Chapter 9

I had been there for a couple of days, still trying to be coerced in joining Magneto's team. I was able to keep my power in check some. I hadn't felt this agitated since the house went up. I was frightened. I wanted to go home, the mansion was now my home and I desperately wanted to be in Kurt's arms. I had so many friends there, they were my family now. I leaned my head against the wall and prayed that God would help me, that he would give me guidance on what to do to get out of here.

Wolverine, Cyclops and Storm were boarding the jet when Kurt ran up.

"I'm coming with you." He said.

"Kurt, if you come we'd be risking more lives." Storm said in a calm manner. "I know you care for her but…"

"I love her!" He yelled and pushed his way onto the jet. "If something happens to her I'll never forgive myself." He got out his rosary and started to pray.

"Kurt, it's not you're fault." Wolverine said as he strapped himself in while Storm and Cyclops sat at the controls. "We'll get her back. You can count on that."

I started counting water dripping from the ceiling into a shallow puddle in the middle of the cell. I had gotten to about 1,379 when I heard footsteps approaching. Once again it was Magneto.

"You're wasting your time. I'm not joining you." I said. I went back to counting.

"Oh my dear. Someone with a talent such as yours is nothing but a liability to the so-called 'X-Men." He purred his words to me.

"Give me a break from this please. Nothing you can do is going to change my mind." I continued to watch the water drip.

"Nothing?" And Magneto nodded and Pyro walked in holding Kurt while he struggled against him. I was only momentarily worried because while Pyro is stronger than me, Kurt is definitely stronger than Pyro and could have gotten out of his grasp if he had been foolish enough to fall into it in the first place, like me.

"You're not fooling me. Kurt's stronger than Pyro will ever be." I looked away and Pyro let go as Mystique turned back into herself.

"You don't really have much of a choice in this matter. Either you join or we will kill you." I smirked at how he tried to scare me.

Not before I'm rescued, I thought to myself. I had heard the professor in my mind; he was telling me that a rescue mission was underway. I didn't know how they would get here, or how soon, as I had no idea where I was, but I was ready to be out of this hole.

I was sleeping on the cold floor when I felt Pyro's hands grab my wrists and he started to drag me out.

"Look, let me up and I will go with you quietly." He consented but still kept a strong grip on me as he dragged me before Magneto.

"I can't believe I'm going to have to do this to someone with a talent such as yours." He came forward and ran a finger down the side of my face. He ordered Pyro out of the room and then he raised his arms and jagged shards of metal rose from the floor and were all aimed at me. My eyes grew wide and as he started throwing them I burst into flames, growing hot enough to melt the metal shards, I was fully manifested, staring him down. I didn't know when anyone would get here, but I was going to try to keep myself alive until then. When all the shards were smoldering piles on the floor I came down, but once again felt exhausted and collapsed to the floor. I looked up at him, breathing heavily.

"You can do whatever you want, but I will match you each step of the way." I wasn't going to let him get the best of me. He did look a little frightened but Pyro was about to start dragging me back when my hands burst into flames again. "Back off, Pyro." Surprisingly he did and I got up and started for my cell. I figured Pyro was following me but then I heard a blast behind me and I looked and saw Cyclops standing over Pyro, his hand on his visor, ready to blast him to smithereens if he had to.

Storm got me and pulled me to the side and the fight ensued. I didn't have time to blink. Magneto and Pyro battle Storm and Cyclops while Mystique fought Wolverine. Soon I heard a familiar BAMF! And saw Kurt use his superior fighting skills and agility, including his ability to teleport and helped to dispatch the rest. While the guys finished them off, not killing them, unfortunately, Storm helped me get outside to safety.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked, breathless from what had all happened.

"Magneto has used this place from time to time. It was the closest to us so we tried here first. Thank god you're all right." She held my arms.

"Thank you, Storm." I gave her a hug. I looked up and watched the rest of the guys walk out, Wolverine's wounds healing rapidly. Kurt and I saw each other and rushed for one another and he held me close, molding my body to his. I wouldn't want to be anywhere more than right here with him holding me.

"Lydia, I thought I would loose you." He said softly, his face in my hair.

"No, Kurt, you'll never loose me. I love you." I looked up at him and soon our lips were crushed together then we heard a clearing of the throat. Cyclops was smiling but Wolverine looked annoyed.

"Will you two stop fooling around so we can all get the hell out of here?" We both looked down a bit sheepishly and boarded the jet. I really didn't know they had a jet. I was impressed. Once we were all strapped in, with Storm and Cyclops at the controls we were air borne. When we were cruising at a safe altitude Kurt and I retreated to the rear of the jet.

"Magneto wanted me to join them. They said they were the 'good guys.' I knew they couldn't be, because you weren't with them." I looked deeply into his eyes.

"I'm so sorry this happened. I should have done more once Pyro showed up." He looked away.

"Kurt, it's not your fault. I'm fine, we all are, and everything's going to be ok." I turned his face back to me.

"From this moment, Lydia, I'm not letting you out of my sight." He pulled me close and I sighed in happiness. That was fine with me.