My standard disclaimer:
All Marvel characters belong to Marvel. I make no money off them although I wish I did. Juli and her family are mine. They are loosely based on myself and friends of mine. They know who they are. Any other resemblances to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. I make no money off these stories so I ask that if you want to take them or write a story with my characters, that you ask first.

I walked up the steps and was introduced to everyone. Jean seemed like someone i would like to know, but I wondered why someone as pretty as she would want to be my friend. I am waayyy out of my league here. If Scott, Jean and Ororo were any indication, I was in trouble. All of them were beautiful people. What am I doing here? Even among outcasts I'm an outcast. Dr. McCoy must have sensed my apprehension and whispered in my ear not to worry as he hugged me. I had forgotten how soft his fur was. Professor Xavier welcomed me and suggested we go to the living room. I could not help staring as I walked through the house. It was amazing. Then I noticed that the Professor was in a weird looking chair that hovered? when we got to the living room, everyone sat down. Dr. McCoy sat next to me and I relaxed a little. Jean asked if I wanted anything to drink. What I really wanted was something for my nerves, but I did not think that asking for Valium was a good idea. Besides I had enough of that to last me an entire lifetime. I asked if she had any herbal tea as I was afraid that anything with caffeine or sugar would make me want to bounce off the walls. She smiled and said they did have herbal tea and left to get everyone's drinks.

Dr. McCoy smiled at me. "Relax kid. We don't bite...much" I grinned back. I had to. He had a way of making me relax whether I wanted to or not. I said "That's good, because I do." Everyone laughed, myself included. Jean came back in with tea and coffee for everyone and we got down to business. Professor Xavier explained the program and Jean, Scott, Dr.McCoy and Ororo told me how they had come to this place. The stories were amazing. I knew Dr. McCoy's story. He and I had talked a lot in the hospital. Ororo's story was the most interesting to me. I could see the story as she told it. Scott had come from an orphanage in Nebraska. Jean's life seemed to mirror mine to a point. Except that I had never had any friends outside my family. Unless you counted customers at Matt's bar or Dad's clients. But they were not close friends. Although Matt's friends always included me in everything they could, it was not like having friends of my own.

We sat for a while just drinking our tea and coffee and talking. I was asked about Canada and what it was like living there." My area is really nice. The forest was my playground and the animals were my friends. I am friends with the Indians that live near my house and was adopted into the tribe. My father taught me about hunting and fishing and we catch all our meat. What we don't eat, we donate to the homeless shelters, and animal shelter. I grew up in a huge extended family, so our house was always filled with noise, music and people. Especially on holidays." I looked around as I spoke. I could not believe that they were actually listening to me.. All those years of abuse had really done a number on my self esteem. Basically, I didn't have a whole lot of confidence in myself.

Dr. McCoy suggested we take a tour of the campus. The Professor agreed and asked him to give me the grand tour. I was to meet with him after the tour was finished in his office. Dr. McCoy and I started on our way. He grinned and said "By the way, call me Hank. Dr. McCoy is too formal." I told him that he could call me Juli. He showed me the entire campus. It was beautiful. I started to really relax. I could really see myself here and even more important, I could see myself loving it. I was reminded a lot of home. Hank asked if I would mind if he left me alone for a few minutes. He had just gotten a telepathic message from Jean that someone had called for him. "Sure." I said. "I'm just gonna sit here under this tree until you get back."

I settled myself under a tall tree and was lost in thought when a shadow passed in front of me. I looked up and saw a man in front of me. He was at least 6 feet and worse he was yet another good looking person. What is it with this place? I thought. He dropped down to sit next to me. "Bonjour. My name is Remy. Remy LeBeau. What's a pretty thing like you sitting all alone?" "I'm Juliana Daniels. I am considering enrolling as a student here." My tone was stiff and formal. I looked at Remy. His eyes were weirder than mine. And he had the kind of face that spelled trouble. He was the tall dark and handsome type that most girls seemed to like. I looked away at the green lawn. He continued to talk to me, but I ignored him. Then he put his hand on my shoulder. I really didn't like to be touched by men and especially not by total strangers. I did not think. I just acted. I whirled around and swung at his face. I realized too late that I was going to seriously hurt him, but I could not stop the momentum. I connected solidly with his nose and I heard and felt the crack. I looked in horror at the blood running down his face. "OH MY GOD! I AM SO SORRY!" I said, knowing that my words were inadequate. I yelled for Hank or anyone to come help me.

Before help had arrived, I had Remy tilt his head back to stop the blood flow. I had taken off the flannel shirt I was wearing over my T-shirt and was using it as a pressure bandage. Hank, Jean and Scott came running up. "What happened here?" yelled Scott. I stammered that I had hit him and that I broke his nose. Hank and Scott took Remy to the house to deal with his nose. I just sat there shaking. I was ashamed and could not look at Jean who had sat down beside me. "Care to tell me what happened?" she asked. I took a deep breath. "I broke Remy's nose. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." She gently smiled. "I kind of figured that part out. I want to know how and why it happened. C'mon Juliana. I promise to listen." She gently touched my hair.
"Ummm... No. it sounds stupid."
"Let me be the judge of that. Tell me."
I took a deep breath. "I don't trust men easy. Basically I don't trust them at all. I was fine until he touched me. Then I lost it. I knew I was gonna hurt him, but I could not stop in time." I looked up at Jean with tears in my eyes. "I am sooo sorry. I didn't mean to hurt him. Maybe I should just leave. I haven't been here 24 hours and I have hurt someone." I stated crying then. She stroked my back and said that she believed me. "I don't think you need to leave. Why don't you let the Professor decide OK? Besides, I know that a couple of us have wanted to do what you did several times."

I took some deep breaths and tried to stop crying. Jean stayed with me, stroking my back until I calmed down enough to talk again. She showed me where I could wash my face and then took me to the Professor's office. I was a nervous wreck. I was tempted to scan his mind, but knew that it would be a stupid move. He sensed my agitation and said "Juliana. I understand what happened was an accident. Not that it excuses the behavior but accidents do happen. I would like to hear your side of the story. Why did you hit Remy?"

" Sir, Um. I know Remy did not mean anything by touching me. It's just that well.. I have not had a lot of good experiences with men. Remy touching me just bought back a lot of memories."

Professor Xavier looked at me with an expression I could not read. I didn't know whether I was banished or forgiven. Then after a pregnant pause, he said "Well Juliana, you know that there is no real excuse for your behavior.."

I hung my head. "Yes Sir. I understand if you don't want me to stay after this incident."

"However, I do feel your reason is legitimate and that there is no reason for you not to stay. But you must apologize to Remy first thing and try to make amends to him." I looked back up. "Yes Sir. Of course sir. I will do anything to make amends to Remy and to you." Professor Xavier smiled and came around to my side. "Welcome to the Xavier school Juliana. Come. I will take you on the house tour and then Jean will show you where Remy is being taken care of."

Another Portal - Back to the Void