We call that person who has lost his father, an orphan; and a widower that man who has lost his wife. But that man who has known the immense unhappiness of losing a friend, by what name do we call him? Here every language is silent and holds its peace in impotence.
Joseph Roux
***
The Purple haired Asian jumped high up into the air, did a funny twist, and landed perfectly balanced next to Kitty. Storm however raised her hands, and summoned the winds to support her weight so she could fly. She too landed next to Kitty, but on her other side.
"Hi, I'm Betsy, but you can call me Psylocke," The Asian said in a cheerful British accent, as a bright purple blade appeared in her hands.
"Hi," Kitty said numbly, as she stared at Storm, who everyone thought was dead.
She opened her mouth to say something to her, but Storm cut her off before she started.
"I'm not Storm, so shut your mouth. You'll catch flies." Her voice was Storm's, but the hint of African accent was gone, and replaced by a harsh sarcastic version of the real thing. It was disturbing.
"Who—" she began.
"I'm Malice, and concentrate on the damn battle," She snapped at her angrily.
Betsy threw the purple blade at the closest four police officers who all collapsed after it hit them. 'Malice' rose up into the air, and lightening began to flash about the sky, occasionally striking a person or three.
Kitty didn't know what to do. Psylocke and 'Malice' had everything under control, and from what she could see, Magneto was helping Gambit and Avalanche out. She turned to Pyro, who now looked (if possible) paler than he had before.
She knelt down at Pyro's side again, and grabbed his hand. He looked like he was about to fall asleep. And instinct told her, that was the worst thing she could let him do. So she slapped him gently on the cheeks. "John, don't you go to sleep on me."
He turned to look at her again, and opened his mouth to speak. It worked, though she had to move her head closer to his to hear him, she caught every word he said.
"Kitty, tell my mum, that I love her, and…" he choked on his words, and took in a harsh breath, "It hurts Kitty. It hurts,"
Kitty began to cry silently again. "I know it hurts, but we're going to get you back to the base, where chase will heal you. And you'll be able to tell your mum you love her all by yourself."
He shook his head. "No, I wont, please. Promise you'll tell her."
"Stop talking like that John. You're scaring me." Her voice cracked.
"Promise," he insisted, his voice shuddering.
She looked up, and saw Gambit running towards her. Magneto was standing in the background watching the fight that Psylocke and Storm were winning. She then looked back at Pyro, whose eyes were pleading with her.
"OK, I promise. But you won't die." She said finally, just before Gambit skidded to a halt next to them.
"Merde," He said for the second time that night as he looked at Pyro. "John what have ya gone and dun t' yo'self now?"
Pyro let out a hacking noise that could have been deciphered as a laugh, but Kitty couldn't tell.
Gambit bet down and lifted Pyro up, and hung one of his arms around his shoulders. Kitty moved to the other side, and draped the other arm over her shoulder. They began to carry him. Kitty didn't know exactly where they were going until the Black Bird landed between them and Magneto. The doors opened, and Rogue and Jean exited first.
As soon as Jean saw the supporting Pyro she used her telekinesis to lift him quickly into the jet, where there were stretchers and medical gear.
Kitty watched him float steadily into the Black Bird. She trusted that Jean would make sure he got the medical attention he definitely needed. Rogue ran over to them.
"Where is Avalanche?" Rogue asked Gambit softly.
"He's restin' over dere. He was pretty beat up. We weren't goin' t' win 'til Mags came. Where did dey come from anyway?" He replied, as he watched Psylocke and 'Malice' finish off the last of the police.
"They just showed up." Kitty interjected.
Rogue turned to look at the two fighting women. Her mouth dropped, "Storm… but how?"
A deep voice interrupted their conversation. It was Magneto, "I believe that is a question that can be answered, along with the many others I'm sure you all have, once we get back to your base. I believe a few of your team members need immediate medical attention."
Rogue nodded and gestured for Gambit and Kitty to accompany her into the Jet.
"I'll get Lance, you go rest." She said softly. Gambit and Kitty nodded and made their way slowly over to the jet.
***
No matter how hard she tried, Kitty couldn't get herself to sleep. She knew she was exhausted, but even that didn't encourage her to hit the sack. She knew why she couldn't too. Pyro. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep until she knew he was OK. He was going to be OK. That's why she was waiting in the Med-bay main room, staring at the door, Chase had taken Pyro through.
She wasn't alone in the med bay. Gambit was in the bed next to her, and Lance and Kurt on the two beds across the room. They were both sound asleep, but Remy seemed to be having the same problem as her. He was sitting up in his bed, and was playing Solitaire with a spare deck of cards.
For some reason, she was still holding the bullet she had pulled out of Pyro's stomach. It was small and silver, and to her surprise, didn't have any blood on it. It occurred to her that because she had phased it out, it wouldn't have blood on it, but she still continued to stare at it anyway.
"You OK?" Gambit asked suddenly, looking up from his game, and over at her.
She tore her gaze from the bullet and looked at Gambit. She didn't trust herself to speak, so she just shook her head.
"You worried 'bout John?"
She nodded softly, a small tear streaked down her face again.
"Yeah, so am I. Me and him, we've always bin good Amis you know?" He said picking up a card between his fingers and twirled it. "Out of everyone here, I've known him de longest. He knew me best. Cept maybe Rogue, but den she knows everybody dun she. One touch: instant biography."
Kitty giggled a bit. She couldn't help herself.
Gambit opened his mouth to continue, but the door to the operating room opened and Chase stepped out, pulling gloves off his hands.
Kitty finally found her voice, "How is he? Is he going to be alright?"
Chase sighed, "The bullet hit his only kidney. He was only born with one. I tried to patch it up, and I've put him on the dialysis machine.The next 48 hours are crucial. If he makes it through that, he has a good chance of survival. But we'll just have to see."
Kitty nodded. "What about your healing abilities? Can't you heal him and make it better?"
He shook his head. "My healing abilities don't work like that. I can only Bone damage and abrasions."
"Can we go in an' see him Mon ami?" Gambit asked.
"Yeah, but he's asleep. Be real quiet." Chase said rubbing his head. "Then come straight back and rest. Or I'll be on your ass about it"
Gambit nodded, and pulled away his sheets. He hopped off the bed and gestured for Kitty to do the same. She did and they walked through into the operating room, where Pyro was still attached to all of the life support equipment. An oxygen mask was attached to his face, and a beep was emitting from the heart monitor machine about every second, as Pyro's heart continued to beat. Slowly, but never-the-less, still beating. In his wrist was a small drip which was attached to a bag full of blood.
Kitty reached out and brushed a stray lock of his red hair out of his face. His skin was warm to the touch. It brought her some relief, but it didn't settle the unease in her stomach.
She turned to look at Gambit. He was looking at Pyro too and had an unreadable look on his face.
"Do you think he'll die?" She asked softly, as if voicing her concerns would help her feel better. Gambit tore his gaze away from Pyro to look at her. He blinked at her question, as though fully taking it in, and then looked back at the sleeping Pyro.
"Honestly? I dun know Kitty. I dun know." Gambit said in the same soft tone she had used.
They spent about an hour with Pyro, until Chase came back in and shooed them back into bed.
Kitty didn't realise it, but she must've fallen asleep, because when she awoke, she awoke to a long solid beeping sound, coming from the room next to her, and she knew the inevitable had happened. It took a few seconds for it to hit her, but when it did; she grabbed her pillow and hugged it hard, crying uncontrollably into it.
***
Disclaimer: You know I don't own them, so why do you even ask me?
A/N: OK, I cried then. That was so hard for me to write. It was also incredibly corny… or I think that it is. And I know I'll get flames, but trust me, it all has a purpose… but feel free to be flaming me. I know I deserve it. I also know that I promised shoutouts, so here they are.
Rogue151 Yeah… Betsy is pretty cool, and I have plans. So look forward to seeing more of Storm… or Malice… or whoever she is in future instalments of From Past to Future
ishandahalf Yeah, Espionage… or however you spell it. Don't fully even know what that ism, but you sorta sound like you know what you're doing. So I'll trust you on that one. And I'll try and be quick like a bunny on crack with the next chapter, but I like to have at least one chapter already written before I post another one. (I've already written chapter 12 and 13.) but I'm having a bit of that dammed Writers block.
UnknownSource Actually I was thinking about making it a Kitty/John romance when I first started writing it. But I realised that if I did that, It'd show what a failure I am at writing Romance and fluffy stuff… I'll stick to the horrible action and mean stuff…
Yumiko I'll try and update sooner next time. Promise
DoWriter12 Yeah, Cliffhangers. Gotta love 'em.
xxxroxiexxx ooo!! I'm super cool!! I like the sound of that!
Random Reader Hehe… I always knew that there were silent readers out there. Usually I am one myself. If only they would all reveal themselves in reviews. They'd make me feel so much better, and update much faster.
The Son Of Logan And Ororo Ahh… It actually took me a while to figure out who you were going on about for a few seconds. Mum? Dad? But then I figured it out by looking at your profile, and your name. You had a couple of pretty good theories. Some were close. Keep reading.
A REALLY hyper gal Yes, I see you live up to your name very much. Thanks.
bloody_lady I don't really like cliffhangers very much at all actually. It's just that that chapter was originally going to be t the whole fight scene. But it was too long.
Arekanderu Finally!! Someone says they likes the quotes idea!! It takes me ages to find little suitable quotes. And the whole story was influenced by a quote. "History is made by those who hang heroes" I know that doesn't really relate. But my mind works in freakishly strange ways.
Yep! That's everyone who reviewed chapter 10. If you reviewed another chapter, I'm sorry for missing you. You'll have to review more to make sure you get noticed! Well then. Will leave you to review!
Cheers
~GELD~