Eye of the Beholder

Author’s Notes 1: Thank you to blue_lioness, Namipulla and onewing (two new reviewers, WOO HOO!) for your reviews. You have no idea how good it makes me feel when people spend a couple of minutes to leave a review. I know this story is a little convoluted right now, but I promise that everything will be brought together eventually. By the way, if any one is interested in another good Beast story, then check out blue_lioness's The Rose & The Beast stories. You'll find them over in the X-Men: Comics section.

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“What do you think you’re doing?” Cathy asks disapprovingly.

Amanda pauses with her toiletry bag in one hand, poised over the small open suitcase on her bed.

“Is this a trick question?” Amanda asks back.

“All right, let me be more specific,” Cathy hisses in displeasure. “Why are you up here packing instead of with your guests downstairs and why are you packing?”

“They’re your guests, Mom, not mine,” Amanda points out as she goes back to her packing. “I didn’t invite all the single men in the county to this little soiree, you did. How did you get so many men here, Mom? Did you put an ad in the paper saying ‘single woman looking for possible husband’?”

“You could use a husband,” Cathy mutters under her breath.

“What were you expecting to happen, Mom?” Amanda inquires as she stops what she’s doing for a moment. “That out of the dozen or so men down there, there would be one where I’d suddenly look into his eyes, that music would suddenly start playing, we’d fall into each other’s arms, he’d sweep me off my feet and carry me upstairs to have his wild with me?”

“I’ve met all of those men,” her mother retorts. “And they are all nice, hard working Christians and you should count yourself lucky that they deemed to spend their Sunday here instead of doing something else. They most certainly wouldn’t be having their wild way with you.”

“Oh yeah, that Keith is a real catch,” Amanda scoffs. “Did you know I just wasted a half an hour of my life having him follow me around telling me lawyer jokes? Where do I sign up for that fun fest for the rest of my life? I’m just glad that Mike finally distracted him long enough for me to make my escape otherwise I was going to have to kill him and plead temporary insanity.”

“And speaking of escapes, you haven’t answered my question,” Cathy responds. “Why are you packing?”

“Mom, I told you a couple weeks ago that I wouldn’t be able to stay through Monday like I had originally planned,” Amanda answers, frustrated beyond words. “I used all of my vacation time to attend Serena’s trial. I don’t have any more time off left and that includes my sick days. I don’t suppose you’ve managed to fish my phone out of your purse yet.”

“No, I suppose I haven’t,” Cathy tersely replies, her hands on her hips. “And I don’t suppose I will until after you get downstairs back to your birthday party.”

“I will in a bit, Mom,” Amanda responds as she picks up a piece of clothing and starts folding it. “But I need to be at the train station by six.”

“What if you took a train in the morning?” Cathy suggests.

“Only if I don’t want a job by that evening,” Amanda replies while she puts the few remaining items in her bag. “You know Steele is looking for any excuse to fire me.”

“Well, then you could move back here,” Cathy says hopefully.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Mom, but there isn’t really a lot of demand for lawyers around here,” Amanda responds. “Besides, I like New York.”

“You could come back here and settle down,” Cathy suggests hopefully.

“If what’s downstairs is the best that this area has to offer, I’d rather stay a lonely old maid,” Amanda retorts.

“What does New York have that we don’t have here?” Cathy demands.

“People, decent restaurants, museums, art galleries, libraries you can get lost in,” Amanda lists as she zips up her suitcase.

“Crime, pollution, overcrowding,” Cathy sarcastically continues.

“I like New York, Mom, and there are more job opportunities for me there than here,” Amanda firmly states. “Now, is someone going to drive me to the train station or am I going to have to call a cab?”

“Fine, I’ll drive you, but please come downstairs and at least say goodbye to people,” Cathy answers in defeat.

“I wasn’t planning on sneaking out the back door,” Amanda assures her as she heads for the bedroom door. “That’s why I’m up here now instead of doing this later when I’d be rushed.”

“Fine, as long as you don’t just go sneaking off,” Cathy sighs in resignation.

Luckily, Amanda’s room is at the top of the stairs and all further conversation must stop as they return to the party going on. Amanda starts making the rounds, saying goodbye to her family and old friends before finally, hesitantly, the men her mother had invited. Before she gets to escape, her presents are thrust upon her and she reluctantly opens them as fast as she can. As she finishes with one of her last gifts, her nieces run up with one more present.

“Here you go, Aunt Amy,” Bethany starts.

“We made it ourselves,” Beverly ends.

“Thank you, girls,” Amanda says while she opens the wrapping paper.

Inside she finds a book whose front and back covers have pictures of a wide variety of plants and animals haphazardly pasted all over them. A clear gloss like fingernail enamel covers the pictures to keep them from being damaged and when Amanda opens the book, she finds that the pages are just lined paper.

“What a beautiful journal,” Amanda smiles as she opens her arms. “Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome,” the twins sing out as the jump into their aunt’s arms to get their hugs and kisses.

“Here,” Paul says as he shoves yet another present at his aunt and she quietly opens the small, thin package to reveal a CD in a clear top jewel case. “Grandma and Mom got out a bunch of pictures of when you and Mom were growing up and I scanned them, put them in a slide show and then I added some music to it, though not the music I wanted to.”

“Your aunt isn’t exactly a fan of Eminem,” Annie points out to her son.

“Thank you, Paul, that was very sweet of you,” Amanda replies as she opens her arms, the girls move out of the way as their brother stiffly accepts a hug from his aunt and she moves her mouth close to his ear. “When you’re mom’s not looking, check under my bed.”

The boy pulls away with a big grin on his face and hers is just as big.

“What did you just say to him?” Annie demands, eyeing her sister suspiciously.

“I was just thanking him,” Amanda answers with an innocent smile.

“Honest, Mom, that’s all she was doing,” Paul adds, big innocent eyes looking at his mother.

“Uh huh, right,” Annie nearly snarls, here eyes narrowing at the two of them. “Lying is a sin you know.”

“Oh, look at the time,” Amanda suddenly states as she stands up and starts to wade through the people. “I better get going if I’m going to make my train.”

Another quick round of goodbyes and then Amanda is out the door. She swiftly loads her suitcase, the satchel with her laptop and the hastily packed shopping bags of birthday presents in the trunk of her parent’s car, hoping nothing breaks on the trip. She gets into the car about a second before her father slides behind the wheel.

“I thought Mom was driving me,” she states in confusion.

“She was going to, but then she noticed we were running low on food and didn’t think it was safe to let me make anything,” he replies as he starts up the car and pulls away from the curb.

“Well, you did catch the kitchen on fire that one time,” she reminds him.

“Hey! That was a long time ago,” he grouses.

“And Mom’s never going to let you forget it,” she points out. “Speaking of Mom, did she give you my cell phone?”

“Yes, she did and no you’re not getting it back,” he answers.

“Dad,” she begs.

“No, your mother would have my head,” he replies.

“Please, Dad,” she pleads.

“No way, your mother would kill me,” he retorts boldly, but she’s sure he’s weakening.

“Pretty please, Daddy,” she whimpers as she lays her head on his shoulder and gives him the big puppy dog eye look.

“Amy, sweetheart, I love you with all of my heart, but if your mother finds out that I gave you your phone back before we got to the train station she would roast me over a slow fire,” he firmly states while she sits up and stares at him. “Don’t bother staring at me with that look. Your mother taught you that look and I’ve had a lot more years to develop defenses against, so just forget it.”

With a snort of disgust, she slumps down in her seat, crosses her arms over her chest and sulks. He looks at her out of the corner of his eye and he inwardly groans. He’s always hated it when the girls used emotional blackmail on him when they were kids and it hasn’t gotten any better with them being adults.

“Some birthday this has turned out to be,” she mumbles.

“Listen, honey,” he starts with a sigh. “Please understand that we love you and we want to visit with you, not your cell phone.”

“I know, Dad,” she sighs. “But you need to understand I feel responsible for her being there. I feel like an idiot letting them take her, but I don’t know what else I could have done.”

“From what you’ve told me, there wasn’t any other choice,” he points out.

“Sometimes I wonder,” she replies. “Maybe if I tried a little harder, maybe if I did something a little different.”

“Who else is prepared to train a mutant with her destructive capabilities?” he asks.

“Yeah, I guess your right,” she answers reluctantly. “Still, I need to know she’s alright. For my own peace of mind, if nothing else.”

“I understand, Amy,” he replies. “But I’m still not giving you back your phone.”

“Fine,” she grumbles and stares at the passing scenery.

“You’re mother mentioned something about some party you got invited to,” he casually mentions. “Why don’t you tell me about that?”

After about a minute of silence, she starts to talk about the deal she’s made with Mr. Jones, the phone conversations she’s had with his nephew and the masquerade ball she’s been invited to, filling up the time as they make their way to the train station.

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“You’re shittin’ me,” he growls, a frown creasing his brow.

“No, Logan, I’m not ‘shittin’ you,” Storm calmly replies. “You are relieved of all other duties until you complete this assignment.”

“This is bullshit,” he grumbles as he abruptly gets up from his seat and heads for the door.

“I want order in this school, Logan,” she warns, leaning back in her own chair behind her desk. “And I will have it, one way or another. Now you can help or you can leave. The choice is yours.”

Logan stops at the door with his hand on the knob and becomes as still as a statue.

“You’d kick me out,” he states, not bothering to turn around.

“I can’t have you terrorizing the students,” she grimly points out.

“I spent over eight hours tracking that little brat and all I get is shit,” he snaps, spinning around to face the white haired woman. “What the hell is her problem any ways?”

“Serena has abandonment and jealousy issues,” she answers. “And you aren’t helping if you’re getting her so mad or scared that she’s blowing holes in the building.”

“I was just pointing out that her grandparents aren’t as loving as she thinks they are,” he states, his arms crossing over his broad chest.

“There are better ways than yelling at her,” she responds testily as she stands up. “I better go with you to explain things to her. Hopefully Hank or Kurt will have gotten her calmed down enough to talk to rationally.”

“Speaking of the big, blue furball,” he mutters as he opens to door revealing Hank standing there scowling at him.

“I heard that, boy,” Hank softly growls.

“Good,” Logan snaps back.

“Alright you two, that’s enough testosterone for one evening,” Storm interrupts as she walks up to them. “Is everything alright, Hank?”

“I’m afraid I need to get going,” Hank answers as he pulls a small piece of paper out of his pocket and hands it to her. “Have this filled and make sure Serena takes it.”

“What is it?” she asks as she looks at the prescription he’s written out.

“Anti-depressants,” Hank answers. “I went over her readings again from last night’s scan. There’s a chemical imbalance in her brain, these drugs should help ease the more severe mood swings.”

“Ok, I’ll have it taken care of in the morning,” she assures him as she steps up for a hug which he gladly gives. “Have a safe trip home and please think about my offer.”

“Thank you and I will,” Hank says as he reluctantly releases his old friend. “Call me if anything changes.”

“I will,” she replies. “Bye, Hank.”

“Bye, Ororo, take care of yourself,” Hank responds as he heads towards the front door, picking up his bag on the way. “Bye, boy.”

“Catch ya later, furball,” Logan shoots back and Hank only chuckles at him before disappearing around a corner.

“Come on, Logan,” she orders while she heads in the other direction. “It’s time for you to start your new assignment.”

“Joy,” he grumbles as he reluctantly follows the headmistress into the depths of the mansion. “So what did you offer furball anyways?”

“A teaching position,” she answers without bothering to turn around and look at him. “We could use another teacher.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” he mutters under his breath.

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“Ok, honey, here’s your phone,” Stuart says as he hands the device over and she quickly pockets it. “Have a good trip home.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Amanda replies as she gives him a hug and a kiss goodbye. “I’m sorry for being such a pest this weekend.”

“It’s ok, sweetheart,” he responds as he gives her an extra squeeze. “Hopefully next month’s visit won’t be as dramatic.”

“Hopefully Mom won’t be inviting any strange men to Thanksgiving,” she sighs as she starts to pick up all of her bags. “I feel like a pack mule.”

“Just wait until Christmas,” he chuckles and she lets out a groan. “You better get going or you’re going to miss your train.”

“Ah! You’re right,” she cries in alarm and starts hurrying towards her train. “Bye, Dad. Love you.”

“I love you too, sweetheart,” he yells back as she disappears into the crowd.

Amanda squirms her way through the crowd, which thankfully isn’t all that bad considering how it will be when she comes back to visit for Thanksgiving and Christmas. After having a conductor confirm her ticket and pointing her to the correct track, she finally gets on board. After shuffling her way through a couple of cars with all of her bags, she finally finds a couple of empty seats next to each other and gladly sits down, quickly stowing her things just as the train starts to move.

As she’s finishing up, a conductor comes through collecting the tickets and she hands hers over, relaxing into her seat. As soon as he’s gone, she pulls out her phone and turns it on. It beeps at her shortly after getting through its welcome message to let her know that she’s missed several calls and there are just as many voice messages waiting for her. After confirming that all of the missed calls came from the same number, she immediately calls the person back, praying that the girl’s not too mad at her.

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Author’s Notes 2: A strange place to end it, I know, but the chapter was actually going too long so I cut it in two which means that chapter 12 is almost done. As always, please leave a review.