Thank you so much for all that reviewed on the last chapter of Lost Time! I hope I can continue to write this and update as much as I can! Here is another chapter, hopefully you will all enjoy!
The drive back to the Institute was tense; it was clear in the air. Maybe being a weather witch she noticed it more, but Ororo wanted to ignore the elephant in the room. She couldn't keep Alex in the dark for long; especially if he was going to be a full fledged X-Man again. With Logan in and out, Scott not doing the best…it was up to her and the few staff she had left to try and hold things together. "Ororo, you ok?" Alex decided to press. She shook her head. Things weren't getting any better; the pessimistic side of her was thinking that Magneto was right; there was a war coming.
"No," she admitted, "but we need to go back to the institute," she said. It would be easier to explain and plan for what may be the most difficult time that any mutant has faced before this. "Charles isn't going to like that the place where mutants can get 'cured,'" she snarled, "was attacked,"
"Everyone is really scared," Alex said gently, "especially if its true what they say about it….it can look really enticing to some," he said glumly. It made him think about him and his brother. Their powers weren't exactly under complete control. He found he had to wear something to keep his power contained inside of him much like Scott's ruby quartz glasses. "People who don't have control may see that as their only way to live a some what normal life,"
"There is always some degree of control you can learn," she sighed, "I just don't like that some are giving up,"
"I'm not saying that I agree with those who want the cure, its just that I understand why they want it. It wasn't so long ago that we didn't have control over our powers. Hell, I barely have a handle on it unless I'm wearing these bracers to contain my powers," she shook her head, but found it was hard to disagree with that. She just hated that they were considered a disease; something to be despised because they were different. Alex let his thoughts drift back to the girl he had waiting for him in Los Angeles; he had been texting her and calling, but there was no response from her at all. It wasn't like her to do that. He hated to be putting his relationship on the back burner, but he couldn't help it right now. "You're worried about Rogue aren't you?" he questioned.
"She's a smart girl," she sighed. A part of her hoped that the young mutant hadn't had time to get her cure; she could still fully realize the potential of her powers and maybe gain some sort of control. "Even….even if she has taken the cure, she still has street smarts, and has what we taught her," Without a telepath among the two of them, they couldn't very well stay. Mutants were being targeted and hunted; didn't help that followers of Magento seemed to be destroying cure sites everywhere. They had to focus on the bigger picture at the moment.
Meanwhile driving the opposite direction, Rogue and Pyro had finally managed to get to a temporary base that Magneto had set up. She bit her lip; she wasn't at all comfortable being anywhere near where the mutant that had almost killed her was. "Rouge?" he questioned. She shook her head; it wasn't the time to focus on the past bad. She had to get him healed otherwise he could get much worse.
"Ah'm fine," she grumbled. "Where are we going now?" she questioned.
"Welcome back Pyro," Rogue froze at the sound of the voice that greeted her friend. She turned around and saw the master of magnetism. "Rogue," he seemed surprised as well, "Welcome my dear," he said, as he snapped his fingers. Instantly mutants appeared out of nowhere, helping the injured pyrokinetic out of the vehicle. "I'm quite surprised to see you here,"
"Ah couldn't very well leave John to bleed out," Rogue said, not sure how to respond to him.
"His name is Pyro," Mystique said to her. She looked at her inquisitively; she flowed over to her. "And I don't think we can let you leave either….you would make an interesting addition," she looked towards Magneto. "Eric?" she questioned. Rogue knew she was backed to a corner. Could she really take on this many mutants at once? She may have had basic combat training, but Mystique was an excellent fighter in pique shape, and all the mutants she could identify had long ranged powers.
"Indeed…welcome," he said, smirking. She adjusted her clothing to cover herself up. She could have had the cure; but now that she didn't have it and was now thrown in some scheme with the Brotherhood, she couldn't be more grateful for her powers. She at least had a fighting chance to escape if an opportunity presented itself. She decided to follow where the 'healers' were bringing John.
Xavier Institute
Jean Grey's eyes were open once again. When her vision finally adjusted, standing over her was Scott and Logan. It was an odd sensation being surrounded by the two men that held strong feelings for her. "Scott…Logan?" she questioned. Logan smiled meekly, and decided to leave the couple alone. He may still feel strong feelings for Jean, but she had made her choice before she had stepped off the Blackbird. The telekinetic shook her head, as if it would help clear it. She felt more aware of herself since for the few moments that she had woken up momentarily with the Professor. She examined her fiancé's face. He wrapped her into tight embrace. She had no recollection about how long she had been gone for, but from how it seemed, it was for quite a while.
"Jean…." He couldn't form words; he was just so glad to see her alive. "I have missed you so much," As she began to wake up more; so did her powers. She could feel all the anguish and pain he had put himself through the time she had been missing. The time apart didn't seem to help the rivalry between the two guys that held affections for her had not improved at all.
As the two of them were talking Logan found himself roaming the halls of the school. Part of him wanted to run like he had in the past. This would be the best time for him; but he thought about how angry Ororo had been. He had seen her anger pointed towards enemies, but never towards another teammate. He needed to stay; even if it put him in an awkward position. As he thought about that, his phone started to go off. He flipped it open and gruffly said, "Hello?"
"Logan…we are on our way back," Ororo said to him. "The attack looked pretty brutal….its hard to tell if a mutant with control over fire did this or something man made did. We got out before the police showed up,"
"Great…" he let out a sigh. "Well Jean is awake now," It was silent on the other end for a short moment.
"How is she doing?" She questioned, not sure how to react to their friend had seemingly cheated death for months using her powers subconsciously.
"She seems to not really remember the last few months….I have no idea how she could have survived without at least being aware of her using her powers," Logan was hesitant to tell Ororo that Charles warned them that Jean may be unstable. "Chuck said to be careful around Jean…."
"What do you mean careful?" she questioned.
"I don't know…gotta ask him when he gets back," he sighed, "I'm going to go check on the kids, see you soon," he said, terminating the connection. Logan's original plan was to go check on Jean and Scott, but actually went towards the dorms. He knew that a lot of the kids were kind of separated about the issue of this "cure" as much as the teachers. As he passed one of the rooms his heightened hearing picked up someone screaming across the way. He barreled over towards the scream and saw that Kitty was running into Rogue's room. He followed her, and found Bobby Drake on the ground unconscious. His eyes rose, "Move out of the way girl," he growled. The young mutant backed off as Logan checked his pulse. "He's still alive," This looked like the handiwork of the Rogue. "Jeez kid," he grumbled. "Hey!" he barked, slapping Bobby's shoulders "wake up!"
He let out a groan as his eyes fluttered open, "Logan?" he questioned.
"Kitty…go to the med room and let Jeannie and Scott know that they are going to be having company," she nodded and phased through the floor.
Odd place to end it, but I hope you enjoyed it
