*Kavik, will you come to my office, please.* Charles' voice rang in
Kavik's mind. Ever since she had arrived at Xavier's she
had kept a portion of her mind open for telepathic messages.
She still couldn't be scanned or read, but at least she could now
'hear' when someone called her. *I'll be right there,* she thought
back.
Kavik walked into Charles' office to find Remy already there.
"I'm sorry, I'll wait outside," she apologised, turning back.
"No, this involves both of you," said Charles. Kavik sat on the sofa in Charles' office and waited for the telepath to continue.
"I've just received a phone call from Sean. He and Emma want a couple of people to go and teach the students at Massachusetts hand to hand combat. I want you two to go."
"Why us?" Remy asked.
"Well, along with Wolverine, you two are the best hand to hand
fighters in the team. I also thought that this would be an
excellent opportunity for you to meet the students there," he directed
that comment at Kavik.
"When are we going?" Kavik asked.
"As soon as you pack. Logan will fly you down in the Blackbird, drop you off and then fly back."
"How long will we be dere for?"
"A couple of weeks."
Kavik snorted. "There's not much we can teach them in just two weeks."
"But you should be able to teach them some basics; it may just be enough to save their lives one day."
"I guess we'll go an' pack den," Remy walked to the door.
Kavik walked into her room and pulled her bag from out of the
bottom of the wardrobe. Throwing the bag on the bed as
she passed it, she went over to the chair that her coat was draped
over. Taking her phone out of one of the inside
pockets, Kavik punched in a number and waited for someone to answer.
"Michael Halliwell," the baritone voice came over the phone.
"Hey, Michael, it's Kavik, is David there?"
"Hi Kavik, yeah he's here, I'll just get him for you."
Kavik heard the shout of "DAVID!" and the muffled reply of
"Comin'." David took the phone off Michael. "Yeah, this is David Mitchell."
"I know," smiled Kavik.
"Hi 'Vik, what's up?" David asked.
"I'm just ringing to tell you that I'll be in Massachusetts for a couple of weeks," explained Kavik.
"Is anything wrong?"
"No," she assured her Watcher. "And it's nothing to do with another
Immortal," she added, pre-empting David's next
question. "Charles wants Remy and I to teach some hand to hand fighting
skills to the kids at the Massachusetts Academy.
It's nothing major, so there's no point in you following me. And besides,
it's Michael's birthday next Sunday, isn't it?"
"Yeah, he's getting old." The comment was made in a slightly raised voice.
Kavik smiled as she heard the sound of David being hit by a cushion
followed by "I heard that!" coming from Michael.
"I assume you'll want to spend time with Mike instead of dragging your
sorry self after me."
"Kavik, I'm your Watcher, dragging myself after you is what I'm meant to do."
"I know but I promise to be a good little Immortal and try not get into
any fights." Kavik could almost imagine the halo over
"Okay, but I'll have to tell Headquarters that you're out there. One
of the local Watchers'll probably keep an eye out for you,
Kavik grinned. "I guess that gives me a hell of a lot of leeway then."
David snorted. "Keep talking like that and I'll ask to be reassigned."
"Hey, you could never watch another Immortal, life with me is *far*
too interesting to even contemplate a change."
"Whatever," laughed David. "Take care, okay?"
"Always. I'll see you when I get back."
"Okay."
"Oh, and David?"
"Yep?"
"You should get a delivery sometime next week, it's Michael's present."
"Ooh, what did you get him?"
"You'll just have to wait and see."
"Spoilsport."
"But you love me anyway."
"Always. Don't lose your head in the next two weeks."
"Scout's honour."
"I'll hold you to that."
"Promises, promises," laughed Kavik. "I'll ring you when I get back."
"Okay, I'll see you soon."
"Bye Kavik!" Kavik heard Michael yell just before she cut the connection
and walked over to the wardrobe.
Sam Guthrie felt the Presence of another Immortal as he walked up to
the door to Kavik's room. "It's just me," he called
"Come on in, Sam," the muffled voice replied. Sam walked into the room
to see Kavik hunting through her wardrobe. The
"Yeah, I know," replied Kavik distractedly. "Damn, I know that shirt's
in here somewhere," she muttered. "HA! Found it."
Sam was busy reading the sleeve of the CD. "Ah wonder why he chose Byron?"
He said thoughtfully.
The question caused Kavik to stop what she was doing and stare at Sam.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, there are a lot o' poets an' such. Ah wonder why he chose Byron
to name himself after?"
Kavik smiled. "He chose Byron because that's his name. The singer and
the poet are one." Sam looked confused. "Byron
Sam's jaw dropped. "Really?!" Kavik nodded. "Have ya met him?"
She nodded again. "It was a while ago, though."
"When?" Sam often asked Kavik about her past. About the people she'd
met and what she'd done. She rarely volunteered
Kavik thought for a moment. "Let's think. It was a couple of years after
'Frankenstein' first came out, so that would make it
"What's he like?"
"Who, Byron? Egotistical, maniacal, decadent and a complete genius,"
laughed Kavik. "He hasn't changed. His personality insists that he be the
centre of attention and he acts like a kid when things don't go his way.
He *hated* me when we first met."
"Why?"
"He didn't like anyone else playing with his toys."
Sam shook his head, "Ah don't understand."
"Byron was the lover, as well as the student of Polidori . The problem
was, so was I."
"What happened?"
"He challenged me. But he was high on laudanum." Kavik smiled softly.
"It started out as a fight and ended up as...
Sam passed the Kavik the shirt and watched her as she packed it. "So,
how long will ya be gone?"
"About two weeks. I've asked Logan to practise with you while I'm away.
The dojo's been booked for you to spar."
"Okay. Actually, you sparring with Logan will be a good thing. You'll
be able to see a different fighting style to mine. The more
"Ah know, call you." Sam's voice was flat.
Sighing, Kavik turned to face him. "Sam, it's not that I don't trust
you to be able to handle yourself. You're a hell of a lot
Kavik smiled, lightening the mood that had descended. "I'll see you
when I get back." Kavik started to walk away when
"Yeah?"
"Your sister's at Massachusetts, isn't she?"
"Paige? Yeah, what about her?"
"What have you told her?"
"Nothin'. She still thinks ah'm an External. Ah did tell her that ah
saw you an' Wolverine fightin' with swords once and asked
Sean Cassidy stood and watched as the Blackbird landed on the grounds
of the Massachusetts Academy. Charles had rung
"WOLVY!!!" Jubilee screamed as she ran forward.
Sean smiled as Logan swept Jubilee into his arms and hugged her. He
knew that Jubilee was like a daughter to the X-Man,
Kavik took Sean's hand and shook it. "Thanks," she answered with a smile.
"I'll show ye to ye rooms. You'll probably be wantin' to freshen up
after yuir journey." Sean started to turn around, but
"As the Sean-meister seems to have lost his manners," she said to Kavik,
"I'll introduce myself. I'm Jubilee, you've
"Kavik. And, yes, I have." The Immortal smiled at the teenager in front
of her.
"Acch, sorry about that. Jubilee's one o' the students here. The rest
o' them are in the town. They should be back in a
The five of them walked towards the main building on the grounds. Jubilee
was almost bouncing as she was telling Logan
Once they were inside, Logan and Jubilee stayed downstairs while Sean
showed Remy and Kavik to their rooms. After
"They've arrived. You want we should go get them now?"
"No, we'll wait until a more opportune moment."
Kavik and Gambit stood in the biosphere with Banshee.
"So this is the Danger Grotto," commented Kavik.
Sean smiled. "Aye."
"Y' mus' admit dat it has more ambience dan de Danger Room," Remy noted.
"You mean a place full of life is better compared with a sterile environment?
Nah, don't know where you get that idea,"
Sean looked at Kavik, intrigued. When he had first contacted Charles
about sending a couple of the X-Men to teach the
"If you don't mind," the White Queen had said, "I would like a quick
word with Sean. Alone."
When they had been out of earshot, Sean had turned to Emma. "What's
wrong wi' ye, Emma?"
Emma's eyes had narrowed. "I can't read her. I can't even sense her.
Which means she's an unknown factor. I *don't* like
"So," said Sean, shaking himself out of his thoughts, "what can ye teach
the students?"
Kavik smiled, an answer to his unspoken question of 'How good are you?'
"I hold belts in a dozen formal martial arts,
Sean nodded, impressed. "We can start wi' lessons tomorrow. If that's
okay wi' the two o' ye?"
Both Remy and Kavik nodded their agreement.
"Ah wonda if they're there yet?"
**Who you talkin' about, gel?** Jonothon Starsmore turned and looked
at Paige Guthrie.
"Gambit an' Kavik. They're comin' ta teach us how ta fight. Remember?"
"Of course, chica." Angelo Espinosa came up between Paige and Jono and
threw his arms around their shoulders. "How
"There's no need ta be like that, Ang. Ah'm lookin' forward ta meetin'
Kavik."
Angelo placed a suitably chastised look on his face. "Sorry," he said,
not sounding sorry at all. "It's just that I'm sure she'll be
**Come on, Ang,** Jono waggled his eyebrows, **not all* of them are
like that. From wot I've seen, it's only a few
Angelo raised an eyebrow. "A sheep?" He shook his head.
"Forget it, I *don't* want to know."
The young woman walking in front of them stopped and turned around.
"If you two are finished behaving like idiots, the
Angelo and Jono looked at each other. "I wasn't acting like an idiot,"
remarked Angelo.
**Well, don't be lookin' at me, mate,** Jon o replied.
"She must be talking about two other people."
**Gotta be, it's the only explanation.**
Monet St. Croix rolled her eyes and walked away.
"So, I thought I'd better double check with you," Forge finished.
Charles nodded at the video screen. "If that is Rogue's decision, then
I'll support her in it."
Forge smiled. "I won't be able to get away for at least another week
though, things are a bit hectic around here."
"Just ring to tell when you'll be here and we'll have a room ready for
you."
"I also called Kitty and Brian at Muir Island," said Forge.
"I figure that between the three of us, we should be able to do
"I'll call up there to see who is coming over."
"I'll see you in about a week then, Charles."
"Very well." Charles cut the connection and leaned back, rubbing his
temples. He was ashamed to admit it, but since
The front door to the Massechusetts Academy opened with the sound of
laughter. Sean walked out of the kitchen and
"I assume ye had a good time, then," he said.
"You could say that," replied Angelo.
"Good. Then go and put away what ye've bought and be back here in 15
minutes."
"In uniform, sir?" Paige asked.
"No, lass. Lessons wi' Gambit and Kavik won't be startin' until tomorrow."
Sean's smile grew as he watched the five young mutants head up the stairs,
the sound of laughter drifting down to him.
Kavik looked over at Remy. "I feel like I'm on display," she whispered.
Remy laughed softly. He and Kavik were waiting for all the students
to arrive before Sean began the introductions. "Well,
A lazy grin broke spread over Kavik's face. "Promises, promises."
The easy flirtation between the two of them was interrupted when the
door to the room burst open and a collection of
"An' these," Sean commented dryly, "are the rest o' the students."
her head.
so don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Sunday, 1:32 PM
as he knocked on the wood.
hi-fi in the corner of the room was playing the new CD of the singer
Byron. "Ah love this guy," said Sam as he went over and
picked up the CD case. "Hey, this is signed."
Kavik stepped away from the wardrobe flourishing a blue shirt which
she threw onto the bed.
*is* Byron. Sam, he's one of us."
the information, but always answered when Sam asked a question about
her life.
something else." Her smile widened as she remembered the night which
had followed. "Anyway," Kavik brought herself
back to the present, "now, every time he puts a new album out, a signed
one comes my way." Kavik looked around the room.
"Sam, can you hand me that top?" She asked, pointing to a shirt lying
on a chair.
Kavik stopped her packing and walked over to Sam. "If *anything* happens
when I'm not here, contact me. I can be
back within the hour." She looked at Sam until he nodded.
people you practise with the more experience you'll have of the differences
in styles." Kavik packed a few more things into the
bag and then fastened it. She carefully attached a slender sword case,
containing her katana, to the side before she picked up
the bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Remember," she said to Sam
as they walked out of the room, "if anything happens -"
better than I was at your age." Kavik thought
bitterly, before focusing her attention on the young man
in front of her. "But, let's be honest, you need to learn a lot more
before you can take on someone else and win."
Sam nodded reluctantly, "Ah know."
she suddenly stopped and turned back to Sam. "Sam, one more thing."
if you would teach me. Ah needed ta be able ta explain the sword somehow
and ah figured that would be the easiest way."
Kavik nodded. "Just checkin'. See you in a couple of weeks."
Saturday, 3:07 PM
earlier to tell him that he was sending Gambit and Kavik. Sean hadn't
yet met the newest X-Man and he wasn't quite sure what
to expect. Standing next to him was Jubilation Lee. Once she had heard
that Logan was piloting the jet, Jubilee had insisted
on being there to meet it. Sean watched as the entrance hatch lowered
and someone stepped out.
much like Kitty Pryde was. Behind Wolverine, Sean could see Gambit
stepping out of the entrance, and then a woman he
recognised from Charles' description as Kavik.
was stopped by Jubilee.
probably heard about me."
couple o' hours."
about what had been happening recently. About the fact that Paige still
had the hots for Jono, that Penance was still skittish
around people, but she was getting better at 'the sociable thing' and
that Monet was still a stuck up madam who needed
bringing down a level or fifteen.
dropping off their bags, Sean began the tour of the grounds.
Saturday, 3:11 PM
Saturday, 3:23 PM
grinned Kavik.
students hand-to-hand combat, he had asked that Wolverine and Gambit
be sent. But Charles had sent Kavik. He had
accessed the computer to find out some more about the newest X-Man,
but her file didn't tell him much. There was nothing
about her background to suggest that she could teach the students any
better than Sean himself. That had been the reason
he had requested Remy and Logan. Their backgrounds meant that they
could teach the students past the level that they were
already at. He had been disappointed to find out that Charles didn't
think that this was important enough to send the people
Sean had wanted. His opinion had changed when they had heading to the
Biosphere. Emma Frost had walked out of the
communications room, startling those who were walking past the door.
Kavik's body had immediately tensed, dropping into
a fighting stance. After less than a second she straightened back into
a relaxed position. The change was swift and Sean was the only one who
noticed it. The gesture raised Sean's opinion of the young woman. Even
himself, with his Interpol training,
would have been hard pushed to show that sort of readiness to attack
or defend. The young woman in front of him had a past,
of that he was sure. Emma's eyes had narrowed when she saw Kavik, barely
offering a perfunctory smile when they were
introduced.
unknown factors, Sean. Watch yourself." With that, the Headmistress
of the Massachusetts Academy had walked
away.
including some... lesser known ones."
Saturday, 3:27 PM
could we forget such a monumentous event?"
like most of the other X-Men and have a superiority complex the size
of Mexico."
of them who act like they've got a sheep up their arse.**
meter we parked next to is due to run out. I suggest we get back to
the car."
Saturday, 4:03 PM
it."
Rogue had come to him asking for his help, her problem had tended to
take a back seat to the other things that happened.
Whereas this wasn't the ideal solution, he could understand Rogue wanting
to do it. He just hoped she wouldn't be
disappointed.
Saturday, 4:10 PM
smiled at his students.
Saturday, 4:27 PM
*I'd* pay ta see y', chere," he said seductively.
bodies spilled in.