last of his eggs and tells me, "Finish up eating and we'll take you up to your room."

I nod and continue to eat.

Gambit tosses his coin in the air and stands, catching it, "Gambit's gunna put de rest of de food out for de others for when dey get down here. Almost breakfast time for everyone else."

He grabs the plates and takes them into the dining area and I scarf down the rest of my food. I stretch out in the chair, enjoying the full feeling from eating like that. Wolverine grabs my plate and his and takes them over to the sink to wash them.

I frown; I could've washed my own plate, "Thanks."

He grunts and puts them in the dish drainer.

Gambit walks back in and says, "Some of de kids are wakin' up Wolverine, better get goin' before we get swamped."

I stand up, looking around the room, "What time is it?"

Gambit points to a clock on the wall next to a huge fridge and says, "6:05 by dat clock."

I rub my knuckles and watch the second hand, before Wolverine puts a hand on my shoulder and pushes me out the door, "You don't wanna be in here when everyone gets down here. The kids always jump on a new person like a pack of wolves, hungry for gossip."

I follow Wolverine and Gambit follows behind, playing with his coin.

"Do you have a lot of kids here?"

Wolverine nods, "The Professor has kids as young as four years old here. A lot of the kids here we've brought in of the street, runaways hiding from problems at home because of their mutations. The older mutants tend to stick around and help teach the younger mutants. It's a pretty good system Chuck has goin' on here."

He leads me into what looks to be an entrance hall with large double doors leading outside and a large staircase going up to the second floor.

"This place must be huge, to house all you guys, class rooms and a med lab."

Gambit chuckles, "It can still get pretty crowded at times, chere."

Wolverine leads up the stairs as Gambit says, "De next two floors are mainly bedrooms, but deres also a library and a few lounges and studies scattered about. De top floor is just storage and a green house. De med lab you woke up in, chere, is in de basement. Dats where we keep a lot of the other stuff like-"

Wolverine growls, "We'll show her that stuff later."

We round a corner and I can hear some quiet alarms going off and people shuffling about.

Wolverine walks down the hall saying, "This is where most of the older students and staff sleep, a bit quieter than the other wing with all of the kids running around everywhere.

As we walk by he points to a few doors saying, "That's the Cajun's room, that there is Beast's room, that belongs to a few girls I'm sure you'll meet later; Shadowcat, Jubilee, and Boom-Boom."

Stopping in front of one of the doors, "This is your room, mine is the next one down and the elf's is right across the hall."

He pulls a key from his jeans pocket and opens the door, flicking on a light on the wall near the door.

.

I step in and look around wide-eyed, "It's huge!"

You could probably fit like 5 of the cells in here and have some room to spare. The walls are painted a light blue color and the carpet is a dark blue to match. There's a big dresser with a mirror attached to it and a standing mirror right next to it. There's what I think is a queen size bed in the corner next to some glass doors leading out onto a small balcony, as well as a desk and a big wardrobe/closet thing.

I notice a door on the right wall of the room and ask, "What's in there?"

Wolverine looks at the door and says, "It's the bathroom, you share it with the girls next door, but that shouldn't be a problem, right?"

I shrug and say, "So this entire room is mine? What's the catch?"

I turn to look at Wolverine who is leaning on the door from, arms crossed watching me.

Gambit, still outside the door smiles, his red eyes looking kind, "Dere's no catch, mon chere. As long as you stayin' in de mansion, you can stay in de room."

Wolverine nods in agreement and I smile, "The only room I've ever had was the one I was given while Wraith was gone. It was only a quarter the size of this one and it only had a small cot, a dresser, and a lamp. It was more like a nice cell really…"

I jump as I hear door slam at the other end of the hall and a couple of male voices, drifting off around the corner.

I walk over to the glass doors, open one and step out onto the balcony. The grounds of the place stretch back into a large forest. Down below me I see a large pool, a basket ball court, a caged tennis court, and cobbled paths leading into the woods, weaving around a few ponds and numerous gardens.

Wolverine walks over and stands next to me, looking out at the grounds as well, "So what do ya think, kid?"

"That I don't deserve this. Someone like me shouldn't get treated nice; Cyclops had the right idea about not trusting me."

The man growls and says, "Everyone deserves a second chance and that's what this place is. You can prove to the others that you aren't just the weapon those bastards tried making you into."

I sigh, "Gotta prove it to myself first…"

I look at Wolverine and he has his jaw set and fists balled up, holding something back.

Behind us Gambit clears his throat, "Um maybe you'd like to take a trip with Gambit later, mon chere?"

I turn to look at him, cocking my head, "A trip?"

He grins and says, "Gambit know of this great place where dey sell nice clothes and Gambit was thinkin' seeing as ya don't have any of your own…"

I smile back, "I may take you up on your offer later, mon ami, but first I really wanna take a walk."

I glance behind me, eyeing the forest and then smile sweetly at the Cajun.

He tosses his coin in the air again, "Anyting you wish mon chere."

"Anything? Then could I go by myself?"

Wolverine growls and says, "I don't think that'd be a good idea kid."

"Why? What trouble could I get into by taking a walk? Your students will be in here and it's not like anyone knows who I am. I could blend in a bit more if you like."

I shift into a shorter, lankier girl with a blond ponytail and glasses in a blue t-shirt and dark jeans. I bounce on my heels like a giddy teenager, "Please Mr. Logan?"

He runs his hand through his hair and sighs, "I guess, but if you're not back in a couple hours I'm gunna come lookin' for ya."

I grin and salute him mockingly and then turn, running at the balcony before jumping off and hitting the ground, landing in a crouch.

I look up to see Wolverine and Gambit gripping the stone balcony railing, looking down at me with surprise.

.

I wave and walk briskly on the path to the woods and once the balcony is outta view I sprint.

Once I reach the trees I slow down and take in my surroundings. I can smell traces of Logan's scent weaving throughout the trees, must be he comes out here a lot.

As I continue to walk the trees slowly become denser and then I come to a tall stone wall. I look up seeing the tree tops touching above the ten foot wall and I frown a little contemplating what to do.

I can either turn around and keep walking through the trees or jump the wall and find out what's on the other side.

Well, if what Xavier said was true, I could leave right now. I could jump that wall and keep going, free to be whoever I felt like.

But then, I would never get to find out about my history and who I really am and if somewhere out there I have parents and a family.

I sit on the soft, dewy grass and leaves and lean against the cool stone wall and try to organize my thoughts after all the chaos that's happened recently.

I've done horrible things to a lot of people, some of it I've even enjoyed...

My memory is worse than a moth eaten quilt, patches and holes everywhere. And if the people here were to ever find out about everything that I've done, they wouldn't let me stay a second longer; kicking me out on the street would actually be the best thing for them.

Could I hide all of my past and try to live among these people?

I'm good at repressing memories and feelings so I could just pretend like the last 14 years of death and torture didn't really happen…

But what if I snap? Those fits of rage that bring on that senseless need to kill or maim would probably cause me to hurt someone here and I don't think I could handle another child's death on my conscience.

Wraith is gone though, he was the one who brought them out in me and I'm gunna keep the image of his corpse in that sick little part of my head that finds comfort from it, until the day I die.

I pick at some blades of grass and watch a bird flit from tree to tree.

I guess it won't hurt too bad if I play pretend and try to fit in here, I mean at least I know Logan and Gambit seemed nice and there's Nightcrawler as well.

Logan mentioned that he came to visit a lot while I was out; maybe the blue guy has it in his head that I'm a friend… That'd be cool; I don't think I have ever had a friend before.

And if for any reason I feel like I'm too dangerous to stay here or if they want me to leave I can always walk out.

It feels so odd to be free…

I lean my head back against the wall and close my eyes, taking in the sounds and scents of the trees and animals around me.

.

Oh no I'm going to be late!

I don't want to have to eat another bagel again!

I nod to Piotr, sitting on his bed doodling, as I grab my clothes and rush to the bathroom.

I stop in front of the mirror brushing my teeth, the scars on my chest catching my eye as they do every morning.

The sight of them reminds me that I need to visit the med lab after morning classes.

I port into the shower and quickly rush through drying off and dressing. I port back out into the bedroom, searching for my bag, throwing blankets and random clothes out of my way in my search.

Panicking I turn to Piotr who simply points to the brown back pack next to the door.

I grin sheepishly at him and grab the bag before teleporting down to the dining area. Weaving through the other students, rushing about trying to eat before class I finally make it to the food, my tail drooping as I see the empty plates and bowls, the basket of wheat bagels still full.

I reluctantly grab one and proceed to smear cream cheese all over it. I feel a tug on my tail and I turn to see Kitty, looking wide-eyed and excited.

"Good morning, Kitty."

She grabs my shoulders and pushes me towards the corner of the large room saying, "Kurt! You'll never believe what I just heard! She's awake!"

I almost choke on my bagel, "Awake? When? Where is she?"

Kitty shakes her head, "No one knows. Supposedly she woke up like way early and since then no one's seen her. Rumor is that the Prof kicked her out because of all the horrible stuff she's done. Cyclops has been telling everyone she killed someone, is that true?"

"The Professor kicked her out? But why? I was told that they were going to recruit her like they did with me. Where will she go?"

Kitty shrugs, "I don't know, but this is definitely interesting! I'm going to go find out what Jubilee knows, she's always got the juiciest info."

I watch in disbelief as Kitty bounces away, phasing through people to get to her next informant.

I drop the rest of my bagel in the trash and teleport back to my room.

Piotr is just leaving and I ask him, "Could you tell Miss Munro that I am going to end up being late again? I need to see the professor!"

He nods silently and then leaves. I drop my bag and exit the room, about ready to port to the Professor's office when I hear voices coming from the door across the hall I stop and l put my ear to the door hearing two men talking.

"I don't care Gumbo, I couldn't tell her yet. She needs to read the files for herself first."

"But what if she tinks dat you were hiding it on purpose, like to try and pretend like you aren't-"

"Shut it, it's not like she doesn't have enough crap to worry about anyways. She just woke up to find that she no longer has to worry about being beaten, or cut up, or being stuck in a cell. And what the hell was that about taking her shopping?"

"All de girls like shopping Wolverine. Why? You want to take her instead? I'm sure you know all de latest fashions."

"And you do?"

"I know what all de pretty girls are wearing, mon ami. Makes it dat much more fun to take 'em all off."

A thud against the door makes me pull back and it opens quickly, Gambit runs out saying, "I was not talking about Kim, mon ami!"

Logan stomps out after him growling fiercely.

Gambit quickly retreats to his room at the other end of the hall and then Logan turns his glare on me, "Shouldn't you be in class or something, elf?"

I smile innocently, "I forgot by bag. How is Kim, Herr Logan?"

He glances back at the room and says, "She's good, I think. She's up, but don't go buggin' her right yet. She needs some space right now."

I try to peer into the room to spot my green friend, but Logan slams the door shut, "Better get to class, Elf."

I nod, reluctantly and port back into my room, grab my bag and port back downstairs, outside of the classroom.

I sigh in relief and then step in, prepared for Miss Munro's admonishments.

Merci, moi aussi. –Thank you, I do too.

Oui – Yes

Mon chere – My dear

Mon ami – My friend