Surprise !

By, Seri

It was a beautiful day on the lawn of the Xavier estate. Xavier was kind enough to allow a talent contest to take place here for the local schools. It began around 3:00pm with the younger students and was now ending with the high school students. It was night fall when the final group entered the stage, the M.C. was the Banshee.

"I want to thank Professor Xavier once more for the use of his lovely home and thank all of you for coming. This last group is just a demonstration for you while we prepare the awards."He smiled as they clapped. "Thank you. This particular group is compiled of my own students and some of my former students. here by popular demand is Sweet Sensations." He introduced, walking off stage.

The lights came up slowly, shadowing the lead singer but showing the band. They were doing a song of Melissa Ethridge's called "I'm the only one". The woman's voice was entrancing. The lights came up on her as she began the chorus. To everyone's surprise it was the quietest girl at Xavier's school, Serina MacPhearson.

She finished a whole set of songs before the awards were announced and tried to leave before she was asked too many questions but was caught by Xavier himself.

"I was unaware of you singing talent. Why do you hide so much?"

"I don't like being well known." She stated breathlessly, "May I be excused before I get attacked by more questions?"

"Sure, but I would like to talk to you after this has all cleared up. I am very proud of you." He smiled, something she very rarely sees from him.

"Thank you" She said, walking toward the house. She was stopped by a middle aged man in a bad suit.

"You are very gifted" He began "I was wondering if you'd be interested in singing at my night club for,.. say a..."

"I'm sorry, I'm too busy at this time. I have work to do, so if you'll excuse me." She interrupted, pushing past him.

"Well, let me give you my card, in case you change your mind." He fumbled with his wallet.

She pointed at Banshee saying, "Leave it with him." then disappeared before he could utter another word.

She caught up with Jubilee closer to the house. "I wish I could sing like that." Jubilee stated as they walked.

"You could with the proper training." Serina replied.

"Would you teach me?" She asked excitedly.

"Sure, if we find the time. How about after history and during lunch."

"Wow, this is great!"

"Don't for an instant think it's going to be easy. It's a lot of hard work, I'll expect no less than Xavier on discipline."

"You got it" She piped, watching Serina lean against the porch pillar. "Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm just a little tired, that's all." She sat down on the porch. "I just need to rest for a minute. You go on ahead, I'll be along in a few minutes."

"Yeah... ok...I'll see you inside."

"Ok. We start the lessons on Monday."

"Right. Thanks Serina." She said, going inside. Serina had gone around to the front so she would be left alone, but she had no idea just how long it would be.

Xavier's voice sounded as though it were traveling through a long tunnel. "Serina?.....Serina.... are you alright?" She struggled to open her eyes.

"She is responding just as Rogue did." Henry replied, then he seemed to talk to Jubilee. "How long ago did the two of you separate?"

"Almost three hours ago. It wasn't until Rogue's attack that I remembered she hadn't come in yet." Jubilee informed them.

"It's a good thing you remembered her sudden tiredness." Xavier replied then turned to Henry. "Let's get her to the infirmary with Rogue, maybe we can find out what happened. Also, let's run a check on everyone with in these walls as well as the schools to see how many has any of their symptoms."

"Consider it done, Professor." Henry replied, lifting Serina into his arms.

"I'm just a bit tired. I teleported too many times, that's all." Serina said tiredly, laying her head on Henry's shoulder.

"I'd still feel better if you were in the infirmary." Xavier spoke to an unconscious Emeryld.

Waking in the infirmary was a shocking experience for Serina. She had lost track of the events that had transpired the last day, or so she thought....

"Oh, you're awake." Beast said as if glad to see it. "How do you feel?" He asked checking her monitors and vitals.

"Just a little worn. How'd I get here?"

"I brought you. You passed out on the porch four days ago, don't you remember?" He asked, concerned of her memory loss.

"I remember the Competion, but not much after that." She replied, finally seeing Rogue in the next bed. Storm was in the bed that was next to Rogue and Jean was in the one beside Storm. Scott sat beside her while they talked. "What happened?"

"We're still not sure, Rogue was the first one found in this condition, Jean was the last. Jean was also the first to wake, and now you. Can you tell me anything strange that may have happened to you just before you became tired?" Xavier asked, entering the room only moments before.

"I was approached by a night club owner, I refused to work for him. I then 'ported myself to the front of the house where I caught up with Jubilee. We talked of singing. I promised to teach her, then I felt really tired. So I told her to go on ahead, that I'd catch up in a little bit. Why?"

"When we found you claimed that you had teleported too many times, you then fell unconscious until just now. During your unconscious state, you spoke of several things that happened that day, including an act of blackmail that ended with you on stage. Can you tell me a little more?" Xavier asked as Scott joined them.

Serina had to work to recall her friends words. "Rebecca. She used an old, now deceased friend of mine to get me on stage. That's why I sang 'the only one', it reminded me of him."

Scott smiled, as if it brought back a sweet memory, "An old boyfriend?"

"My fiancee." She replied.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Scott replied, sitting down beside her, Taking her hand.

"It's alright. It's something I'm learning to live with." She replied with an inner strength that most envied.

"May I ask how it happened?" Henry requested, sitting down in a chair.

"I'd rather not go in to it too much, so let's just say he was shot and didn't survive." She said thinking to herself that it was more than what most know about it.

"How sad. And she used her knowledge of this to black mail you?" Xavier stated, pleased that she choose to finally say what he already knew from Miora.

"Yes." She replied flatly, "And if it wasn't for my pledge to you, she'd be in a whole world of hurt right now."

"What 'pledge'?" Jean asked, moving closer so she could hear better.

"Serina has a foul temper. She made a pledge to me not to let it over run her sense of rationality." he answered, "I'm pleased that you didn't let it control you, but you didn't have to do what she asked."

"Oh, I didn't. She wanted me to use my powers. I hit her."

"You what!?" Beast, Scott and Jean asked in unison.

"I beat the living hell out of her."

"But she performed with out complication." Xavier said, finding it unbelievable.

"There are other ways of beating someone. My family was quite good at it."

"How did you do it?" Henry asked, completely intrigued.

"I punched her once then brought up her past and projected it in her mind. You'd be surprised at how much can be accomplished by observing a bully for several years." She smiled.

They sat there, almost amazed at her barbaric tactics. Gambit and Logan had decided to see how the ladies were fairing. "Petite!, you are better, neh?" Remy inquired, surprised at seeing her up.

"Yes Remy, I'm a little better." Serina replied, trying to smile.

"Is Rogue any better?" Remy asked Henry, walking around everyone trying to get to her.

"She would be if people were a little more quiet." Rogue replied sitting up. Henry made his way over to check her.

"It seems that we are doubly blessed today, first Serina and now Rogue grace us by awaking." Beast stated. "How do you feel?"

"Got a real bad headache. Other than that, I feel fine." She answered truthfully.

"How much do you remember?" Xavier inquired, turning to face both Serina and Rogue.

"A little man in a bad suit askin' me about Serina. I then came in to clean up an' got real tired real fast. Now I'm here." She replied.

"It seems that he made the rounds." Jean stated factly.

"What do you mean, Jean?" Xavier asked.

"I too was approached by a man who asked me where Banshee was. I told him he had already left, that's when he gave Scott his card."

"I told him to leave it with Sean, That I wasn't interested." Serina supplied, shocked at how this guy got around.

"I too was approached by the man you describe. He wanted to know Serina's name." Storm said sleepily. Henry was all in a sort of rush, it seemed that all four woke the same day. He rushed to see her stats.

"Maybe we should pay this guy a visit. Teach him not to mess with our girls." Logan stated, want'n to take him out.

"Not yet, I need to think on this a bit while the girls recover a little more." Xavier said leaving the room. They all went to their separate rooms to recuperate.

A few days later, near night fall, Xavier called all of his X-men to the war room. "I have spent the last few days finding out as much as I could on this night club owner. His name is..." He didn't finish, he couldn't do anything but stare, as they all were at that moment. The reason, a figure all in black with long black hair and over the knee boots walked through the door.

"What are you all staring at?" Serina asked finding their shocked silence annoying.

"You are suppose to be resting." Henry replied first.

"Yeah, well the others are here." She stated, swaying her hand to show who she meant.

"It's just that you've never shown an interested in joining us here before, you surprised us." Xavier replied.

"Well, you've been wanting me to get involved, so here I am. Is there a problem with it?" Serina asked, searching the faces in the room.

"No. No problem." Scott replied noticing the X communicator on her right shoulder.

"I'm not sure what plan you have come up with, but I have a suggestion." Serina offered, something she does rarely. Serina is known for being the mysterious, quiet type, she never gets involved, just locks herself up in her room or the library working. Xavier wondered what caused her to want in on this.

"Sure. We have not decided on what corse of action to take." Xavier replied.

"Well, it all seems to have something to do with me. Nobody knew that I was here til now. He left me his card, said if I changed my mind to call. I was thinking I should call, get in and find out what he wants from me and why he tagged all of us women."

"No." Scott replied, "That's giving him what he wants. I say we find another way."

"No, Scott. She has a point. She can get where we can't." Xavier replied, to Serina's surprise. "How will you do it?"

She moved to an empty chair and sat down. "I'll set it up so that the rest of you blend in, then perform for a few weeks and quit when I have gathered enough information."

"How you gonna blend us in?" Remy inquired slyly.

"Well, few know that Scott is Cyclops, so I'd like for him to pose as my manager. That will give him access to back stage as well as in the club. Jubilee will be a back up singer along with Rogue and Jean. Storm will be Scott's assistant. You, Logan and the rest will frequent the audience." Serina explained nervously.

Xavier pondered on her plan for a moment. "It just might work, but only for a week or two, no more. I'll arrive on the last night so you know." He paused for a reaction but got none. "Ok. Scott, you call and begin being a manager, the rest of you prepare yourselves for show business. Good night."

The man took the bait. They began performing that Friday, nothing happened the whole time they were there, with the exception of a few fights between customers. Two weeks later Xavier showed up for one of their shows, it was then that all hell broke loose.

"Hey, Renia. See that woman over there?" Rogue asked, pointing at a strangely dressed woman.

"Yeah." She replied.

"She's too far from home. She's a t'eve. She knows Remy."

"Really... What in the hell is a t'eve?"

"It's a guild of professional thieves. Remy used to be one of them." Rogue explained.

"Could this cause a problem?"

"Only if she thinks of takin' him with her." Rogue threatened.

"Let's get this over with." Serina said to Scott, "Before she kills someone." She gestured toward Rogue.

"I agree." He replied, fallowing her to the owner's table. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"A family matter has come up and I need to quit. I'm sorry." Serina informed him. "I have to leave for home immediately."

"What about a leave of absence?"

"Can't do that. My parent's have been killed and I have younger siblings to raise. I won't have time to do this anymore." Serina lied, something she should have a degree on, she's awful good at it.

"Well....alright, I'll let you out of your contract, but if you can, I'd like you to come back. I've never made so much on an act." he replied greedily.

"Thanks." Serina said, rising to leave. As she walked she began to drain, this time she felt it hit. She leaned against Scott. "It's him." She stated going limp.

"Remy! Logan!" Scott called as a crowd gathered around them. "It's him. He got her again when she walked away."

"I'm on it." Logan said leaping through the crowd after the now running club owner, Gambit not far behind.

"Rogue, Storm..." Scott began, but Serina interrupted him.

"No Scott, don't let them get too close, we still don't know how he does it."

"Scott, get her out of here while she's still conscious. Henry and I will meet you at the mansion." He turned to the girls, "You need to finds a way out and get home, we may need you there incase of an attack."

"Right, Professor." Storm answered, trying to reach the door.

Scott could feel Serina's body tense up as the night air hit them. It was as if she was fighting what ever hit her. Her eyes began to glow in the moon light. "Serina?... Are you alright?"

"I lost my contacts in the club." She half growled, having him set her down. Wolverine and Gambit had chased the man around the building and right in to them. Scott was so concerned about her that he never saw what hit him but it was what Logan and Remy saw that would stay in their minds long after this night was over. "You wanted Emeryld, Mr. Clarke, well here I am." Serina growled, her hands forming claws. "You didn't have to get them involved to get my attention."

"You!.. You're dead!" He screamed backing away.

"No," She growled softly, "Your brother missed. He shot 58 people and still missed me. Who hired you?"

"Serina killed my brother and she's gonna pay." He flew into a rage, rushing her. Logan stopped Gambit from interfering.

"No. This is her call, Gambit. Let's watch for a bit."

The fight went on for a short while with out talking, then when Emeryld had the man pinned, she began. "I want to know... who do you work for? And I may let you live." She growled deeply, not sounding like Serina at all. He didn't say a word. "Shall I show you how I killed your brother?" She said, tearing at his arm with her, unnoticed til now, claws.

Clarke cried out in pain. "Alright!" He breathed "I'll talk."

"I like the way she works." Logan said, unknowing of a group of dark cloaked figures that quietly approached them. But the Emeryld heard, A bright ball of energy forming in her left hand. She threw it when it got to be the size of a baseball, blasting the group with light and sparks of kinetic energy. This distraction gave Clarke his chance to attack and escape, catching her on the temple with a rock and running into the night. The group of figures ran after her attack and Remy was the first to focus his eyes and see her lying there bleeding.

"Logan!" He hollered, but Logan was ahead of him, scooping her in to his arms. Scott was just coming around. "Remy, call an ambulance." Logan told him, laying Serina next to Scott. "Just lie back, buddy. You were hit pretty hard."

"Serina?" Scott asked, turning his head to see her.

"I don' know. She's hurt pretty bad."

"Her eyes. They were almost animal like...like a cats."

"I think you got hit harder than you're letting on."

"Logan. They're on their way. How they doing?" Gambit asked hearing Scott as he approached.

"Don' know, Remy. She's bleeding pretty bad." Wolverine said, taking his shirt and placing pressure on her wound. The ambulance raced them to the hospital. Scott was released after a few stitches, in to Henry's care. Serina was a different story. She was still unconscious even though her head injury was minor. After a few days, they let Henry take her home.

No one believed Scott's story about Serina's eyes, that is, not until she awoke a week later. Henry was watching her closely and she didn't have time to get to her room and get her spare contacts. "My God.... Serina?"

"Yes." She said hoarsely, not realizing.

"What happen to your eyes?"

"Nothing. Why?"

"I must be tired. For a moment there they looked like a cats." He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Oh." She said, turning away.

"How do you feel?"

"I've got a monster of a headache. Can I go to my room, I'd like to lie down."

"Not yet. Everyone's been worried about you, what happened?" He asked, calling Xavier.

"I don't remember." She said, watching Xavier enter the room fallowed by Everyone but Gambit, Jubilee and Storm.

"You tapped some inner strength and attacked Clarke when he attacked Scott. You also used something I've never heard of. A kinetic...."

She interrupted Xavier, "Ball of sparked energy, yes, I'm beginning to remember. A group of people were about to attack Gambit and Wolverine, I threw one at them to scare them off."

"A pretty hot scare. Got singed by it." Logan replied.

"Sorry. I guess I didn't think." She answered, looking down.

"What's with your eyes?" Rogue asked, seeing what she thought were a cats eyes.

"Nothing! Why is everyone asking about my eyes?!"

"Because they're different." Scott said, knowing what he saw that night was true.

"Well, your eyes are different to me but I'm not askin' you about them!" Serina said, getting out of bed. She was attempting to leave, but her legs wouldn't obey her, she sat down hard on the bed.

"You misunderstand us, we're just concerned. Up until now, you've hidden them from us." Xavier said, trying to calm her.

"From everyone." She corrected. " It's been my best kept secret since Miora said I'd grow out of them. She thinks I did." Serina explained, calming only slightly. "I lost one of my contacts at the club the other in my fight with Clarke." She said, looking at them so they could see.

"They're beautiful." Jean breathed loudly.

"They're a curse." Serina stated flatly. "They've caused me nothing but trouble." Looking down at her hands. "I got kicked out of more schools because of them,than because of my other powers."

"Do you see like a cat?" Rogue asked, seeing her pain.

"You mean, do I see better in the dark? Yes. I can see things at night that you can't. I also can smell and hear things that most can't, except maybe Logan, he can track better." Serina explained. "Now if you're through, I'd like to go to my room. I have a headache from hell and I want to be alone."

"Sure, I'll take you there now if you want." Henry answered, not waiting for Xavier's approval.

"Please." She replied.

"Serina. I would appreciate it if you would be yourself around the mansion, so this does not happen again." Xavier requested.

"You mean you want me to not wear them when I'm home, don't you? 'Cause if you wanted me to be myself, then I'd still be wearing them, like Scott and his glasses, they are a part of me. Maybe not for the same reason, but they are to me." She replied, letting Henry lead her from the room slowly, so her legs could adjust.

"Just for awhile, so we can get use to them." Xavier said, fallowing them.

"Professor please." Henry half growled, "She's had enough. Let it rest, she'll trust us in her own time. Give her time." He half whispered, stressing that she needed time to be comfortable with them. They left Xavier there to think about it while she went to her bed.

"Perhaps you are right, Henry, but something tells me that she'll never trust us fully." Xavier said aloud to himself, not knowing that his students heard him.

R.

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