Chapter 10: The Court House

Mystique took off into the sky towards the Court House. They were cutting it close, too close for any of their likings. The hearing would be stating in an hour.

Mystique landed and looked around at the security surrounding the Court House. Some officers were holding off picketers, some were blocking various doors, and others were wandering between entrances through the Court House assisting officers that required an extra body. She finally zoomed in on a female security officer with a name tag that read, Kate.

Officer Kate was one of the officers wandering door to door through the building. Mystique waited until officer Kate was back inside before she shifted into Kate's form passing an officer named Ryan. He gave her a brief nod and she returned it. She then strode down to the front desk where she could see Secretary Sandra.

She approached the desk, "Sandra,"

Sandra looked up, "Yes Kate, how can I help you?"

"Officer Ryan needs to see you."

"Now? Kate, we have a hearing in half an hour. Judge Luke hasn't even arrived yet. I just can't up and leave."

Mystique looked at the woman who was about in her mid thirty's. "Yes Kate, I know about the trial, do you really think this is how I planned my Saturday?" Sandra's face went slightly red. Mystique continued, "It must be important if he needs to see you this moment or he wouldn't be asking."

Sandra sighed, "Very well, I will be back ASAP. Now, what entrance is he at?"

Mystique turned to face down the hall. "He is at the back today."

Sandra stood up and walked away from her desk. Mystique followed her for a while until she came to a corner. She ducked around the side of it still posing as Security Officer Kate until she heard Kurt's' voice from the communicator in her pocket. "She iz secure."

Mystique looked around to see if anyone was there. 'No one, thank goodness.' She shifted into Sandra's form and went back down the hall to the desk. Now all they had to do was wait.

Everyone was anxious as they waited. They kept glancing at their watches as Mystique glanced at the clock on the office wall. 7:10, 7:15, at 7:20 Judge Luke entered the Court House.

"Morning Sandra."

"Good morning sir."

"Did you have a good evening?" Yes, I did, thank you sir. 'Well actually it was hell trying to trace as much info as possible on the case you are about to represent!" He gave a brief smile and started to walk away but she stopped him, "Sir!"

He turned around. "Yes Sandra."

May I ask a question sir?"

He sighed, "Alright, but I have a hearing in two minutes."

"Actually sir, it is about the hearing. You see sir I have been asked by many people if it is open to the public. I didn't know what to tell them without your say."

He furrowed his eyebrows and then said, 'Tell them yes it is open to the public if they have something to say at the stand. But Sandra, I don't want my Court Room stuffed full, do you understand?"

Mystique nodded. "Yes sir, thank you for your help." With that he left for the elevators.

Mystique picked up the phone at the main desk and dialed Rogue's cell.

Rogue looked at the number. She did not recognize it so she let it ring. 'Pick up, damn it girl!' Mystique dialed again. Rogue saw the same number flash up on the screen and answered it. "Hello?"

"Could you please put me on speaker phone, Rogue!"

"Awe Gawd, Ah had no idea ya knew mah cell number!"

"Speaker phone please!" If there was one thing Mystique hated more than anything it was having to be polite.

"Fine, ya are on."

Mystique stole a glance around the lobby and then, almost speaking as quickly as Pietro she said, "It -is -open -to -the -public. You must -have something to state- at the stand. Choose your groups wisely." She saw an odd look from a passing person and added, "Thank you and we will see you then." The dial tone came on indicating the phone had been hung up.

Kitty looked at Rogue and said, "Well that like wasn't weird or anything."

"Ok kids, here is how we play this. I want Calysto, Emily and Rebecca in Kurt's group. All other seniors, except Rogue wait outside the building.

"My group? Logan, vhy am I leading dey group?"

"Because Elf, you got a look at what was down there in the lab, the cages and what not."

"Vell so did Kitty!"

"Kurt, don't like be a baby," Kitty scolded.

Logan tuned to Rogue, "Stripes, who do you want?"

Rogue looked at her team, "Ah want Tommy, Sarah, and Amara t' come with meh. Tommy and Sarah, your Mommy's and Daddy's need t' stay in the waitin' room, ok?" The children looked at their parents and then took Amara's and Rogue's hands.

The two teams walked to the front of the Court House and up the stairs. The security officer stopped them. "Can I help you kids?"

Rogue looked at the officer. He was average height with a few extra pounds that looked like a mix of muscle and fat. She looked at him in the face and said, "Yes ya can. We are 'ere f'r the hearin' o' Jake Wiser."

The officer scoffed at her. "You are just a bunch of kids. What could you possibly have to offer?"

"We are not just kids' officer Max. We are mutants." When Amara said that Max stepped back a bit.

"Ah do believe we are expected. Could ya please go ask Sandra at the front desk? Mah name is Rogue an' Ah am escorting' these "kids" as ya call 'em to the Court Room. They all 'ave somethin' t' say at the stand."

Max grabbed his radio and called the front desk. "Sandra, there are a bunch of kids here that say they have something to say at the stand in the hearing today. They are lead by a kid named Rogue."

They heard the radio crackle and a voice on the other end said, 'Yes we are expecting them. Sorry if no one told you Max. Please send them in. I will escort them upstairs."

"Alright then," Max said and stepped aside to let the group through. "Good luck," He called to them.

"Thank you," Amara called back.

The eight of them walked to the front desk. "Well."

"Well what Sandra," asked Rogue.

She led them to the elevator and said, "Are you ready?"

"To put this jackass back behind bars, absolutely," Rebecca replied.

"I don't like the medsin man," Tommy said.

"I guess ve are set then," replied Kurt.

"Fifth floor, you know the drill. Stay quiet until they call that the stand is open to the public." They gave knowing nods or glances as the elevator doors closed and they rose four floors up.

Outside the Court House The X-Men were a little antcy. The hearing was going to begin any second and they could no longer see their team mates.

"I hope they like made it through security and stuff." Kitty was bouncing on her toes.

Logan let out a grunt. "I am sure everything is fine Half-Pint. Birds eye, what do you see from your view?"

"You know Wolverine you could have chosen a better name."

"What, you prefer Bucket Head?" Logan asked.

Magneto shook his head. He was on the roof of a building six away from the Court House. "Everything is clear. The kids all got through the doors and inside, so the cat can stop jumping up and down now."

Logan looked at Kitty. "Hear that Half-Pint, everything is fine." Kitty nodded with her whole body. Logan just shook his head. "Try relaxing, and if ya can't do that go check on Sandra. She is probably still scared stiff."

"Oh, well ok, but I don't want to miss anything."

"Don't worry Kitty, we will keep you posted," Jean ensured the bouncing girl.

When they exited the elevator they were greeted by more security. "Are you here to make a statement at the stand when it is open to the public?" They all nodded. The security officer opened the door and put them in the back row of seats.

The group sat and listened as someone was making an oath. "I do." They heard the man say.

The Lawyer representing Wiser approached the bench. "Mr. Heart, are you a member of the Friends Of Humanity?" 'Oh Gawd this is not good. Why am Ah even in a Court Room. Ah hate Court Rooms.' Rogue's thoughts trailed on but she did her best to pay attention.

"Yes I am."

"How long have you been an active member of the FOH Mr. Heart?"

"Five years now."

"In all your time as a member of the FOH did you ever meet my client, Mr. Jake Wiser?"

Mr. Heart shook his head. "No sir, never."

"But you met Mr. Creed?"

"Yes sir I did."

"Did Mr. Creed ever discuss my client with you? Remember you are under oath."

"All he told us was that he had a cure to help achieve our goal."

"Did he say who was helping him achieve his goal?"

"No."

The Lawyer said, "Thank you Mr. Heart that is all." Mr. Heart stepped down and sat back in his seat.

A girl, about Kurt's age was called to the stand. "Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you god?"

"I do," she said.

Tommy and Sarah watched how she had answered and practiced silently.

"Kathy McDonald, is that right?" The girl nodded. "Kathy, do you know my client?"

The girl shook her head, "No, I don't recognize him."

"Do you know why he is here today?"

Kathy shook her head again, "Not really."

"What does that mean Kathy? You do or do not know why he is here. Can you explain?"

"Your honor, he is badgering the witness!"

"ORDER!" Luke turned to the girl, "Kathy please answer the question the best you can. Do you know why Mr. Wiser is here today?"

"Well, he was in jail so he must have done something wrong. I don't know what it was though."

"Thank you Kathy you may step down now."

This process of not knowing Mr. Wiser or what he had done seemed to last forever. The X-Men and their group were getting tired. Just then the scientist from the television walked in. Tommy imidiatly saw him and screamed, "Ah! The medsin man!"

"Shush! It's all right Tommy," Amara tried to sooth him.

"No! The medsin man is here."

Security started walking towards them. "I am sorry, but this Court is in session. If you can't keep this child quiet you will have to leave."

Tommy went to say something but Amara shook her head at him. She looked at the security officer and said, "Yes sir."

However Tommy's screams had attracted the attention of Judge Luke. He looked to the back of his Court Room and called the security officer up. He spoke quietly to him and the officer came back. "The Judge wants to know what scared the boy and why." He held out his hand to Tommy. Tommy looked at Amara and she gave him a smile. He took the officers hand and went to the front.

The Judge looked at Tommy, "Hello son, what is your name?" Tommy looked scared. "It is alright, I just want to know what scared you. Would you like to sit at my big bench?"

Tommy nodded and added, "I wanna tell the truth and the every truth."

The judge laughed. "Alright son. First can you tell everyone your name?"

"My name is Tommy Jones."

"Tommy, can you tell all of us what scared you?"

Tommy pointed to the man in a blue shirt with a white over coat. "Him, he's the medsin man!"

All eyes traveled to the new comer in the court room. The judge looked at the man and then back to Tommy. "Tommy, why do you call this man the medicine man? Is he a doctor?"

Tommy shook his head fiercely. "No, no, no! He is the medsin man from the T.V. that had the bad medsin that made me sick!"

There were whispers amongst people in the Court Room. "ORDER!" Tommy jumped and the room quieted back down. The judge then looked at Tommy again with a smile. "Sorry about that son. Sometimes my room gets too loud. Does your classroom ever get noisy?" Tommy nodded. "Well Tommy, this is like my classroom, it needs to be quiet so people can learn. Right now they are learning from you."

"Me?" Tommy asked.

"Yes you. Now please tell us about this medicine. Why did you have to take it?"

"I tooked the medsin 'cause my Mommy and Daddy didn't want me to be sick anymore. They said that if I tooked the medisin I would be like all my friends."

"What are your friends like Tommy?"

"Well my friends were normal. Daddy said I wasn't normal."

"Why would your daddy tell you that Tommy? That's not a very nice thing to say."

"Because I am a mutant. The medsin in the blue box was to make me not be one, but it made me sick." Tommy pointed to the scientist again, "He had the blue box on T.V. that had the bad medsin in it. I got sick when I tooked it. My head was burning hot an I was sleepy. I also throwd up." Tommy looked at the ground.

The judge looked at the little boy beside him. "Thank you Tommy. You have been very helpful. Who is watching you?"

Tommy stood on his toes to see the back of the room. "Amara, Rogue, Emily, Rebecca, Calysto, Kurt and my new friend Sarah."

The judge gave a small nod and said, "Tommy, do you think your friends would like to come to the bench too?"

"Yes sir Mr."

Judge Luke laughed again. "Alright Tommy you may step down now."

Tommy did and scooted back to the waiting group.

"Would the people that this young lad just called please rise." 'Well this is not 'ow it is supposed t' go. Damn! Now we may never get open court!" Would you please step forwards one at a time."

Kurt stepped forwards, "Your honor, iz this open court?"

"Not yet, but I would like to talk with you."

"Your honor, with no disrespect o' anythin' like that, but we would like t' do our talkin' durrin' open court."

"Oh and why is that young lady?"

"Well your honor, we 'ave jus' cause f'r waitin'"

"If there is something you wish to share with the court…"

"Rogue, mah name is Rogue, and Ah will be happy t' share with ya'll durrin' open court under oath." She sat back down and the rest of the group followed suit.

Jake Wiser had turned his head when he heard the southern voice and when he turned back Judge Luke saw fear in his eyes, something he had not seen for the past hour and a half. "Very well Rogue, I will grant your request for open court under oath as well as to your friends. Please understand that Tommy was not officially under oath, but we will see if the jury will make an exception seeing as he tried to put himself under oath before giving his information over."

"We understand your honor. We apologize f'r the interruption."

"That is quite alright. I am sure this; interruption as you call it has shed some new light on matters in this Court Room. If there are no more witnesses I would like to call a twenty minute recess. When we come back the bench will be open to the public for approaching." With the swing of his mallet Judge Luke dismissed the Court Room for a brief Recess.

Rogue and the others stepped out into the hall. "Kurt, Emily and Rebecca, Ah'm goin' t' the ladies room f'r a minute. Please watch the kids." She tapped her pocket. Kurt understood.

"Or Rogue I could jus' pop out and tell them how things are going," Kurt suggested.

Rogue looked around. "Kurt, do ya see any way o' not getting' caught on the way out or back in?"

He looked at her and to everyone's surprise he said, "Rogue, all of a sudden I don't care," and with that there was a "bamph!" and Kurt was gone.

"Damn it, stupid Kurt! Can't listen t' one thin' Ah say and…" Rogue was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. She spun around to see the judge. "Your honor! Ah'm sorry, ya startled meh."

"You have more friends outside?" Rogue nodded.

"Why are they not all in here?"

She chuckled, "Your honor, we all wouldn't fit. We chose a select few."

"Ah, well I look forwards to hearing from you and.., "bamph!" "Oh my!"

Kurt looked over. "Oh, I am so sorry your honor. I vas outside and vus not expecting anyone to be vhere I vus standing."

The judge looked grim and then relaxed. "Yes, well I do get my fare share of surprises from my daughter in the same fashion as your arrival."

"Again I am so sorry." The Judge waved it off and walked away.

Rogue turned to him and then smacked him. "Idiot! Ah told ya Ah would do it, but no, ya had t' go freightenin' the Judge!"

Rouge! Please, it really hurts vhen you hit!"

Rogue stopped when she sense another person behind her. This time she knew who it was. She spun around to come face to face with Jake Wiser. "Don't do it Rogue."

"Don't do what? Put ya back behind bars where ya belong? Ah think Ah will. Ya 'ave no right t' claim insanity. In fact, Ah believe that ya are insane tryin' t' claim it! Now LEAVE!"

Heads turned at this sudden change of volume coming from the leader of the small group. Security came over and escorted Jake away from Rogue and the others.

"Rogue?" Rebecca said.

"He's goin' back Becca; Ah will not let 'im walk out o' 'ere. They all looked at one another and sensed they were in for a larger battle than they had originally thought, and Rogue was going to bring down the house.