_______The Arrival and the Reunion___________
A/N: Sorry for the wait, but hope it is worth it.
Just wanted to let anyone know while this story is taking place after the return from Adversary's World, there might be a few other references, characters, and story plots mentioned beyond.
Hope everyone will enjoy.
Also, I apologize for some of the incoherent sentences in the last chapter. While they were not written that way, it seems I am still getting used to the way the up-loader processes the format.
I will try and proofread better for everyones sake.
Comments and recommendations are welcome.. but try not to tear that badly into me :)
Cheers!
________Chapter 2__________
Descent
Ororo sprung out of her bed to the sound of thunder and rain. Sweat ran down her forehead profusely, her breathing at a ragged timbre.
The darkness had came for her, entrapped her.
She was terrified.
The lightning and rapid winds threatening to shatter the tossing double-glassed doors that lead to her balcony were some of the first visible signs of that very fact.
It soon was accompanied with nausea; a sick feeling that gripped the most inward parts and threatened release with the slightest of movements. The winds did none to cease their furry for they continued to howl for her.
She clenched her eyes shut.
Concentrate. Control.
She played out that mantra in her mind as the bed-frame dragged across the floor.
Concentrate. Control. She beckoned fervently.
It seemed an eternity passed before a peaceful white light embrace her, vanquishing the darkness, and solid ground was reestablished.
The nausea passed as well and it was only then she opened her eyes, dared to move.
The full moon peered into her room, illuminating well it enough.
She sighed heavily as she took in the damages of her early morning trepidations.
Her bed rested inches from slamming through the balcony, with furniture overturned and the vanity condiments sprawled across the floor.
Pushing herself off the mattress she darted down below hoping the outside didn't mimic her wrecked living space. From as far as the eye could see, all was in order. The depressing skies retreated, the rain was but a small drizzle, and the wind as mild as a summer's night. No uprooted trees, no broken windows, no trashed cars, no displaced children, no power surges. Praise be small miracles. At that she summoned a strong wind thrashing her bed back against the wall, followed by another that concentrated all the loose debris into a pile and secured the heavy balcony doors. The makeshift clean-up would hold for now, and, if anything, it gave her an excuse to remodel like she has been threatening to do for the past two years.
Ororo sighed regaining her center of balance and trying to pull the fear-inspiring nightmare from her mind.
What was that? She couldn't recall a time a vision made her physically ill, and at that thought, momentarily recoiled inwardly.
The last thing she needed was to have a mental breakdown on the precipice of her return with a million things readily waiting to be dealt with - school priorities, security system upgrades, search, rescue and recovery missions galore, and, she sighed again, feeling if possible, all the more overwhelmed.
Conning a co-existence between Logan and Forge.
If last night's pow-wow she had overheard was any indication of things to come, that would soon be a full fledged mess.
She took in some solace to realize Forge would be preoccupied for the rest of the week down south, and that would give her some time to talk with her second in command, and try to gain some reasoning ground with him.
She vowed to herself she would sort it soon, soon.
Looking to the clock, she sighed. 4:42.
The night was lost. She retreated to the shower, lingering a little longer then usual to make up for lost sleep and fried nerves before finishing her business there and dressing. Pausing for a second to gather her clothes and readjusting the vanity, she decided on skipping the morning lounging attire and dress for the day. It was going to be a long one and this would save time. Donning leather pants, a white form-fitting shirt of modest cut, and combat boots, she spent some time combing her locks neatly before tying her long hair on top of her head, leaving loose a few of the layers in front. Dissatisfied, she paused. Rummaging through the the draw of her vanity that remained intact from the tumble, she pulled out her legendary crown she remembered wearing upon first joining the X-Men. Placing it carefully on her head, she stared at herself for a second, pondering the cycles of rebirth.
The thief.
The goddess.
The teacher.
The leader.
The rebel.
She found neither one thing completed her, but were all pieces of what made her complete.
Besides, she always considered it a idol of control; a sense of stability and independence, and after the nightmares sparking the day, she welcomed those things.
Throwing on some gold bangles, and makeup, she plucked her leather vest from the floor where it settled and made it downstairs away from her tattered attic abode.
Walking the hallways, she was amazed to find such peace and quiet among the student dorms. Almost too weird, she offered to herself mentally reflecting on the freak-thunderstorm that sounded like a freight train crashing through the compound walls. Maybe it was more contained then she thought it to have been, but lingering no more on it, she silently thanked the goddess for not having to deal with that responsibility of children this early.
She finally made her way to the kitchen heating up the kettle and pulling out an herbal remedy to calm her unusual stomach when, much to her surprise, red encased eyes looked up at her from the door-frame.
"Stormy night, Chere?"
Turning inside and closing the door, he smiled with coy intentions looking Ororo's dressed form up and down. If it were anyone else staring like that she was more then certain they'd be on their backsides and unconsciousness. But it was Remy, and although he was the most shameless flirt to manifest on the Eastern Seaboard, it didn't bother her. They were connected on many levels the other X-Men couldn't understand. In creeds, in shared pasts, and in unbending loyalties toward each other.
She proceeded to give him a look of motherly reproof followed by a suggestive smirk.
"You have no idea my dear Remy. It seems you've had a night of it yourself..."
It was her turn to stare as his damp hair rolled water onto the back of his trench that reeked of boos and smoke.
Another late night venture, she mused. She could only imagine details after remembering the times they shared in Orleans.
Ever intuitive, he raised an eyebrow almost pulling out her thoughts from the air.
"Oui, Petite. Maybe one day Stormy come wit Remy...he show her a good time again, eh?"
Storm sipped slowly on her tea, acting as if she was thinking on his request but instead grimaced over that horrible nickname he seemed so determined to keep using.
That name. She said nothing although the fight of dislike still surged in her mind.
"It appears my description of "a good time" has changed in the last few years. But if I am ever in the mood to skip town, frequent every Sitting Bullfrom Louisiana to Florida while taking out a few banks in the process, then you'll be the first to know." Anyone else would have perceived that as harsh judgment, but in the case of Remy he just laughed. Nostalgia; good times rehashed.
"Stormy's a natural, " he admired.
She smiled with him before turning the tides of the conversation.
"So, about keeping out of general trouble, I gather there's no particular reasons you've dodged the the radar in the past few weeks?"
" None Stormy don' understand already, "He offered, "Petite know Remy does not'in for the likes of Logan. Remy don' see what Stormy sees in him."
Ororo observed the careful way his eyes made it difficult to detect any raw emotion, but knew all to well what he was feeling.
It had almost been six months since Remy joined the X-Men due to Ororo's convincing rally and helped them defeat a few notable adversaries only to still get second guessed about everything he did. His background of thieving, shamelessly flirting with anything walking, disappearing for days on end, and occasionally getting cornered by angry debt collectors at the worst possible times did nothing to woo their trust. But some things were just Remy and wouldn't change because certain people had problems with it.
The distrust level was particularly intense when it came to Wolverine. It seemed on more then plenty occasions the only thing keeping a collision of adamantium claws and kinetic charges at bay was Ororo's presence. And after the lack of that for two weeks, it was no surprise Remy went AWOL.
The conversations she had between Logan over Remy's character were perpetually burned into her brain.
"Look, I know it's been difficult, but for my sake, stay around for a bit. Not disappearing might help mend uneasy relations "
She smiled warmly, but Remys featured remained arched. The serious look etched in face began to make her worry. Had she missed some underlining keynote in his address?
"What?"
"Remy knows Stormy 'dont talk about what happened while she was away," he offered." Or Maybe you don' want to remember."
Storm paused, unsure why he decided to flip the conversation. Her attention darted in space thinking through the truth in his words. Had she really said absolutely nothing about the events that transpired while gone? The more she examined it, that had been the case. But there was literally no time to tell everyone yet, she offered. Lost in thought, she was brought back with the wave of Remy's hand in front of her face. Landing her eyes once more on his, she looked up and smiled realizing her distraction.
"Sorry Remy, I'm still adjusting to earth."
He eyed her with fervent curiosity.
"Now Remy confused. Stormy's diff'rent. Very diff'rent.." He stressed, all amusement sealed from his tone.
Storm turned toward her tea again, burring her creeping fear of the darkness in the hot steam.
"Yeah, I feel different," She readily agreed.
"Nevermind that now. It's good to be home. I have missed you, Remy."
At that, she sealed his concern with a passionate embrace that he could only return without question.
As if on cue, the door brushed open, revealing a tall long haired man with a mood that shifted like the north wind.
Looking up, Ororo spotted him, releasing Remy.
"Forge," she said with enthusiasm, rising to greet him.
Without a further thought, he nodded in cold notion, reversing his direction before she had a chance to say anything more.
Momentarily confused, she went to intercept him in the hallway, but he was already paces in front of her. Unwilling to call after him in fear of rousing the kids, she took to the air, landing paces on top of his. The hallways were dimly lit as she took in the darkness his eyes mesmerized.
He was upset, angry even. Looking at her briefly, he moved past her, stalking back up the hallway.
Relentless, she followed him until they both were back in his room.
"Forge?" She sounded confused, lost even.
He growled in displeasure, eying her shamefully.
"What was that?" He said in a deep moniker.
"What was what?" She defended. "Remy?"
"Whatever," he offered flippantly.
She felt a sting of indigence surging through her.
"Well whatever what? You got a problem with Remy?"
She wanted to laugh at that absurd thought on it's own merits.
That seemed to spark more of a response then downcast eyes and misplaced grunts.
He took her by both hands with much force, pulling her toward him. After her face was inches from his, he kissed her long and hard. It lacked any motion of love, or care but a cold need. As he forced his tongue down her throat nearly making her gag, he sucked on the inside of her lip biting down. In response, he could feel the stifled grunt Ororo emitted in his mouth as she tried prying herself free. Without success, he continued to crush her to him, digging into her arms with more force then she cared to feel. It became a pain, an invasion.
And he wasnt letting her come up for air.
She started to gag, gasping in need of freedom.
As the tight space began to close in, panic spread through like wildfire releasing an electrical surge that sent him flying through the air and across the bed before slumping onto the floor. As he got to his feet breathing erratically, his eyes tore through her with fear and anger.
She coughed a few times, gulping in the air, her demeanor firm.
"What the hell was that?!" Forge demanded in a furious tone.
Storm could taste the blood forming inside her mouth as were he nipped her. The man lost his mind.
" I don't know, you mind telling me???" she pronounced in a tone that grew more angry by the minute.
"Damn it, Wind-Rider. I travel all this way to see you ad-least one more time this week and what am I greeted with? Death threats from a lovesick attack dog...and you? God knows where, gallivanting out all night with that womanizing dirt-bag. And then you have the audacity to ask me if I have a problem with him? Why can't you be straight with me? Why is it all of a sudden your the victim and I'm the villain here?"
Storm heard none of his words, none of his reasoning, none of his convictions.
"What nonsense you speak....Don't... Don't you dare try and turn this around. Just...just shut up before I---"
Forge felt his eyes roll back as he cut her off.
"Okay, I shut up. I'll shut up and say nothing. I'll have no opinion, no feelings, no remorse, no pride. I'll just come around whenever you feel the need to summon me. Need something to be fixed. Need someone to be with. But in the meantime, I will cease to be anything but what you want me to be. And if I'm not, help yourself! Call down cyclones! Zap me at your own will! Do whatever you feel you need to do if it makes you angry enough. How's that, Wind-Rider?"
Words didn't come to her. Something about Forge's presence drew all rational thought and replaced it with rage and frustration.
In Adversary's word void of other people, their relationship wasn't tested as to the facts of social interaction, and after seeing the first results of his, it threw her to wonder what she had agreed to. She had no idea he had such a jealous nature with the potential to become violent and the thought more then scared her.
"Do you always jump to conclusions before asking the facts? " Her voice was firm with an edge, her eyes an icy hue of cobalt diminishing slowly into a entrenching white.
At that, Forge turned meeting her unstable gaze, his eyes holding more anguish and pain then she cared to admit. It was an expression of someone ripping his very own heart from his chest and it sent chills through her. His black eyes reflected a deep sense of dissension; like the darkness that mimicked her nightmares, and threatened to rip the skies right open. A few strands of his ebony tresses fell into his face for concealment resulting in the connection she felt diminishing.
He spoke low and deep, almost broken.
"We lived a thousand lifetimes, Windrider. I cannot doubt that reality and ad least confirm those facts. It wouldn't do good to apologize now for my behaviour for I fear I've inconvenienced you long enough..."
Without a second glance he made his way to the door. As he looked up, he was met with red eyes glowing a demon red on him. Forge returned the gesture with a look that could have bent steel. The tension grew to a blinding fault as Remy kept one ample hand ready to detonate the ace of spades he was holding. It did nothing to ruse Forge better yet, he stood to his full height, bumping his chest against the Cajun's.
"This isn't over."
Remy was second from throwing a charge as he responded.
"It will be if you don' get out'ta here."
Forge stared at him ready to throw a punch while Remy stood ready to return the favour. Within seconds, Ororo emerged, grabbing Remy and pulling him away from what would have been a big confrontation.
"Just go."
Although low, her tone came across as more then commanding.
Forge lingered on Ororo's arm that clung to Remy's trench-coat and felt another surge pain and anger arise as he overrode the need to lash out.
"Who needs to ask facts."
With those final words, he stared on last time at Ororo and then disappeared down the hallway. Minutes went by before the sound of a jet ascending grew dim and out of earshot.
Silence pervaded the empty hallway as the grief being emitted from Ororo's sharp features became unable to dismiss.
She could feel a creeping feeling of the room starting to spin but braced against Remy for balance. Without hesitation, his arms encircle her as she buried her head deep into his chest. While he hadn't heard sobs, her body trembled with spasms. Her resolve gone, her will broken, he continued to hold her until she became quiet. With the spasms all but gone, he tilt her head to find a deep slumber embraced her. It was probably for the best, he silently thought as he picked her up and returned to the room laying her on the bed.
He watched for several minutes as her chest heaved in and out and she started to toss and turn before peering out the window in darkness.
The sunrise was still an hour off from approaching but in the distance he could hear a soft roll of thunder moving in.
And while she refused to shed her tears, the rain that began to roll down the glass more then compensated.
His Stormy didn't need anyone making her feel this way.
Who really was this Forge person anyway?
Angered at the idea anyone could hurt her so miserably without a thought, he compulsively shuffled his cards from one hand to another before throwing them down. As they fell to a cryptic spiral on the middle eastern rug, he got up, kissed Ororo on the forehead and slid out the window with ease between the drops of early morning rain.
There was a score that needed to be settled and Gambit wasnt going to leave this one to chance.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ororo's public return among the students of Xavier's institute was greeted with endless questions and affectionate gestures later that morning with the bulk of it emitting from Kitty and Jubilee. Both had latched onto her giggling, laughing and conversing of anything and everything that she missed in her absence.
Among the report was praises of Wolverine's awesome slash and dashing against the the would-be-invaders to the school, existing without food for days because Rogue kept forgetting to go by any, and a new kid who arrived calling herself Marrow that liked to start all kinds of fights. After an hour discussion with the two, Ororo coaxed them away with the promises of investing in food and dealing with the new arrival's attitude issues.
True to her word, she caught sight of Rogue leisurely playing a game of pool with Peter in the game room. After an quick exchange and some looks of reproof, she sent them both off on the dangerous mission to bring eats back. Willing to comply, Peter stopped the game almost immediately leading Ororo to believe he wasn't much of a poolshark. She watched as Rogue followed, exchanging light banter to his side. It would ad least keep her from looking for Remy in the meantime.
Ororo barely remembered the mornings fine details. Recalling the argument with Forge and successfully breaking up what could have been a nasty confrontation between them, she didn't remember when she blacked out. Although returning to conciseness before anyone else, it did little to know where Remy had run off to although she had her suspicions. She braced inwardly at the idea he was now the only one who knew of the relationship she held with Forge, or did have, and worried about his mental stability on the matter. Pausing for second to think back on Forge and his acute possessive actions that made her angry and melancholy all in the same breath, she still felt a sense of deep loss.
Even though the pain ebbed in her soul, she had no inkling to see or speak of him for a good long while. And if he tried to, Goddess help her if she didn't fry him where he stood.
She was a firm believer in taking heed to warning signals, and shuddered to think what he could have done if she wasn't well endowed with the talent of calling down lightning.
In truth, that was her only saving grace and defense from his forced advances. And with that thought it terrified her anew knowing he created the technology to strip her of her abilities if he became vindictive enough. Unable to control the chills it sent through her, she hoped wherever Remy had gone wasn't too far and he would be back soon.
Clearly distressed, she pressed hard to move those thoughts out of her mind and turn to the million other demands the day thrust into her arms.
Making her way to the student dorms, Ororo was greeted with a snarl of contempt from the outcast mutant who stood in the shadows with a plague of bones protruding throughout her face and up the sides of her body. A brief spout of emotion ushered from the girl before giving into a neutral mood that held long enough for some information on her origins to be passed. And it was met with more understanding on Ororo's part upon finding Marrow was an orphaned morlock seeking to reconnect to surface living.
Curious as to why Callisto recommended one of their own to leave the sewers, she agreed to help only under the terms no more random fights would be started with the other students.
Marrow spat out another contempt for Storm's disinterest in a people she was suppose to be leading before ultimately blaming her for the murder of fellow morlocks that brought her to the surface. Appalled at the news, she couldn't help the surge of pain that welt up inside her.
"What do you mean, murders?"
" There's been threats carried out to kill us. We brushed it off, but couldn't any longer when we found the bodies of Caliban and Leech.... "
Storm felt the air in her lungs tighten and arm extending over her mouth horrified shock . She didn't know many morlocks by name, but those were two she did. She couldn't find words to express her feelings but Marrow didn't care as she spoke cold and heartless towards her as if she didn't own a soul.
" If you were there to help us like a LEADER should be, they might still be alive. I feel sick to stand next to the likes of you. I wish Callisto hadn't sent me here. I'd rather be down there fightin with her."
Storm felt the sting, but ignored it. She had a right to be frustrated.
"How long has it been since.... this happened?"
"Weeks, before all the worldwide nonsense. You weren't even here when I was summoned to come look you up, out of town was it?" Her voice was snide.
"Hell, You wernt even around here to help when this place was invaded where you?" she let off a disgusted glare.
"What kind of leader are you anyway?"
Storm said nothing, but rose to her full height. The comments stung more then she cared to admit, but didn't bother letting the girl see it.
"I will look past that, as I probably understand more you care to know. And you have my protection, but I will not stand by and let you wreak havoc at every ones expense. So with those conditions, we will agree to a truce."
Marrow rolled her eyes, looking through her.
"There's no truce between us, but I will do my best to stay out of your hair, if that's what your asking. It seems this private audience with the goddess went overtime anyway on an outcast like me."
Patience was a virtue Ororo had, and it was coming much into play as she headed towards the door before turning around to make her exit.
"My name is Ororo," she paused before continuing, "and regardless of what you believe now, I will do all in power to help the Morlocks and you, Sarah."
The mutant turned around full in surprise at the knowledge somehow Storm knew her name but Ororo left before she could marvel at it.
Now free of her presence, Ororo felt another sense of failure flooding over her. What kind of chaos was deciding to ensue in the tunnels of New York City? She reasoned it had something to do with the nationwide mutant riots that had taken place while she was gone, but wasn't entirely convinced anti-mutant haters would take to the underground to lay their assault. She felt a few tears streaming down her cheek at the thought of Caliban and Leech and tried to fight them off. After today, she would try and get a lock on Callisto for more details, praying she was wasn't too late to help her.
Descending into the hallway,she forced that to the back of her mind.
Her next stop was a meeting with Hank on the subject of updating the mansions security systems. As Beast discussed the ins and outs of new features he planned to introduce, Ororo sidestepped the heated coals being ignorantly tossed with each mention of Forge's awaited return. It was not a secret he was looking forward to working his technological genius alongside the Makers but he remained ignorant to the fact of early morning happenings. If anything, Beast's enthusiasm on the new X-Men remained so strong that she barely made it through their meeting with a smirk and hasty dismissal.
Retreating down the hallway, she hated that her mind was now entrenched in so many things.
Forge. Unreasoning.
Remy. Secretive.
Marrow. Angry.
Logan---
"I'm gonna jack him up..."
Logan grumbled in annoyance as he caught sight of Ororo in the hallway. She turned around taking in his unpleasant body language while wondering what else could fall into her lap this morning.
"What now?"
"Your boy went free-riding. Were down one mini-jet."
Ororo felt a sense of creeping worry at that revelation and hoped Remy wasn't in the danger she thought he was.
As it stood, she really didn't know where he went. She sighed, trying to reinforce some type of positive thought into the already depressing events of the day .
"Well I'm sure there's a good reason for not telling us, " she defended.
"Yeah, and it's called theivin'. Webster's dictionary describes it as the impulse to do stupid shit at the worst possible times. I swear Ima knock him three weeks from Sunday if he is dumb enough to come back."
Ororo lowered an eyebrow.
" Oh how the mighty can pass a judging! You stand here and act as if you never done anything remotely as impulsive say- like borrowing someones motorcycle and not return for months on end..."
Logan responded quickly.
"That was different."
"Yes, of course it was Logan. Besides we have three air carriers on-top of the Blackbird. Were supplied for the missions."
His eyes met hers as he took her gently by the arm and whispered into her ear. She was a little more then testy this morning.
"I don't know why you defend him - that boy is into something dangerous. I don't know what, but in any event, I don't trust him as far as I can spit."
"Maybe it is because people thought the same thing of you when you first arrived. I didn't believe them about you, and now I'm not believing you about him."
Catching the daggers she shot with his hand resting on her, he took the initiative to remove it. It didn't take a genius to see the day had barely started and she was already calling down sarcasm and irritation to her repertoire of emotions. Somehow he wondered if Forge had something to do with that, as he had been long gone when he awoke.
Either way, he resigned from bringing up the subject in her current mood.
" Look - I've talked to him. And I will again, but you have got to try and stop this sense of.." she struggled to find the right word,
"Hatred you have. He will never come around if he feels threatened."
Logan could feel of sense of petition in her voice.
" Oh He'll come around,"Logan pressed, furrowing a brow and crossing his arms.
"The kid likes being the pain in my ass. And you 'Ro -" he stopped eyeing the strange look in her eye,
"Look sick."
As if on cue, Logan caught her before nearly stumbling onto a table that rested in the hallway. Holding her secure with one arm around her back and another supporting the arch of her neck, he looked upon her with much worry.
"You okay, darlin?"
Ororo took a few minutes to respond, trying to regain her strength to stand upright but found none as Logan continued to support her.
"Uh, yeah, fine. Just a little dizzy. Didn't much sleep."
It was forced lie he wasn't buying for a second and without a thought pulled Ororo into his arms, much to her dismay.
"What are you doing? I can walk."
He ignored her, heading to one of the nearby chairs that rested in the hallway.
"Really? You seemed barely able to stand a few minutes ago."
"But I'm okay now. Someone might see us..."
At that, he quickly put her to her feet, where she barely had to time to adjust to the firm ground below her. Logan had turned a cold glare before removing his support all together.
"Sorry if that thought bothers you so deeply. If your suddenly cured of your womanly problems then I will be in the hangar if needed."
At that, he stormed off in a succession of irritation without noticing the mad dash Ororo made for the restroom.
After her stomach turned up a duet of fluids that screamed to be emptied several times over, a sense of relief finally came before she pulled her head up and swished water to dismember the taste. What in the Goddess name was going on? She leaned over the sink feeling like her insides were just sucker punched.
She could never remember a time of feeling so sick in her life and particularly attributed it to the news of Caliban and Leech's death.
But thinking back on the tragic loss of Jean, who had been her best friend, even that never got her this physically sick.
She wanted nothing more then to climb back to her attic, tattered as it was, and fall fast asleep putting all the tragedies of the morning to rest.
Could she really function flying hours to Florida on the mission soon approaching?
It seemed she barely could walk from point A to point B before blacking out or throwing up.
And there the stiff reality hit her.
Although she detested pills, she would have no choice but to search out Hank for some remedy that included a large milligram dosage and pray it worked.
Staring in the mirror for a minutes, she sighed anew.
On top of tossing her cookies, now she would have to deal with an angry animal the entire way down.
This day was moving from bad to worse and with a angry jerk, she removed her crown that ceased to bring any stability of control.
Trying to rearrange herself, she accomplished it to the best of her ability before exiting the restroom solitude and hunting down Beast once again.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Logan was angry with himself.
How in hell had he allowed his actions to grow so careless?
He replayed the scenario in his mind from moments ago with Storm and felt a new sense of rejection fill his gut.
He grumbled with disdain in the way she rendered his touch like the plague and disregarded any of his instinctive warnings regarding shady characters.
On top of that, she became cold, distant and had felt it a mortal sin that he tried helped her in public scope.
Without warning his feral nature rose to the surface and he had ran out on her when he should have stayed.
And that is what angered him the most.
Something was terribly off about her and all his senses were confirming it, yet he let his selfish nature of being denied override being there as her as a friend.
He fought the urge to return, but couldn't bring himself to do it.
So much was making him angered, he decided it would be best to keep space and prepare for the mission they would share.
Besides, he needed time to gather himself, and and sort his feelings.
Logan had entered the hangar a bit frazzled kicking around the empty boxes that once housed scrap metals. Upon his arrival he caught sight of Betsy, better known as Psylocke, who had been in the midst of inspecting one of the mini-jets. As the day would have it, she and Kurt were scheduled to head into Houston to help in rescue efforts for the disaster ridden area. She spared him a few glances of amusement.
" Well. Well. To what do we owe this incredible show of maturity?"
Her voice was dripping with sarcasm as she curved a smile and narrowed her slanted eyes..
"Can it, Bets."
Instead of looking defensive, she just put her hands on her hips.
" Bloody Kristicks, I wonder if there is some type of planetary alignment I am not aware of.."
Logan who had drowned his mood into checking the air pressure on the tires of the blackbird halted giving her a look of confusion.
"What in blazzes are you talking about woman?"
"I'm talking about all the foul moods being projected this morning! It's enough to make a telepath go mad."
Without a second thought, he returned to the gauge, not sparing her a second look.
"Yeah, well, today just sucks I guess."
"So what happened?"
Logan stopped, looking up at her. Was she really expecting an answer or had she been prying wanting to confirm something she felt?
"The Gulf Coast is in shambles. Global warming is killing off polar bears. Random mutant establishments are being bombed. I'm outta cigars. What'cha looking for? General or Detailed?
"Fusteration over someone." She pegged.
Logan eyed her skeptically and hated the fact she didn't respect privacy of thought the way Jean or the Professor stressed. Instead, she had a horrible habit of scanning and peering whenever she felt like it, and was getting so skilled in her telepathy, that people rarely ever detected she was doing it.
Logan was told his mind, as concrete, dark and shredded as it was, went usually undetectable from even the most powerful telepaths. So he concluded his anger about the situation with 'Ro had been projecting like a movie screen. He wanted to deny it.
"I guess you could say that."
Betsy nodded slowly and in a reassuring way. Trying to press the issue, he spoke.
"She's not well, be gentle with her."
"So I've concluded."
"And don't worry. She's not really that mad at you."
Logan stopped, wondering if she was reading lines from an impromptu soap opera script.
"Is anything sacred with you?"
Psylocke paused, taking in the suggestion.
"Poker on Saturday night maybe. Other then that, its kind of a toss up. But don't worry, I'm not really trying to read her mind, all of the above was just an analysis from the freak thunderstorm that woke me up this morning. Its been raining off and on since and something tells me it wasn't in the forecast."
He paused. He must have been sleeping like a stone because he caught none of it. She looked at him, a grin crossing her features.
"If you didn't catch it, do not worry. That storm only lasted a matter of three minutes. Such a marvelous sense of control she has... Bad nightmare maybe?"
He went to throw a nearby towel at her.
"Keep that up an' you wont want ta see the next thought I make."
"Oh daggers to my heart Wolverine!"
She laughed turning her attention back to her much neglected inspection before gaining a serious tone.
"Seriously, I am not sure what it is, but Ororo is projecting some strong emotions. Namely worry, and fear. For her to be broadcasting that strongly is something else as her thoughts do not easily penetrate to the surface. Whatever the reason, it worries me. Otherwise I wouldn't have told you." she paused before continuing,
"Some things are sacred you know, and if I respect anyone more, it would be Ororo."
With that heartfelt notion, Logan smiled at the devious woman before him.
"I know it's not my place to ask, but.. Is she thinkin' bout someone?"
She looked away, her glances catching the corner of the floor. She finally met his eager looks with much sadness in her eyes.
" Yes."
Casting is eyes downward, he looked away not wanting to know anymore as her look said it all.
Turning his attention back to the blackbird, and finishing his inspection, he caught the sight of the rest of the X-Men filtering in into the hangar, Storm coming in last.
After going through a debriefed report, Storm made the official assignments. Besty and Kurt headed off to Houston while Peter and Rogue were en route to New Orleans.
After both mini jets had descended to the sky, Storm carefully brought up all power revving the Blackbird to life as it before they were soon clear into the air.
Logan sat in the co-pilot seat looking at her with much precision, not wanting Betsy's words to get to him.
She seemed focused on the task, mapping out the coordinates before ever noticing the way he stared at her.
And when she finally did say something, they were well into air, even above several cloud masses.
"We got about two hours before we touch down in Tampa," she offered.
"Right."
Ororo detected Logan's mood had shifted for the better and was eternally grateful for it. It also seemed the medicine Hank had given her took affect for her nausea had cleared up and she was able to fly better then expected. Maybe were was something to that pill bit after-all. She managed a smile before looking at Logan briefly then turning her attention to the skies.
"I wanted to apologize to you back there. I know you were just trying to help me, and I seemed less then thankful for it. So, I am sorry."
Logan was readily compliant. It seemed Ororo had returned to herself. It was more then welcomed.
"It's nothing 'Ro. Are you feeling any better?"
"Yes. But I have been needing to speak with you on something that was brought to my attention this morning."
Bracing for news he rather not hear, he gulped a few times swallowing the lumps in the back of his throat. He did his best to sound casual.
"Sure, whats up?"
"Kitty and Jubilee informed me of a morlock named Marrow that came to the school in my absence."
"Yeah, kids got some behaviour issues. I let her stay, but she refused to talk much. You get anything out of her?"
He could see the visible shift in her mood.
"Yeah, I did..... Logan, someone is trying to kill the Morlocks. Callisto ordered her to come to me for safe haven. Caliban and Leech..... have been causalities."
Logan was almost taken aback by the news.
"Leech? The little green guy?
He paused, somehow really saddened at that revelation.
" But, why waste time taking out sewer dwelling mutants? It doesn't make sense."
"I know. I've thought over all the angles myself, but when we return, I will have to make it top priority to try and locate Callisto and offer my services where I can. As much as I feel unfit and ashamed, I am their leader, and all this is my fault. I must help where I can."
There was silence between them for a few moments.
"Your not expected to save the world, 'Ro. Things will happen that sometimes you do not have full control over, even if you like to. And dont think your going alone, the X-Men will be there."
He looked at her.
"I'll be there."
She comforted him with a reassured smile. It was more then she could have asked.
Logan took that for what it was worth, realizing when all the elements boiled down, it was her friendship that mattered most.
And if it came down to it, he would be there regardless of what bad mood decided to visit him.
'Ro was family first and foremost. And it felt good to belong somewhere after so many years of wandering without a clue to his soul.
He threw all his angering thoughts to the waste side enjoying the flight and the presence of her company before the Floridian landscape came into view.
Upon landing on a personal airstrip, both Ororo and Logan had set the blackbird in stealth mode and soon met up with with commanding officials in army fatigues.
"Welcome to Macdill Air force Base, X-Men."