Obsession

The Obsession

The night was deeply dark and wet. Serina had the graveyard shift, something she choose to do regularly. She loved the night, always so peaceful. Most nights were quiet, but tonight was a little too quiet. She had an erie feeling that something was going to happen and it wasn't going to be good. It was then that she heard someone in the kitchen. She decided that it was time to get some fresh coffee and she was out.

The halls were dark, she knew her way so she didn't bother with the lights. She could hear the refrigerator door open from where she stood near the danger room. It was there that it happened, a blinding pain blasted her in the face. She was able to telepathicly call out to who ever was in the kitchen, then she heard Scott rush out.

"Hey!" was the last thing she heard.

"Oh my God! What have I done!" Scott cried, lifting Serina's limp form into his arms. "Please be alright." He said softly as the lights came on.

"What happened here?" Xavier asked seeing Scott holding Serina's unconscious form. "I felt a wave of pain projected by her."

"Someone tried to kill her. I tried to blast them but they moved to quickly and I hit her instead. I thought she saw me, she looked right at me. I couldn't stop it." He cried. As he spoke

more and more people began to arise.

"We'll discuss this later, for now let's get her to the infirmary." Xavier replied. Turning to Beast, "Henry, prepare a room for a burn patient." Then to Scott, "Fallow Beast then come see me in my office. I need to contact the hospital and transfer her as soon as possible, then contact Miora."

Scott numbly followed the orders given, only delaying long enough to hear how bad she was.

Henry was dabbing her face with gauze. "Her pupils are fixed. I think she absorbed the maximum of the blast with her eyes." He shook his head, "This doesn't look good. There's so much tissue damage." It was then that Scott left for Xavier's office.

"I'm not sure on the extent of her injuries, hold on. Scott's here." Xavier said to the person on the phone. "How is she?"

"Henry said she seem to take the most of it with her eyes. He said it doesn't look good." He replied sitting in a chair.

"Did you get that?... Yes, I'll have someone wait out front for you. Thank you... Good bye." He hung up the phone. "Jubilee, wait for an ambulance to arrive out front. Have Logan go with you to be safe."

"Right Professor. Is she going to be alright?" Came across the radio.

"We don't know yet. I'll keep you posted." He turned his attention to Scott, "Tell me what you know."

"I couldn't sleep, so I went to get something to drink. I heard a mental cry for help from her, so I ran to her. Someone stood between us so I couldn't see her very well. I called out, they threw something at me and I blasted. They moved and she got hit. I was so shocked that I let them get away. Then you showed up, you know the rest from there." He explained like a boy who had broke his mothers favorite vase.

Xavier studied him for a few moments in silence.."The assailant is of less consciquence to me now. What's important is how well the two of you recover."

"Don't you mean she?" Scott corrected.

"No. I mean the two of you. You seem almost as hurt mentally as she is physically. Why don't you ride with her to the hospital, you'll fell better when you know how she is."

"I'd rather not. I've caused enough damage for one night." Scott stated rather flatly.

"It's your choice, but you might conceder taking something to help you sleep." Xavier suggested in a tone that implied it to be an order.

"If you insist." Scott replied, rising to leave.

"I am. Get some rest, things should be better in the morning." Xavier stated.

"Please keep me updated on her condition." He opened the door.

"I will, Scott, don't worry." He watched Scott leave. "Jean, stay with Scott. I don't want him to be alone until I return." He requested mentally.

"Are you going with her?" Jean asked telepathicly.

"No, I have to meet Miora at the airport. I should be back some time later today. Miora will want to stop at the hospital before we return here."

"I'll make sure that someone is with him at all times."

"Thank you, Jean. I'm afraid that this night has done more than physical damage. Henry is going to give him a sedative, make sure he rests."

"I will." She answered softly, watching Scott pace the floor of his room.

Xavier went to get a last update before leaving. Storm sat in with Serina while Henry went to see Scott. "How is she?" He asked.

"She is sore." Serina replied with a pain filled voice.

"I didn't realize that you were awake." He turned to Storm, "Rogue and Gambit are still away. I expect them back in a few days. The ambulance is on it's way to pick up Henry and Serina. I am off to meet Miora at the airport, I need you to check the tapes and see if you might get a good view of the assailant for me. Scott will be incapacitated for the next few days so you are in charge in my absence." He turned to Serina, "I will catch up with you at the hospital. Please try and rest until then, and no resisting treatment, I know how you are."

"What ever, Xavier. I really don't see myself running away in the dark, that's how I got this way." Serina replied. Storm just shook her head giving Xavier the impression that she couldn't see that the lights were on.

"I suppose you're right." He bent and lightly kissed the top of her head. "I'll get there as soon as I can, you just hang in there for me, ok?"

"Alright, but I'm really tired." Serina replied softly, knowing that he kept something from her.

"Henry wants you to stay awake until we get you to the hospital." Storm reminded her softly.

"I know Ororo, but it's not that easy. It hurts so much." Serina admitted, the pain more apparent now.

Beast entered the room, "It won't be much longer, the ambulance is here to pick us up."

"Oh,.... ok.....Who is going with me?" Serina said slowly.

"Shhhh" Henry said softly, "I am. The rest will see us later today. I'm hoping to bring you home by tomorrow night, providing that your injuries are only what we assume they are."

Serina just whispered, "Oh...I see, I think."

"Ok." Henry said in an ordering tone, "Let's move her out."

He tucked the blankets around her more snugly."Time is short."

"Ororo!....." Serina cried as they rolled her out of the room.

"I'll be there shortly, Renia. Don't worry." Storm soothed. "I'll get the taped ready then meet you at the hospital." She stated, following them to the ambulance.

To all of their surprise, Scott was there to see her off. "I'll see you soon, Serina. I'm ever so sorry." He said in a sorrow filled voice.

She reached out her hand for him, he took it. "It's not your fault, you were trying to save my life and you did just that. I couldn't see you, he had blinded me before I called out to you." She explained, holding his hand tight.

"Get better soon." He replied as they pulled them apart and loaded her in to the back, closing the door.

"Go and rest, Scott, with luck she'll be home for dinner." Xavier stated.

Scott turned to face him, "Do you know anymore on her condition?"

"Storm can tell you, I have to go." He said, getting into Logan's jeep.

"She's blind, how perminate it is has not yet been determined. She's alive and that's more than she would be if you hadn't arrived when you did. Try not to beat yourself with this, you saved her." Storm informed him as they watch Xavier leave with Logan for the airport. "I'm going to look at the tapes, care to join me? Maybe we can find out who's behind this attack."

They walked toward the mansion. "No, I'm a bit tired, I think I'll go lay down for awhile." He replied not wanting to see what had transpired earlier, not yet anyway."

"Ok, I'll see you later." Storm replied, leaving him with Jean.

Later, at the hospital....

Xavier, Miora and Logan caught up with Heny just outside Serina's room. "What's the latest on her condition?" Xavier inquired.

"I'm afraid that we are still unsure of the permancy of her blindness. The tests state that her optic nerve is seriously damaged. If she were a non-mutant, it would be a perminate thing. If it were Logan, I'd say he'd be fine in a week or so. Since we don't know the extent of her mutant powers, who knows how long it'll last." Henry explained, softly as to not disturb his patient who could hear them, he was sure.

"What do you think, Hank?" Logan asked softly, curious as to his opinion.

"I'm afraid that it's a perminate condition. The damage is too extensive, my friend. Like I said, if it were you in her place, a week maybe, but I don't feel the same about her." He replied.

Miora grew impatient, "Can we see her?" She asked.

"Sure. Hell, we can take her home if we wanted to, but she has to be kept medicated for pain." Henry stated.

"We'll see what she says about that." Xavier stated, not wanting to keep her at the hospital incase her attacker returns.

As they entered they could see that her eyes were bandage as were some parts of her face. The men gave Miora a few minutes alone with her while they discussed her condition alittle more.

"I remember there being more burns on her face." Xavier stated, seeing only a few now.

"That's my point, the smaller ones as well as the less severe ones healed up shortly after we arrived. I'm, beginning to wonder if she's related to you, my friend." Henry replied, the last to Logan.

"I'm taking the fifth on that one. I have no knowledge of a child of mine from Scotland. I don't deny that I knew a woman from there, but she never confessed that she had a child of mine."

Logan half chuckled, feeling a bit uneasy about the likeness he saw of her in Serina.

"I'd like to run a test just to satisfy my curiosity, if that's alright with you. Who knows, you may be able to help her in the future." Henry replied.

"Sure,... I guess." Logan answered.

"Why don't the two of you go do that while I visit with Serina for awhile. Then we'll arrange transportation home." Xavier suggested.

"Why not." Henry agreed, looking at Logan for an answer.

"Ah hell. I guess. Let me talk to Serina first,.... alone." He requested, walking toward her bed.

"Sure Logan, but don't be too long." Xavier replied, ushering everyone out of the room. They explained to Miora their suspicions while they waited for him.

"Hi Precious, how ya feeling?" He asked, touching her hand.

"Logan?.... Is that you?" She forced out in a horse voice.

He winced at the pain in her voice. "Yes, pet, it's me."

"I'm blind, Logan. I'm blind!" She sobbed, her tears wetting the bandages.

"I know." He said, pulling her into his arms. "I know... Shhh.... It'll be alright, Hank and I are going to run some tests and see if I can do anything to help. I'll be back right after we're through, then I'll take you home, ok?"

She sniffled a little, then pulled back a little, "Alright. But hurry back,.... Miora is depressing me."

He chuckled at her, "Ok, I promise." He laid her back against the pillows and began to walk away, "I'll be right back."

"Uh huh" He heard as he met the rest of them in the hall. "Try not to depress her while I'm gone. She's feeling bad enough already." He stated in a demanding tone.

"We'll do our best to cheer her up." Xavier promised, knowing that Miora was too emotional at the time.

They separated there to their own tasks. Xavier got on the phone as soon as they entered the room and Miora set herself to cheering Serina.

Henry ran the test twice, just to be sure. He almost couldn't believe his eyes. "Well Hank, What's the verdict?" Logan said, getting impatient.

"Well, if you're not her father, then you're a damn close contender." Henry replied, knowing that his friend was most defiantly the girl's father.

"What are you trying to say, Hank? Am I or what?"

"You're a daddy, Logan, there's very little chance that your not. Almost no chance that you're not."

"Really!" Logan said excitedly, then imediatly calmed himself, "Really. So now what?"

"Now we decide whether or not to tell her and how." Henry replied as they walk back to her room.

Xavier pulled them aside, "Storm will be here any time now. How did the test come out." He said as Miora Joined them.

"Logan?" Henry said, putting him on the spot.

"Thanks alot Hank." He said nervously. "I'm related to her. She's my daughter." He looked pass them at her sleeping form, "I'd like to drive her home myself, so I can break it to her alone."

"I guess, as long as Henry rides with you, that way you don't have to wait for us. You could go as soon as you're ready." Xavier agreed.

"Fine." Logan replied, "Let's get her ready."

They dressed her in a night gown that Henry had packed before they left, then discharged her. Logan took awhile to get his courage up. "Precious....Remember how I told you that Hank was running some tests on me to see if I could help you in any way?"

"Yes." She whispered, having a feeling that something bad was about to happen.

"Well, I can...." He paused, trying to find the right words.

"It seems that you and I have something in common,... your mother. the blood test shows that ....."

"You're my father." She supplied, seeing how much trouble he was having finding the words. "That explains a few things."

"Oh?.... Like what?" He asked, surprised.

"Like my temper and the strange bones."

"And just what's so strange about them?" Henry finally asked.

"There is a metal that is blended in to my bones. The doctors had no explanation for it. My mother didn't have it, neither has anyone from her side of the family."

"Fascinating, I didn't know that the adamantium would transfer through your genes." Henry said, pondering of the prospect. They drove the rest of the way in silence, Beast going ahead of them to prepare her room for her.

"Logan?"

"Yes?"

"Are you dispointed in finding out that I'm your daughter?"

"No. Are you?"

"No. I'm actually relieved, I was afraid it was some maniac."

She made him laugh. "If you only knew." He laughed as they entered the mansion, greeted by Rogue, who had come home only moments before they did, Gambit not far behind.

"Hi, my precious." Gambit said, picking her up and swinging her around."You playing a game wit' Logan?" He set her down, noticing on closer examination that they were bandages. "Who did this." He demanded in a serous and angry voice.

"We don't know yet. There was an attack and she was hit twice. Once by the attacker and accidently by Scott." Logan explained.

"How could Scott hit her?" Rogue asked, concerned.

"I couldn't see him. The attacker had already blinded me. When Scott attacked, the guy move, I didn't. It was an accident." She stressed the last comment. "He saved my life. The attacker was trying to kill me."

"Let's get you to bed, now." Henry said as he approached, hearing her get defensive of Scott.

"Maybe later. Take me to Scott. I want to let him know I'm alright." She demanded.

Henry began to lead her to her room, "Later, you need your rest."

She pulled away, "Then I'll find him my self." She began to stumble down the hall, using the wall as a guide.

Logan chuckled, walking up behind her, "Here now," taking her arm. " Allow me." He said, guiding her to Scott's room.

They opened door to see Jean asleep in a chair and Scott in the bed. Serina pulled away from Logan at the foot of the bed. Hearing the noise of her movements, Jean rose to stop her.

"No, Red. She has to do it on her own. She's refusing to rest until she talks to him."

"Why? What has happened?"

"She feels she has to prove her self and now she feels she has to protect him from guilt. Who knows, it may be good for both of them. Besides, once Miora gets here, she'll be to coddled to do this." He explained.

"Scott?" She said softly, patting the bed. "Scott?" She felt his face, "Is that you?"

"Serina?" He said drowsily. "Am I dreaming? Are you really here?"

"Yes Scott. I brought her home awhile ago." Logan replied as Scott sat up pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Thank God you're alright." He said relieved that it wasn't as bad as he had dreamed it to be. "How are your eyes?"

"It'll be fine in time. I just felt that I had to see you before I went to bed. Miora will be here any moment and I knew I wouldn't get another chance." She smiled, "I wanted to thank you."

"For what?" He asked.

"One, for saving my life. The other is helping me to find my father." She stated, smiling.

"How did my injuring you help you find your father?" He asked.

"Henry did a blood test and proved that Logan is my father."

"He is?" Scott asked, shocked.

"You are?" Jean said, the same.

"Yep. I am." Logan said proudly. "And now, it's time for you to get your rest. The medication should wear off soon and you'll find out just how painful your eyes are." He said, moving to help her up, " Let's go, you'll have time to visit later, I'll see to that." He led her from the room, then to hers. He set her in a chair while he pulled down the blankets, then he tucked her in to bed. "Good night, Precious." He kissed the top of her head.

"Good night, Logan." She smiled.

R.

Alternetive X-Pierences