X-Xander and... Marrow

Author: Lucinda Siverling <lucindasiverling[at]hotmail.com>

rating: pg/pg13

characters: Xander, Marrow, and Callisto (name not spoken)

disclaimer: Xander is the creation of Joss Whedon. Marrow and Callisto belong to Marvel Comics.

distribution: Jinni, XanderZone, Mental Wanderings, Luba and Paula if they want it - anyone else just ask.

notes: set during Xander's post-Graduation road trip, and just before Marrow joined the X-Men.


Xander frowned, hearing a cough from the alley. Something about it was just not good, and he found himself turning into the alley. He knew it was a dumb thing to do.

A middle-aged woman with an eye-patch was huddled on the ground, coughing again. Worried, a girl with bones sticking out of her body and pink hair clutched her hand. The cough sounded terrible.

Umm Can I help? A hospital maybe? Xander tried to look non-threatening.

Surface dweller Pink hair growled, her eyes full of anger and fear.

She doesnt sound good. Xander edged closer, hoping he wasnt doing something stupid make that stupider.

Shes sick. Her voice was softer now.

Hospital it is then. Xander scooped the woman up, feeling how thin she was, the fever burning at her body. Ill need you to open my car door.

As he staggered back towards his car, the girl demanded Where are you taking her?

Hospital. He tried to grin. I dont know medicine, so thats the best I can do.

As he drove towards the hospital, the girl looked at him. Maybe youre not so bad, for a surface dweller.

I try.

Im Marrow. She offered.

Grinning, Im Xander.

The End