The first thing Marie noticed as she opened her eyes were the bright lights above her, and instinctively she snapped them shut again, groaning loudly. She did, however, hear the sudden flurry of movement around her at the sound.
“Marie, can you hear me?”
The sound of Hank’s voice only confirmed what she suspected – she was in the Med Bay. She groaned again.
“Try to keep your voice down, please Hank. I don’t think my head can take it.” She struggled to get the words out, her throat dry and sore. Slowly she attempted to open her eyes again, the worried face of a blue doctor coming into view. Marie tried to move her arms, but found them too heavy to lift, and she could barely stop the groan of pain that tried to escape her. Having noticed her attempts to move Hank spoke again, before she could say anything.
“Don’t try to move yet Marie. Your body has been under a lot of strain. It’s been a close call, and we’ve all been very worried.” He tried to keep his tone professional, but Marie could still hear both the worry and relief in his voice.
“How long was I out?” she croaked out, opening her eyes wider when Hank moved the light to shine away from her. Surely it could not have been that long…
“Two weeks.” He answered honestly. “Please, stay calm Marie…” he added quickly as her eyes shot completely open in surprise. She winced at the pain as her body twitched in surprise. Worry flowed through her.
“The baby…” she began, panic filling her voice, but Hank reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder, both squeezing it, but Marie suspected it was also to keep her from jumping up and overtaxing herself.
“The baby is fine. I made sure of it my dear.” he said calmly. He turned around, momentarily disappearing out of her sight before returning, a small white cup in his hands. “Here, drink some water.”
With his assistance, Marie lifted her head a little, taking small slips and enjoying the cool liquid running down her throat.
“Surprisingly,” Hank continued, “The baby didn’t seem to affected by what transpired.” He hesitated a moment, wondering if he should tell Marie that the baby probably saved her life, but decided against it. He would explain it to her later.
“Where’s Logan?” she asked once she’d finished the water. Hank couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I was wondering when you would ask.” He checked the watch on the far wall. “Considering the time, he’s probably sleeping. It took a lot to get him dragged out of here the first few days, but he’s under orders to get a good night’s rest every night, or I forbade him to see you during the day.”
Marie couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle as well. “Sounds like my Wolverine…” she closed her eyes and relaxed for a few seconds. But as she took a deep breath she frowned a little, and opened her eyes.
“What happened to me Hank?” she asked, turning her head to look at his back as he worked on something at the counter next to her bed. Hank sighed before turning around.
“It’s difficult to say. I’ve been working on this for almost non stop the past two weeks, and although the results stay the same I still struggle to believe it. I’ve been studying your DNA, your cells, your blood… if I were to compare them to your samples from a few months ago there would be very little similarity.” He sat down, looking over at Marie.
“I’m not sure I follow.” She said, frowning. “Or that you’ve actually answered my question.” Her eyes became a little harder. “I know something happened Hank. I can smell almost everything, you’re nearly whispering and yet it sounds like your talking loudly right next to my bloody ear… and I can pick out every grey hair amongst the blue fur, if I concentrate hard enough. My body feels like I’ve been running marathons for days on end…just give me a straight forward answer.”
“I wish there was a straight forward answer.” He said with a sigh. “But I figured your senses would be enhanced. Amongst other things, of course.” Hank watched her for a little longer before speaking again. “Have you touched anyone other than Logan after your return?” he asked, slowly, carefully.
Marie seemed to think for a second before shaking her head. Hank nodded. “I thought not. But we’ll get to that later.” He still seemed hesitant to continue. This did not sit well with Marie.
With a growl she focused her eyes on him, clearly conveying that his hesitance was not sitting well with her. Suddenly she hissed as pain shot through her hands. With some effort she managed to bring a hand into her view, her eyes growing wide. Hank was next to her within seconds, grabbing her wrist but unable to hold on as she yanked it from his grip with ease.
With both fear and wonder in her eyes Marie studied the three bone claws that protruded from her hands. Gently, deliberately, she tried to retract them, and like something that had always been a part of her, they obeyed. Slowly they disappeared back into her hands, and the wounds healed over, leaving now evidence of what happened. Her eyes found Hanks.
“What is happening to me?” she could barely whisper, her mind working a hundred miles an hour as she tried to make sense of what she’d just seen.
“I can’t say for certain, my dear, but what I can tell you is that Logan’s mutation – every aspect of it – her permanently fused with yours. I had to test him as well, for samples to compare your genetic structure too, and as it turned out, not only did certain of his cells match yours, but his own seems to have changed as well. To put it plainly – it seems that his healing mutation has grown immeasurable stronger. Being in constant contact with something as deadly as your skin had pushed his body to grow stronger, to heal faster… and as you continued to absorb him through ‘controlled’ touches, your body continued to get doses of his mutation, constantly stronger, more powerful, and thus enhancing you as well. He scratched his head, wondering if he should divulge more, and ultimately decided she deserved to know everything. “Now both you and Logan have a healing mutation that seems more like an instant cure than a healing process – no matter what the damage. Logan even went so far as to attempt regeneration on a small scale – successfully. And, of course, as you changed, so did your baby.
Marie’s hands immediately flew to her belly, eyes widening in worry. Hank placed a hand over hers. “It’s nothing for you to be worried about.” He smiled. “This baby, no matter what his mutation turns out to be, will always be able to heal. I can’t say to what extent, only that it will be powerful – it is only through both it’s healing and your own that you survived. That was why I needed to monitor the baby – to make sure it hadn’t taken to much out of it. But you are both fine.” He patted her hand before moving back and sitting down.
“The reason you are as stiff as you are is because, for the past few weeks, your body has changed and adapted. It took a lot out of you, but your musculature and bone structure have both changed. Become denser, stronger. You should be able to move soon enough though.”
As if his words triggered something within her, Marie attempted to move her arms and legs again, and was undeniably surprised when she found herself able to move with ease, despite everything that Hank had just said. Carefully, testing her weight on her legs, Marie lowered her legs to the floor and waved Hank away as he stepped closer to help.
“I’m fine Hank.” She stretched herself a little, testing her muscles, before lifting herself back up and sitting down on the medical table. Taking a deep breath she looked at Hank and chuckled. He looked ready to jump up and run to her aide. “You know I was strong before, Hank. I’m fine now.” Hank nodded, but it still didn’t look like he truly believed her.
Something hit her.
“What happened to the Ice Pick?” her voice was low, tinged with anger. “The little prick snuck up to me, tried to take me by surprise, but I can’t remember what the hell happened.”
Hank suddenly seemed nervous. “Well… we haven’t seen Robert since the day you passed out. He’s simply vanished. Charles has tried to locate him, but has had no luck as yet. I must admit I’m a little worried about him Marie. You had his blood on your hands, mingled with yours, when they brought you in.” he looked up at her. “Only Logan know this. It has been incredibly hard keeping this from Charles.”
Marie just couldn’t bring herself to worry about the man who had once broken her heart. “Better Chuck doesn’t find him.” She growled. “If I get my hands on that little prick I’m going to wring…”
She stopped suddenly, sniffing the air and smiling. “We’re about to have company.” She looked at Hank. “What does Logan know?”
“Everything.” Hank answered with certainty.
She smiled. “Good. Now make yourself scarce.”
Hank barely had enough time to head out one of the side entrances and close the door behind him when he heard the medical bay door slam open, a feral growl clearly audible over the sugary voice of, “Hey Sugah. Did you miss me?” He fled, only hoping they had the good sense to lock the door behind them.
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Author's Chapter Notes:
I apologize for not having updated in so long. Frankly, I completely forgot - it's been so long! I didn't even think people read this anymore. And yet, when I found the story again, I was shocked to see that I still received reviews. I am beyond flattered. So, without further do, the next chapter - for those of you who continued to support me so loyally!