A Home That Far

A Home That Far
Chapter 7 Only Human!

The night was cold, and long. The wait staff of the kitchen had brought meals to Duncan & Kale, while they sat talking in her room. Their dinners barely touched, they held close to the coals, neither willing to move as she recited the tale of her people, and their adversities. Finally Duncan threw in a few sticks and coaxed the embers to life once more. "So you left your world?" he said, appalled at the recounting she'd told him. Actually, he was ill from her description of her kind's deaths due to the virus.

"Its not like we had a choice," she said, stretching out over the rugs and blankets. "The virus they released..."

"I know," he interrupted, sitting closer to her again. "You told me."

"Well, we couldn't find a cure, there wasn't much else we could do."

"Does everyone on your world know how to build a ship with suspension capsules?"

"No, no. We don't. The professor knows the leader of an alien race called the She'ar. They sent the information to the professor, telepathically. We spent nearly seven months rebuilding our ship, constructing the tubes for all three hundred and eighty-seven people. The day we launched, the bunker was attacked. The last I saw was Storm and Jean coming in, saying the seals were breached, I know we lost some of our people, but...I don't know how many."

"You mean Storm hasn't told you?"

"She's been to visit, but she said there'd be time to talk later. She wanted to get to work finding the rest of the pods, before the backup power systems failed. I do know that the professor, Logan, Peter, and Hank were on the ship. They were pre-boarded to get things read for launch. Logan wasn't exactly impressed with it, but he understood the necessity."

Duncan wasn't sure if he should tell her about the two hundred and fifty empty pods. But when she curled into the blankets, resting her head on his thy, he knew this was not the time. He pulled a blanket over her, smoothing her hair as she readied herself for sleep. She had told him everything, all that she knew, and he was sure she would share more about herself and her people without hesitation. She trusted him, this he was sure.

"Duncan?" she asked sleepily.

"Yes?"

"Can we stay? For a little while? We were supposed to meet up with the She'ar, but being here means something has gone wrong. When the professor is stronger, he'll try to contact..." She yawned through Lalandra's name, but drifted off to sleep before she could finish her train of thought.

Carefully he leaned down, bringing her hand to his lips, and placed a gentle kiss on her fingers. "As far as I'm concerned," he began softly, "You're welcome to stay as long as you wish." He stretched out over his share of the covers, and quickly fell asleep.

He couldn't remember when last he'd slept so soundly. Comfort was far from it, but he'd slept deep and content. He only wished he could sleep this way every night, but the cramps spreading through his back protested in the highest regard to the idea. Then he'd felt something move. It was high on his thy, nearly to his hip, but as it moved it got closer to...His eyes snapped open, his fist ready to strike, then he saw what it was, or rather who.

Kale lay against his leg, sound asleep. Her dreams drawing her closer to him, nestling further into the fur of his trousers. He wanted so much to leave her like that, feeling her come closer, as her dreams demanded. But it wasn't right. She was wounded, in the middle of recovery. Heck she was unconscious! He had no right to take advantage of her, no matter what his libido craved.

Gently he shook her shoulder, calling her name softly, but growing slightly louder with each repetition. Her bright green eyes opened, and locked sleepily with his. "Good morning," he said softly with a smile. She smiled back and carefully stretched, inching closer to where he'd hoped she'd avoid. "Ah...Kale...I..."

Suddenly her eyes opened, realizing what she was doing. Quickly she sat up, her face turning bright crimson with embarrassment, most notably along the right side of her face.

"I am so sorry, Duncan," she gasped, hiding her face in her hands. "I didn't realize. I am so sorry. Please forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive," he said, rubbing her shoulders. "There was no harm done. Why do you think I woke you? If you'll excuse me for a moment." Quickly he got up, regretting it with the screams of pain through his lumbar region, and disappeared behind the bathroom door.

Kale sighed. How could she have done that? Duncan was kind, considerate, a better gentleman than any of the men that were with her group, Peter included. How could she have embarrassed him like that?

She looked up as her door opened, and Scott confidently strode in. "The door not enough to encourage you to knock, Cyclops?" she asked, rather annoyed.

"You weren't at dinner," he said sternly. "I was worried. I'll take you to..." Scott turned to see Duncan walk out of her bathroom, as though it were his room as well. He wasn't impressed.

"Ok. Let's get you into your chair..." Duncan began, then saw Scott standing next to Kale near the fire. "Good morning Mr. Summers, I didn't hear you knock."

"Obviously," he said, pushing Kale's chair closer to her. "I'm here to take Kale to breakfast. Why are you here?"

"That's none of your business Scott," Kale stated flatly. "Besides, he's got every right to ask you, why you're here, uninvited."

"Kale. Let's not do this. The professor is awake, and he wants to meet with everyone after breakfast."

"I have a therapy session."

"Its important Kale!"

"Don't take that tone with me!"

"Are you sure you two aren't related?" Duncan asked.

"Shut up human!"

"So that's it. You don't like the fact that Duncan is human."

"Kale..." he never finished, he just pulled Kale into the wheel chair, and started pushing her out the door. "The professor is waiting."

"You keep manhandling her like that, and you'll damage her muscles."

"Get out of the way!"

"Cool it! Both of you! God, you're worse than two stallions in a pasture with a bunch of mares. I'm half expecting this to escalate to a fist fight."

"Believe me, it would be a pleasure."

"Bring it on Summers."

"NO!!!" The three turned to see another wheelchair in the doorway, the professor proudly sitting within it. "Scott, that is quite enough. Mr. Duncan, I thank you for the kindness you've shown to my young charge. But I do have some important things to discuss with her, so if you don't mind. Kale would you come with me please?"

"Of course professor. You two, don't kill each other."

She followed the professor down the hall, where they met up with Jean and Storm, together they inueinued on to a private dinning hall, where the rest of their surviving friends waited.

"Keep away form her," Scott warned as he left the girl's room.

"That is not your decision to make," Duncan returned.

"You are human, she's not. We don't mix. So don't even try it."

"Really, according to the tests that were performed on Kale, after you nearly killed her, she's as human as I. Granted she has a unique blood type, but other than that, there's no difference. And from what she's told me about your origins, you're as human as the rest of us."

"What would you know about our origins?"

"Everything. She told me all about it last night."

"You lie."

"A virus, designed to kill you, forced you from your home world."

"She didn't..."

"She did. Now Excuse me, I have to brief my King."

"You won't...!"

"What? Say a word? You try and stop me, and I'll put you on the floor, faster than you can reach for the variance switch on your visor."

"Why you..."

"That's quite enough!" Duncan turned and quickly bowed to his king. "Mr. Summers, I believe your people are waiting for you. Please don't keep them much longer. Duncan, your briefing please. You know I hate to be kept waiting."

"Yes my king. I'm coming."

"At my side, Duncan. Now." Duncan glared one last time to Scott, then fell into step with Randor, as he continued down the hall.

"You had no right to tell them anything!" Scott yelled across the table. Kale sat on the other side, feeling the full scrutiny of all her people. Her eyes were still puffy from the tears she cried when she learned of the two hundred and fifty people left behind, though she wasn't alone. Most everyone at the table were still in tears.

"Scott, whoever told Duncan about us makes no difference. I was going to discuss our situation, and our method of getting here, with King Randor myself later today."

"Were you goin tel tell him all about the virus?"

"No. I wasn't intending to mention it. Kale, did you tell him?"

"Of course she did. Duncan told me to my face this morning, after spending the night with her!"

"Now that's a lie!" Storm shouted. "Kale would never spend any night with any man without discussing it with me first, regardless if he's human or mutant."

"I wouldn't hold that to gospel O," Kale said, wiping her nose on her napkin. "Duncan and I were talking around the fire last nigh, in my room, together. We fell asleep, that was it."

"Kale?"

"I trust him O. He took care of me when I was...stuck, in horse form. I didn't know what else to do. I couldn't get away, I was hurt, and he got me the help I needed. He was very kind. I won't believe that he would hurt us."

"Kale, your judgement in this matter may be less than objective..."

"No kidding," she scoffed. "Look, I've lost my appetite, and I'm late for therapy, I have to go."

"Kale?"

"No, Orora, I'll be ok."

"I'll take you to the therapy room," Logan offered, making sure that Scott remained seated. "I need some air anyway."

"A virus?" Teela asked openly as Duncan finished his report of what Kale had told him. "Why would people do that?"

"Apparently, the Humans of Kale's home planet, Earth, were not as open minded was we are. We openly welcome people of different races, and humans with special abilities. Where the humans of Earth eradicated them. Millions died, most before their very eyes."

"What can we do?" Randor asked.

"Nothing your highness. They are a people who have yet to morn the loss of their kind, and are now thrust into a situation where they still fear for their lives. That is the reason for Scott Summers' behaviour."

"Sounds like they need counselling," Adam offered. "Anybody know anyone they can talk to who isn't human?"

"It wouldn't make any difference." The assembly turned to see two guards at the door to the hall, between them sat Professor Xavier. Slowly the man wheeled himself to the table. "Forgive the intrusion, but I believe that I should be here."

"Of course, professor. I apologise," Randor offered. "How are your people?"

"Saddened, terrified. It is difficult to help them, when I myself feel so uncertain of our immediate futures."

"Professor Xavier," the Queen began. "You, and your people, are more than welcome here. We have no intentions of repeating the misguided actions of the humans of your world. We have our own problems here, but we will always have room, and a hand to lend to those in need."

"I thank you, but words and deeds will not pacify the contained hysteria that my people are under. Hank McCoy told me that you would be willing to provide us a place where we may set up a temporary village, so that we may feel at ease. Is this offer still available?"

"By all means," Randor said. "There is actually something better that we can do. On the outskirts of the forest, not far from King Karnavis' main city, is a village that was abandoned by its people. They found it too far from the main commerce areas, and no traders were willing to travel that far to conduct business. There is lush farmland, and sound structures. The surrounding villages have agreed to help you get through the winter with all the supplies you need.

"In the spring, they will help you set up your crops, and guide you to the marketplaces. Hopefully within two years you will be a self sustaining village, just like the rest of them."

"Thank you, but I don't believe we will be here that long."

"Have you been able to contact Lalandra?" Duncan asked. The professor looked at him, surprised. "Kale told me that you would try, once you were strong enough."

"This is true. But I've yet to have the peace that I require to do so. The stress of my people is quite intense. I must help them first."

"Maybe we can help," Adam stated. "I know we're only human, but maybe we can help distract them, if only for a day. Would that be long enough?"

"Yes..." he returned, thinking over the offer. "A day should do, but it must be uninterrupted."

"What do you propose my son?"

"Why not start a new fair? A huge party, to welcome thofesofessor and his people. The professor can make an appearance to see how things are going. Then he can retire quietly to a place of his choosing to do...whatever it is that he has to do, and we can entertain the kids, educate the younger adults, and guide the adults around the village. Give them a chance to see life here, isn't anything like where they come from."

"Do you think it will work Professor?" Randor asked.

"I will encourage my people to make the most of their day, your majesty. But I must insist on informing my senior staff of the decisions made here."

"Of course."

"They're going to put on a WHAT!? Professor you can't be serious?!"

"Scott Summers, I've had quite enough. We are all under a great deal of pressure, and the children are afraid. They need something to take their minds off what has happened, even if it is for one day. And I need the peace to concentrate my search for Lalandra. The She'ar are out there, looking for us. Who knows how long we've been adrift. We don't even know what happened to the ship."

"Well, if Duncan will let me play with his systems," Forge offered. "I think I can find more of the wreckage. If any more of it came down after the pods."

"All I can say is ask him. The offer these people have put forth is genuine. I sense no malice from any of them, towards any of us. Save one, and that friction is directed at you Scott."

"Let me guess. Duncan."

"Yes. You two need to put these differences behind you. Scott, you are acting as a jealous lover. The last time I looked, you and Jean were married."

"He has no right to make advances toward any of the women. Especially Kale. She's as old as his daughter!"

"That is for them to decide. Not you. Jean, I'll be counting on you to keep your husband in line. If the two of them get together, it is a storm of thought and rage that over powers everything, and everyone. I don't need that right now. Neither do the children. Attend the festivities, even help out if you want to. But keep the children entertained, and comfort them if things get difficult.

"I believe the young prince is going to introduce the older ones to some of the games they have here, apparently its a three dimensional video game of sorts that they themselves can participate in, rather than watch and manipulate characters.

"Forge if you and Duncan can work together, than please by all means do so. Once everything is settled and the children sufficiently distracted, I'll be retiring to a quiet place. I will have no interruptions. Is that understood?" The group around him all nodded, all but Scott. "Cyclops?"

"I don't trust them," he stated. "But I'll make the most of it."

"Good."