My new X-Perience

It was oddly relaxing and refreshingly normal to simply sit there, playing go fish with J.D and flirting with Gambit. She was warm and comfortable in her bed, the pain killers helping to dull the thoughts of others into little more than a pleasant buzz in the back of her head. Like all good things, however, it was not to last. A crash in the hall made them all jump. A puzzled frown on his face, the Cajun moved to the door and peered out to see what the commotion was, pulling his head back in just as a clipboard sailed past, mssng his nose by precious inches.

"Someone's throwin' stuff." He muttered, eyebrows raised as he glanced back at J.D. J.D however seemed unconcerned.

"It's probably Dr.Cox." He explained. "He does that sometimes, and things have been pretty nutty here. We have like, three people waiting for transplants." He trailed off as snatches of a shouted argument reached their ears.

"I don't give a crap, Perry!" A gravvely man's voice snarled. "She's putting this entire hospital at risk. You know they're starting to throw things at any doctor they see now?"

"Yeah, Bob, I do know." Dr.Cox retorted, his tone glacial. "But that's no reason to put my patient in harm's way."

Ethine winced, knwing in her gut it was she who was under such vehement discussion. She saw Gambit scowl and stride over to the window, peering out between the curtains. Below in the parking lot was a crowd of angry people with signs, and even as he watched they pelted a surgeon hurrying inside with bottles and rocks and worse. Regardless of wether her doctor thought she was ready, it was time to get Ethine out. Grimly he flipped on his X-link to call for help, wondering how something like this could have happened without his knowing. Werent the others watching outside? Why had they not contacted him first?

Outside, the shouting match raged on unchecked. Ethine was sure everyone in the hospital could hear what was ebing said.

"She's a damn mutie! She concealed information that puts every doctor and patient here at risk!"

"She's my patient!"

"How does kelso know? You only just told me." J.D remarked, his cards now forgotten. Ethine shook her head, her hands over her face. She nearly choked on the wave of rage and frustration that heralded the arrival of Dr.Cox. Underneath it all he was exhausted and deeply concerned. He even looked distinctly haggered, a deep frown on his face and a five o clock shadow developing on his cheeks. Ethine sucked in a startled breath when she saw that he sported a black eye as well. Before anyone could say anything, however, Gambit ended his hushed conversation via X-link and stepped forward, his shoes clicking on the tile floor in the sudden silence.

"We're movin' her outta here, mon ami." He said flatly. Dr.Cox looked like he would have quite liked to punch the cajun, though he restrained himself and nodded. "We gotta get her to da roof."

"The roof?" Dr.Cox asked, brows knitted in a fierce scowl. When Gambit didn't offer any further explaination, he merely sighed and nodded again, turning to J.D. "Alright, Newbie. Go get Barbie and Carla and bring a gourney."

Within moments they had Ethine transfered onto the gourney and were wheeling her down the cool grey halls towards the elevator. No one spoke, all eyes focused ahead as Gambit renewed his conversation via X-link. Ethine plucked absently at her bedsheets, glancing towards Dr.Cox. A muscle was twitching in his jaw. He ddin't think she was ready to go.

"Dr.Cox?" She ventured. She had to say something to him before the oppurtunity was snatched away forever. His pale eyes flicked in her direction. She was suddenly glad that the others were at least pretending not to listen.

"Yeah?"

"I wanted to..thank you, for everything." She murmured quickly, the words spilling out in an embarrassed rush. "If you ever find yourself at the Double Helix, I can promise you all the free coffee you want." It wasn't much, but it was the best she could do. She wasn't one of the X-Men after all. Still, he flashed one of his toothy grins her way, pleased with the acknowledgement.

"It's my job." He said with uncharacteristic modesty. "But I might just take you up on that." He looked like he was about to continue, but the day was full of interruptions. There was an eruption of shouting behind them as they waited for the elevator and a number of men stampeded in their direction, stinking of hate and alchohol, waving baseball bats and bare fists. As one the doctors and Gambit whirled to face this new threat, the mutant placing himself in front of Ethine, a playing card glowing in his fingers.

"Holy shit!" Elliot shrieked, ducking as one of the men threw something in her direction. A beer bottle shattered noisily against the cold grey wall, the smell of the drink sharpening the air. Dr.Cox's eyes grew wide and he shoved the gourney out of the way as another of the men lunged at her. He took a fist to the face for his trouble, but gave one back in return, sending the man sprawling. Consternation! The hall was suddenly filled with people throwing blows, shreiking and trying to avoid being hit themselves.

Ethine didn't know how or when, but at some point the X-Men arrived, spilling out of the elvevator to drive the rowdies back, fierce and impressive in their uniforms. Dr.Cox staggered to his feet beside Ethine's gourney, wiping blood from his nose and taking stock of the situation with amazing calm. Ethine was trembling slightly as she watched Phoenix and Cyclops help J.D and Elliot to their feet as Wolverine lit a cigar, puffing unconcernedly away.

"We have Archangel and Beast waiting in the Blackbird on the roof." He said to Gambit, the cigar bouncing on his lips as he spoke. The Cajun nodded, flashing a reassuring wink Ethine's way.

"See, chere. Yer in good hands."

"You know you can't smoke that in here." Dr.Cox said suddenly, placing himself nearly toe to toe with Wolverine. Wolverine merely grinned in reply and blew a mouthful of smoke in the doctor's face, shouldering past and into the elevator.

"I was just on my way out anyway, bub." He said, following the others into the Elevator. Dr.Cox scowled and pressed in as well, uncaring of the cramped quarters. He would at least see his patient off.