AN: You know, I realized as I was going back through my chapters that they were getting shorter. Wow…. But anyway, here's the next chappie. I hope you all enjoy it. And please review… they make me happy. I haven't been getting enough lately. sob sob

Special Thanks:

Mercury Angel: Thankies for the review. Makes me happy. Luv ya cuz dear. And I'm glad the last chapter amused you. It was fun to write, hehe.

Chapter 29

The next morning felt so great. I was so relaxed. The beach had been a great idea. It seemed like everyone else agreed with me. And while I missed my home back on Earth, I realized that this was my home as well.

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"Well well Morion, it looks like you've found yourself a new home," Magneto stated. Morion glared at the man. "Thought you could hide from me, huh? Did you forget you work for me?"

"What do you want Magneto?"

"I have a new mission for you."

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"So what are we going to do now that they know of our kind?" Diamond asked Angel.

"Expose a few of our kind. That's what." Angel grinned as he finished writing something and sealed it in a yellow envelope.

"Where do you plan on sending that?"

"Where do you think?" Angel set the envelope to the side. He would deliver it later. "They'll have trouble getting out of this one. If I can turn everyone against them then that would make things much easier for me."

"But couldn't that mean death for both Lily and Jen?" Diamond questioned.

"I'd rather they die if I can't have them. No one else can have them. They're mine."

"Greedy, aren't we?" came Emma's voice as she entered the small room. "Do they really mean that much to you?"

"They are mine. I placed my claim on them years ago and I never let go of what is mine."

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"Gambit, where have you been?" Tal asked as she came up to her boyfriend. "I haven't seen you for days." Lily, who had been with her friend, looked up at Gambit and nodded.

I'll report it, she said to Gambit. Go ahead and spend time with Tal. She's missed you. Lily smiled when Gambit thanked her and she turned, heading in the direction of Xavier's office.

"Professor?" Lily pushed open his door peering inside.

"Lily?" He smiled and motioned for her to come inside. "What brings you here?"

"Gambit has just reported in Professor, but he got caught by Tal before he could get here." Lily smiled, taking the seat across from Xavier. "But as I've read in his mind, Emma has left the school to Gambit for a little while so she can go recruit more mutants. Professor, this is our chance. Angel has gone with her."

"I see. Well then Lily, I leave you in charge of this mission." Xavier smiled at the surprised look on her face. "I trust you. You have one hour to gather your team and head over there."

"Thank you Professor." Lily stood, bowing her head slightly. She turned and left to go gather her team.

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"Tal, I need to speak with you," Gambit started, pulling his girlfriend into his room and sitting on his bed, her right next to him. "Gambit's been hiding something from you." He stared down at her. "I've been working for Emma since I arrived here."

"What? But why?" Tal was confused. "Gambit, I don't understand. You lied to me?"

"No, that's the thing. But I couldn't tell you. Professor Xavier knew. It was his mission for me. Tal, when I arrived and the Professor spoke to me, he also spoke in my head telling me to remain with White Queen. He wanted me to be his inside source. I was the best candidate since I already worked for her." Gambit took a deep breath.

"That day you came to get me, I was already heading to the institute. White Queen had ordered me to act as if I switched sides and to join the X-Men so I could give her inside information. So far I've only given her what she already knows saying that no one quite trusts me enough yet. She bought it, but I'm not sure how much longer she will."

"Gambit?"

"I didn't mean to deceive you Tal, but it was my mission and Gambit doesn't mess up his missions. Not when it means putting the ones he loves in danger." He pulled her into an embrace. "Gambit doesn't want to do this anymore."

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"Lily." Lily stopped and spun around to face Jean.

"Professor Grey, what is it?"

"I hear you're going on a mission." Lily nodded her head. "I want you to be careful."

"What do you care?" Lily felt bad saying it the way she had, but she just never felt like Jean ever really cared.

"I do care." She sighed. "I want to speak with you before you leave. Come with me." Lily nodded and followed Jean into a nearby classroom. Jean motioned for Lily to take a seat and Lily did just that, Jean sitting across from her.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you since the reports of aliens started."

Lily breath caught and she struggled to keep herself from looking surprised or scared. "What about it Professor Grey?"

"Are you one of those aliens?" Lily eyes widened and Jean took Lily's hand. "If you are, it's okay. You don't have to be scared. But Lily, it would make sense because I can't ever read you, not even your presence. I got curious and for the first time I tried to read your friends, but I can't. It doesn't make sense unless you're all…"

A tear fell, and Lily choked back a sob. "Please don't tell anyone." She looked up at Jean, eyes pleading with her. "I know you don't like me, but please don't tell anyone. I didn't come here to hurt anyone. I was just curious. We were never allowed to come to Earth. We wanted to know why and what it was like. Earth is wonderful Professor Grey. I love the people here."

"Lily, what makes you think that I don't like you?" Jean pulled the young girl into an embrace. "You're not like any of my other students. And I realize you're just like me when I was your age. Your powers are just as great, but unsteady as well."

"Professor?" Lily was surprised to be hearing this from Jean.

"Lily, you're no longer my student. You've become my apprentice. Haven't you noticed? I expect your powers to grow just as mine have." She let the girl go and was once again staring down at her, this time smiling. "I won't let anything happen to my best student." Jean patted the girl on the head. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. Especially the battle with Emma. I know that's what really set you off. It's just…"

"Professor Grey?" Lily blinked, unsure of what to think. "What's wrong?"

"My powers have grown so much. They're becoming so much more unstable. I'm not sure how much longer I can control it."

Lily blinked and gasped. "So I was right. She's awakening, isn't she?"

"Lily, I need your powers to grow. For the sake of everyone here."

"But why? What does my power have anything to do with it?"

"You have one as well, don't you? An inner being."

"Secada."

"Yes. I saw her when you were meditating one day during our training. But she's calmer. Phoenix isn't. She's destructive. If something happens I need you to be strong enough." And suddenly Lily realized what Jean was saying. Had this really been the same Jean that she had hated so much not too long ago? When did Lily actually find herself liking her? But Lily had answered her own question. It was when Jean had forced her to expand her powers, to see what more she could actually do with it. Jean had pushed her, and Lily liked challenges.

But why, when Lily was finally starting to like Jean, was she saying something like this? Why did Lily's power have to grow for such a thing? It just didn't seem fair.

"Professor Grey," Lily started, but Jean interrupted her.

"I'm sorry. I've taken up some of your time. You have yet to get your team together. Good luck Lily." With that Jean got up and left the room, leaving Lily to sit there by herself. Lily didn't want to move, didn't want to register what had happened. She took a deep breath and stood.

"I won't let it happen. I can't…"

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"Is that everyone?" Lily asked, glancing around at her team. She had gathered as many people as she could. She smiled. Her team had consisted of ten people, all of who were herself, Bobby, Micki, Jen, Nightcrawler, Tal, Gambit, Mara, Colossus and Sakura.

"I don't think so." Logan walked up to the group. "First of all, you need someone to fly you over there and second of all, I think you all need an adult around."

"WOLVY!" Sakura glomped Logan. "Aww are you worried about me?"

"Great," Mara muttered to herself. "Bad enough Mara has to go to this battle with Emma's school, now Mara has to go with Wolverine."

"Thank you Logan." Lily smiled up at him. "It's much appreciated."

"Well, I'm sure you didn't want to ask Scott."

Lily blinked and quickly shook her head. She might have grown a liking to Jean but she still hated Scott more than even Angel.

"Well," she started. "Now that everyone's together, let's go."

AN: Hope you enjoyed. And here's your remind to Review. PLEASE! Luv to all!