Chapter 2



"What's wrong with them Professor?" Scott asked. The remaining X- Men were in the infirmary, looking at the teammate's prone figures. He studied Rogue's face- she hadn't even stirred when he had lifted her from her bed. She looked peaceful enough, but the wires that hooked her to the machines marred the image of her taking a simple catnap. Come on Scott, you're the leader. You can be worried about them, but you have to be strong for the others.

"It's quite simple. They are asleep." He replied.

"But it must be more than that!" Jean said.

Dr. Hank McCoy scratched his furry blue head. "At first glance, they are simply sleeping normally. It's a very deep sleep, but sleep nonetheless." He glanced at the monitors again, and then continued.

"However, I've postulated that it isn't a normal sleep- it's somehow being induced by an outside source. It could be a machine, but it would have to be highly advanced to do it from a distance, as we've ruled out any sort of planted device from within the Institute. Yes, I think that it could be a mutant of some sort- a mutant who can effect the sleep habits of others."

"I agree Hank. The task now is to use Cerebro to find out who and where this person is." The Professor looked at the worried faces of his students. Some were hiding it better than others, but he could sense their concern.

"Will we be safe?" Logan asked.

"We should all try to stay awake, just in case. Two of us have already succumbed- chances are they are targeting us all." Xavier wheeled off to use Cerebro. "I'll contact you as soon as I know more." He said over his shoulder as he exited the infirmary.

The rest of the X-Men stood there, thinking about the task at hand. Scott and Jean both doubted their ability to stay awake, mostly because they had stayed up late the night before studying for a test.

"I'll stay and keep an eye on them, though I highly doubt that their condition will change." McCoy said as he adjusted his white lab coat.

"Well, let's try to stay awake." Scott said as they turned to go upstairs.



The group were working on dividing the soda when Logan returned with two bags of groceries.

"Okay, I got more soda, some No-Doz, and these Powerbar things that taste like rubber. Your pick." He said as he dumped the stuff on the table.

Scott gathered up the boxes of No-Doz. "Let's save this until we absolutely need it. We'll use caffeine to keep us awake first." He poured himself another cup of coffee. "So, anyone up for a session in the Danger Room? We ought to make use of the time."

He was met by glares all around the table. "Or, uh, we could play a game or something?"

Logan sniffed. "I'm not playin' no board game. If we're playin' a game, it's gonna be cards."

Three hours later, most of the pocket change of the X-Men was divided neatly between Logan, and Evan who proved to be surprisingly good at penny- enny poker.

Jean yawned. "What time is it?" She asked.

"It's not even midnight Jeannie. You're not goin' to sleep on us, are you?" Logan asked as the phone began to ring.

"I'll get it." She mumbled. "Hello? Oh, Duncan!" Her demeanor had changed suddenly at the voice of her boyfriend. Scott grimaced.

"I'll be back!" She said, using her telekinesis to gather her change. It floated out after her, a ghostly trail of quarters and nickels.

"Man, the new recruits sure are lucky to have gone home for the holidays. This sucks." Evan said. "Except for the money of course. More to buy presents with!" He busied himself with counting his earnings.

Kitty sighed, wishing she could find an excuse to go back to the infirmary. She had just been there 15 minutes ago though.

"Scott, maybe one of us should stay with Hank, just to make sure he doesn't fall asleep." Evan said, still counting.

"I'll go!" Kitty volunteered quickly.

"We'll take it in shifts." Logan said. "You can go first."

Kitty darted down to the infirmary.

"Well, what now?" Scott asked the three remaining people at the table.

"Well, we must find something to keep us occupied, to keep our minds alert." Storm looked around the room futilely.



Logan and Storm went off to the kitchen to get some food and yet another pot of coffee, leaving Scott and Evan in the living room. Evan was on a sugar high, but Scott could already feel fatigue setting in.

"Hey, catch!" He heard, and as he turned, a football connected with the side of his head.



He was alone, the bright, cold sunlight shining down on him. He tried to get his bearings, but could find nothing familiar to him. He sighed, and the cold air made his breath visible. He seemed to be on a deserted beach, judging from the briny smell on the air. He could hear voices behind him.

"Where are we now?" A familiar voice asked breathlessly.

"I don't know. Mein Gott, this is all so confusing! First ve vere home, my home, then ve vere in Mississippi, and now.here?"

"We're in Alaska. I was here.once." A voice said. Rogue and Kurt looked up, and saw Scott standing on the beach not far from them.

"Scott!" Rogue shouted as they closed the distance between.

"Vhat happened?" Kurt asked.

"I don't know- I must have lost consciousness. Damn, I tried so hard." Scott was so angry, and had to mentally check himself. How could he have fallen asleep? What kind of leader could just doze off, leaving the others behind?

"Vhat do you mean, lose consciousness?"

"The Professor seems to think that someone is influencing our dreams, a mutant picking us off one by one." Scott explained what had happened. Then he turned, seeing something in his peripheral vision.

"You mean we're just layin' there, sleepin'?" Rogue asked.

"Yes, but now we should be running."