True Lies Chapter 23, a x-men: the movie fanfic

True Lies

Chapter 23: 21 Years Ago…

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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Friday

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21 years ago…

The voices poured in his head throughout the day. The only time he could really escape them was to sleep.

It wasn't that he didn't have control over his power. No, that was not the case. It was the fact that tensions were high on the island. Then negotiations with the U.N. were not going in their favor. Mutants were at the mercy of the world.

That's why he was on Genosha.

He climbed into bed for the night sometime around eleven. The voices were quiet then. He could relax, have his own personal space, and drift to sleep.

"Charles!"

He jumped when the hand touched his shoulder.

"Erik, what are you doing here?" Charles looked to his clock. It was one in the morning. "Do you know what time it is?

Erik was close to his age, but his life experiences made him into a man with an impeccable power. They had the same vision for mutants, but the path wasn't something they agreed on.

"I can feel them, Charles. Get out of bed."

Erik had half dragged him to the floor. When Charles found his footing, he followed Erik outside.

The sky was full of starts, but lights flashed in the distance.

"Those are airplanes," Erik said. Charles could feel his fear and anger…and rage. "I don't know if I can stop all of them. Everyone needs to be evacuated."

Charles closed his eyes and concentrated. He called to them—all those he could reach.

Erik struggled with the planes, directing all he could off courses. There were just too many. Too many.

That's when they fell.

He could hear the sirens.

Professor Xavier jumped at the sound of the telephone. He looked around his study. He'd only been asleep for a few minutes. "Hello," he said, picking up the phone.

He wasn't the only one who had a nightmare.

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"Vhy do I have to vear black?" Talia asked as Ororo dressed her for the funeral. Clarice had already left to spend "girl time" with Jubilee.

It had a been an unusually long day of school, even though classes ended at noon. The entire week took a lot out of the faculty, staff, and students at Xavier's School for Gifted Children. The funeral for Clint Barton seemed to close out the school week in a somber mood.

She and Kurt decided to take Talia with them to the funeral, though they both knew it wasn't going to be easy. Kurt felt it was only fitting to allow Talia there because Clint did so much for her during Wanda's weekends.

Explaining death to Talia was even harder than explaining why her mother couldn't see her. Wanda was mentally ill, but she was alive. Clint didn't have the same luxury.

"Did Herr Clint fly up to heaven to be with God?" Talia asked.

Ororo looked to Kurt, who straightened his collar.

"Ja," Kurt replied.

She knew that death was a part of life, but Clint didn't deserve to be taken so soon. While she and Kurt volunteered to go to the funeral, she had her doubts. Professor Xavier was going with them, and they would join Hank there. Professor X felt less was more. Besides, Tony Stark planned to televise the funeral.

"Are ve ready?" Kurt asked.

Ororo sighed. "Yes."

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Steve Rogers looked around at the camera crews setting up for Clint's funeral. He remembered a simpler time when men were honored for their service. Televising the funeral felt like a three-ring circus.

Teammates and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents had gathered together at the new Avenger facility that was upstate. Personally, Steve liked the tower. He liked being in the middle of life. Sure, the city was noisy and crowded, but it was honest. The city wasn't delicate and tried to spare your feelings. It chewed you up and spit you out, but it also took care of you. You were never alone in the city.

"Hadn't seen you in a few days," Natasha said, as she walked up beside him. Like him, she didn't seem to enjoy the spectacle Tony Stark created. "How you holding up, soldier?"

"I'm surprised I'm standing," Steve replied. "Clint would hate this."

"He would," Natasha agreed. "I've walked around this place twice and keep thinking of all the things Clint would use as target practice to get under Tony's skin."

Steve smirked for the first time in almost a week. "Speaking of Tony. Where is he?"

He turned, seeing that the X-men had arrived. Usually, Hank McCoy and Professor Xavier would attend the funerals out of respect, but this time, they brought others.

Steve recognized Kurt Wagner and Ororo Munroe instantly. Both had their own relationship with the Avengers. Kurt was Wanda's ex. He was mutant she hooked up with during her time away from the Avengers—time where she was healing from the loss of her imaginary children. Steve met Kurt a few times, but he didn't know him well. His demon-like appearance didn't fit his personality. Kurt was a nice man; he was also the father of Wanda's daughter, Talia Josephine.

"I was wondering if the X-men would show up," Natasha said. Like him, she didn't know all the X-men. Afterall, there were so many, and they like liked their privacy, staying out of the spotlight as much as possible to protect the school. "They brought Talia. I'm surprised."

"And so's Tony."

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Talia looked around the room. Everyone was taller than her because they were grownups. She was sure that was the reason, but it didn't mean she wanted to eat broccoli and spinach to help her grow like Vati told her.

Her vati held her hand tight as everyone's eyes were on them. They were mutants. Professor Xavier said that was what made them different, but it didn't mean something was wrong with them. Different meant a lot of things, but Talia didn't want to keep up with all the definitions.

"You have nerve showing up here."

Herr Stark had his sunglasses on, even though they were inside. The ice in his empty glass rattled as he swayed.

"Ve're here to pay our respects," her vati informed Herr Stark. "Talia knew Clint vell."

Herr Stark stooped down. His breath smelled like bad drinks when he spoke to her. "So you're Wanda's daughter. You actually look real."

Talia didn't like the way he looked at her. She cowered behind Ororo's skirt.

"That's enough, Tony."

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Logan took a sip of his beer. He stared at the television in the bar. Even Harry was interested in watching Clint Barton's funeral.

"Do you really want to watch this?"

"Yeah, I want to watch it."

Logan grunted.

"I see you not a funeral-going-kind-of-guy."

Logan turned in the direction of the voice. Nick Fury sat on a stool next to him and ordered a beer. He never took a sip; he just held it in his hand.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk," Fury replied. He handed Logan a beer and walked across the bar. Logan didn't want to follow him, but when Nick Fury shows up, you'd better hear what he had to say.

Logan sat across from him at a table in the corner. He took a sip of the beer before he replied. "I guess you're not into going to funerals either."

"Like you, I've attended enough in my lifetime."

"Why are you here, Fury?"

"I came to talk to you about Mystique."

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"That's enough Tony."

Herr Tony turned to Onkel Cap and Tante Nat. She liked her Onkel Cap the best. He was always nice to her and talked to her about when he met her mutti. She missed Mutti.

"Enough of what? Isn't that why we are here?" The empty glass crashed to the floor as Herr Tony whined like a baby. "Haven't enough…I have guests to attend to."

Herr Tony staggered off, and Ms. Pepper scolded him before he talked to people with cameras.

Her mutti said Herr Tony could put on a scene, but Talia knew her vati could out do his performance. Her vati was an actor.

"I'm sorry for Tony's behavior," Onkel Cap said and held out his hand. "I don't think we've formally met. I'm Steve Rogers, and this is Natasha Romanoff."

Talia peaked out from Ororo skirt and watched Vati accept Onkel Cap's hand.

"It is nice to meet you. I'm Kurt Wagner," her vati said, shaking Onkel Cap's hand and then Tante Nat's. "If I'm not mistaken, you both know my vife, Ororo Munroe."

"It's nice to meet you, Kurt, and see you again, Ororo," Onkel Cap replied. He crouched down to her level. "It's nice to see you too, Talia."

Talia smiled and came out from hiding, wrapping her arms around her Onkel Cap's neck. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Onkel Cap said. He stood up, holding her in his arms. "Did you get bigger?"

Talia shook her head. "I'm growing."

"We didn't mean to offend anyone," Ms. Ororo said to Onkel Cap and Tante Nat.

Tante Nat tickled Talia. "You'll have to excuse Tony. He's not good at the grieving process."

"It is understandable, considering the circumstances," her vati replied. "Ve've come to pay our respects to Clint. He vas…very kind to my daughter."

"The students are also upset," Ororo added. "Clint interacted with a lot of the students when he came to pick up Talia. He even attended the open house during the beginning of the school year."

Talia stared at Onkel Cap. His eyes were watery, but he smiled.

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In the back of the truck, Magento's body swayed from the bumps on the road. He thought about Wanda in the room. She had damaged it, but thankful no one was there to get hurt…or witness it. He was able to lie about metal damage, blaming it on a headache he had. The Genoshans believed it; Toad didn't, but never say a word.

He looked at the high-rises as they approached the city. The buildings were tall, but half crumbing. Trips in the city for supplies required great caution. He was there to assist in case a building collapsed.

The city used to be beautiful. He remembered it quite well.

21 years ago…

Suzanne used to walk with him down the crowded streets. For few days, she acted strange, like she wanted to tell him something, but she was smiling so much she couldn't get the words out.

She was young, much younger than him, but he liked her strong spirit, even though she was human. She was one of the few that supported his cause—equal rights for mutants—but as a human, there was only so much she could understand.

What she told him one night scared him…so he sent her away. Now days later, he was alone on the rooftop of the apartment he and Charles Xavier stayed in.

A small fire flickered in a pail. One by one, he placed photos of Suzanne in the flame, watching them distort in the heat before turning to ash.

"Do I need to call the fire department?" Charles asked him.

He shook his head. "No…I'm fine."

"Why'd you send her away, Erik? I thought…"

"She was pregnant, Charles. What was I supposed to do?"

'It didn't mean you had to reject her. You hurt her, Erik. She loved you…I thought….I thought you felt the same."

"You read my mind again."

"I didn't have to," Charles challenged. He sighed and headed to bed.

Erik stared at the flame in the pail. He could hear her screaming, but he couldn't do anything to save her. They held his arms. They held his arms.

The pail bent and twisted, smothering the flame. It was safer with them away from him. They were in danger when with him. He didn't want to lose another. He couldn't lose another again.

He didn't know what time it was, nor he didn't care. His eyes were heavy, but when he looked up, he was wide awake. In the distance, lights twinkled, but they weren't stars. They were coming for them…

"Magento, we've arrived," Toad said, snapping him from his dreams. "We need to you check the building for stability before we get supplies.

"Of course," Magneto said, climbing out the truck bed he was in. He looked around at the ruins. His children were suffering…but perhaps, they were better off without him.

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Remy hung up his cell phone and sighed in relief. BellaDonna had signed the divorce papers; it was official. He wanted to celebrate, but it didn't seem appropriate.

He walked around the mansion. Most of the students were crowding around the televisions, waiting for the funeral to start. Rogue was on her way home from her classes.

Scott and Emma greeted him in the hallway and asked if he had seen Logan., but they already knew the answer. Logan was a Harry's, hoping one time his healing factor would fail so he could feel drunk.

"How's the arm?" Alex asked when he met him and Lorna in the rec room.

"Better," Remy replied. His arm still hurt from his encounter with Creed, but not as much as the guilt he felt for putting Rogue through everything. He wondered what if he agreed to Creed's terms sooner. Would Rogue have found out about Paris? Would Clint Barton be alive if the X-men had warned the Avengers sooner? Would it had mattered when he agreed to meet with Creed?

"You watching the funeral?" Alex asked, his arm around Lorna's waist.

"Probably, but right now, I'm just waiting for Rogue to get home," Remy replied.

On the television, Tony Stark's fake smile tried to convince the world that superhumans and mutants were humans too.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" Lorna asked, more to herself than anyone else.

Remy ignored the question. Tony Stark could be a lot of things. Listing them wasn't worth his time. "I'll see you two later."

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Through their travels from talking to everyone who walked up to them, the family made their way into a room filled with flowers. The rainbow of colors was happy, but the room didn't reflect the same. Even Talia knew that.

Talia looked around the room. Her vati and Ms. Ororo were talking to King T'challa, while Professor Xavier and Onkel Hank talked to Dr. Strange. She was bored. She recognized a lot of people in the room, but they were talking or crying; they weren't paying attention to her.

She slipped her hand from Ororo's grip.

"Talia, don't go too far," Ms. Ororo said. She was sweet when she talked, but she knew better than to disobey. She stayed near her father and stepmother but observed the flowers in the room. They were pretty. Her mutti liked flowers and often had them in her room when she visited the tower. Herr Clint brought them to her mutti, making her face turn red like her dress and her smile. Herr Clint's gifts always make her mutti happy.

But Herr Clint was sleeping in a box, and her vati said he was in heaven. Talia didn't understand how he could be in two places.

She walked up to the box and peeked in. Herr Clint lay on his back with his eyes closed. He didn't look like she remembered. Herr Clint liked to laugh and play games—he even let her win. He was tough and strong and liked to eat and do tricks. This Herr Clint—the box Herr Clint—looked sad.

"Talia, are you okay?" Professor Xavier asked.

She heard him in head, even though he was across the room. Her vati said that was Professor's gift, like his BAMF and Ms. Ororo lightning. She answered him. "Where is Herr Clint?"

"What do you mean, Talia?"

Talia looked in the box again. Herr Clint didn't look like the Herr Clint she knew.

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"Mystique?" Logan huffed. He couldn't believe he was in Harry's Bar with Nick Fury of all people. In the background, he heard reporters talking to an arrogant Tony Stark who boast about being equal and feeling pain just like everyone else in the world.

21 years ago…

Normally, he liked to be alone, but with Raven there, he wondered what if. They spent most of the evening drinking and talking, even though they had an early morning mission. An organization called S.H.I.E.L.D. contacted them about an island of mutants. It seemed too good to be true. If it was real, it could be an option for them to have a life…together…the idea crossed his mind. They would just have to succeed in their mission first.

"James, this isn't my place."

"I know. It's mine," Logan replied.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "You have something in mind?"

"What gave you that idea?"

"You're not very subtle, James," Raven replied.

He wrapped one arm around her waist and fiddled with the keys to get the door open. A night with her could be a big mistake. God forbid Creed ever found out, but it's not like they hadn't hooked up before. There were just something things they liked to leave in the past…or in Mexico.

The door unlocked, and he turned the knob. She wasted no time pushing them into the room. She kissed him; he responded. They both wanted each other, knowing the consequences of their actions could spell disaster, but neither cared. No lights. No worries. No one to answer to but themselves. He guided her towards his bedroom, kicking the crumpled jeans and shirts out of the way.

They fell on the bed, and he kissed her. The scent of cheap cologne burned his nose. He broke their embraces.

"James, what's wrong?"

He knew that scent. They weren't alone.

"James."

The lamp in the corner of the room turned on. It was enough to illuminating the face of the man sitting in the corner chair. He was foolish to be there, knowing what he and Mystique were capable of.

"Stryker."

"Does Victor know about this?" Stryker replied. He had a gun in his hand, and the front door of his apartment was bust open. "It's a good thing he is off on a mission halfway across the world."

"What do you want?" Raven asked. She didn't like to be threatened either, and she was ready to fight if needed.

"I heard something about the two of you and S.H.I.E.L.D. and a private contract."

"You don't own us, Stryker," Logan said. "Get out NOW!"

William Stryker smiled like a Cheshire cat and aimed his gun. The darts hit him and Mystique, causing them to stumble. Logan extended his bone claws; he blinked, but Stryker's image was out of focus. Mystique fell on the floor.

"Raven."

Logan felt another dart hit him in the neck.

"I do own you."

Everything went black.

'What about her?" Logan stared at Nick Fury, the agent that recruited him for a private contract years ago.

Fury folded his hands together. "Mystique keeps talking about an alternate reality."

'Mystique lives in an alternate reality." Logan leaned back in his seat. "Why do you believe anything she says?"

"I don't, but then again, everyday I encounter something new that rational thinking cannot explain," Fury replied. "Besides, I read your testimony about what happened in that tower. Pretty interesting shit. So how are you sleeping at night, Wolverine?"

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It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

Remy stared at the television screen. The Avengers lifted Clint's closed casket and walked down the aisle of the Avenger's hall to a room where people had seated. The cameras focused on the Avengers—the live ones—more than the ones who had died. Remy recognized the heroes: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, Falcon, Spiderman, and the Hulk.

We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

Kurt prayed silently in the pew. His fingers moved from bead to bead on the rosary. Ororo placed her hand on his; she sensed how uncomfortable he was being there. Death was always hard on the living. He sometimes questioned God why He would do the things He does. There had to be an answer to why good people—mutant or not—died so young. It was times like this he questioned his faith, but simple reminds from his family and friends let him know that God was listing and there for him.

Why'd you have to leave so soon?
Why'd you have to go?
Why'd you have to leave me when I needed you the most?

Steve Rogers walked to the front of the alter with his fellow Avengers. He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders; Clint's casket was just a stark reminder of how fragile life was, even for superheroes.

'Cause I don't really know how to tell ya
Without feeling much worse
I know you're in a better place
But it's always gonna hurt

Talia looked at the Avengers as they positioned the casket on the alter. They were all crying. She didn't understand why they were crying when her vati told her that Herr Clint was in heaven.

She looked up to her vati and Ms. Ororo. Ms. Ororo cried a lot lately, so that wasn't new. But she saw tears in her vati's eyes. Her vati didn't cry unless he was really sad.

Carry on
Give me all the strength I need to carry on

Professor Xavier felt their pain echoing in his head. They poured in like a deluge. He had the most powerful mind in the world, but he couldn't do anything to stop it. It was his blessing…his curse.

It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

Wanda stared out the broken window of the room. Genosha looked peaceful and quiet; her heart and head were another story.

"Mutter, where are you?"

"Mutter, we're here. Come find us."

We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

Pietro glanced at Wanda as she stared out the window. She was pale, and her eyes were swollen. He wondered if she knew he sped off to the funeral. He was gone for a few minutes and there for a few seconds. He saw Talia, her daughter, there.

He debated telling her.

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh

How do I breathe without you?
I'm feeling so cold
I'll be waiting right here for ya
'Til the day you're home

Dr. Strange sat in his chair in New York City, but he manifested his image across the astral plane. Death was never an easy thing for anyone. The Avengers lost four in three months. Death wasn't supposed to come so quickly.

Wanda was under his tutorage, but even he couldn't stop her before things got worse.

Carry on
Give me all the strength I need to carry on

Natasha Romanoff walked up to the podium. Like the rest her friends—her family—tears streamed down her cheeks. She looked out into the audience.

"I thought when I was finally standing up here, I would know what the say…but really, what is there to say when you lose someone you love?...

So let the light guide your way
Hold every memory as you go
And every road you take will always lead you home, home

"Hawkeye, Ronin, agent, thief, assassin, arrow guy, The Greatest Living Marksmen on the Planet," Natasha smirked at the last phrase as did the Avengers in the audience. "Clint Barton had many titles in his life, but I knew him as friend…

It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

"Like myself, Clint Barton started life on a darker path. He was a circus performer turned thief. He became the worst version of himself, until he heard a call. Captain America's recruitment changed Clint into the man we all knew and loved, and in turn for the hospitality shown to him, Clint returned the same to others…

We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

"When life was at its darkest for me, Clint made a choice. Instead of ending my life, he called me to inspire and help others. He was my best and closest friend…

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh

"But life doesn't end with his death. We all have choices to make in our lives. It is time to hear the call… the call to inspire and help others…that is the legacy that Clint wants for all of us…

When I see you again
See you again
When I see you again

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Rogue took Remy's free hand as she stood beside him. Like everyone else in the room, he had been hypnotized by the screen.

He kissed the top of her head. "My shoulder is bothering me. I'm going to lay down for a while."

Rogue followed him. The funeral was over, but something was bothering him—it wasn't just his shoulder.

"Remy, what's wrong?" she asked, walking with him to their room.

"What Romanoff said just got me thinkin' about things," he replied. A least he didn't lie to her about it. The Truth is that Romanoff's words affected her too. "It put a few things in perspective."

"Oh," Rogue took a deep breath. She wasn't sure how to respond to that. What did he mean perspective?

They paused in front of their room. He could read her like a book. She let him in more than anyone else in her life. He kissed the top of her head. "It's a good perspective, Cheré."

Rogue blushed. "That's good to know, Sugah."

Remy's smirk was devilish. "I'm going to relax and stretch out on the bed."

"I see."

"You want to join me?"

"I would, Sugah, but I thought I'd join the girls for a Ladies Only Danger Room session to clear my head," Rogue teased. "Do you mind? I could stay if you want."

"Non, Cheré, you have fun," Remy said. He kissed her delicately on the check. "I'll be here when you return."

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"We've salvaged everything from this building," Toad said as Magneto walked around, examining the contents of the trucks. Each one was full of supplies from toilet paper to nails and scrap metal. Whatever they needed to survive or to build, it was loaded to the brim on the trucks.

"Then mark it," Magneto replied.

Toad spray-painted an X on the side of the building. The X stared at him, triggering a memory from the past.

21 years ago…

They fell from the sky one by one. He could feel them in the atmosphere even before they landed, but what they were astounded him.

"Erik, what are those things?" Charles asked.

The city was in panic. Men, women, and children ran in the streets screaming as the jets flew overhead, their contents dropped like bombs but without the explosion.

"Machines."

"What do you mean, machines?"

One landed before them, stopping them from exiting the building. It stood three stories tall. Its purple body was massive. Then, its head turned, the yellow glowing eyes spotted them.

"Magneto."

"Toad, what do you want?" Magento demanded. He looked around at the mutant faces that paused to see what he was shouting about.

"It's time to go back to base camp."

"Yes," Magneto replied. He climbed back in the truck bed, avoiding their stares.

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Remy sat up, hearing the knock on the door. He wasn't expecting Rogue to be back from her training session so soon, so he wasn't sure who would be knocking.

"Remy, can I come in."

Ororo's voice was a welcomed answer.

"You come in Stormy," he said.

She opened the door and had a scowl, but she wasn't good at staying mad at him. "Really, Remy. Are you ever going to drop that nickname you have for me?"

"Don't know, Cheré. How's the weather outside?" he smirked, earning a smile from her. It was clouded, but she wasn't going to admit if she had a part in that.

"I'm assuming Rogue is in the Danger Room."

"Oui, she's wit de girls, havin' a little fun."

"I see," Ororo sat on the edge of the bed. "And how are you?"

Remy sighed. He was wondering when she was going to corner him for a chat. "I'm okay…BellaDonna signed the divorce papers."

"Oh," Ororo's mouth hung open with that last word, if you could call it that. Then, she half-smiled; she could be good at reading him too. "You don't sound so happy about it."

"I don't know what I feel now dat it's done. It just doesn't seem like a time to be celebratin', especially with the funeral and all."

"No, I guess not."

Remy looked away. "I been thinkin' a lot lately and…I don't want to screw this up. I know Logan and even Kurt don't understand how I feel about Rogue, but I do love her."

"I know. On the ride home, Professor told Kurt and I about the boathouse and about approving your time to go to Louisiana to visit your family for Christmas," Ororo said.

"Rogue's coming with me to Louisiana."

"I figured as much," Ororo said, raking the hair out his eyes. She looked at him as if he were a little kid. "I think it will be good for you both."

"Clint was a t'ief."

"Hmm," Ororo stared at him. "He was, but that wasn't all he was, Remy."

"He wasn't that old, Cheré," Remy reminded her.

"No, he wasn't, but he made one change in his life to turn things around," Ororo replied. Her blue eyes held his gaze. "So have you, Remy."

"I doubt that."

"You are better than you think," Ororo patted his leg. "But then again, it's not really my opinion that matters, is it?"

Remy nodded.

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Rogue slammed the robot into the floor of the Danger Room. The simulator shut off, and she took off her earbud.

The Danger Room session was successful. There was nothing like beating the crap out of a robot or hologram to take the edge off. Cyclops had been monitoring the entire session, taking notes but keeping an eagle-eye on everyone. He was frustrated Logan hadn't returned, but he kept a focus on Emma Frost.

Rogue walked to the locker room to change, only to spot Lorna and Alex together. Her steps lingered as she watched them together. Lorna laughed and kissed Alex on the cheek before turning to the locker room. Was she jealous? Yes. Usually after a Ladies only Danger Room session, Remy was there to greet her and brag about his bets on her. But Remy wasn't there. He was alone in their room.

Rogue went to change and found herself slow in her movements.

"Something bothering you, Chica?" Jubilee asked. The Danger Room was the only break she had from watching Clarice that day.

"My head's been foggy lately," Rogue replied. Remy's sweater was baggy on her, fitting like a dress, but it would do until she took a shower upstairs. "I guess I got a lot on my mind."

"Your powers still giving you trouble?" Jubilee asked, looking concerned.

Rogue shrugged. "Yes, but that's not all. It's just a lot of things. I guess I need a break from everything."

"Tell me about it," Jubilee said. "I'm counting down to Thanksgiving and Christmas."

"Yes, Christmas will be here in two months."

Jubilee smiled. "I can't wait. My aunt wants me to visit her in California and stay for a few weeks between the semesters."

Rogue listened to her talk. She wanted to go to Louisiana with Remy, but even though he agreed to take her to see Cody and Irene's house, she wasn't so sure she wanted to face her fears in Mississippi.

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21 years ago…

His eyes darted around the room. Where was he? He remembered the screaming and building crumbling. He remembered the machines; their purple bodies rained chaos on the island.

He lost control.

But there were too many of them.

He called out for his friend and heard an answer.

Everything went black.

Now he was in a white room in a hospital bed. He didn't know how he got there, but he saw Charles in a bed and a man in black leaning against the wall.

"Erik Lensherr," the figure in black said. The black patch over his eye made him look menacing, but he wasn't mutant. "Are you Erik Lensherr?"

"I'm Magneto," he corrected. He sat up in bed and touched the bandage on his forehead. "Who are you and how did we get here?"

"My name is Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D. My agents found you after we secured the island," Fury said. He stepped forward, and Magneto pulled the gun from Fury's belt effortlessly. He aimed the gun at Fury, daring the man to take another step. "I'm not the bad guy here, Erik."

"I told you. My name is Magneto."

"Magento."

Fury held his gaze. He was a smart man, knowing when to stand tall and remain still. "I heard about a plan to attack the island. I didn't know when, but I knew how. One of the teams I assembled didn't make their rendezvous point. The island…didn't do well."

Magneto dropped his control on the gun, and it fell to the floor. He only wanted the truth, and for some reason, he believed Fury.

The crumbled buildings shrunk in the distance. Genosha suffered all those years ago. He couldn't let these people suffer anymore.

When the trucks pulled up to the building sites, Magento glanced to his home. The twins stared out the window…

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Logan couldn't answer Fury right away. Instead, he took shots of whiskey, letting the one-eyed man stare at him. In the time they were alone, Fury ordered a burger and fries, one of the few food items Harry's sold on Friday and Saturday nights. People off of work were trickling in the bar.

"I can stay here all day, Logan," Fury said. "I could use the vacation."

Logan slammed the empty shot glass on the table. A few people glanced in their direction. "I've never been able to sleep."

Fury huffed. "And you think all this alcohol is going to help someone like you. All this drinking and can't even get a good buzz going."

Logan grunted. He knew Fury was right. No matter what he did to himself…it didn't matter.

"It was Sentinels, wasn't it?"

"Come again."

"On the island…Sentinels landed on the island."

Fury wiped his mouth with a napkin, rolled it up, and tossed it on his empty plate. "So you do remember."

"Sometimes…fragments really," Logan said. He wanted another drink, but then again, what would it do? "We didn't get to the island in time, did we?"

"You didn't get to the island at all," Fury said. He folded his hands together with his elbows on the table. "And yes, it was Sentinels. Prototypes—they were still deadly. Maybe 10% of the island's mutant population survived."

"Stryker tranquilized us…I remember that…I remember leaving…I remember Canada…Kayla…" Logan looked away. "Why the hell are you here, Fury?"

"Magneto's appearance in New York has several countries concerned, and the fact the Scarlet Witch is under his protection, we could be looking at another war," Fury explained. "We have reason to believe he is on Genosha and rebuilding the island."

"So why is that a problem?"

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Wanda stared out the window at her father. He and several mutants had returned with trucks full of supplies. She recognized Toad, who assisted in giving orders to the mutants who unloaded the trucks.

Every now and then, Magneto would glance her way, but when he would make eye contact with her, he would turn and focus on another project. She had known him for years. First, she was just a young mutant in the Brotherhood of Mutants, but something didn't feel right. She and Pietro left and joined Xavier briefly before accepting a call for the Avengers. A few years later, they found out Magneto was their father. They accepted him as a father, but it wasn't an easy task. Magneto welcomed them as his children, but he didn't approve of their path. He didn't know how to be a father to his children, but he knew how to be a leader to his mutant brothers and sisters.

"Wanda," Pietro said.

She looked over her shoulder at him.

"What's wrong?" Pietro hurried to her. He was only constant she had in her life. Though they could have their disagreements, he was always there for her.

She touched her cheek, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Pietro," she said, as he took her in his arms. "I don't know what is wrong with me."

"It's okay, Wanda," he assured her. "Everything is going to be fine."

She listened to Pietro, but she didn't believe his words of comfort.

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Remy smiled when he saw Rogue return from her Danger Room session. He sat up, trying to ignore the soreness in his muscles. Since he was injured on Monday, he didn't do much in terms of exercise. The cigarette withdrawals didn't help either.

"So how many Star Trek episodes you've binged watched?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. He liked the way his sweatshirt looked on her.

"Only two," Remy replied.

"That's all," Rogue said.

"Oui, ya ain't been gone that long, Cheré," Remy grabbed her hand. She didn't pull away from him; she had her gloves on. "Getting' hungry though. Maybe we get a light dinner tonight. I wanna eat, but my stomach doesn't want nothin' heavy."

"Let me take a shower first," Rogue replied. She stood up to go, but he wasn't letting go. "Remy."

"Want me to join ya, Rogue?"

She blushed. He could still get under her skin, even though they couldn't touch. "How about I take a shower, and then after we get something to eat, I help you clean up."

"So you have a plan for me?"

"Behave yourself, Swamprat," she replied. He let her hand go, and she disappeared into the bathroom to shower.

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Professor Xavier stared out the window. It had been a long day of pain and sorrow. The Avengers mourned Clint Barton, and he shared their grieve. It scared him know that at any moment his X-men—his family-could be taken from him.

21 years ago…

"Come on, Charles…I don't know how long we have," Erik said, as he peeked out the door of the hospital room they shared. Nick Fury was coming down the hallway, followed by half a dozen agents. He was coming to tell them that mutants were now exposed. The world had questions, but it wasn't ready to listen to the answers. Their days in the hospital didn't stop the world from turning. "I will cause a distraction, and then we can climb out the window."

Charles looked down at his legs. 'Erik."

"Charles, on my mark."

Slowly, the building began to shake. Erik could pull the entire building down if he wanted.

Charles didn't climb out the bed. "I can't feel my legs."

Erik turned to him, his eyes wide in disbelief that either of them would be weak and vulnerable.

"I can't feel my legs," he repeated.

"Charles," Erik said. His voice was calm, but he was screaming inside. He lost his concentration, and the shaking stopped.

"I can't feel my legs…" Charles' vision blurred; he knew Erik would choose his own path. "Go…"

Erik stood still. Both of them could hear the agents in the hallway heading towards their hospital room.

"Go," Charles said.

Agent Nick Fury burst through the door, and he and the other agents froze in place.

"GO!"

Erik took a deep breath. He twisted the metal window frame and climbed out. He looked back at him. "Goodbye, old friend."

When Erik disappeared, Charles released the agents. Nick Fury turned to him.

Charles sighed. Twenty-one years ago, he lost his legs, but he didn't lose his faith in humanity. His dream was to educate young mutants…help them with their powers and guide them on the right path in life. His X-men were proof that his dream was a reality and that there was hope for the future.

Yet still, he wondered.

What if? What if?

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Mystique stared at the young agent that brought her food. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents weren't known to look vulnerable. This young woman had been crying.

The young agent slid her food through the slot.

"What's wrong with you?" Mystique asked. She didn't budge to retrieve her dinner.

"The funeral…not that you care," the young woman replied. "Excuse me."

Mystique watched the young agent leave. She was alone again, but she could hear Irene in her head.

21 years ago…

"Just tell me what I'm going to do, Irene," Mystique pleaded into the phone. Irene could see her future, but she swore the woman purposely avoided telling her things for her own amusement. "Just tell me."

"Raven, my dear, you just have to trust me," Irene replied. "You are perfectly capable of making your own decisions."

"It is unfair that you know them before I do."

Irene laughed softly. "That I do, but that is not the point. Besides, you are angering the woman in line for the pay phone."

Mystique glanced over her shoulder. A woman in her fifties sighed and looked at her watch; then she cursed in Italian.

"Fine," Mystique replied. "I love you. I will call you again soon."

Mystique hung up the payphone and walked around the airport for hours. Victor left her weeks ago. Then, James left. She was alone. She thought over and over about her son in Germany. She wanted to go to him, but what would she say?

She sat at a bench with her luggage at her feet. She always traveled light; she had to in her line of work. She closed her eyes for a moment.

"You look confused, my dear."

Instantly she opened her eyes. Beside her was a man she loathed—Azazel.

"You look shocked to see me," Azazel replied. He held his disguise well; he got her in trouble last time. He was a handsome in his black suit and tie. His jet black hair and goatee were his trademark look; he hid the real color of his skin well.

"What do you want?"

Azazel smirked. That smirk got her in trouble too. "You, my dear. You were one of my favorites."

"I'm not interested in any more of you propositions."

Azazel chuckled.

"Why are you here?"

"I'm going to make your decision easier for you," Azazel replied. "You just head to Mississippi and forget about our son. He's not worthy of a mother like you."

Mystique felt like she could breathe. His words had sucked the life out her. She wasn't a good mother to Kurt or Graydon. Why would either forgive her for her sins…

Mystique leaned against the wall of her cell. She didn't have the stomach to eat anything.

"My mystique, what are you thinking about?"

Sulphur and brimstone filled the air. She knew who it was.

"I told you. You are not worthy to be a mother."

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"I didn't realize you were leaving so soon," Natasha said.

Steve Roger packed a duffle bags full of clothes. It had been a long day, and he just wanted to be away…away from the pain. "I thought about staying a few more days, but I need to move on. I have some things I need to take care of right now."

Natasha nodded, or he assumed she did as she walked over to him and sat on the edge of his bed. "So where are you going?"

"Sharon said I could stay with her," he replied.

"Interesting."

His cheeks burned from Natasha's smirk. "I plan to sleep on the couch."

"What for?" Natasha teased. "You know, Steve. It's not the 1940s anymore."

"I'm quite aware of that."

"I'm just saying."

Steve zipped up his bag. He paused, thinking of other items he might need to bring.

Natasha sighed and stood up. "I'm going to let you finish packing…If you need anything, call me."

"I know."

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"I asked you a question, Fury," Logan grumbled. Fury had turned to look at his phone, but the man hadn't made a reply. "Why does anyone care what Magneto's doing on that island? There are records of him hiding out on the island."

"Hiding out, yes. Rebuilding, no."

"It has to do with the Scarlet Witch then, doesn't it?"

"Yes…S.H.I.E.L.D. has been aware of Magneto's presence in Genosha for some time," Fury admitted. "The 'powers that be' decided not to pursue Magneto, due to the fact he has remained quiet and hidden from the world. Showing up in New York and taking the Scarlet Witch with him has a lot of people on edge."

Fury's cell phone buzzed on the table. He glanced down at the message.

"What's wrong?"

"What isn't?" Fury stood up, pulled out his wallet, and tossed sixty dollars on the table. "That should cover my share and your cab ride home."

"Where are you going?"

"Back to work. Vacation's over. Tell Xavier I'll be in touch."

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Wow! This chapter took longer to post than I planned, but I feel another step closer to completing this fanfic. Thank you for reading!

When I watched the end of Fast and Furious 7, Charlie Puth's "See You Again" paying tribute to Paul Walker brought me to tears. About a year ago, when I reopened this fanfic to finally complete it, I hear the song again on the radio. I knew then that I had to make this a part of Clint Barton's funeral; it said so much more than I could.