Taking Over
Title: Taking Over
Fandom: X-Men
Characters: Chamber, Karma, White Queen, Anole and the rest of Alpha Squadron
Prompt: 9. Blank
Word Count: 795
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jono isn’t happy about it, and neither are his new students.
Author's Notes: An AU, obviously. I got to thinking ‘So, what would have happened to Alpha Squadron if Decimation had never happened?’ This is the result.
Xi’an slumped in the chair in Emma’s office, clutching a cup of coffee in both hands. “It’s not that they aren’t great kids. They are. I love working with them. But between them and my regular duties with the younger children… I just don’t have time.”
Emma nodded sagely. “I’m not unaware of the load you’re working under. I’ve actually been devoting some thought to it myself, and I think I’ve found someone to take over Alpha Squadron.” She smiled, drumming her perfectly manicured fingers on the file on her desk.
“Anyone I know?” Xi’an asked, curiosity piqued.
Emma’s smiled grew just a little wider, reminding Xi’an of the Cheshire Cat. “Remember Chamber?”
Xi’an’s eyebrows crept towards her hairline. “Didn’t he quit after that fight with Angel?”
“It’s… complicated,” Emma said. “But he’s back here now, and I think giving him a squad would be good for him.”
“He’s rather young. And the kids need some stability.”
“He’s older than Rahne, and he’s got a good head on his shoulders. I think they’d do well with him.”
***
“You’ve just gotten back from deep cover in Weapon X, where you ended up having to fight your way free through an army of genetically enhanced soldiers. And now you’re telling me that you’re afraid to handle the training of a handful of children?”
“You’re an evil woman, Emma Frost,” Jono said. “You told me that I’d have a chance to relax. This is not relaxing.”
“Only because you’re not letting it be,” Emma teased. “It’s not that hard.”
“The music class will be easy,” Jono replied. “But training a squad? I don’t even know where to start.” He glared mutinously, popping a wasabi-covered pea into his mouth.
“Why don’t you try talking to some of the other teachers? I’m sure they could give you some pointers.”
“Aren’t you a teacher? I seem to vaguely recall one or two lessons with you… something involving a watermelon…”
“I’ll see if I can pencil you in somewhere. I’m a busy woman, Jonothon.”
***
“Relax,” Xi’an whispered as she stood next to her new colleague. “They’re good kids.”
“Then why aren’t you keeping them?” Jono whispered back, running his tongue over his teeth. “They’re gonna hate me.”
“They won’t hate you. Ready?”
“No.”
“Too bad.” Xi’an opened the library doors and strode on, sweeping Jono along in her wake. The silence was deafening. Six teenagers watched the two teachers approach, radiating reproach, betrayal, and hostility. Jono was going to be their third mentor in almost as many months, and they didn’t appreciate the change one bit.
“Hi, guys,” Xi’an said cheerfully, coming to a halt before Alpha Squadron. “I guess you all know why we’re here…”
“You’re fobbing us off on someone else,” the green kid said testily.
“Victor, I’m not ‘fobbing you off’,” Xi’an said soothingly. “I’m giving you all a mentor who can give you the attention you deserve. Everyone, this is-”
“Starsmore, Jonothon Evan, aka Chamber,” the dark haired girl said, a far away look on her face for a moment, like she was listening to a voice only she could hear. “Telepath capable of projecting blasts of psionic fire. Former member of Generation X, former soldier for Weapon X, who restored Starsmore’s face and presumably his internal organs. Pre-manifestation arrest record consists largely of petty theft, possession, and public intoxication charges. Once assaulted Mr. Worthington.”
Jono bit his lower lip to keep from pointing out that Angel had had it coming.
“Cute, Sarah,” Xi’an sighed. “Very cute. Now that we’ve given Mr. Starsmore his hazing…”
Frost, I’m going to get you for this. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but I’m going to get you.
Frost laughed in Jono’s mind. I’d like to see you try, my boy.
Jono cleared his throat, painfully aware of the hostile looks he was receiving and wondering why the hell he’d come back. “Well, now that-” He plucked the name out of Xi’an’s mind, “-Network has introduced me, why don’t you all introduce yourselves?”
“You’re the telepath. Why don’t you tell us who we are?” the blonde girl suggested.
“Now, I could do that,” Jono admitted, snagging a chair and sitting down. “But, having spent several years unable to do so, I find that I like talking. So, talk to me.”
Only Jono and Victor noticed when Xi’an left the room.
Fandom: X-Men
Characters: Chamber, Karma, White Queen, Anole and the rest of Alpha Squadron
Prompt: 9. Blank
Word Count: 795
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jono isn’t happy about it, and neither are his new students.
Author's Notes: An AU, obviously. I got to thinking ‘So, what would have happened to Alpha Squadron if Decimation had never happened?’ This is the result.
Xi’an slumped in the chair in Emma’s office, clutching a cup of coffee in both hands. “It’s not that they aren’t great kids. They are. I love working with them. But between them and my regular duties with the younger children… I just don’t have time.”
Emma nodded sagely. “I’m not unaware of the load you’re working under. I’ve actually been devoting some thought to it myself, and I think I’ve found someone to take over Alpha Squadron.” She smiled, drumming her perfectly manicured fingers on the file on her desk.
“Anyone I know?” Xi’an asked, curiosity piqued.
Emma’s smiled grew just a little wider, reminding Xi’an of the Cheshire Cat. “Remember Chamber?”
Xi’an’s eyebrows crept towards her hairline. “Didn’t he quit after that fight with Angel?”
“It’s… complicated,” Emma said. “But he’s back here now, and I think giving him a squad would be good for him.”
“He’s rather young. And the kids need some stability.”
“He’s older than Rahne, and he’s got a good head on his shoulders. I think they’d do well with him.”
***
“You’ve just gotten back from deep cover in Weapon X, where you ended up having to fight your way free through an army of genetically enhanced soldiers. And now you’re telling me that you’re afraid to handle the training of a handful of children?”
“You’re an evil woman, Emma Frost,” Jono said. “You told me that I’d have a chance to relax. This is not relaxing.”
“Only because you’re not letting it be,” Emma teased. “It’s not that hard.”
“The music class will be easy,” Jono replied. “But training a squad? I don’t even know where to start.” He glared mutinously, popping a wasabi-covered pea into his mouth.
“Why don’t you try talking to some of the other teachers? I’m sure they could give you some pointers.”
“Aren’t you a teacher? I seem to vaguely recall one or two lessons with you… something involving a watermelon…”
“I’ll see if I can pencil you in somewhere. I’m a busy woman, Jonothon.”
***
“Relax,” Xi’an whispered as she stood next to her new colleague. “They’re good kids.”
“Then why aren’t you keeping them?” Jono whispered back, running his tongue over his teeth. “They’re gonna hate me.”
“They won’t hate you. Ready?”
“No.”
“Too bad.” Xi’an opened the library doors and strode on, sweeping Jono along in her wake. The silence was deafening. Six teenagers watched the two teachers approach, radiating reproach, betrayal, and hostility. Jono was going to be their third mentor in almost as many months, and they didn’t appreciate the change one bit.
“Hi, guys,” Xi’an said cheerfully, coming to a halt before Alpha Squadron. “I guess you all know why we’re here…”
“You’re fobbing us off on someone else,” the green kid said testily.
“Victor, I’m not ‘fobbing you off’,” Xi’an said soothingly. “I’m giving you all a mentor who can give you the attention you deserve. Everyone, this is-”
“Starsmore, Jonothon Evan, aka Chamber,” the dark haired girl said, a far away look on her face for a moment, like she was listening to a voice only she could hear. “Telepath capable of projecting blasts of psionic fire. Former member of Generation X, former soldier for Weapon X, who restored Starsmore’s face and presumably his internal organs. Pre-manifestation arrest record consists largely of petty theft, possession, and public intoxication charges. Once assaulted Mr. Worthington.”
Jono bit his lower lip to keep from pointing out that Angel had had it coming.
“Cute, Sarah,” Xi’an sighed. “Very cute. Now that we’ve given Mr. Starsmore his hazing…”
Frost, I’m going to get you for this. I don’t know how, I don’t know when, but I’m going to get you.
Frost laughed in Jono’s mind. I’d like to see you try, my boy.
Jono cleared his throat, painfully aware of the hostile looks he was receiving and wondering why the hell he’d come back. “Well, now that-” He plucked the name out of Xi’an’s mind, “-Network has introduced me, why don’t you all introduce yourselves?”
“You’re the telepath. Why don’t you tell us who we are?” the blonde girl suggested.
“Now, I could do that,” Jono admitted, snagging a chair and sitting down. “But, having spent several years unable to do so, I find that I like talking. So, talk to me.”
Only Jono and Victor noticed when Xi’an left the room.