Logan followed the track that was clearer with every step, and he hurried his steps until he realized that the other two weren't following his speed. He waited for them while they navigated through the dark woods. It might actually have been better to wait for sunrise, but it was too late to turn back now, and in any case they all wanted to find Hank and/or their foes as soon as possible.
Jean was the first to feel a presence she recognized. She would have wished for it to be Hank's sweet nature that first reached her mind, but instead it was the sharp mix of cold intellect and steaming pain that she had learned to recognize as Magneto's. Seconds later, Logan's head jerked up at the sounds coming from a shack nearby, obviously an old stable since there was also a paddock encircled by rusty wire.
He's coming, he warned the others, and Jean nodded to show that she knew, while Bobby put both feet firmly on the ground and prepared to freeze everything they needed him too.
Logan did have time to feel afraid when Magneto left the house. He never whined about pain, but he did feel it, and God, when that man's power touched his body...
And in the next instant it did. His entire body was magnetized and flung into the air, metal straining bones and muscles so he felt as if he was being torn apart one piece at the time. But he knew he wasn't. Magneto could kill him easily if he wanted to, but in spite of his cynical attitude, he still wouldn't kill a fellow mutant unless it was absolutely necessary.
Really, you lot, Magneto said, sounding bored and tired. Why can't you learn to stay out of my business?
You've got our friend, that *is* our business! Logan grunted, fighting the pain.
Then there was a pull from another direction; Jean was trying to get him down. Her touch was more gentle, but it was also weaker.
Never mind me! he shouted to her. Go for him! Both of you!
Bobby was already making a patch of ice under Magneto's feet. It was a cheap trick, but the great man actually did slip, and Logan's body suddenly fell to the ground like a marionette without strings.
Jean could never have taken on Magneto alone, but with Bobby assisting her and Logan temporarily out of his power, the old man did have some reason to worry. He quickly took his glove off and sent it away in Jean's direction, like some medieval knight giving a challenge. A medieval knight might even have had a glove with miniature chainmail to protect the palm -- damn, where had he gotten that thing? -- but no knight could have strangled a lady with a thrown glove. Jean's face turned red as the empty glove pressed against her throat and stopped the air to come through, and as she fought it with hands and powers both, Magneto reached out towards Logan and started pulling again. He was still lying on the icy ground, but that didn't diminish his concentration. He hadn't acted against Bobby yet, obviously considering the boy a minor threat, but now their eyes met. Bobby stood his ground, frantically trying to find a way to deal with this. The sticks of the fence behind him started to break under the pressure of the loop the wire was making. He reached out his hand and started building a shell of ice around Magneto's legs, when the wire reached his wrist and pulled it back. Another part threw a loop around his body, and he was pressed back towards the poles. Jean had passed out, and Logan could do little more than sympathize while Bobby fought the wire to keep building the ice. It wasn't much of a resistance, but Magneto was obviously getting increasingly strained.
Bobby! I'm coming!
It was Ororo's voice calling for the boy, and seconds later the white-haired weather goddess was running in Bobby's direction. Logan could see the confused but grateful look in the boy's eyes. It was quite the contrary to what he was feeling. He didn't need the scent that reached his nose to tell the danger, he knew from the way Magneto relaxed.
It's not her! he yelled to warn Bobby, but Mystique in Ororo's shape had already leaned down near the boy and smacked him in the head with one of the poles.
Logan looked from his two unconscious teammates to Magneto, who was getting ready to leave with Mystique. One battle lost. His body swirled high up into the air one last time, and then fell to the ground with a speed that would have made him break several ribs and possibly the back if his bones hadn't been clad in adamantium. As it was, darkness swirled before his eyes and the air left his lungs. He heard Magneto and Mystique leave, but couldn't get up fast enough to follow. That bothered him less than the vague smells of Hank. They were far too old, at least a week, while there were plenty of lingering smells from the other two. Where were they keeping him?

**********

Hey, Noah, Cody said as he dropped a sack of flour on the wagon outside Tompkins' store, where the black rider was standing looking thoughtfully towards the hotel. A bit slow on the loading today? It's gonna be dark soon, we should get this done.
Noah said, not really paying attention.
Ike and Buck were following Cody, and when Ike had dropped his load of supplies he signed an explanation to his friend, and Buck raised an eyebrow at Noah.
You met a girl? he asked, voice very encouraging. Although Jimmy was known to fall in love once every second week and Cody only slightly more seldom, to the rest of them meeting someone was still a fairly big thing. Noah wasn't even certain that was what he had done.
There are some new people in town, Noah said to Buck. We talked some to one of the ladies. She was very interested in Cody's tale of the blue beast.
Cody made a wry face but didn't say anything. He had learned to avoid that subject.
White woman? Buck asked, worried.
Noah answered shortly. If anyone else had made that question he'd be slightly offended, but Buck knew what he was talking about, himself forced to live between two worlds without ever fitting into either.
That's good. She's pretty?
Noah said, then changed his mind. Whatever Ororo was, pretty wasn't it. No. Not exactly.
Ike entered the discussion again with signs so fast Noah completely lost track within seconds. It wasn't directed at him anyway. He was still learning to understand what Ike wanted to say, and Ike always slowed down considerably when there was something Noah needed to know. But he did understand that this was a description of Ororo's somewhat odd beauty.
White hair? Buck asked, surprised. And blue... are you pulling my leg?
Ike shook his head, laughing, and made a very expressive sign to show his appreciation. Buck grinned a little and turned back to Noah.
She must be a mulatto then?
I guess. I don't know. Her skin was no darker than she easily could be, but her accent was so obviously not American that it contradicted that explanation.
Cody nodded over Noah's shoulder to the hotel. She's coming now.
Noah turned around and saw Ororo walking up to the hotel, the man with the strange glasses going with her, as well as a young girl. She stopped when she saw him and gave a little wave in his direction. He waved back, smiling -- *come here* -- and she said something to the young man before walking up to the riders.
Hello again! she said, then turned to her company. This is Noah Dixon, Billy Cody, Ike McSwain and, she looked at Buck, ...I don't believe we've met?
Buck Cross, he said, shaking her hand.
Nice to meet you, Buck. Scott Summers, his niece-in-law Rogue.
More handshakes. Buck raised an eyebrow at the girl.
She blushed, obviously flattered by the attention of the attractive young Indian. It was one of the two most common attitudes he got from women. she mumbled.
Nice glasses! Cody enthusiastically told Scott. Although they're a bit dark now that the sun isn't up, he quipped. Don't know if you've noticed.
Storm blinked, although she knew variations of that question always came, and Scott always hated the half-truths that followed. You couldn't tell from his face, though, and his voice was calm when he replied:
They're for medical reasons. I have a rare eye condition and can't see without them.
Oh. Sorry. Even Cody realized he had put his foot in his mouth. Unfortunately, that got him nervous, and the next thing he decided to say was the wrong one: What sort of medical... ow! He scowled at Buck, who removed his foot without in any way changing his facial expression.
Noah looked intensely at Ororo. He was one fine-looking guy. Storm quickly reminded herself that they would be going back to their own time as soon as they had found Hank and captured his kidnappers, but it didn't help at all.
What are your plans for the evening?
Oh, nothing much, she said. Basically just going to the hotel and to sleep.
You wouldn't rather have dinner with me?
A smile curved her lips, and made his thoughts less than respectable. Don't mind if I do.
You got a ride coming up first thing tomorrow morning, Cody quietly reminded Noah.
You'll cover for me. That wasn't even a question, it was a simple statement, uttered in a whisper.
Aw, come on Noah...
I've covered for you plenty of times before, you owe me this one.
Cody grimaced, but silently agreed, and Noah turned back to Ororo, who looked at her friends.
I'll go to the hotel and wait for Jean, Scott said with a grin that made his serious face look about ten years younger. He couldn't be more than mid-twenties tops.
said the girl, obviously not catching on.
We'll go home and wait for the others, Scott enunciated clearly.
Oh! Okay. Right. Have fun!
She smiled shyly and then the two of them left.
So where are we going? Ororo asked Noah, ignoring everyone around her, who politely ignored her back and got ready to leave. The hotel?
Noah looked like he had swallowed something hot. They won't serve us.
The first thought that crossed her mind was *but they don't know I'm a mutant*, then she remembered what time this was and realized what he meant. Where, then?
I was thinking the saloon. It's not as fancy, but...
It'll be fine, she assured him. It was certainly not the worst place she ever had a date. Not that she was about to tell him that. One of many things he wasn't ready to know about her.

**********

The saloon might not have been the most classy joint to be found, but there was nothing wrong with Noah's company. All in all, this night really spoke in favour of the custom of going out with nearly complete strangers. Ororo couldn't even pretend to believe that she was doing this to get information. She knew Scott and Rogue were snooping around the hotel asking questions and making plans, but with the inofficial blessing of the battle leader she found no reason not to take some time off.
Noah said, are you in town for business or pleasure?
she replied, trying the roast beef. It wasn't quite like the food she usually ate, but it was remarkably good for a piece of meat 150 years old. The thought made her snicker a little, and Noah smiled back, without realizing what was so funny. Scott and Logan are thinking of starting a woodwork company here. She gave a few more details from their fake story, but as few as possible. Lying on a first date was absolutely normal, but there was a difference between lies and lies.
Logan's the shaggy guy? Noah asked.

Noah nodded, not too enthusiastic, and Ororo couldn't help but smile. She recognized the expression from the way Scott had originally looked at Logan, a way that wasn't so far from what she had felt herself. They had both been wrong, and, in one way or another, later admitted it.
He's a good man, Noah.
If you say so. Noah wasn't about to start an argument on what had been such a lovely evening. It's just that he reminds me of other men I have met, and they weren't too kind to black women.
The bizarre thought made Ororo burst into laughter, even though it was probably rude. Logan and me? Please.
Any man would... Noah stopped himself. You're very beautiful.
Thanks. You're not half-bad yourself. That made them both giggle. But Logan... no. Besides, I think he still has it in for Jean, even though he respects that she's off-limits. She caught his puzzled expression. That's right, you haven't met Jean yet. She's Scott's fiancée, and quite a lady. Very pretty, very gifted. She wasn't about to tell him details on Jean's gifts.
she said, raising her glass of beer to him, what about *your* friends? How did you come to join the Express?
Oh, it's a long story, he said, flashing a smile at her.
I'm not going anywhere. She hoped that was the truth, too.
Nice try. But you're here to have a good time, not to hear me talk about myself. I think I'll stick with the abridged version.
They both laughed heartily now, ignoring the glances thrown in their direction.
If that's the best I can get. Although I was hoping for a full-night entertainment.
Well, it's not all that entertaining. Noah's laughter faded, and he frowned for a second. When he continued, his voice was kept light. I was in Sweetwater to free some slaves at an auction -- the legal way, he added when he noticed her expression.
I didn't say anything.
I know. Anyway, I ran into Jimmy... You've met Jimmy. Wherever he goes, trouble follows, and I'm the same way. So he got hurt, and since it was partly because of me, I covered for him until he got better. Then I just stayed. His voice softened when he added: They're a great bunch.
They seem it. She couldn't help being curious. How many are you really? There seems to be more showing up all the time.
Oh, you've met everyone I think... No wait, not the Kid. He's on a long ride and won't be back until tomorrow. He and Lou are... Noah stopped suddenly.
Are what? Ororo asked.
Great riders. Not that the others aren't. Ike's great with horses, for example.
Storm smiled. He was a much worse liar than she was. They wouldn't happen to be sweethearts, would they? she asked quietly.
Noah relaxed visibly. So you noticed.
That she's a girl? Fairly obvious, I would say. Why is she hiding?
The Express doesn't allow women. We at the station know, but nobody else.
Ororo nodded thoughtfully. Things were so different here. She could walk among humans without comments, because even though her appearances were still unique, they didn't yell in this place. On the other hand, they didn't have to. Because even though she appeared normal, she was also a black woman -- short end twice. She banished those thoughts at once. They weren't relevant for the mission.
So that's everyone? You, this Kid person, Cody, Jimmy, Lou... she had to think for a second, Ike and Buck?
Yes. Not counting Teaspoon and Rachel.
Obviously not counting them. Who are they, anyway?
Noah was definitely enjoying the date by now. The station master and the house... The man she called Logan just stepped into the room. He quickly noticed them and started walking in their direction.
Ororo turned around and noticed her friend as well. Logan! Is something wrong?
Logan nodded briefly, his face serious. Sorry to disturb your date, Ro, but we had a bit of an accident in the woods. There was this rusty wire fence, it's a little bit hard to explain.
Wire? I'm coming. She rose from her chair and briefly reached out her hand to Noah, smiling apologetically. Sorry about this, but I have to go.
Of course, he answered politely. Logan gave him a sympathizing grimace, and Noah found himself actually thinking well of the man for the first time. As wild as he seemed, there was genuine concern in his face.
The two friends quickly left the saloon, and Noah sank back into his chair, slowly finishing his drink. Their conversation had been interrupted again. It seemed like Ororo -- Ro -- could never just sit down for a while, without some emergency showing up. Very strange for a freed nanny. He started to wonder how much she was actually hiding from him.
he said softly to himself, trying out the syllable in his mouth, enjoying the sound. There were quite a few things he would like to know about Ro.

**********

The blackening bruises on Jean's neck spoke for themselves, and Ororo, whose steps were already hurried, rushed up to her friend.
God, Jeannie!
*It's okay,* Jean sent reassuringly. *My throat's a bit sore, that's all.*
The uncommon sense of picking up thoughts from Jean, quite like the feeling of an ants crawling around your brain, only unhinged Ororo more, and she frowned deeply. Her eyes fell on Jean's bed, where Bobby was sitting leaned on the headboard, with Scott softly slapping his face.
Don't go to sleep, he told the boy. You hear me?
Bobby groaned. I just want to lie down a little, he pleaded. Let me lie down?
Not a chance. Scott's voice was harsh and controlled, leader mode. What's three times two?
The boy grimaced.
Three times two.

Right. Seven times eight? Scott kept throwing multiplication tables at Bobby, less interested in getting the right answers than getting any answers at all.
Ororo looked from the boy to the woman. At least they were only temporarily down, but there could be no more splitting up of the group. No matter how much information Rogue could get from maids and cooks -- and that doe-eyed little girl routine always seemed to do the trick -- they needed to stay focused and as one now. She listened to Logan's explanation of what had happen, which didnt surprise her much until he mentioned how Hank's scent had been almost gone.
Are you sure? she asked sharply, cogwheels trying desperately to think of a solution to this new problem.
Absolutely. They don't keep him there. And they sure as hell don't keep him here.
Logan both sounded and looked tired. His healing factor stopped him from getting any long-lasting bruises, but the night had been painful and full of worries for him too. There were no signs of Hank *anywhere*, none that were less than several days old.
Ororo shook her head, thinking the same thing, and turned to Scott. You guys found anything?
He nodded, still busy trying to keep Bobby awake. He's been sleeping here on and off, and Mystique even more, at least that's our guess, and Logan says her scent is strong on the pillows. If they want to keep the room, they have to return tomorrow to pay up. I don't know where they get the money, and I'm not sure I want to know. If you guys found their second hiding place, it's possible they will come. The only way Magneto would know we're here is if Mystique has seen us without any of us noticing her, but with Logan and Jean in the group, that's not very likely.
How do you know all this? Ororo asked, and Scott looked away, rather uncomfortable. It wasn't easy to read his expressions, but she had known him long enough to do so. You searched the room, didn't you?
the field leader muttered. I know I told Logan not to, but once the opportunity came up...
...I stalled the staff, he blasted the lock, Rogue filled in.
Blasted!? Scott, you didn't.
I optically picked it, Scott said calmly. Didn't even damage the bolt.
Although Scott's brain damage prevented him from any natural control over his powers, with his visor on, he had remarkable accuracy. The glasses were mere blockers, and by tipping them he could get a crude blast, but nothing fine enough for lock-picking. It would take quite an unresistable opportunity for him to risk wearing the visor in this time and place. Cyclops was not one for taking unnecessary risks.
There was a knock on the door, and Rogue, being closest, opened it. It was Noah, leaning on the doorframe and puzzled to see the teenage girl standing there, and even more puzzled to see the rest of the crowd.
he said cautiously. I was looking for Ororo, she wasn't in her room, so I thought maybe...
Ororo moved past the others to get to he door. she said, wishing he could have come any time but now, any time at all. Rogue shouldn't even have opened the door. Anything you wanted?
Just to make sure everyone was alright.
That was sweet of him, really it was, and the smile on her face was real even though part of her wished him as far away as possible. Sure. It was just a little accident.
He caught on the not-the-best-time tone and backed off. So I'll se you around?
Absolutely. Bye.

The door closed on him, and Noah leaned on the wall, frowning. This woman was amazing in every way humanly possible, but she was also lying to him. There had been no involving hand prints on her friend's neck. Someone was after these guys, and he wanted to know just who it was.

**********

That girl from last night, the one with the funny name Rogue, was sitting on the step outside the hotel, and Noah stopped for a second as he saw her there. But what was he supposed to do? Just knowing that something fishy was going on wasn't enough. Not to mention that they wouldn't think highly of him if they found out he was spying on them. Fortunately, the girl didn't seem to have seen him. Instead her eyes focused on a carriage going by, widening by the look. Seconds later, she rushed into the hotel, and returned with the shaggy guy -- Logan. Noah quickly turned a corner so he wouldn't be discovered, and looked at the carriage to see what had caught the girl's interest. To him, it didn't look special. Just an elderly man with a dignified appearance, and Joe Hennessey driving him. Noah suddenly frowned. He could have sworn he had heard Hennessey say he'd be out of town for the weekend. But then again, maybe the man had changed his mind.
What are you doing?
Noah jumped at the sudden question, and turned around to find Buck, Ike and Teaspoon looking at him with utmost interest.
I'm just... watching, Noah said, voice short.
They looked past him at the street, where Ororo and her friends were getting ready to mount a wagon.
Watching the girl Ike signed laconically, and Buck clicked his tongue.
Teaspoon didn't seem convinced from that argument. There's a difference between watching a girl and what you just did. I'd say your kind of watching was more of the sleuth category. What's going on, son?
Noah didn't have a choice. Very briefly, since Ororo and the others were getting out of town as he spoke, he told the others of his suspicions.
Teaspoon scratched his neck. It doesn't seem to me you've got a lot to go on.
What about the marks?
I'm not saying you're not right about those. But you don't know who caused them. Maybe that boyfriend of hers did. Then there's better ways to help than running off on some wild goose chase.
He didn't seem the type, Buck said.
There's no type for hitting a woman, son.
Noah turned back, frustrated, as he watched the wagon disappear from view. There are too many things that don't match. I know Ororo was lying to me, I know something happened last night, and I know that something probably has to do with that old man they're following right now.
Ike made a sign Noah didn't understand, and he had to turn to Buck for interpretation.
He says you're obsessed.
Maybe I am. But something's wrong, and I'm going to find out what it is.
Teaspoon looked from one of his riders to the others, and finally shrugged.
Alright, go ahead. All of you -- I don't want you out there alone, just in case you're right. You want me to deputize you?
Considering we don't even know if there's a crime I don't think you have to, Buck said, reaching for his horse. You coming?
Noah hesitated for a second, surprised at the readiness with which his friends were prepared to take his whim.

**********

It was hard to tell exactly when the following turned into a wagon chase, but some distance away from town, Magento had definitely understood what was going on. While Mystique, still in Hennessey's form, kept driving the carriage Magneto turned around and faced the X-Men. Scott, who was driving at a speed where he should statistically have bumped into something quite some time ago, quickly put a hand up to his face to protect his glasses. Feeling them slipping away under his fingers anyway, he squeezed his eyes shut and hurried to stop the horses. Even while he did this, the nails and bolts in the wagon loosened and fell to the ground, causing the wagon to fall into pieces.
Stop him! Scott yelled, but the order was really unnecessary, the others had already gotten started. Ororo's eyes rolled back and she felt the energy building up around her. Cold winds lifted up Magneto's carriage and flipped it over, causing its passengers to roll out of it and land on the ground. It was hard for any of the X-Men to keep their ground while the wind bit, but they had trained this procedure and knew how to keep their balance. But there was something else, someone else, just outside of view, who wasn't so lucky. There was no time to think of that right now. She simply slowed the wind and hoped the horses hadn't gotten hurt.
Bobby and Jean were working together to get control of Magneto. Jean made the boards that had once been their wagon fly around in a swirling circle, closer and closer to the old man, while Bobby tied them together with ice. Magneto spotted the danger and immediately heaved Logan up in the air, forcing his claws out so violently it made him scream, and plunged him into the two of them. Jean's hands immediately flew up to protect herself, and as Logan stopped in midair, fighting himself with all his strength to keep the claws away from his team-mates' bodies, the iced boards fell to the ground now that Jean could no longer hold them up.
Unfortunately, Jean's trick had also given Magneto a tip, and the spikes and bolts from the X-Men's wagon flew up in the air. So far, Scott and Rogue had been taking down Mystique pretty flawlessy with joined efforts, but now the constant ducking slowed down the fight. Mystique's agility gave her an advantage over the others, since Rogue was still in training and Scott had to compensate for his closed eyes. To prevent Mystique from getting away, Scott gave her a football tackle that would have made his old gym teacher proud. They landed on the ground and Rogue crouched next to them, covering her face from spikes.
Then there was the unexpected sound of gunshots, and the X-Men cursed to themselves. The last thing they needed was the cavalery coming to their rescue and unwillingly arming Magneto so much more. Ororo was still working on the winds, but even with whitened eyes she had a strange sort of view over her surroundings, and she noticed three people moving closer to them, stunned by the strange scenario, but not too much to keep shooting. One of them was Noah, the other two were the Indian and the mute, both holding onto their guns.
No guns! He controls metal! she shouted, but too late. The weapons were snatched away from the riders' hands, and something pulled at Buck's foot, causing him to slide down on the ground. His knife worked its way through the leather boot and rushed forward to Ororo, where it stopped right by her throat, pressing a drop of blood from under her larynx. If she as much as swallowed, it would hurt her more.
But there were only two guns flying in the air, and although the number of weapons were three with Buck's knife, neither of them belonged to Noah. Ororo looked up at the rider and noticed a leather whip hanging by his side. Magneto gave little attention to the three normies, considering them a small threat. Ororo called on the electricity of the sky, and as dark clouds drew closer she mouthed *whip* to Noah, hoping he would understand.
He did. Trying to stay away from everything flying around in the air, he grabbed the whip and let it fly through the air. It caught Magneto's legs and he fell over, at a clearing big enough for Ororo to work without hitting someone else. A thin line of lightning, enough to stun but not to kill (she hoped), cracked down and straight into Magneto's body.
Things fell to the ground in a garbage symphony. Scott took the opportunity to knock Mystique out, and Logan rolled off Bobby and Jean, moaning in pain. His claws went back inside with a *snikt*. Still sore, he forced himself up and over to Rogue, whom he caught in a rough hug.
You okay, kid?
she said, then contradicted herself by wincing as his shoulder brushed against a gash caused by flying spikes. Don't touch.
I wasn't going to.
Scott moved up to sitting position and checked on Mystique with one hand to make sure she was still out. Anyone seen my glasses? he asked, and Jean looked around to see if she could find them. They were lying a few feet away from Magneto's unconscious body and didn't appear broken, so she pulled them up in the air and towards Scott.
Hold your hand out.
He did as he was told, waiting for the glasses to land in his palm. Once they did, he checked them with his fingers to make sure there were no small but lethal cracks before putting them back in place. Everyone's movements were of the sore and cautious kind usually following a fight, taking care of the prisoners and making sure all pieces were still attached to their bodies. In the middle of this, the riders stood staring, still shell-shocked. Ororo was the first one to remember them, and turned to Noah, who swallowed at the concerned look from her eyes, now back to blue. Since this time knew not of mutants, his face showed none of the contempt she had gotten used to, just shock, disbelief and a fear she had preferred not to see.
Thank you, she said, not knowing what else to tell him.
He licked his lips, and his voice was hoarse when he asked her: What are you?
His friends looked like they were about to ask the same question, and Buck mumbled something she did not understand but suspected was religious. Ike wasn't quite Catholic enough to cross himself, but it wasn't far from.
I... I do suppose we owe you an explanation. Can it wait, though? It's a long story, and we have to think of what to do with Magneto. She saw his confusion and added: The man we fought.
Noah's eyes drifted to the unconscious man the other X-Men were tying up, frail-looking and yet so dangerous, and then to the peculiar female creature. Yeah... Should we take him to the prison or something? He did try to kill you.
If he had tried to kill us, we would have been dead, Logan raised his voice to say. He spoke with a certain bitterness, knowing that this applied even to him. With all his healing abilities, if Magneto had wanted to, he could have simply squeezed in a metal-clad skull and distorted the vertebrae under it, and that would have been the end. And no prison would hold him. We need to keep him somewhere away from metal, if that's even possible around here.
The calmness of the X-Men seemed to have a soothing effect even on the riders, who began to look at this practically. Ike signed a suggestion, and Buck shook his head. There are spikes in the walls.
Walls tend to have those, Noah said. Then a thought struck him. Teaspoon's sweat lodge.
Ororo said, smiling widely. The X-Men started getting ready to go, and she could see in their faces that they were as surprised at the turn of things as she was. There was still a cautiousness in the way the riders moved around them, but the promise of an explanation later had been accepted. She walked up to Noah and had to resist the urge to put her hand in his. That would certainly unhinge him.
she said, her voice low.
Yeah, you said that. He was looking straight ahead, avoiding her gaze.
That's not what I meant.
He didn't say anything for quite some time. Not until they were almost by the station did he speak again. I don't know what the hell you are, but I saw how careful you were -- all of you -- not to hurt anyone. He was uncomfortable talking to her now. Lying had been one thing, but this... Was she even human? That wasn't the kind of question you could throw into a discussion. Cody could have done it, perhaps, but not he. So. I'm on your side I guess. It sounded so harsh, so condemning, and so he softened it by saying the word he had been repeating in his head since last night. Ro... Ro, we're almost there.
She looked up at him, trying to catch his look, but he was still turned away. Still there was something in his posture that made her dare to slip those long, dark fingers into his palm. He flinched at her touch, but didn't move away. Instead after a short moment, he squeezed her hand, with a firmness that didn't mirror the hesitation in his mind.
Putting Magneto in the sweat lodge wasn't exactly something they could do unnoticed, and Mystique was even worse. Logan carried her towards the stable and was met in the doorway by a rider whose eyes looked like they were about to pop out at the sight of the beautiful naked lady covered in blue scales. Hardly surprising, but Ororo started to wonder exactly how many people would have to hear this explanation she had promised Noah. Everyone at the station? How many were they anyway? This rider was certainly a new one, but then Noah had said there was only one she hadn't met, apart from the station manager and the house keeper, and this was certainly neither of those. So this must be what's-his-name, obviously waiting to find out what on earth was going on. She hadn't quite counted on an official outing, but then again, they didn't seem to have a choice.

**********