The Not Knowing Is What Gets You: Part 1
by Alystraea
Disclaimer: All characters featured in this story are the property of Marvel Inc. and are used without permission. This is purely a fan-made for fan-purpose story. This takes place after X-Men Unlimited 21 and X-Force 85, just to date it. I would appreciate it if you could send me comments. It would help me out a lot. Just send it this way Thank you^_^
Rahne quietly moved around the kitchen, fixing herself a bowl of cereal. It was a foggy Scottish morning and she was the only person awake on Muir Island at the moment. She liked to get up very early from time to time just to have the feeling that she was all alone in the massive complex. Not that her mother's research lab was what anyone would call crowded at the moment. Since Brian and Megan's wedding, the entire Excalibur team had disbanded. Brain and Megan were enjoying their new life as man and wife, while Kurt, Kitty and Peter had returned to rejoin the X-Men. Muir Island was somewhat deserted. Jamie Madrox had even visited for awhile, but he was gone again. Which left only Rahne, her adopted mother Moira, and Douglock. The island was quiet, for once.
Rahne settled herself on the couch in front of their large TV. She took her time situating herself, pulling a blanket off the back of the couch to cover her legs. Once settled in she grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels. She found herself pausing on a news broadcast from America. Leaning back against the soft cushions, she began to munch her slightly soggy cereal. Only half listening to the broadcast, she was more content to watch the sun as it slipped over the horizon breaking up the fog.
"Three teenagers were were found murdered last night in what was believed to be a mutant hate act."
The TV now had her full attention.
"The three teens had allegedly displayed mutant powers shortly before the murders took place. Reports of...." Rahne quickly lost her appetite as pictures of the mangled bodies were were shown. She sat spellbound through the rest of the segments only turning off the television when they went to the weather. She suddenly felt very cold and it wasn't because of the Scottish weather. Walking back into the kitchen she dumped the rest of her breakfast into the garbage disposal, feeling more than a little numb as she watched it vanish with only a slight sound of a motor. Pulling the sleeves of her pajama top over her hands, she folded her arms tight against her chest. The sun was slightly higher she noticed, as she walked over to the window to watch its silent journey. The glass was cool across her cheek as she laid her head against it. She found herself feeling more than a little contemplative.
Isn't this what Professor Xavier trained us to stop? Isn't this what we promised to stop? I feel like I havena been doing anything to stop such things. But Lady Moira needs me here. I dinna know, maybe I'm just feeling what Kitty and the others felt. Just a little nostalgic for the old days with Dani and the rest of my friends. It seems like so much has happened since our little reunion.
Creeping back to her room in perfect silence, she paused by Douglock's room. The door was slightly ajar. Not that he needed sleep, but in his quest for humanity he lay in bed pretending to be asleep. A soft played across her lips as she tip toed by. Still even his presence reminded her of just how much had changed. Can you ever really go back to the way things used to be? Finally reaching her room, she changed out of her pajamas into a pair of jeans and a long sweater. She pulled her hair back with a headband and went about the simple task of making her bed. There would be so much to do today. There always was. She would try her best to help Moira and Douglock in the lab, though she always felt like more of a bother than a help. She understood the desperate need for her mother to find a cure for the Legacy virus, but she was afraid that Moira would only make herself more sick if she kept up this hectic pace. If only God would wipe out out the virus, but she knew in her heart that it wasn't that simple. Besides she had all the faith in the world in lady Moira. That is if she doesn't make herself sick first. She paused in front of a picture of her and the other New Mutants. It seemed like such a long time ago. Sighing she flopped down onto her bed and put the picture down next to her. Today was all ready turning into a bad day.
"Rahne?"
Sitting upright she found Douglock standing in her doorway.
"Yes, Dougie?"
"Want some breakfast?"
"Rahne, Rahne! Rahne are ye listening to me?"
"Huh?" Rahne turned around and knocked a beaker over with her hand. "I'm sorry Lady Moira."
"You've been distracted all day," Moira said, her eyes narrowing with concern.
"I'..." she stopped herself and sighed, "Maybe I just need a breath of fresh air." Rahne stood and walked out of the lad trying to ignore Moira's look of concern. She felt horrible about putting more worry onto her mother's shoulders. She wasn't sure herself why she felt so down. If only she could lay her finger on the problem. She almost ran into Douglock as he walked back to the lab with some coffee. An idea dawned in Rahne's mind.
"Hey Dougie, do ye think you could find a phone number for me?"
It took a second for Sam to identify the phone ring from the blare of the television. The surround sound system that Bobby had just installed in their new home was deafening. He jumped off of his recliner and ran over to the phone.
"Hello," he said as he picked up the phone. He could barely hear the voice on the other end. "Could you guys turn it down?" he yelled at his friends. Theresa obligingly turned it down. "Hello," he repeated.
"Sam? Is that you?"
"Rahne! How's it goin' girl?" Sam was more than a little surprised to hear from their old friend out of the blue like this. She was calling all the way from Scotland.
"Oh I'm all right," her laugh sounded a little too forced, "I was just calling tae see how everything was."
"Everything's great," Sam glanced over his shoulder. He couldn't help but notice Bobby put his arm around Tabitha's shoulders or how she cuddled closer. Yeah, everything was great.
"So how's San Francisco? I bet its warm out there."
"Yeah, its real nice. Better than winters at the mansion that's for sure."
"Aye do ye remember..."
The two started to reminisce about the old days, back when they had been New Mutants. Memories of better days had been plaguing both of the young mutants lately. They had been talking for over an hour when Sam finally realized just how long their conversation had been going on.
"We've been talking forever! Moira's not going to like the phone bill when she gets it."
"She won't mind," Rahne's voice soft, "I guess I hav'na realized how much I've missed ye Sam, you and the others.
"Yeah we've missed you too."
"It's just so quiet here," soft laughter, "I guess I'm lonely. Silly isn't it?"
"Naw," they were quiet for a moment before Sam said, "I have an idea. Why don't you fly out here. stay for awhile. It would be like another reunion."
"Oh Sam, I dinna know, with Moira being so sick and all..."
"I'm sure she can spare you for a day or two. 'sides she's got Douglock to make sure she's okay. Come on out."
"I just don't know...." she sounded so hesitant, her voice so small, "I'll have tae think about it."
to be continued...