The X-Men: New Additions - Part 6

Author:  Stacy Ricco

 
    The next two weeks were the worst of Bobby's life. Someone in the mansion was playing practical jokes on him and he couldn't figure out who it was. At first he thought it was Hank, but after some happened while Hank was at a conference, Bobby knew that someone else had to be involved.
First there was the itching powder in his bed. He crawled into bed one night and started itching like crazy. Second there was the paintballs in the showerhead. They dissolved in the warm water and covered him with paint. Then there was the saran wrap over the toilet in his bathroom. Someone even tried to short sheet his bed. The worst one of all was that someone logged on to the net with his ID and posted a classified on Yahoo's "Man Seeking Man" board. He was flooded with emails for a week from guys wanting to hook up. There were many more that Bobby didn't even want to think about.
Bobby sat at the dinner table looking at the faces of his teammates. Hank had pulled pranks in the past, but there was the fact that some were done in Hank's absence. It could be him if he had an accomplice. Someone who did it while he wasn't here to shift the blame away from him.
Scott? Bobby knew it couldn't be him. The man had a stick so far up his butt that it was impossible for him to have a sense of humor.
Rogue? She was a possibility. However, she had been so caught up in "Baby Fever" that she rarely thought of anything else.
Gambit? He was so caught up in trying to get Rogue back that he didn't even so much as look at Bobby.
Storm? Highly improbable. Storm had a sense of humor, but it was unlikely that she would even bother to play a practical joke.
Logan? If it was Logan, Bobby was the Pope. Logan was too distracted by Alex. Besides, Logan would never take the return prank too well.
Alex? Another improbability. She never once batted an eye when Bobby tried to play all those practical jokes on her.
Sam? He was probably the best suspect after Hank. Bobby had played quite a few jokes on Sam and perhaps he thought it was time to get Bobby back for all of them.
Maggott? Bobby wasn't sure on him. It could be him. Bobby had played practical jokes on him in the past.
Marrow? Nope. She would have probably just killed him outright if the mood suit her.
Bishop? Nearly impossible. The man had a stick up his butt probably more than Scott did.
Jean? Another person with "Baby Fever" and wouldn't even bother playing practical jokes.
Cecilia? Too wrapped up with working on things in the medlab with Hank.
Warren and Betsy weren't around enough to play practical jokes. Besides, it wasn't their style.
This was starting to drive Bobby nuts. He looked at everyone at the table again.
"Bobby!"
"Huh…oh what Jean?"
"Can you please pass the potatoes?"
"Uh sure."
"What's got you so spaced out Popscile?"
"Nothin' Hank."
"Still trying to figure out who's been tormenting you?"
"Yes. Despite your objections Hank I know you have to have some part in it."
"If it was me I would claim credit. Some of those were classics."
Bobby finished the remainder of his dinner and headed to the rec room. He wanted to get there before anyone else in an effort ward off any arguments over what to watch.
Alex headed to the Professor's study after dinner. She didn't feel like reading, but she did eye the baby grand that sat off to one side. She tried a few notes. Amazingly it was still in tune. She sat down and began to tickle the ivories.
Rogue got tired of watching Cops and went to look for Alex. She heard music coming from the Professor's office. <Music?> Rogue cracked open the door and the sound of piano music was even louder.
She quietly watched Alex play the piano. She had her eyes closed and she was really wrapped up in the music. Alex was humming along with the music. Rogue thought she recognized the tune, but couldn't put a name to it. After a while Alex began to sing.
           
    Spend all your time waiting
    for that second chance
    for a break that would make it okay
    there's always one reason
    to feel not good enough
    and it's hard at the end of the day
    I need some distraction
    oh beautiful release
    memory seeps from my veins
    let me be empty
    and weightless and maybe
    I'll find some peace tonight

    in the arms of an angel
    fly away from here
    from this dark cold hotel room
    and the endlessness that you fear
    you are pulled from the wreckage
    of your silent reverie
    you're in the arms of the angel
    may you find some comfort there

    so tired of the straight line
    and everywhere you turn
    there's vultures and thieves at your back
    and the storm keeps on twisting
    you keep on building the lie
    that you make up for all that you lack
    it don't make no difference
    escaping one last time
    it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
    this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

Rogue recognized it now. It was Angel by Sarah MacLachlan. Alex had an incredible voice. Perhaps it was her natural voice or it could be because of her powers. Alex could have been a singer if she hadn't been forced into the military. Rogue coughed. Alex stopped suddenly when she heard Rogue coughed.
"Hey sugah. That was amazing."
"Thanks," she replied a little embarrassed. "You caught me."
"Sugah ya have the voice of an angel. Ya evah let Logan hear you sing?"
Alex shook her head.
"Sugah ya should let that man hear ya sing. If he isn't totally captivated with ya now, he will be."
"I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"Well I usually only sing when I'm alone."
"Why sugah? Ya have an incredible voice and ya should share it."
"I don't know. My singing's really personal. I guess."
"Why sugah?"
"When I was little and still with my parents I can remember my mom singing to me. I can barely remember what she looked like, but I can remember her singing. It's the only thing about her that I can remember."
"Oh. Ah'm sorry."
"It's okay Rogue."
"What happened to your parents if Ah may ask?"
"They served like every other mutants. When I was about five, I guess they decided that what the government was doing to mutants wasn't right. They were in the civilian sector, but they went AWOL. They took me and my little sister with them, and for a while they were able to evade the people that were sent for them. They weren't able to stay hidden forever and were caught. They refused to surrender and were killed. My sister and I were separated and put into foster care until our powers developed."
"Oh mah god. Ah'm sorry sugah."
"It's okay."
"Ya evah see your sister?"
"No. The last time I saw her was when we were seperated."
"Ah'm sorry sugah."
"It's okay. How about some Beethoven or Mozart?"
"Sure."
Alex began to play and Rogue realized she wasn't using any sheet music.
"How are ya doin' that?"
"I learn by ear. Only have to hear something once and I know it."
"That's amazing. Is there anything you don't do well?"
"Cook. Clean. I barely passed quarter inspections. Express feelings."
"Ah was jus' teasin' ya."
Rogue got comfortable in a leather chair and listened to Alex playing.
The two women didn't realize the passage of time. Logan came walking into the room some time later. Alex stopped playing when she saw him.
"I didn't mean to interrupt."
"It's okay. Just thought I would look for you when you didn't show up at the lake."
"What time is it?"
"Almost twelve."
"Already?"
Logan just nodded. Meph woke up when he heard the sound of Logan's voice. He looked at Logan from where he lay atop the piano. Logan picked him up and began to pet him.
"Ah'll leave you two alone," Rogue said standing up and stretching. "Thanks for the recital sugah."
"My pleasure Rogue."
Rogue said goodnight to Logan and shut the door behind her when she left the room.
"You never told me you played."
"You never asked Logan."
"You got me there darlin'. Going upstairs?"
"Yes. I didn't realize how late it is."
"Um…."
"Yes Logan. I will stay with you tonight." She kissed him and followed him upstairs.
   
    A while later Logan lay next to Alex listening to her sleep. Soft music was coming from the clock radio that sat on the nightstand on the other side of the bed. She turned the sleep timer on every night and had the radio playing while she fell asleep. Normally, Logan didn't pay any attention to what was playing. He blocked the music out as easily he blocked out what most of what Scott said. Tonight he did notice what was playing. A Bryan Adams song was just coming on.
       
    To really love a woman,
    To understand her, you gotta know
    her deep inside,
    Hear every thought, see every dream
    'N'give her wings when she wants to fly.
    Then when you find yourself lyin'
    helpless in her arms,
    You know you really love a woman.

    When you love a woman you tell her
    that she's really wanted,
    When you love a woman you tell her
    that she's the one
    'Cause she needs somebody to tell
    her it's gonna last forever,
    So tell me have you ever really,
    really, really ever loved a woman?

    To really love a woman,
    Let her hold you til you know how
    she needs to be touched,
    You've got to breathe her, really taste  her
    Til you can feel her in your blood,
    'n'when you see your unborn children
    in her eyes,
    You know you really love a woman.

    When you love a woman you tell her
    that she's really wanted,
    When you love a woman you tell her
    that she's the one
    She needs somebody to tell her that
    you'll always be together,
    So tell me have you ever really,
    really, really ever loved a woman?

    Oh, you got to give her some faith,
    hold her tight,
    A little tenderness, gotta treat her right,
    She will be there for you, takin' good
    care of you.

    You really gotta love your woman,
    yeah.
    Then when you find yourself lyin'
    helpless in her arms,
    You know you really love a woman.

    When you love a woman you tell her
    that she's really wanted,
    When you love a woman you tell her
    that she's the one

    She needs somebody to tell her it's
    gonna last forever,
    So tell me have you ever really, really,
    really ever loved a woman?
    Just tell me have you ever really, really,
    really ever loved a woman?
    Oh, just tell me have you ever really,
    really, really ever loved a woman?

Love? Did he love her? He didn't know. In his long life, he's only loved one woman that he knew of. Okay so now she's a homicidal maniac who would kill him given half the chance, but that wasn't when they were together. Perhaps he should tell Alex about that time in his life. Before it went to hell in a handbasket.
He heard Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me come on the radio and *SNIKT* end of sappy love songs.
"Logan?" Alex said groggily still half asleep.
"It's okay. Go back to sleep."
Alex nodded and was back to sleep in a matter of a few seconds.
Logan knew he wasn't going to get any sleep anytime soon because of that damn song. He eased out of bed and got dressed. He went looking for the one person who he he could talk to.

BAM BAM BAM
"Jean?"
"Yes Scott?" Jean said trying to wake up.
"Is that someone pounding on the door or am I dreaming?"
BAM BAM BAM
"That's someone at the door.    It's your turn," Jean said pulling the covers over her head.
Scott hmped, put on his sunglasses, got out of bed and put on a robe. He stumbled in the darkness and eventually got to the door. He opened the door and was amazed. Logan stood in the moonlight smoking a cigar.
"Slim, is Jean awake?"
"She is now cause of the pounding. Logan it's one am. Can't this wait until the morning?"
"No Scott it can't."
"She's been really tired of late and needs all the sleep she can get."
"Okay Slim. Please tell her I was looking for her."
Scott watched Logan disappear into the night. Scott wondered what would bring Logan out in the middle of the night to talk to Jean. Scott closed the door and headed back to bed.

Logan made his way as silently as a cat up to the attic.
" 'Ro?" he called quietly from half way up the stairs.
"Logan? Is that you?"
"Yes 'Ro. Can I come up?"
"Of course you may. What brings you up here at this late hour?"
"Can't sleep."
"Logan I know you did not come up here just because you can't sleep. Have a seat and we'll talk."
"Thanks 'Ro," he said taking the chair that Storm offered.
"So what brings you up here Logan? Alex?"
"What else would be keeping me awake?"
Storm smiled at her dear friend. She knew he had strong feelings for the newest X-woman, but was probably unwilling to admit it.
"What happened?"
"Well this damn song came on the radio and ever since I heard it I can't stop thinking."
Storm got comfortable in the chair she sat in. She knew they were going to be here for a while. They ended up talking until the sun had come up.

    Alex woke and looked at the clock. It was sitting in pieces on the nightstand. She thought she dreamed Logan destroying the clock. She looked over at his side of the bed. It was empty. She didn't know what was wrong with Logan, and was afraid to ask.
Alex yawned and got out of bed. Meph stretched out in the space that Alex had just vacated. Alex gave him a little pat on the head and headed out to start her daily routine. She got down to the danger room and decided to alter her morning session a bit. Music started blaring out of speakers as her opponents were created. She eagerly engaged the first one and felt the expected adrenaline rush.
She left the danger room an hour later and headed for the showers. Logan caught a glimpse of her and stared. She just flashed Logan a grin and kept moving toward the showers. The hot water felt like heaven. She must have stayed in the shower for a half an hour letting the hot water wash away her worries.
"Alex you in here?"
"Rogue?"
"Yeah sugah. Ah wanted to see if ya wanted to head to the carnival with me today? Jean, Betsy and Cecila will be goin' too."
"Sounds great. When are you leaving?"
"In about an hour."
"Okay I'll be there."

    An hour later the X-women piled into one of the vans and headed for the carnival that was in town for the weekend. Alex and Rogue found themselves walking around together. Rogue spotted a fortuneteller's tent and tried to persuade Alex to go in with her.
"Come on sugah! Have some fun!" Rogue said grabbing Alex's wrist and half dragged her into the tent.
They entered the tent. The interior was barely lit and the sharp smell of incense filled the small space. A small table with two chairs sat in the middle of the tent. A middle-aged woman sat in the chair across the table.
"Please sit," the woman said gesturing to the empty chair across from her.
Rogue sat down. The woman held her hand. Rogue laid a ten-dollar bill in it. The woman tucked the bill into one of the many folds of her robes. The woman went to take Rogue's hand.
"Dear you need to take off your glove."
"Ah can't. Perhaps you could wear a glove?"
The woman nodded and pulled out a glove from a hidden pocket. Rogue took off her glove and gave the woman her hand.
"I see a great obstacle being overcome. Something that has been holding you back for so long will finally be a thing of the past."
Rogue's eyes brightened.
"A past relationship will be rekindled and will burn brighter than ever before."
A tear formed in Rogue's eye.
"A girl-child will be born of the union and will bless those around her."
Tears rolled down Rogue's cheeks. Rogue wiped the tears away with the back of her hand and stood up.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Please sit," the woman said gesturing for Alex to sit.
"Oh no thank you."
"Alex sugah, ya must!"
Alex sat down. She knew that Rogue wouldn't let her leave without having her fortune read. Alex handed the woman ten-dollars and extended her hand out. The woman sat there for a while looking at Alex's hand.
"What?" Alex asked looking at the woman.
"I see two mighty warriors fighting. Each is encased in steel. As they fight their armor begins to fall off leaving each bare before the other. I see shadows of the past catching up to you. You will lie in the arms of the Mother, but your task won't be complete. Twin stars will shine with the blessing of the Great Mother and the warrior will learn to love again. That is all I see."
"Thank you," Alex said as she stood up.
Alex and Rogue left the tent. They didn't say a word to each other. They walked around for a little bit until Alex spotted a vendor selling unique jewelry. Alex saw a silver ring decorated with symbols on it.
"That's nice," Rogue said as Alex picked up the ring. "What do the symbols mean?"
"It's Sanskrit, a mantra. It says 'I honor the divine within'."
"Oh."
"How much?" Alex asked the vendor.
"Thirty."
"I'll take it," Alex said as she handed the money to the man.
"Want it wrapped?"
"No thank you. I think I'll wear it right away."
Alex and Rogue went looking for the rest of the X-women. They all eventually found each other and then headed back to the mansion. Alex and Rogue were both quiet on the way back. Each one was thinking about what the fortuneteller said to them.
Something the fortuneteller said was bugging Alex. She couldn't put her finger on what it was, but Alex had a feeling it was important. She went to the danger room as soon as they returned to the mansion. She needed a good hard workout to clear her mind. Three hours later Alex was still fighting opponents. She continued to fight until her body protested and was ready to collapse from exhaustion. Her body was battered, cut, bruised and there wasn't a part that didn't ache. She enjoyed it. Every pain and ache let her know that she was alive.
"Cyclops to Alex."
"Hold on a second," Alex said wanting to finish off the opponent she was facing.
It took Alex a few minutes to finish up.
"Go ahead Cyclops."
"Alex can you meet me in the Professor's office?"
"Sure. When?"
"How about now?"
"Sure. Can you give me ten minutes?"
"I would like to see you now. Cyclops out."
Alex sighed and headed toward the Professor's office.
Scott was shocked when Alex walked into the office. Her uniform was mostly in shreds and her exposed flesh was either turning purple or it was bleeding.
"What happened to you?"
"Danger room workout."
"I see. Are your workouts usually so intense to cause that much damage to you and your uniform?"
"Not generally. Today I felt like a rather intensive workout."
"I see. The reason why I called you is here is because I would like for you to visit the Boston school for a few weeks and work with the kids on controlling their powers."
"I see."
"Is there a problem with this?"
"No sir. When do I leave?"
"As soon as you can get packed."
"How long will I be there?"
"At least two weeks."
"May I request that Rogue be allowed to accompany me?"
"Why?"
"I've made some progress with her and I wouldn't want to lose that because I'm gone."
"I see. Yes if she wants to go she can. The mini-jet will be ready by the time that you are ready to leave."
"Yes sir," Alex said and left the room.

Alex went looking for Rogue. Alex found her in the rec room watching talk shows.
"Rogue?"
"Yes Alex?"
"Scott is making me go to Boston for a few weeks. Want to come along?"
"Ah don't know."
"Well I figured I would ask you. We were just beginning to make progress and I didn't want to stop because of me going away."
"Well when ya put it that way, when do we leave sugah?"
"As soon as we can get packed."
   
    Alex changed and threw some clothes in a suitcase and then went looking for Logan. She couldn't find him anywhere on the mansion grounds. She needed him to take care of Meph for her while she was gone, and she did want to see him before leaving. She couldn't find him, so she put Meph in his room and left a note telling him why she was leaving.
She met Rogue in the hangar bay and they boarded the mini-jet. They were just taking off when she saw Logan's jeep pulling up to the front of the mansion. She swore.
Twenty minutes later they touched down at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.