A/N: Sorry for the long wait everyone! Lack of inspiration + work = blaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

I've got a bit of fun news for everyone. I got the idea to make a sort of poster for this story, kind of like a movie poster/book cover type thing. But then I got to thinking: why not let some of my readers give it a go? I don't know how many of you out there enjoy drawing/sketching/photomanipulation/etc. but I thought this might be a fun idea for any readers who want to try it out in a contest. I'm BeautyLikeNight over at deviantART, but if you don't have an account there, you can send me your creation via the FanFiction messaging system.

The deadline for this contest will be May 31st, which gives ya'll a little over a month. The winner of this contest will get to help out with whatever chapter I'm working on at the time, pretty much like BrokenHeartAlchmist was able to help with that one chapter I posted a little while ago.

Again, no one has to do this if you don't want to, but I just thought it'd be a fun little idea. If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. And I'll be posting the winning poster/cover (along with second place, third place, and honorable mention if there are enough entries) on my profile so everyone can see them. =)

Now that that's covered, on with the chapter!

Chapter XXIV

I awoke without a headache. I hadn't been expecting that. Nor had I expected to wake up in bed, but that's where I was when I opened my eyes. Jimmy was sitting on a chair next to the bed, as close as he could get without actually sitting on top of me. As soon as he caught my gaze, he leaped to his feet, calling for Peter, Kitty, John, anyone. I winced at his loud voice and sat up with a grimace, rubbing my forehead.

"Jimmy, quiet down, you're giving me a headache," I told him. He immediately turned to me, his expression full of worry.

"Are you alright? You passed out on the way down from the roof. They said you screamed and everything. It's my fault. I should've been there with you to stop the vision. I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry!" He looked about ready to cry so I quickly reached out and touched his shoulder.

"Jimmy, it's alright," I told him. "I wouldn't have let you gone anyway. John was unpredictable." That reminded me of what had just happened, and I sat up straighter. "What happened with the school? Is everyone okay? Nobody was hurt, were they?"

Jimmy shook his head. "Other than you know one is hurt. The fires are all out and Professor Storm got everyone back inside and in their rooms. Some of the little kids had to be comforted, but they're all asleep now."

Before I could ask anything else, my door burst open and Peter, Jones, Kitty, Artie, and John stumbled into the room in a large group. They all began talking at once, asking me how I was, what had happened, what I had seen, etc. Only Peter didn't say anything, simply took the seat Jimmy had abandoned and took my hand, watching me with a worried expression. It was rather cute. But the noise was getting to me, and I rubbed my forehead wearily. Recognizing my signs of stress, John quickly shushed everyone before turning to me with a frown.

"So what's up, Shard? What was that all about?"

"I-I had a vision," I said. "It's weird. I've only had one once before that time I almost drowned. I usually dream these things, but today it came to me when I was wide awake. That's never happened before."

"Probably because I've been with you," Jimmy said, then his eyes widened. "I didn't make things worse did I?" He looked horrified.

"I'm sure you didn't!" Kitty exclaimed as I quickly shook my head and gave him a heart, "No!"

Kitty walked around and put an arm around Jimmy's shoulders, standing half a head shorter than him now. "You've been doing a wonderful job taking care of Madi," she told him encouragingly.

"You're one of the best things that has ever happened to me," I agreed with a nod.

John rolled his eyes. "And that's not a cheesy statement at all."

I shot him a look, wanting to reach over and smack him but being too far away. Kitty caught my look however and walked over to smack him for me.

"I thought it was sweet," she said.

"Is Madi going to die?" Artie's soft question caused the entire room to go silent. He watched me with wet eyes and I wished I could reassured him and tell him everything was going to be okay . . . but after what had happened tonight I wasn't entirely sure.

I patted the spot on the bed next to me and he came over, climbing up next to me. I put my arm around him and rested his head against my shoulder.

"I don't know what's going on with me," I told him quietly, my gaze fixed on Peter, my hand still caught in his reassuring grasp. I gave his hand a tight squeeze and he tightened his grip. "But I promise you that I'm going to fight this with every inch of me. I'm not going to die."

While Artie's anxiety washed away from his face, my eyes were still worried as I looked into Peter's. Something definitely was wrong with me. The constant headaches and dreams and now visions were not supposed to happen. They felt wrong in so many different ways. But there was nothing I could do to stop it unless . . .

I stole a surreptitious glance in Jimmy's direction. He was listening to something Kitty, John, and Jones were discussion. His hair had grown back and was lengthening to the point where he had to toss his head to get his bangs out of his eyes. I smiled slightly. No, I couldn't ask him to subject himself to tests again just so I could take the cure. The government might have some left over, but I doubted they would want to waste them on me. They were probably saving them for big terrorist Mutants like Magneto had been.

I wished Professor Xavier were still alive. I was sure he could've helped me with all this. Used some sort of mental block on me to keep out the visions and dreams and the headaches. But he was gone and I was on my own.

Well—I looked over at Peter again—not completely on my own. But I was afraid a wonderful boyfriend wasn't going to be enough. Something bad was going to happen. Something I was involved in. And there didn't look like there was anything I could do to stop it short of leaving again, and I'd promised Jones, Artie, and Peter that I would never run away again.

"What do you think?" Kitty asked me, and I realized she had been talking to me. I blinked a couple times in confusion and then flushed, my cheeks growing hot.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I asked, stroking Artie's hair gently.

"I said that maybe we should try and find a telepath who can help you control your visions and dreams," Kitty repeated. "I mean, there's got to be another powerful telepath out there who can help."

"Maybe Logan knows some," Jones said solemnly. "He's lived longer than anyone here; he's got to have met some telepaths."

I sighed and rubbed my forehead. "Do we really want to bother Professor Logan with this?" I asked warily, unsure of whether or not the laconic man would even want to help me. It's not as if I knew him that well.

"Madi, you're important to us," Artie said, looking up at me. "You've got to let us help you."

"He's right," Peter said, speaking for the first time since they'd entered the room. I turned my head to look at him and he gave my hand a small squeeze. "We're going to do whatever we can to make you well, Madi. And don't even try to stop us."

I had to allow a small smile. "Thanks guys," I said sincerely. "I really appreciate all this."

"Yeah, well, we love you, Madi," Jones said, blushing faintly.

I had to smile as I looked at all their faces, seeing the confirmation of his words in their eyes. Jimmy and Artie grinned at me, their emotions so frank I could see the brotherly love they had for me in their eyes. Kitty's eyes shone brightly, telling me I was her best friend and like a sister to her. Jones's eyes were somewhat different than Jimmy and Artie's, which surprised me. The love in them was brotherly, but the way his cheeks flushed slightly when I looked at him worried me. I told myself it was nothing and moved on. John wouldn't meet my gaze and I was somewhat glad. I knew what kind of love I would see in them and it would hurt both of us to acknowledge it again.

Finally I turned to look at Peter and the obvious compassion, adoration, and love in his eyes melted me straight into the pillows. I felt my face grow hot as I held his gaze. I was vaguely aware of the others leaving as he leaned forward, brushing his lips over my temple, my eye, my nose, before finally resting on my mouth. Even though my head was aching without Jimmy by my side, I was able to forget about it as I kissed him back.

He rested a hand on my head, stroking my hair back as our kiss grew more passionate. I wrapped my arms around his neck, burying my fingers in his hair as I pulled him closer. My boldness surprised me, but I supposed the test run I'd had with John helped somewhat. It made me feel guilty to be thinking like that though, so I banished any thought of John and concentrated on the bliss of kissing Peter.

To my disappointment he pulled away before I was ready. I whimpered slightly and reached up for more, but he shook his head with a smile and pushed me back against the pillow.

"You need rest," he told me firmly, his eyes amused.

I knew he was right but that didn't stop me from pouting. "I don't want to rest," I whined.

"I've noticed," Peter said, laughing as he detangled my hands from the front of his shirt. He gave them a gentle squeeze before laying them on my stomach.

"I'll send Jimmy to bed so you won't have anymore nightmares," he said, stroking my hair.

"Can't you stay?" I asked, my eyelids already drooping despite the stressful night. I could see the sun beginning to come up outside of my window. Dawn. Had everything happened in just one night?

Peter smiled, looking as though he wanted to, but shook his head. "I have to help Logan in the Danger Room again. Maybe I'll get a chance to ask him about this telepath thing."

"Mmmm," I mumbled, falling into an exhausted stupor. I vaguely remember him bending over to give me one last kiss before he left and I fell into oblivion.

000000

The next couple of days Jimmy stuck by my side like glue or peanut butter. The only time I got time to myself was when I went to the bathroom, and even then he waited just outside the door, much to the annoyance of every girl passing through.

"Ew, what's the Leech doing outside?" one of them asked while I was taking a potty break. She stood in front of the mirror with her friend, primping.

"He's following Shard around so she doesn't get these weird headaches and visions," another one said. "I think it's kind of sweet."

"Ugh, I don't," said a third. "I'd get so annoyed with him, leeching off my powers all the time. I'd never get a chance to practice with my ability. I heard from Susanne who heard for Connie who heard from Katie who heard from Kitty that Shard is a Class 4 Mutant. I'm not so sure she'd still be one though, since Leech won't be giving her a chance to use her ability any."

"I'd hate being powerless."

The other girls murmured in agreement before finally leaving. I remained where I was, thinking. While it was true Jimmy kept the awful headaches at bay, it was also true that I hadn't had a chance to practice my glass ability at all. I was probably growing rusty by the minute. With a sigh I realized I would have to ask Jimmy to not hang around me so much anymore.

But when I stepped out of the bathroom and he turned to me with a big grin and said, "I asked Jones to set up the X-box for us, and Storm bought me a new game yesterday. I'm going to have so much fun beating you!" I couldn't bring myself to tell him to run along and find someone else to play with him.

So I resigned myself to having a shadow and told myself to get used to it. Unfortunately as the days turned into weeks and the weeks slowly turned into months, even Jimmy's games and bright smile couldn't keep away the fact that I needed space and time to myself. To practice with my ability, to spend quality time with Peter, and to figure out what to do with my dreams. So far Logan hadn't been able to find anyone for us, though Peter said he was still looking.

In the meantime, I had to try to find a way to get Jimmy to leave me alone without hurting his feelings. I realized that he had very few friends, and even some of those didn't like to spend too much time around him because he "leeched" off their powers and they didn't like being powerless.

It probably shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did, but I was beginning to feel frustrated over being powerless as well. None of this was Jimmy's fault really, but on my bad days, it didn't seem to matter.

"Argh!" I cried, when I accidentally knocked my cup to the floor one day. It shattered on impact and I looked dismally down at the mess.

"Jimmy, go stand over there," I said, pointing to a far corner where his ability wouldn't affect me.

"But you might have a vision!" Jimmy protested, looking at me anxiously.

"This'll only take a couple seconds," I insisted, laying a hand on his chest and pushing him away gently.

"Peter said your vision in the tower lasted only a split second and you were unconscious," Jimmy argued. "You could have one the second I step away."

"It's more than likely I won't," I ground out through gritted teeth. He was beginning to get on my last nerve.

"But what if you do?" he persisted.

"Damn it, Leech! Go away!" I gave him a shove that was more forceful than I meant it to be. He stumbled back, looking at me with wide eyes full of hurt.

I glowered at him until he moved further back. An ache started to pound in my head and I knew then that he was far enough away for me to use my powers. I concentrated on the bits of broken glass and pulled them up to me. I was relieved to find that it was just as easy as I remembered. Quickly I refashioned the glass to the shape it once was. I couldn't remember how my cup had looked exactly before, but ended up with something that looked pretty close. Unfortunately when I set it down I saw that it was leaning to one side. Apparently I hadn't had time to master my cylinders yet.

I rubbed my forehead with a sigh, turning to apologize to Jimmy now that my fear of not being able to use my abilities had abated. But when I looked to where he had been, I saw no one. Looking around the room, I saw that Jimmy was nowhere to be seen.

Groaning, I ran a hand over my face and stepped out of the kitchen where we had been eating breakfast. "Jimmy?" I called uncertainly down the hall. No response. I walked farther down it, keeping an eye out for him. Instead I found Peter, walking toward me briskly.

"Peter! Have you seen—"

"Madi!" he started at the same time. "Logan found someone to help you!" He paused then, studying my face. "What's wrong?" he asked.

I shook my head, banishing Jimmy from my thoughts as more important news came my way. "Who did Logan find?" I asked, eager yet at the same time apprehensive.

Peter studied me for a moment before answering. "He says she's an extremely powerful telepath and can also turn her skin into diamonds." He cocked his head, looking down at me with an amused smirk. "I wonder if you'd be able to manipulate her in that form."

"Diamonds aren't glass, Pete," I reminded him with a smile. "What's her name?"

"Her name is Emma Frost, and she's on her way to the school right now."

Now I haven't read the comics so whatever I know of Emma Frost comes from the X-Men Origins movie (which isn't much actually). I did look her up on wikipedia so I have a fair amount of knowledge as to her abilities. =)

Anyway, this chapter is a little bit fluffy, a little bit dramaful, and a little bit stressed out. ;P Review and tell me what you think!