Author's Note: Firstly, oh my god so sorry for the delay, this was just so much harder to write than I thought and then the site wouldn't let me post! How rude... Secondly I don't know how it works (you'll understand when you read the chapter) so if I've mucked up I'm sorry but I had this idea in my head and just couldn't get past it. Nice long chapter though! Enjoy!

A Little Complication

Chapter 52: Another Good Idea

Hank arched an eyebrow at the uncharacteristically subdued fire mutant lying on the bed. The doctor finished applying fresh bandages to the pyrokinetic's stomach and turned away to start clearing up.

"The wound's healing up nicely," he said lightly. "How's it feeling?"

"Fine," John shrugged simply. Again Hank's eyebrow arched.

"And the exercise?"

"Fine," the fire mutant repeated. Hank just sighed quietly and continued to clear away his medical supplies.

"James away getting breakfast?" he asked after a short silence.

"He's sleeping upstairs now," John replied blandly.

"Oh? What's brought this on?"

"Nothing!" John snapped suddenly. "Are you done?"

Hank just gave a nod, clearing away the last of his things in silence.

"I'll be back this evening," he stated before slipping from the room. John sighed tiredly, collapsing back onto the bed, closing his eyes. He knew it was probably best Jamie wasn't there all the time now but he was so bored. His eyes flew open again at the sound of a knock on the door, his lips curling into a smile as Jamie entered.

"Hey…"

"Hi," the multiplying mutant sat down on the foot of the bed, laying food and drink in front of the fire mutant. "I figured you'd be hungry?"

"Starving," John smiled gratefully and delved for something to eat. Jamie returned the smile, glancing down at the fresh, clean bandages around the fire mutant's torso.

"Dr McCoy was down was he?"

"Yeah," John tentatively fingered the bandages. "He says its looking better."

"Good," Jamie nodded, picking up some food for himself. "So…you sleep well?"

"Yeah," John shrugged. "You?"

Again Jamie nodded.

"Yeah, fine."

"So… is it my old room? The one we stayed in before?"

"No – I think Drake's in your old room," Jamie shook his head. "I'm stuck at the end on the third floor."

John gave a small nod but a smirk pulled at his lips.

"Isn't Pete's room…"

"Yeah, yeah, he's on the third floor too…" Jamie screwed up his nose. "Why the hell did I tell you about that?"

"Because that's what friends do," the fire mutant's grin turned into a more genuine smile before his more wicked smirk returned. Jamie just laughed quietly and shook his head. At least things seemed a little less…intense than they had the last few days…

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

The room was silent but for the soft tapping sound of John drumming his fingers on the surface of the side unit he sat upon. Jamie glanced up and laughed quietly.

"Comfortable up there?"

John shrugged.

"Not really," a smile pulled on his lips. "But I am sick of that damn bed."

Jamie just laughed and gave a nod, the silence returning.

"You know…I am feeling a lot better now," John commented casually. "We could probably make a break for it and be back at the base before they even realise we're gone."

Jamie laughed.

"And how do you propose we get back to base? Mystique took the helicopter back."

"You can hot wire a car can't you, master-thief-Madrox?"

Jamie rolled his eyes.

"You'll stay here until the good doctor McCoy says otherwise."

John screwed up his nose.

"But I'm fine!" he crossed his arms. "I'm sure they're just keeping me here now to make up for all the detention time I missed."

Jamie arched an eyebrow, a wide smile on his lips but he was prevented from replying by a knock on the door. Both looked at the door expectantly but no-one entered. Jamie frowned slightly as he crossed the short distance to the door but it disappeared as he opened it and found Jinx and Tommy standing in the doorway. With a smile he stepped backwards and gestured for the two to enter.

"Hey…" John clambered off the unit and stood, smiling at the two students.

"Hi," Tommy replied. "How you feeling?"

"Much better," John nodded.

"Good," Tommy smiled. "Miss Munro and Dr McCoy say we can take you for a session in the danger room if you'd like?"

John's eyes lit up instantly, the little flames firing up.

"Hell yeah!"

Jamie arched an eyebrow, looking between John and the two younger mutants.

"Danger room?"

"It's like our training room," John explained, already heading for the door. "Only better."

The multiplying mutant laughed quietly.

"Is there any point in me telling you to take it easy?" he asked as he followed the pyrokinetic out the room. John turned and grinned at the older mutant, shaking his head and turning back to the two students in front of them leading the way to the danger room. Jamie rolled his eyes, smiling as the group turned the corner.

"Oh…" John arched an eyebrow as the danger room came into sight. "Hi Pete."

Jinx scowled slightly.

"Yeah – apparently we're not allowed into the danger room unsupervised."

The Russian laughed quietly.

"That ok with you guys?" he asked John and Jamie, although his gaze fixed on the latter as he arched an eyebrow questioningly.

"Ok with me," John smirked as the multiplying mutant next to him just shrugged. Piotr gave a nod.

"Good," the Russian threw a lighter at John, much to the fire mutant's delight. "Now them two chose the set up," he pointed accusingly at Jinx and Tommy as the other hand opened the danger room door. "So if you don't like it blame them…"

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

Jamie scowled heavily as he found himself alone, completely lost and with no idea where the other mutants were. The multiplying mutant sighed wearily as he paused next to a high building, taking in his surroundings. One minute the five had been standing in a large, empty room and the next…he was alone in expansive, seemingly never-ending wasteland – the derelict remains of used to be a city. He couldn't even see the point of the set up – there were no enemies, no traps, no danger what-so-ever…

A sharp gasp escaped his lips as he found himself suddenly slammed up against the nearby wall, the sounds of explosions and metal on metal filling his ears. Jamie looked up at the taller mutant pinning him to the wall with another scowl.

"You should watch your back," Piotr arched an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling mischievously. His metal casing peeled back as he looked down pointedly at the shrapnel that surrounded them. The smirk on his lips faded however as he heard a distinctive click and the unmistakable feel of metal against his neck.

"You should watch yours."

The multiplying mutant in front of the Russian smirked and suddenly disappeared, apparently moving right through him faster than the eye could properly see. Piotr pursed his lips and turned slowly, looking down at the gun pointing at his head.

"A gun?" he asked of Jamie – a Jamie at least. "Where did you get that?"

Jamie shrugged.

"Found it in one of those," he waved the gun at some of the nearby derelict buildings. "Don't worry, it's not loaded," the multiplying mutant shrugged. "Besides, I thought you couldn't get hurt in this place."

Piotr arched an eyebrow.

"No…but I don't like to put that to the test too often."

Jamie looked around and let out a weary sigh, slumping down to the ground, leaning back against the building beside them.

"You know – if Drake wanted to see John that bad he could'a just gone down to see him."

Piotr opened his mouth to argue against what the multiplying mutant was implying but in the end just shook his head.

"He didn't think he'd get past John's bodyguard," the Russian shrugged. Jamie frowned briefly before rolling his eyes.

"I'm not down there all the time," he commented. Piotr arched an eyebrow dubiously.

"One of you is."

Jamie inhaled deeply, his frown deepening.

"Not anymore. I have a room upstairs now. We decided it's not all that healthy for us to spend so much time together…" he admitted reluctantly before shrugging casually. "I would've let him in anyway even if I had been there."

Piotr arched an eyebrow dubiously.

"Oh yeah?"

Jamie scowled.

"Yeah," he bristled defensively. "I know John better than John. He wants to see him."

A smile pulled on Piotr's lips.

"So – this little charade was worth it?"

"Doubt it," Jamie shook his head, sighing tiredly as Piotr's smile faded. "This is John we're talking about remember. He can be…stubborn…"

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

Unlike Jamie, John was relishing his time alone in the danger room. His fiery brown eyes constantly scanned his surroundings as a small fireball twirled, ever ready, round his fingers. He'd run this scenario once already – before he'd left the mansion – he knew it was a set up designed to test stealth and reactions as opposed to an out and out battle. Normally the fire mutant would have preferred the outright fight but considering that walking still hurt him a little more that he was willing to admit to either Hank or Jamie perhaps this was the more appropriate danger room workout…

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

"You know…maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

Jinx stopped dead and turned a highly un-amused look to the mutant walking alongside him.

"You what?"

"Well," Tommy replied, ignoring Jinx's frown. "What if John gets mad cause we tricked him? Or he just gets all defensive or…"

"Tommy, I said all this last night," Jinx arched an eyebrow. "You said it was a good idea."

Tommy pulled a face.

"Well I thought it was," he shrugged. "Besides, I don't remember you arguing with me last night."

Jinx rolled his eyes.

"That's cause you were too busy trying to undress me," he stated matter-of-factly. "You just weren't listening."

A grin spread over Tommy's lips.

"Oh yeah…"

Jinx shook his head, although he too smiled.

"God, I have no idea where we are," he muttered, looking around them.

"I do," Tommy grabbed Jinx's arm and pulled him towards one of the nearby buildings. "And we're alone…"

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

A torrent of fire blasted suddenly into the nearby building as movement caught John's eye. The fire mutant cringed, taking in a sharp breath as pain ripped through his side. He'd turned far too quickly…

"Shouldn't you be taking it easy?"

John looked up sharply. For a moment he looked shocked but a wry smile quickly pulled on his lips.

"Should'a seen this coming…" he muttered. Bobby looked back at him apologetically.

"I'm sorry John… I just wanted to see you."

John frowned but his stance was not as aggressive as Bobby would have expected.

"The medical lab would've been more comfortable you know," he shrugged, looking at the wasteland around them. Bobby couldn't help but laugh quietly, put at ease by the fire mutant's calm demeanour. Taking a deep breath he gestured down to John's side.

"You ok?" he asked quietly. John nodded.

"Fine," again he shrugged.

"Hank says it's getting better," Bobby smiled softly.

"Does he now?" John arched an eyebrow. "So much for doctor-patient confidentiality."

Bobby shrugged slightly.

"I kept asking him," the ice mutant dared to take a small step forward. "I have missed you."

For a moment John just bowed his head. Bobby took a quiet, hopeful breath but it was a dreading sigh that escaped his lips as angry, fiery brown eyes looked back up.

"That why you came down to see me so often is it Drake?"

Bobby frowned slightly.

"You said you didn't want to see me," he replied quietly. John scoffed.

"I said I didn't want to start having an affair with you either – that never stopped you."

"John I…" Bobby ran a hand through his hair. "I thought it would be better if I left you in peace for a little while to get better. And I mean I had so much stuff to sort out with Marie and Abi and the new apartment and…"

"New apartment?"

Bobby blinked briefly before nodding slowly.

"Yeah…" he took a deep, calming breath. "I bought a place near here. I'm still gonna teach and train with the guys I just… I just needed my own space," the ice mutant smiled softly as John seemed to calm down again. "Coming here was the best thing I've done, I've learned to control my powers and it's helped me so much but… well… things aren't that black and white are they? And I knew that if we were to stand a chance – if you ever forgave me – we'd need to get away from all that. Have somewhere that was ours, away from the X-Men and the Brotherhood."

For a moment John just looked back at him but his eyes gave nothing away.

"Not that simple Bobby," the fire mutant replied finally, his tone still emotionless. Bobby sighed quietly and gave a conceding nod.

"I know, but…" he frowned slightly but moved forward again. "John we always said this wouldn't be easy but I will do anything to make this work."

John shook his head but did not back away.

"Too late Bobby," he muttered, bowing his head.

"You don't mean that," Bobby said quietly, stopping right in front of the other mutant. John looked up, trying to meet Bobby with an even gaze but he didn't quite manage. His breath caught as he felt Bobby's icy cold hand on his cheek.

"Don't…" he objected meekly. Bobby just smiled and carefully slipped his hands onto John's hips.

"John, please," he whispered, resting his forehead lightly against the smaller mutants. "I have missed you so much."

"I missed you too…" John admitted, gulping back his apprehension. "But Bobby, this won't work – it can't work."

"Of course it can," Bobby leant forward, his breath ghosting over John's lips but he took a deep breath and held back. "John there's nothing standing between us now. Please," the ice mutant finally closed the gap, brushing his lips lightly over John's. "We can make this work…"

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

The two oldest occupants of the danger room sat in silence, still sitting against the building they had stopped by earlier, not exactly side-by-side but not far apart either.

"Just for the record it's not you that made me feel awkward," Jamie said flatly, unexpectedly breaking the silence. Piotr sighed quietly.

"I know – you still have feelings for John," he replied simply.

"I'm over John," Jamie scowled. Piotr gave an acknowledging nod.

"Doesn't mean you don't have lingering feelings. You said yourself it's not healthy for you both to spend so much time together."

Jamie opened his mouth to object but instead just screwed up his face, bowing his head.

"Yeah, well…" he muttered, shrugging absently. "What about you? I hear you have a girlfriend."

Piotr laughed dryly.

"Had," he arched an eyebrow as Jamie visibly chastised himself. "We broke up a few weeks ago when I found out she had two other boyfriends and only called me when she needed something. Mostly heavy lifting."

"Oh…" Jamie nodded slowly as Piotr lightly flexed a muscular arm. "Sorry to hear that."

For a couple of minutes the silence returned.

"Look…" Piotr said finally, his gaze still fixed ahead. "Sometimes I get fed up being the one everyone turns to – don't get me wrong I like helping other people – but sometimes I just like to get away from it, you know, be the boss for a change and I got the impression that you were getting fed up with looking after John and would maybe want looked after yourself for once and so I figured we could help each other out," the Russian shrugged. "I apologise if I got that wrong."

The multiplying mutant arched an eyebrow but remained otherwise unresponsive for a moment.

"It helped."

A quick laugh escaped Piotr lips as he finally cast a glance at the other mutant who in turn returned a brief smile.

"Good."

Again there was a brief silence.

"I don't always like to be bossed about you know," Jamie commented casually.

"I don't always like to be in charge," came the casual reply. Jamie nodded.

"Doesn't mean we're doing it again."

"Didn't say we were," Piotr said innocently.

"Good," Jamie gave another nod. "Glad we sorted that out then."

x-x-x x-x-x x-x-x

The smaller mutant leant forward, gently wrapping his warm lips over Bobby's, slipping his hands around the ice mutant's waist, but all too quickly he pulled away, wriggling out of Bobby's hold.

"No…I…" John ran his hands through his hair. "Bobby it's too complicated!"

"It's not!" Bobby reached out but didn't actually take hold of him. "It's just you and me…"

"And Marie and Abi and Jamie and the X-Men and…" John shook his head.

"No John, Marie knows," Bobby frowned.

"Oh yeah, and who else knows?" John adopted his more familiar defensive stance. Bobby opened his mouth but paused as his frown deepened.

"Well you know, to be fair no one knew you were gay until you turned up here with Jamie," the ice mutant couldn't help but be a little defensive himself. "You didn't exactly shout it from the rooftop."

A brief scowl pulled on John's face as he found he couldn't argue.

"Marie's not out the picture though is she?" he returned to the original argument. "She's always going to be there. She's going to be the one who chooses when you see Abi and by default that's gonna choose when you'd get to see me," he arched an eyebrow dryly. "Cause I'm willing to bet she's not going to want me anywhere near her precious daughter."

Bobby sought a reply but instead had to bow his head in conceit.

"We can work something out…" he said quietly, looking back up at the fire mutant with pleading eyes. "I know we can."

"And what about the next fight Bobby? What about when we're standing on opposite sides of the fence again?" John shook his head. "We fight during the day and then go back to your apartment and cosy up together?"

"Who says we'll fight? John we've been working together…"

"Doesn't mean we always will! And even when we do we don't agree! You weren't there when we went for Tommy – trust me we might have had the same overall objective but we weren't on the same page."

Bobby sighed in exasperation.

"John, why are you making this so difficult?"

"Because it is difficult," John's defensive stance cracked slightly. "Bobby's I've given in enough times already and been screwed over I am not doing it again."

"But John…"

"End the session Bobby."

The ice mutant shook his head.

"No, we…"

"End the session," John flicked open his lighter, twirling a small fireball round in his hand. "Or I will."

"John! Please, I…"

The wasteland was gone. Piotr and Jamie sat in the middle of the bare room, the latter looking decidedly confused. In one of the corners Jinx slowly clambered off Tommy's lap while in another corner, the other two remaining mutants simply stood and stared at each other. John was the first to break, turning sharply and heading towards the door. Jamie turned quickly to Piotr as both stood up.

"What the hell happened?" he muttered. Piotr frowned slightly as he glanced over at Bobby, noting slight wisps of smoke billowing off his clothes.

"The danger room cuts out in the event of serious injury or fatality," he replied quietly as he looked back at Jamie. "I think you were right about John not forgiving him."

The multiplying mutant sighed heavily and quickly made to follow John from the room, Piotr not far behind after getting a reassuring nod from Bobby.

"John, wait!" Jamie called as the pyrokinetic made his way swiftly down the corridor back towards the medical lab. The fire mutant only stopped however as Hank appeared in his path.

"Ah, how did the danger room session go?" the doctor asked, addressing the two mutant's behind John as much as him.

"Fine," John muttered. Jamie and Piotr both nodded their agreement. Health-wise the exercise had gone well.

"Good," Hank smiled. "I've been speaking with Mystique. We've done all we can for you here and she's happy to change your bandages so," he turned the smile briefly to Jamie before looking back at John. "You may go home in the morning."

"Good," was John's simple reply. The fire mutant turned to Jamie. "I'll see you in the morning."

The multiplying mutant sighed quietly as John gave him a quick parting nod and disappeared into the medical lab. He laughed dryly and shook his head as he found Hank giving him a questioning look.

"Don't ask."

Hank simply nodded and turned to head back down the corridor. Piotr and Jamie turned to look at the three mutants coming towards them. Jinx and Tommy simply offered their two teachers meek smiles, carrying on walking as Bobby stopped next to Piotr and Jamie.

"Thanks for trying," Bobby said quietly before offering Jamie a meek smile. "If anyone needs me I'll be at the apartment."

The ice mutant carried on down the corridor after Jinx and Tommy, leaving only Piotr and Jamie standing in the corridor. The younger of the two arched an eyebrow.

"So…you're leaving tomorrow."

Jamie let out a quick sigh.

"Looks like it."

"Mmm…" Piotr gave a nod, his arched eyebrow turning into a smirk. "In that case how about one last beer?"