"So how are we going to lure Magento to Rogue?" Tony asked.
"By putting her in an unsecured location where she'll be very visible but where there aren't too many people so as to not put innocent civilians in danger." Professor X said simply.
Tony tilted his head. "Sounds like you already have a plan."
Scott and Jean looked at each other. Scott couldn't help the smirk that played over his lips. "Oh, we do."
Tony frowned. "I don't like that look. I mean, I can't really tell because of the shades, but I know, I don't like that look."
Scott looked down at his fingers. "How's the Tower these days?"
Tony's jaw dropped. "Oh...Hell...No."
Steve frowned. "I don't see the tactical advantage of the tower. And if you wanted to lessen civilian casualties, wouldn't it be better to put the confrontation outside of the most densely populated city in the country?"
"Scott." Jean warned. "Play nice." Scott sighed.
"Stark's old house out in Malibu. It's still a favorite paparazzi site." He grumbled. "That's where we're bringing Rogue."
"Once the shadow king transfers himself into Rogue, I will enter her mind." The professor said. "With Jean and my combined power, we will have enough influence to stop him."
"Sounds perfect." Tony agreed. "What could go wrong?"
There was a roar from outside the X mansion and the sound of a small explosion. The sky darkened and thunder rumbled. Everyone looked at Thor.
"This is not my doing." He said. Steve groaned and put his head in hands.
"You just had to ask, Stark." He muttered.
Ororo sensed something was wrong when the were about 6 miles from the institute. "Hulk." She said, keeping her tone even. Hulk looked down at her, his nostrils flaring. "Listen to me. I think..." She swallowed. "It's possible that the shadow king is following us. Do not fight him. I need to get back to the institute first."
He looked angry and gnashed his teeth. "HULK SMASH PUNY SHADOW KING"
"Hulk." Ororo repeated, struggling to remain calm. Already she could hear him in the back of her mind, taunting her. The sky over her head darkened. She couldn't lose control. "He'll hurt me if he gets close. Smashing him won't protect me, keeping me away from him will." She pressed her hand to his chest. "Please, Hulk." She bit her lip. "You're faster than he is, right?"
Hulk snorted in irritation at the suggestion that he might not be and took off. Ororo sagged against him in relief.
Not so fast, little weather witch. The shadow king's voice rang in her ear.
Almost there, she told herself. Almost there...
The gate of the institute was in front of her. She was just about to allow herself to reach out to the professor when the metal of the gate began twisting. "HULK." She shouted and he seemed to understand because he jumped. The metal twined and reached out, grabbing Hulk's wrists and wrenching him out of the air. Ororo went flying. Calling a wind, she slowed her descent, ignoring the screaming pain in her ribs. She landed on her feet, unsteadily. There was a small explosion as one of the pieces of the gate collided with the fuse box, sending an electric current through to the pieces gripping Hulk's wrists, electrocuting him. He roared.
"That was a mistake." Ororo shouted, unsure where he was. "You just made him angrier."
You are so blind, little witch. The voice was mocking, amused. Angry is exactly how I want him.
She saw Magneto floating towards Hulk his hand outstretched. He was planning on touching him, to transfer the Shadow King into him. "HULK." She shouted, trying to summon enough energy to push him away. The winds slowed Magneto down. "Don't let him touch you."
Within seconds the professor, Scott, Logan, Jean, Rogue and the members of the Avengers were running out of the mansion.
"I shall assist you." Thor declared, summoning a lightning bolt to hit Magneto in the chest. Ororo could feel the pain of her injuries making her lose control. She screamed, letting the pain, anger and fear drive the storm. There shouts of surprise from the others as winds, rain and lightning ravaged the sky. Thor's confident stride faltered as he looked up, his mouth agape. Rogue tugged on his cape.
"Get me over to Hulk." She shouted over the winds. Thor looked down at her, his eyebrow arched. "Trust me." She said. He nodded, holding out his hand, palm up. Rogue hesitated before touching him. He grit his teeth. She dropped his hand and stumbled over to Hulk, less affected by the tempest. Magneto was trying to fight to get towards Hulk.
Foolish child. The shadow king hissed. Do you truly think you are strong enough to defy me?
"Perhaps not." Ororo whispered. looking as Rogue touched Hulk's arm. "But I now know that I do not have to be."
Hulk shrank down, reverting into Bruce. Rogue screamed, angry and green. She battered Magneto, avoiding his hand. He fell to the ground, his helmet askew.
"All I need to do is distract you." Ororo murmured. She released her hold on the storm. Thor caught her as she swayed. The winds around her didn't change. "I've lost control." She mumbled.
"No." Bruce was standing next to her, his voice weak, but determined. "You've got this."
Ororo centered herself. "Thor." She murmured. "I don't think I can fly right now."
Thor pulled her under his arm and pulled her under his arm, spinning his hammer above them. Ororo focused on quieting the winds, allowing her calm to quell the weather. Her vision went in and out of focus and she felt the storm subside as she blacked out.
Bruce fought against the Hulk's growling irritation at Thor holding Ororo. She swooned, her body going limp in his arms. Thor landed. Bruce took Ororo from him, holding her against him. Over in the other side of the front lawn, Jean and the professor were concentrating, Magneto was on the ground clutching his head. Rogue was roaring, still green.
"It'll wear off soon." Logan growled. "In any case, you need to get Ro out of here."
Bruce nodded. "I'll take her to her room." He said, carrying her up to the house.
"OooooOOO." Tony said.
"She's got broken ribs, Stark." Scott growled.
Ororo gasped in pain, sitting up. She was in her room at the institute, Bruce snoring in the corner. She looked over at the bedside table where some pain medication was waiting. Taking a pill, she swallowed, trying to reduce the weariness in her bones. Dropping her head onto the pillow, she looked up at the ceiling. What had happened? She couldn't be sure that this entire moment wasn't some play by the shadow king to lull her into a false sense of security.
Come now, Ororo. Charles' voice sounded amused. He would never be capable of being as tactful and cunning.
She relaxed.
"He's gone?" She whispered.
Yes, Ororo. The words warmed her and comforted her. You are safe.
Ororo looked across the room at Bruce's sleeping form. "Thank you, Charles and tell Jean too." She said. Throwing a pillow across the room, she caught Bruce in the chest. He coughed and sat up. His eyes wide and fearful.
"Ororo." He gasped out. "I could have..." He sputtered, waving a hand. "You...he..."
"What does Hulk say?" Ororo asked.
Bruce's eyes closed, after a second his expression slackened and he shook his head.
"The two of you are dangerous together." He muttered.
Ororo chuckled. "So, after I get the all clear from the doctor, I believe I would like my boyfriend to take me dancing."
Bruce shifted nervously. "Well, you'll get your shot." He said. "Tony's throwing a victory party."
"A victory party? Is that the excuse he's using for this week's extravaganza?" Ororo asked, motioning for him to come closer. He seemed hesitant at first, then nodded, getting up and walking to her bedside, sitting next to her. Ororo leaned her head on his shoulder, smiling at his lack of hesitation to her touch. "You've never been so relaxed around me before." She remarked.
Bruce put an arm around her. "Well I was...I was faced with the idea that I might lose you and I didn't like it."
Ororo grinned. "Such a romantic." She teased. Bruce threaded his fingers through hers.
"Rest." He whispered.
Ororo looked around the party, smoothing the front of her dress. She'd been withdrawn from the others while, seeking treatment for her injuries. Bruce had been running himself ragged looking over her charts and she'd had to kick him out of the institute. Promising him that he'd see her at Stark's victory party, she'd pressed a kiss to his cheek and sent him away.
So now she stood by the windows. For a mostly glass room, the tower's common room was stifling. There was a tap on her shoulder. She turned, looking at Bruce.
"Thought I'd find you here." He said.
"We've got to stop meeting like this." She smiled, thinking of the first time they'd met.
"You look..." Bruce swallowed. Ororo smiled.
"You as well." She took his hand. "And I believe you promised me a dance."
He hummed in amusement. "I believe you demanded it."
"I demand nothing." Ororo said.
"You demand plenty, goddess." Bruce teased, taking her hand. "And I've got a witness." He tilted his head. "Yup, Hulk just called you Bossy Roro."
Ororo laughed. "Et tu, Hulk?" She asked, pulling Bruce out onto the balcony. "I'm glad that you're more comfortable with him." She tapped the side of his head.
"Well..." Bruce shoved his hands in his pockets. "It's still difficult to trust..." He broke off and grimaced. "For us to trust each other." He corrected. "But, he's warmed up to me...mostly thanks to you."
Ororo laughed. "I do believe you like me, Dr. Banner."
"And I do believe there's no point in denying it, Ms. Munroe." Bruce flushed.
"So..." Ororo put her arms on his shoulders. "What do you intend to do about it?"
Bruce was about to respond when a hush fell over the party. Ororo turned to see Tony standing in the doorway with the rest of the party guests crowded around him. "Oh, don't stop." He said. "Pretend we're not here."
Bruce cleared his throat and looked away. Ororo crossed her arms. "Stark. You have exactly 3 seconds to step back."
"Or what?" Tony smirked. "The other guy will get me?"
"No." Ororo gave him a poison sweet smile. "You'll have to deal with someone even more deadly." She arched an eyebrow as Tony froze. "Me."
"Um." Tony said, backing away. "You can just..." He waved in their direction as he tripped over his feet in an attempt to get away. "Carry on." Ororo shut the balcony doors with a gust of wind before turning to Bruce.
"Where were we?" She asked.
"I was about to kiss you." Bruce replied, pulling her close.
"Seems about right." Ororo smiled, pressing her lips to his.