Meeting Him

[The Man]

::The Professor watched the other man stalk off, realizing that this situation would need to be watched, lest it erupt violently a second time. Then he turned and wheeled over to the tree where Laura brooded.::

[X23]

Laura stood against the tree trying to calm herself down. Hearing the Professor wheel over to her she turned to face him. She remained silent not knowing what he wanted to hear from her. Anger and rage still remained inside of her. What Logan said still tried to process in her brain. She was so confused.

[The Man]

::The Professor's expression remained calm, not provoking and not passing judgment. He knew the confusion Laura experienced, covered by her anger.:: "You are not a weapon, Laura."

[X23]

"Explain that to the people that created me" She said her voice remaining bitter. Crossing her arms she looked away from him. Her emotions were playing havoc with her. Laura took a deep breathe calming herself slightly.

[The Man]

"The proof is in the pudding," ::The Professor replied, ever the teacher. She had changed from how she had been created to be, and although it did not excuse the actions of Weapon X, it did demonstrate her capacity to grow.:: "You are not with them, you are here, learning about yourself."

[X23]

"Do you even what me here?" She asked ignoring his statement not wanting to think about how she didn't know herself. Not many people knew the other side of Laura. The one that was human and remorseful. Keeping people at a distance was what she needed to do, to keep people safe. To make sure they didn't get hurt.

[The Man]

::The Professor allowed her to ignore the rest of his speech; it would sink in eventually.:: "If I did not, you would not be here. I am not the pushover I appear."

[X23]

Laura was angry and her anger was just going to keep building inside. She was saying things that she normally wouldn't say. "So it doesn't phase you that I could kill anyone here and not think twice about?"

[The Man]

"It will not happen," ::The Professor replied. There was no need to explain his reasoning, that he could stop her easily if the need arose, or that he did not feel that the need would ever arise. What she had been used for in the past was done, and there was compassion within her. He knew that.::

[X23]

Laura looked at him her eyes still full of rage. "How do you know? You don't know me, you don't know what I'm capable of.." In all honestly her herself didn't know her true capability. If she was put under the trigger sent there was no stopping her from killing. Her mother was proof of that.

[The Man]

"I know more than you may think," ::Came the Professor's gentle reply. His eyes met hers, where hers held rage, his held patience, compassion.::

[X23]

Laura huffed. "What do you know?" She asked not believing he knew anything. Looking away from him she took a breathe keeping hurtful memories from emerging into her emotions. He didn't know, how could he?

[The Man]

"There is a good person inside of you, Laura. You need to trust in that," ::The Professor replied. It was the only way to begin, with her accepting her own nature.::

[X23]

Laura had a hard time believing what the Professor was saying. Nothing in her life had gave her any reason to believe she was good. Yeah, she helped Debbie and Megan but that was after she tired to kill them. She stood there not saying anything. She couldn't trust in herself. She couldn't trust anyone, no matter what.

[The Man]

::The Professor knew from his abilities and her body language that she did not believe him, but he had patience enough to wait for her. She would come to learn he spoke the truth.:: "Believe in yourself."