Lyrissa's Sparkles II

Lyrissa woke up in the infirmary inside the mansion, with Logan next to her, talking quietly with the Professor, and the sounds of someone snoring somewhere on the other side of her bed. “Good morning Lyrissa.” Xavier smiled, catching her before she started listening in on their conversation. “Morningunclecharliemorninglogan.” She groaned as she sat up. Her head felt twenty times worse than the hangover she had gotten after Logan’s camping trip, and her entire body felt strange, and almost fuzzy from the inside out. “What?” Logan asked, not quite understanding her groaned greeting. “I said, morning Uncle Charlie, Morning Logan.” She translated. “Mornin’.” He smirked as she rubbed her eyes roughly.

“What happened?” she asked weakly as he sat down on the bed with her, pulling her into a half hug. “How much do you remember?” Xavier asked calmly, choosing to stay out of her mind out of respect. “I remember you all were gone when I woke up, and Logan was busy, so I went for a ride, and ended up at the shack… I ended up crying, and then falling asleep I guess because Skid woke me up and I had to tell her and Jay that Jackie is dead… I cried more, and then Logan ended up holding me, and they left. After that I just remember talking about Jackie… not the guy you all had to fight, and who put me in those labs, but the guy I used to race for, and who saved my life, and became one of my best friends. Something happened, and I got really, really upset and angry… and that’s all.” She answered, scrunching her eyebrows together as she tried to remember more. “What happened after that, was ya started blamin’ Magneto, an’ Sabertooth fer Jack goin’ bad, and when ya were upset enough, and cryin’ hard enough, ya lost control.” Logan explained, dropping his voice when whoever was snoring on the other side of her bed snorted and grunted in his sleep.

Lyrissa turned around to see who it was, and had to cover her mouth so she didn’t laugh at her brother Stephen sprawled out on the floor, using her boots as a pillow. “Why didn’t you guys put him in a bed?” she asked quietly. “Andrew slept in one, and Allie claimed the other. He refused to leave your side, so he chose to sleep on the floor beside your bed; Logan had already taken the chair.” Xavier explained. She gave a weak, loving smile to her brother before leaning back against Logan.

“Did I hurt anyone?” she asked sheepishly. “Not that we know of. The only other person in the building with you was Logan.” Xavier smiled. “I can’t believe I lost control… was… I mean… I could have killed someone Uncle Charlie! I could have killed everyone!” she cried quietly. “You fought it with everything you had Lyrissa, according to the others they could hear you apologizing to Logan the entire time you were trying to regain control.” He assured.

“But I didn’t fight hard enough. What if it was Scotty in there with me, or Gambit, instead of Logan? They would be dead right now!”

“You can’t think that way. Take this as a lesson, and work to prevent it from happening again. You can control these powers Lyrissa; you were just distraught at the time. It’s all right.” He soothed, rubbing her hand gently.

“Granny Rose would’ve said the same thing.” Stephen commented tiredly from the floor. “Good morning Stephen, how are you feeling?” Xavier smiled. “Like I spent the night on the floor, with boots for a pillow.” He answered honestly, standing up and stretching before sitting on the foot of her bed.

“How’re ya doin’ sis?” he smiled dumbly. “Not good, I lost control!” she answered bitterly; she was very upset with herself for it. “Did anyone get hurt?” he asked. “No.” Logan and Xavier answered together. “Did anyone get almost hurt?” he asked. “No.” they answered again. “Sis, babe, you’re fine. I threw a bus full of kids off a bridge when I lost control. Granny Rose, Grandma Nettie, and Uncle Charlie all saved them somehow, but I don’t remember it. I almost killed a busload of kids.” He sighed, resting his chin on her knees and looking up at her. She didn’t answer, she just closed her eyes and rested her head on Logan’s shoulder.

“A perfect picture of family! Oh Granny’s gonna love this!” Katie said excitedly after a camera flash lit the room. She had been given a camera to take pictures of life at the mansion, so the Carson family could see what it was like. That photo would be a favorite, with Lyrissa in bed resting on Logan, who had his arm around her protectively, Stephen resting his head on her knees and smiling at her, and Xavier holding her hand caringly, it was truly a photo of family support. “Katie,” Stephen sighed. “Uncle Stephen,” she mocked as she walked over to stand next to Lyrissa.

“How are you feeling Aunt Lyrissa?” she asked softly. “Okay.” She answered weakly. “That’s good, okay’s better than what you were when you got here. We all went from capture the flag, to sitting outside the door here until we fell asleep. Everyone was so worried about you!” she explained. “Are they still there?” she asked. “A few of them. Kiera’s out there, and Jazz, and Andrew.” She smiled. “I should probably get up then.” She grunted, trying to move but she was still very weak.

“You’ll need help.” Stephen decided as he got off the bed and helped her to her feet. “Carrying her like you did when I sprained my ankle in baseball isn’t going to make her family feel better Uncle Stephen.” Katie frowned. “Oh chill, I was going to keep her standing until Romeo got over here to help her walk.” He scoffed as Logan took over.

“Romeo?” he asked, raising his brow and giving what the kids had started to call “The Look”, which was something that scared all of them. “Yeah, Romeo.” Stephen grinned before opening the infirmary door and leading them out.

Andrew jumped up from the floor and hugged Lyrissa carefully before stepping aside and letting Jazz and Kiera both grab her. “We were so worried! You looked like you were dead when they brought you back, and Jean was crying, and Gambit wouldn’t do anything but sit there, and they wouldn’t let us in to see you, and I was so scared!” Kiera cried, squeezing tighter around Lyrissa’s middle. “Yeah, the way everyone was acting, it was like they thought you might never wake up.” Jazz whimpered as she hugged around Lyrissa’s shoulders. “She’s okay now though, because she’s a Carson! Well, technically she’s a Jennings, but whatever. You get it.” Stephen beamed. “You’re such a dork.” Katie sighed before teleporting off to find something to do.

As soon as they walked passed the Game Room on their way to get Lyrissa something to eat, Gambit came darting out to hug her. “Don’ you ever do dat again Petit!” he ordered as he nearly squeezed the life out of her. “Do… what?” she grunted, hugging him back. “Scare us like dat! Gambit don’ think he can survive somethin’ like dis again.” He answered seriously, holding her by the shoulders and making sure he had eye contact. “I’m sorry.” She whimpered, hugging him again; even if it wasn’t physically, she still hurt him when she lost control, she could see it in his red and black eyes. “It be okay.” He sighed, returning her hug until he heard the unmistakable excited squeal that belonged to only Allie.

“Spawkles!” she yelped, and attached herself to her legs. “Hey babe.” She laughed, picking her up properly. “Oh god you’re getting too big for this.” She grunted. “Am not!” Allie pouted. “Yer still weak from last night put her down.” Logan ordered. “No.” both Allie and Lyrissa retorted together. “You won’t win, so don’t even try.” Andrew sighed before Logan could argue with them.

“Everyone been waitin’ for you to wake Petit, it been two days.” Gambit sighed as he stood with his arm around her and Allie, mostly so he could catch Allie incase Lyrissa’s strength gave out. “Two days?” she gasped. “Yeah.” Several people answered sadly. “I’ve been out for two days?” she almost yelled. “Yeah, that’s why we were all so scared. Stephen said a member of his family died after losing control like that. He said, that they said, it’s not unusual for someone to die after losing it that bad. It takes everything out of them he said.” Jazz explained. “That’s why it’s so important to keep your cool sis. But you’re pretty good at that so we shouldn’t have been worried about ya.” Stephen smiled. “I’m so sorry.” Lyrissa sighed. “Quit apologizin’, it ain’t yer fault. Now c’mon, let’s get ya some food.” Logan sighed. Gambit let go of Lyrissa, but followed close on the opposite side of her as Logan, still worried by how difficult a time she was having carrying Allie.

“She lives!” Jean smiled when the group got into the kitchen. “You’ve been in bed for days, how about I make you something to eat? What would you like?” she asked after hugging Lyrissa; she expected that she would be getting a lot of hugs today. “I don’t know, I’m not really that hungry.” She answered honestly. “Then how about some soup? I know there are a few cans stashed around here somewhere.” She smiled, grabbing a pot from the cabinet, and warming up the soup once she found a can she was happy with.

“How immature are you?” Stephen asked Lyrissa when Jean set down a bowl of chicken noodle, with alphabet pasta. “What?” she asked, not really knowing what her brother was talking about. “There are some things that she will never grow out of. Chicken and alphabet soup, is one of them. Dancing the Hokey Poky is another.” Jean laughed, sitting down with everyone else at the table while Lyrissa ate.

“Hey Jean, what’s for… you’re up!” Scott beamed as he walked into the kitchen, giving Lyrissa yet another hug. “Hey there Scotty.” She giggled as he pulled a chair around to sit a little ways behind her, and next to Stephen.

“Allie, why don’t you sit here with me, and let her eat?” he asked, since Allie was sitting in Lyrissa’s lap still. “Because if I leave, she’ll go, and get hurt again!” she answered firmly, grabbing Lyrissa’s shirt so that no one could pull her away. “Not again.” Gambit sighed; remembering how clingy she had been after everyone thought Logan and Lyrissa had been blown up in the police station. “Everyone else suddenly remembered too, and felt terrible for Lyrissa, who knew she was in for hell, since Allie was now quite a bit heavier than she was then.

Lyrissa, Stephen, Allie, Logan, Gambit and Scott moved to the front room to watch some cartoons after she finished her soup, in hopes that Allie would calm down. Scott actually turned down a scheduled group Danger Room session to stay with Lyrissa, and make sure she was all right, and Gambit couldn’t fathom leaving her either. Stephen just wanted to be close to his sister, and it was obvious that Logan was just as worried about her.

Three episodes of Tom and Jerry later, the doorbell rang. “Wonder who that could be.” Scott muttered to himself as he got up to answer. “Hello young man, I was wondering if I could find my grandchildren here?” An old woman smiled. The hair that was showing from under her hat was white and looked like it had a shimmer to it, she looked positively ancient, and walked with a black cane. Scott recognized her voice, and let her in at once. “And I’m not surprised to find the two of you here on the couch, watching cartoons; you have a lot of childish bonding to catch up on, don’t you?” she smiled as soon as the door was closed.

“Granny Rose!” Stephen gasped, leaping over the back of the couch and hugging her before taking her coat and hat for her. “Thank you Stephen, you truly are a gentleman.” She smiled as Lyrissa carried Allie over to greet her. “Hello Lyrissa, I hope you’re doing well?” she smiled, hugging her and the excited, yet still very clingy, five-year-old. “I’m okay.” She smiled.

Suddenly Jazz screamed Box’s name in a voice that was full of terror and anger, while Box at the same time screamed at Andrew, who was apologizing and yelling for Jean. “What now?” Lyrissa groaned. “Your pet tarantula Benny. I believe the young man you nicknamed Box caused Andrew to drop it, and it landed on Kiera.” Granny Rose explained. “How you know all dat?” Gambit asked as he went over to greet their guest. “Telepathy is a very useful gift.” She smiled. He smiled and nodded as joined them.

“Hello Misses Carson, I am Professor Charles Xavier, welcome to our school.” He smiled, shaking her hand firmly. “Thank you, but I haven’t been called that in… well over twenty years Professor.” She smiled. “Rosemary, Granny Rose, or just Rose.” She added, answering his question before it was asked. “Well Rose, what may I ask gives us the honor of your visit?” he asked warmly. “To check in on my great granddaughter, and speak with you.” She answered. He nodded and led her away so they could speak in private.

“She’s gonna tear him apart.” Stephen sighed. “Why?” Scott asked confusedly. “Because he isn’t strict enough, and she’s going to say that’s why Lyrissa lost control. There’s a reason very few of us lose it like that, she keeps us in line so that we don’t. It’s kind of like grueling training sometimes, but she’s old fashioned. Don’t get me wrong though, she’s also very nice, and a lot of fun. When she’s not teaching you to fight, use your powers, how to be a leader, or how to drive.” He laughed. “She drives?” Logan asked. “Of course she does, the old woman drag races!” Stephen laughed. “Drag races?” Scott repeated almost nervously. “At her age?” Gambit added. “She has a healing factor almost like Logan’s, but a lot weaker. It keeps her alive, but she still ages. She heals faster than most old women, and is stronger and able to do more. That, and she’s fearless, so unlike other women at her age, she won’t sit at home when she wants to race.” Lyrissa explained.

A while later Logan had gone to the Danger Room to train Jamie, Scott went to make sure no one got hurt, Gambit had been dragged away to help find Benny, and Lyrissa was stick on the couch, under Allie who was sleeping on top of her. Stephen stayed with her to keep her company, but wasn’t doing such a great job, being her older brother it was only natural for him to tease her about everything. Her sparkling hair, her giggle, the way she blushed when someone asked a question about her and Logan’s ‘relationship’, which usually meant “How far have you gone?” the way she whined and acted like a young child, and most importantly, the way Scott, Gambit, Xavier, and sometimes Logan were able to boss her around. She only argued with Logan and Scott, but Xavier and Gambit’s words were law… in most cases.

She didn’t know how long it had been when she was woken up by something tickling her face. She groaned and brushed it away, but it was still there, and moving. She groaned and adjusted herself, getting ready to yell at the boys for messing with her when Allie woke up and screamed in her ear.

Lyrissa opened her eyes and let out a terrified shriek of her own; she found Benny, or rather Benny found her. She kept screaming, because that was all she could do. Allie kept screaming for the same reason, since if she moved Benny would fall off Lyrissa and land on her, because he had now moved to her shoulder. “LOGAN! GAMBIT! SCOTTY!!! SOMEBODY!” Lyrissa screamed. She hardly finished her plea when she felt something brush her shoulder quickly, and knock the tarantula away from her. Hank quickly picked Allie up and took her out of the room so she could calm down away from Lyrissa’s emotions, while Gambit pulled Lyrissa into a hug, trying but failing miserably not to laugh. Meanwhile Jean was telekinetically taking Benny back to his tank.

“It okay Petit.” He laughed as she stood shaking in his arms. “I’m gonna kill them.” She muttered into his shoulder, holding onto him until she was able to calm down at least a little bit. “Now dey didn’ mean for dis to happen. Gambit been listenin’ to dose boys worryin’ ‘bout dat spider gettin’ on one of you girls de whole evenin’. Dey feel bad enough Petit, Gambit think dat enough punishment, no?” he smiled. “I guess.” She whimpered. He always thought it was funny how wimpy she was when she was tired. Her pain tolerance was far lower, her ability to deal with stress was very different, and she was far more easily scared. She was the frail, wimpy version of the Lyrissa everyone knew, and if it didn’t mean seeing her so upset, or in so much pain, it would’ve been hilarious; but it was, and he was playing the big brother part, just like he always did.

“Oh my god what happened?! I heard screaming, and I couldn’t find my way in here, and I was nervous so my teleporting was way off! Is she okay?” Stephen gasped quickly, rushing to his sister’s side. “Lyrissa?” he asked touching her shoulder. She grunted and buried her face farther into Gambit’s neck and shoulder. “She don’ like it when people see her like dis. You go on, she be fine.” He smiled, gently stroking her hair. “But what happened?” he pushed. “De spider dey lost, she woke up with it on her shoulder.” He explained. “Face.” She corrected pitifully. “But you’re okay?” he asked. She nodded and Gambit sent him out of the room so she could recover.

“You know, he bein’ your brother, you think he be de one holdin’ you, no?” He smirked. “You’re my brother too Gambit.” She smiled, hugging him tighter, just because she could; she really did love him like an older brother.

After she calmed down, and ate dinner, she spent the rest of the night wandering around aimlessly, and having pointless conversation. She was still weak from her breakdown, and ended up going to bed early, but sleeping in Scott’s room, so no one would find her. She talked to him beforehand, and he agreed to trade rooms with her for the night; the only people who knew where she was sleeping were Scott, Logan, Jean, Xavier, and Granny Rose.