AN: I do not own X-men.

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IMPERFECT ELEMENTS CH 12

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Pyro got back to the encampment as quickly as he could, though he still felt like it took him forever. He headed towards Raze's tent, but was cut off by Psylocke. He noticed a foul look on her face.

"What is it, I have somewhere to be." he muttered and tried to dodge around her, but she took a step and was in front of him again.

"She's not here. In fact, she hasn't been back." she replied, the look never leaving her face. Pyro nodded. "And I don't think she's coming back anytime soon. Callisto said she was moving towards Xavier's mansion, and was getting increasingly weaker." her eyes narrowed until they were just small sliver's of blue. "What have you done?" she muttered accusingly. Pyro backed a step away and turned to walk off, he didn't need someone else berating him for his stupidity.

-0-

The light was too bright, even though her eyes were closed. She felt like she was strapped down, she couldn't even twitch her fingers, sos he had no idea how she was breathing. She heard voices from across the room.

"She said she couldn't transform." one said, it was Bobby, she could tell by the softness in which he spoke. He never moved his mouth very much when he spoke, which always led to a slight slur together of his words.

"Oh dear." a woman. It had to be Storm. She hadn't heard her talk in so long, but she knew it had to be her.

"What is it?" Jay. If she could, Raze would be smiling at the sound of his voice. Proud, and pronounced, but gentle in it's own way. Caring, no matter who he spoke to, he always had that undertone of care.

"I fear that she won't be able to until Pyro returns to her." Storm replied, and Raze could hear the disgusted scoff from Jason's throat.

"Why the Hell would he matter?" Jason muttered. "He left her there, for all we know he physically hurt her and left her there to die."

"Well, regardless of the fact, when an Elementalist finds someone who they feel very strongly for, their powers begin to rely on that person. I'd be willing to bet the only power she could manipulate right now would be her time power." Storm explained. "Her emotions dictate her forms, and to an extent her control over elements, and if the one who evokes such an emotion from her is gone, she is powerless." she paused, seeming hesitant to continue. "Elements depend upon each other for many things, and therefore it's only natural that an elementalist should be dependent upon another." Jason scoffed again and she heard his footsteps nearing her. She wanted to open her eyes and reach out her hand, but her body wasn't agreeing. She felt a pull in her chest, almost as if there was a rubber band stretched around her heart and it was trying to tug her away. Jason put his hands on hers.

"Raze?" Jason asked and she felt whatever was holding her down disappear. She took in a shuddering breath and snapped her eyes open looking around the room, up into the three sad faces above her. She sat up quickly and stretched her arms.

"What was holding me down." She an accusatory look at Jason, who smirked at her.

"I just had you in an induced coma to help you get well." he brushed a lock of hair out of her face. "How much did you hear?"

"Enough." Raze looked back at Storm, who gave her a hesitant smile. She then realized where she was and began to get up. "I'll go now. Thanks for everything, but I wouldn't want to impose on your generosity." she started towards the door, and Jason grabbed her wrist. She frowned and felt around for her power to push him back with air, but found it impossible.

"You are telling me what he did to you." Jason said forcing her back into a chair. She sighed.

"He didn't leave me for dead, if that's what you mean. We came to a mutual agreement, and I left."

"You left him? Did you know this would happen to your powers? Did he know?" Storm asked, and Raze smirked at her.

"Of course not, neither of us knew." she looked around the room, her eyes landing on Bobby's before she looked back to Storm. "Even if I had know, I wouldn't have told him. I couldn't force him to stay with me out of pity. I l-" she couldn't finish her sentence. The elastic in her chest seemed to be trying to pull her from the room, but she ignored it.

"You love him too much to try and force him?" Jason asked. "Is that what you were going to say?" Raze rolled her eyes and turned away from the group. Storm looked at Bobby, who gave a curt nod before walking forward and putting one hand on Raze's shoulder.

"Get better." he said softly before walking out. She now had mixed feelings about the man of ice. Sure he had cheated on Rogue, but he more than made up for it to her by saving her today, and for that she would be forever grateful. She let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding and Jason made her stand.

"Come on, kid, you look like you need a release." he wrapped his arm around her waist and walked her out of the med-lab.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

-0-

Pyro sat alone in the room. He had arrived at the mansion about two hours before, but they refused to let him see Raze. Storm wouldn't let Iceman and Saint touch him, even though he saw the look of contempt in the older woman's face.

"If it's what I think it is, we need him alive." she had said. He briefly wondered why, but then shoved it to the back of his mind as they forced him into a vacant room. He was starting to get extremely restless, and just when he thought he was going to lose it completely, the door opens and none other than Iceman walks in. Pyro immediately stands and faces him.

"How is she?" he asked, not bothering with their conflict for the moment, as this was more important. Iceman seemed taken aback, but he recovered quickly.

"She is awake, but not good by any means." he replied. "She needs you, John." he stated.

"Then she shouldn't have left." he replied, his annoyance with the lack of information being thrown his way getting to him. Iceman glared at him, then evidently decided he wasn't going to let Pyro put him off what he was supposed to be doing.

"Raze can't use her powers. She is a complete mess, and it's mostly your fault, so stop it with the attitude."

"What do you mean she can't use her powers? Did she get the cure?"

"Of course not. Okay, let me start from the beginning." Iceman took a seat next to the window as he began to recount the story of finding Raze in an alleyway about to be raped, and then bringing her back to heal her and finding she couldn't use her powers. Then he told Pyro of an elementalist's need for emotion, and only a single person can fulfill that need. By the time Iceman had finished his story, Pyro was livid and confused.

"Why didn't she tell me?" was the only question he could think of.

"She didn't know, but she did say that even if she had known, she wouldn't have told you anyway."

"What? Why?" Pyro asked incredulously.

"She said she didn't want you to stay with her out of pity." Pyro looked down at his feet, and the room fell into silence. Iceman seemed determined to stay silent until Pyro looked up at him.

"When can I see her?"

"You won't hurt her?" Iceman asked as he stood up.

"Of course not."

"Then follow me." Iceman headed towards the door and opened it.

"Oh, and Iceman." Pyro started, waiting until Iceman had turned towards him. "This changes nothing." Iceman smirked.

"I expected as much."

-0-

The piano room. Jason had taken her to the frickin piano room, and now he expected her to sit down and slam out her problems in a rough and angry melody on the piano. Raze sighed as she stared at the keys, barely running her fingertips over the smooth ivory and ebony. She was distinctly aware of Jason's eyes on her back as she played a note. She turned to him and he gave her a disapproving look.

"I can't find it in me to be angry, Jason."

"Then just play whatever comes to heart." he moved to the window. "Don't deny me this, it's been a while since I've heard you play. I've missed it."

"Learn to play yourself." she pouted slightly and heard his chuckle. She nonetheless positioned her fingers of the keys and closed her eyes, looking into her heart and soul, trying to think of what to play. Before she knew it, her fingers were moving, creating the sweetest sad melody. She was barely aware of the rush of air against her and the soft command, "Sing, Aidan." before she complied.

"Snow falls on the city white on white. It's the color of hope on an unforgiving night. You kissed me into ruins, sin on sin. Now I've gotta love your love letters written on my skin. I can't tell the stars from the downtown lights." she chanced a look at Jason, and his eyes were focused on something outside the window, a sad grimace on his face.

"If I said I was truly over you, my heart would say amen but I'd give in to the cold caress of 2 am. If I admit I can't get used to this will my heart break again? As I fall into the waiting arms of 2 AM." She turned back to the piano and looked at her fingers before letting her eyes drift closed.
"Someone's scratchy music through the walls. Sirens weavin' thru the streets I must have missed your call. Gathering up these nights black on black. I know your voice like it's my own and it makes my heart go slack. I can't tell the stars from the downtown lights." She didn't notice the elastic around her heart disappear.
"If I said I was truly over you, my heart would say amen but I'd give in to the cold caress of 2 am. If I admit I can't get used to this will my heart break again? As I fall into the waiting arms of 2 AM." she let out a few random vocals, as she let herself go completely in the song.
"If I said I was truly over you, my heart would say amen but I'd give in to the cold caress of 2 am. If I admit I can't get used to this will my heart break again? As I fall into the waiting arms of 2 AM. Of 2 AM." She let her hands rest over the keys as she felt the tears well up in her eyes. She fought them back with all her might. She inclined her face upwards as she kept her eyes closed, struggling to keep control. She didn't want to break down again. She felt strong arms wrap around her shoulder, and smooth fingers caress her throat and she sighed. It was her undoing, the tears spilled over and she leaned into the person. They reminded her of him so. She felt lips press against her temple and a shuddering breath against her cheek. And then they spoke.

"I am so sorry." She jumped away slightly and wiped furiously at the tears as she realized who it was. She took in his appearance, mussed blond hair, bright blue eyes that were usually so full of fire, now seemed empty and a sadness overtook his normally blank face.

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Pyro walked into the room, and Jason left as he noticed. Raze was singing the saddest song he'd heard from her mouth thus far. He walked so he was right beside her and just listened until her song was through. When she was done, he sat beside her and watched her defiantly try to hold her emotions under control, desperate to not show any weakness. He put his arms around her shoulder, letting one hand rest against her throat as he put his forehead against her temple. She leaned into his touch and he smiled softly, then he felt the cool tears caress his cheek as they fell down hers, and it very near broke his heart. He lifted his head and pressed his lips to her temple, letting them linger for a moment before pulling back and looking at her.
"I am so sorry." the depth of the words weren't good enough, hell he wasn't good enough, nothing was good enough for the Goddess before him. She jumped back and he didn't try to conceal the pain on his face at the lack of contact. She watched him with small scared breaths, as if he would disappear if she did something wrong. "I was wrong. On so many levels, and I am sorry. I know that's not-" he was cut off by a small finger against his lips. She shook her head lightly and turned away from him.

"I am assuming you know." she whispered.

"I do."

"Then you need to leave." he stared at her in shock, and she noticed. "I will not have you here just for pity, or loyalty to Magneto."

"That's not why I'm here." She stood up and walked to the window.

"Don't do this, John."

"I will, because I am not going anywhere. Not without you." he walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. "I am not here because of Magneto, I am here because I want to be." he pulled her back against his chest, wrapped his arms around her to connect in front of her and lowered his mouth beside her ear. "I am here because I love you, and realized I had made a terrible mistake letting you leave." He felt her shudder against him.

"It's times like these I wish I was a lie detector." she said, and he detected a small grin in her tone. She whirled in his arms and pushed him back a little, allowing him to keep his arms locked around her shoulder. "Okay, but no more hot and cold. I can't handle it." Pyro gave her a grin and nodded.

"I'll do my best." he leaned forward and covered her lips with his own. He felt her relax into him, and he realized her body fit his perfectly. He peaked open his eyes and caught sight of Raze' pale blond hair and purple-pink eyes of her air form and smiled into the kiss.

-0-

Raze smiled as she stepped into her tent. The x-men had let them leave graciously, after the many abundant words of thanks she gave them for helping her. With a hug and a smile, they were gone, and on the way back to Magneto's encampment. Raze was exhausted, and she knew Magneto was planning something. She told Pyro to go ahead and go to the gathering that he had planned and find out what was going to happen while she took a nap. She couldn't help the small amount of doubt she had that he was just with her to keep her powers active, but she tried to push the thought to the back of her mind. She pushed back the covers and crawled under them. She fell asleep quick.

She awoke to a gentle touch on her cheek. She opened her eyes and they were met with Pyro's back to flaming blue and she smiled. He was sitting on the bed beside her pulling his shoes off.

"Morning." she smiled.

"Afternoon." he said back as she sat up.

"Okay so, what's happening." she asked. Pyro motioned for her to lay back down as he took off his shirt and pants, then climbed in the bed beside her, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him, getting comfortable before speaking.

"Tomorrow night Magneto's staging an attack on Alcatraz. We're going to take care of the source of the mutants. I wanted to get a couple hours of sleep before we went." he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Okay."

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AN: The song used in this chapter was Alexz Johnson – 2am. Really pretty melody!