The X-Men: New Additions - Part 4

Author:  Stacy Ricco

 
    Hank ordered Alex confined to bed rest for the next week. Of course that didn't mean that Alex would actually listen to him. She spent the first day and a half sleeping, with brief periods awake for food and to hit the bathroom. No one was happier that she was sleeping so long than Mephistopheles. He spent most of his time spread out on top of Alex. Logan had removed him from on top of Alex a few times, but gave up when he realized that the cat was back on her as soon as Logan would turn his back.
    The next day and a half was unbearable for Alex. Logan and Hank had ganged up on her and made her stay in bed despite her objections. She wasn't sleeping as much, but it was still a lot more than her normal three hours. Logan suggested she watch some tv and she gave him a flat look. Logan was eventually sent down to the Professor's office to get some books. Alex was a little happier after she had something to read. The only good thing, at least Logan thought was a good thing, was her skin turned back to it's normal color. Alex begged to differ. It felt as if her entire body was on fire and it took much control to block the pain, along with trying to convince Logan that she was really okay.
She enjoyed the visits from Rogue and Bobby, but dreaded the ones from Scott and Jean. Scott and Jean were insisting on seeing her get some counseling for the traumatic experience that she had been through. They were worried that there had been some psychological damage done to her by the beatings and the rapes. The arguments had gotten quite heated at some points and usually ended up with Logan telling Scott and Jean to leave. Scott had even tried to order her to get counseling. It didn't work.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
It was Jean. Well it was better than both Scott and Jean.
"How are you doing today?"
"I think I'm going nuts by being confined in here."
"You know they're both keeping you in here because they're both afraid you're going to push yourself too hard too fast."
"I know. On the other hand, I know when I'm ready to start moving again. I can't even walk to the bathroom to take a bath without being interrogated about where I'm going and what I'll be doing."
Jean laughed. "Well I might have a way out of here for you."
Alex was suddenly real interested in what Jean had to say.
"Tomorrow is Ororo's birthday and we are having a surprise party for her. I thought I should invite you to come down and join us, that's if you feel up to it."
"Feel up to it? I'd be up for anything if it got me out of this bed and out of this room."
"Good. Do you need us to pick something up for you tomorrow when we go shopping?"
"Nope. I will be going with you."
Jean gave her a puzzled look.
"Oh, my captors only think they can keep me in here." She gave Jean a wicked smile.
Jean returned the smile, although hers wasn't as wicked. "I take it you don't want to discuss you getting counseling?"
Alex gave her a flat stare.
"I had to ask. Alex, we're all worried that this is going to have a negative effect on you psychologically."
"Jean I know. I appreciate the fact that everyone here cares, but I can handle it."
"Alex you've been through a lot in the past week and a half…"
Alex cut her off before she could finish. "Jean, if you only knew everything that I've been through in my life, you would see that this isn't such the big deal as you think it is."
"Alex, torture and rape aren't things to be taken lightly."
Alex rolled her eyes in frustration. "All right. I didn't want to do this, but you all are forcing me to do it. Enter my mind and I will show you why it isn't a big deal."
Jean sat down on the bed so that she was facing Alex. Jean really didn't want to do it this way, but Alex had left no other option. Jean entered into Alex's mind and was once again standing in the nothingness. Alex appeared a few seconds later next to Jean.
<Okay. I'm going to warn you. Once we start, we don't stop until it's done. All these things are painful for me to relive and I'm only offering to do this once, but it's the only way you're going to be happy. And when I say this isn't going to be pleasant, I really mean it's not going to be pleasant.>
Jean just nodded.
Jean wasn't really prepared for what she saw. Alex led her down a path that ran through a hundred different scenes. Jean could have sworn that each new one was worse than the one she had just seen. She really didn't want to see anymore, but she knew she had to. Alex wasn't going to do this again for her.
By the time Alex was done showing Jean what had happened to her through out her life, Jean had tears streaming down her face. Alex pulled Jean close and let the woman cry on her shoulder. Alex's eyes were a little glossy from tears that had collected there. Scott and Logan walked in.
"What's wrong with Jean?"
"Here Scott," Alex said allowing the man to comfort his sobbing wife. "She'll be all right in a little while.
"What happened to her?" Scott demanded.
"She kept on insisting on counseling and I showed her why I don't need counseling."
"And the reason you don't need counseling is?" Logan asked. Alex groaned. Not him too. She didn't need Logan siding with Scott and Jean on this issue. Not now.
"Because all of you are acting as if I'm this little frail creature that can't deal with it. This isn't the first time I've been tortured."
Logan and Scott looked at Alex in amazement. Both knew she had a rather violent past, but they didn't think torture was part of it.
"What? You two are acting like this is a surprise. I was, no am, a soldier. Soldiers get captured and they get tortured. It's a fact of life."
"B..But not w..when it's their own people that d..do it," Jean managed to say between sobs.
"What do you mean Jean?"
"What Jean is trying to say is that I was tortured by the same people I worked for."
"What?" Logan and Scott both exclaimed.
"Okay stop gawking at me like a group of tourists. Part of my training, and every soldier's training is torture. They want to know if a person will break down under extreme stress or in most cases extreme pain. So, they torture us. Those who don't speak, live and those who do, die. I guess the good part is that when it's really happening to us we can deal with it. Of course they do give us time to prepare, so not many have to be killed."
It wasn't really the issue of the torture that bothered Scott and Logan, it was the way Alex said it. It seemed coldhearted.
"Is there anything else you would like to share with us?"
"Scott if I did that we would be here quite a while. Or, I could show you, but I prefer not to do that again if I can help it."
"You and I will need to sit down and talk some more."
"Yes sir."
Scott led Jean out of the room.
"What to talk about it?"
"Not really. Could you please just hold me?"
Logan was surprised. He could see the tears forming in her eyes and she had never asked to be held before. He leaned back against the pillows and wrapped his arms around Alex as she laid her head on his chest. He sat there with his arms around her until he could feel her breathing become slow and regular, signaling that she had fallen asleep. He gently slid to the edge of the bed and lowered Alex down on to the pillows. He quietly left the room and shut the door behind him.

Alex woke up in the middle of the night. She looked at the clock. It was three-thirty in the morning. Her stomach rumbled and she knew she had to go find food. Logan was sound asleep in the bed next to her. <Okay Alex. If he wakes up, you won't be allowed out of the bed.> She slowly eased herself out of the bed. She picked up her robe from where it was tossed on to the chair. She saw Meph get up, stretch, and jump down off of the bed. He looked up at her waiting to see what she was going to do. She waited for a few seconds, giving her eyes time to adjust to the darkness. Her eyes slipped into the infrared spectrum like she hoped they would. She should be able to make her way out of the room with bumping into anything. She opened the door ever so slowly because she knew it squeaked once and a while. So far luck was with her. She and Meph managed to get out of the room and shut the door behind them. Her eyes shifted back to normal due to the lit hallway. She reached the stairs when the elevator doors were starting to open. <Please don't let that be Hank.> Hank was the last person besides Logan she wanted to run into while sneaking downstairs to get a snack. Thankfully it was Bishop. They nodded to each other and continued on their way. She descended the stairs rather quickly with Meph trailing behind her. It didn't take them long to reach the kitchen. The main light was on. Someone was in the middle of raiding the fridge for a late-night snack. She peeked around the doorway. It was Gambit. With a sigh of relief she stepped into the doorway.
"Evenin' chere," he said with a broad grin. "Gambit's glad t' see dat you be up and about."
"Evening. Anything good in there?" she said nodding toward the fridge.
"Some good t'ings. Here," he said handing her a large bowl of cold spaghetti.
"Thanks." Alex opened a draw and pulled out a fork. She didn't bother with a plate because she knew she would end up eating the whole bowl full. She was hungry enough that she didn't even bother to heat it up. She sat down at the table and began to eat.
"Eww. How can you eat dat stuff cold?"
Alex just shrugged in the middle of a mouthful. Gambit finally decided on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk. He joined her at the table and they ate in silence.
Alex finished her food and stood up. She rinsed the bowl and fork and placed them in the dishwasher.
"Well I better get back before I'm missed. I don't want Logan waking everyone up looking for me. Good night Gambit."
"Night. Sleep well."
"Thanks. You too."
Alex and Meph made their way back up to the bedroom. They entered the room as quietly as they left it and climbed back into bed without so much as a whisper.
"Nice snack?" Logan asked as her head hit the pillow.
"You knew? What do you do? Sleep with one eye open?"
"Wasn't it more fun thinking you were getting away with it?"
She hit him with a pillow.

    Alex woke up around 9am the next morning. Logan was already gone, leaving her the perfect opportunity to get out for a little. Alex quickly went back to her room to get dressed. She was just stepping out of her room when she saw Logan. He slowly approached her. She knew this had the possibility of getting ugly.
"Where do you think you're going?" he said after noticing she was not wearing sweats.
"Shopping with Jean, Rogue, Betsy and Cecila."
"No you're not."
"Logan, are we really going to argue about this?"
"Hank has you confined to bed until the end of the week."
"What Hank doesn't know won't hurt him."
"But I know."
"Logan, I know you and Hank care and I appreciate it, but we're only going shopping. What could happen?"
"Famous last words."
"Okay. You're worried that I'm going to over exert myself, right?"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you come with us? That way, you can watch my every move and make sure that I'm not over doing it."
Logan didn't say a word. He stood there thinking about her proposition.
"Come on Logan. How would you like to be confined like the way that I am?"
"I wouldn't like it."
"That's my point. I don't like it. I'm strong enough to go and I really need to stretch my legs a little. I'm going nuts being confined to bed."
"Okay darlin'. I'll go, but if anything happens you're going to let me deal with it, okay?"
"Logan…"
"Okay?"
"Yes. Whatever you say."
"What time are we leaving?"
"Now," she said flashing Logan a smile.
He followed her downstairs and out the front door. Jean, Rogue, Betsy and Cecilia were all waiting in the van. They all started giggling when they saw that Logan was coming along.
"Women!" Logan exclaimed as he rolled his eyes and climbed into the van.

    Logan was tired of hearing about babies. By the time he got back to the mansion he was willing to fight anyone than listen to another conversation about babies. It's the only thing the women talked about the whole time. Now he knew why the men in the mansion avoided the topic like the plague. He watched Alex head up stairs with the women and he headed back out. Harry's Hideout was a place he knew where topic of babies wouldn't be discussed.

"So how are we getting Storm out of the mansion for a while?"
"Gambit's taking her out to dinner," Rogue replied.
"Oh," Alex said as she carefully wrapped the small box that contained Storm's gift. Meph was having a field day playing with the wrapping paper and ribbons.
"What did you get her?" Jean asked eyeing the small box.
"You'll see when she opens it."
Jean stuck her tongue out at Alex and they all bust into a fit of giggles.
"Anyone hungry? I'm going to head downstairs for some food."
"Alex sugah, Ah'm still stuffed from lunch." "Me too"s were echoed throughout the room.
"Alex, you are possibly the envy of every woman alive. Being able to eat whatever you want and not gain an ounce."
"Actually Jean I'm trying to gain weight. I lost quite a bit over the past week and a half. It's actually difficult for me to gain weight because of my high metabolism."
"My point exactly. What woman wouldn't give anything they have to be in that situation."
"I admit it is nice. However, if I don't gain weight soon, Logan and Hank would have me back in the medlab before I could blink."
"I've never seen Logan worry so much in my life," Jean said.
"Him? He's a big softie," Alex said offhandedly.
The rest of the women gasped and sputtered and then flew into a fit of giggles.
"Ah don't think Ah've ever heard anyone refer to Logan as a softie," Rogue said between giggles.
"Me neither," Jean added.
"Anyways, how bout something to drink?"
They gave their requests to Alex and she headed for the kitchen.
"Alex, we're heading down to the Solarium. There's more room in there."
"Okay Jean. I'll be in soon," Alex thought as she started to pour the drinks. She found a small tray, loaded it up and headed for the Solarium.
   
    They spent the rest of the afternoon planning the party and making phone calls. It had been a while since there was a reason to celebrate and they wanted to go all out. Alex called Sean in Boston to see if Gen-X would be coming down, while Jean called Moira to see if her and Excalibur would be coming. Rogue called Mystique and invited X-Factor. Betsy got the job of calling X-Force.
    Gambit and Storm left around five and the guests started to arrive around six. The rec room was decorated with streamers and balloons and tables lined the walls. Jean decided that a buffet was best considering the number of people that would attend. The guests mingled, the food arrived and was laid out and everything was going smoothly. Until, that is, Rogue told Mystique that she was pregnant.
"YOU'RE WHAT?" Mystique shouted and the room when silent.
"Momma perhaps we should go talk about this elsewhere?"
"How could you let yourself get knocked up with that Cajun's bastard?"
"Momma, please don't…"
"Rogue I thought I raised you better than that. Why would you want a little brat running around?"
"Momma why can't you be happy for me?"
"Happy? You think that I'm going to be happy about you ruining your life?"
"Momma Ah'm not ruining mah life."
"Rogue, listen to me…" Mystique started, but Rogue turned and ran out of the room with tears falling from her eyes.
Mystique didn't care if everyone in the room was staring at her. She started to go after Rogue when Alex stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"Move out of my way woman!" Mystique demanded.
"Don't you think you've hurt her enough tonight?"
"That's between Rogue and me. We don't need you butting in. Now move out of my way!"
"I'm not moving. I'd advise you to leave Rogue alone."
"Listen bitch, I don't know who you think you are, but get out of my way so that I can go talk to my daughter."
"I'm Rogue's friend, who cares about her, unlike some people I know. You will have to go through me if you want to get to Rogue."
"Very well then," Mystique said as she drew a gun and shot at Alex.
The shot hit Alex in the right side of her abdomen. She flinched slightly, but stood her ground. Mystique went wide-eyed as she saw Alex flinch but not go down. Alex took advantage of Mystique's hesitation and lunged for her. Alex grabbed Mystique's throat and at the same time grabbed the hand that held the gun. A small bolt of energy to her hand made the gun fall to the floor. Alex started to squeeze Mystique's throat.
"Now you listen to me, bitch. I could kill you in two seconds if I choose. Now, are you going to leave Rogue alone tonight?"
Mystique nodded slightly. She wasn't sure what to make of the madwoman who had a hold on her throat.
"And are you going to bother Rogue about her pregnancy?"
Mystique shook her head slightly.
"And if I ever hear of Rogue being upset or hurt by you I will hunt you down and make you wish you were never born. And I WILL be able to find you no matter where you hide. Are we clear on this?"
Mystique nodded once again and Alex released her hold on the woman's throat. Mystique was gasping for air. Alex turned and went to find Rogue.
Alex found Rogue in the Professor's study crying.
"Rogue?"
"Leave me alone."
"Rogue it's okay," Alex said approaching the crying woman. Alex put her arms around Rogue and let her cry on a shoulder. "Rogue you know the X-men are here for you. Mystique shouldn't bother you about this again."
"What cha' do to her?" Rogue said as she looked up at Alex.
"Let's just say that she was persuaded to see the light."
Rogue gasped. "You didn't!"
"I did and she knows that if she as so much as looks at you wrong she will have me to answer to, and probably the rest of the X-men as well."
"Oh sugah. Thank you!" Rogue said giving Alex a hug.
"Ugh!" Alex exclaimed as Rogue's hug was a little tight and caused her wound to hurt. It was already starting to heal, but it was still a little tender.
"ALEX! You're hurt!"
"Yes. I didn't know she was carrying a gun and she managed to get a shot in before I reached her."
"Come on. We have to get you down to the medlab."
They were just turning around to leave when Hank and Logan came bursting through the doorway.
"You okay darlin'?"
Alex nodded. "Dammit, this was my favorite shirt too!" Alex exclaimed as she looked down and saw the blood soaked shirt.
"Let's get you down to the lab."
"Logan I'm fine. I just need to change."
Logan looked at Rogue and Rogue nodded slowly. Alex was picked up and thrown over Rogue's shoulder before she knew what was happening. Alex knew she wouldn't be able to break Rogue's steel like grip so she silently fumed as she was being carried down to the medlab. Rogue plopped her on a bed and Hank began to examine her.
"See I'm fine. It's healed by now."
Hank and Logan just gave her flat stares and Hank continued his examination. Rogue stayed in the medlab with them. She had a feeling she would be needed if Alex decided to try to forcefully leave the medlab. Hank was satisfied with Alex's healing after a few minutes. He told her she could leave and return to the party. Rogue and her made a quick dash upstairs so that Alex could change. They returned to the party a few minutes later.
"They're coming!" Jean exclaimed as she felt Gambit send a thought out saying they were pulling up the driveway.
They turned the lights out and waited silently for Gambit and Storm.

"Stormy I had a good time. How bout a nice movie t' end de night?"
"Remy, I would love too, but I would love just to go upstairs and soak in a nice hot bath."
"Come on Stormy."
"Gambit how many times have I asked you not to call me that?"
"Too many for Gambit t' count. Come on," he said taking her wrist and pulled her toward the rec room. Gambit turned on the lights.
"SURPRISE!!" everyone shouted when the lights went on.
"Oh my!" Storm exclaimed.
"Happy Birthday Stormy," Gambit said as he kissed her cheek.
"Thank you my friend. Thank you all! This will be the best birthday that I've ever had!"
   
    Jubilee was furious. Logan and her had finally gotten a chance to talk and hang out and then the incident with Mystique happened. Of course Logan had to go chasing that woman when she left the room chasing the crying Rogue. Jubilee just wanted to scream, although she wasn't going to let it ruin her fun. After all this was a party. Jubilee even provided a small light show in honor of Storm's birthday.
Later, Jubilee found herself standing near Logan and Alex. She approached them.
"Hey kiddo."
"Hey Logan. Alex."
"Nice trick with the water balloons," Alex said giving Jubilee a wink.
"Um thanks. If you think that one's good, I have a ton of better ones. Even Bobby can't match me when it comes to practical jokes!"
"Let's go have a little talk. I've been meaning to get back at Icebox for sometime now."
Jubilee's face brightened. Okay so maybe Alex wasn't THAT bad.

    The party lasted into the early morning hours. It was a rare occasion for all the teams to be gathered in one place, so everyone took advantage to catch up with old friends. Mystique went searching for Rogue. She found her talking to Jean and Alex.
"Rogue? Can I talk to you?" Mystique could feel Alex's eyes on her but Mystique ignored them.
"Sure Momma."
Mystique drew Rogue off to one side.
"Rogue I'm sorry. I overreacted."
"It's okay Momma."
"Rogue I shouldn't have said some of the things that I did. If having this baby makes you happy, then it's fine with me."
"Oh thanks Momma," Rogue said giving the woman a hug.

    Logan was searching the room for Alex. It was getting quite late and he didn't want her pushing herself. She looked at him and nodded her head. She left the room and he followed her. She was heading upstairs. He continued to follow her and watched her enter his room. A few minutes later Logan entered the room.
"You okay darlin'?"
"Yes. Just tired."
"How's the stomach?"
"Why don't you come over here and check it out?" she said giving him a mischievous grin and taking off her shirt.
Logan was a little apprehensive. Alex was never this forward. He walked over to where she sat on the bed. She grabbed the front of his shirt, pulled him down and began to kiss him.

    Alex had gone into the kitchen with Jean and returned to the rec room to see Logan leaving. Almost everyone had retired to their room by now except for a few stragglers. Alex decided that it was time for bed. She said goodnight to Jean and headed up to Logan's room. She opened the door and was shocked. Logan was bent over and kissing someone who looked exactly like her. Her eyes refocused and she saw Mystique kissing Logan.
"What!" Logan turned around to see who had come into his room.
"Alex? Then who…" *SNIKT* "Mystique you have two seconds to get out of here," he growled.
Mystique shifted back to her original form and threw her head back and laughed. "So it is true! Figures the two of you blood thirsty barbarians would be together." She stood up and maneuvered so she could get around Logan. Alex still stood in the doorway. They stared at each other. Without warning Mystique threw herself at Alex. The two women crashed to the hallway floor. The grappled on the floor for a few seconds and then Alex's face winced in pain.
"ARGH you bitch! I'm getting really tired of being shot by you tonight!"
"You deserve it. No one comes between me and my daughter!" Mystique yelled trying to keep Alex's hands away from her throat. Heads had now begun to pop out of the doorways that lined the hall.
"Oooh a catfight!" Bobby exclaimed with a broad grin on his face.
"You don't deserve a daughter like Rogue!" Alex suddenly went limp and could feel Mystique's grip relax just a little. Alex flipped the two of them over so that Mystique was on top and then a burst of energy shot of Alex and sent Mystique flying straight up through the air. She hit the ceiling hard and blacked out. Alex managed to roll out of the way before Mystique landed on her. Alex stood up and looked at her shirt. A string of curses quickly filled the air.
"You okay?" Logan asked standing in his doorway. He knew Alex could take of herself, so he stood and watched the whole exchange.
"Yes. That woman is really starting to irritate me. Guess we should have Hank check her out," she said as she bent down, picked up the unconscious woman and threw her over her shoulder. "Hank?"
Hank nodded at her from his doorway and began to follow her down to the medlab. Logan also followed them down because he knew Alex had been shot again.
"But Hank I'm fine." Logan heard as he stepped into the medlab.
"Alex I just want to examine you to make sure."
"But Hank it's healed," she said as she turned to see Logan walk into the room. "Okay fine. You can examine it," she said not wanting to have Logan drawn into the argument.
Hank took a minute to check her wound out. This one was located in almost the same exact spot on her abdomen, only on the left side. It was already healed and only a small red mark was present.
"Can I go now?"
"Yes," Hank said turning to the unconscious Mystique.
   
Logan and Alex returned to his room. They crawled into bed and played with Meph for a little while. Logan fell asleep rather quickly and Alex tossed and turned.
"You okay?"
"Yes. Sorry I woke you."
"Want to talk about it?"
"I don't know. I guess I can't understand how a person could be so cruel."
"Forget about her. Don't waste energy thinking about her."
"But Logan…" she started to say before he interrupted her with a kiss.
She didn't even try to finish making her point. Instead, she kissed him back. After a few minutes and some heavy breathing, Logan suddenly pulled away from Alex.
"What?"
"Are you okay with this? I mean with what happened to you and all," Logan said referring to the rapes.
"Yes. Now come here…" she said drawing him to her.
The sun was just beginning to rise when they finally fell asleep.