I'm moving the surprise to the next chapter. A few people (cough cough, the ever loyal imaninja41) have hinted that they'd be interested in reading an interaction between Leah and her sibs. And since its Christmas, I'm in a giving mood and I adore you lovely readers, I decided to comply. Sorry if I don't meet the expectations but I've never written Daken before and I'm worried that I won't give his crazy character justice. Anyway…

So surprise next chapter, as well as more Remy (because we all love the Rage'n Cajun!)

J.C Posch

Here's Daken!

xXx

I was laying on my bed reading over my lab abstract for my chemistry class. I chewed thoughtfully on the end of my pencil as I thought if there was a better way to introduce my discussion when Mom entered. She had been deemed healthy enough to move in with me and Dad about four months ago and it was great living as a family again. It was great to be with her again.

"Leah? Steve's here to see you." She announced.

I sat up, putting my abstract to the side. "Really?"

It wasn't a huge shock that Steve Rodgers had come to see me. He along with Dad have been acting as my mentors for the past year. At least once a week (unless the world's evils called him away), Steve had come to do strategy training sessions with me. He was amazing. Not only did he have one of the greatest strategic minds on the planet and leadership skills to boost, but he was also an incredible teacher. He was patient and encouraging, and sometimes we even went out for ice cream afterwards. He was like everyone's favourite uncle and I'm proud to be his student.

I was surprised by his visit though. We usually plan ahead before he comes over, and this visit was not planned. Not that I wasn't happy to see him, especially since the last time he came he brought me a present from Ironman. Awesome protective gloves that when activated had laser beams pop out of them that looked like Dad's claws. Sooo cool.

"Yes, he just dropped by from a trip to Canada and though he won't admit it, he's tired." Mom answered. "So you better not keep him waiting."

I nodded and hurried out to the kitchen where Steve was looking out the window, rubbing the bridge of his nose. I went to stand beside him. "Looking a bit tired there, old man."

Steve turned and grinned at me. "Just what I need, a little girl riding my back."

I smiled, "Okay, I asked for that one. So what's up? What were you doing in the best country in the world?"

"Trying to find the Hulk. He went for a little stroll across Rockies again." Steve said wearily.

I winced, knowing it was probably not the easiest job convincing the Hulk to come back. No wonder he looked tired.

"But that's not what I came here about." Steve went on. "I came to ask you about joining the Avengers."

I blinked. "Um, what?"

"Well, sort of. We're getting together a group of super powered teens and we're training them as a new Avengers team." Cap explained. "They're going to need a leader."

"Oh. Wow." I sputtered. "You're kidding, right?"

Cap's smile faded and his brow furrowed with concern. "You don't sound too happy."

"I'm just…surprised, I guess." I replied. My face reddened. "I guess you didn't hear about the news yet, have you?"

"News? No, I don't think I have." Cap answered. He took a seat and looked up at me politely.

"Well, uh, I've been named a junior X-man this morning." I said. When his eyes widened, I shrugged. "Surprise."

"An X-man." Cap repeated.

"Yup." I forced a smile. "A junior one, of course."

"But you're human." Cap stated. He then reddened, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that."

"It's alright Cap, I'm not offended by what I am." I said, giving a genuine smile. "I know it must sound weird, though. A human as an X-man."

I had been plenty shocked myself. It was kind of cool, being the first non mutant X-man. When Professor Xavier asked me, all the X-men were gathered in his office to witness. I'd say a third of them looked pleased, a quarter of them shocked and the rest looked kinda peeved. In the end, I accepted because it felt like the right thing to do.

Eric had said once that he wanted us to be X-men together.

"Are you, sure about this?" Cap struggled to find the right words.

"Nope, not really." I admitted. "But I think I can do a lot of good. And eventually the world's going to find out about my blood. I think the mutant community will feel better about it if they know I'm on their side."

I have a destiny to fulfill and no idea on how to do it. This is the best plan I have so far. I have this feeling that if I join the X-men, there is a better chance of bringing harmony between mutants and humans and less of a chance of dooming the race.

"Hmm, always thinking tactical." Cap smiled, standing up. He gazed down at me with what I think was pride. I don't know, it could have just been the lack of sleep bringing a weird look to his eye.

"Thank you for the offer though Cap, it means a lot to me." I said honestly.

"You're my best student. A great mind, a strong spirit and a fine leader. I only wish I asked before the X-men did." Cap replied.

My cheeks reddened and I playfully slugged his arm. "Stop, you're making me blush."

Steve laughed and began to exit the room.

And then a horrible thought popped into my mind.

"Wait, does this mean you're not going to be my mentor any more?" I asked, worried.

"Of course I'm still going to be your mentor." Cap assured me. Before leaving the room he threw me a wink and added. "If only so I can convince you to change your mind and join my team instead."

I laughed as he left.

Hey, Dad's on like twenty different hero teams. Maybe I can be to.

xXx

"To our newest junior X-man member, Miss Leah Chantal Logan!" Kitty yelled, lifting up her fruity drink into the air.

As others around us put up their alcoholic drinks around me and yelled my name, I couldn't help but laugh. Kitty had insisted on celebrating my initiation into the X-men in style. So she gathered up the other six junior members and crammed us all into the X-men's SUV. She got Peter to drive us into the city in attempt to find a club for minors. When we all got good and lost, we made our own club on top of a tall, vacant building. Kitty got everyone drinks (using her special mutant skills) and someone had hooked up their Ipod to a portable speaker. It was kind of fun, and nice to be with the other X-babies (as some of the X-men jokingly called us). So far the team was Rogue, Kitty, Bobby Drake, Peter Rasputin, Alex Summers (Cyclop's surprisingly un-uptight younger brother), and Sam Guthrie.

"Kitty, my middle name isn't Chantal!" I called over the music.

"It isn't?" Kitty looked surprised. She then smiled and shrugged, before downing the contents of her glass. "Oh well."

I was having a good time, I really was. These guys were my teammates and they were all really fun and accepting. But I had this awful nagging voice in my head. I had just made a very exclusive team and it was a great honour and responsibility. And how had I repaid the Professor for his trust? By sneaking into the city to party on top of a building. Some maturity I was showing. At least I consoled myself a little by not drinking. I figured at least one of us should be sober.

Mom and Dad are going to kill me.

I looked at my comrades. Kitty was flirting shamelessly with Peter, Bobby and Sam seemed to be working on some king of choreographed dance to 'Call Me Maybe' ( they had WAY too much to drink) and Sam was showing Rogue card tricks.

I was the odd one out.

Grow up Leah, I told myself sternly, of course you're the left over. You just joined the team. Add to the fact of being the only human (or antimutant, I keep having to remind myself of that) here and it leaves you by yourself.

"Hey, um I'm going to go get some air, okay?" I said quietly to Kitty as she ran her fingers through Peter's hair.

"Hmm? Okay, call me if you're getting kidnapped or something." Kitty replied absently.

I shook my head, realising that I had just excused myself to go get some air while I was on top of a very draft rooftop. I don't know what was sadder, the fact that I had said something so stupid or that Kitty had been so ready to accept it.

I used the fire escape and my mad ninja skills to get down to ground level. To get up to the roof in the first place, the others had used their mutant powers. I would probably have to text one of them to come down and get me when I got back.

The city amazes me. I guess I'm just a country bumpkin, but where I come from, its unheard of to still be on the streets by 9:30 pm. All the stores (which would be like, seven stores and a Tim Hortans) are closed early and if someone is still out walking the streets at that time, its to be assumed that they're drunk and lost. That's definitely not how it is in New York. Night time is prime time in the city that never sleeps. It was a bit after eleven and I still had to share the sidewalks with people. And the lights! I've come from a place where night time is dark. You can stand outside and hold your hand in front of your face and still not see it. The only light out in the country comes from the moon and stars. Here there were lights everywhere, giving the night a pinkish haze.

And don't get me started on the size of the buildings because that's only going to make me sound more like a hick.

As I walked down the sidewalk, taking in the sights, the hairs on the back of my neck pricked up (fun fact: that's called piloerection. Thank you grade ten biology). I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach, and if Dad has taught me anything, it's to trust my instincts.

I was being followed.

I didn't turn around to check, nor did I quicken my pace. It made no sense to tip off my trailer that I knew he was there, it might make him act drastically. Instead I headed towards the first business I saw that still looked open. A Subway.

I entered, and sure enough, a few seconds behind me the door opened again. Unfortunately, the restaurant wasn't busy in the slightest way. There was just two drowsy looking sandwich artists standing behind the counter, looking like they were ready to end their sifts. Where are the stoners with the munchies when you need them?

"Hey, we're closing soon." One of the workers stated, scratching his nose (ew, ew, ew!)

"Oh, darn." I said in my sweetest voice. I smiled at the two workers, who appeared to be my age. And male. They were certainly no homecoming kings, and I took advantage of that. I did my best to make them think I thought they were hotstuff. It wasn't the nicest thing to do, but I had someone trailing me and I needed to stay in view of the public. It was safer. "Would it be asking too much for a vegetable soup? I'm starving but I understand if you guys are closing for the night."

"Hey, its no problem." Said the nose toucher. He scanned me, his eyes lingering on my chest.

Creep.

"Really? Wow, that's really great of you." I gushed, leaning on the counter.

The one who hadn't talked to me rolled his eyes (proving that the male population isn't completely willing to be manipulated. Hat's off to him), and went into the back. "I'm going for a smoke."

When I held out some money for the soup, Mr. Nose Toucher took care to take hold of my hand. He smiled at me and I saw something green caught in between his teeth. Charming.

"I, um, have to go freshen up." I stated, nodding towards the washroom.

"Sure, I'll hold your soup for you." The worker said. He gave me a look that he must have thought was a real lady pleaser. "Maybe I'll get myself some too, you know, so you don't have to eat alone."

I gave him a weak smile instead of a reply. Using a trick of the hand that Remy had taught me (the thief hand magic hands, I swear), I withdrew a miniscule camera from my pocket and attached it to the counter. I trusted that no one had notice and I wandered back to the lady's room. Once there I took out my phone and opened the app developed by my believed godfather Hank. It connected to the tiny camera (also made by Hank) to show me my stalker.

You know in Red Eye how the bad guy was kind of attractive? Like, he had a great build, beautiful eyes and crazy nice cheek bones? But despite his attractiveness, he gave you the creeps? That's the kind of vibe I got from this guy.

He looked like he was part Asian, part white. He could have been a model, his face was that pretty. And he was very, very fit looking. His glossy black hair was styled in a Mohawk. He was medium height, about 5'9 I guess, and was dressed in expensive looking clothes.

His eyes said something between 'I'm going to kill you and eat your heart' and 'I am one hot mother trucker'.

And then he looked directly into the camera and my heart stopped. He barred his teeth in a sinister grin and reached for the camera. A moment later, the feed was dead and I had a horrible feeling that I was soon to follow.

"Oh crap oh crap or crap!" I muttered. I hurried out the door and towards the back, hoping there was an exit. There wasn't but there was one that led into the back of the kitchen. As swiftly as possible, I got in and went through the employee's exit which led to an alley. Knowing I had little time, I pulled out my phone and speed dialed Kitty as I ran to the alley opening.

"Pick up, pick up-" I begged under my breath.

A rough hand grabbed the back of my shirt and pulled me back. I felt the air knock out of me as I slammed into a wall. My phone was ripped out of my hand.

The psycho model grinned wolfishly at me as he crushed my phone under my foot. I studied him apprehensively as he slowly walked up to me.

"Well, well, well," He said. "Who has father been f****** now?"

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice deadly.

"When I first smelled you, I actually thought I was coming down with a cold." The stranger snarled. "But I wasn't wrong. I never am."

"I said, who are you?" I snarled, getting in his face to show that he didn't intimidate me. Unfortunately, he didn't like that so much. He slammed me back and my head hit the brick wall. My head spun from the impact.

"I'm the alpha here, you got that, bitch?" He snarled back.

Weird choice of words, but what can you expect from a psycho, I thought, but I kept my mouth shut. Instead, I tried a new tactic. I kicked the guy in the place most near and dear to all men. He doubled over and I tried to run, but he grabbed me again.

And this time, he held two claws that came out of his fist to my throat.

For the first time I saw that his eyes were mirror image of mine.

What the-

"Don't. Try. That." He gritted his teeth. "Again."

"You have claws, like Wolverine." I stated, shocked. Not the most intelligent thing to say, but honestly, I think I had a concussion at that point.

"Of course I do, you stupid little ho." He rolled his eyes. And then it was his turn to be surprised. "You don't know, do you?"

"Know what?"

He gave me a look which clearly stated that he couldn't tell if I was dumb or playing him. Finally he said. "Smell me."

"Um, no thanks." I replied, weirded out. My stalker has claws like my dad's and now he wants me to smell him.

Not used to being told no I guess, the guy stuck his hand (which thankfully had his claws retracted) under my nose, as if I was a dog he was trying to get acquainted with. Because he was looking at me with his crazy eyes, I humoured him and took a whiff.

"Uh…" I stalled. "okay."

Now he looked even more confused. "Don't you smell it?"

"Smell what? Your cologne?" I guessed.

He didn't appreciate my weak attempt at humour and pressed his claws into my throat more.

"Are you or are you not a feral mutant?!" He snarled, spit landing on my face.

I could feel my blood run down my neck and in between my breasts. "Not."

"What kind of mutant are you." He asked forcefully. I stalled and he yelled. "ANSWER ME!"

"I'm not any kind." I muttered. "I'm a human."

His face went completely blank. And then he burst out laughing.

"HE SIRED A HUMAN!?" He roared. He was laughing so hard that his eyes were watering. "What a loser!"

He let me drop to the ground. I held my hands over the laceration over my neck. He didn't hit anything vital, but I was still bleeding a lot.

His laughter died down eventually. He knelt to the ground and tilted my head up so that I was forced to look into his eyes.

"But his smell on you is strong." He said softly, almost to himself. "You are constantly with him. He has touched you. He might even love you."

"What do you want?" I sputtered, still trying to control the bleeding.

"I want to send Daddy Dearest a message." He said coolly. "But unfortunately I have no pen or paper. So I guess the next best thing is to send him your head. The only question is, little sister, should I bother spending the money on gift wrap, or just put a pretty bow on your corpse?"

"Why are you doing this?" I struggled to say. The concussion and blood loss were making it hard to stay conscious.

"Because I hate him." He replied calmly, raising up his clawed hand.

Uh-oh