Note: Okay, I realise it's an abysmally short chapter, but it's a kind of necessary filler for the rest of the story. You don't mind, do you? :P So I promise the next will be longer AND will feature a long-awaited return.... So thanks to my lovely reviewers, including RogueNya (a reference to your review included :P), noro, Tash01, Divamercury, dulcesweet, KLS82 and BlackRainWillFall. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep reviews coming, as I'm a bit of a review junkie, and also PLEASE answer a vital question – should I move the rating up to an M, or should this remain a smut-free fic? YOU DECIDE! Thankies! xxx
Disclaimer: I own as much as much of X-men as my pet cat does (nothing)
When they arrived back at the mansion they were met, quite by coincidence, by Jubilee, who had just got back herself from ANOTHER shopping trip. Much to Marie's surprise, Jubilee was not at all annoyed when Warren explained (rather naively) where they had been. Instead, she gave Marie a look of pure shock.
"You went flying? After what happened on the 'bird that time before Alkali Lake? Jesus girl you have balls!" And with that she slapped the southerner on the back, grinning, winked flirtatiously at Warren and carried on upstairs to dump her numerous bags in her room. Warren looked at Marie curiously, and she gave him a grim smile and a 'don't ask' hand gesture. Of course she hadn't forgotten about the terrifying experience when she had fallen out the back of the jet because she hadn't been wearing a seat-belt (Jeez, she's been anal over car safety ever since – just ask Bobby!) but the soft gush of wind and the smooth beating of wings next to Warren's torso had felt so different to the feeling of nothingness that had surrounded her back then that Marie was surprised to find that she didn't even think about it like that – her anxiety and fear had been completely superficial about being so close to Warren, who she had been determined not to lead on.
"So…"Warren shoved his hands in his pockets in an attempt at nonchalance "I actually have a tutoring session in a bit," He shifted from foot to foot awkwardly and Marie smiled at his discomfort of ditching her.
"No, that's fine, go! It's with Jimmy, right?"
"Yeah. Storm asked me, apparently apart from Kitty I'm the only one he trusts round here. God knows why, seeing as it's my Dad who kept him in that god forsaken place, but there you go. Anyway, he has a lot of work to catch up on and Kitty's been busy so…" He trailed off as he realised Marie's happy smile had faded – obviously she definitely still had issues, he thought sadly. She remained quiet for a few seconds, seemingly staring into space, before snapping back to reality and looking back up at Warren, a large (and quite fake) smile plastered on her face.
"Cool. Right, well I'm gonna go and catch up with Jubes, you know, help her sort through that mountain of clothes she's just bought – old tradition of ours. So, I'll see you at dinner!" and with that she was off, racing up the stairs without a backward glance. Warren watched her go with a bemused expression on his face, he than shook his head in disbelief and walked down the hallway to go find Jimmy. As he strolled along, he smiled slightly. Marie would get through this, he realised, she was strong, and she had good friends and mentors that cared about her. And then, when Logan finally got his head out of his ass and saw what he was missing, he would be there for her too, and Marie would be happy again, Warren just knew it. And with that last thought, he walked into the classroom that Leech was eagerly waiting in, and smiled at his expectant face. Sure, it might take time, but all wounds could heal, even broken hearts - Marie was going to be just fine.