Kindness Costs You Nothing

Tony took a large swallow and gulped it down. He listened to Isabella’s words then his eyebrows drew up in surprise. “Wasn’t it you that was set on sending her away? Why the sudden change of heart? Is this because she’s a woman?” He asked cautiously. Questions like those usually got him into trouble with isabella. But he honestly wanted to know.

Now that things had gotten to normal Peter left the tower to go home. He had been relieved of his duties at Osborn Corp. The main lab complex was to be shut down pending an investigation by the FBI and SHIELD. It was all in the news though already. 9 dead and 19 wounded, all security personnel. Steve said in the debrief, though Peter only heard it second hand from Serena that they were all hard-pressed in there and that Steve himself may have killed or seriously hurt a few guards. The rest were certainly by the hands of Logan and Natalya.

Peter had bene home for only just over an hour but already he was missing Serena. He had never felt closer to another human being, even his Aunt may as he did to Serena. His heart actually hurt now that they were apart. He decided to text her as he sat on his bed.

‘Hi love of my life, is it pathetic if I’m missing you already? I’m just sitting here wishing I could just be near you right now. :-(

Logan never knocked when he came into Natalya’s room. He bobbed his head in to see if she were decent, sometimes he just came all the way in though as if it were his own room. He saw her laying on her bed. He held a large bottle of a pricey bourbon and 2 glasses. Without even looking at her directly he moved up to the bedside table set the glasses down and put 2 heavy pours into the glasses. He picked them up then extended his hand toward her without speaking a word.

Isabella's eyebrows drew up and she gave Tony a look that said 'Did you seriously just ask me that?' She put down her glass and looked at her husband. "I judged Natalya too quickly, I will admit that and I do still think she is dangerous. However, tonight when I was bandaging her up I could see the emotional pain in her eyes. She needs us Tony. She won't say it but she does. Maybe we don't put her on the team right away, but we give her a probationary period. I think if this woman is treated with just an ounce of kindness that we will see a different side to her. She wasn't given a choice for the life she had with the SSB. We cannot change her past, but we can give her the opportunity to change her future."

Serena was laying on her bed in her room with the door closed thinking about everything that had transpired tonight with Peter. Their relationship had changed...forever. There was no going back to the way it had been before, but she didn't want it to. She heard her phone ding and she picked it up and smiled when she saw it was from Peter and then laughed when she read his message.

'No, it's not pathetic at all. I am actually missing you too. Can you come by the Tower tomorrow?'

Natalya heard the door to her room open and looked over to see Logan. Thankfully, he hadn't come alone. He had brought some bourbon and two glasses. She sat up and didn't say anything either. She took the glass he handed her and took a big sip. She swallowed it and then closed her eyes and breathed out as she slowly relaxed. After a moment she finally spoke.

"Do you really think I can change?"

Tony moved to half sit on Isabella’s mahogany desk. He rolled around the scotch in his crystal glass as he listened to Isabella. “I want her on the team babe. The last thing she needs right now is to be idle. She’s a physical creature and whatever she needs to work out in her head will be if the rest of her needs are being met. And she is dangerous,” he said as he stared off into nothing. “I’ve never heard so many words come out of Logan before,” Tony said and chuckled at that. “She’s really gotten under his skin,” he added and took another drink.

‘I’ll try, I just got let go from Osborn Corp. So I’ll have to look for another job very soon before bills start piling up again’ he texted. ‘Is it terrible that I put 2 more condoms in my wallet for us?’

Logan didn’t answer her immediately he savored the dark amber fiery taste of the bourbon as its heat burned down his throat. “I think if you want something bad enough, you’ll achieve it Natalya. You more than most people I think,” he said plainly. The alcohol was strong and it gave him a buzz almost immediately. It wouldn’t last certainly but it was hanging on for now.

“Everyone here is different in their own way. Tony, Isabella, Serena and Pharaoh understand how the world works and don’t hold people down for making mistakes. They only ask that they take responsibility for them. You were prepared to die for yours, what do you think they’d think about that? They took me in when the X-Men were done with me and I’m still here. I think if you give yourself a chance, they will as well,” he said and smiled at her as he gestured to her with his glass. He decidedly did not mention Steve Rogers at all.

Isabella was glad that Tony agreed with her. She thought he was right. She would be more dangerous being idle. They would need to keep her busy. She had a feeling that Logan and Steve might be the only ones who could keep up with her in the training room. She took another drink and nodded when Tony mentioned what Logan had said to Natalya. "I think he feels responsible for her since he was the one who brought her here. I can also imagine that she reminds him of herself in many ways. That Adamantium was grafted to his bones without his consent. In many ways he was created just like she was. I think those two are actually going to be good for one another. There aren't many other people in this world who probably understand what they've been through."

'I'll talk to my dad and see if he has any other connections where you might be able to get a job,' she texted back. She then grinned when she saw his other text. 'No, it's not terrible. I actually think it's better to be safe than sorry.'

Natalya listened to Logan and gave a little nod. If they were willing to take a chance on her then she would do her best for them. They deserved that and she deserved that. She took another sip of her drink and then glanced at him. "I don't think Steve wants me here though. I think he considers me too big a risk."

‘You dont need to do that, you know that right? I can take care of myself, but I appreciate the thought though’

‘Does this mean that what happened today will likely happen again? I really really really really really hope so! ;-D’

“Steve’s a boyscout...a water walker,” Logan said as he picked up the bottle and refreshed their pours. “He felt the same about me,” Logan said. “I still don’t much like that guy but he is a good man. Kate won’t necessarily go his way either. That one has a mind of her own. I’m not certain what she sees in Steve but, what do I know,” he said dismissively and took another large sip.

“Isabella asked me to ask you this but asked me not to tell you she asked me,” he said and then thought about what he just said a moment...then nodded that he got it right. “They’ve seen you fight and its obvious you know several forms of martial arts. Would you be interested in training us? Me, Pharaoh, Serena, everyone?” He asked.

Serena smiled. ‘I can’t say when, but I would like for it to happen again. We just need to continue to be careful. I don’t want anything to ruin our relationship.’

Natalya let Logan refresh her drink and she took another sip. Because of the Super Soldier Serum she wasn’t really affected by alcohol, but the taste was nice. She glanced at Logan when he mentioned that Isabella was wondering if she would train everyone in the forms martial arts that she knew. She looked visibly surprised that she was being asked to train the Avengers team. “I’ve never trained anyone before. I suppose I could give it a try though.”

At their usual table in the lunchroom Morgan kept looking over at Serena. She was sitting just kiddy corner from her and chewing on a piece of celery she dipped in what looked and smelled like ranch dressing. “You look...different, did you do something with your hair? Did you color it?” She asked as she tried to see if it looked different. At that point both Kelly and Heather suddenly became interested and looked her way. They both sat across from Morgan and Theresa though Theresa was looking over at Harry and not paying attention to what they others were saying.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Harry asked and some of their other friends turned and looked at Peter. “What do you mean? I’m...just in a good mood today. Can’t a guy be in a good mood?’” Peter said. He tried not to look over at Serena’s table but it wasn’t easy. He saw her looking over toward him a few times. He should just go over there. There were a couple now, weren’t they? He didn’t need to do this ‘sneaking’ around stuff anymore, did he? “Escuse me guys, I’m going to say hi to my girl,” Peter said almost haughtily. Harry and the other boys eyebrows drew up and Randall even blinked in surprise. Serena would see Peter stand up then start over her way as the girls began to ask her more questions about what she’s doing differently to her look.

Serena tried to keep herself from glancing over at Peter in the lunchroom, but it was difficult. But why shouldn't she look? He was her boyfriend now and lots of people had seen them kissing at the party. Every so often Peter would look her way just as she was looking his and their eyes would meet and she would give him a soft smile. However, her attention was pulled away as Morgan eyed her and commented that she looked different. Serena nearly blushed, but she managed to keep cool. "There's nothing different about me," she replied with a smile. "I'm just happy is all."

Most of the girls...most of the guys too, knew that it was probably best to forget everything that had happened at Harry’s party. Donald had confessed that he had dumped a powdered form of Molly into the punch and even now no one would even look at him let alone speak to him. Thankfully heather had not gotten pregnant from her...fling with Randall at the party. Enough time had passed where what Theresa had done was now almost as if it had never happened. Mostly because of the drugs and the knowledge that people would not have done what they did normally. It wasn’t fair to judge someone who slipped a drug they did not intend on taking. Donald was extremely lucky no one was truly injured to. Evenso no one could call him out on what he did openly. Doing so what make presence of the party and if that happened ‘parents’ would get involved. And no one wanted that, especially Heather. She hated Randall! At least ton the surface she did.

The other reason the girls thought it was her outward appearance was that the other likely reason was Peter. The thin, geeky kid who you asked to help you with your homework or the guy you tried to get as your lab partner so you didn’t have to do much work. Peter who seemed uncomfortable around girls and who had to have his name drawn out of a hat and forced into a closet with a girl to actually kiss one.

Peter deposited his tray in the bin and moved over to the girls table. He came up behind Serena and then quickly put his fingers over her eyes. “Can ya guess who it is?” He said warmly in her ear. Morgan and Heather looked poleaxed while the other girls only looked as if Peter had grown horns or something. Boys did NOT come to their table unless they were invited! When he saw her surprise turn into a smile he let go of her then turned around to sit on the table beside her to her right front nearest to Heathers side. “Hey gorgeous, meet me for study hall, later?” He said. They had already decided to come up with a sort of code for certain things. This meant that he wanted to make out with her in the library during 4th hour. Most of their code involved something about studying but for anyone who knew them both, they knew that Serena and Peter were very smart. They did not ‘do’ alot of studying.

Morgan cleared her throat noisily and gave him a dark look. Peter only gazed in her direction. “Oh hey there Morgan, don’t you look nice today,” he said. Peter seemed to ‘ooze’ confidence right then and most of his dorkiness had seemed to evaporate before their eyes. It was the way that he spoke that made the difference and his words actually made Morgan blush in embarrassment.

Serena, Peter, and Harry had not discussed what had happened at the party. No one had. They all just wanted to forget it ever happened and they knew how lucky they were that no one had gotten hurt. Serena was just glad that her parents hadn't found out what had happened. If so, she would have been in serious trouble and never would have been allowed to go to any other parties. Her back was to Peter when he approached her from behind and she had been focused on Morgan and so she had not sensed Peter until he covered her eyes and whispered into her ear. She turned and smiled warmly up at him. She ignored the other girls. His newfound confidence turned her on quite a bit. It wasn't a cocky kind of confidence either. He was also incredibly charming towards her and she loved that. Her father was the same way with her mother. His question about meeting for 'study hall' made her smile grow into a grin because she knew what his question really was.

"That sounds great."

Serena’s lips were unbelievably soft and moist. He could taste what he thought was strawberry. She must be using some kind of lip gloss hw thought. He loved strawberry and perhaps, somehow she found out about that. The library had several people for study hall but no one ever used the microfiche room these days. Peter felt her breasts over her shirt and bra and he pressed his middle up against hers. He didn’t mind her touching him either. She was sitting on one of the desks next to one of the machines and her legs were folded around him as he kissed her. If this was what romance was about, Peter knew that he loved it and never wanted this feeling to end.

“I never want to stop kissing you Serena...never,” Peter murmured in between kisses.

Tony stepped into Logan’s room. He was concerned about what he might think or more importantly ‘do’ about their guest, Eric Lehnsherr aka Magneto. The X-Men had worked with him but also had been at odds with him. He was an advocate for an all mutant world here on earth. Quite literally he could care less if all the humans in the world were to suddenly perish. Today though he had come upon a banner of peace to discuss something very important to Tony and Isabella. Natalya was there with him and they were watching some kind of talent competition on the television in Logan’s room.

“Logan, Eric Lehnsherr is here. He has something interesting to tell us. Won’t you and Natalya join us in the conference room?” he asked. Logan jumped up from his chair and it was obvious that his quick motion had set off Natalya. She stood as well in a flash and looked around as if there could be something dangerous lurking in the room. “His banner of peace is a ruse. He wants something from us or he’d not have come. Don’t be a chump Tony,” Logan said.

“We haven’t agreed to anything Logan, just come to the conference room...and mind your manners big guy, ok?” he asked and then left the room.

The conference room had everyone in it including Pharaoh. Magneto was in street clothes and a presence of calm and authority emanated from him. That and a hidden power. Isabella had brought him some tea with a squeeze of lemon and a few english biscuits from the pantry. Pharaoh and he was talking with the others came in.

Serena loved feeling Peter's lips against her own. They were firm, yet soft and knew just what to do to hers. Serena felt nothing but happiness when she was around Peter. He made her feel special...and yet normal at the same time. She felt that they could accomplish anything together.

"What do you think our future will be like together?" she said between kisses.

Natalya had been relaxing with Logan in his room, well as relaxed as Natalya could get at this point. She was having terrible nightmares and wasn't sleeping well and experienced fits of anxiety. She was used to always working and having a job to do. Relaxing was something she was trying to actually learn how to do. She was rather intrigued by the talent competition they were watching on tv and every so often she and Logan would make comments, some positive...some sarcastic and snarky. She was always on alert though, that had been hardwired into her system, and so when Tony walked in she tensed up slightly. That tension caused her to spring to her feet when Logan suddenly jumped to his upon Tony mentioning a man by the name of Eric Lehnsherr. She didn't know who that was, but clearly Logan did. She glanced at Logan and waited for his nod before she walked with him out of his room and into the conference room where Steve, Kate, Pharaoh, Isabella, and the man she presumed to be Eric were waiting. Kate had only arrived back from her mission the day before, but she and Natalya had not yet gotten to spend a lot of time together. She knew, however, that Steve wasn't at all happy about her being at the Tower. Natalya walked in and glanced around but stayed near Logan.

Eric drank his hot tea calmly as if had all the time in the world. He was approximately in his 60s but he looked hail and his eyes almost glowed with a powerful inner light. “Ah, the Wolverine, I was wondering where you ran off to,” Eric said. It was a neutral comment but it obviously meant something else to Logan and he scowled at him. “Last time I saw you Eric, you were in a plastic cell. What they didn’t have enough legos for you to play with?” Logan said insultingly. Eric chuckled at the comment. “My dear boy, no cell could ever hold me for long,” he said confidently. “Now we could reminisce all day but...oh, and who is this?” he asked as he looked over at Natalya. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” Eric said.

“This is Natalya Sokolova Eric,” Pharaoh said. “She is one of the avengers,” he said and offered the man no more than that. “What a lovely child.” Eric said as he smiled and looked her over. “ And how is Serena doing Isabella?” he said and shifted his gaze back to her. “I hear her powers are increasing,” he said interestedly and he pointed at her. For some reason that comment made Tony frown. He didn’t know why but he just didn’t like it. “Eric, you’ve come a long way, could we speed this along?” Tony asked as politely as he could.

Natalya felt Eric's eyes examine her closely but she held her ground and didn't say anything. Kate stood next to Steve a little ways away from Eric. Kate knew who Eric was, but she had never met him before. When she had developed her mutant powers and Professor Xavier had been called in by SHIELD to evaluate her, she had over heard Professor Xavier mention Eric's name to Phil Coulson, and unfortunately it wasn't in a positive light.

Isabella was trying to be polite and hospitable towards Eric, but when he mentioned Serena and her powers directly she visibly tensed up. She didn't want him anywhere near her daughter, but she held her tongue from saying that directly. Thankfully, Tony spoke up to try and direct the conversation back to why Eric was there in the first place.

Peter paused in the kissing to think about his answer. He thought about it a moment and then smiled. “It won’t ever be dull or boring. It will be exciting and filled with life and love and adventure,” he began and then looked embarrassed. ‘Jesus christ I sound like some kind of advertisement,” he said as he chuckled. “But I still believe it. You,” He gestured toward her. “And me, “ He gestured toward himself. “Will be amazing together,” he said and then shifted back toward her lips. His arms went around her and he pressed his body to him.

“Alright, I suppose we can ‘catch up’ later,” he said diplomatically. Logan stirred and crossed his arms over his chest but it was clear he was agitated. He didn’t say anything though, not yet anyway. He knew full well that Tony and Isabella were not mutants. But they did work closely with them. It would have to do this time.

“Have any of you heard of a man named Baron Von Strucker? He used to be the Red Skull’s second in command,” he said plainly. Steve Rogers stirred this time at that and his eyes grew more intense and interested right then. Kate had heard the name but it was part of a huge file on the Red Skull. She thought she knew the name but now many specifics about it.

“He intends on murdering someone I think you all know...Nick Fury. He is gathering mutants to aid him and they are calling themselves the Hellfire Brotherhood. They will eventually come looking for you all and, if you refuse their membership...you will die,” he said plainly and looked around the room.

Serena laughed at Peter, but his answer made her smile and her eyes brighten even more. She knew that her life was with Peter's now. She had never felt this way about anyone before. Being a part from him made her sad. She could see herself marrying him one day. She continued to kiss him for a while before she heard the bell that signaled the end of that period. She pulled back from Peter and sighed a little because she knew she needed to get to her History class. She ran her fingers through her hair to smooth it out a little and pulled her lip balm out of her pocket to apply a little more. Peter would be able to see that it was Strawberry flavored. "Any leads on a new job?"

At the name Baron Von Strucker, Kate felt Steve tense up beside her. She glanced at him and recognized that name, but didn't know much about him. She knew he had been in league with the Red Skull. She looked back at Eric and crossed her arms over her chest. "Why is he after Nick Fury specifically?"

“Well, not necessarily him as much as what he possesses. An Item of incredible power...or so I’ve heard,” He said then sat back into his chair as if he were trying to relax. “He’s quite mad I think and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. I’m only telling you this because I know you all worked with Mr. Fury at one time or another. “The world does not not need a mad king to sit upon a throne and I fear that is what will happen if he isn’t stopped,” Eric warmed.

Peter shrugged and his recent mirth seemed to die out suddenly. “I’m back to taking pictures at the Bugle,” He said and obviously he wasn't very happy about that. “But I’m still looking so you never know,” he said with more enthusiasm but Serena would know it was for her benefit alone. He didn't want her to worry about him. He escorted her out with their backpacks on their shoulders and no one appeared to have taken notice of them leaving the room.

Isabella glanced at her husband upon hearing what Eric had to tell him about Baron Von Strucker's plan. She wasn't entirely sure what he could be after, but they all knew that SHIELD had some pretty powerful weapons and items in their possession. "So, how exactly did you find out about this?" she asked Eric as she looked back at him.

Serena could sense Peter's worry and she stopped him and turned and looked into his eyes. She gently caressed his right cheek with her hand in a loving manner. "Something great is going to come your way Peter Parker, because no one else in this world deserves it but you."

“Do to a nearby incident we are dismissing class early today. Those of you who take buses will line up at your usual bus stops and all buses have been informed,” The principle announced over the loud speaker. Morgan grinned at Serena, happy to be getting out early. Now that it was November it was getting colder. Today it was rainy and no one wanted to really be outside. Serena decided to use the bathroom before she met Happy outside. There was no one else there right then, the bathroom was completely empty. As she washed her hands though she heard someone come in. As she looked up into the mirror she saw Morgan come in.

“Serena?” She asked and waited for her to look back at her in the mirror. “Oh hi morgan, whats up?” Serena answered. Then she saw her draw something that looked like a weapon and pointed it toward her. Before she could really react the woman shot her and she felt a sharp pain in her neck. Even as she turned around she began to feel sleepy and lethargic. Her eyesight began to blur as who had once been Morgan turned into a woman with bright red hair and blue skin. The last thing Serena remembered was falling onto the floor of the bathroom, before all went black.

Mystique studied Serena closely for a few moments then her body began to change. As she straightened to look at herself in the mirror she was an exact copy of Serena. As she began to speak her voice changed and soon, that was very close to Serena’s voice as well.

As Eric continued to layout the Baron’s delusions Logan felt someone step into his mind. “Logan, this is Charles. Eric is lying to you. If you attack him though he will stop you and likely kill everyone in that room. Eric is the leader of the hellfire Brotherhood and he is attempting to steal something called a Tesseract. We don’t know what it is but I do know you need to keep that part to yourself. I know we did not part on good terms but I will not condone what Eric is doing. My advice is to go along with his plan in order to find this Baron Von Strucker.

“I have a spy in his group, perhaps you’ve heard of her, Mystique? She can take on so many shapes and she has been with them for a while now and feeding me intelligence. Strucker is quite insane and wishes to create a world free of humanity. He believes mutants are the ultimate race and humans are inferior,” he said. Natalya would see Logan’s expression change and his eyes shot daggers at Eric suddenly but he didn’t move. He was on edge all of a sudden and nothing at all had changed in the conference room.

Serena was trying to pay attention in her History class, but her mind was on Peter. She was beginning to wonder if she might be able to pull him into a closet after school was over for a little kissing when suddenly she heard the principal come on over the loud speaker and announce that school was being let out early. She glanced at Morgan and wondered what the incident was that had caused this to happen. She pulled out her phone and texted Happy to let him know and then gathered up her things. She decided to head to the bathroom first, knowing it would take Happy a little while to get there. She was in the process of pulling out her lip balm when she suddenly heard a voice behind her. She looked up and saw Morgan through the mirror. She gave her a little smile but then suddenly she saw her pull out a weapon. Before she could even react she felt a sharp, stinging pain in her neck. Within seconds her legs felt like jelly underneath her and the room began to spin. As she collapsed down to her knees she looked up to see Morgan transform into a woman with blue skin and bright red hair, then darkness took her.

Natalya continued to stand next to Logan. She didn't know Eric or Baron Von Strucker, but she knew Logan and he had spared her life when he could have killed her. She still wasn't entirely sure he had made the right choice, but of all the people in this room right now he was the one she trusted the most. She glanced over at him and saw his expression begin to change and he was suddenly on edge. Natalya began to tense up as well and she wasn't entirely sure what was going on.

Kate thought about something and looked back at Eric. "How is Baron Von Strucker even still alive at this point? Shouldn't he be dead?"

Eric looked at Kate and smiled. “By all accounts he should be. But Mystique believes that he had been a test subject at one time for the Super Soldier Serum and though he never received the final formula, what he did receive extended his life. I honestly don’t know much about The Red Skull or the Baron. Most of that is history now. Just enough truth to make his lie completely believable.

“I will confess that years ago when our own government tried to pass a law for Mutant registration I was strongly opposed to the measure,” he began but Logan cut him off. “Oh, you were opposed alright. And you used a girl’s powers to try and mutate alot of people against their will,” Logan said angrily and his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles cracked. Logan had had a special place in his heart for Rogue and he was almost killed himself when he made her touch him to absorb his powers of healing. Eric only looked at him. “A mistake I now regret Logan. I was...angry and afraid for all of us,” he said as if admitting something he didn’t really want to admit. Again so close to the truth that it made the lie convincing. Logan did not appear nullified by his answer. “I’m done listening to you,” he said and then stepped away from the table and out of the door.

Serena felt extremely tired and her stomach felt quite nauseous. She heard people around her. Some were talking while others were moving about. She felt something soft underneath her and when she finally opened her eyes she saw several people near her and she was in a small bed. She didn’t recognize any of them but one man was playing solitaire on a small folding table and each time he flipped a card he seemed to do it without using his hands. Over to her left was a girl lighting another kids’ cigarette with what looked to be a small jet of fire from her fingertips. Most of those near her, it was as if they were all in a large room with beds up and down the sides. Several kids were on the beds while others were at a small table or talking to one another as they stood. Most were young, about her age she noted and all either had some obvious oddness to them, a mutation she knew, or they wore outlandish clothes like a costume or uniform. She knew she wasn’t bound or held down and no one really seemed to pay her much mind.

“Hey, the new girl’s waking up,” she heard a woman’s voice to her right. She had a studded leather jacket, a purple mohawk hairdo and looked like a punk rocker of some sort. She was chewing gum and blew a large bubble that popped and she peeled it from her face, smiled over at Serena and began chewing it again. “Wow, she’s a cutie,” The woman said and gave Serena an approving look.

Isabella glanced between Eric and Logan and then glanced at Tony when Logan revealed what Eric had done a few years ago. Hearing something like that caused her to worry for her own daughter's safety. At this point she wasn't entirely sure who she could trust. Natalya watched Logan as he walked out of the room and she followed after him. She caught up to him a little ways down the hall and stopped him.

"What's going on Logan?"

Serena slowly began to stir and awaken. Her head throbbed and her mouth felt like cotton had been stuffed inside of it. As she opened her eyes she felt sick to her stomach and blinked against the light above her. Slowly, she began to realize that people were talking around her, but they weren't any voices she recognized. She blinked and looked around and realized she wasn't at school or at the Tower. She didn't know where she was and it was then that she remembered the woman with the red hair and blue skin from the bathroom. She must have drugged her and kidnapped her. But why? And where the hell was she?

She slowly sat up and looked over at a woman to her right who had spoken to the others. She ignored her last comment and looked at her. "Where the hell am I and why am I here?"