A/N: Hi again! Sorry for missing last weekend's update, but I'm back this week. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please R&R!
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men.
Chapter 54: Regrets:
Scott rushed out of the rec room; his heart feeling like it'd just broken in two. Why had Rogue done that? Why could she not see that he truly loved her?
He'd been so furious that he'd had to get out of there. He wasn't sure what he would have said or done if he'd stayed a minute longer. But, God, she'd been so infuriating. Rogue was talking like the months they'd spent together had meant nothing to him. When had he given her doubt in his feelings for her? That's what he wanted to know.
Scott had to stop when he finally found himself in front of one of the sliding doorways of the lower level. Damn, why did he come down here?
He let out an annoyed breath. He was down there; he might as well settle things once and for all. He entered the code that would let him inside their holding cell facility.
The doors whooshed open and he stepped inside. It was eerily quiet in there, but he reminded himself that it would be with only one prisoner.
He made his way to Jean's cell. He held his shudder in at seeing her sitting there staring lifelessly with those eyes.
"Jean," Scott said warily, "Can you hear me?"
No answer. Just those never ending burning eyes.
"Jean, I'd like to speak with you," Scott tried again with a little more force.
"Jean no longer exists," the Phoenix answered.
"You lie," Scott shouted. "She was here before…"
The Phoenix eyed him, crossing her legs in a disturbingly nonchalant manner. "A momentary lapse of control, I assure you, she's gone now."
Whatever she said he still didn't believe her. "I need to speak with her… I know she's there…"
"Since you're going to drabble on," she said insufferably. "Will this help speed things along?"
Scott jumped back when it was suddenly Jean's kind eyes staring at him.
"Jean?" he said tentatively.
"No," she shrieked.
She stood up abruptly. Scott stumbled backwards and suddenly a blast of fire shot towards him. The force of the fire hit his left arm and sent him flying backwards.
He hit the wall hard, knocking him out.
"No," the Phoenix continued to scream. "I am the Phoenix!"
The doors burst open and the Professor quickly rolled inside.
"Scott!" he exclaimed, rolling to his side.
The Professor put a hand at his temple and the Phoenix began to scream. It took a great effort on his part to subdue her.
He stared warily at Jean, making sure she wasn't going to try anything else before putting a hand to Scott's neck. He was still breathing, thankfully.
"Piotr," he said in his mind, calling to his helpful student. "I need your help."
The Professor glanced at Jean, her eyes were burning intensely and they were burning a hole at them.
"What were you doing, Scott?" he questioned the air.
Rogue hadn't moved from her position on the couch since Scott had stormed out of the room. She wasn't sure how much time had passed; she only knew that she'd been crying the whole time. All she could think about was Scott. How much he meant to her. How much she loved him. How her life had changed for the better with him in it.
What was she going to do, now? How could she ever move on without him? Even worse, how could she ever stay in this place, watching him love Jean? It was one thing for him to be happy, an entirely different story for her to witness that happiness with Jean. She just couldn't do it.
"Rogue?"
Rogue looked up through blurry eyes to see Bobby standing there. He rushed to her side when he saw the state she was in.
"Rogue? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" he questioned quickly, looking her over for injuries.
She shook her head, willing the tears to stop, but no such luck. Bobby looked extremely worried. She didn't want him to have to worry about her. Here was another man she had no right to his affections.
"Rogue, tell me what's wrong?" Bobby urged.
"Sc…ott…" her voice broke on his name causing a new wave of sobs.
Bobby pulled her close.
Oh God, Scott… she loved him more than life itself…. She hurt so badly at the knowledge of what she'd done. She clenched a fist over her heart. She couldn't breathe…
"Shh... Rogue," Bobby soothed. "Please, you need to calm down. You're going to make yourself sick, please."
She didn't care about herself, only that she was worrying him unnecessarily. So she tried to do what he said. She gulped for air; sucking in deep breaths… her sobs eventually came out in the form of little hiccups.
Bobby pulled away from her a little so he could run his hands through her hair and briefly cup her face. His hands then dropped to her shoulders.
"That's better," he said, relieved. "Now… what did Scott do? Did he… did he break up with you?"
Rogue looked down, shaking her head; a single tear ran down the tip of her nose and dropped into her lap.
"I broke… I broke up with him," Rogue explained, choking on a sob. She took in a few more deep breaths.
"Rogue," Bobby said in surprise. "Why?"
It wasn't the reaction she was expecting. She gave him a look of surprise.
"Rogue, you idiot," he chastised. "He loves you!"
She shook her head. "No… he only thought he did because Jean was gone. She's back—"
"And that changes nothing," Bobby cut her off. "I may not be his biggest fan, Rogue, but what he's got going for him is the fact that he loves you!"
Rogue stared at him with wide eyes. If Bobby could see it… Had she been an idiot… was she messing things up for no reason?
Rogue, she once again heard the Professor's voice. Come down to the infirmary, Scott's been hurt.
"Oh my God," she stood up abruptly.
"What?" Bobby questioned.
"Scott… he's been hurt," she explained.
"Go to him," Bobby urged.
Se nodded. She only hoped she wasn't too late.
"Logan," Hank said amusement in his voice, from behind him. "We've had our turn, now I think we should give Lyss's family some time alone."
Logan watched through the glass window of Lyss's room as her family, including her father, gathered around her bed. It seemed like one happy family in there. Still, he hated to be away from her.
"She needs to know that her family is here for her too," Hank continued, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Besides, I think we both could use a little break."
Logan nodded reluctantly and followed Hank silently. After Lyss had opened her eyes, they'd run some more tests. She really was awake according to her brain functioning. And then she'd closed her eyes for a bit. Hank had assured him that she was only resting, sleeping. When she'd opened her eyes up once again she still couldn't talk, but she was awake. And Logan had so much to say to her. Unfortunately that was when they'd been interrupted for the reunion.
Logan and Hank stepped out into the waiting room to see a blonde woman sitting there with her two identical blonde daughters.
"Hello," Hank greeted quickly. "I'm Dr. Hank McCoy and this is Logan… is there something we could help you with?"
The woman smiled politely. "No, thank you, my husband is just visiting his daughter."
"Lyss?" Logan said in surprise, suddenly realizing who the woman was. This must be Lyss's stepmother and new siblings.
"Yes, that's right. I'm Lizzie Grey," she introduced. "Richard is my husband. These are our girls, Serena and Amy. How do you know Lyss?"
"She's my friend and patient, and Logan is her boyfriend," Hank explained.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you all," Lizzie stated, wrinkling her nose. "This is a bit of an awkward situation isn't it…"
Hank chuckled. "A bit…"
"Mommy," one of the twins attempted to whisper to their mother. "He's blue…"
"Hush, Serena," Lizzie scolded.
"Very blue, indeed," Hank said, good-naturedly. He went to take the seat next to the little girl. "But, somehow I know it's my color. Now if I were green, wouldn't I just look silly?"
The little girl laughed. And he continued to entertain one twin while the other continued to stare at Logan with wide eyes. Slightly uncomfortable, Logan took a seat across from them.
"How's she doing?" Lizzie asked.
"Better, much better," Logan said, his tone indicating relief.
"You're my new sister's boyfriend?" the unoccupied twin suddenly blurted out.
"Yep," Logan said simply.
"But… but, you've got pointy hair!" she exclaimed, like it was the most absurd thing in the world.
"Amy," Lizzie tried to rein in the other twin.
"Lyss likes my hair," Logan pouted. Then realizing he was getting upset by what a two year old thought of him said, "Bet your hair can't be pointy…"
Amy laughed heartily. "That would be silly. Girls don't have pointy hair."
Before he could continue his stimulating conversation, the newly reconciled family was back.
Logan shot Adam a quizzical look, wondering why they were back so soon.
"She fell asleep," he answered his silent question.
Logan nodded. He stood up and without a word to anyone left the waiting room.
"Amy," Lizzie joked. "I think you scared him away."
Richard came to sit next to Lizzie, pulling Amy out of her seat to put her in his lap.
"How is she?" Lizzie asked the room, as they all took seats.
Mrs. Andrews gave Lizzie a suspicious look but answered, "The same. She's awake, but not saying anything."
Richard let out a sigh. "She's a beautiful girl. I'd like to know more about her…"
The room stayed quiet for a second, no one knowing where to begin. Finally, it was Jason who spoke up. "She's a doctor…"
That seemed to open things up.
Logan was glad to leave the crowdedness of the waiting room. He never did well in crowds. But it seemed he'd have to learn, Lyss had one giant family now that would demand her attention. And where Lyss went he would go.
He hadn't went straight back to Lyss's hospital room, he'd wanted to give her a little time to rest before he went back inside. Now, as he approached her room he saw through the window that Hank was in there with her. He was holding her hand, speaking with her. Her eyes were open again, but nothing else indicated she was awake. He continued to watch as Hank leaned forward and kissed Lyss's forehead.
Logan let out a bit of a growl. It was just instinct and he knew he had nothing to worry about with Lyss and Hank.
Hank started for the door and Logan went to intercept him.
"Oh, Logan," Hank said in surprise.
"Hey Hank," Logan replied. "Is she ok?"
"Better, still not speaking, though. But if you talk to her she responds by squeezing your hand," Hank answered "I've talked to the other doctor's. They're going to monitor her tonight."
Hank pushed past him.
"Where are you going?" Logan said in surprise.
Hank turned around, pausing. "There was an incident at the institute. Scott's been hurt."
"Jean?" Logan said knowingly.
Hank nodded.
If Jean was so out of control that even Scott couldn't' get through to her how much hope did anyone else have? But still, he had to give it a shot.
"Hank, wait," Logan called. "I'm going to come with you. Just let me tell Lyss."
"All right, but we need to hurry," Hank agreed, stepping outside.
Logan let out a sigh. He walked over to Lyss, he couldn't help but smile. She was alive, she was awake, and Hank and her doctor's would help her speak again.
He took hold of her hand. "Hey there, sweetheart," he greeted. "How're you doing? Hank says you're good. Is he right?" he paused, when she squeezed his hand, he smiled brighter. "I'm glad. Hank and I need to go to the institute to take care of something. But I won't go if you don't want me to." Again another squeeze. "Ok, I won't be gone long… I love you."
He left her with a kiss on the cheek.
Well that's it for now. I'll try to update midweek.
Thanks to everyone who's reading and reviewing: nebula2 (thanks, I really do think Lyss gets better and better!); xmen4life (hope you're still liking this); Ryromaniac; and Recovering4life.
See you soon!
