Basic Instincts

Chapter 2 – Along the Memory Line

"We're leaving in two hours, the party starts at nine." Ororo announced to Logan and Scott who were in the chairs in front of her.

"So again, what do we need this guy for?" Logan roared.

"He has something to do with the pharmaceutical company that claims that it's found the cure from mutation." She shuddered at the word "cure".

"Ok. See you in a couple hours." Scott stood up and made it for the door.

"Scott…" The white-haired woman called for Cyclops. "Do you know that Summer's back?"

"Yeah. She stopped by my room on the way to hers." And he was gone.

"What's up with him?" Wolverine asked confused. "And I suppose you were not talking about the season, were you?"

"Yeah. Summer…she used to live here for a while before you came. One of Scott's best friends. Mine as well. We haven't seen her in what two or three years…" Ororo explained.

"I see." He nodded. "I kinda sense there's more to the story."

"You're right. There's a lot more." But Storm went silent after that.

Two floors up Summer entered John's room. Or at least what used to be his room. Everything was the same: same bed (his one on the left side), his scent was still here, all around the room, the air was still full of it, at least for her. God, his scent! Still the same. It was something about it. It was like paper and sugar in one. The girl sat on John's bed and tilted her head up. There was a deep sigh…

Flashback

"What are you doing here?" A husky voice sounded from behind.

A fifteen-year old Summer turned around to be met by a sight of a dark-haired boy with a lighter flicking in his right hand. His dark eyes took in her appearance. Summer's grown up fast and was used to catching boys eyes on her but that was different. She was standing in the middle of the kitchen at 2:30 a.m. with nothing more then an oversized T-shirt on that was making it's way of one of her shoulders.

"Err…I couldn't sleep…" She said finally in almost a whisper.

He looked her up and down once again and seemed to be satisfied this time:

"Me too." He kept switching the lighter on and off while making he's way to the fridge.

Summer was fed up of standing on tiptoes on the cold stone floor and took a sit on the stool behind the counter. She looked at the boy near the fridge. He seemed a couple years older, rather cute with unbelievable brown eyes that were too deep…and what's up with the lighter?

"Do you want anything?" She heard from afar.

"Yeah. Coke or something."

He passed her soda, taking a sit opposite from her.

"Thanks…" Summer took a sip of a refreshing drink.

"The name's John." He answered. "You're very much welcome…"

"Summer."

"Summer." He repeated for himself, he liked to say her name. "Well, welcome to the School, Summer."

With that John took off. Summer watched him go and for some reason smiled to herself. She liked him not asking any questions of who she was or where she came from. There was just "welcome".

End of Flashback

"Hey…"

Summer's eyes flew open the second she heard the voice. She stood up and positioned herself on the edge of the bed. The tell boy of around John's age was standing in the doorway, looking at her confused.

"Arm…you…" He tried to form a sentence.

"Don't bother." She interrupted him. "I wasn't here for you."

"But there's no one else living here." The boy said.

"There was." She answered.

"You knew John?"

"I know John." Summer corrected.

"What?" He looked confused again.

"Is he dead?"

"No." He finally entered the room. "He's with Magneto now."

"Well, listen here carefully." Summer stood up and came close to Bobby so they were standing face to face. "It doesn't matter where John is. While he's alive nobody will talk about him like he's already dead. Having believes that are different from yours and being dead in not the same, Bobby. So be careful with what you're saying."

He's eyes were wide open for some time.

"How do you know my name?" But she was already gone.

She was but Bobby could not forget her eyes, blue pools that were looking right through him. He shook the thought off.

"Huh?" Scott jerked his head up.

'Scott…'

"Stop!" An angry whisper.

The memories of that fateful day on the Alkali Lake came rushing back. He closed his eyes but it never helped.

'Scott…'

'Why didn't you tell me?' Summer formed a telepathic link with Professor X.

'Would've you come?'

'It's not the answer.'

'But it is. I was afraid you wouldn't come.'

'I'll leave this for now. But there's something else. Why didn't you put a memory block on Scott?'

'What are you saying, Summer? A memory block? It's his pain. He has to go through with it…'

'Really? He's never gonna be the same after that. He already isn't! And this pain is not about to go away, you know that. What's wrong with you? He's suppose to be the one to take after the school if you're gone! Why don't you want to help him?' She was so angry the whole mansion started shaking.

'Summer! Get a grip!' As soon as professor thought that words the shaking stopped. 'He need to…he has to get over this pain himself. I'm asking you not to do anything with his mind because…'

'Because you wouldn't be able to undo it, I know.'

'Yes. You're already too powerful for me…'

"Chuck!" Wolverine showed up from the door and the link instantly disappeared.

"Come in, Logan. How can I help you?"

"For starters you can tell me about the new girl." He took a place near the window.

"She's not a part of the team. She's a guest here." Charles answered.

"What's going on? What are you not telling me?" There was a silence for a couple seconds. "Who the hell is she?"

"She's my daughter, Logan. Is that a good enough answer for you?"

Wolverine didn't say a word. He just stood there stunned looking at the person in the wheelchair in front of him.

"What's wrong, Logan, cat got your tongue?" Xavier wheeled closer to the sun of the open window.

"Wh…How?"

"Her mother and I never had a chance for a normal life. She was a mutant as well. She took Summer and got her away from the chaos of the war but this is too powerful to stay away. She is second only to Jean, and now that Jean's not with us…"

"She's the most powerful mutant in the world? Even more then you are?"

"Yes."

The silence hang in the air.

'John…'

Summer's eyes were closed as she was lying in the middle of the danger room. She was fully focused on the small ball of energy that was far far away but still reachable for her, her mind.

'John…'

There was a stir on the other of the forming fragile link.

'John. Do you hear me, John?'

Summer felt concern; if John could hear her (and there was no doubt he could) then he definitely didn't understand what was going on.

"Summer!" Ororo went into the room. "What are you doing?"

The brunette slowly opened her eyes and looked at her friend:

"Nothing. Why?"

"We're heading to this public event. You know, the Annual Mallory Ball? We have to take care of one mutant there. Do you wanna come?"

"Mallory Ball? My friend Anna is gonner be there. So, yeah, why not?" With this a young mutant stood up. "Who else is coming?"

"Me, Scott and Logan."

"Good, I'll be ready in half an hour."

"Ok, great. See you at the car."

"Car?" Summer chuckled. "And the jet?"

"Told you, the ball." Storm rolled her eyes and laughed.

This same minuet John Allerdyce woke up from the restless sleep with a strange feeling in his heart. Something warm…

"What the…" But he didn't get to finish the sentence as he finally recognized the feeling in his chest. "Summer?"