here's chapter seven not a whole lot of action but the xmen appear briefly and such i'm trying to figure out how to have a confrontation with them and the brotherhood let me know if u have any ideas :)
Chapter Seven
Todd watched the clock nervously while Lacey took notes to his left. The teacher was droning on about some war a long time ago in Europe but all he could think about was the confrontation with the X-Men this afternoon. Lance wasn't exactly their favorite person but if Kitty stood up for him then maybe they'd have a shot.
The bell rang shrilly and Todd quickly left the classroom with Lacey struggling to keep up. As usual the rest of the group as waiting outside by the Jeep by the time they arrived although now Pietro was at the wheel while Lance held open the door for Lacey.
"I still don't understand why Pietro doesn't just run the errands." Wanda muttered from the front seat.
"Because I have better things to do." the speedster snapped. He yelped loudly a second later as the steering wheel turned white hot under his hands. "Wanda!"
"Both of you stop it." Lance ordered. "Go home and we'll be there in an hour or so alright?"
Wanda rolled her eyes but let the heat fade from the wheel so Pietro could drive off. When they were out of sight Lance turned and walked towards the back of the parking lot where the X-Men usually parked.
"This is gonna be a disaster yo." Todd moaned as he hopped alongside Lance.
"Just keep your trap shut and let me do the talking ok?"
The younger boy sighed heavily but dipped behind his companion as they approached the X-Men. Kitty quickly was at Lance's side with a nervous smile, looking between him and Todd for an explanation.
"What do you want, Alvers?" Scott snapped, his face settled into a scowl.
"We want to talk to the Professor."
"About what?"
Lance's jaw twitched and he looked at the ground. He didn't want to reveal any sort of information to Scott of all people. He felt Kitty tense at his side and Todd shifted his position, holding his hands out submissively.
"Hey take it easy dawg. We just need to talk to Xavier. No big deal, you guys can have Wolvie escort us if you want."
Scott frowned for a moment then looked around at his friends. Rouge and Jean just shrugged while Kurt's eyes danced nervously about the group. A few of the younger mutants also looked a little bit scared so Kitty moved forward, her eyes defiant.
"Look Scott, stop being such a pain. If Lance and Todd want to talk to the Professor then have Jean tell him and he can tell us whether he wants to see them or not. Logan can keep an eye on them like Todd said."
The red head's mouth twisted but he nodded after a moment. "Alright. Jean, go ahead and ask the Professor. Rouge, you drive the boys. Kitty, you're coming with me."
The brunette's mouth opened to protest but Lance shook his head weakly. The last thing they needed was to make a scene. Already some of the other students were staring as they went to their cars.
"Fine. See you guys at home."
Todd glanced around the mansion and scuffed his shoes against the welcome mat self-consciously as he followed Lance into the house. He tried to smile at Storm who was standing inside the door but it came out as a grimace. The weather-witch did give him a kind nod however and showed them into a small library. Inside the Professor sat behind a desk, bent over some papers while Logan paced by the windows.
"Ah Lance, Todd, good to see you boys again. Please take a seat." he gestured to a couple of chairs obviously set up for this meeting. "How are things at the Brotherhood? I hear you have two new girls joining you."
"Yes sir. Well that's actually what we're here to talk about." Lance began quietly. "You see…about a month ago Mystique randomly popped back into our lives and brought these two girls to live with us. She also sent Gambit to help train us."
"Train you?"
"Ya, she built a huge gym for us." Todd interjected quickly.
"I see, please continue Lance."
"Um…well everything was fine until yesterday. Pietro had a little run in with his father."
The Professor's eyes widened and a quiet snarl came from Logan as he paced. "Magneto contacted you? What ever for?"
"Pietro said it was basically to remind us of where out loyalties lie. He's got guardianship over all of us and if he revokes it…we're in trouble. We think he may have an interest in one of the new girls or maybe he thinks all of us are of use again. I'm not sure."
"And you are afraid for your companions."
"Mostly the girls. Wanda…she's not right. Magneto messed her up pretty good awhile back and she's pretty lost right now but if he came for her she'd go without a fight. Pietro would have no choice but to follow to protect her. The other two girls…we can't figure out a reason for him to take them but…" Lance trailed off and stared at the floor, his cheeks slightly red.
"We just wanna look out for our friends." Todd continued. "We got the Acolytes giving us a heads up if Mags tries anything funny but they're almost as trapped as we are. If they turn coat it has to be at the right time right place not just because they're trying to protect us."
"So you kids want us to help you?" Logan asked in his low growl of a voice.
Lance's eyes flashed with anger but he had to lower his head once more and nod.
The Professor smiled, "I know it took a lot of courage to come here today boys and I thank you for it. However you must understand that I can not put my students in danger."
"Yes sir we understand that. I guess we're just asking…for a safe place to go to if things get rough." Lance murmured, looking up through his bangs at the older man.
"And I shall grant it." the Professor replied, "As long as it is in my power no mutant shall be turned away from my doors. The Brotherhood is no exception. If Magneto turns you out the Institute is open to all of you. And please remember that if you need our help you only have to ask."
"Thank you Professor." Todd said with a wide smile.
"You are both very welcome. Now if you need a lift I believe Kurt is willing to take you home."
The boys rose and walked through the doors, leaving the Professor and Logan alone.
"What do you think Chuck?"
"They are telling the truth, neither of them have any idea what Magneto is up to. They're motives are simple: protect their own." the man paused then looked at Logan, "I would like you to find Gambit and speak to him. Civilly if you please. See if you can find out where Magneto found those girls and why he wants them. If Erik is making changes in the Brotherhood then he must be planning something."
"No problem.
"I'll try to find Remy tonight with Cerebro. Now I believe you have a Danger Room session?"
The Canadian grunted and left the room.
A week passed peacefully and soon the Brotherhood was ordered by Mystique, via telephone call, to start hunting for jobs. Remy would make allowances in their training for work when he returned.
Todd and Freddy got a job with Lance at the junk yard/mechanic shop he worked at. Wanda was already working part time at a book store and she was currently asking her manager to give her more hours. That only left Lacey, Rahne and Pietro jobless.
"I still don't see why I have to do this. It's degrading." the speedster muttered as he sat with his companions at lunch.
"Must you complain about every little thing that inconveniences you?" Rahne snapped, she'd failed a Calculus test earlier that day and was now studying for the re-take but Pietro just would not shut up. "The rest of the boys are pulling their weight and me and Lacey have put in applications almost everywhere in town. Suck it up and quit whining."
Pietro's blue eyes narrowed slightly. "Excuse me little wolf but last time I checked you're not in charge of me. So mind your own business."
"Bite me." the red head snarled angrily as she swept her books up into her arms. She could feel her body trembling as she forced herself to control her temper. Gently Lacey put a hand on her arm and the quivering calmed into nothingness. She smiled gratefully at her friend before leaving the quad in a huff.
"Stupid speedster. Thinks he's so smart." she muttered as she turned into the library.
SMACK
She crashed right into a large form coming out of the entry way. Her books clattered to the ground and she fell backwards onto her butt. There was a startled cry and a hand reached down to help her almost immediately.
"Are you alright?"
Rahne looked up and felt her cheeks burn. A tall young man was looking down at her with a confused expression. Gently he reached for her hand and lifted her to her feet. While she stood there in shock he began to gather up her things and hand them to her. She flushed as he finished and smiled at her kindly.
"I'm Danny Nelson."
"Rahne Sinclair." she replied shyly.
"Sorry about knocking you over like that." he said with a sheepish smile. "I didn't see you."
"Ya I have that problem a lot."
Danny laughed, "Can I make it up to you? You need any help in Calculus?" he gestured to her book and the failed test.
The wolf-girl blushed, "I guess so."
He smiled happily, "Great. C'mon."
"Well we don't have any openings right now but I'll keep you on file and let you know."
"Thank you!"
Pietro sighed heavily as Rahne bounced out of the record shop and into the Jeep. The little red head had been nothing but a giant ray of freaking sunshine since she'd gotten home from school and it was starting to drive the speedster crazy. Lacey giggled behind them.
"Shut up." the speedster snarled.
"Testy."
Lacey had gotten a job at the local salon, checking people in and such. That still left only Pietro and Rahne jobless. And at this rate Rahne looked as if she was on standby for every job opening Bayville could offer. And he, the great Pietro Maximoff, had nothing.
"You should work in a clothing store." Lacey piped up as he drove home. "You'd get a discount and it is something you like."
Pietro tried to sneer but he didn't have the energy. He didn't know what was more demeaning, the fact he had to get a job or that everyone else got one before he did. His father would…
His hands tightened around the wheel in anger. Of course his father would look at him in disappointment and turn away to some other project. Well he'd prove him wrong, he'd get a job and he'd be great at it. And he'd like it.
In the backseat Lacey cocked her head slightly. Pietro's emotions where going on a roller coaster as he turned down the next street, heading in the opposite direction of the Boarding House. Pictures flickered in her vision and with a little focus she could see vague images of Pietro talking with managers, smiling tightly as he did when he was determined about something. Her mouth twisted into a smile as the Jeep was suddenly thrown into park.
"Rahne you drive home. Tell Lance I'll be home for dinner."
Logan tramped through the deep snow and mentally cursed Remy Lebeau as he stopped to catch his breath. It was a bright sunny day in the Rocky Mountains but a recent snow storm had everything buried under three feet of the white stuff. He leaned against a tree and looked up at the blue sky.
"Chuck really needs to perfect that stupid tracker of his."
"Oh but that would take all the fun out of it, wouldn't it mon ami?"
Logan whirled around in surprise. He seemed to be alone in the thick forest but a quick whiff of the air rewarded him with the strong scent of spicy aftershave and leather. Remy should be near enough to see...
"Up here Logan."
The Canadian looked up and found his prey perched up in the branches of the very tree he was leaning against. Remy was dressed for the cold although he had shed a large coat and a pair of snowshoes. With a grunt Logan jumped into the tree, his claws aiding him in his climb. Remy waited patiently, shuffling a deck of cards.
"What are you doing here, X-man?"
"Looking for you Swamp Rat."
Remy's dark eyes narrowed, "Why?"
"The kids came to us a few days ago asking for protection from Magneto. Chuck and I want to know why."
"De Boss…he talked to Pietro. Said the kid needed to be reminded of his purpose. After that he sent Remy out here."
"Why?"
The mutant looked down with a sigh, "Look Logan, you think Remy's a fool for following Magneto. Maybe he is but right now this is all he got. Remy'll protect the Brotherhood to his dying day but…there be things bigger than him that he needs protection from. Make sense?"
"You're running from someone? Who's bad enough to scare you off?"
The reds of Remy's eyes flashed, "People who would rather have Remy dead than alive."
Logan nodded, deciding not to push it further. If the Cajun was looking for protection he had no right to make him feel ashamed for it.
"De kids…they okay?"
"Ya, Xavier promised them safe haven if Magneto tried to hurt 'em."
"Bon."
"What does he want with them?"
Remy sighed heavily, "Don't know exactly. He wants de witch back Remy think. She's starting to remember things he don't want her to remember. And as long as he has de witch under his thumb he has Pietro. Todd and Freddy are just pawns to him. Don't mean nothing. But de girls…Remy don't know. Maybe he knows something about them he wants to use. Could be a lot of things."
"What about the others?"
"John…" for a moment the Cajun's mouth twitched into a smile, "He's head over heels for de witch. Half the reason she's remembering is cause she's been talking to him. Piotr just wants to help them after Pietro convinced Magneto to let his sister go."
"Sabertooth?"
"Victor still be looking for ya. But he's not attached to de Boss for anything else. Mystique just wants to be important but she's got a soft spot for them boys. And…she wants to make things right with Kurt and Rogue. She thinks if she helps the Brotherhood it may convince them she's not so bad."
Logan snorted quietly but didn't say anything on that subject. Instead he pulled out a cigar from his jacket and stuck it in his mouth. "You know Xavier's offer extends to you and your friends."
"We know." Remy said as he stood from his position. His gaze was fixed on the horizon and Logan could hear chopper blades closing in fast. "Are you in need of a ride mon ami?"
"No I'll be fine thanks."
Remy shrugged, "Suit yourself." he reached out a hand and grabbed ahold a nearly invisible rope and was soon hauled upwards, out of sight.
like i said not a lot of action. im still trying to think of a motive for magneto i know what i want him to do i just need to figure out why first. So let me know if you have any ideas.
Angel