Logan was gone again – he left at dawn with the doctor and hadn't returned yet. They were crossing the most dangerous territory and had to move very slowly. There's no need to list all times they managed not to die. It was truly a miracle.

Sean was babbling in admiration – that was the first time he has seen those plans and have you seen that bug – so amazing. Soon, excitement usually died – boy was reminded of his professor and fell into mournful silence. If you ask Emma – she didn't expect to see Xavier alive. Emma knew Sebastian too well – people like Charles were for him akin a red flag for a bull. It is highly unlikely that Sebastian kept him alive. If the professor was lucky, then, at least, he died quickly. It made Emma sad. Funny, but she truly liked him.

They are very close to their destination but, as that hairy savage has said – here starts fun. The key has to show them the way. Logan and that bespectacled doctor were constantly bickering on the subject. They wasted a week, beating around the bush, but the mountain range remained unapproachable. Logan tried to climb up but fell. Emma had to watch a terrible show – slow mending bones and tissues.

'Xavier said something about the phoenix and the star,' Logan turned it from side to side.

'It can be connected with the sun worship?' ever present doctor commented.

He even proposed to use it like a prism.

Fruitless attempts lasted for a week. Nobody gave Emma the watch. Well, all right. She decided that little revenge will be in order and told them that were Xavier here he would have figured it in no time. She's got some scornful looks in response – and Moira was seething with hate. Mission accomplished.

At noon, Emma was sitting close to Sean – she leaned over him, pretending to look at the bug he was playing with in the grass – such a child. While his eyes were temporarily glued to her three strategically open buttons, Emma swiftly removed the watch from his pocket.

'Lady Frost, ow, mister Howlett said that…'

'Chill out, sweetheart. I won't eat it!' Emma smirked in satisfaction – the gold was good.

She noticed the infamous watch on the ship. Emma had to snatch it there – Charles wouldn't mind at the time. She took the chain and lifted it up – the lid opened easily. Emma frowned at the engraving – sun reflected from the surface into her eyes.

Our child… You came. So long… He's coming… Soon…

What the?... Black dots were dancing before her eyes together with images so weird that her mind was unable to process. Stars, flames, no, not just flame. Fire…devouring. Life… She was dying and she was resurrecting in the flash… No! Stop it! Please, don't! Too much…

Emma opened her eyes to find herself lying on Sean's lap. His hand was cradling her head and he shouted at the top of his lungs:

'Alex, lady MacTaggert, hurry please! She fainted all of the sudden! I don't know what to do!'

Two more anxious voices joined Sean. Emma couldn't breath – her lungs were burning as if on fire. Wet, hot streaks were running down her cheeks. Moira was asking something, but Emma couldn't distinguish words through white noise in her ears. She remembered; she was so close… gods, so close. Her head… Emma moaned in pain. Awareness slowly came back and she could breathe again.

'Go away, let me…' she tried to get up and Sean helped her, awkwardly hugging her waist.

'Thanks, sugar…' she managed and the boy flushed.

But before Moira had time to open her mouth a frighteninly familiar voice reached her ears:

'Emma, is that you? Long time no see!'

Charles was slowly forgetting who he was. He couldn't remember how he came to this place. His last memories were blurred – there was pain, there were bits of joy, obscured by guilt and remorse. Charles knew that he should ask for forgiveness. Whom? And why was it so important?

The road merged into one unbearably long period of time. Finally, he found himself in the large spacious room, where he was allowed to lie down on the bench. It was cold here but he was hot from the inside. Most of the time he spent in delirious world, which burned and burned under his closed eyelids – dragging him deeper and deeper. Charles could barely stand, but he stubbornly walked around leaning on the wall. Room was completely closed off and sun shone from the window on the ceiling. Soon, he became tired. Then, they came. He could no longer see their faces, but he felt their touches on his bare skin when they were wiping his body and giving him sweet liquid to drink. After that, Charles fell into a deep slumber. In the dream, voices were getting louder and then they flooded his mind. Charles doesn't need the name anymore. He will be everybody. He will be everything. Eternal, beautiful and terrifying fire. Existence. He can hear them all – thoughts, feelings, desires; he's already looking with their eyes. He hears the stars whispering to him in the dark… not too loud. Please, he prayed… not so loud… just a little bit more and he will burn too.

Erik tried to help Raven, but he didn't know what to do with injured panther. He gave her meat and left alone. Charles was the only one who could touch her anyway – she behaved more like a domestic cat around him. For Erik she was a dangerous, if beautiful animal first of all. Raven, in her turn, didn't try to become friends with him.

The only thing which was on his mind now – it was Charles. Charles who dared to get in trouble again, disappearing without a trace. This time Erik was scared more than before. He didn't understand who had taken him – his confusion grew as days went by.

Erik never stopped. He couldn't previously imagine that he can race through the forest for two days and two nights in a row. There was no place for fatigue, no violent excitement, no fury which was always giving him necessary strength the previous times. He just didn't stop. Until the second night – he had to sleep, because his vision was betraying him.

What is he chasing – he wondered. Certainly, not humans. They couldn't be faster than Erik; they couldn't be practically invisible for Erik – who reads jungles like an open book. He didn't want to think what do they need Charles for. And why come all the way exclusively for him?

Erik found barely noticeable traces on the trees and wasn't even surprised that he was not the only one using this way of travelling. He didn't have time for this. He will make it. Surely, he will. This time he'll make it right.

Alex cursed aloud in helpless desperation.

His rifle was near the tree about fifteen feet to his right, next to Hank's bag. Moira has gripped his forearm and didn't intent to let him try.

Shaw, along with his two men, was holding them at gunpoint.

'This must have been fate,' captain narrowed his eyes, 'our meeting was destined to happen. I was so worried when you disappeared after that unfortunate incident with rebellious porters!'

Alex, feeling unbelievable surge of rage, pushed Moira to the side and rushed for his weapon. It's better to try – idly sitting and waiting for bastards to finish them off was hardly a good idea. Bullet had scarcely brushed his shoulder as soon as he reached for the rifle, but the other one pierced the trunk inches from there his head was. Alex froze.

'Why hurry, son?' Shaw was slowly coming closer and Alex felt something cold unraveling in his stomach.

He stood there like a moron. Stupid, paralyzed with fear moron, who thought he could do something right.

On the periphery he saw Moira, discreetly trying to grad Sean's bag closer. Lady Emma didn't look good since she fell and Sean's fear was written on his face in luminous letters. Does Alex look that pathetic too? If he could distract captain and his men, only for a moment, others could hide in the nearest cave – Logan always made them look for escape routes before setting a camp. And Logan himself would better be here…

Shaw approached him and winked.

'You've been accompanied by such beautiful ladies, young man. You were lucky – your journey was by no means amazing. But what am I doing – speaking about such matter with a boy your age!' he held out his hand.

'Where are you manners? Will you greet me like a man?'

'Sebastian…' lady's voice was weak and weary. 'Man up, don't mess with children…'

'Dear Emma, someone has to teach them manners. Apparently, no one does it anymore. I wonder why!'

Alex couldn't bring himself to react. Shaw took his limp hand and firmly shook.

'That's all. There was no need to be afraid, although you've been hesitating for too long. And you shouldn't do it.'

'Alex!' Moira cried. 'Get away from him, Alex!'

Easily said than done.

Alex couldn't get free. Shaw held him in iron grip. Hot, iron grip. When he was little, Alex accidentally grabbed the rod by the fireplace – his father was looking away at that moment. That time he cried out and quickly pulled his hand away. Right now he couldn't.

Sweat was forming on his forehead. Alex gritted his teeth. He won't scream – he won't give the bastard that satisfaction he was clearly looking for. Shaw met his eyes and the corners of his mouth formed something akin to smile.

'Son, you've positively surprised me,' he let Alex go and cocked his head, studying him with intent eyes.

Alex breathing grew ragged – heart was beating somewhere in the throat. His hand was throbbing with pain and Alex felt as if he might tear up with immediate relief. He staggered a few steps back and barely maintained his footing.

'Tell you a huge secret,' Shaw lowered his voice conspiratorially, 'you deserve to be called a real man.'

Then, he tilted his head to the side and added conversationally:

'Can't say the same about your professor, unfortunately. My ears were ringing from his screams – what a bother.'

Alex made a dash against with a wild cry. Moira didn't stop screaming behind him, but he could care less – there was nothing before him but hateful face – what pleasure would he get as soon as he feels the bastard's blood on his hands. Shaw has swiftly dodged and his barrel connected with Alex knee with a crunch. Alex fell to the ground with a pained grunt and didn't even have any time to catch a breath – Shaw was aiming a rifle at his chest. Alex clenched his teeth to keep in any signs of despair.

'Your energy and in the peaceful direction, young man. I imagine you could achieve so much more. Well, you could but you've disappointed me…'

Suddenly, Shaw let go of the rifle and clasped his hands around his head.

'What's going on? Who's there?' he lamented. 'I knew you've been following me, I'm not stupid… Who's there?' he shouted and instantly fell to his kneed, clawing at his skull and swaying like a person possessed.

For a moment Alex almost fell sorry for him, but he quickly shook off unwelcomed feeling.

Alex grabbed the rifle and rolled away wasting no time.

In time.

Bullets aimed to kill found nothing but empty space. Alex raised the rifle and silently prayed – all saints from every boring book he's ever read in my life – please, help me. He's never shoot from this position before, he could hit only five out of ten under normal circumstances but please, let me do it. Let me get lucky this time!

His bullet hit the black-haired mercenary in the shoulder and he went down with a cry.

Moira threw a knife – Madrox dodged it, but was forced to drop the heavy gun. Alex got up – his knee screamed in pain, but at least was not broken – he took aim. Madrox, the bustard. He'd happily put some iron into his skull, but… Alex realized that he couldn't do it. Even after everything those motherfuckers did, he couldn't find it in himself to shoot an unarmed man. What a pity that you can't see it, professor. You would probably say some shit like – 'I'm so proud of you, Alex. You did the right thing. I always knew you are better than you were thinking about yourself'. Alex swallowed the gulp – enough, he won't cry like a baby anymore. He was steadily holding two men at gunpoint until they disappeared in the jungles. He turned around and only now noticed that Shaw has begun rolling on the ground, pressing his palms to his ears with anguished cry.

Lady Frost, heavily leaning on Sean, approached him. Her skin was so pale that seemed almost translucent.

'Emma,' moaned Shaw breathlessly, 'what are you doing to me? Aren't we friends, Emma? Stop it, please, stop it this instant!'

'You are so wrong, Sebastian,' slowly replied she. 'I have never had any friends and I'm proud of it. Well, just like you, I can't stand pathetic men. Didn't you say something like that a few minutes ago?'

Alex squeezed the barrel so hard that his injured hand was howling in pain. Goddamn, he managed to forget about the burn.

Meanwhile, Shaw screamed and threw up a hand. Alex watched as the wave of fire was rising from his open palm in horror. His body reacted faster than his mind. Next moment, he darted to the side and was saved – a monstrous wave of heat swept over his head and for a brief second he thought he was already dead and buried.

Suddenly, it became very quiet. Alex carefully raised his head from the ground and looked around. Thank Jesus, everybody survived. Sean helped lady Frost to stand up. Moira was muttering profanities under her breath and tried to hold her ripped shirt together.

Logan and Hank were running from the direction of the forest. Nice timing – he wanted to comment, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Instantly, Hank was by his side and helping him up.

'What has happened to your arm?' he frantically inquired having examined Alex from head to toe.

Alex mutely nodded in Shaw's direction. Captain was on the ground, arms outstretched, babbling something to himself and smiling like a loon. He's speaking German – realized Alex, bewildered.

Moira quietly told something to Logan and they both looked at lady Frost.

He thinks, he's found his treasure.

At first, Alex didn't realize that he'd heard a familiar voice inside his head. He suppressed a surprised gasp and looked at Emma. She was intently watching their astonished expressions and Alex thought – this's the first time he sees her so tired.

This's touching, handsome, but we don't have time to beat around the bush. I'll lead the way – I remember it now. We must hurry – this is very important.

'Well, Emma. Good job, I must say,' growled Logan in satisfaction.

He was the only one who didn't look surprised when he heard a mental voice in his head. Alex suspected that Logan has encountered stranger things during his prolonged life.

'We must thank you for that,' Howlett nodded towards the captain's prone body, 'X–men team welcomes you.'

He produced something similar to gallant gesture which in Logan's performance looked the epitome of ridiculous.

'What X–men?' bluntly asked Alex, before he could tell himself to shut up.

'Well,' Logan scratched his chin. 'We still don't know what the hell is going on – we have an unknown quantity. Have you even seen an equation in your life? What am I asking? You probably can't put two and two together… Also, X is a very sharp letter!' as if someone was asking for demonstration, Jesus Christ.

Logan surely liked to show off his infamous claws.

'Twentieth century!' added fuel to the flames Sean. 'It's just begun!'

'Nice catch, man!' nodded Logan.

'Lord,' Moira rolled her eyes. 'Logan, stop acting like a kid. What has come into you? What X–men? Are you kidding me?'

Anyway, as funny as you people are, I work alone. And I'm not going to hang out with you and pull you out of trouble.

It seemed that this new ability brought Emma immense pleasure.

Of course, I like it. I can hear all your ridiculous secrets and all your thoughts. Where is your imagination? This is the door to numerous opportunities…

Moira snorted angrily.

'What about the professor?' suddenly asked Sean and Alex felt ashamed. What is he doing standing there and horsing around when Charles may be…

'We've come this far to save him, right?' continued Sean. 'What do we have to do now?'

'What happened?' asked Hank.

Alex sighed and told him the short version of his conversation with Shaw.

Sebastian didn't lie to you… I saw it in his mind – he enjoyed it, what he did to him… but I haven't seen Xavier's death. Unfortunately, his mind is a scrambled mess now and I can't get anything from him.

'Let's decide, then,' firmly stated Logan. 'And hurry, because those bastards can come back any moment and drag the rest of the squad here.'

We'll find something we're looking for ahead. I know it for sure. More than that, I know that all of you have to come. Well, we can leave her behind, evidently.

Moira was practically seething in Logan's arms but he didn't let her free.

'I'll go with you,' Alex cleared his throat. 'If you say that we'll find something we're looking for, this's as good chance as anything we've been doing so far.'

'I'm with Logan,' managed Moira and Logan finally let her go.

Hank sighed in surrender.

'We've come so far, that we can't turn and just go back now.'

Sean nodded, never lifting his eyes from the ground.

Great. I like your spirit, but I'd have made you do it anyway. Something tells me, I'm able to.

Alex smiled.

One must pay respects to the lady – she was quite capable when it comes to stating priorities.

Oh, that's sweet. Thank you, handsome.

This one was meant exclusively for him – realized Alex.