X-JOE
BY: KIM FITZSIMMONS

Part One

    Scarlett was angry. Furious really. Rock N' Roll had just told her that he'd heard Beachhead request a meeting with Hawk to complain about Snake Eyes being promoted for a position over him. Being a friend, Rock N' Roll felt she should know what the drill instructor was trying to do while Snake Eyes was away for a few days. Now she stormed into Hawk's office, intent on letting him know what she thought of Beach Head's sneaking around behind everyone's back.

    Hawk looked up to see Scarlett when his door opened, and he could tell that his Counter Intelligence officer was fuming, and he didn't have to wait long to find out why.

    "How dare he!" Scarlett yelled, "It's bad enough that jerk is whining about Snake Eyes getting promoted over him, but to do it when Snake Eyes isn't here to defend himself is a new low!"

    Hawk stood up, "I was going to talk to you about this, I just..."he trailed off as they heard footsteps and both turned to the still open door to see Beachhead coming towards them.

    The sight of him infuriated Scarlett and suddenly the door to Hawk's office slammed in Beachhead's face, without being touched. Hawk dropped the coffee mug he'd been holding to the floor in shock and Scarlett stood there gasping in shock at what had just happened. Hawk finally roused himself enough to go open his door enough to tell Beachhead a gust of wind had slammed the door and that he'd speak to him later.

    As he closed the door he turned to look at Scarlett, who still seemed to be in shock. "How did you do that?" Hawk asked.

    Scarlett finally found her voice and answered, "I don't know. I saw him. I was angry and wanted nothing more than to slam the door in his face. Then it did."

    Hawk then asked, "Is this the first time you've been able to do something like that?"

    Scarlett was silent for a moment before she answered, "No, there's been little things here and there. Candles blowing out when I thought of snuffing them. The other day I was practicing with Storm Shadow and he made a smart ass remark and I threw a throwing star at his head. I remember wishing I'd aimed it elsewhere and it changed direction in mid-air and shot between his legs. If he hadn't jumped it would have hit him in the crotch."

    Hawk digested this information and finally said to her "I met a man from Westchester, New York a while ago, I think he might be able to shed some light on what is happening to you. I'll contact him right now."

    "I'd appreciate it Hawk." Scarlett said simply as she left his office. She needed to talk to someone, and since Snake Eyes wasn't due back until tomorrow night she headed for Jinx's room.

    Jinx answered the knock on her door to see Scarlett looking upset and she had her sit down . Scarlett told her friend everything that had happened in Hawk's office and the other incidents and Jinx listened quietly. As Scarlett finished Jinx asked a strange question, "Scarlett, have you heard of mutants?"

    Scarlett said, "Yes, but... Are you saying I might be a mutant?!"

    Jinx replied, "I'm saying a it's a possibility."

    Scarlett stood up and put a hand to her head as she walked toward the window. She leaned against the wall and put her head against the window and sighed miserably," A mutant. God, I wish Snake Eyes were here!"

    Jinx walked over and put her hand on her scared friend's shoulder, unsure how to comfort her.

* * * * * * *

    The next night Scarlett was waiting in the airfield as a Tomahawk landed. Wild Bill said to his passenger, "You're home, Snake Eyes, and it looks like you're fan club is here to greet you."

    Snake Eyes gave Wild Bill a 'thumbs up' and exited the chopper to be caught up in a hug from his 'fan club'. As soon as he stepped back from the hug, Snake Eyes could tell something was bothering Scarlett and he asked with his hands, "What's wrong?"

    Before she could respond Cover Girl ran up to them and said, "Scarlett, Hawk wants to see you in his office. He said you'd know what it's about."

    Scarlett grabbed Snake Eyes' hand, "Would you come with me?" she asked. he nodded, concern and confusion evident even through his mask.

* * * * * * * *

    As they opened the door to Hawk's office they saw their CO conversing with a bald man in a wheelchair. Hawk looked up, "Ah, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, I'd like to introduce Professor Charles Xavier. Professor, Snake Eyes and Shana O'Hara, codename: Scarlett." They shook hands with the wheelchair bound man and sat down.
    
    Snake Eyes still had no idea what was going on and was taken by surprise when the Professor addressed Scarlett. "Miss O'Hara, Hawk tells me you have exhibited some unusual abilities lately."

    Scarlett could feel Snake Eyes' surprised stare on her as she answered, "Yes, I am able to move objects by thinking about them." She went on to describe the incidents with the candles, the throwing star and the door.

    Professor Xavier then said to her, "Have you considered the possibility that you may be manifesting mutant abilities?"

    "Yes", she answered, "But I thought that mutants discover their powers in their early teenage years, and I'm no teenager."

    "That is generally true, but sometimes mutant powers will lay dormant until some physical or emotional trauma occurs." the Professor replied.

    "Like getting shot in the head and being in a coma?" Scarlett said lamely and Snake Eyes reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

    "I believe that would qualify." Professor Xavier answered with a small smile.

    Scarlett took a deep breath, "What do I do now?"

    "Well, with your CO's permission, I'd like you to accompany me to my school in Westchester where we can test your abilities and teach you to control them."

    "How long?" Scarlett asked.

    "At least a few months, probably more. The last thing we want you to do is rush your training, that would be dangerous." Professor X replied in a matter of fact tone.

    Scarlett looked at Hawk, and he said "I'm okay with it."

    She then looked at Snake Eyes, still holding his hand. Professor X saw this and spoke up, "Snake Eyes is welcome to accompany you, I feel that support from loved ones is very important."

    Snake Eyes and Scarlett both looked at Hawk and he sighed, "All right, I'll let Storm Shadow and Jinx know what's going on, as far as everyone else is concerned you're both on extended leave."

    "I'll meet you at the airfield in one hour." Professor Xavier said.

* * * * * * * *

    Scarlett was just finishing her packing when Snake Eyes joined her, already packed. Scarlett was reminded just how much she loved this man , and why. With everything that had been thrown at him in the last hour, he just took it all in stride and stuck by her, mutant or not. She told him as much by hugging him and whispering, "Thanks for sticking by me."

    He took her face in his hands for a few moments before signing to her, "I love you, I will love you no matter what. If you have mutant powers, that will just be one more thing about you to love."

    "Thanks, love" she said with tears in her eyes. He signed again, "Are you ready?"

    Scarlett squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, "Let's go."

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Continued in Part Two!
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