Matt's eyes slowly opened. He gazed around the room as the memories came back. Stretching he ran a hand through his hair, old habits do come back. He gradually sat up and let his feet fall to the icy floor. The mansion was quiet and Matt strolled from the infirmary. He knew all of the adults would give him hell for not staying in bed but he wasn't one to wait. The halls were quiet as Matt strolled up to his room and showered.
As he pulled his pants on Matt's head nearly exploded.
Damn professor! He thought. Xavier quickly apologized for startling his student.
I would like to speak with you as soon as possible. The professor said. Matt sighed and threw his shirt over his shoulder, too tired and hot to put it on. He descended the stairs and walked into Xavier's study, shaking the last bits of weariness from his head. Xavier eyed him curiously when he saw his half naked appearance but he smiled warmly and invited Matt to sit on the couch.
"What you did was commendable Matthew." Xavier said. Matt shrugged. "Putting others before yourself took courage, you could have easily slipped out without risking harm to yourself."
"Just doing things your way." Matt said. "Kitty and Amara did most of the work." He said feeling slightly embarrassed at the praise he was receiving. The professor smiled. "The others will be back in a few hours, I suggest you catch up on some rest."
Matt lazed on the couch flipping channels when Logan and Ororo walked in. They both eyed him for he was still not wearing a shirt.
"How are you feeling?" Storm asked gently sitting down next to him. He shrugged, as Logan sat on the nearest armchair and placed a heavily booted foot over a knee. Ororo placed a hand on Matt's forehead.
"Your fever has broken." She smiled.
"Careful," Matt said, "Evan might think I'm trying to steal his aunt for my own." As he finished his sentence Tabitha, Rahne, Jubilee and Bobby came trudging through the entryway. Seeing their comrade awake they bounded over to him. Tabby flopped onto the couch next to him.
"How ya feeling?" Bobby questioned. Matt shrugged again. Jubilee and Rahne both sat farther away. Matt grinned inwardly. His bare chest was making both of the younger girls uncomfortable.
"I don't bite, I swear." He said. "Not like some people." Rahne giggled at his remark. Storm and Logan left, much to Tabby's delight and she was soon lying against Matt.
"Where are the others?" he asked.
"They'll be here soon." Bobby said. As his words formed Jean, Rogue, Scott, and Kurt came in, followed by a throng of other students. There was much talking when everyone saw that their teammate was no longer comatose. Rogue stepped in for a few moments but quickly slipped away, unobserved by everyone. The talking subsided and everyone left to go do different things.
Matt and Tabby slowly walked across the grounds. Tabby was busily talking about a boy in one of her classes who wouldn't stop hitting on her. Matt's mind wandered until Tabitha went silent waiting for a response.
"Doesn't that like bother you?" she said. Matt's eyes drifted downward to hers.
Uh, yeah." He said trying desperately to piece together the broken bits of conversation he had heard. "He does it again I'll kick his ass." He said hoping for the right effect. Tabby just giggled. Matt stretched out his shoulders and groaned.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, my shoulders hurt though." He said through gritted teeth. Tabby pulled him onto the grass and rubbed his bare shoulders. He rolled his neck and smiled.
"Where would I be without you?" he asked.
In Xavier's office Logan and Ororo were all ensnared in a deep conversation.
"If it was not Lance who or what could have caused this destruction?" Storm asked.
"Good question." Xavier said rubbing his temples. "But we are no closer to learning that than we were 24 hours ago."
Inside Rogue watched the two below. She glared at Matt's smiling face as it turned to face the blond girl. A slight knock on the door pulled her attention away from the window. Jean poked her head in.
"Can I come in?" she asked cautiously.
"Yeah sure." Rogue said. Jean sat on her bed and hugged her knees to her chest.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Ah'm fahne, why?" Rogue's dark green eyes searched Jeans face for a hidden motive but genuine concern filled the features of the other girl.
No reason." She said. "Just wanted to know if you were okay, you know after finally touching someone." Rogue shot her a quick glare.
"Why wouldn't Ah be okay?" she asked. Jean stood up and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Rogue, you are one of the strongest people I have ever met, you have to deal with things people have never dreamed of. Its okay to have emotions." Rogue shook her hand off.
"Not for some." She said walking out of the room and leaving Jean on the bed, nervously biting her lip.
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