X-JOE
BY: KIM FITZSIMMONS

Part Two

    Scarlett and Snake Eyes looked around the immense mansion that housed Professor Charles Xavier's School for the Gifted as the Professor himself led them down the main hallway. Scarlett inquired, "How many people live at the school , Professor?"

    "The numbers vary from time to time, Scarlett. We generally house and teach around thirty young people, not including my older students who have stayed to teach."

    Scarlett nodded in understanding and then asked, "Do you just teach them to control their powers?"

    Professor Xavier smiled at his new student's curiosity," Actually, we also teach traditional school subjects; mathematics, biology, chemistry, history. When my students leave here I want them to have an education and skills to rely on. When many of these young people arrive here they are teen runaways. Their families and friends turn from them, fearing their abilities, so we help them learn to stand on their own feet. In many ways, the people here at the school become their families. Already you are quite unique in that you have the strong support from a loved one."

    At that remark Scarlett smiled at Snake Eyes and he reached over and took her hand. Ever inquisitive, Scarlett had one more question, "You mentioned students that stayed to teach, is that who I will be training with?"

    Prof. Xavier nodded, "Yes, they were some of my first students. The students they now teach have named them the X-Men." They then reached Professor Xavier's study. The door opened and as they entered they were met by a group of men and women. Prof. Xavier began making introductions, indicating first a man with reddish brown hair who was wearing oddly tinted sunglasses and a woman with red hair who looked remarkably like Scarlett. "This is Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops and Jean Grey. Your powers sound very similar to Jean's, so you will be spending a good deal of time training with her." The Professor then turned to an African American woman with startling white hair, " This is Ororo Munroe; because she can control the weather we call her Storm."

    As they were warmly greeted by the group of mutants, Scarlett and Snake Eyes began to feel relaxed among the strange company. "This is Rogue and Gambit." The Professor said, indicating a young woman with brown hair that turned white on the top of her head and a man with auburn hair and eyes that were black with red irises and wearing a saucy grin.

    The man called Gambit came forward and kissed the back of Scarlett's hand, while he drawled, "A pleasure to meet you, chere."

    Snake Eyes had just raised his eyebrows and then he and Scarlett both jumped a bit as Gambit was picked up from behind by Rogue, holding him by the back of his trench coat with one hand. Rogue moved Gambit aside as she laughingly remarked, "Leave off the poor girl, Cajun. Can't you see she's taken?" She then stepped forward and with a gloved hand shook Snake Eyes and Scarlett's hands, commenting to Scarlett, "Don't pay him no mind, sugah. He thinks he's God's gift, but I can generally keep him in line."

    Scarlett stifled a giggle as Gambit slyly said into Rogue's ear, "That a promise, chere?"

    Rogue just rolled her eyes, "Dream on, Swamp Rat!"

    Professor Xavier smiled indulgently before he came to the last occupant of the room. He was a fairly short man, but strong and wiry and very rough looking. He was leaning against a bookshelf, looking casual yet tightly wound, ready to spring into a fight at a moment's notice. "This is Logan, also known as Wolverine."

    Logan gave the two Joes a single nod and a small, quirky smile. Prof. X. said to Scarlett and Snake Eyes, "I called ahead and had rooms made up for you. Jubilee?" At the name a young teenage girl of some Asian descent poked her head in the door and Prof. X said, "Would you please show Snake Eyes and Scarlett to their rooms for the night?"

    The teen smiled brightly, "Sure thing! Follow me, folks." As the Joes left the room Professor Xavier turned to his team and told them what he knew of Scarlett's abilities.
    
    Logan was curious about someone else, "So what about tall, dark and creepy? What's the story on the mask? And he didn't say a word."

    Professor Xavier replied, "Well Logan, he didn't say a word because he can't." At the shocked expressions he related what Hawk had told him of the dark commando when he'd asked about those same things.

    Even Logan was impressed when he'd finished, "So this Snake Eyes took a fuel explosion in the face for her?"

    "Yes, and apparently he and Scarlett have risked their lives for each other many times since. In fact, the injury that caused Scarlett's abilities to appear was sustained while she was protecting him. Hawk highly praised her abilities as a soldier and a leader, I believe she will learn quickly."