Never, Always (X-Men Fanfiction)

Chapter 23

**Joelie's POV**

I woke up in a strange, unfamiliar place. I looked around for signs of anyone, or anything. I couldn't see anyone, and some part of me thought that speaking out would be a good idea. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

"Ah. You're awake. You've been taking up my space on the table for a few days." A voice said. I didn't recognize this voice, it wasn't anyone I knew.
     "W-who are you?" I asked, turning in the direction of the voice.  He was about my age, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He had a very serious composure to him, as if he had been working on something and was still thinking about it.
     He smiled slightly. "I'm Tony. Tony Stark. Now, if you wouldn't mind telling me your name?"
    "Joelie Allerdyce. Nice to meet you Tony, but what am I doing here?" I asked.
     "I found you washed up on the beach. You were surprisingly still alive, even though you looked like you were washed away. You were barely breathing. I, uh, saved you." He smiled at me.
     "Thank you, for doing that. If you don't mind me asking, what's today's date?" I asked him.
     "It's the 30th. Why?" He said.
     I counted up the days in my head, it had been a week since the attack at Alkali lake. But how had I ended up all the way in the ocean from the lake. I just remember a battle, and the water engulfing me. I just remember dying. I don't remember anyone who I could contact to come and get me.
     "So, do you have any parents or siblings who are looking for you?" Tony asked.
     "Are you a mind reader? I was just thinking about that. I can't remember anything except my name, and that I almost died in a battle. And that I control water. That's all I remember." I said.
     He looked at me, somewhat stunned. "You can't remember anything?"
     I shook my head.
     "Well, you'll need a place to stay, so I guess you can stay here. But I expect a payment back." He said.
     I nodded. "I'll earn my keep."
     He chuckled. "Who says 'earn my keep' anymore?"
     I giggled. "I do, obviously."
     He smiled at me once more and helped me up. I was a little wobbly on my feet, but I was okay otherwise.
    Tony showed me where I was going to stay until I could remember who I was exactly. "And then, you're outta here sweetheart."
     I giggled. "Yes sir, Mr. Stark sir."
     We both started laughing, and it felt good to wake up to a happy feeling. 
     After he showed me to my room, he left me alone. He said that he needed to get some work on a project done. I stayed in the room, trying to grasp at whatever past I had to remember.