Who You Are

She opened her eyes, slowly with great difficulty. She hated getting up in the morning ever since childhood, it was just something she hated. ^At least something is still left with me.^ she thought as she turned around to face the window. Even though the curtain's were closed she could see the sun beaming through. It meant another hot summer day, or that Storm was in a good mood, both of which were fine with Elizabeth. It was hot anyway, and she was glad she didn't sleep with any clothes on, she would be all sweaty by now. She smiled at the memory of last night with Remy. He basically told her he loved her, and that he would be there for her, to help her handle whatever comes their way. It might be a bit early, since this was their first date, but Betsy needed someone to be with her badly, and maybe Remy saw that and he committed to her at an early stage instead of playing games. Either way, he was a wonderful person, that charmer wicked grin mask he wore was just a mask, he was beautiful on the inside. And of course he was good looking. Very good looking. She started to believe that he actually had some kind of power which attracted women.

And what made her even more happy was how he reacted to her saying no. She was hoping he wouldn't get he wrong, she loved having sex, why wouldn't she. But with this new body she was still uncertain. She didn't know anything about it's sexual side. She could be a virgin and not even know it. And that could be possible if this was a cloned body, or a new body. But what if it wasn't ? What if this was just some terrifying incarnation of her old body ? She just didn't know. That's why she didn't want to have sex, not just yet. She had been thinking about it all the time during the date, she was afraid that he wouldn't understand, that he would turn her down, and this would be another loss in her life. It was okay during the talk in the park, they didn't do anything as far to sex, and Remy didn't mention it, he was saving it for later, she thought. Then she told him no, and she told him why and he agreed. Which came as a surprise to her, she obviously didn't think he was like that. He didn't make such impression on her. She was still afraid of it though. She had no idea how this body could react to sex. What if it wouldn't work ? She would die from shame then. And she didn't want that. She had enough problems already. Remy tried cheering her up, and it did work, but as always she saw the worst in front of her.

She moaned and decided she might as well get up since it was pass 12 already.  She sat in the bed and rubbed her eyes. She yawned and then her jaw dropped open. She rubbed her eyes again, in disbelief. There was at least 100 roses standing in front of her bed. She got up quickly and looked at them. They were all red, and there was a little message next to them. She took the piece of paper in her hand and read it.

Dearest Elizabeth

Last night was wonderful. Don't worry I'll be there if you need me.

Love. Remy

Tears rounded in her eyes. She fell on the bed, holding the card to her chest. She was speechless.

Later

She walked down the stairs looking around for Remy, She visited his room but he wasn't there. She entered the kitchen and found many people there except Remy. She decided to eat something since she was starving after last night, and that wine was getting to her too. She noticed that as soon as she began walking around the kitchen something uneasy began filling the air. She couldn't tell what it was, but there were whispers and strange looks in her direction. She pretended she didn't see it and began taking out some eggs from the fridge. She heard someone move a chair and when she closed the door she saw Archangel walk out of the kitchen. He threw her a mean look and disappeared in the door. Next to leave the kitchen was the all mighty Cyclops. He didn't say anything and didn't even look at her. He left as quickly as he could, with Jean following him close behind. Iceman shouted "Hey guys wait up for me." after Scott and Jean and ran out of the kitchen as quickly as he could not looking back.

For few moments she couldn't understand what was going on. Then she realized it. They were afraid of her, or actually scared that she might be a traitor. Especially after she told Xavier she won't have her mind read by him. She couldn't believe it. After all this she's done for them, for the dream. They still treated her like this. Like shit. With anger she threw a frying pan across the room. "What do I have to do to prove to you damn it !" she screamed after them.

"No need to scream Elizabeth." said a voice behind her.

She spun around and saw Colossus sitting by the table, slowly eating his breakfast. He grinned at her as he saw her reaction. "I'm... I'm sorry Piotr I didn't know you were here.... I.... I thought they all left." she said fighting tears.

"Don't worry, they are like that. The X-Men are hypocrites when it comes to this stuff."

"But... but.. what do I have to do to prove myself to them ? I mean how many battles have I fought, how many times have I saved the earth ? What more do I have to do ?"

"Give them time tovarisch, that's all they need. I remember when they used to treat Logan the same way, even worse."

"Awww crap that sucks." she said turning around. She got the frying pan out of the sink and put it on the fire. She broke some eggs into it and boiled some water.

"I know it does. But you can't change it, unfortunately."

"Yeah. I suppose."

Silence filled the air as she fried her eggs and made herself tea. When she was finished she sat down opposite Peter. "It's just hard to get used to it. I didn't want this body and all. But let's not talk about it okay ? They're assholes and I don't care what they think. I'm an X-Man as I always was."

"So..." Peter said looking at her raising his eyebrow. "How did your date with Gambit yesterday go ?

Betsy looked at him, shocked. Since when Peter know about this stuff ? This was not the Peter she knew before. She guessed he has changed through the Siege too, or Rogue began teaching him. Finally she smiled. "Pretty good, wonderful I suppose. But how did you know about it ?"

"Jubilee was blabbering about it since the weekend."

"Oh." Out of all possibilities, she forgot to include the most important one, Jubilee. "Yeah I suppose it was good, we went to this grand restaurant then to a park, we had a good time."

"He seems like a decent man."

"Yeah. He's totally different when you get to know him. It's like he's this other man when he's not acting his raging cajun role."

"Then he's a pretty good actor I must admit." Colossus said with a smile.

Betsy laughed. "Yeah exactly."

"Dis Gumbo can confess dat yes he is a good actor." Remy said from the door. Colossus blushed and began apologizing.

"I...umm... look Gambit, I didn't mean..."

"It's okay mon ami. Don' worry 'bout it." Remy said grinning. He looked at Betsy who smiled back at him.

"Okay then. Oh boy look at the time. The MTV Up&Coming comes on in five minutes. I better go then." Colossus said getting up from the table. Betsy fought to keep a straight face. When Peter left the kitchen she cracked out laughing. Remy looked at her.

"Is he always like dat ?"

"Yes, he always was. He could never tell a straight lie, or make a good excuse. He's too good willed for that. And besides he doesn't watch MTV. Unless a Russian band comes on, which is like never."

Remy sat down beside her and embraced her. Looking her straight in the eyes he asked. "And how are you today ?"

"Couldn't be better, especially with those roses you sent me." she saw a twinkle in his eye at the mention of the roses. "It's just that..." she looked away.

"What is it Betsy ?"

"I came in here to make myself breakfast. The kitchen was full of people, as soon as I began walking around and making myself breakfast they all left. They were all throwing me mean looks and left as quickly as they could, with the lamest excuses. They all hate me Remy."

"Dey don' hate you chere. You've done so much for them, for the dream. Dey just don't trust you. I know how you feel Betsy, no one here trusts me either. But we have to get used to it."

"It hurts."

Remy pulled her closer and patted her on the head. "Don' worry Betsy, I'm here and I won't let any of de X-Men hurt you. Okay ?"

"Yeah." she looked up at him. Her mouth raised to his and their lips met.

They were interrupted by Colossus running into the kitchen. "Hey guys ! You gotta take a look..." he stopped in half sentence. "Ummm, maybe this isn't the right moment, but, but you have to see this."

"What is it Peter ?" Betsy asked, looking at him, annoyed.

"Just come. Now."

They got up and ran out of the kitchen after Peter and into the lounge. Jubilee was sitting on the couch, her eyes on the TV. "What is it Peter. You're showing us MTV ?"

"No... look !" he said pointing at the screen.

Betsy looked at the TV and she almost fell to her feet. She leaned on the couch and looked at the screen again. "Oh my god, it's it's....."

"Alison Dazzler." said the hostess on the TV. "You're the lead singer and guitarist of the new up and coming Seattle band Reavers. What's with the name ?"

"Honestly ? I don't know. It's just some word I have in my mind, I can't remember what it means, it's just one of those words you remember, ya know ?"

"Oh my god, it's Alison !" Betsy said. "So....so this is what the Siege made her into ?" she said looking at the screen. She had long hair, it was still blonde, but had strips of black here and there. She had no make up on, and was wearing a pair of old jeans and some Doc.. boots. She had an old T-shirt and a brown leather jacket on.

"Dis is the way everyone in Seattle dresses. " Remy pointed out.

"But, how is this possible ? I mean look at her, she would never become a person like that in her sane mind. Could the Siege change her so much ?"

"You never know Elizabeth. The Siege changed me too, I didn't remember anything about my previous life, and I was convinced that my past was real too."

"I'd prefer not to talk about my childhood." Alison said on the TV.

"So exactly what is your music ? Is it like the rest of Seattle ? Is it something totally new ?"

"Yeah I suppose we're all the same. We, musicians in Seattle, we all know each other we're just like people playing the same music, you know ? Some may be more punk, some may be more melodical, but it's all our music. And as for Reavers, I think we're something like the Pixies, I'm a great fan of the Pixies." she smiled.

"Well she seems pretty happy to me." Remy said. "And I can swear I saw her 'round Seattle."

"Yeah she is happy, finally she's making music and she's achieving something. How can you be not happy about that ? It's just that, well she's happy, she got what she wanted." Betsy said looking down at the ground.

"Don't worry chere." Gambit began comforting her. "She seems like she had a bad life, or so at least she thinks, there's sadness in her eyes."
 
"Do you think we should meet her and tell her who she is ?" Colossus asked. "I'm against it personally. I know that I didn't want you to tell me who I really was."

"I agree with you Peter, we should leave her as she is. She seems happy, well at least happier than she was with the X-Men. Just keep a close eye on her and buy her records." Betsy said smiling.

"Enough talk now, this young woman here in front of me is Alison Dazzler, and she's the lead singer of the Reavers. Alison is there something you'd like to say before we play the video to your song ?"

Alison seemed to be thinking for a while, her mind lost to this world and then she replied. "Yeah. I'd like to dedicate this song to Andy Wood, who's not here today to see this. You were a great man Andy. Thanks." With these words she turned away from the camera and it was clear she would say no more.

"No need to say more. Here's Paranoia by the Reavers."

The video came on. They all watched, and listened as Alison charged full speed into some chords. The guitar distortion was dominating the song, which seemed to be a cross between hard punk rock and melodic 60's rock. The words "I'm in paranoia." and "What the fuck is this place ?" kept repeating itself in the chorus as Alison screamed at the top of her lungs.

After the song was finished Betsy looked at Remy, her face unreadable. "I liked it." Remy said as if reading her mind.

"Yeah so did I. But I doubt the Alison I knew would."

Somewhere

"SOON !"

Soon he'll be free. And he'll wreck chaos all around. The end days have come, and the fate of the entire universe is in his hands. No person can stop him. He knows that, and bursts out with evil laughter that would freeze hell. The whole world will be different soon, the whole world will be destroyed.

End Part Six