Surprise 3: The Needle in a Haystack

by Rhona Lyons

Xavier pulled Serina into his office. He hadn't a chance to tell her about the news of her sister. "Your sister has decided to stay with Sean and Moira for a while. She said she would join us later," he explained, seeing a relieved expression cross her face.

"What a relief. I'm not ready ta be around her yet. Things seem to go wrong when she's around mae," she stated.

"Why?" he asked, curious as to why she'd try to hard to protect her, but didn't want to be around her.

"She an' I are opposites. Something aboot her causes animosity an' anger ta rise within mae. Almost as if I somehow resent her. She seems ta press all tha right buttons ta make mae crazy," she explained. "I've always given her everything she ever wanted, never giving a concern to myself, and for some reason in some way, I hate her."

"My brother and I are very similar to the two of you. I don't think there is a person alive who can explain it, but I can say that I understand how you feel," he said comfortingly. "I will do my best to help you through it."

"Thank y'," she replied, knowing he meant well. "I think I'll take a walk afore I retire." She kissed his cheek. "I'll see ye in tha morning."

"Try not to worry," he called out to her retreating form.

She threw on her coat and went out the back. The forest was like a private sanctuary to her. Not too far in it was a small lake, a place where she spent most of her quiet time. Unfortunately for her, she could not be alone.

"You know, Petite~, allowing me to retain my memories of my recent trip have caused me t'wonder. Are you really dat sensual?" he half stated, half asked as he lit a cigarette.

"Y'll never know, Remy. No one will," she replied, walking deeper into the forest and away from him.

He snuck past her, pulling her between him and a tree. "Ah, alas, you may be right, but would you deny me but a kiss to easy my tortured mind?"

"I think I caen manage that," she purred, pressing her body close to his.

She kissed him deeply, taking her time and rubbing her body against his. Close to a third of the way through her kiss, she projected Rogue's image into his mind, making him think that he kissed her instead of Serina. After a few moments, he pulled away, giving her a chance to teleport away.

Gambit stood there for several moments, trying to sort out his thought. Did he kiss Rogue or Serina? "Having a problem, mon-ami?" she purred from some distance away. "I warn y', y' tamper wit' somethin' y' caennae handle, much less control." And she was gone. It was then that he knew, he had received a passionate kiss from the fair Serina. A smile played on his lips as he strolled back to the mansion. It would be a long time before he forgot that kiss.

She was awakened somewhere around two in the morning by Storm. "Can you cover the rest of my shift? I'm not feeling too well."

"Sure. I hope it's nothin' serious," Serina replied, getting out of bed to get dressed.

"No. I believe it is the moon's blood coming to pass," Storm said, half-smiling.

"Well, I caen understand where that one caen get a little messy. Excuse the pun," she said as she dressed. "I'll cover for y' until it passes. I know y'd do tha same if it were th'other way around," she replied, assuring her friend as they walked out of her bedroom.

Her own shift wasn't for four more hours, but she made herself comfortable, running a security check. Remy seemed to rise before anyone else this morning, bringing a cup of coffee to the control room. How he knew, she couldn't figure out. He set the coffee down just inside the door, attempting to sneak up on her. He approached her, her hair in a tight braid. He leaned forward to kiss her neck, but kissed air instead.

"Thanks fer tha coffee, Remy," she smiled slyly.

"Damn, girl, how did you know?" he asked, turning around to face her.

"I saw y' on tha camera. Lovely sentiment, but d'y' really think I'd get between y' and my best friend?" she asked, moving back to her chair, keeping an eye on him.

"Who said you would. But she is away an' I t'ink she'd feel better that I flirted wit' y' rather dan anyone else."

"I think she'd rather y' didnae flirt at all, if y' ask mae," she replied, sipping her coffee. She spotted a car coming up the drive. "Seems we have another wayward traveler. Wanna take care of it fer me?" she asked, batting her lashes flirtatiously.

"Mmmmmm......uhhhhh...." he groaned, getting up, dragging his feet as he left.

She watches as the car pulled away as he walked toward it. He stayed there until it was gone. It was very hard to just 'accidentally' wander up to the school. It was completely out of the way from a major street or any other house. She decided to not let it bother her. He walked back in, plopping into his chair. "Dat was cruel," he pouted, jumping forward. "Make it up to me?" he smiled.

"Wishful thinkin', Gambit. Keep dreamin'," she giggled deviously.

"No problem. Dreams do come true sometimes, you know," he replied, leaning back in his chair.

She laughed at him. He could be so silly at times. She ran another security check to reveal the same car parked just outside the gate. "What's tha luck?" she asked, adjusting the zoom to get the license number. "Remy........."

"Oh no. It's your turn," he interrupted with a chuckle.

"I was only gonna ask y' ta watch things here while I check it out," she replied, hurt at his assumption. "I wouldna dream o' askin' y' ta go out there again fer mae. No matter how dangerous it might be," she teased, kissing his cheek. "I'll hurry back, I'd hate ta leave y' hangin'," she purred.

She walked out, carrying a flashlight. When she reached the car, it was empty. She pulled out her radio. "It's empty. Ye might want ta....." She felt something bite into her neck. She reached up to feel a needle protruding from the left side of her neck. "How strange," she said, removing it. "Anyway, y' may want ta let tha authorities know," she replied. "I'm headed back," she said, walking toward the house.

"Will do," she heard him reply. She walked past some bushes that trailed near the front of the mansion. The bushes moved slightly near the ground. She pointed her light at it. All she saw was a tail, a very small one. She bent down to find a seven week-old kitten who had gotten caught in the branches. "Hello there," she said happily. It was black with grey tabby stripes and had long fur. Its eyes were green, like hers. "Aren't y' precious." It began to purr lightly. She was paying so much attention to her new friend that she didn't hear her attacker. "Hey!" she said loudly as someone placed their hand over her mouth. They had a good hold on her, but her left hand was free. She put her hand in her pocket as if to grab something. She caused enough light to brighten all the front windows of the mansion. Flicking her wrist, she tossed the ball into the air.

"Geeze! What's going on?" Jubilee asked, shielding her eyes to the brightness.

Logan, on the other hand, could see the small group of people, some running, attempting to cover their eyes, and the two who had a hold of Serina. He didn't waste time; he jumped from his window, scaring her captors off. She stood there for a moment. "You know them?" he asked as Gambit and the others came out. They heard a car speed off.

"No," she replied. "I just came out to check on an abandoned car just outside the gate."

"It's not abandoned any more," Scott said, running back toward them. He had tried to see who they were. "Let's get back in where it's warm," he suggested, walking toward the house.

"Hey, Petite, how long before dat t'ing dim down?" Gambit asked, shielding his eyes.

"Oh, right about....." She opened her hand, then dropped it. "Now." It dissipated, different from the last one; it exploded.

"How you do dat?" he asked, moving to her side.

"Wit' style, mon ami, wit' style," she quoted him and smiled.

Xavier caught them in the hall. "Are you all right?" he asked her as she approached him.

"Jus' a little bruised," she replied, feeling her pocket move. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said, pulling the kitten from her pocket. "I found her in the bushes," she explained, holding her so they could see.

"You know my rules about pets, Serina," Xavier began, watching as the child weaseled into the affections of a few of his X-Men. Jubilee was talking to it, while Gambit pet it. Jean wanted to hold it, and Scott scratched its ears. "Let me see it," Xavier finally asked.

Jean handed it to him. The kitten began to purr loudly, looking at him with large irresistible eyes. "All right, but you are responsible for it," he said to Serina, watching her suddenly lean on Gambit.

"You all right, Petite~?" he asked, placing his arm around her for support.

"Yeah, jus' a little tired I guess," she replied.

"Jubilee, take this." Xavier handed the kitten to her. "Gambit, escort her to the infirmary. I want her checked, just to be safe," he stated.

"I am fine. I am still on watch. I'll go later," she said, standing up to prove it. She leaned again shortly after.

"I'll take over for her," Jean offered, sensing something wrong with her.

"I said I'm fine," Serina argued as Xavier nodded to Gambit. Gambit began to lead her down the corridor, passing some of the front windows. She made him stop at the one that overlooked the drive. "Remy, look." She pointed at a car on the drive. "They're back."

He leaned her against the window frame, taking her radio. "Jean, y' see a car on de drive monitor?" he asked, watching out the window suspiciously.

"Yes, I do," came back to him.

"Dat's de same one from earlier," he said to her.

"I'll have it checked out. P.D. is en route from earlier," she replied.

"Thanks," he replied, turning it off. He pulled her against him once again. "Dey'll take care of it, Petite~, don' worry." She didn't respond. "Serina?" he asked. She had fallen asleep.

He lifted her into his arms, and began to carry her. About half the way there, she woke up. "What are y' doin'?" she asked, trying to drop her legs.

"You fell asleep on me, so I'm carrying you de rest of de way," he said, pulling her legs back up.

"I'm fine!" she almost yelled at him. "Now, put mae down," she demanded, pushing away.

"No," he replied, continuing his pace.

She gave up struggling just outside the door. Beast met them there. "I was told that you only needed a check. I was not informed that you were unable to walk."

"I can walk. He jus' won' let mae," she pouted as Remy set her on the bed.

"Gambit takes no chances on you falling asleep again," he said, sitting in a chair.

"I didnae fall asleep," she insisted.

"Just lie back," Henry said, lying her on the pillows. He examined her face and arms. "You may have some bruising on your face later, but other than that, you seem to....." She was asleep again.

"See, did is what she did at de window," Gambit stated to Henry.

Her head had lolled to the side, showing Henry the needle mark on her neck. "How strange," he said, grabbing a magnifying glass. "It seems that she was the target of a blowgun," he said, examining the wound closely. He took a syringe and extracted some fluid from the puncture. "I need to get a closer look at this. Would you stay with her?"

"Sure," Remy replied. He heard Xavier talking to him outside the door, then they both left. Serina began to talk in her sleep. Her dreams seemed tormenting, so he tried to wake her. She grabbed hold of him, holding on as if her life depended on it. She began to cry in fear of whatever was after her. Logan came into to see how she was. "Logan.....help...."

Logan chuckled. "Seems the girl's sweet on you, Cajun." Then she screamed. "Geez!" he said, rushing to help Gambit get free of her. "What the hell?" he asked, as she began to thrash violently.

"I don' know, Mon Ami. She just started dis," he answered, trying to prevent her from injuring herself.

Beast walked in to her screams, seeing the two men attempt to hold her down. "Here," he said, putting restraints on her, tying her to the bed. "It seems to be a hallucinogenic drug mixed with a mild sedative. I have called a friend; he should be here soon with an antidote," he explained as he covered her. "Until then, all we can do it wait." She still screamed, while Remy tried to soothe her with words and gentle touch.

"Can't you give her something? She sounds like she's in pain," Logan asked. Her screams were beginning to draw the attention of others.

"I'll call him back," Henry said, ushering everyone else out of the room as he left. "There is nothing you can do for her. She's been drugged. Please, just stay out of the way," he explained.

"Let us know if we can do anything," Scott said, following the others down the hall.

Henry had called the man and returned with a syringe. Somehow they had managed to wake her. Now she cried softly in Remy's arms.

"My shoulder hurts," she managed to say.

Logan opened her shirt. Remy had undone her restraints and Logan had revealed a nasty-looking large bruise on her left shoulder and partway down her back.

"My God!" Henry gasped, getting a good look at it. "I have something here that will help you rest and take the pain away. Just relax," he said, taking her arm. He gave her the shot as Xavier entered the room. "Remy, could you go and get her a nightgown? She'll be sleeping for a long time," he asked, lying her back on the bed.

"How is she doing?" Xavier asked as Gambit left the room.

"Logan, would you help her remove her shoes?" Henry asked, walking over to Xavier. "She was hit wit ha drugged blow dart. There is no reversal for it. But it's only temporary. She'll need to sleep it off. My friend will be here in an hour. He's clearing his schedule to work with me on this. He may want to hospitalize her if we can't figure it out," he explained as Storm and Gambit entered the room. "Storm, would you be so kind as to help her dress?" he asked, as Logan pulled a curtain around Serina's bed. Gambit and Logan stood as guards outside the curtain as Storm helped her dress for bed. "I want to put her where she is most comfortable, her own room. She may be asleep for days, however long it takes to work its way out."

"Why did it take so long to take effect?" Xavier asked.

"That, I do not know. If I had the needle, I could tell you more," Henry replied.

"Serina," Logan began.

"Huh?" she responded, slugishly.

"Where were you when you got pricked in the neck?" he asked.

"Outside....tha gate, why?" she asked as Storm pulled the curtain back.

"Just wonderin'," he replied, then leaned to Gambit. "I'm goin' needle-huntin'. I'll be back."

"I'll join you after we get her to bed," Gambit stated to him before he left.

"Be careful, Wolverine; there's no telling what is on it," Henry told him before he left the room.

"I will, if I can find it," he replied, walking out.

Serina laid back, feeling drowsy, falling into a peaceful sleep. She didn't even stir when Gambit carried her to her bedroom. He kissed her forehead, lightly, before going to join Logan in finding the needle in the haystack.