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CHAPTER TEN

Blob and Avalanche stared hard at Black Tom. The three of them had taken refuge in a delapidated building on one of the nearby islands, a far cry from the luxurious setting of the Cassidy Keep. Black Tom sat behind a desk. He coughed, slightly nervous at the attention he was receiving, then took a wad of banknotes from his pocket and counted them out. "Will this satisfy our agreement?"

Blob took the notes and handed half of them to Avalanche. Both of the Brotherhood members counted their share, slowly and deliberately. "It'll do,"Blob declared at last. They turned to go.

"How would you feel about being kept on retainer?"Black Tom asked.

The pair turned back. "What do you mean?"Avalanche enquired.

"Well, despite the outcome, our association has not been entirely unsuccessful. How would you like to go on working for me?" Black Tom smiled broadly. "A new Brotherhood!"

Professor X slowly turned the wheels of his wheelchair. The remains of his robot body had been placed atop it. It was a strange and yet familiar experience; a cripple once again.

Storm entered his office and he saw the emotions flicker through her eyes: Sympathy, guilt, shame. He would have to help her deal with the more negative side of what had happened. With him once again unable to take an active role, the X-Men would depend on her and Wolverine again. "I'm sorry, Professor,"she said quietly.

Professor X cocked his head slightly. "You know, I'd forgotten what you looked like from this position." It provoked a smile. He was glad of that. "Is there news of our guests?"

"They're ready to leave."

Havok and Polaris had brought the X-Factor jet in to land on the mansion lawn and were waiting by it as the rest of X-Factor said goodbye to their friend in the X-Men and the New Mutants. Jubilee was hugging Siryn. "I'm going to miss being on the same team as you."

"Same here,"Siryn agreed. "But I've got my own place to call home now."

Bobby shook hands with Colossus. "Good to see you again, Peter."

Wolverine gave Beast a playful punch on the arm. "You were kinda useful, furball."

Professor X came rolling out, Storm walking behind him. "And we were happy to lend assistance, Hank," he noted.

Beast bowed his head slightly. "The honour was mine, Professor. But I believe the time has come for us to leave. Therese, Peter, Rahne." Siryn and Colossus moved to follow him. Wolfsbane did not. Beast raised an eyebrow. "Rahne?"

Wolfsbane looked awkwardly at Cannonball, Leech, Cypher and Moonstar, then back at her mentor. "I've…made friends here."

"You want to join the New Mutants?"Rogue asked.

"If you'll have me."

Professor X pretended to consider for a moment. "Rogue, Jubilee, perhaps you should make sure a room is available for the newest member of our family."

Beast nodded. "Sharing again, Charles? Then with my blessing. Until we meet again, my friend." He led the remains of X-Factor into the jet and it took off.

Professor X turned his wheelchair round and led his team back into their home.

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