True Lies Chapter 21, a x-men: the movie fanfic

True Lies

Chapter 21: Broken Hearted

By: Michelle2

Note: This fanfic takes place 1 ½ years after X-men 2. While I enjoyed the various films since X-men 2, I always envisioned my trilogy as the sequels. The imagination is awesome.

True Lies is the third part of my trilogy. Part 1: The Truth Hurts. Part 2: Sweet Little Lies.

As always: I don't own the characters or make money off my fanfics. I enjoy having fun.

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"The Scarlet Witch is down," a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent informed them.

The day was sunny, but a light breeze cut through Rogue's X-suit. She longed to be home in the mansion. While she took her duties and an X-men seriously, this mission didn't seem like the rest. Her emotions were getting the best of her, and she had moments where she wanted to run screaming.

But she couldn't do that. She was on top a building in New York City with fellow X-men, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Logan, and Mystique. Everyone was waiting for their next orders.

Damnit. Mystique.

Mystique. The thought of her there unnerved Rogue. Why couldn't she have a normal foster mother—one who baked cookies and smothered her with love and kindness she'd only appreciate when she had children of her own. Instead, her foster mother was a wanted criminal with a list of offenses enough to circle the globe.

Today was a beautiful day—at least for the moment before the next rollercoaster ride. She just wanted to be home.

"How ya doin', Cheré?"

Gambit's voice was a comfort in her ear. They had their ups and downs, but at the end of the day, no one knew her better. She allowed him in, and he returned the connection.

"Tired," Rogue replied. She was honest with him, testing him to return the response.

"I know. I missed ya today. Got me t'inkin' a lot today. 'Lot about you. 'Lot about us."

Rogue smiled. She thought about him—thought about them together. It was a good moment. Then she saw him—a ghost back from the dead.

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Ironman walked around the rubble complaining about his suits. "I lost contact with all my suits. Can anyone tell me what is going on?"

Black Widow ignored him and approached the X-men who had been in the area after responding to Captain America's call. The National Guard took over duties, now that the Scarlet Witch was no longer a threat.

"Cyclops, it is good to finally meet you," Black Widow said, shaking his hand.

Cyclops nodded. "Thank you. We were glad to be of assistance."

Cyclops and the White Queen walked with her back to the tower, while Black Widow apologized for Stark's behavior. "You have to excuse Tony. He's not uses to sharing his playground with others."

"It's understandable. We didn't mean to intrude on Avenger affairs, but it was clear our paths were meant to cross."

"I agree."

Ironman stormed around. "Where the hell are my suits?"

BAMMM!

Cyclops, White Queen, and Black Widow jumped at the sound of an Ironman suit slamming on the ground feet from them. It fell from the sky.

"There's one," Black Widow shrugged.

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Professor Xavier felt his wheelchair shake. He looked around, seeing the guns rip out of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents' hands.

"I've come for my daughter."

Magento landed on the ground, his mere presence sent everyone on guard. Feeling thoughts inside your head could be a curse for a telepath, especially the world's most powerful one. However, in that moment, he was happy. Erik had come to his senses.

"My daughter," Magneto said to Captain America who came to Wanda's defense throughout the entire ordeal. The good captain only wanted to help his friend, but he was hesitant to let her father past. "You did a great service to your country, my boy. And I appreciate what you did for numerous others in Europe, but you are no match for me. Step aside."

"Rogers, do as he requests," Xavier ordered.

Captain America complied, leaving Magento to tend to his children.

"You cannot take her," Agent Hill said. She walked forward, face placid and unafraid. She wasn't as intense as Fury, but she wasn't going to back down without a fight.

Magento was not amused. He waved his arm, and several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were thrown to the ground, Hill included. Then, he took further control of their weapons, setting them in a firing position.

"Erik!"

"Hold your tongue, Charles," Magento fussed. "Stop protecting them."

"This isn't about them. This is about your daughter."

Xavier eyed him. Magneto was still the stubborn soul who wanted what was best for mutantkind. However, his approach separated the two of them from truly achieving their goals. Every action had a counter action, and sometimes the counter action was worse. The Scarlet Witch's situation posed a problem for everyone, but Magneto didn't need to add fuel to the fire.

Magento held his gaze with him, and Xavier didn't blink. Xavier didn't need to speak telepathically to let his friend know what the right thing to do was. Magneto fanned out his fingers, breaking the weapons into pieces before dropping everything to the ground.

No one stopped Magneto from approaching his children. Pietro held Wanda in his arms, while Lorna looked up to him, questioning in her mind where he had been all these months. He was never dead; he was distant. He was always distant from his children.

"Come with me, my children," Magento extended his hand. "Come away from this chaos."

Pietro stood up, unafraid of his father, but loathing him all the same. Xavier could read the young mutant's mind. It was fragile and searching for hope. He just wanted what was best for his sister.

"Pietro," Xavier called to him.

Pietro glanced over his shoulder. "Family first, Professor."

Xavier could easily have stopped him, but it wasn't his way. Everyone deserved to think for themselves. This was Pietro's decision.

Pietro held Wanda, and they joined their father's side. Magento turned his attention to Lorna.

But Lorna shook her head, looking down at the ground. "I'm sorry. I cannot join you at this time."

Magento could have punished her, but she was the favorite. "Of course. Stay in your schooling for now."

"Erik, you know the consequences of these actions," Professor Xavier reminded him.

Magento only smirked. Though his thoughts were shield by his helmet, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. "I feel a great swell of pity for the poor fool who comes to that comes to my island looking for troublei."

That was exactly what Xavier was afraid of.

A metal sphere surround Magento, Pietro, and Wanda, and it whisked them away. Only Xavier knew where.

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"Did I just see what I t'ink I saw?" Gambit asked Storm.

Gambit and Storm were miles away from the city, monitoring the situation from the control center in the X-mansion. The screens before them were filled with images: some from working body cams and others from news reports.

The figure reaching out his hand was one they knew well, but wasn't he dead? Yet, there he was—in the flesh and bending metal to his will. Polaris was capable of such things, but not nearly as precise. The sight of the sphere confirmed everything.

It was Magento.

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Polaris closed her eyes. Her father was alive, and he left her. Sure, she could have gone with him, but he left her. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"You alright, kid?"

"I'm not a kid," Polaris replied. She opened her eyes to see Captain America. He was one of the few Avengers she met face to face. He spoke with a kind voice, one that grabbed your attention and earned your respect.

"My apologies," Captain America replied.

"Professor Xavier, I need answers," Agent Hill demanded. "What was Magneto doing here?

"I called him," Xavier replied. "Wanda and Pietro are his children. They need him as much as he needs them."

"That's not a good enough answer," Agent Hill steamed.

Polaris watched as she argued with Xavier. The professor could have easily silenced her and sent her on her way, but instead, he listened. They all listened.

"You have any idea where he took her?" Captain America asked.

Professor Xavier held a placid face when he replied, "No." He folded his hands together. It was the last thing Agent Hill or anyone else asked him.

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Rogue and Nightcrawler stared at the Ironman suit sparking on the roof. Magento's presence disturbed them, but they were ordered to stand down and trust Professor Xavier's judgment. When he disappeared from sight, they were left with the remanence of his path. It could have been worse, had anyone resisted.

Agent Coulson joined everyone on the rooftop. His eyes darted around, gathering the surroundings. He spoke to them briefly, having agents record their discussions for further review. They agreed it was necessary to take Mystique into custody. If not, then Gambit interrogated Sabretooth for nothing.

Rogue and Nightcrawler were compliant, as Xavier instructed, but it was clear Logan didn't get the memo.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Logan demanded as the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents cuffed Mystique to her gurney.

"This mutant is a wanted criminal," one agent informed him. "She is to be taken in and questioned."

Logan extended his claws. While the agents kept their distance, they also raised their guns. He stood in front of Mystique willing to protect her.

"Vhat is the meaning of zhis?" Nightcrawler asked. He knew his friend better than anyone. This scene wouldn't end well. "Logan, stand down."

Agent Coulson stepped forward. "I have orders from Fury to bring her in."

"I don't give a shit what Fury says," Logan argued. "She did nothing wrong. She was trying to help you."

"She didn't exactly go through the proper channels," Agent Coulson reminded him. "She is also wanted for killing Senator Creed, among others."

"Logan." Rogue added, "They have the right to take her in. "

Logan growled.

"Logan, stand down. Let them take me."

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Cyclops smirked. Seeing one a Stark's little toys sparking on the ground was humorous to him. While the Avengers were a well-respected super "hero" team, they relied more on gadgets to assist them. The X-men, on the other hand, replied on powers, though Beast tried to integrate more technology in other areas.

"Tony, stop whining," Black Widow said. "This doesn't make a dent in your little stash."

"What did Pepper tell you?"

"We had girl talk," Black Widow smirked. "Your ADHD came up a few times."

"I don't have ADHD. I just like to be prepared," Iron Man argued.

Cyclops held White Queen's hand brush his. Suddenly, he was aware they were the only X-men there. While others were making their way back to what was once the tower, they lingered behind, listening to Stark complain.

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"Logan, stand down. Let them take me," Mystique sat up. She head was foggy, a combination of things that had happened to her didn't help. She widened her eyes and focused, finding it hard. She just wanted to sleep, but she was out of the nightmare. They were there. Her family was there.

Logan looked over his shoulder. There was a glare in his eye that let her know he was willing to fight for her. It wasn't an act of love; she was sure of it. However, it was an act of trust.

"Logan…James," she said. The second name gave her the reaction she wanted. He retracted his claws for her. He knew that she knew more about his past than anyone could ever imagine, but it didn't mean it was something he was ready to hear.

"Your call, Darlin'," Logan said. He stepped aside as Agent Coulson cuffed her and read her rights. She deserved to be in this position. God knows she committed many sins. He forgave her, or that's what Kurt would probably lecture her. However, that didn't mean her children felt the same way.

Agent Coulson turned to Kurt, Rogue, and Logan. "If you need speak to her, do so now. A transport will be on its way to pick her up in 15 minutes."

"You're not worried about her escaping?" Nightcrawler asked.

"No," he replied. "Those cuffs can hold Loki, so if he couldn't escape them, then neither can she."

Mystique stared at them, waiting eagerly for them to speak up.

"I zhink you owe us an explanation, Mutter," Nightcrawler said. He stood at the foot of the gurney, his eyes glowing yellow. He looked so much like her it wasn't funny.

Mystique sighed. She felt like a stubborn teenager who got caught sneaking back in the house. "I'm not going to pretend any of you care what I have to say. Only know that I've done everything to save you from becoming extinct."

"Extinct?" Logan raised an eyebrow. He pulled out a cigar and started smoking it, despite warning not to.

"Extinct…no more to be exact," Mystique replied. "I saw those words in one of the diaries."

"You are in possession of one of Destiny's Diaries?" Agent Coulson questioned.

Mystique smirked. She knew she had leverage. "I was. I memorized all the pages and burned the book. I know what could happen if you let the Scarlet Witch live. You need me."

"I see, and now you are willing to bargain," Agent Coulson replied.

"Of course."

"Mutter, vhy didn't you just come to us if you knew zhis information?" Nightcrawler asked.

"Why would you believe me?" Mystique replied. "Honestly Kurt, you think I trust you any more than you trust me."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Why are we wasting our time talking to her? She's just playing us like she usually does."

"I'm not playing a game, Rogue," Mystique defended. "Besides, why would I want the diaries in Xavier's hands?"

"How many more diaries are out there?" Agent Coulson asked.

"Maybe nine or ten. I'm not really sure," Mystique shrugged. "It's not like you'll find them."

"I'm not listening to this," Rogue replied. "Like she said, it's not like she trusts us." She stepped away, causing Logan to follow her.

Mystique's smirked faded. She could hold a tough exterior, but the anger that radiated from her daughter broke her heart.

Nightcrawler folded his arms. He was more mature to handle her than Rogue was. "You have to excuse Rogue. She's been struggling vith her power lately. Between zhat and you setting Gambit up to interrogate Sabretooth, she had a rough veek."

"That thief is not good enough for her."

"Perhaps, but zhat's not your call to make," Nightcrawler replied. "Besides, I met some of the men you've dated, Mutter."

Mystique leaned back on the gurney. She was bored with the conversation. Why did her son have to be so right?

"The diaries?" Coulson reminded her.

"I don't know where they are," Mystique replied. "Irene hid most of them from me." She turned away. She didn't want to look at anyone anymore. She just wanted to be alone, but she listened to her son speak to the agent.

"I believe her, Agent Coulson. If zhere vere anymore diaries, Mystique vould have destroyed zhem. Rogue has one of zhe diaries. Agent Hill has pictures of vhat is left of it. You can confirm zhis vith Fury if needs be. I suspect any more diaries vould be in Mississippi in Irene Adler's estate, but to my knowledge, zhe estate has been settled."

"Thank you for your cooperation. If you'll excuse me, I have to make some calls."

Mystique didn't hear him step away. He lingered for a while longer before he spoke again.

"Mutter, I am not going to pretend I understand vhy you do zhe things the vay you do, but know zhis…Vhatever happens to you, I am here for you…and Rogue, vell she loves you, but she needs to heal vhatever is plaguing her heart."

She felt this hand on the edge of the gurney. She refused to turn to him. She refused to let him see her as vulnerable.

"As for you Mutter, I'll pray for you."

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"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Logan grabbed her wrist before she could fly off. Rogue was good at running away when there was a problem. She shut down, emotionally and mentally. They all saw it, even Remy, but it was hard to get her to understand what toll she took on herself.

"Let me go, Logan. Unless you want to be airborne," Rogue replied. She flew above enough to keep his feet from touching the ground. She could pry off his grip if she really wanted to.

"You make me drop my cigar and that's your ass."

Rogue stared at him with her emerald eyes glittering and firmly replied, "You're not my father, Logan."

"Never said I was."

She hovered for a minute, and then she lowered to the ground. She wanted to punch him; he could tell by the way she stared at him. "Why are you defending her? You know what she's done." She folded her arms. She had sass; he gave her that.

Logan exhaled a breath of smoke. "Yeah, I do. She does, too."

"So why?"

"I don't' know, Rogue. I can't explain it to you," Logan replied. He felt like he was listening to one of the teenagers in the mansion, giving him an explanation of why they did something stupid. Only now, the words were coming out of his mouth. "I have a feeling. There is more going on here than we all realize."

Rogue dropped her arms. She was less defensive now. "The diaries?' she whispered, but he could hear her.

He nodded and took another puff. By then, Agent Coulson had walked away from Nightcrawler and was making some phone calls. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were preparing for transporter for Mystique. The rooftop was noisy and busy.

"Rogue, you're a smart young woman. I get that you are mad at Mystique for all the lies and shit she's done." Logan sighed. He'd been around to many nice people with hearts of gold. Damnit Ororo and Kurt. "But don't live with something you're going to regret."

Rogue looked down, but she didn't move. She just slid her foot across the floor, making designs like a kid who didn't want to listen.

Logan went to say more, but Nightcrawler had joined them.

"She's taken a vow of silence for now," Nightcrawler replied. He looked at him, then to Rogue, and back to him again. "I missing somezhing?"

"Nothing, Kurt. Nothing at all."

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"Professor Xavier, are you alright? We saw Magneto in the distance," Cyclops said. The younger mutant was on guard and vigilante of his surroundings. Like the others, he came back to what was once the base of the tower.

"I'm quite alright, Cyclops," Xavier assured him, but it did little to ease their fears. One by one, his X-men would be interviewed by the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Cooperate. Tell them the truth. Though, he himself held something back.

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Before the craft came to take Mystique away, Logan walked over to Mystique.

"How you doing, Darlin'?"

She didn't acknowledge him, but she was aware he was there.

"Elf said you were playing the silence game."

Again, she didn't say a word.

"Okay. I guess I'll do the talking. I got a question for you…Are you trying to tempt fate?"

Raven sighed as he took another swig of whisky. "Are you trying to tempt fate, James?"

"Why would I do that?" Logan replied, slamming the empty glass on the bar. There were times he wished he could get drunk—shitfaced drunk—just so he knew what it felt like.

She placed her hand on his. Her ring finger was bare. She was free…or something like that. "We leave in the morning. I can't have you smelling like a liquor store."

"Bartender." He ignored her comment. "Another round."

She caught the glass that slid across the bar.

"Raven."

"James."

She stared at him but backed down. He picked up the glass and drank it. She continued to stare, but this time she was pissed.

"What?" Logan shrugged. "It's like drinking water for me. You know that."

"James, this mission is important."

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I get it. Some island with people like us," Logan replied. He looked her over. It had been a few weeks since Victor left her, but he still hadn't made the final move. He liked the disguise she morphed into when they went out for drinks. She kept her red hair, and let it long, draped over her shoulders and halfway down her back. "How'd the hell the U.N. kept something like that hidden for so long?"

"I heard rumors of it," Raven shrugged. "It was more of a fantasy island than a reality."

Logan grunted. An island full of mutants…yeah right. Perhaps, that was the reason he was going on this mission. He had to see it for himself.

Mystique rolled over and stared at him. "How'd you remember that?"

Logan shrugged. "I've been working with Xavier. Every now and then, I remember something. Sometimes, I want to remember things, and then other times…hell, I question who the hell was I."

"We never made it to that mission."

"We didn't?"

Mystique sat up as Agent Coulson walked in the room. Her eyes fixated on him as the other agents surrounded her. She could have fought them and gave them hell, but she didn't. She let them take her away.

Logan pulled out another cigar and lit the end of it. He ignored the agent that told him he couldn't smoke that. He just wondered…wondered what would have happened to them if they made it to that mission.

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Hours later…Night fell in the city

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Polaris shaped metal wiring from the tower that fell into a smooth bench. She sat on it, helpless to the discussions going on.

By now, most of the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, Avengers, and X-men were back at the tower. Damage control was on the scene, and nosey news reporters like Beast's ex-girlfriend were trying to get interviews.

Professor Xavier, once again, explained why it was best for Magento to take Wanda. Agent Hill wasn't as easily convinced, and Fury was furious, but still on the way back from Raft prison.

"Hey."

Polaris looked up, seeing Havok standing there.

"Mind if I join you?"

"No."

She scooted over, allowing him to sit next to her. He was covered in dust from the tower; he had been helping people when it fell. However, he was a welcomed sight. She felt so alone when Magento left, like perhaps she disappointed him somehow.

"I heard about Magento," Havok said. "I'm sorry I wasn't here."

"It's not your fault," Polaris replied. "I kinda knew he was alive. I just…I think maybe I should have went with him."

"Oh."

"I feel a little guilty now thinking about it," Polaris said. She turned to him. She wanted to cry, but she held back the tears. "Does that make me a bad person?"

"No, it doesn't. It just means you care," Havok smirked. He seemed disappointed by the fact she would want to go. "Magento is father, and Pietro and Wanda are your siblings. There's nothing wrong with wanted to be with your family, no matter who they are."

Polaris nodded. Havok wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. She leaned her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence, waiting to return home.

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Captain America looked at the images again on the table. Beast was a loyal friend, and the X-men were willing to cooperate to an extent. He just couldn't get over the images of the boys. They weren't supposed to exist.

"Something is on your mind, Rogers," Dr. Strange said.

"Just look at this."

Dr. Strange took the tablet and swiped the screen, revealing each image the X-men took from their drone. "They are fascinating."

"They're gone," Captain America said as he looked around. "Both boys are gone."

"They didn't exist," Dr. Strange replied. "They were just figments of imagination."

"I saw them…when you and Xavier were preparing, I saw them. They saw me…" he shook his head.

"Wanda saw you."

"No, they were real. They were there and they were real," he insisted.

Dr. Strange glanced around. He was skilled in levels of magic, ones that he could never share with others. Like most people he met, Dr. Strange was a man who held back how powerful he was.

"I know what I saw," Captain America replied. "I just spent an hour and half explaining what I saw…and I have no proof."

Dr. Strange handed the tablet back to him. "Maybe you don't. But if they are as real as you think they are, then perhaps we should all be afraid."

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Remy pushed his food around on his plate, as did half the student body. The cafeteria was half empty. Night had fell, and dinner was served, yet no one was really hungry. He could have watched the Saints game with some of the students. It would be a great way to get his mind off of everything, but he wasn't into it.

The students had asked him and Ororo numerous questions since they emerged without their X-suits on. Simple explanations were the best, but they didn't offer much comfort. Even he felt still in the dark about what happened.

The Avenger Tower had fell, and Trish Tilby announced it was Hawkeye who died earlier in the day. A few of the students cried on Ororo's shoulder, and she did her best to comfort them. Rogue and the X-men still weren't back at the mansion, making things worse. His arm was back in the sling; he was useless to them.

Ororo stood next to him. "You need to eat something."

"I'm not hungry," Remy replied. "Besides, I haven't seen you take a bite either."

"I ate some fruit, but that is all my stomach can handle right now."

Remy couldn't argue with her. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas weren't appetizing the way Hannah cooked them. He could give the four-armed mutant a hard time, but he wasn't in the mood. Plus, she was already mad about his students making tacos to eat instead of her sloppy joes. He was surprised Ororo was is the cafeteria this long.

"How's T.J.?" Remy asked. He looked up to her. Like the students, she had been crying too. She was a mess, but she still looked beautiful. Ororo could kick your ass if you pissed her off, but she could also be the kindest soul you'd meet.

"She's okay, but keeps asking where Kurt is," Ororo replied. "Jubilee is still in our room with her and Clarice. There is just too much whispering down here for the littles ones. Kurt needs to talk to her about Wanda…I don't know we are going to handle this."

"Professor may have some ideas," Remy assured her. He glanced around the room. The students were all gossiping—they were always gossiping. The situation with Wanda made things worse. "Any word about them coming home?"

"The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents have be interrogating Logan for over an hour about his time in the tower. When I talked to Kurt, he wasn't sure how much longer it would last." Ororo patted him on the shoulder. "I'm going to eat in the rec room."

"Okay." Remy nodded and looked down at his food. He didn't want to eat, but he knew he had to. He didn't want Rogue to worry about him any more than she had too. He wanted to be there for her when she got home.

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Rogue paced around in the night. The rooftop was full of S.H.I.E.L.D agents asking questions. They took Mystique away hours ago, but Rogue never said goodbye. She let Nightcrawler and Logan do that for her.

But she felt guilty now that she was gone. She hated when Nightcrawler and Logan were right. One being right was bad enough, but both of them. She sighed.

"Rogue, I need to speak to you for a moment," Agent Coulson said.

She complied and followed him to a small tent; the same one he spoke to Nightcrawler and Logan in earlier.

"What is this about?"

"Right now, I prefer to be the one asking questions."

"Then ask."

"Very well, can you describe what you encountered in the tower?"

"Yes," Rogue replied. She gave them the details she had, but in the back of her mind, she was screaming.

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Beast was tired of the interviews with the press, especially Trish Tilby. She pushed him for the truth but wasn't satisfied he didn't know all the answers. She wanted to talk to the Avengers and other X-men, but Professor Xavier and S.H.I.E.L.D. were not going to budge. That fact could be a blessing and a curse.

"Thank you for your time, Beast," Trish Tilby said. "Back to you, Ted."

Trish lowered her mike, and her cameraman took a break. She was covered with dust but seemed to clear enough away from her face to still look beautiful. It drove him crazy.

He stepped away, only for her to call his name.

"Hank."

He paused, and for some reason, he let her approach him. "What do you want, Trish?"

"I want to talk to you off the record."

"You know I cannot do that."

"Hank, the people deserve to know what went on here today."

"I am well aware," Beast replied. "But you don't understand the ramifications it could have on us…on mutants and humans."

"I'm not trying to be the enemy here, Hank," Trish replied. "I'm just trying to do my job."

"You're always just trying to do your job."

"Funny, you're one to talk."

"Bye Trish. Take care of yourself out here."

Beast walked away. He could have ended things better, but he was too angry or afraid.

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Late that night…

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Cyclops and Nightcrawler guided the X-men home after the mission. The quietness in the jet frightened Cyclops. His team looked broken. Each one dealt with the tower in a different way. He wasn't the comforting type; that was more of Jean's thing. He felt like a man of stone. Had Jean's death hardened him even more?

While in the city, he had spent most of the time with Emma Frost. Her presence calmed him, but like Jean, she was a telepath too. Perhaps she read his mind and his comfort was artificial, but his head knew now that it wasn't.

He was mutant, but human—he could feel emotions like everyone else. His head was swimming.

Right now, he just wanted to be home like the rest of his team.

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Remy waited for Rogue as the X-men disembarked the jet and showered in locker room. She had changed into a baggy pair of sweats before she greeted him. Bags were under her eyes; she'd been crying. He felt helpless there. He should have been there on the mission, standing beside her to support her. Instead, she had to face her demons alone.

When she greeted him, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I missed you."

"Ya had me worried, Cheré," he replied, wrapping his good arm around her waist. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said.

They walked hand and hand to their room in silence. They both climbed in bed. He lay on his back, and she snuggled on his left side. He held her, and she held him.

He didn't fall asleep right away, but she did, so he stared up at the ceiling, letting his mind race. He gave Ororo a lot of credit for seeing something more to him than just a thief, but the truth is, Ororo's opinion wasn't the one that really mattered. Rogue believed in him more than anyone he met. She didn't try to use him or manipulate him. She encouraged him and helped him. She supported him when he needed support. She was his partner—his better half.

He took a deep breath; she nuzzled closer to him, and he kissed the top of her head.

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Beast walked down the hallway to his room. The students in his hall were mostly asleep. Two had peeked their heads out their doors to wave at him.

He needed another shower. The dust from the tower settled deep in his fir, making him feel dirty.

He thought about seeing Trish Tilby that night. He was cold to her, but she was pushy. Why didn't things between them last? She was a good person but too dedicated to her job. Yet, wasn't he the same way? He needed a Twinkie.

The door to his room looked foreign. He had spent so many nights in the lab, his classroom, or his office. He had trouble sleeping, so he just slept wherever his head dropped.

He opened the door and flipped on the lights, shaking his head at the tower of Twinkie boxes Remy had made in his room. Had his heartache for Trish been that obvious?

XXXXXXXXX

Bobby looked at his cell phone as he walked with Kitty to her room.

"You've been really quiet, Bobby," Kitty said. Like him, she didn't feel like herself. Her early morning adventures with Rogue at the university turned into an ordeal with the X-men at Avenger Tower. A normal day was a stretch.

"Jean-Paul texted me a few times today," Bobby shrugged. "It's no biggie. He just wants to see if we are alright."

"Okay, like that's believable," Kitty rolled her eyes. The conversation brought her attention away from the day. "You know he like texts all kinds of stuff to Rogue, and I was hanging with her before lunch."

"I know, but…you really think he said something to Rogue?" Bobby paused. His eyes widened. He was afraid, though she didn't understand why.

"Come on, Bobby. It's not a big deal," Kitty replied. "We all kinda know you and J.P. have been maybe more than friends."

"It is a big deal, Kitty. I don't know what I want, and just look at me," Bobby explained. He was still in a solid ice form and had been that way for months. He worked with Professor Xavier and Hank, but he'd made little progress. "My parents already reject me because I'm a mutant; I can't go to school like a normal college student. I just…I want to feel normal again."

"You are normal, Bobby," Kitty reminded him, but it did little to conform him. "Besides, who cares what anyone else thinks?"

"I care," Bobby replied. "And J.P. and I are friends…he asked me out when he was here. I told him I had to think about it."

"You think too much."

"Gee, thanks."

"Good night, Bobby," Kitty said, kissing him on the cheek. "Get some rest. See you in the morning."

XXXXXXXXX

"Vati," Kurt lifted Talia Josephine in his arms, and she kissed his cheeks. "I missed you. You go helping people?"

"Somezhing like zhat," Kurt kissed her. "Have you been good vhile I'm been away?"

"Ja." She nodded, but her little smirked hinted some mischief. "I be good. Clarice too."

"I'm very proud of you. Now, it's time for you to get in bed," Kurt said, carrying her to her room. Clarice was already asleep in the bed. He tucked Talia Josephine in next to her. "Good night, T.J."

He walked to the door and shut off the light.

"Vati?"

"Ja, T.J.?"

"You stay home now?"

Kurt nodded, though his heart ached. "Ja, I'm staying home for a while."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Gute Nacht."

Kurt greeted Ororo again; his eyes watered as he sat on the edge of their bed. "Vhat am I supposed to say to her, Ororo? She's five; she doesn't understand this."

Ororo sat next to him; her hand took his. "I think she knows more than you give her credit."

"She's too smart sometimes," Kurt replied.

He thought about what he needed to do to protect his family. He thought of Ororo and the baby. He thought about Wanda; she wasn't fit to have any custody of Talia. He thought about his daughter and how she didn't deserve this. He thought about Clint lying in some morgue. He thought about Mystique giving hell to S.H.I.E.L.D. He thought about Rogue and her fears. He thought of Logan and the past.

He thought of everyone but himself.

XXXXXXXXX

Alex walked Lorna to her door. She was afraid. He listened to her describe what had happened, but even he was speechless. He didn't know how to comfort her, but he didn't want to walk away like everyone else had.

Lorna opened the door to her room, and Alex held her hand. She paused in her step. "Alex, I…"

"I know…I'm here if you need me."

"I know," Lorna nodded, looking at him. "It just feels like my head is spinning. I just want to lay down and clear my head."

Alex kissed her on the cheek. "I know. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

Lorna nodded, and he walked towards his room. He wondered how long she watched as he walked away. He wondered why he didn't turn around to go back to her.

XXXXXXXXX

Steve Rogers sat on the edge of his bed in the upstate Avengers facility. He liked being in the tower, but that was not an option. There was tension with the other Avengers. Everyone dealt with grief in a different way. Tony Stark was being particularly difficult. He didn't want to deal with anyone at the moment, but when Natasha Romanoff knocked on the door, he answered.

"How are you going, Steve?" she asked. She'd been crying over Clint's death. Out of all the Avengers, they were the closest. Clint's faith in her lead her on a new path in life.

"I don't know," Steve said, letting her step in. "I just keep thinking this is my fault."

"Your fault?"

"I saw the signs, but I didn't react fast enough," Steve said, running his fingers through his hair. His head pounded.

"Steve, this wasn't your fault," Natasha reminded him. "What happened to Clint…you cannot protect everyone."

"They were so happy…Wanda and Clint," Steve explained. "They were close to each other. Last night, they were eating dinner together and I thought how great it was to see people happy. Our lives…"

"Don't make it easy," Natasha smirked. She understood.

"I never thought Wanda would do this."

"None of us did, Steve," Natasha said. "I still cannot believe that Clint is gone and that Wanda is responsible for his death…and not just his death, but Scott and Vision and Agatha….this feels like a nightmare."

Steve wrapped an arm around her. He let her cry, and he shed some tears too. They thought of all the good memories they had of Clint.

XXXXXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shortly after their arrival in Genosha, Pietro tucked Wanda in a bed in one of the bedrooms their father had directed him to. She looked so innocent in her sleeping form, but the news painted a different picture.

"You need to get some rest, son," his father said.

Pietro pinched his brow. The world slowed down for him, allowing him to dwell on all his faults. He should have been there in the tower. He should have been there for her. He could have stopped it all before it got to this point.

"Pietro."

Magento's voice unnerved him. He didn't sound like a father; he sounded like a dictator. His father was never the fatherly type. He was never around when they were kids. He entered their lives at a time that was convenient for him…for his cause. He wondered how much his father really knew about them. The only important thing seemed to be that they were mutants.

"Pietro, if you are going to stay in here, I suggest you get some rest," Magento said. He tossed him a blanket and pillow from the closet. "You cannot care for her if you will not care for yourself."

"Fine."

"If you are hungry, you can call the kitchen, and one of the cooks will bring you something. There are limited operations on the island, but the kitchen staff is always available. Now, if you'd excuse me, I have business to attend to," Magento said. He handed him a number.

When Magneto left, he didn't move a finger. The door opened and closed for him. Pietro was left alone with Wanda. The only thing he could hear was her heavy breathing—nightmares…

XXXXXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

Xavier slid out of his wheelchair and into bed. He lay his head on his pillow. His mutant powers were just as much of a gift as they were a curse.

They say the Scarlet Witch killed four Avengers.

I'm scared.

So am I.

What if I hadn't gone to that tower?

Why didn't we warn them in time?

I wanted to be an X-men.

Isn't it dangerous?

I just want to be normal.

I love you.

How am I supposed to tell T.J. about her mom?

Damnit Mystique!

Is it wrong for me to like her?

Charles….

Xavier took a deep breath. There were just some things that were out of his control.

XXXXXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXX

Magneto closed the door behind him. He left them alone in the room. Wanda was asleep; Peitro couldn't sleep. He was close to them, but so far away.

He had failed them on so many occasions, but this time felt different.

"Magento."

He glanced in the direction of the voice. "What is it, Toad?"

"We need you to help frame the school, so the children have a safe place to stay and play," Toad reminded him.

A school. Today he was supposed to start the framework for the Genoshan school. "Of course," he replied. "I'll be out there in a minute."

Toad didn't argue with him.

Magento looked at the end of the hallway to the room where his children would stay.

Charles, I need your help…

XMENXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXMENXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

i This is a rephrasing of Xavier's line at the end of X-men.