Post-XM Last Stand

[no_more_hiding]

Hank was tired and wanted to do nothing but fall down to sleep for days but with the call he had received right before the battle at Alcatraz, he knew sleep would be along time in coming. Two connecting flights and three hours of driving in a cramped rental car and here he was at the office of one Daniel Guthrie, sheriff of Lakeside county. A county barely large enough to need a sheriff and yet holding in his cells one very important prisoner. If the sheriff was right. The sheriff was thanking him for his prompt arrival and outlining how he had found the prisoner and how long it had taken him to reach Hank when he saw her. She was laying down and looking so lost to the world, he couldn't help saying, "Oh my stars and garters."

His voice was touched with such sadness, Sheriff Guthrie didn't even have to confirm his guess had been right. Raven Darkholme was in fact his prisoner though why she was looking human and still herself (with pink skin and blond hair) was beyond the sheriff. "I'll release her into your custody. Ms. Jane Doe here," Sheriff Guthrie said with emphasize on the name, "has been very cooperative."

"Sheriff, if I may inquire, why are you doing this?"

"Well sir, my son was a mutant and 'cause of you, he was proud of himself."

"'Was'? I'm sorry."

"He was lynched and murder two years ago when he went away to college. And that's the other reason I'm doing this," the Sheriff replies with a nod toward "Jane". "After what I saw in the news, I ain't too sure she'd get a fair trial, if she even made it to trail and that ain't right. I can't just let her go but I can give her to you."

"Passing on the problem?" Hank replied with a hint of a levity he did not feel.

"True hallmark of a great government. I'll leave you two to catch up. Knock on the door when yer ready to sign her out."

Comments

[andproud]

At this point, there's nowhere else for her to go, no place for her to be other than right here, in this car next to him, curling up in the front seat in a pair of clothes that smell musty and hang off her frame.

"Taking me to a cabin in the middle of the woods, Beast?" she replies, her voice faint despite its sarcasm. "I'd be worried if I thought for a second your intentions were less than honorable."

[no_more_hiding]

His nose twitches at the scent of the clothes and he stifles a sneeze. Perhaps clothing first.

"I believe, given your reputation, that I should be the one to worry. It would be the perfect crime, no witnesses." His voice is calm and teasing, hoping for a hint of their old banter despite himself. "To be fair, it is a cabin in name only. There is a lab as well as other amenities."

[andproud]

"Yeah, but you'd be a bitch to dispose of afterwards," she replies, lips twisting into a wry smile before she clears her throat and her expression neutralizes.

"Well, I'll give you this: at least you don't play to their stereotypes." The words are a half-whisper mumbled against her knee, but she knows he can hear her.

[no_more_hiding]

"I have made it part of my life's work to disprove stereotypes and prejudices," Hank replies not bothering to hide the pride in his voice. He spots a dinner that is still open when they reach the interstate and pulls in. "It would appear food is first. I believe you have no dietary restrictions? We should eat on the road to save time but do you wish to stay in the car or come with me?"

He's guessing she doesn't want to be around humans.

[andproud]

"I'll go," she softly says, after a beat. After giving it some thought, she's realizing she doesn't want to stay out here alone.

He might draw enough attention on his own that no one will even notice her, and so she gets out of the car slowly, making herself smaller by hunching her shoulders slightly and letting her blonde hair down. She's a little less conspicuous between the two of them.

[no_more_hiding]

Hank follows, watching her and her body language is like a knife in his heart. He has never seen her hunch her shoulders before, not even back in the CIA. It may be a ruse, calculated to gain sympathy from him or put him off his guard but he doesn't care. He removes his jacket and lays it on her shoulders, using the excuse to rest his arm upon them.

It's up to her if he leaves it there.

[andproud]

She curls her shoulders underneath the fabric of the coat, feeling as though she almost shrinks even more beneath something that is too big for her still. She glances up at him over the oversized collar, looking as though she wants to say something before she goes silent again, looking straight ahead.

"Let's make this quick," she says, pulling away to head inside.

[no_more_hiding]

"Of course," He says his voice a little thicker than normal. Once inside a waitress greets them with a friendly grin that broadens to a smile and not a hint of reservation at serving an obvious mutant. "Table or counter?"

"Actually we'd like to order to go if that's alright?"

"Of course it is," she replies handing them two menus. "I'll be right back for your order."

[andproud]

She keeps her gaze down on the menu, looking over the options quickly, and then makes a decision without really taking that long to dwell on it, closing the menu back up and setting it down on the formica counter.

Then she crosses her arms beneath the oversized coat on her shoulders, her eyes shifting up to his face as he reads behind those glasses of his. Even though there are still so many things that remain uncertain, he always looks the same when he reads, that quiet thoughtful look that draws her to him, makes her want to slowly pull those glasses off and -

No.

She quickly glances away, folding her arms a little tighter.

[no_more_hiding]

True facts, Hank has thought of getting lasek but his glasses have become such a part of him that he can't bring himself to do it. He also is completely oblivious to Raven's attentions as the first sandwich he spotted was a roast beef and he's never been able to eat one without thinking of her and now her she was yet again. He's also having trouble keeping her scent out of the forefront of his attention.

The waitress returns with a smile and a camera. "I know this is totally rude and I do apologize but could I get your picture for our wall?" She asks gesturing to a wall with photos of many famous people. "See anytime we're lucky enough to have famous folks come through here we like to document it."

Hank looks at Raven out of the corner of his eye before demurring. "I'm terribly sorry but I've been on the road for hours and haven't slept in days. For vanity's sake, may I send you a signed picture later?"

"Of course, I understand. Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I'll take the roast beef sandwich please."

[andproud]

There's no reason for anyone to suspect that she is who she is, and the farther they head in the opposite direction, away from everyone else, the less she starts to feel like Mystique. She tucks a piece of blonde hair behind her ear and averts her gaze subtly when the waitress returns. No one will be asking to take her photo any time soon.

"I'll just take the burger. Well-done. And, uh, with fries is fine," she adds, keeping her voice low.

The waitress disappears once again, their orders written down on the pad in her hand, and she swivels back towards him, standing at his side.

"How does it feel to be a celebrity, Dr. McCoy?" she asks, a small amount of sarcasm in her voice.

[no_more_hiding]

"It can be awkward but anytime they see me as the face of mutants rather than their fear an angel gets her wings." He blinks as he's not sure where the levity came from and it didn't really make much sense. Her scent, must me.

He clears his throat and continues. "But it is better than the alternative which I get from time to time."

[andproud]

"Anything is better than the alternative," she agrees, her voice barely audible but easily picked up by his ears as she pulls the coat a little closer around herself, unconsciously taking comfort in the warmth and scent of it.

"But I'm glad for you," she adds, a little louder. "I know how much you always wanted to feel accepted."

[no_more_hiding]

He's quiet for a long time, accepting her words and all they bring up.

Just as quietly, or perhaps a little louder since her hearing isn't as good as his (or so he assumes), he says, "I have you to thank for this. You are the one who told me 'no more hiding' and so I have pushed until I could live that way. Thank you."

[andproud]

She'd uttered the words without entirely thinking about how they would be perceived, or how he would answer, and for a moment, she doesn't know how to respond, her brown eyes steady and observing.

"You're certainly not hiding now," she says, looking up at him. "It's a good thing. We shouldn't have to be afraid."

Beat.

"Or - I guess you shouldn't, now."

[no_more_hiding]

"I am afraid I haven't managed proud but I have managed content," He says looking into her eyes. Even though they are the wrong color he can feel himself being pulled into them and blinks to save himself.

"We shouldn't," He says emphatically. "I will reverse this. In fact I think I may already have what we need. Do you remember the serum I so foolishly made all those years ago? I still have the vial you left behind. I think it will reverse the treatment."

[andproud]

"Better than hiding," she replies, wondering how many eyes are on them at this moment as she tries to keep their conversation soft so as not to draw the wrong kind of attention.

"What, like some kind of antidote?" she asks. "Worthington Labs was marketing it as an inoculation. I just don't know what they were injecting mutants with to suppress the gene."

[no_more_hiding]

"Perhaps counter agent would be a better description," Hank says with a sigh and hint of guilt. He doesn't know for sure the treatment was based on his old formula but the chance is there. "Worthington Labs created the serum using the blood of a mutant who could turn off other mutants powers."

This is all said quite tonelessly and matter of fact, clear signs Hank is having trouble with the idea.

[andproud]

"Well, you're just as brilliant as I remember," Raven answers, idly glancing out across the diner, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You'll figure it out."

Her voice is similarly faint, though, as if she hasn't quite convinced herself of the idea just yet.

[no_more_hiding]

He swallows, his mouth suddenly dry. He could let it go but he can't.

"I haven't studied the formula extensively yet and I do have a sample just for that, but preliminary tests suggest the same method I used in '62 was perhaps emulated. I don't know for sure, but it is very likely my formula is the basis for this treatment." Anger and guilt war within his voice and heart.

Taking a deep breath, he continues, "The formula with your old blood is likely to cause a cascade, attacking the new formula. Enhancing your cells as it did mine all those years ago and thus, curing you. We won't know until we test it though so I don't wish you give you false hope. Still I will never give up until you are cured of this travesty."

[andproud]

"Hank - "

Her voice is soft, but rises in insistence as she reaches out to him, her fingers combing through blue fur on his arm as she wraps them around his wrist. Her grasp barely even comes close to encircling, and she can feel the anger as it ripples through him, tension rising in his body.

"There is a chance that this might not work." She's slowly beginning to prepare herself for this possibility. "But whatever those people made, you had nothing to do with it."

The waitress returns with their food in a bag, and her hand slips away as she curls in on herself again, clearing her throat quietly.

[no_more_hiding]

"Here you go folks," the waitress says with a sly smile for interrupting what she thinks was a romantic moment. "That'll be $16.87."

Hank pays and is certain to get a mailing address for the photo. "One more thing before we go. Is there a clothing boutique that might be open this late? My friend here lost he luggage and my old clothes do not do her justice.

The waitress nods and heads for the phone. "Bethal's just down the road is likely about to close up but I'll call her and ask her to stay open a little longer."

"Thank you," Hank says warmly and holds the door for Raven.

"You folks have a safe drive now."

[andproud]

Diner food can occasionally be lousy, but what's in the bag smells heavenly as they duck out through the front door, the bell overhead jingling to announce their exit, and make their way back to the car. She takes a seat in front and rummages inside to pull out a fry at a time, eating slowly.

"Think you can stand waiting outside a fitting room?" she replies, putting her feet up on the dashboard.

[no_more_hiding]

"My dear Lady, I would wait outside of Tartarus for you."

Inside he is kicking himself as a) she is in a vulnerable state and b) she is still Mystique and not the Raven he knew. Well you are not the Hank she knew a small voice (which might just sound like Raven) replies.