Ttake a Breath {Fin}

[amber]

The young woman checked her pockets to make sure she had enough money to get something to eat. She had been doing odd jobs since she arrived in Boston so that she could survive a bit longer. Satisfied that she had enough the girl slipped into the diner. After locating a booth she looked over the menu and ordered a coffee and the daily special. It was the cheapest thing on the menu and she had to conserve her money. This running for your life thing was getting old quickly but she didn't know what else to do. As she waited for her food to arrive she folded her arms over the table and rested her forehead on them. Something was going to have to give soon, she couldn't keep this up.

[em]

"No, I do not think that you should at least have some say in how your invention is used, professor," snapped Emma imperiously.

"I believe you will find it is stated quite clearly in your contract with Frost enterprises, albeit in extremely fine print, that any and all blueprints and/or prototypes you develop in my labs can be sold to whosoever myself and the board of directors deem appropriate."

Smirking smugly at the stuttering on the other end of the line, Emma terminated the call on her i-phone. Leaning over to the minibar in the back of her white stretch limo, which she was currently sitting in as her personal chauffeur drove her towards the location of a new potential student, the ivory-clad woman picked up a glass. Before beginning to mix her drink, Emma vainly admired her features in the crystal surface; the best that money could buy.

It was good to be the Queen, the White Queen acknowledged smoothly as she mixed the contents of a thousand dollar bottle of gin with those of a pitcher of hand-squeezed organic orange juice.

***

Standing out in just about any crowd in an all-white white power suit complete with skirt, pumps, and diving neckline, Emma stepped into the diner and pursed her lips in distaste. She had not entered an establishment this cheap since her time on the streets. Oh well; she would never have gotten to the esteemed positions she currently held had she been unwilling to make sacrifices. This woman's abilities could be an extremely valuable asset... enough so for Emma to come to recruit her in person.

Walking over to the appropriate table with purpose, the White Queen sat down demurely in the seat directly across from her quarry. Pausing to straighten her skirt, she looked up and met her eyes with a confidant smile.

"Hello Amber. My name is Emma. I do believe I can help you to find what you are looking for."

Snapping her fingers, Emma caught the attention of a waiter and ordered a garden sallad with the dressing on the side. Once done with that, she returned her attention fully to Amber and patiently waited the slightly younger woman's response.

[amber]

Amber's head snapped up when she heard someone use her name. She didn't know anyone around here and she sure didn't use her real name. Blue eyes blinked several times at the woman across from her. "How are you? How'd you know my name? How do you know what I'm looking for?" The girl wasn't stupid she knew there were others out there like her but what she didn't know was what types of powers each one held. It was like the woman had gotten into her head and plucked the information, but that wasn't possible, was it?

[em]

Emma smirked slightly at Amber's evident distress and confusion. It was not her first time encountering such a reaction. Truly, it was astounding how many mutants still found telepaths unnerving or even unbelievable until they'd had direct contact with one. Forming her amused look into a slightly more reassuring expression, Emma took a sip of water. As she did so, mouth still clearly preoccupied with her drink, she spoke telepathically to her companion.

Because I am like, but unlike, yourself darling.

She sat her glass down and arranged a napkin on her lap, to the raised eyebrow of their teenaged server, as their food was placed on the table. Delicately selecting a few specific pieces of lettuce and a tomato slice with her fork, Emma popped the assortment into her mouth and savored the flavors; one good thing about small family diners like this was that the vegetables were usually fresh. Chewing slowly, Emma continued to telepathically answer Amber's querries.

I run a prestigeous academy which caters specifically to our... unique... needs.

[amber]

A dark brow went up as she watched the woman drink but heard her voice anyway. Well this was something she'd never encountered before and her curiosity was peaked. But then she had always been curious about other powers out there and the people that wielded them. Just to see if she was correct in her figurings, Amber answered in her mind instead of with her mouth. "You are another one then? I'm actually not looking for schooling. I've been using my gift for quite sometime. However..... I am looking for a job?"[/color]

Amber really didn't know what else to do, her money was running low and she couldn't stay in the cheap hotels or shelters forever. Not with all the chatter she's heard about mutants and the people's reactions to them. Most of the reactions she hear weren't reassuring to her well being and she was scared. The girl could only hold her own for so long and perhaps this woman could also help with protecting her family. That was her main concern.

[em]

So as to avoid the suspicion of others by two women staring at each other while they ate but saying nothing, Emma decided to start speaking out loud once more; it was easier than forcing the rest of the patrons not to notice their odd behavior.

"Room and board would of course be provided and I am sure that I could make room for your parents to stay on the grounds..."

Charles would not have read those thoughts when they rose to the surface, but rather let the woman voice her concerns in her own time. However, Emma was not Xavier and ever since he and Magnus had built Cerebro, she needed to play all her cards to try to keep up with their institute in recruiting new members.

"As to the possibility of a position on the staff... do you have any particular skills or knowledge which you might be well suited to impart to the special young minds at our school?"

If the woman wanted a job, Emma would give her a job. It was simply a matter of deciding where exactly to place her.

[amber]

The young woman looked at the lady all in white. This whole reading her mind, while making it easy to not have to speak, was getting a little odd. "My parents won't move again. But knowing there would be a safe place for them to come if needed is all I ask for." She sipped her coffee and mulled over what she could do as a teacher. Not much she knew some mechanic stuff but that was generally things she could do that didn't require the major equipment.

"I know something about being a mechanic. Although I think I'd be better suited as, say.... A school nurse. You know who kids are these days always getting into one scrape or another. Quite possibly a guidance counselor if all you need is common sense for that." She seriously doubted teaching the kids how to brawl was on the agenda. More than likely they have way more qualified people for that.

[em]

"Done and done," replied Emma, waving her hand airily in a dismissive gesture.

"Your parents will be welcome at any time and you would make an excellent nurse, what with your gifts," Emma continued in a crisp and business-like tone. This had been rather easy, now all she had to do was finalize the contract, so to speak. She chuckled lightly and shook her head.

"Yes, the youth do tend to be a rambuncious lot," she smiled fondly despite her somewhat chastising tone. Despite all of her ulterior motives and often amoral methods, never let it be said that Emma did not care about her students. She loved them; they were her children who she was offering a better experience of growing up as a mutant than she had had. Self-absorbed and arrogant as the White Queen tended to be, she would die for them. With such thoughts, it was in a gentler tone than intended that Emma asked.

"So Nurse Ryan, when can you start?"

[amber]

Vivid blue eyes widened at the 'done and done'. Deep down Amber knew there had to be a catch somewhere in the midst of all this. It was just too easy but at this point she didn't feel as if she had much of a choice. However, the idea of being a nurse for the school had its appeal and it would give her a chance to actually do some good. "I do hate seeing people hurt, especially children...." Oh she knew shew as going to take the job if it was offered.

[color-darkred]"As soon as you need me to. My schedule seems to be wide open at the moment."[/color] As grateful as she was that this woman gave her a job, there was something in the back of Amber's head that made her worry her bottom lip. Finally, that feeling got shoved into the recesses of her mind to be put aside for examination at another time on another day. She finally looked down at her meal and took a forkful of the meatloaf. "Where is your school located? And what do I call you now that you are my boss?" She seriously didn't think this woman would let her underlings run around calling her Emma.

[em]

Emma simply nodded in agreement with Amber's compassionate statement about children. Taking another calculated bite of her sallad, she was pleased to here that the woman was flexible and willing to work with Emma's schedule. Her next question however, was rather humerous. It wasn't as though the she was unaware of how domineering she often came across as. It was, after all, a rather cultivated attitude. However...

"The students call me Ms. Frost, but try not to think of me as your boss darling. Rather, we will be colleagues in a mutually beneficial mission for a just cause. Emma will do just fine."

Of course, should Amber prove herself to be worthy and have the potential... well, in the Hellfire Club Emma's underling addressed her as White Queen. Regardless, that had yet to be seen and would be significantly in the future either way. Now to wrap this up, but tactfully.

"The academy is actually quite near here, and if you could start immediately that would be excellent," best to actually get her within the campus before Xavier tried to send someone to steal her away or some other such unforeseen factor occured.

"My limo is out front. Perhaps after we are finished with our meal, we could stop by wherever you are staying and pick up your things?"

Reminding herself not to move too fast and frighten Amber off, Emma amended by casually adding;

"Of course, if you need more time than that to make arrangements, feel free to care care of your own business and call me whenever you are ready."

Emma pulled a business card from the inside pocket of her jacket and placed it in the center of the table, facing Amber. Emma Frost, CEO Frost Int. it read, and beneath that was her number and E-mail.

[amber]

That made sense to Amber and she nodded softly. "Very well.... Emma. Sorry, it's going to take a bit getting used to since my father raised me to call bosses, sir or ma'am. Then Mr., Mrs., or Ms." A soft smile touched her lips at the mention of her family. Amber shook her head a bit to clear her thoughts back to the present and focused once more on the woman in white. Again she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this offer.

Normally, Amber wasn't one to get embarrassed but when Emma mentioned her taking her time to gather her things, well she looked slightly ashamed. The girl reached down and picked up a beat up old duffel bag. "I have everything right here. It's not much but it's mine and in good condition. Sort of."

Blue eyes looked back down at her plate and then back up at Emma. Part of her was wanting to leave right now but she was starving. "After we finish I'll be more than happy to head over there with you. It will give me a chance to get settled and look around." The excitement was starting to build. The feeling that she may have finally found a place where she could belong was nearly overwhelming her, but she took a deep breath and continued to eat. When Emma gave her the card Amber took it and slid it into her pocket. CEO? Wow.....

[em]

She gave a bemused grin as Amber tried to accustom herself to the concept of referring to Emma by her first name, but said nothing. White Queen was only appropriate for members of the Hellfire Club and even then only in the right setting. As for calling her Ms. Frost, Emma simply did not feel it would do for a member of the staff to speak to her with the same level of deference as a student; she likely would not get as much respect from the children is she did. No, Amber would simply have to get used to calling her Emma. Everyone had to outgrow the shadow of their father at some point and become their own person; Emma knew from personal experience.

Emma's professionally waxed eyebrows came together slightly in mild consternation as Amber produced the sum total of her personal belongings, but her expression smoothed out again almost instantly. After all, she couldn't frown too much or she'd need another face lift before she hit thirty.

"Quite alright darling, we've all been there" Emma brushed past the woman's embarrassment with a one-shouldered shrug. It was true after all. While most people would be hard pressed to believe it, Emma had spent some time on the streets in her early teens as penniless and destitute as Amber was now. It was not however a source of shame, but rather of pride in how far she had rissen since.

As her companion, and now her new school nurse, consented to come to the academy directly after their meal, Emma smiled. Granted, it was somewhat of a cat-who-ate-the-canary expression, but she was genuinely pleased.

"Excellent, business is settled then and we can relax and enjoy our five-star delicacies here," with an airy laugh, Emma constructed another forkfull of greens and made a mental note to leave an inordinant tip. The salad wasn't that good, but this was the sight of yet one more success for the White Queen and the best royalty always richly rewarded their peons, even the ones who were unaware of how precisely they had served them.

[amber]

It really wouldn't be that hard to get used to calling her Emma. At least since that was how she had introduced herself to Amber. She actually liked the fact that Emma wanted them to feel on a more even keel even though it was obvious that the woman in white was a step above. All the dark haired girl was worried about now was the fact that she wouldn't have to run anymore. She had lost too much weight as it was and was desperate to get back into her more athletic self.

Amber watched with curiosity as she judged Emma's reaction to her belongings. She had learned long ago how much more important it was to travel lite. As much as she longed for a decent outfit once again, she wanted the hot shower more. The girl was clean as she had found ways to make sure of that, but still the water was usually colder than and iceberg. The warm bed sounded even better.

The dark brow quirked once more as she tried to picture this elegant lady as a street urchin. "You've been there before?" The question didn't come out incredulous or even suspicious. Just a curious answer to a statement that was semi hard to believe.

Amber looked down at her half eaten plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes. "The only reason I am agreeing to the five star thing, is because it's a full on meal." A smile tugged her lips as she started to eat once more. She was ready to go right then and there but she knew she needed to eat first.

[em]

Emma smiled at Amber, glad that she had the tact not to intone her querry like an accusation of falsehood. At least, she hoped it was tact; if the woman really wasn't at all skeptical about a CEO of a major international corporation having once been homeless then she would not get far in the White Queen's world.

"I have indeed, but that was years ago when I was still little more than a child."

Taking another bite of her sallad, Emma thought better of going into further detail. Inter-familial blackmail and fraud... The sordid tales of her past were not likely to endear her to anyone worth her time. Besides, it was the past; this was who she was now. Chuckling at Amber's jest in regards to the quality of the meal, Emma allowed herself the luxury of dipping one forkful of vegetables into the side dish of ranch dressing beside her plate; a few extra callories would hardly kill her.

She finished her meal and waited pleasantly for Amber to do the same, taking the time to send a few business E-mails from her phone. Once the other woman had swallowed her last bite, Emma waved the waiter over and handed him one of her many credit cards to pay for their meal. As he made his way back to their table with the reciept, the telepath sent a subliminal message to her driver. In under a minute, he had walked crisply through the front door and up to their table.

"Take Ms. Ryan's bag to the limo ahead of us, if you will."

Placing a hundred dollar bill under the salt shaker by way of a tip, Emma winked and blew a kiss to their staring 16 year old server, whos draw dropped further speechlessly. Not even a thank you? Children these days... no home training.

Without further ado, Emma exited the diner and slid into the back of her white stretch limo as the chauffeur, having already stowed Amber's bag in the trunk, held the door open for her and the new nurse. Smiling somewhat smugly, she waited for her latest employee to follow suit.

[amber]

Well it was good to know that even if you came from nothing (or were forced into it) that a person could pull themselves up and become something. "I never would have guessed it but it is a bit inspiring." The words weren't said to suck up to the woman nor were they said with any kind of awe. They were just simply said because it was the truth. It inspired some hope in the young woman that she would be able to finally live in some sort of peace.

Amber watched the woman work as she finished up her meal. It took her a few seconds to realize that the man was there to take her bag and she handed to him without much thought. There really wasn't anything in there worth stealing so she wasn't worried about that. A small smile tugged the corners of her mouth at the young waiter's reaction. With a shake of her head she followed Emma out to the limo. It was the first time she had ever been one and she was a bit self conscious. Carefully she got in after Emma and practically sat on her hands. Her new life was about to start for better or worse.

~~~Fin~~~