DISCLAIMER: in first part.
A Laying On Of Hands: Part Four
by Cascade
"I just want to thank you for everything tonight! Marc told me you were the mastermind behind it all. I never even guessed you knew when my birthday was. The surprise party, and dinner... it was so... perfect. Marc wanted to thank you for dinner too, by the way. We really needed that time to catch up!" Dana said it all in a rush, mentally checking off things in her head. She didn't want to leave anything out. She wanted to thank him for every small thing he had done to pull this day together into one of the best in her life.
"Ya welcome." He smiled.
"Can I just ask why you did it?"
"Well one day ya were talkin about being kept in your room , an' Ah thought 'Well, that's not so bad. With a TV and a stereo it almost sound fun.' Then Ah thought that might be 'cause Ah had so many siblings. Space was precious. Ah hardly ever had time by m'self. Ah thought 'bout all the things Ah'd miss if Ah were away from people that long. One a' the things was birthday parties. Ah figured that it might help you feel like one a' the team a little more. Ah know that was the worst thing when Ah first joined the X-Men: feelin' left out, bein' the youngest." He paused, catching the smile that had formed on her face at his concern on her behalf. He turned serious then, he wanted to understand her, to know where she was coming from. "What was it like, livin' all alone like that?"
"Well, I really wasn't all by myself." she admitted. "We had servants that my father trusted to keep my secret, so I had the run of the house when we didn't have guests. And I used to sneak out of the house at night with Marc and run around the yard. Once he left I did it too. I'd look at the stars, or just lay on the grass and listen to the night sounds.
I liked to go outside and dance in the rain at night.
"I had a tutor, Mr. Sullivan. He was a friend of my father's, I didn't know much about him. He came every weekday and taught me math, science, history, all the subjects you'd get at a normal school. He taught me a little German too. I scored very high on all the placement tests. He was a good teacher, but always a little distant, he never went out of his way to befriend me, or anything.
"There was a small home gym for exercise. I kept well-informed of current events. I read the paper, watched TV, and listened to the radio. I was never really bored. I got new videos to watch and books to read and CDs to listen to. I had a computer. I could play games or look at things on the internet, but I never had an e-mail account. I guess my father didn't want me telling the world I was locked away from everything and everyone because I was a mutant.
"The first year was the hardest. I was pulled away from school and friends so swiftly after mom died it was kinda hard to take. I wanted to go see friends, I wanted to go do outside and do things my father would never let me do, like play baseball with the boys in the neighborhood, or ride a bike. After that first year I got used to it. I found other things to keep me entertained."
The length of her confession took her by surprise. She hadn't known that she needed to tell some one, let someone else share in her long confinement. She glanced at him through her lashes. His face, illuminated well in the light of the moon, showed compassion, and a little bit of pity.
She didn't want that.
"It made me who I am today, though," she added. "So who am I to say 'if only'." Who knows? Maybe it was meant to be."
"Why were ya in the car when ya little brother came to visit the school?" he asked.
"That was a bit of luck, actually. The only time I ever really got out of the house was to visit my mother's grave. My father, not really thinking at the time, luckily, promised I could visit her once a month.
He'd come with me, to make sure I didn't have a fit. At the beginning, the visits were therapy for me to deal with her death. After a few years I didn't need to come anymore, but I asked to come anyway. I used it to punish my father. He got very uncomfortable every time I threw myself on my mother's grave and wept. He looked almost guilty. I used it to get back at him.
"Anyway, my father planned to take my brother to the mansion on the same day he was to take me to see mom, hoping to cut my trip a little short because of it. So there I was, sitting in the back of the limo when the professor opened the door."
She smiled, thinking of all the little twists that had had to have taken place in order for her to be standing where she was at the moment.
"Do you mind if I digress for a moment?" she asked. She almost hated to change the subject. To have someone interested in her life was a welcome change, but she needed a brake from herself for a while. Besides there was something she had been meaning to ask him all day.
"Not at all."
"Did you pick your shirt out this morning?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"That shirt brings out your eyes so well." She said shyly. "I've never seen you look more handsome."
"Really? Thanks!" He paused grinning. *So, the country-boy got some fashion sense after all.*
They had made their way to the pond. The moon was reflected in the still waters. Dana sat on the bank and hugged her knees to her chest, gazing out over the water. She sighed contentedly.
Sam smiled down on her. "Penny for ya thoughts."
"This has been one of the best days of my life." She glanced down at her watch. "Well, yesterday was."
"That late already?"
She nodded. "You and the other X-Men did this for me. It's been a long time since I've felt that kind of acceptance. I don't want to ever let you down."
Sam sighed and took a seat beside her. "But..." he started for her.
"But I don't know if I'll ever have the power to be an X-Man." she continued. "I mean, Scott's been trying to teach me how to defend myself and it's just not working. I get lucky every now and then, but I'm no where close to where I should be. My power is kind of pathetic..."
"But ya can heal people! Rogue would be dead now if it weren't for ya." He touched her arm. "Ya can't be so hard on yaself."
"I know, but if I'm ever in a battle situation, passing out wouldn't be..." She searched for a word. "safe, and I can't heal myself, so if I got injured I wouldn't help anyone."
"How do you know?"
She sighed. "About a year ago, dad and I had a big argument. I wanted to leave the house. He wouldn't let me. We were standing outside my room. I was standing on the last step of the staircase. My father was a few steps above me. Things got out of hand and he slapped me. It was really the only time he'd even touched me since mom died. It wasn't very hard, but I flinched back. My ankle turned as I stepped down and I fell. I cut my arm pretty good on some little statue he had at the base of the stairs. He looked horrified at what he'd done. He ran off to another part of the house. I limped off to my room and bandaged my arm in my bathroom. Not a flicker of power. Nothing. I don't even know if I can heal people when they're only wounded. I've never tried. I've only healed people who were critical."
"Don't knock it. Ah'll be on any team that has a member that can bring me back from death!" He laughed. "Rogue and Gambit are certainly glad ya joined the team. Ah think we'll be able to watch ya back if you need help. That's what bein' on the team's about!"
A meteor briefly blazed across the sky.
"Did ya make a wish?" Sam asked her.
"What?" she asked, turning to face him.
"Don'tcha know? Ya s'posed ta wish on shootin' stars." He looked back to the sky.
She shook her head. "I never heard that. What did you wish for?"
"It's just like wishin' on the candles on a birthday cake. If Ah tell ya, it won't come true."
"Oh." She thought for a moment. "What should I wish for?"
"Don't wish for world peace, or anythin' like that. It's s'posed to be somethin' selfish, somethin' ya just wanna have. Like a million bucks, or a Ferrari, or," he paused, "true love."
She furrowed her brow. "O.K. I'm prepared for the next one now."
They smiled together, then leaned back to lay down in wait for the next one.
Dana was more tired then she let on. She forced herself to stay awake long enough to see the next meteor, and upon seeing it she made her wish and fell asleep.
"Did ya see that last one?" Sam asked turning to look at Dana. He smiled when he realized she'd fallen asleep. "You had a busy day. I shouldn't have kept you out here in the cold," he said quietly. He got up and brushed himself off, and then picked her up. "I think you'll feel better in the morning if you've slept in your bed," he whispered as he walked back towards the house.
Dana woke up late the next morning. She glanced over at the clock.
It was almost 10! In a panic she threw the covers off of her. She must have forgot to set the alarm! She looked again at the clock and only this time noticed the note that had been laid on it. She picked it up, and read it.
Dear Dana,
I'm sorry for keeping you out so late last night. I turned off your alarm. You need your sleep. Don't worry about Scott. I'll talk to him. I'll tell him to consider it an extra birthday present. I think he'll let you slack off an extra day.
-Sam
She lay back in bed, luxuriating in the extra time. *Sam's such a sweetheart,* she thought to herself. She noticed the fact that she was fully clothed. He'd taken her shoes off, but he didn't want to go so far as undress her. *and a gentleman!*
Sam was sitting on the couch watching the news when Dana came down.
She was wearing the blouse that Scott and Jean had given her yesterday. She figured that might get a few extra points with Scott too.
She came up behind Sam and leaned over the back of the couch to talk to him.
"You could have woken me up so I could have changed."
He looked up at her. "Good choice," he said, indicating her blouse.
"I didn't want to wake ya up. Didn't want to have ya get a poor night's sleep on my account. Ya would have set your alarm."
"Where is Scott anyway?" She asked moving to sit beside him on the couch.
"I dunno. Probably in the Danger Room. Your session in the gym's at noon now, by the way."
"Thanks."
Dana was warming up in the gym. Her muscles were protesting after the break they'd had yesterday. The stretching was kind of painful, but it also felt good in a way. She sat down and brought her left foot in close to her body. She extended her right leg and reached for her right foot.
"Dana!"
The sudden noise startled her and sent a shooting pain down her leg. She cringed, and turned to see Rogue in the doorway.
"Your brother's on the phone." Rogue said, her face serious.
"Marc?" Dana asked, getting up and grabbing her towel.
"No." Rogue shook her head. Dana looked at her, suddenly realizing the reason for Rogue's expression.
Rogue continued. "It's Douglas."
Dana put down the phone numbly. Her eyes weren't focused. She looked about ready to cry.
"Dana, girl, what is it? What's wrong?" Rogue asked, having only heard half the phone conversation.
Dana acted as though she hadn't heard. She shook her head dazedly.
"I... I gotta go get changed."
She hurried up the stairs, nearly tripping at the top. Sam was there and reached out a hand to steady her. "Careful!" he said, smiling.
She didn't respond to him, but righted herself and moved on to her room.
Sam watched her go, confused. "What gives?" he asked Rogue, who was still standing by the phone.
"Douglas called. Something's wrong, but she won't tell me."
"Douglas, her brother?"
Rogue nodded.
"Excuse me," he said and dashed off after Dana.
"Dana? Dana, Can Ah come in?" Sam knocked on her door.
Dana opened it, looked at him blankly, and turned back to her bed where she was laying out an outfit.
"What's wrong?" he asked, dancing around in front of her as she moved to her closet. "Come on, tell me."
Dana remained silent. Sam grabbed her arm and pulled her into an embrace. She took in a sharp breath in surprise. When she relaxed and found herself still in his arms she broke into tears.
Holding her tightly he lowered her to a sitting position on the floor and knelt beside her. "Please tell me what's wrong."
"Douglas called. Dad's sick... He's dying!" She choked out between sobs.
He smiled. "That's not that terrible! Ya can save him with your power."
"But then he'll know for sure I'm a mutant. He'll hate me. If I don't save him, he'll be dead to me. If I do, I'll be dead to him."
"How could anyone hate..."
"That's just the way my family works. You didn't see him after I tried to help mom. He was so enraged at the thought of me being a mutant he didn't care about her being cured."
She pulled away from him and got to her feet. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to change. Father hates it when I'm dressed inappropriately."
He stood and headed for the door. He turned back to her halfway there. "I'll drive you."
Sam stopped in front of a set of huge wrought iron gates. A security guard walked up to the driver's side window.
"Can I help you?" He asked peering into the car.
"Dana Hawkes is here to see her father." Sam answered him.
"Miss Hawkes! I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you. Go on through."
The guard pushed a button and with an electronic buzz the gates slid apart. Sam continued up the long drive, finally parking in front of one of the biggest houses he'd ever seen.
Dana seemed undaunted by the size of the house. She got out of the car and strode to the door, where she proceeded to push the doorbell. Sam followed her out standing behind her at the door and squirming in his best suit. He hadn't worn it in a while, and it seemed a bit tight.
An older man answered the door. "Miss Hawkes!" he exclaimed, quickly leading her in.
"Edward, it's good to see you." Edward took their coats. "This is Mr. Samuel Guthrie."
Edward nodded. "I'll go tell Mr. Hawkes you're here."
Sam was amazed by the sheer opulence of the place. He couldn't ever imagine living someplace like this.
Sam was startled out of his reverie by the entrance of a boy into the room. He looked to be in his early teens. He had the same brown hair as Marcus and Dana. This had to be Douglas.
"Douglas."
"Dana."
The two siblings hugged briefly. "This is Mr. Guthrie, he's a friend." Dana introduced.
The boy nodded and extended his hand. Sam took it and the two exchanged a firm handshake.
"Father's in his room. He doesn't know I called you. I figured you should know."
"Thank you. Does Marcus know?"
Douglas nodded. "I called him right after you. Father's this way." the boy said, leading them up to the second floor.
He stopped in front of a door halfway down the hall. "I'll see if he's up."
Dana nodded and watched her brother go into the room. She sagged against the wall. "I don't know if I can do this." she whispered. "I can feel him from here. He's very sick, and in pain."
"You have to do what you think is right. That's part of being an X-Man." He whispered back.
She looked down at her hands, which had begun to glow. She closed her eyes. She didn't want to see it. She didn't want to be here. Her own body was betraying her. She clenched her hands into fists, willing the power to stop. She wanted it all to be a mistake. She wanted Jean's voice in her head to say, "I'm sorry, it was all a mistake. You're normal."
He put his arms around her, briefly, just to instill a little confidence. Luckily, he also covered her hands in the motion. Her brother was exiting the room.
"He'll see you now, Dana."
Dana nodded and slipped through the still open door. She careful shielded her hand from view behind Sam, who was followed her closely to the door and closed it behind her. She was to go in alone. She put her hands behind her back as she approached the bed.
The room was huge and poorly lit. The curtains were drawn, and half the lights were out. She heard sickly coughing coming from the bed.
She took slow, hesitant steps across the room. She felt twelve again, sitting in a chair by her mother's bedside. That feeling of darkness, coldness was present here as it was in the hospital. She shook her head. *No, this is different,* she thought to herself. *I was in the hospital because I loved my mother. I'm here because It's my duty. My duty as his child.*
She stood by the side of the bed, and looked down at the poor shadow of a man her father had become. She didn't know what he had, but that an illness could bring someone so low... Truly, death was the great equalizer. Not even all her father's money could save him.
Still, what was left of him incited some fear in her. She took a breath calming her nerves.
"Father?" she asked quietly.
He looked up at her then, eyes focusing. "Dana." He coughed again.
"How goes your schoolwork?"
"Very well, sir." she said timidly.
"Good. We Hawkes have to present excellence. We..." He broke into another coughing fit.
Dana couldn't take it. The slight bit of empathy she had was picking up his imminent death. He was causing her pain, again. She reached down to him, her long fingers touching his head. She took a deep breath and it had begun. Edwin Hawkes began to gain his color. His internal organs repaired. His lungs cleared. His breathing became easy again. Suddenly he was in the best shape he'd ever been in in his life.
Dana backed away from him, drained.
"What did you do?" Her father asked. His face reddening.
She shook her head, backing away. "I... I just wanted to help you."
"I was right all along," he said as he rose from his bed. "You are a mutant. You ungrateful..."
"There's nothing I can do about it, father." She began sobbing. "It just happened to me, but it's a good thing. I healed you. You aren't going to die."
"How am I supposed to explain this away? The funeral plans were all made. I was going to be able to hand this company over to your brothers, now the Hawkes name is tarnished by mutants!" he spit out the last word.
"Douglas!" he called. The boy stuck his head in the door. His eyes grew wide at the sight of his father up and about. "Douglas," the elder Hawkes continued, "Call security. Get this mutant trash out of my bedroom."
Dana's leg buckled and she fell to the floor. Sam rushed in to help her.
"Father, please, I'm still Dana. Being a mutant hasn't changed that."
"You don't have a father anymore. I will not be responsible for a mutant. Get up." Hawkes motioned to her.
She tried, but her strength had left her. Sam reached down and helped her up. She leaned against his chest for support.
"But..." she started.
"You're just like your mother, trying to undermine me and the company. I will not have a mutant for a daughter. You're as dead to me as your mother!"
"No!" Dana cried.
Sam's anger built up in him. How could anyone do this to their child?
"Sir, you can't do this. You're her father. She needs a father."
"Not anymore. I have two sons that I need to look out for now."
Sam glowered. His muscles tensed. Dana put a hand on his arm. "Not now. It won't do any good now."
She looked at the man in front of her. She should have pity for this poor, mislead creature. She thought back to all the things he'd done.
All the mistakes he'd made. His delusions of self importance. His blind adherance to tradition, and his dependance on appearance. She went back and she realized she would never be able to pity him. It was too much to forgive. She unleashed five years worth of anger. She used it. She pushed away from Sam and took a step towards her father.
"I saved your life." she said slowly. "You locked me up, took away MY life, and you think I'm supposed to take it? 'Take it like a Hawkes!' You said that all the time. Well I am a Hawkes, but no other member of this little clan ever had to go through what I did! I had to watch you screw up! I could have saved mom! I could have been your little girl, and hung on your every word, just like Douglas does now. You screwed up there too! You picked the wrong child to favor. Hasn't your buisness taught you anything?
You don't screw the powerful ones! You befriend them. You just cut my last tie to you. I would have been there for you out of family honor, no matter what. I don't have a family now. I'm free! You can't screw up my life anymore. You can't make me live in fear of you and your money. I don't need your money. I don't want it. I help myself from now on." She was shouting at the end.
Edwin Hawkes reached for the phone. "If you don't stop that noise, I'll call The Friends of Humanity. They will have you off the streets..."
"Go ahead and call the FoH! Then you and your FoH buddies can go to hell because I don't care anymore!" She was breathing hard, and glaring.
Unconciously she had moved her feet shoulder width apart. She was ready to go into battle.
Sam touched her shoulder and she spun. At the look on his face she lost all her momentum. The anger she had recessed to the place in her psyche where she was used to carrying it. Her posture relaxed.
"Come on, Dana. Ah'll take you home." He said, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Dana looked at him. What he said spoke more truth than anything she'd unloaded on her father. Her home was at the mansion now. It had been that way for a while. The only ties to her father she had had left were those of family, and her father had just cut those as well. Marcus and the X-Men were all the family she needed now.
Sam saw Dana to the passenger seat of the car. He knelt beside her.
"We'll get the rest of your stuff later." He said referring to the last few items that remained in what was her room.
"You don't need to bother. I don't want them anymore," she said.
He clenched his fist in anger. He wanted to fly through the house a few times, turn the whole thing to rubble. He glanced at Dana and knew she wouldn't want that. He sighed angrily and jogged to the drivers side, started the car, and left the premises as fast as he could.