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Chapter 28: Blood and Luck
🕑 Added 2025-08-10 11:14:29 +0000 UTCThe Baxter Building's elevator hummed softly as Jay ascended to Reed's laboratory, his ribs still tender from Moon Knight's beating three days ago. The healing had helped, but some aches lingered as reminders of how close he'd come to something far worse than broken bones.
Reed looked up from a complex array of equipment as Jay entered, his expression mixing scientific fascination with genuine concern. "Jay, good timing. I've been analyzing your blood samples from the medical bay." He gestured to a holographic display showing cellular breakdown in real-time. "It's remarkable and problematic simultaneously."
"How problematic?" Jay asked, though Reed's tone already suggested he wouldn't like the answer.
"Your blood starts breaking down the instant it leaves your body—seconds, Jay," Reed said, fingers flicking through the holographic display. The decay pattern pulsed red as he zoomed in. "Even under perfect lab conditions, we'd have maybe ninety seconds of usable sample time. That's nowhere near enough for the genetic modifications we're aiming for."
Jay wasn't sure whether to thank or curse his DNA Lock perk for working overtime.
Reed rubbed his temples, a gesture Jay recognized as his thinking pose. "I hate to admit this, but we might need to bring Dr. McCoy fully into the project. His expertise in mutant genetics could be the difference between success and catastrophic failure."
"What are the odds with just you?"
Reed's lengthy pause spoke volumes. "Honestly? Even with Hank's help, you'll need a ridiculous amount of luck for this to work. We're essentially rewriting your genetic code on the fly while racing against cellular breakdown."
Jay stared at the holographic decay patterns; the comfortable illusion of control he'd maintained was shattered. "Leave everything to me, Reed. I'll set up the meeting with McCoy."
"Are you certain? Involving more people in this—"
"Reed." Jay's voice carried new steel. "After what happened with Moon Knight, I can't afford to play it safe anymore."
Reed nodded slowly, recognizing the shift in his friend's demeanor.
The cab ride back to his apartment gave Jay time to plan his next steps.
Bobby was pacing the living room when Jay walked in, redness around his clenched fists—a telltale sign of his agitation.
"Jesus, kid, Maria and everyone else are worried about you getting involved with this Xavier lot. When you didn't answer my calls that night, I thought—" Bobby stopped mid-sentence, taking in Jay's careful movements.
"Thanks for the pep talk," Jay said dryly, easing himself onto the couch and favoring his left side. "But you should see the other guy. Actually, no—he looked fine. That's part of the problem."
"You're still holdin' out on me. Come on, tell me everything," Bobby said, settling into the opposite chair.
Jay explained the Moon Knight encounter—the divine judgment, the systematic beating, the realization that his power had limitations he hadn't fully considered. As he spoke, Bobby's expression grew increasingly grim, frost patterns spreading unconsciously across the coffee table.
"A god," Bobby said flatly when Jay finished. "You got your ass kicked by an actual god."
"Avatar of a god, technically. But yes." Jay pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts. "Which is why I need you to put every available contact on finding two specific people—Felicia Hardy and Neena Thurman. The second one might go by Domino."
"Who are they?"
"Insurance," Jay said, already dialing a number. "The kind I should have invested in a long time ago. Offer them any price they ask to meet with me."
Bobby nodded, ice crystals sharpening around his hands as his determination crystallized. "Consider it done. But Jay—"
"Yeah?"
"Next time you go into a situation like that, don't. The rest of us even proposed you stop expanding the network and just deal with healing and helping the homeless."
"That's really not an option, old man," Jay said, then hit dial.
"Dr. McCoy? It's Jay."
"Dr. Jay!" Hank's cultured voice carried obvious relief mixed with lingering tension. "How fortuitous to hear from you. How are you faring after our recent... excitement?"
"Sore but functional. How's everyone at the mansion?"
"Oh, you know how resilient young people can be. The students have already turned the entire incident into legend, with each retelling growing more dramatic." There was fondness in Hank's tone, but also underlying concern. "Xavier is still experiencing some residual effects from his telepathic encounter. Nothing permanent, we hope, but it's given us all pause about the nature of what we're dealing with."
"I imagine so. Listen, I'd like to meet with you and Rogue this evening, if you're both available. There's something I need to discuss."
"Certainly. Marie's been asking about you, actually—concerned about your wellbeing. Shall we venture to the city?"
"Come to my apartment. I'll brew some chai."
"Ah, excellent. Your tea is far superior to anything our automated systems produce. We'll see you this evening."
Jay was in the kitchen when his guests arrived two hours later, the familiar ritual of preparing spices and tea helping center his thoughts. Cardamom pods cracked under his mortar and pestle with satisfying pops, releasing their aromatic oils. The apartment filled with the warm scents of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
"Smells amazing in here," Rogue said, appearing in the doorway. She'd traded her usual leather jacket for a simple green sweater that complemented her distinctive white-streaked hair.
"The secret is freshly ground spices," Jay replied, straining the tea through cheesecloth. "Machine-ground stuff loses half its potency within weeks."
"Ah, a man after my own heart," Hank said, entering behind her. "I've often lamented the institutional approach to cuisine at the school. Efficiency over flavor, I'm afraid."
Jay emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with four steaming cups and a small bowl of honey. "Please, sit wherever you're comfortable."
Rogue looked around the apartment with obvious curiosity—this was her first time in Jay's personal space. Her gaze lingered on the eclectic mix of technical journals and philosophy books scattered across various surfaces, the advanced computer setup in one corner, the small but well-organized kitchen visible through the pass-through window.
"Cozy place," she said, settling onto the couch. "Very... you."
Hank immediately gravitated toward the bookshelves, his scientific mind cataloging titles. "Fascinating collection. Quantum mechanics next to Sartre, molecular biology beside Marcus Aurelius. You have diverse interests."
"Helps keep perspective," Jay said, serving the chai and settling across from them. "I have a proposition that could benefit all of us."
He handed out the cups, noting how both mutants remained slightly on edge despite the comfortable setting. The Moon Knight incident had affected everyone's sense of security.
"Sounds ominous when ya put it like that," Rogue said with a slight smile, though her eyes remained watchful.
"Not ominous. Ambitious." Jay took a sip of his tea, choosing his words carefully. "I've made a deal with the Fantastic Four. They're going to attempt a genetic enhancement procedure on me. If it works, I might be able to permanently cure Ben Grimm of his condition."
Hank nearly choked on his chai. "My word. That's... extraordinarily ambitious. And exponentially dangerous. To enhance your abilities to that level."
"Which is where you come in." Jay leaned forward, meeting Hank's concerned gaze. "My blood has unique properties that make the procedure extremely difficult. Reed needs your expertise in mutant genetics to make this work."
Rogue set down her cup with a soft clink against the saucer. "Jay, sugar, ya know how Hank feels about people who can remove powers. We all do."
"I do," Jay said quietly, standing and moving to Hank's chair. "Which is why I want to show you something first. May I?"
Hank looked uncertain but nodded. "I... suppose."
Jay placed a gentle hand on Hank's shoulder, his power flowing out in controlled waves. The change was immediate and startling. Hank's distinctive blue fur began shedding in clumps, falling away to reveal pale human skin underneath. His pronounced canine features softened, becoming more conventionally human, though he retained his impressive height and muscular build.
"Oh my stars and garters," Hank whispered, staring at his suddenly human hands in wonder. They trembled as he flexed fingers—longer and more dexterous than his usual clawed digits—watching tendons move beneath skin instead of fur.
"How you looked before the secondary mutation," Jay said softly.
Hank stumbled toward the darkened window, pressing his palms against the glass. In the reflection, a tall, athletic man with striking blue hair stared back—brilliant and human and whole.
"I'd forgotten," he whispered, his cultured voice cracking with emotion. Tears streamed down his now-human cheeks. "Dear Lord, I've been the Beast for so long, I'd forgotten what it felt like to be just... Henry."
His hands moved to his face, fingers tracing the human contours with desperate wonder. "My mother's smile," he breathed, attempting it in his reflection. "I haven't seen it in thirty years."
Rogue watched with wide eyes, her own hand unconsciously touching her white streak.
"I can feel my heartbeat differently," Hank continued, voice barely audible. "Henry McCoy. I'm Henry McCoy again, not just the Beast who remembers being human."
"Partial mutation remains," Jay explained. "The agility, the physical alterations... but temporary and guaranteed reversible."
Jay held the suppression for several more moments, letting Hank process the experience of inhabiting his original form. When he finally released the power, the blue fur began growing back immediately, though Hank seemed barely to notice.
"I'll help you," Hank said without hesitation, his voice thick with emotion. "Whatever you need. Anything."
By evening, Reed's lab in the Baxter Building buzzed with excited energy as two of the world's foremost scientific minds met for the first time. Jay watched from a comfortable chair as Reed and Hank shook hands, and within minutes, they were deep in animated discussion.
"Your approach to RNA sequencing is fascinating," Reed was saying, gesturing enthusiastically at a holographic display. "I've been working on similar applications but from a physics perspective rather than biological."
"And your quantum tunneling microscope setup is extraordinary," Hank replied, rolling up his sleeves to examine the equipment more closely. "I've only read theoretical papers about this level of cellular observation. The practical applications are staggering."
"Should I leave you two alone?" Jay asked with amusement. "Maybe get you a room?"
"Jealous?" Reed grinned, but his attention was already turning back to Hank's suggestions about sample preservation.
They drew multiple blood samples from Jay, working with military precision as his blood began its rapid deterioration. Even with their combined expertise, they were racing against cellular breakdown that began within seconds of exposure to air.
"Remarkable," Hank murmured, watching the samples degrade in real-time. "The decay rate is absolutely consistent. It's almost as if your body chemistry is designed to prevent external analysis and manipulation."
"Evolutionary adaptation, perhaps," Reed suggested. "A defense mechanism against biological threats."
While the scientists worked, Jay caught Rogue's eye and nodded toward a quieter section of the lab. "I want to try something, if you're willing."
She followed him to an alcove near the windows, evening sun streaming across the polished floor. "What kind of something?"
"What we agreed on back at the school," Jay said, extendin' his hand palm-up.
She looked uncertain but nodded, pullin' off one of her gloves. "If somethin' goes wrong—"
"It won't," Jay said with quiet confidence. "Ya've seen me do it before."
Rogue placed her hand in his, skin-to-skin contact that would normally trigger her power absorption. Instead of activating his suppression ability, he quietly stole Rogue's power while she remained none the wiser.
Inside his mindscape, Rogue's power appeared as something alive—multiple faces with various colors shimmering and shifting, curious about this new environment where it could exist without causing harm. It seemed almost eager as Jay's own Power Theft ability approached it, the two forces circling each other like dancers recognizing a shared rhythm.
Jay wanted to test his hypothesis of fusing similar powers with the help of his Adaptive Power perk. Previously he didn't have two powers of the same nature, but now... The fusion began immediately, the two powers recognizing each other as fundamentally compatible. But as the process deepened, Jay sensed something crucial—this would be permanent. Once combined, there would be no separating them again. Rogue's absorption ability would become part of his permanent power set, but she would lose it forever.
This would strengthen him while keeping a slot open, but it would lead to complications. Reed and Hank would question the need for the enhancement if he could already take away Ben's or Hank's powers. Jay sighed and pulled back, carefully returning Rogue's power intact.
"What was that?" she asked, blinkin' as her ability reasserted itself. "Felt like... a current flowin' between us."
"Like I said," Jay replied carefully. "Research."
They rejoined the group to find Susan Richards leaning against a lab bench, watching the proceedings with obvious amusement. Johnny was perched on a stool nearby, his expression somewhere between boredom and mischief.
"How'd the hand-holding go?" Johnny asked with exaggerated innocence. "Very... scientific."
"Real mature, Johnny," Jay said, though he noticed Rogue's slight blush at the prolonged skin contact. In her world, touchin' someone without causin' harm was still new enough to be remarkable.
"Hey, I'm just saying," Johnny continued with a grin that promised more teasing to come, "if you need volunteers for more research, I'm available. For science."
Sue swatted her brother on the back of the head. "Ignore him, Jay. We all know you're a perfect gentleman." She paused, then added with a knowing smile, "Most of the time."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Jay replied dryly.
Reed and Hank looked up from their preliminary results as the group reconvened around the central lab table.
"We'll need a full month to prepare the enhancement procedure," Reed announced, pulling up a timeline on the holographic display. "Even then, success isn't guaranteed. We're essentially performing experimental surgery on your DNA while racing against rapid cellular breakdown."
"The theoretical framework is sound," Hank added, adjusting his glasses as he studied the data, "but we're venturing into uncharted territory. The margin for error is..." He paused, searching for appropriately diplomatic language. "Significant."
Jay hummed thoughtfully, his mind already moving to the next phase of his increasingly complex plans. Bobby's contacts would hopefully locate Felicia and Domino within the month. The timing might actually work out perfectly.
"That works fine," Jay said, gathering his jacket from the back of his chair. "I have some meetings to arrange anyway."
He headed for the elevator, leaving behind a group of brilliant minds dedicated to either enhancing his abilities or accidentally killing him in the attempt. Reed and Hank were already back to their animated discussion about cellular matrices and genetic stability.
As the elevator doors closed, Jay reflected on the day's revelations. The enhancement procedure would be monumentally risky, but the alternative—remaining weak while gods and aliens took notice of Earth—was worse.
The odds weren't in his favor. Hell, they were downright terrible. But he'd learned that sometimes the universe required more than careful planning and superior knowledge.
Sometimes—just sometimes—it demanded a ridiculous amount of luck.
Comments
Manan Biwal
Still not married but definitely together
elph
would she be susan richards yet? or still susan storm, thanks for the chapter
