Galatea

Galatea Chapter Thirty Five (NC-17)
Disclaimers Apply

A/N Goddess Foxfeather, Queen of Mad Plotbunnies, BUSIEST WOMAN ALIVE (tm), Prophetic Muse, Hamster Witch and Uberbeta...*glomp * InterNutter, TC, Maxwell Pink and Dracena get chocolate coated thanks for archiving/hosting. ProPhile, I now have the urge to refer to you as Pita Lincoln... Readers/Reviewers: *dance of joy * This moment of Balki brought to you by the ducks! And THANKS!

Amara twitched nervously in her seat. She had not been permitted to speak, Warren's attorney having ordered her silent the second she entered the room. She was mutant-friendly and quite nice in a very stern way, but Amara was powerfully reminded of a marble statue when looking at her. "Do not respond to any questions until I say so," she repeated one more time as Agent Lewis shuffled some more papers. All eyes snapped to the door as Rogue sidled in, led by Jean and followed by Kitty. "Okay, here we go," the lawyer muttered.
Amara nodded shakily, unaccountably scared. "Miss...Aquilla is it?" Agent Lewis began.
"You have her name in front of you," the lawyer, a Ms. Thomas, responded. "Cut the crap and get to your real questions.
Agent Lewis cleared his throat. "Just a professional observation, Ms. Thomas, but you might want to cut the law shows. It's affecting your style." He ignored the pointed glare and turned his attention to Rogue. "I understand you're one of Amara's friends."
"Yes, that's right." Rogue tried not to scrub at the mascara making her eyes itch as she smiled falsely at Agent Lewis.
"Do you know where she's from?"
"Somewhere south of here," Rogue shrugged.
"Miss, you're from somewhere South of here. I mean, do you know what country she's from?"
"Here," Kitty put in. "She's from the United States."
Ms Thomas's jaw dropped and Amara sat up straighter. Agent Lewis merely sighed. "I appreciate the lie, young lady but if Miss Aquilla were a documented citizen of the United States..."
"She is," Kitty insisted. "Show him, Amara!"
She jerked her chin in a proud gesture and smiled thinly. "Ms. Thomas, may I show the gentleman my documentation?"
The attorney looked only momentarily taken aback. "I need a moment, Agent Lewis."
"This is not a court case, Ms Thomas. This is an interview. You are here as a courtesy, not a necessity. Whatever game you're all playing, it would do for you to remember we are dealing with a serious federal offense here, one punishable by time in a penitentiary. Anyone," he paused for emphasis, "colluding in the harboring of an illegal alien is subject to the same punishments. In fact, it is most unusual that we did not imprison her immediately..."
"Mister Lewis," Kitty insisted, rising and holding out her hands earnestly. "she really has proof..."
"Miss...Pryde, is it? I was witness to a sample of your behavior not more than an hour ago. I think that your value with me is sorely diminished."
Warren's lawyer friend tightened her jaw, knowing she was legally without legs. Instead of making further argument, she nudged Amara. "If you have it, show him."
Rogue had stopped fiddling with her hair and was leaning forward intently. _If this works, I will never call any of Kitty's plans stupid again... _
Amara reached under her chair and pulled out a folder and an envelope. "My birth certificate, my learner's permit in lieu of a driver's license, my passport for picture i.d. and my social security card."
Agent Lewis shot a hard, accusing glare at Ms Thomas, who merely smiled tightly. He took the folder from Amara's outstretched, slightly shaking, hand and laid the documents out in front of him on the Professors' desk. "These will all need to be verified," he snapped.
"I would assume so," Ms Thomas replied smoothly, regaining her composure.
He tucked the papers back into the folder and stood abruptly. "This is extremely unusual and frankly, I suspect it's a hoax. I'll return tomorrow at one for a further meeting based on my examination of these records."
As if summoned, Logan opened the door to the study and stood, as diffidently as he could manage, waiting. "Girls, you're needed in the kitchen. Except you, Amara. Professor Xavier needs to see you later..."
Ms Thomas extended her hand to Agent Lewis, but it was ignored. "I'll be back tomorrow, Amara. Good afternoon, Logan, Agent Lewis. Ladies."
Logan stood aside to let her leave and glared briefly at Kitty and Rogue, who hurried from the room. "Agent Lewis, I'll see you out."
The agent paused, giving Amara a considering look. "Miss Aquilla, I have seen many desperate attempts to stay in this country, but yours is shaping up to be one of the more intricate. Good day."
She remained standing, expression neutral, until Logan shut the door behind the agent. Then she crumpled onto the divan and stifled a sob against her fisted hands. _But I have nowhere to go... _

Lance saw Agent Lewis leave and could barely keep his pace to a walk as he crossed to the study from the rec room. He had expected shouting, or at least a longer visit. At worst, he feared she would be lead away in handcuffs or, knowing her as he did, dragged out kicking and screaming and burning. "Amara," he said quietly as he opened the door. "Hey...you crying?" _Oh, God, _ he panicked, _they're coming back for her! They left her here for her goodbyes and they're going to take her away! _
"No," she snapped, rubbing furiously at her eyes. "I'm just...squinty."
He knelt on the floor in front of her and rubbed her knees in nervous frustration. "Did they...what's happenin "I "I think he's going to figure it out," she said quietly, brokenly. "Kitty's work...for nothing." Softly, she told him about the meeting and what Agent Lewis had said to her. "I think Rogue's broken, by the bye."
He laughed briefly at the commentary on their friend's new appearance. "No, don't say that about the meeting," he murmured. "He was just trying to scare you, like when cops ask you if you know how fast you were going or something."
She sniffed loudly. "I don't think so..."
"Look," he said desperately, "let's not think about it right now, okay?"
"How can I not?" she asked thinly. "Now I have twenty four hours to freak out about getting arrested."
"Well..." He sighed. "Twenty four hours?"
"Yes. He's coming back tomorrow."
"You need a change of scenery," he said decisively. "Get your coat. We're going out."
"Where?"
"Just...out." He stood and assayed a smile. "We'll be back."
"Lance, we can't leave!" she protested, already heading towards the door.
"Why not? We don't have classes the rest of the day and you need cheering up." roferofessor Xavier wants to see me. Logan said so..."
"You forgot," he said simply. "Get your coat!"
Amara sighed and felt driven to do as she was told. It felt nice, she decided, not to have to make a decision. She knew he was right behind her as she retrieved her coat from the ill abused hall closet and was not surprised to find him mere inches away when she turned around. " Lance..."
"Less talk, more walk. C'mon. We're going for a drive."