Gene Grey's voice ricochets off the mahogany-paneled walls of Xavier's office like a bullet looking for a place to land. His perfect face is flushed crimson, auburn hair whipping dramatically as he paces back and forth. The effect would be almost theatrical if he wasn't so genuinely pissed off.
"ARE YOU INSANE?"
I slouch deeper into the leather chair opposite Xavier's empty desk, watching Gene's tirade with mild detachment. The way his hands slice through the air reminds me of Mom during her better tantrums, the ones where she was just screaming, not throwing things.
"I mean seriously, Jack!" He stops pacing to glare directly at me, those emerald eyes practically glowing with rage. "Taking a compound femur fracture from Scotty in the middle of a Sentinel attack? What were you thinking?"
I shrug, running my fingers over my now-perfectly-healed leg. Not even a phantom twinge remains from where bone had jutted through skin just hours ago. "She needed to fight. I could heal."
"That's not the point!" Gene's voice climbs another octave, which I wouldn't have thought possible. "You had no combat training against Sentinels! No field experience! No protective gear! You could have been killed!"
The corner of my mouth twitches upward. His concern would almost be touching if it wasn't so overblown. "I've died before, Gene," I say flatly. "And to be honest, this time would have been for a good cause."
Gene's face contorts with fury as his auburn hair seems to take on an eerie glow, tendrils lifting slightly as if caught in some invisible flame. The temperature in the room rises perceptibly.
"That's not funny, Jack," he hisses, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"I'm not joking," I reply, meeting his gaze steadily.
Before Gene can recover, the office door swings open. Professor Xavier wheels in with Scotty following close behind, both looking surprisingly composed considering the carnage we just survived. Gene's hair immediately settles back to its normal state, the fiery aura dissipating as quickly as it appeared.
"Jack," Xavier begins, her voice carrying that particular blend of authority and warmth I'm still getting used to, "thanks to your quick action tonight, it's very likely you saved Scotty's life."
She extends her hand toward me, the gesture formal yet genuine. I glance instinctively at Gene, some part of me still seeking permission or validation before interacting with authority figures.
"It's alright, Jack," Scotty says gently. "Xavier isn't going to hurt you."
The kindness in her misinterpretation of my hesitation makes something twist in my chest. I take Xavier's hand and shake it, surprised by the firmness of her grip.
"What you did out there," Xavier continues, holding my gaze, "reminds me of the X-Women's early days. When they were all too young, too reckless, and too brave for their own good." Her blue eyes seem to look through me, into some distant past.
I stiffen under the weight of her praise, unused to anyone seeing value in me. "I just did what made sense. Scotty needed to fight more than I did."
"Tactical thinking," Scotty nods approvingly. "Though I'd prefer you didn't nearly kill yourself in the process."
I rub my thigh absentmindedly, the memory of shattered bone still vivid even though the actual injury is long gone. "The leg took about ten minutes to heal completely. Once it was done, I was good to go. No lingering pain or anything."
Xavier nods thoughtfully, her fingers steepled beneath her chin. Then she exchanges a meaningful glance with Scotty, some unspoken communication passing between them.
Scotty clears her throat, standing a little straighter. "Jack, we've been talking, and... well, if you're open to it, we'd like to make you a prospective member of the X-Women."
My heart skips a beat. "Really?" The word comes out embarrassingly high-pitched, but I'm too shocked to care.
Xavier wheels forward slightly, her blue eyes intense with conviction. "The level of fearlessness and bravery you demonstrated tonight was extraordinary. Combined with your healing abilities and your impressive performance in combat training..." She smiles, a rare, genuine expression that transforms her severe features. "We believe you'd make an excellent addition to the team."
My mind races, unable to process what I'm hearing. From punching bag to superhero in less than a month. The universe has a weird sense of humor.
"I'd love to," I say, trying and failing to keep the excitement out of my voice.
Gene makes a sound somewhere between a cough and a choke. "I'm not entirely sure this is a good idea," he says, his voice tight with something I can't quite identify. His fingers drum anxiously against his thigh as he looks anywhere but at me. "Jack's powers are still developing, and the field is incredibly dangerous. We've lost people before."
"Nonsense, Gene," she says firmly. "You were just seventeen when you joined the team, and with far less experience than Jack here possesses."
Gene's cheeks flush crimson, matching his hair as he crosses his arms defensively. "I'd been training my powers since I was twelve."
"And Jack has been training to fight his entire life," Xavier counters smoothly. "Sometimes under the most brutal conditions imaginable."
I shift uncomfortably at the reference to my past, but can't help feeling a small surge of satisfaction at Xavier defending me. It's still so strange having someone in my corner.
Scotty steps forward, resting her hand on the edge of Xavier's desk. "I think we'd all feel a lot safer with a healer like Jack on the team," she says with firm conviction. "Plus, if he can take a broken leg from someone, that means he could potentially give it to someone else too." Her eyes light up with tactical possibilities. "The applications are endless."
Gene's face darkens, his face contorting into something that looks suspiciously like jealousy. He crosses his arms tighter, like he's physically trying to hold his objections in.
"So," I say, unable to contain my excitement any longer, "do I get a codename? All X-Women have cool names, right?"
Gene scoffs, rolling his eyes dramatically. "How about Cracker Jack?" he suggests, voice dripping with sarcasm. "I heard Jubilee talking with a few of the other girls about wanting to 'crack Jack.'"
My face instantly flames hot enough to fry an egg. Holy shit. I know exactly what "crack" means in this context. The thought of Jubilee and other girls at the mansion discussing... that... about me sends a rush of heat through my entire body.
Gene clearly has no idea what he's actually suggesting, which somehow makes it even funnier. His face remains perfectly composed, eyebrow arched in what he probably thinks is clever mockery.
"I..." I clear my throat, trying to sound casual. "I actually love it."
Gene's smug expression falters, replaced by genuine confusion and what looks like mounting irritation.
"Cracker Jack it is, then," Xavier declares with a slight smile that makes me wonder if she knows exactly what's happening. "Welcome to the X-Women, Jack."