Chapter 13-Bitter Homecoming

By the next morning all of the mansion rose. Piotr woke up with the sheets about his waist, and an empty pillow by his side. With his eyes wide open, they rested on a single piece of paper.

When you come back I won't be here

She said and gently pulled me near

If you want to talk you can call

And no it's not your fault

Piotr reached over to his cell phone and put on the speed dial for Kitty's number. Again and again it rang, but then it went straight to her voice mail. "Hi you've reached Kitty Pryde, but as you've noticed this is a recording, so please leave your name and number and I'll try to get back to you ASAP." The automated beep resonated, but he didn't leave a message.

Piotr got out of bed and took a shower, but when he came back to get dressed he first checked his phone for a trace that Kitty might have tried to call him back. Nothing. He took the note down with him to the kitchen, where there was only a handful of people. No one said a word to him as he sat at the table with only the note in his hand.

I just smiled and said let go of me

But there's something that I've just gotta know

Did someone else steal my part?

She said it's not my fault

Two weeks ago at the mansion a man came by the name of Pete Wisdom. He was from England and heard about Charles Xavier's school. More importantly, he and a group of other mutants wanted to team up, they were called Excalibar.

"Yes, I've heard a little bit about you." Charles said to Pete in his study. "A close friend of mine, Moira MacTaggert-"

"That's the doctor who's been working on a cure is that right?"

"Yes she is indeed." Most mutants who heard claims of a cure gave a reaction of outrage while others prayed for one. "What exactly are you looking for here however?" Pete reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pack of ciggarettes. Xavier gave him a questioning look. "If you'd be so kind, this is a school."

"My apologies." He put the pack back in his pocket. "I'm trying to quite and it's just when I feel stressed . . . anyway, we were hoping that a few of your students would like to come to our neck of the woods. They'll have room and board, and-"

"Professor?" Kitty knocked on the French door but didn't wait to be invited in. "Peter's in trouble." Pete raised his eyebrow in both a confused and interested manner, then Kitty noticed Xavier was not alone. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"It's quite alright Kitty. Kitty, this is Pete Wisdom, a member of an offshore team called Excalibar that's looking for exchange students.

Pete sized Kitty and she blushed. "A pleasure to meet you." He said as he gave a coy smile. Xavier cleared his throat and looked to Kitty.

"Speak with Logan and Ororo, asked them to round up Kurt, Scott and Jean-"

"And me?"

"You may do as you please." Kitty nodded her head, and as quickly as she came, she left again through the door. Pete gave a little laugh and pointed to the solid entryway. "One of my brightest students."

"And this Peter fellow?" He asked with a more challenging tone.

"A new recruit, who has been less than taken care of in terms of use of his abilities. But that is what I built this school for, for young mutants to come without manipulation of their powers, force, or fear. And as a telepath, you won't be able to hold any secrets from me, but in respect I choose not to pry."

Again, Pete laughed. "Well, that's good to know." He stood up. "Thank you for your time," he reached out his hand.

"If you'd like, you can stay in one of the guest rooms to observe the interworkings, and I can select-"

"If you please, I would also like to pick a few candidates." Xavier smiled and nodded.

Then my heart did time in Siberia

Was waiting for the lie to come true

'Cause it's all so dark and mysterious

When the one you want doesn't want you too

Piotr was stolen from his reverie when Illyana came into the kitchen with Jaime. Jaime was the very first one of the students to speak with Illyana since they had arrived at the mansion, and although he had to do a bit of translating it seemed as though now no translation was needed. "Big brother, can I go out to play with Jaime and the others." She said.

Piotr analyzed Jaime. He saw the same look in his eyes that he had when Kitty was around. Unconsciously his fist tightened, an action everyone within sight reacted to. "Hey Jaime, maybe some other time. I was going to take Illyana to the mall for some clothes." Jean said and Jaime hung his head.

"It is all right." Illyana struggled in saying. The pair then left the kitchen and Jean sat next to Piotr.

I was drifted in between

Like I was on the outside looking in, yeah yeah

In my dreams you are still here

Like you've always been

"Do you want to talk about it." Jean said in a low whisper.

"I'm sorry." He looked down at the now crumpled piece of paper and she grabbed his hand.

"We all know how you're feeling right now, and we don't want you to hate her for what she did."

"I could never hate Katya." Piotr didn't look at Jean, but over at the others around him.

"I know." Jean put her hand on his shoulder, "but if you do feel like talking, because I won't pry, I'm here." She smiled then stood up.

Later that afternoon Piotr was out in the garden with his paints. The sun's rays shone down on the koi pond, making it glisten and sparkle. Piotr picked up one of his brushes and dipped it into the paint. A giggle tore him away from making his first stroke. "Katya," he looked around, but was disappointed when it only turned out to be Remy and Rogue.

Oh yeah, my heart did time in Siberia

Was waiting for the lie to come true

'Cause it's all so dark and mysterious

When the one you want doesn't want you too

I gave myself away completely

But you just couldn't see me

Though I was sleeping in your bed

'Cause someone else was on your mind

In your head

Piotr took the note from his pocket and looked at the words:

Peter,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you have found your family. After our last phone call I met a man from Britain who was looking for new members. I can't tell you how sorry I am for leaving you at a time like this but I hope you can forgive me and that we'll always be friends.

Love,

Kitty

Illyana and Jean had come back from the mall carrying bags of clothes and school supplies. "I go to find Piotr," she said as she first raced up to his room, with no luck.

Piotr finally tossed the piece of paper to the ground and kicked over all of his painting supplies.

Illyana walked over to his bed and on the bedside table sat a picture of him and who she could only guess as Kitty, his girlfriend that he made coming to America. She smiled happily.

When I came back she wasn't there

Just a note left on the stairs

If you want to talk give me a call

Piotr trudged up the staircase to his room. He turned the doorknob and opened the door with such a force, that his strength almost bled through with his anger and nearly broke it. "Piotr," Illyana turned around and saw the look on his face. She looked so pale and her nose began to bleed.

"Illyana!" Piotr's heart raced as he caught her as she fell in his arms. "Somebody help me!" He screamed out into the hallway.

My heart did time in Siberia

Was waiting for the lie to come true

'Cause it's all so dark and mysterious

When the one you want doesn't want you too

When the one that you want doesn't want you

Jean was talking with Dr. McCoy when they both heard the screams and immediately rushed up the steps. "What happened?" Jean said, as Dr. McCoy did an initial survey of Piotr's sister.

"I walked in and found her here. Her nose started to bleed and . . ."

"I'll need to give her an exam. Come with me," Dr. McCoy said, and Piotr lifted Illyana's body up. When the group left Piotr's phone began to ring on his bedside table. It rang for over a minute until the voicemail got it.

"Peter," Kitty's voice spoke along with a background of static. "Peter, I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright. I saw that you called earlier but you didn't leave a message." Other voices began to speak inaudibly. "Peter, when you get this message, call me back please. I don't want to lose you. I gotta go."

Piotr sat Illyana on the exam table and looked over at Dr. McCoy as Jean assisted him. "What's wrong with her," he felt her hand and met the cold skin. "She's cold, do something!" He barked, and Dr. McCoy came over to take her pulse. A minute later and her veins began to show more prominently all about her body. Jean came over to him with a needle and Dr. McCoy drew some of her blood, as she winced in pain. "Well?"

"Peter, we're doing all that we can, but if you-"

"No." Dr. McCoy said as he looked up from his microscope. Both Jean and Piotr stared at him. "It's the legacy virus, there's no cure for her."

My heart did time in Siberia

Was waiting for the lie to come true

I waited, I waited

'Cause it's all so dark and mysterious

When the one you want doesn't want you too

"What do you mean," Piotr said, never letting go of his sister. "What is the legacy virus?" Dr. McCoy took off his glasses and wiped them clean.

"The legacy virus is an X-gene destroyer that is used to kill mutants. Some scientists worked the government to help create it, but once it gets released into the target mutant the effects are immediate, but it kills you slowly and . . . painfully."

"Piotr," Illyana sighed. "I'm scared, it hurts so much." Jean looked at her as Piotr tried comforting her.

"Shh, shh, shh little snowflake. I'm here." He kissed her hand as Jean cried softly.

"Piotr," Illyana looked at him as tears streamed down her face. The heart monitor that Dr. McCoy had set up fluctuated, until it finally died.

Siberia, Siberia

When the one you want doesn't want you too

AN: Thank you all for being so patient and I hope you continue you to read my other stories. Reviews are greatly appreciated.