A.N. Due to a minor lack of communication between the authors, we have been writing at two different time periods. To avoid confusion, this is who is at the mansion. The five original X-Men, the second team assembled to rescue the first (minus Thunderbird of course), Kitty and Rogue. Oops. From now on, a lot more care must be taken by us!

Rebekah

I allow Dr McCoy to take me down to the lab where he immediately asks me to have a conversation with Silver-Paw while he takes readings.

"Er…"

"You got my mince yet?"

"I think we'll have to wait till later."

He pouts, as well as a cat can pout.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm sort of new here."

"It's a nice place."

"If…if I could stay, would you want to stay here as well?"

"If I get the mince."

Beast trots over to me.

"The readings are odd. Can you translate this for me?"

A crackling noise comes out of some speakers.

"Quit sticking that needle near me! *Schree* two-leggers! Oi, Geroff!"

I frown and rely what I heard to Dr McCoy.

"So you can understand recordings. Well that blows the telepath theory right out of the water."

Then he plays something else and a voice that sound soft and lilting, almost Highland Scots, comes out next.

"Who are you? This is my territory. Run. Run kits, run!"

I open my mouth.

"No need to tell me what you hear. Just nod if you understand."

I nod. Another soundtrack. And another. And another.

"My land! My kill! My females! Stay away!"

"Swift, slow, soft. Stay there little prey, stay there."

"Run little two-leg. I am the hunter. You are the prey."

"Rip, tear, bite, kill."

The voices stop as barking starts. I shake my head and Dr McCoy looks interested.

"You can understand all members of the Felidae family. Which encompass-"

"Domesticated cats, tigers, lions, pretty much any wild cat, big cat or feline."

"Impressive."

"I like cats. Cats are smart."

"Too right Two-Tongue."

"Rebekah, the cat keeps making a certain purring meow. Is it connected to you in any way?"

"It's either be 'mince' or ''Two-Tongue'. That's his name for me. Can he stay? It'll help me learn how to do whatever it is I do."

"Is it by any chance the fact you happen to be a cat-lover that means you want to keep him?"

"Weeelllll…"

"I'll speak to the others."

"Pleeease."

"Maybe."

"And can I get some mince?"

"I'll get it. You're injured."

I glance down and remember my arm.

"It's not too bad…"

"I don't think you tore the ligaments. Just strained them soon after you tore them. How did the original injury happen anyway?"

I feel my face go bright red.

"Rebekah…?"

Resigning myself, I allow myself the opportunity to laugh at my stupidity.

"I'm a member of the Scouts. We were playing Bulldog, and because I'm a girl, I can normally get past the others. But I got caught by someone and I happened to kick him…er…kick him in a place that meant he dropped my just as he lifted me up. I landed on my arm, which buckled and tore my shoulder muscles. I ended up in A&E at half one in the morning on a Saturday."

And suddenly unable to stop myself, I start giggling at my hopelessness. This stops when Isaac comes in looking slightly cheerier than earlier.

"The Professor wants to see you Dr McCoy…"

He stops when he sees me with Silver-Paw still draped around my neck.

Isaac

'What is that?' I asked. Dr McCoy excused himself and walked out.

'It's a cat.'

'I know it's a cat but what's it doing here?'

'His name's Silver-Paw and I discovered my mutation. I think.'

'Really? What is it?'

'I can talk to cats.'

'I guess you'll go and join Magneto now,' I thought darkly but to Rebekah I just said nothing. I knelt down and purred quietly. The cat jumped down from Rebekah's shoulder and padded over to me silently. I stroked the cat gently. Rebekah raised her eyebrows at me.

'I've had cats before. They're my favourite animals. What's he saying?'

'He's not saying anything. I think he likes you stroking him. Although apparently you said 'apple soufflé' when you purred Hey, why've you got a black eye?' I grabbed a mirror and looked into it.

I shrugged. 'It doesn't matter.'

'Why are you being like that? You've changed since we last talked.'

I shrugged again. 'Who cares? Magneto will be back soon. You gonna join him?'

It was Rebekah's turn to shrug. I decided to change the subject.

'So can this cat understand what I say?'

'He understands tone and some words. Mainly 'dinner', 'mince' and 'chicken'.'

'He's a good cat. Off you go back to your mistress.' The cat stalked off with his tail held high.

'You've upset him now. You should know cats aren't owned by anybody.'

'You're right. Sorry Silver-Jaw.' Silver-paw's eyes flashed dangerously.

'His name's Silver-Paw dopey.'

'Oh, my mistake. Sorry Silver-Paw.'

'Hopefully he'll forgive you in time.'

'Hopefully. Anyway, I've got to go and do something. I'll see you later.'

'Ok.' I stuck my head back around the corner of the door.

'Another thing, calling you Rebekah's a bit long. Can I call you Bekah?'

Rebekah glared daggers at me.

'What about Becks?' I said dodging a flying book. 'I guess not.' I made my way down to the training room laughing all the way. When I got there Logan, Kitty, Kurt and Scott were already there.

'Logan's going to be training you. That way you'll be able to fight without having to rely on those fancy tricks of yours.'

I frowned. 'Whatever Scott. Let's just get this over with.' Scott clenched his teeth.

Logan smirked. 'I'll deal with it Summers. You get back to training with Kurt and Kitty.'

Scott nodded sullenly. I could never tell what Scott was thinking behind that visor. He marched off followed by Kurt and Kitty.

'You shouldn't wind him up Isaac.'

'He's such a jerk.'

'That's what I used to think. Well, I still do but once you get to know him he's a good team leader and a good friend. He's just a little full of himself sometimes.'

I and Logan trained for an hour and by the end of it I was exhausted. As I was walking out I met Rebekah again.

'I just had a meeting with the Professor.'

'How'd it go?'

'Okay. He just asked me some questions and ran some more tests.'

'At least he didn't have to scare you out of your mind to witness your power,' I thought.

'I'll see you later anyway,' I said. I wandered around the mansion aimlessly. It was such a big place. I slipped into slow-time and searched the mansion at super-speed, looking for anything to arouse my interest. I stopped suddenly. I was in Professor Xavier's office. There was a button under the desk.

'Here goes nothing,' I said to myself. I pressed it. The floor opened up revealing a ramp leading underground. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around expecting to see the Professor but it was Peter.

'You shouldn't be here,' he said his voice heavily accented.

'I know but I'm so bored.'

Peter smiled knowingly. 'I know. We'll find something to do. Come.'

He reached out and grabbed my arm.

'No!' I shouted but it was too late. As soon as his hand came into contact with my skin he passed out.

I swore loudly as an alarm wailed. I quickly ran down the ramp which closed sinisterly behind me.