"Kitty! If you don't come now, I'm leaving without you!!!!" Scott's voice
rang as he ran down the stairs.
"Hang on! I'm coming!" I called back, grabbing my bag and books, running out of my room. I raced down the stairs, nearly falling several times. Why was he being so impatient? He always was late for…….
"Kitty," I reached the door and found the Professor in my path. "Are you feeling well?" He asked, looking at me with great interest, and concern. Or so I thought…..
"Ya professor, never been better. I gotta run though or Scott'll leave me." I tried to move past.
"Don't worry, he'll wait." The professor paused a moment, until he was sure he had my attention. "You seem tense, please come by my study after school today, all right?"
I didn't know if he was asking me or telling me, but I nodded anyway, and raced out the door.
Scott sat impatiently in the car. I was shocked he hadn't left. "Well? Are you coming?" He looked at me and asked sadistically. I got in the car silently. As we drove away from the Institute I glanced back. I saw someone at the window watching me. Before I could get a good look, they moved away. I gave a slight shiver, creepy.
********************************
I sat in English bored out of my mind. I tried to pay attention, as the teacher went on about the importance of poetry in literature. Unfortunately, this wasn't a very lively subject, and I found myself slipping any.
Shaking my head I sat up, no. I would not fall asleep in class. Though before I knew it I was nodding off again. I took a deep breath, but that only made me more tired. All right, just for a minute, I'll close my eyes for just a…….
Where am I? I stood in the middle of a room. Doors surrounded me. I walked up to the first one, took the knob, no……that's not the right door…..a voice spoke in my head. Turning to my right, I went for the next one. As I went to turn the knob, I heard whispers. Quietly I opened the door. I saw the professor. He sat in his chair with his hands folded and eyes closed.
The room he sat in had no floor, or ceiling, it was all black. Around him I saw images, like faint shadows, who were they? They were my team mates. I saw Scott, he walked mopping, I could see his sadness. Listening intently I could hear him, "Jean, no, not Jean, why? Please help me…." He almost was to a point of tears, he looked pale, distressed. The next person I saw was Rogue she sat lifelessly. "Please…let me go…" She whispered as though could barely speak. I heard a noise close by, Kurt appeared. "The professor said that….he said we should….Kitty?" He was the only one to notice me.
The moment he said my name, fear spread over me. I gasped and turned to the professor, who had appeared sleeping. His eyes shot open, he looked at me for less then a second, then I heard the voice of a girl, "Wake up Kitty! Wake up!" It was almost a scream, Jean? I saw the professor, who didn't seem sure if I was real, reach for me…….
1 I nearly fell out of my seat as the teacher took my arm, "Ms. Pryde?"
"Ahhhh!" I almost screamed. Then I realized that I had been dreaming. It seemed so real though……..I looked up at the teacher, and blushed as I came to the embarrassing realization, that everyone was staring at me.
She let my arm go, and looked at me with concern. "Kitty, maybe you should go get some water, take a walk. You look pale." I nodded and got up. Taking my bag and books I got up to leave. Right before I reached the door I turned and looked at Pietro. He stared at me with concern. He opened his mouth as thought to say something, but I quickly turned away and rushed out the door.
*************************************
Out in the hall I stood still for a moment, leaning against the lockers. My body was shaking, and I had this overwhelming feeling of fear running through my mind. "Kitty get a hold of yourself." I muttered in a shaky voice.
I got up and walked down the hall toward the water fountain. I stooped to get a drink. As I did so, I heard a voice from the girls bathroom.
"Ah don't know what to say…ah should ask Kitty."
I knew that southern voice anywhere! "Rogue?" I said stepping into the bathroom curiously. I heard the door close behind me.
"No. It's not Rogue." The door latched.
Turning around I found myself face to face with one of the last people I expected.
"Jean?" I said in disbelief. My almost smile turned to a frown. "Traitor…" I said, with a glare. "Move out of my way."
Jean didn't budge. "Kitty, I just want to talk to you." I clenched my fists. "Just hear me out, I know you're not mad, don't try to be."
I relaxed my fists, and thought for a moment. Maybe, she could explain a couple things. "Okay. But you better give me a good reason soon."
Jean nodded. "It all started a couple months ago. Do you remember when my powers went crazy?"
I nodded, I definitely remembered that, she almost killed some of us. "Ya….what about that?"
"Well, for a few weeks before that, my powers had been growing, as had my ability to use them more clearly. I told the professor about this, but he said I was imagining it. He said that the growth in my powers was dangerous, and I should refrain from overusing them." She took a deep breath, and watched my reaction. I had none, none of this made any sense yet. "Anyway," she continued, "I didn't believe the Professor, and the strange thing was that I kept feelings these vibes that I should believe him. So, I did something that I had never tried before, I entered his mind."
I raised my eyebrows and looked at her with surprise. I had never thought that she was strong enough to do that.
"It wasn't for very long, he sensed me there. But before he stopped me, I sensed something else, anger. He was mad that I had gone against him. He kept telling me not to go against him. I thought that he was saying it out loud, but he was saying this in my mind!"
I looked at her with caution, "What are you trying to say?"
She stared me directly in the eye. "I'm trying to say that he was trying to control my mind, he had been. All of the sudden though, my powers had developed to strong, and I could sense his control, for the first time."
"First time? Are you trying to say that he had done it before?"
Jean nodded. "The next day was when my power surge started. Out of no where, my powers started going haywire. At first I had no idea why, then right before, they went really crazy, I sensed it, or saw it, the professor. He was the one that was using my powers!" She seemed to shake slightly as she re-told me the story. "I tried to stop him, and I could, I , well, he, I mean, my powers almost killed several of you guys! That was my punishment, for trying to read his mind. From then on, I could feel his control. I waited till he was asleep, then I entered his mind again. That's when I saw it, everyone else. I saw their suppressed images in his mind, as he controlled them. Kitty, he was still controlling everyone in his sleep! That's when I realized that, Xavier," She looked up at me with disappointment. "Xavier is not the wonderful leader that we were made to believe."
I stood motionless for a minute, letting everything she had said sink in. Could she be telling the truth? That would explain why she left…..but no, no! It couldn't be true!
"No Jean." I said firmly, "That's crazy, why would he do that? I don't believe you."
Jean stepped forward and took my hands. "Kitty, you know it's true! You've seen it! What do you think you were seeing in your dream? Those images were what I was seeing too! I was showing you what Xavier was thinking right now!"
I looked her in the eyes. "That was my dream…..I was in his mind….but then he saw me!"
Jean shifted her eyes, "Well, I don't think he saw you, I think I was able to block us out before he did…..But you know what I mean then. And who do think was talking to you last night? That wasn't Rogue, that was me!"
I felt my eyes filling with tears, I looked at Jean, then shook my head and pulled away. "No….no, this can't be true." I glared at her with anger, "You're lying! You betrayed us!" Pushing her away from me I ran out of the bathroom, phasing through the door without even thinking.
No, I wouldn't believe it. There was no way that Xavier would be so, so….he just wouldn't! He wouldn't control our minds, he'd let us use our own free will! That's why we we're on the team, it was our own free will, he didn't force us. Especially not me! I had a choice, I could have gone with Lance!……but…I didn't….I didn't want to, I think…. No, she had to lying, she had to! Because, if she was telling the truth, then that would change things, really change things………..
******************************
(Jean's POV)
"Ahhhh! How can I make her understand?" I said to myself as I walked to lunch. I saw the brotherhood, I mean, my brotherhood standing up ahead.
AS I got closer they all looked at me eagerly, especially Lance.
"Well?" Lance said nervously, "What, what happened? What did she…" He stopped talking as he saw the expression on my face.
I shook my head. "I tried," Everyone's possible excitement turned to a look of hopelessness.
"What'll happen now?" Todd asked, breaking the silence.
"More importantly," Lance said, recovering from him sullen expression, "What'll the professor do to her?"
I took Lance by the shoulders. "That depends on you," I turned to face them all, "on all of you."
"What do you mean?" Pietro raised his eyebrow.
"I need your guys help."
**************************************
"Kitty?" Scott said surprised, "What are you doing here?"
I sat in the passenger seat of his car, waiting for him. "I wasn't feeling good, I got off class early." I said without ever looking at him.
"Okay, let me just get…" He was interrupted by a high-pitched cheery voice.
"Scott! You-who!" Tyran waved to Scott and came running over. "Hey baby." She said with a smile. Wrapping her arms around Scott's neck. "I missed you." She feigned a babe's voice.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. Scott actually went on a date with her? What was he thinking……or was he…….no, I didn't even want to consider it! Though…it would explain why he got over Jean so….
"Hey Tyran. Good to see ya. Sorry about last night though." Scott smiled and shrugged.
"It's okay." She said, releasing him, and touching a finger to his nose, "You can make it up to me later. Tootles!" She turned and walked away, but as she was doing so she out of blue tripped and fell to he face.
"Tyran…" Scott said with concern, about to go help her.
Gee!!! I wonder how that happened. I tried to remain silent, but I accidentally slipped and a giggle came. Scott turned, I could tell he was glaring through his sunglasses.
He turned back to her, "Tyran are you ok?" She was already up dusting herself off.
"I'm fine." She said, bright red with embarrassment.
A few minutes later Rogue and Kurt got to the car. "We ahll ready ta go?" Rogue asked looking intently at me with confusion over how quiet I was.
"Ya." Scott said hoping in the car. A moment later Kurt and Rogue had joined us, and we were off.
*******************************
I was weary as we walked into the house. Things didn't feel right, since Jean had talked to me. Every little thing seemed to raise a red flag. Especially the fact that all Scott had talked about was Tyran and the concert him and Evan were going to go to that weekend. Not a word about Jean, she was his life.
Kitty, a moment please.
I heard the professor call me in my mind. This wasn't anything new…but now it sent shivers up my spine. What was stopping him from controlling our minds? As I walked up the stairs, every stair was like a mile. I couldn't get what Jean had said out of my head…I couldn't completely disregard it, it make too much sense.
I reached the professor's door.
Come in.
I held my breath as I opened the door. I tried to clear my mind. "Hi Professor!"
"Hello Kitty. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, a little tired."
He nodded. "Come here Kitty."
I felt that same fear that I had in my dream, as I approached him. "Yes?" I felt weary of him. What if he was going to control me again, like Jean said? No! Don't think of her, Kitty. I had to keep my mind clear.
The professor looked at me with skeptically. He reached towards me and put his hand on my shoulder. Why? Why would he do that? Maybe she was telling the truth……I had barely thought it when I saw his eyes shoot open, he knew! In my mind I saw flashes of the past day, the past week, last night, he was reading my thoughts……..his eyes grew upset…..
"Jean…" I said under my breath, barely audible. The professor was upset.
"I see you have had a lot on your mind….we can take care of that!" He reached toward me again.
I gasped and stepped back but I could feel him in my mind.
Calm down Kitty, I'm not going to hurt you.
I could feel myself coming close to hysterics. "Jean….help me, someone…" I tried to talk, my head began to ache. I was trying so hard to resist him in my mind. I was trying to hold onto my thoughts, but I knew that it wouldn't last long….
"Professor!" I heard someone else yell at the top of their lungs. "We have a problem!"
That was all the distraction I needed. I felt that he was distracted. I felt him let go of my mind as he turned toward the voices coming up stairs. Jumping up, I started to run for the door.
He was slightly shocked at the fact I was trying to get away.
Are you trying to escape?
I felt like someone had just hit me on the back of my head. I fell to the ground. My head ached. I strained to get up, but I couldn't.
Wait here Kitty, I'll deal with you in a moment.
He started towards the door. No sooner had he exited that I saw something flash in front of me.
"Forgive me for this." I heard someone say.
I looked up at the boy standing above me, "Pietro?"
Without another word he picked me up and tossed me onto his shoulder. Speeding out the room and down the hall. A moment later, I found myself outside the barricades of the Institute.
Above me stood Jean, Fred, Todd, Pietro, and Lance! Jean had her fingers placed on her temples, her eyes closed.
"What? What's going on?…." I sat up dazed. Then it all came back to me. "No! No, I can't be here! You guys have to go Theres the Professor….and he…..he won't like this…..no, don't leave me…….ahhh! I have to go back to the institute…..wait no, don't leave!" I held my hands to my head.
"Kitty, calm down!" Jean grabbed my wrists, trying to get my to look at her. Todd held my up.
"Ahhh!!! Jean…..Jean I can feel him in my head! Make it stop!"
"Kitty I'm trying, but you have to concentrate!" Jean said trying desperately to help me.
"Ahh! But the institute…and you, the professor, the team, he trying to get me, I can't….
"Concentrate Kitty…" Jean was interrupted as Lance pushed her out of the way.
"Kitty?" He said looking down at me.
I looked up at him, but my head pounded. "Kitty, let them go, listen to Jean."
I wanted too, I opened my mouth to say something, but without another word Lance pulled me close, leaned down and kissed me.
At that moment the world stopped. H pulled his head back and looked at me. I stood motionless a moment, my eyes still closed, and my head tilted.
"Lance?"
"Yes Kitty?"
I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Please don't leave me…." I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him and resting my head on his chest.
He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "I won't Kitty, I'll never leave you."
"Hang on! I'm coming!" I called back, grabbing my bag and books, running out of my room. I raced down the stairs, nearly falling several times. Why was he being so impatient? He always was late for…….
"Kitty," I reached the door and found the Professor in my path. "Are you feeling well?" He asked, looking at me with great interest, and concern. Or so I thought…..
"Ya professor, never been better. I gotta run though or Scott'll leave me." I tried to move past.
"Don't worry, he'll wait." The professor paused a moment, until he was sure he had my attention. "You seem tense, please come by my study after school today, all right?"
I didn't know if he was asking me or telling me, but I nodded anyway, and raced out the door.
Scott sat impatiently in the car. I was shocked he hadn't left. "Well? Are you coming?" He looked at me and asked sadistically. I got in the car silently. As we drove away from the Institute I glanced back. I saw someone at the window watching me. Before I could get a good look, they moved away. I gave a slight shiver, creepy.
********************************
I sat in English bored out of my mind. I tried to pay attention, as the teacher went on about the importance of poetry in literature. Unfortunately, this wasn't a very lively subject, and I found myself slipping any.
Shaking my head I sat up, no. I would not fall asleep in class. Though before I knew it I was nodding off again. I took a deep breath, but that only made me more tired. All right, just for a minute, I'll close my eyes for just a…….
Where am I? I stood in the middle of a room. Doors surrounded me. I walked up to the first one, took the knob, no……that's not the right door…..a voice spoke in my head. Turning to my right, I went for the next one. As I went to turn the knob, I heard whispers. Quietly I opened the door. I saw the professor. He sat in his chair with his hands folded and eyes closed.
The room he sat in had no floor, or ceiling, it was all black. Around him I saw images, like faint shadows, who were they? They were my team mates. I saw Scott, he walked mopping, I could see his sadness. Listening intently I could hear him, "Jean, no, not Jean, why? Please help me…." He almost was to a point of tears, he looked pale, distressed. The next person I saw was Rogue she sat lifelessly. "Please…let me go…" She whispered as though could barely speak. I heard a noise close by, Kurt appeared. "The professor said that….he said we should….Kitty?" He was the only one to notice me.
The moment he said my name, fear spread over me. I gasped and turned to the professor, who had appeared sleeping. His eyes shot open, he looked at me for less then a second, then I heard the voice of a girl, "Wake up Kitty! Wake up!" It was almost a scream, Jean? I saw the professor, who didn't seem sure if I was real, reach for me…….
1 I nearly fell out of my seat as the teacher took my arm, "Ms. Pryde?"
"Ahhhh!" I almost screamed. Then I realized that I had been dreaming. It seemed so real though……..I looked up at the teacher, and blushed as I came to the embarrassing realization, that everyone was staring at me.
She let my arm go, and looked at me with concern. "Kitty, maybe you should go get some water, take a walk. You look pale." I nodded and got up. Taking my bag and books I got up to leave. Right before I reached the door I turned and looked at Pietro. He stared at me with concern. He opened his mouth as thought to say something, but I quickly turned away and rushed out the door.
*************************************
Out in the hall I stood still for a moment, leaning against the lockers. My body was shaking, and I had this overwhelming feeling of fear running through my mind. "Kitty get a hold of yourself." I muttered in a shaky voice.
I got up and walked down the hall toward the water fountain. I stooped to get a drink. As I did so, I heard a voice from the girls bathroom.
"Ah don't know what to say…ah should ask Kitty."
I knew that southern voice anywhere! "Rogue?" I said stepping into the bathroom curiously. I heard the door close behind me.
"No. It's not Rogue." The door latched.
Turning around I found myself face to face with one of the last people I expected.
"Jean?" I said in disbelief. My almost smile turned to a frown. "Traitor…" I said, with a glare. "Move out of my way."
Jean didn't budge. "Kitty, I just want to talk to you." I clenched my fists. "Just hear me out, I know you're not mad, don't try to be."
I relaxed my fists, and thought for a moment. Maybe, she could explain a couple things. "Okay. But you better give me a good reason soon."
Jean nodded. "It all started a couple months ago. Do you remember when my powers went crazy?"
I nodded, I definitely remembered that, she almost killed some of us. "Ya….what about that?"
"Well, for a few weeks before that, my powers had been growing, as had my ability to use them more clearly. I told the professor about this, but he said I was imagining it. He said that the growth in my powers was dangerous, and I should refrain from overusing them." She took a deep breath, and watched my reaction. I had none, none of this made any sense yet. "Anyway," she continued, "I didn't believe the Professor, and the strange thing was that I kept feelings these vibes that I should believe him. So, I did something that I had never tried before, I entered his mind."
I raised my eyebrows and looked at her with surprise. I had never thought that she was strong enough to do that.
"It wasn't for very long, he sensed me there. But before he stopped me, I sensed something else, anger. He was mad that I had gone against him. He kept telling me not to go against him. I thought that he was saying it out loud, but he was saying this in my mind!"
I looked at her with caution, "What are you trying to say?"
She stared me directly in the eye. "I'm trying to say that he was trying to control my mind, he had been. All of the sudden though, my powers had developed to strong, and I could sense his control, for the first time."
"First time? Are you trying to say that he had done it before?"
Jean nodded. "The next day was when my power surge started. Out of no where, my powers started going haywire. At first I had no idea why, then right before, they went really crazy, I sensed it, or saw it, the professor. He was the one that was using my powers!" She seemed to shake slightly as she re-told me the story. "I tried to stop him, and I could, I , well, he, I mean, my powers almost killed several of you guys! That was my punishment, for trying to read his mind. From then on, I could feel his control. I waited till he was asleep, then I entered his mind again. That's when I saw it, everyone else. I saw their suppressed images in his mind, as he controlled them. Kitty, he was still controlling everyone in his sleep! That's when I realized that, Xavier," She looked up at me with disappointment. "Xavier is not the wonderful leader that we were made to believe."
I stood motionless for a minute, letting everything she had said sink in. Could she be telling the truth? That would explain why she left…..but no, no! It couldn't be true!
"No Jean." I said firmly, "That's crazy, why would he do that? I don't believe you."
Jean stepped forward and took my hands. "Kitty, you know it's true! You've seen it! What do you think you were seeing in your dream? Those images were what I was seeing too! I was showing you what Xavier was thinking right now!"
I looked her in the eyes. "That was my dream…..I was in his mind….but then he saw me!"
Jean shifted her eyes, "Well, I don't think he saw you, I think I was able to block us out before he did…..But you know what I mean then. And who do think was talking to you last night? That wasn't Rogue, that was me!"
I felt my eyes filling with tears, I looked at Jean, then shook my head and pulled away. "No….no, this can't be true." I glared at her with anger, "You're lying! You betrayed us!" Pushing her away from me I ran out of the bathroom, phasing through the door without even thinking.
No, I wouldn't believe it. There was no way that Xavier would be so, so….he just wouldn't! He wouldn't control our minds, he'd let us use our own free will! That's why we we're on the team, it was our own free will, he didn't force us. Especially not me! I had a choice, I could have gone with Lance!……but…I didn't….I didn't want to, I think…. No, she had to lying, she had to! Because, if she was telling the truth, then that would change things, really change things………..
******************************
(Jean's POV)
"Ahhhh! How can I make her understand?" I said to myself as I walked to lunch. I saw the brotherhood, I mean, my brotherhood standing up ahead.
AS I got closer they all looked at me eagerly, especially Lance.
"Well?" Lance said nervously, "What, what happened? What did she…" He stopped talking as he saw the expression on my face.
I shook my head. "I tried," Everyone's possible excitement turned to a look of hopelessness.
"What'll happen now?" Todd asked, breaking the silence.
"More importantly," Lance said, recovering from him sullen expression, "What'll the professor do to her?"
I took Lance by the shoulders. "That depends on you," I turned to face them all, "on all of you."
"What do you mean?" Pietro raised his eyebrow.
"I need your guys help."
**************************************
"Kitty?" Scott said surprised, "What are you doing here?"
I sat in the passenger seat of his car, waiting for him. "I wasn't feeling good, I got off class early." I said without ever looking at him.
"Okay, let me just get…" He was interrupted by a high-pitched cheery voice.
"Scott! You-who!" Tyran waved to Scott and came running over. "Hey baby." She said with a smile. Wrapping her arms around Scott's neck. "I missed you." She feigned a babe's voice.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. Scott actually went on a date with her? What was he thinking……or was he…….no, I didn't even want to consider it! Though…it would explain why he got over Jean so….
"Hey Tyran. Good to see ya. Sorry about last night though." Scott smiled and shrugged.
"It's okay." She said, releasing him, and touching a finger to his nose, "You can make it up to me later. Tootles!" She turned and walked away, but as she was doing so she out of blue tripped and fell to he face.
"Tyran…" Scott said with concern, about to go help her.
Gee!!! I wonder how that happened. I tried to remain silent, but I accidentally slipped and a giggle came. Scott turned, I could tell he was glaring through his sunglasses.
He turned back to her, "Tyran are you ok?" She was already up dusting herself off.
"I'm fine." She said, bright red with embarrassment.
A few minutes later Rogue and Kurt got to the car. "We ahll ready ta go?" Rogue asked looking intently at me with confusion over how quiet I was.
"Ya." Scott said hoping in the car. A moment later Kurt and Rogue had joined us, and we were off.
*******************************
I was weary as we walked into the house. Things didn't feel right, since Jean had talked to me. Every little thing seemed to raise a red flag. Especially the fact that all Scott had talked about was Tyran and the concert him and Evan were going to go to that weekend. Not a word about Jean, she was his life.
Kitty, a moment please.
I heard the professor call me in my mind. This wasn't anything new…but now it sent shivers up my spine. What was stopping him from controlling our minds? As I walked up the stairs, every stair was like a mile. I couldn't get what Jean had said out of my head…I couldn't completely disregard it, it make too much sense.
I reached the professor's door.
Come in.
I held my breath as I opened the door. I tried to clear my mind. "Hi Professor!"
"Hello Kitty. How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay, a little tired."
He nodded. "Come here Kitty."
I felt that same fear that I had in my dream, as I approached him. "Yes?" I felt weary of him. What if he was going to control me again, like Jean said? No! Don't think of her, Kitty. I had to keep my mind clear.
The professor looked at me with skeptically. He reached towards me and put his hand on my shoulder. Why? Why would he do that? Maybe she was telling the truth……I had barely thought it when I saw his eyes shoot open, he knew! In my mind I saw flashes of the past day, the past week, last night, he was reading my thoughts……..his eyes grew upset…..
"Jean…" I said under my breath, barely audible. The professor was upset.
"I see you have had a lot on your mind….we can take care of that!" He reached toward me again.
I gasped and stepped back but I could feel him in my mind.
Calm down Kitty, I'm not going to hurt you.
I could feel myself coming close to hysterics. "Jean….help me, someone…" I tried to talk, my head began to ache. I was trying so hard to resist him in my mind. I was trying to hold onto my thoughts, but I knew that it wouldn't last long….
"Professor!" I heard someone else yell at the top of their lungs. "We have a problem!"
That was all the distraction I needed. I felt that he was distracted. I felt him let go of my mind as he turned toward the voices coming up stairs. Jumping up, I started to run for the door.
He was slightly shocked at the fact I was trying to get away.
Are you trying to escape?
I felt like someone had just hit me on the back of my head. I fell to the ground. My head ached. I strained to get up, but I couldn't.
Wait here Kitty, I'll deal with you in a moment.
He started towards the door. No sooner had he exited that I saw something flash in front of me.
"Forgive me for this." I heard someone say.
I looked up at the boy standing above me, "Pietro?"
Without another word he picked me up and tossed me onto his shoulder. Speeding out the room and down the hall. A moment later, I found myself outside the barricades of the Institute.
Above me stood Jean, Fred, Todd, Pietro, and Lance! Jean had her fingers placed on her temples, her eyes closed.
"What? What's going on?…." I sat up dazed. Then it all came back to me. "No! No, I can't be here! You guys have to go Theres the Professor….and he…..he won't like this…..no, don't leave me…….ahhh! I have to go back to the institute…..wait no, don't leave!" I held my hands to my head.
"Kitty, calm down!" Jean grabbed my wrists, trying to get my to look at her. Todd held my up.
"Ahhh!!! Jean…..Jean I can feel him in my head! Make it stop!"
"Kitty I'm trying, but you have to concentrate!" Jean said trying desperately to help me.
"Ahh! But the institute…and you, the professor, the team, he trying to get me, I can't….
"Concentrate Kitty…" Jean was interrupted as Lance pushed her out of the way.
"Kitty?" He said looking down at me.
I looked up at him, but my head pounded. "Kitty, let them go, listen to Jean."
I wanted too, I opened my mouth to say something, but without another word Lance pulled me close, leaned down and kissed me.
At that moment the world stopped. H pulled his head back and looked at me. I stood motionless a moment, my eyes still closed, and my head tilted.
"Lance?"
"Yes Kitty?"
I opened my eyes and looked at him. "Please don't leave me…." I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him and resting my head on his chest.
He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. "I won't Kitty, I'll never leave you."