A/N: First off, who saw Day of Recovery yesterday? AWESOME! I can't believe it was that easy to get everyone out though. ah, well. It still kicked butt.

Hope ya'll like this chapter. Sorry it took forever and a day to update it. I've been working on a new story idea that won't let me sleep properly at night. I might be starting a new story on here then, it's not X-Men however. We'll see. we'll see-



Chapter 14- Living in the Aftermath

Dr. Henry "Hank" McCoy checked the IV hooked up to Viktoria's arm as the monitors around him beeped with her various statistics. The last 7 hours had been very touch and go, so much so that he feared Viktoria might still slip back into her previous unconscious state; her body was so severely beaten.

He secretly wondered if Wanda was aware of the damage she had inflicted. Her last words had been "I swear, I didn't mean to!" before Hank had given her a shot full of Postafedathime, a drug usually used to sedate mental patients.

The girl had become nearly catatonic, raving wildly about how Viktoria's 'condition', as Hank put it, was not her fault. How sorry she was for the whole thing. After fifteen minutes of the delirious rambling, Pietro had requested Hank to do "something, please. For Viktoria's sake." Hank had readily agreed.

As of now, Wanda was asleep in her room, being watched over by Jean. Pietro sat faithfully in the chair previously occupied by his twin at Viktoria's bedside, watching as the machines continuously spit out new data on her condition.

"Perhaps you should try and get some sleep, my young friend. It's nearly 3 in the morning. If Viktoria's condition changes, even the slightest bit, I'll notify you immediately."

Pietro shook his head. "No. I'll stay. I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. Not with her like this." His fingers tightened on the magazine he held in his lap. "If she woke up, I'd want to be here. She would want me to be here."

Hank shrugged his massive shoulders. "If you insist, but there is a vacant bed right over there in case you change your mind. I'm going upstairs to speak with the Professor. If anything should happen-"

"Push the button," Pietro answered. "Yeah, I know. Go ahead."

Hank nodded. He picked up his clipboard and manila folder with Viktoria's name written across the front in large black letters. "Remember, if you need anything.."

"I'm fine. Really." Pietro made a gesture to shoo him out of the room as Hank gathered the last of his things and lumbered out. Pietro turned back to the bed beside him and sighed loudly.

"I hate to see you like this," he whispered to Viktoria. "I hate knowing I couldn't stop it from happening." Pietro rubbed his eyes as they became thick with tears and fatigue. "I shouldn't of let you go in there. God, this is all my fault."

"No, it ain't, homme," a new voice replied. Remy walked into the lab, rapidly taking in all the equipment and display screens surrounding the fallen blonde girl. He pulled a chair up, and calmly took a seat next to Pietro. "You can't blame yourself for dis. Nobody at fault here."

"Swamp rat has a point, sugah. You didn't cause this." Rogue stood awkwardly in the doorway; unsure of whether she was allowed in or not. She shrugged her shoulders and came in anyway, figuring Pietro could use all the friends he could find right now.

"If I hadn't pissed Wanda off so bad, she wouldn't of threatened Viktoria," Pietro replied. "Viktoria's just like me. She won't back down from a challenge, ever. And Wanda knew that. She knew that Viktoria would fight her until- until this." He gestured to Viktoria, lying somewhat peacefully under the stark white covers, despite her serious injuries. "Wanda knew."

"Den Gambit want to know how dis your fault," Remy asked.

Pietro just shrugged his shoulders in a helpless gesture. "She's my responsibility. I should of known. I just should of known."

Rogue placed a single hand on his shoulder. "You can't beat yourself up over this, Pietro. Viktoria wouldn't a wanted you to sit here and blame yaself."

"Perto. Pit-ro." Three sets of eyes turned to see Viktoria's eye peek open as her mouth tried to hopelessly form the words her brain knew so well.

"VIKTORIA!" Pietro rushed to her side, clutching her hand as if she might float away at any moment. "Oh god, you're awake! Tor, I love you, please come back. Please wake up, Tor. I need you to wake up."

"Uh, that might not be such a good idea, Pietro." Remy exchanged a worried look with Rogue, who just shrugged helplessly. "Ah'll go get Hank."

"Viktoria? Please- just say something.. Anything." Pietro was practically in tears while Viktoria's chest rose and fell and her mouth ceased to move. Her eyes opened, rolling gently in their sockets before focusing on Pietro's shining blue orbs.

**Hurts to talk** Viktoria's voice resounded in their minds. **This'll haveta do. Why you cry, Pietro?**

"I thought- I, um, I-" Pietro's voice faltered as he held Viktoria's hand to the side of his face, kissing it gently. "He just glad you back," Remy finished. "Real glad."

**I'd smile if it didn't hurt so much to move. Is Hank 'round? I'd like to know why my body won't respond quickly.**

"Rogue went to go get him. She should be back soon, petite."

**Oh. Do either of you know then? Pietro, are you okay, baby? Your crying.**

Pietro looked up in surprise, wiping his eyes almost mechanically. "I was just concerned bout you. Don't worry about me."

"Ah got 'im!" Rogue shouted as she pushed the Professor's wheelchair into the room with Hank on her heels. "They were both real excited to see ya awake, sugah."

**Seems everybody's acting that way.** Viktoria tried to speak again, but quickly gave up with a soft groan resembling a sigh. **How bad was I hurt?**

"Pretty badly, I'm afraid," Hank answered. "Nothing was broken, however, and we're all thankful for that small miracle. You do have a bruised rib, which might make breathing difficult for you right now."

**I hadn't noticed** came Viktoria's sarcastic reply. **What else is wrong? Is Wanda hurt?**

"Hardly anything, actually, which I found quite surprising. Her mental state may be a matter of debate, though."

"Dun worry bout that though, chere. Dat gal was crazy before she ever went up against you," Remy added. Hank gave him a callus look, but continued on.

"As I was saying, Viktoria. Along with your bruised rib, you received a serious cut on your right left forearm, which we stitched up, some of my best work, actually."

**Yeah, well, don't break your own arm patting yourself on the back there, Doc.** Viktoria's lip twitched in a small smile as Hank adjusted his glasses in embarrassment. "Ah, yes, well. Other than that, and a mild concussion, some minor cuts and bruises seem to be the only thing holding you back from a full recovery."

"Does she have to sleep down here tonight?" Pietro asked.

"Well, I would prefer it-" Hank began.

"But if Viktoria feels up to it, I'd be happy to situate her in your room for the remainder of the night, Pietro. As long as she got plenty of rest, that is." The Professor smiled gently at the young couple. Pietro nodded vigorously at the prospect.

**Anything to get me out of here and into a real bed. Reminds me of a hospital in here. All squeaky-clean and that nasty smell.** Everyone laughed as the thick tension of the room broke.

"The rest of you should get back to bed, it's still early in the morning," The Professor announced. "I've cancelled the Danger Room sessions for the next 2 days, so everyone can recover from this- incident- so I hope to see you all sleeping soundly through breakfast tomorrow. Goodnight." He clapped his hands together as Remy and Rogue headed towards the door.

"See you two in de morning," Remy said with a wave.

"Make sure ya'll get some actual sleep, huh?" Rogue called from the door.

"Yeah, yeah. Pot calling the kettle black, don't you think, streaks?" Pietro replied, effectively silencing Rogue. The southern couple gave their final goodbyes and headed towards the elevators that would take them to the dormitories.

Pietro turned back to Hank and the Professor, gesturing for help in carrying Viktoria safely upstairs. The Professor waved him away. "No need, I can manage," he said, placing a hand to his temple. Viktoria's body began to rise up from the bed as her eyes took on an almost frantic look.

**Hey! Hey! I can walk! Really! My muscles are just a little sore! Put me down!**

Viktoria sighed as her body was once again lowered onto the bed. She slowly swung her legs over the side, tentatively touching the floor with her feet.

"Ah! Cold!" She pulled her legs back quickly, wincing in pain as she noticed the bandages on her arms and legs for the first time. "Oh.. those look like they hurt."

"Yes, well, we had to put you on some serious painkillers while you were out. I'm assuming you cannot felt your various abrasions as of now?" Hank looked to Pietro for help, while the silver-haired mutant began hefting Viktoria's body into his arms.

**Nope. Can't really feel much of anything, actually. 'Cept Petey,** she added with a pat to Pietro's head. **And the cold. Why's it so cold in here all the time?**

"Try not to worry about it for now, Viktoria. Just focus on getting some rest," the Professor soothed. He turned to Pietro, who was heading quickly for the door, Viktoria still in his arms.

"If you need anything, Hank or myself will be available at any time." Pietro nodded, flashing a brilliant smile, and continued out the door with Viktoria beginning to snooze on his shoulder.

"And you're sure she'll be fine in his room?" Hank questioned.

"Absolutely positive," the Professor answered with a small smile. "Nobody cares for that young lady more than Pietro."

"Who would of thought? With his family-"

"Indeed," Xavier interrupted. "But he's grown up quite a bit since we first met him. Perhaps Miss Cole had some doing in that."

"I wouldn't doubt it, Charles. They both seem to act as suppressant to the other.. Or an upper. Did you hear about Bobby's newest prank, by the way?"

"I'm afraid to ask, Hank," the Professor relied with a sigh.

The pair headed to the elevator, leaving behind the sheets spotted with Viktoria's blood and the various beeping monitors. Outside, the darkness was beginning to disappear.