21: strange bedfellows

The next week, Bobby hasn't moved out yet. Pyro is busy with the kids he teaches, too preoccupied with their tiny lives to really bitch about it. His shoulder is healing quickly although everyone seems to hate him again, he is used to it. Angel spent the next day shoving detailed blueprints of a Sentinel prototype in his face and asking him what the structural weaknesses might be. John only knows things about cars, a lot about hotwiring, taking apart, lock picking, chopping up the engine, and the information transfers surprisingly easily. Kitty came over to join them and they ended up with some good tips for future attacks.

Pyro is often stuck by how surprisingly easy living in the mansion is. The older students, the ones who know him, don't hassle him. Jubilee has apparently forgiven him for all transgressions, because she yelled at Wolverine on his behalf. How he got lucky enough to earn her undying loyalty he'll never know. The students he teaches don't know who the fuck he used to be.

Storm interrupts him one day as he's going over an English essay with Cessily. She doesn't apologize to either of them, which proves she means business. A Sentinel was dismantled in mid air last night, and there were a few civilian casualties.

'You will have to resume your session later,' she says, and Cessily leaves fast.

'So what's up?'

'I want you to join the team.'

If Pyro had bet money on what she was going to say to him, he would have been a very poor man. Instead, his mouth hangs open for just a second before he gets control of himself.

'I get to wear leather, then, right? Because if so I am so in.'

Storm just rolls her eyes.

'Okay. What brought this on?'

'I have decided to take Rogue off the active members list; she is not a good combatant for the battles we have been undergoing. Adding you will give us more muscle, which is what we need to combat Sentinels.'

'We're going on the offensive, then?'

'Yes. The new active team will consist of myself, Logan, Bobby, Kitty, Piotr, Jubilee, and yourself.'

'Uh-huh.'

'If we find out you are contemplating leaving us for Magneto's forces, you will be dealt with.'

'So I can't even turn in a two-week's notice? What sorta police state you running here, Ms. Munroe?'

'You were already given a choice and you chose incorrectly. I cannot allow you to be that kind of liability again.'

Storm was fucking scary, Pyro knew, but he didn't know just how scary she could be. 'I want a flame thrower,' he said anyway.

'Fine. You will get whatever you need to help keep us from being exterminated.'

Author's Note: Sorry I'm stupid-terrible at updating.