Post by adrini on Jul 3, 2014 23:03:19 GMT -5
---X-Force---
Chapter 2:Transferance
Chapter 2:Transferance
Jubilee, stop it. You can't go that way.
The girl ran, so to speak, as she fled from her instructor. Within the mind link the pounding veins were too much. She couldn't take the pressure of the memories. Jean followed, but she needed to be alone, find things herself for a time.
Look, I'll break the link. Just stop so I won't hurt you when I do.
She hid along the wall and tried to calm down, the sooner she got out the better. She thought she had been ready, that with the new home, friends, and finally safe it would be okay to face the pain. It was still far too much.
Okay, we'll break this down. Just give me a minute to rebuild the safety boundaries.
Jean focused and the walls began to shift, Jubilee noted them tightening. When the path was clear they could both leave, and she could hide in her room and try to forget a few things. It might be a good idea to work on fighting forms awhile.
The process was almost complete when the red wall to her left started pulsing, fighting the restrictive nature of the meld. Small lines of blood started to be released, Jubilee became panicked again. She knew what this was, and is she wasn't ready before she wasn't ready for this.
Jean, please, hurry. It's coming.
The woman hurried to the passage and saw the leaking door, beginning to bulge. She grabbed Jubilee and began backing away. The door looked ready to give and Jubilee could see Jean thinking about options.
I told you not to come here. This is too far for you, it will be months before you can face this one.
Help, please help! I can't
Jean closed her eyes, resigned, and nodded. She felt the link to Scott activate. The door exploded.
---X-Factor---
The room was dark, almost pitch black. She had never seen it before. A small stream of light filtered in from the one window but it did little to alleviate the despair that filled the room, almost chokingly heavy. A despair that came from a blanket wrapped figure in the corner.
Jubilee moved to the figure, petite and shaking. It was curled in a ball near several packed bags bearing the tags 'Xavier Institute, Class B'. One was flipped over, stating the students name. Her teacher had blocked Jubilee's memory with her own, the back read 'Grey, Jean. Level 2 Mental Control'.
Banging began outside, and Jubilee could hear two more people just outside. They were scrambling. A woman was opening and slamming doors while a man was on the phone with someone, begging for help.
"They're coming now, professor. We don't have three hours to wait." He was terrified. "We need to get away now."
The girl began crying, curling tighter. A woman ran in the room and held young Jean close, Jean took strongly after her mother. The yelling and angry cries grew stronger outside, anti-mutants.
"Comon sweetie, get in the car. Time to go." The now strong telepath was only eleven or twelve, barely more then a child. She clung to her mother as she gathered her bags, walking to the hallway. Jubilee followed.
Jean's father was clearly in academia, and out of his element. None the less he held his daughter close as his wife put Jean's bags in the car along with their own. Jean clung to him, hands gripping his shirt and neck.
"It's not perfect but we're running." He sighed and kissed her head. "We'll do whatever we have to. I won't let anything happen to my girl, not on my watch, okay?" Jean nodded. "Elaine, we ready?" Her mother had returned.
"Yes, go, now. They're going to break in soon." Both parents with her the three made a made dash for the garage making it to the kitchen before Jubilee heard the wood of a door break and angry guests rush in, she followed. They ran to the car.
In the car young Jean was swallowing, anxiously looking out the window. Mr and Mrs. Grey were in the front seat, Mrs. Grey making arrangements to stay with relatives as Mr. Grey got his family as far away from the angry mob as he could. Several cars were chasing them, the auto portion of this areas branch of Friends of Humanity. Jubilee knew the group too well, it seemed so did Jean.
"We're good to stay with my aunt, we just need to loose them, John." Elaine put her phone away and Mr. Grey nodded. "Jean, sweetie, we're going. It'll be okay, you'll see. We love you so much, you're perfect just as you are, absolutely perfect. Ignore them, they know nothing."
Jean smiled at her mother, and took the offered hand, but kept watching the other cars. The family made it to the interchange to get on the highway when a SUV swerved close and barely missed them. Mr. Grey's eyes slitted as he pushed the sedan to it's limits to gain distance. The SUV had better speed and force and caught up with them quickly.
"Everyone hold on." He said, switching gears. Jean checked to make sure she was buckled in and held on to the door handle. John Grey knew his cars and moved out the the path of the SUV and onto a city road. They looked to be in the clear.
About five minutes later a new car appeared, this time a truck that hit the small sedan from behind and sent it spinning. Jubilee saw the truck then stop next to the smashed car and two men walked out with baseball bats. Jean screamed herself hoarse as her parents were pulled from the wreck and beaten.
"Now for the freak." A man pulled a screaming and terrified Jean from the car, as Jubilee saw the now dead bodies of Jean's parents nearby. The two men went even harder on the girl then they did on the adults, the child no more then a freak to be killed off.
Jubilee missed it, her own tears blinding her, but the scene changed. It was the old base, even after being there less then a day she knew it. Scott was taking over, this had to be a shared memory for the two. He was about thirteen, and dashing from his room as loud voices yell just outside the front entrance.
"Did you find her?" He asked as a group of people rushed in. A team of medical personnel and a black man in a long trench coat. "What happened, is she okay?"
The man shook his head but opened the door to the med bay as a stretcher carrying a bloodied, unconscious kid was rushed in. Even though Jubilee knew who it was she couldn't see it with the damage, it could have been anyone.
Scott saw the remains, a girl they had been told to rescue and someone he hoped would be a friend, and fell to the floor in tears. The black man left the room and knelt to talk to him.
"Who did this, who would do that to-" The man nodded, also affected.
"You know who. We'll do what we can, but I can't make any promises. They did real damage this time." The man sighed and hugged the boy close. "Just let the doctors work, it's the best chance she has. Poitr, can you help?"
Young Scott looked at the door, where he could hear the doctors talking. Poitr pulled him up and took him back to his room. Scott took out the file Nick Fury had given him. Her name was Jean, she was a few years younger them him. She was an honor student and liked video games and horses. On weekends she liked biking and reading. They even shared a favorite book, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and she could die at any moment without him ever even meeting her.
Hours later Jubilee saw him get up as the hall went quiet. Maria Hill was there now, very young, and leaning on the wall. Piotr was in the small front room also waiting for news. Scott didn't have to ask, Hill knew his question.
"She's in a coma. They don't know if she'll pull through, it's a 50/50 shot. God, she's just a kid." The stoic Hill took a breath to calm down, covering her face for a moment. "If you really want to see her you can in a few minutes. It's really just up to luck at this point."
Jubilee saw Scott pull the snapshot of the girl from his pocket. The head medic left the room and nodded. They had done what they could. Scott sat for a moment, looking at the picture before standing up. He had decided on something.
He rushed to his quarters and opened his foot locker, taking out almost everything until he pulled out a well worn volume and carefully entered the hospital room. Jean's face had been more or less repaired, at least Jubilee could tell who it was, and she was on a breathing tube. Scott awkwardly fixed the blankets and and pulled a chair closer as Hill joined them and squeezed the cut hand gently.
"You have a plan, Scott?" She smiled.
"Even if she's isn't going to be with us long everyone likes hearing their favorite book, right?" He held up the volume, a first edition of Hitchhiker's Guide. "And if she is going to stick around she'll like hearing it anyway."
Hill smiled and nodded, motioning this the young man to continue. He looked at the injured form and began the chapter one.
---X-Factor---
When Jubilee woke up, unharmed, she felt an arm holding her. Mimicking the mental block she had put up Jean was holding her tight as though to shield her physically as well. The teen couldn't help but smile at the concern.
"You didn't have to do that." Jean had woken up and was banishing the memory. "It has to be awful living that again."
"I made peace with that long ago, I had to if I wanted to avoid killing anyone." Her teacher spotted Scott joining them. "You weren't ready to face yours, if I had let you there's no telling what would happen."
"You know I don't want you reliving that." The man said as he walked over. "There's no point."
He pulled them up and held his girlfriend close. Standing closer Jubilee could see the hair line scars on Jeans face, they were easy to miss. "Not to mention I hate seeing it as well." Jean accepted the affection for a moment, before getting back to the matters at hand.
"Next time just tell me you need out, okay? Running can get you places you don't need to be." Jean was stern, but Jubilee knew it was deserved. "I'll keep you safe."
"Speaking of our jobs staff meeting starts in ten. Hill says we have an issue." They left the room. "And Hill is here for this one, wear your blues."
Julibee hurried to put on her new dress uniform, seeing Jean in hers as they ran to the meeting room where Scott was holding the door open.
"Good, just who we need to speak to, join us Agent Grey." Hill said briskly. "It seems we have an issue."
Jubilee looked at Jean as she sat down, she wasn't surprised. Across the table Raven was glaring.
"We were training and dealing with a few complications. Sorry for the delay." Jean looked over the itinerary. "From the top as normal?"
"By the book it is." Hill raised an eyebrow. "First issue is training then, and you can speak to that directly."
"Agent Grey started training with Training Agent Lee at eleven hundred hours, and finished ten minutes ago. Training was as per expected, with a slight alteration at the end that was resolved." Scott checked off the item. "Questions?"
"Jean saved me." Jubilee said, off setting the tone. "Above and beyond and all that. That should be noted to."
"Thank you, Julibee. She's good at that." Hill smiled a little. "Noted."
"When she wants to be." Raven said, just loud enough to be audible. Jean looked at the table and tried to focus on the next item.
"There's the matter of Agent Rasputin's sister, I think the file is complete." Jean handed over the file to her friend. "I've forwarded a request for a Russian specialist. To provide assistance, evacuation might be tricky."
"I processed that this morning. Progress on additional rescues?" Hill nodded.
"Not on any that matter." Raven stood up and glared. "At least to the Girl Scout."
"All rescue targets are rated to danger and power." Jean explained, clearly not for the first time. "None of the information you've provided-"
"She's my daughter, not just another rescue target!" Raven hissed, enraged. "You could find her if you wanted to!"
"And let the other children die? What chance would Jubilee have had alone against sentinels?" Jean was standing now. "The system will get there."
"That's not good enough!" Raven grabbed the nearby tray and tossed it at her, Jean caught it and slowly lowered the cup and picture to the table.
"Enough!" Hill yelled, glaring at both. "Raven, take a walk. Agent Grey, stay here. Meeting adjourned."
The others filed out of the room, Raven in a rage, and Jean collected herself. Once they were alone Hill sighed and leaned over the table.
"How far down the list is she?" Jean nodded.
"Four down. I do know where she is, but she's relatively safe. Everyone over her is facing death or serious injury." Jean handed over a list. "I'm not trying to be cruel."
"I know you aren't." Hill read over the names. "You're doing the job you were trained to do, which is what you're supposed to do. Which is why I hate what I have to do next."
"I can't just leave them to die!" Jean said, shocked. "They're children!"
"I'll take them myself, pull some additional support. But there's more to this then you know, grab her daughter." Hill raised her hand at the protest she knew was coming. "I know. I'll do my best, but you have your orders, Agent Grey. I expect you to fulfill them. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Colonel. Perfectly. Please note that I take this mission under protest." Jean's face was stiff. The easy smile was gone.
"Noted. You leave at 0800, get ready." Hill shook her head as the red head wordlessly turned at left. She wished Jean had the clearance to explain it to her, but she also knew it wouldn't make any difference.
"So she got her marching orders." Raven walked back in. "Poor thing isn't used to being disappointed."
"You are dangerously close to over playing your hand. Tread carefully. I ordered her to act against regulations, she could go over my head and I would have no response." Hill glared herself.
"And risk her little family? I think not." Raven sat down, relaxed. "She'll do as she's told, like always."
"That is likely." Hill had to agree, it was like Jean. "However so do you,"
"Since when?" Raven sat up, Hill had her attention.
"Since I found out that you were in the HellFire Club eight years ago, a watcher for cases marked for assassination." Hill leaned on the wall. "And their parents, if the case required."
"How did you-" Hill finally had Raven on edge.
"All I have to do is tell Scott that you're the reason the love of his life lost her family and almost her life itself and you will be finished in SHIELD, and likely anywhere else. He's a hell of a lot closer to Nick Fury then anyone I know." Hill leaned on the table, making direct eye contact. "So at 0700 tomorrow you, me and a squad are going on a marathon to rescue all those kids you had Jean skip. And we're not coming home till we have every single one. Am I clear?"
---X-Factor---
"The music is very good." Piotr smiled as the three walked down the street of the French Quarter. "And the food smells quite nice as well."
"This place is known for both. We need to get out more." Scott grinned, enjoying the ambience. "We've earned a break, by now at least."
"If only work would grant us one. Life on call." Jean grinned a little, cheered by progress reports from Hill. "It's easy to forget there's life outside the base."
"We aren't safe living out here, my friend. Such is our tale of woe." Piotr looked at the store fronts and vendors. "A loss that cannot be recovered."
Jean smiled at the sympathy, what he said was true. Yet as Scott grabbed her hand, part of their cover of three friends on a small vacation, she had to admit a small break was nice. The street was bustling, the early wave of tourists exploring the recovering region. She just needed to find her target, and somehow convince her to leave this place of music, food and the beat of life itself for the stark confines of headquarters. Though it meant safety she felt bad pulling anyone before it was fully needed, she had never seen the ticket go both ways.
"Where is she?" Scott grinned and grabbed her closer, she started at first. Such signs of affection were frowned on in public normally, before remembering the cover, an engaged couple and their best friend on vacation. It was actually okay.
"A street performer, a guitar I think. She's not bad. Don't touch her, and don't let her touch you." She kept an eye out but as this was tourist season in the french quarter street musicians weren't exactly scarce.
"Me Belle Cheri, welcome. Our little city welcomes a beauty like yourself." A tall, dark haired man walked up to her and lightly kissed Jeans hand. Jean froze, both startled and not sure how to respond. Mission briefings didn't include things like this.
"I'm sure." Scott knocked the hand out of his and placed himself in front of the her, Piotr making note to stand nearby. "But what's it to you."
"Ah, the pretty lady is spoken for, of course." The man smiled easily and bowed a bit as he backed off. "Forgive me. Welcome all of you to the quarter, One of the first places rebuilt after Katrina. We're glad to get visitors."
"I'm glad to see it so improved, the pictures after the storm were heartbreaking." Jean said, less startled. "It's very lively here."
"It was not the first blow the city has taken, nor will it be the last. The City is a noble Pheonix, whatever ashes it falls to it will come back." He looked confused as the two looked at Jean, who was smiling. "I'm Jean-luc, I welcome new folk when I can."
"Poitr, our friend for how long now?" Scott looked at him.
"For too long, but they know too much to leave anymore." Piotr said and Jean-Luc laughed.
"I'm Scott and this is my fiancee, Jean. We pooled our vacation time and wanted to see New Orleans, after everything we heard." Jean grabbed his hand and grinned. The man looked briefly at the inexpensive ring, literally military issue for covers, and nodded. Three not so well off friends wanting to support a hurt area was a welcome sight for the long time inhabitant. "We only have a few days, though, if that."
"Mon Charis, let me help you. I know the best gumbo in the city, and the sweetest music you'll ever hear. My favorite place in the quarter." He grinned, three looking at each other for a moment before nodding. He could swear there was something to the silence, though.
Sisko's was a small, smokey, family run hole in the wall. However it was the best place for raw talent and authentic food, and Jean-Luc seemed to know the owner if the whispered conversation was any sign.
"You sure she's close?" Scott looked around the room, feigning taking in the scenery. The man nodded as he saw the three sitting down and left. "How close?"
"Can't be farther then a back room, she might crash here." Jean activated the minor scan and nodded to a hallway at the back right corner. "In there."
They were interrupted by food and ordering but by the time they were done they didn't have to get up after all. A red and white haired teen walked onto the stage and waved to light applause. She set her guitar on her lap and started playing, a haunting blue grass ballad about the storm and the fire to fight on.
"Honored Guests, you're first time in the city. What do you think?" A black man smiled and put a bowl of powered treats on the table.
"I have read books, but they do not compare." Poitr grinned, slightly. He had read books about the city. The man grinned.
"The music is amazing. Who is she?" Jean looked at the performer.
"Our little ruffian, Roguelost her parents and home in the storm. She plays here and a few other places, she's rebuilding, like too many. Would you like to meet her on her break?" He grinned. "She could use the praise, bit of a rough patch as of late."
"We'd be honored." Scott said, nodding. "Yes, please."
The set ended and the owner talked to the girl, nodding at the table. She looked surprised, but pleased, and smiled at them. After packing her instrument she walked over.
"Hey ya'll, welcome to orleans." She grinned as the owner placed a bowl in front of her grinning.
"Rogue, this is Poitr, Scott and Jean. This is Rogue, our best singer." He grinned. "They loved your set." She blushed a little.
"Thanks, most folks tune it out for conversation. You like blue grass?" She grinned.
"We know what it is to have lost certain things." Jean said sadly. "As do you, we're told."
"Ya, its hard. Family?" She asked.
"Parents." Scott replied. "Poitr's just walked away, mine vanished and Jean's were killed. My brother made it though."
"I was adopted, great parents, couldn't ask for better. But they were older when they took me on, old when the storm hit." She sighed. "Never made it out."
"That's-" Jean shook her head. "That's horrible. I'm so sorry."
"Thanks, you to. How did it happen?" She was stirring the gumbo to cool it down.
"They were trying to protect me, it kind of worked." Rogue looked confused. "I was still hurt pretty bad."
"Almost lost her." Poitr looked at Scott who was stoically listening and stroking Jean's hand. The teen understood, nodding at the man.
"You have a home now anyway." Jean smiled. "Forget what that's like some days."
"Don't have friends?" Scott asked.
"I can't exactly get close to people." Rogue said dryly.
-Gloves would help.- Rogue looked up suddenly. Jean grinned and held a finger to her lips. I brought some for you.
"You were being hunted by-" She nodded and tried to think By them.
As are you, but they aren't on to you yet. Jean quietly slid the gloves over to Rogue who slipped them on.
How did you get away? The teen leaned over, excited. I have to keep moving.
"We hide. It's nothing like this place but it's safe." Scott said, trying the gumbo. "Food isn't nearly as good. Spacious, warm beds, meals, company, a really nice rec room. We rescue others, try to keep them safe to. I won't lie, it's a job."
"So you as well?" She looked at the men, they nodded. "I have the cookbooks, it can't be harder then busking and running. I don't have much, just a couple boxes in the back."
"After lunch." Jean said quickly. "I'm not passing on this, it's too good."
"You mean-" The teen looked shocked. "Really?"
Anyone mutant being hunted or being hurt. There's one thing you should know though, it might effect your choice. Jean was greedily eating the food, a wonderful break from the rations. She could feel Rogue's curiosity. Your mother is there, your birth mother. She's been keeping an eye on you. In truth she sent us, didn't like how easily you could be hurt here. Choice is fully yours.
Rogue had dropped her spoon in her bowl and was trying to hide tears. Jean smiled, she had gotten the order right. She had set up Raven to mend things with her daughter, but Raven owed her now. She'd have to consider how to use that later.
---X-Factor---
Maria Hill hid her exhaustion as she walked back into the base, a throughly worn out Raven behind her. Feigning energy she walked into the kitchen and grabbed a soda, feeling Raven's glare.
"And they call me a mutant." The woman groused. "How are you standing?"
"Still on the rush. Good job on those last two, just in time." Hill poured a cup of coffee, while it was good to make power boundaries clear there was no need to be cruel. "They have you to thank for their lives."
"I'll tell them sometime." Raven devoured the hot drink. "Am I clear now?"
"Clear, after that?" Hill raised an eyebrow. "You're off duty, and don't pull a stunt like again. But you'll have to deal with your little secret someday."
"Not today." Hill smiled and poured a cup of her own. She looked up and saw Jubilee around the corner. She hadn't heard enough to be a problem, but she'd have to be more careful in future. "Come on in, just us."
Jubilee nodded and sat down, still not used to the uniform. She adjusted the belt before speaking.
"Did you save them?" She asked eagerly, concerned about the people Jean had been forced to pass over.
"So it seems." Hill answered. "Two were located with their families, minor enough abilities. The last two were hurt but will be fine. They'll be about a week or two, but we'll need the time to get their rooms ready."
"Sure, just get me the profiles and I'll get right on that." Jubilee beamed, relieved. "You said two right, so two rooms?"
"Brother and sister, so yes." Hill grinned, she could see Jean rubbing off on the girl, rounding her edges. "I'll get you the specs. Anyone else home yet?"
"No, but they're on the way. I don't know the formal way to do this but I have a request, I guess." Jubilee was unsure, not wanting to rock her newly acquired boat. Hill nodded.
"I get that we're pseudo military, the itchy cloths and all that, but don't even military bases have real food?" Jubilee saw Hill start to respond and eagerly explained. "Not gourmet or anything, but ingredients, or order in?"
"I can set up a food line here." Hill jumped to agree. "We can set up a chart, go from there. Tired of rations?" The teen nodded. "So am I. I'll get the kitchen set up and stocked. It would be an improvement."
The three heard a loud opening as the bay doors let in the jet. Jubilee rushed to the hanger, Hill and Raven behind her. The quinjet settled in and locked into place. Poitr opened the door and pushed a few old cardboard boxes onto the loading ramp. Scott appeared and the two mutants picked up the boxes and began carrying them inside.
Jubilee ran inside and also was told to grab a box, the last one, as Jean walked down to the commander.
"Mission accomplished, target acquired, ma'am." She said, with more then the usual stiffness.
"Well done Agent Grey." Hill said, the distance stinging. "Ours was as well. All survivors."
Jean relaxed, visibly happier. She nodded and smiled, grateful for the news.
"This place is huge." A new voice said, touched with a sweet southern twang. "You live here?"
Raven's eyes went wide and Jean motioned for the woman to follow her. She walked back to the jet as a older teen, younger then Jean herself, with red and white hair walked onto the gangplank.
"Rogue, this is Raven. Raven, your daughter. We got out without a scratch." The telepath walked away as Rogue lept into the older woman's arms and Raven held her little girl tight.
"Mission completed, as ordered." Hill new what it meant as Jean stood at attention and saluted, they weren't that kind of unit.
"Good. Mine as well." Jean's face relaxed. "All four are okay now, no casualties."