Chapter Text
1879
It wasn’t uncommon to know someone who was gifted. Doctor’s who had hands that could heal without the use of tools. Women with a voice that could fill a room with a single note. Luck changing at the drop of a hat. People gave credit for those to God, granting his children a chance at a better life out in the wilds of the West.
The gifted weren’t common in cities, in the more civilized parts of the world. People said it was God’s way of evening out the scales. Why grant gifts to those in the lap of luxury? That didn’t stop those with the money and power to seek out those with gifts.
Rose Creek didn’t have many gifted, the few that were kept hidden by the other townsfolk to protect them from Bogue. Doc had a hand at healing, could bring a man back from the brink of death if there was enough life in him. Preacher could make things grow as he saw fit. Mr. David down at the General Store could make things appear out of thin air, using it most often to give candy to children or helping some of the families with supplies when money was tight. Sara could work magic with thread and a needle, from patching up pants to patching up a person. She couldn’t heal like Doc could, but her stitches could hold through anything. They all used their gifts to help the town and so the townsfolk did what they could to protect them.
Bogue had a few gifted in his employ, men twisted enough to use them for evil. The one could make fire appear in his hands, but it seemed he didn’t have much control of it. The Native, Denali, seemed almost feral, his teeth sharp and his hands becoming claws if he got riled up. Other than that, none of the others seemed gifted. Rumor had it, Bogue killed anyone who got in his way, but he took special pleasure out of killing gifted.
So when Emma Cullen and Teddy Quinn went riding off to get Rose Creek an army, it was Teddy who recommended they find some gifted. If they were getting revenge for themselves, why not share that with some other folk. Bogue had hurt others, only seemed fair to let others get the hurt out of their systems, too. He just wasn’t counting on all the men they found being gifted. Emma just laughed at his face and kept on riding when Teddy realized it.
Good people were good people no matter what, Matthew had once told Emma. She believed that whole-heartedly. Which was why, when she looked around the table a few days later at the men gathered to help her town, she knew that things were turning around for the better.
Sam Chisholm was at the head of the table, even though it was round. He was also the first one they found, riding down the main street after taking down a bounty. He had enhanced senses, hearing and sight that were unmatched by a normal human, as well as a memory like a steel trap. He also had a dark past that was somehow linked to Bogue. Emma could respect that.
Joshua Faraday was the next one they found. Well, Chisholm found. He was brash, often drunk and liked to gamble anything and everything. He was quick with a gun, though, and underneath his rough exterior he did care. No one quite knew his gift, but they knew he had one. Emma figured it had something to do with luck. He’d had a few close scrapes from what she had heard. Made sense that Lady Luck was smiling down on him.
Vasquez was an interesting man. First meeting aside, he was a gentleman and apologized for the way he had treated her. He was wary of strangers, which was his right, and didn’t much like getting tricked by anyone. He kept his gift on the down low, only showing her and Chisholm after their first day riding together. He could make fire dance, better than the man working for Bogue.
Goodnight Robicheaux had a similar gift to Chisholm’s, but only his eyes were enhanced. It came in handy for a sharp shooter most of the time, but Emma could see the scars it had left him with. Just because he could see so well didn’t mean he might not see too much.
Billy Rocks did for sure have luck on his side. Goodnight explained it as being able to see what was coming seconds before it happened. Billy explained it as time slowing down for him when he wanted it to. Whichever one it was, Emma could see a good use for it for a man who fought with knives against guns all the time.
Jack Horne had the gift of strength. He could move the unmovable and for man living in the wild, it suited him well. He was gentle as could be around people, almost fearing his gift at times. He handled everyone with great care, hands so kind for a man so big.
Red Harvest had lightning in his fingers. He moved with silent feet and eyes that spoke of wisdom beyond his years. Vasquez was the first one, after Chisholm, to get on with him. He let his fire dance over his fingers for Red to see and soon the two were talking through their powers, flashes of light instead of words conveying their messages.
When it came down to it, the fight would be tough. Emma wouldn’t deny it, but with these men at their backs, she didn’t see, couldn’t see, how they would lose.
2017
“We have need of your nephew, Logan,” Charles rested his chin on his folded hands. “The US government has informed me that they have a group of mutants operating under their Department of Defense, similar to the group you were once part of. They’re granting us oversight on this. All files on this group have been classified to the highest order, but I have been granted clearance on them. I want Joshua to operate as our ambassador.”
“Josh ain’t going to like that,” Logan rolled his cigar through his fingers, looking out over the property the school sat on. “He’s not much for government types.”
“Wonder where he gets that from?” Charles smiled softly. “These men willingly accepted to work for the government as a mutant Black ops of sorts. Joshua has experience with this.”
“He’s on his way back from that last mission with Creed,” Logan shrugged. “You can ask him yourself.”
“I did not want to go behind your back on this. I know you see him as your son just as much as he is Victor’s own blood,” Charles wheeled closer. “I know that none of you have a love for the government. I would not ask Joshua to do this without letting you and Victor know what I am asking him.”
“Keep us in the loop on what he’s doing,” Logan nodded roughly. “Lots of strange stuff going on out there. Too many old memories popping up. And that’s not just me getting my memories back. I’d like to spend more time with him and Victor but…We all need to keep moving.”
“He’ll have a few days before he’s shipped out if he accepts,” Charles nodded. “I assume Victor is coming back with him?”
“I would bet on it. Josh was using this little trip to get Victor’s side of everything. I’m sure there’ll be some yelling and drinking involved, but should be a pleasant reunion this time,” Logan straightened up. “If you’ll excuse me, Professor, I have a class I need to go teach.”