Disclaimer: The X-Men & other characters belong to Marvel Comics & are used without permission. Don't sue.
Note: Again, I'm sorry. It's just that....I think I'm losing interest in this story again. I mean, there were some chapters where I really got into it, but now....hmm...I guess I'll need to hurry and get on with the action stuff--which was originally supposed to be in Chapter 15.
Sections inside *s are Lady Mr's ^ ^ ....gee, thanks! You're an awesome writer!
PG-13 for swearing....
What Happens Now?
by:
kojie
==
Chapter Sixteen
==
"Aye, love sweet love," Sean chuckled. Jean and Kitty looked at what Sean was chuckling about, and saw Storm and Logan --in each other's arms. Jean bit her lip and elbowed Scott, nodding to the two. Scott looked....and grinned. "I always knew there was something-- "
Jean nudged him again, signaling for him to be quiet. Storm had now pulled away from Logan.
*Ororo looked flushed. The slight red that was almost invisible to the naked human eye, was distinctively seen by Logan's enhanced ones.
*"Forgive me Logan, it's been a while since I have seen anybody, and with my claustrophobia..." realizing that she was about to start babbling, Ororo stopped speaking. Taking a breath, she said, "I'm sorry."
"Nah, don't be. It's not everyday that a beautiful woman throws herself at me. I enjoyed it, darlin'." Logan's eye's held a twinkle in them that made Ororo smile and blush harder.*
"Welcome," a deep voice said, startling everyone. They turned. It was Magneto. Where'd he come from?
Wolverine let out a small growl. But instead of attacking, he glanced at Scott. Cyclops took the hint. "Where are our other friends?" Cyclops asked in a very serious tone.
"Your friends are waiting for you," Magneto answered. "Come, follow me..."
Magneto led the group of mutants through a deep maze of corridors. Cyclops tried to remember every turn, in case they needed to make a getaway, but it was just all too confusing. Finally, the firm believer of mutant domination over homo sapiens stopped at a metal door, which didn't look any different from the other ones, and it slid open, revealing a big round room...and another group of mutants. There were hugs and a lot of smiling and laughing as the reunion went on. Magnus gave them exactly one minute, and then called for their attention as he stood in one side of the room. Quicksilver, Pyro, Colossus and Gambit huddled behind him.
"You all are probably wondering why I invited you here," Magneto said. He received nodding heads and looks of curiosity. "A few hours ago, I sent Pietro on a mission in the deserts of Arizona. He found a so-called military base. The-- "
Logan cut him off. "Hate to interrupt, Tin-head, but cut to the point, willya?"
Magneto glared at him, and resisted the overwhelming urge to bang him against the wall. If he did that, the X-Men might not help him in this situation...and hard to admit, but he needed their help.
"Alright," Magneto said coldly. "I'm certain you remember the red giant robot? Well, my suspicions were confirmed when Pietro gave me his report. This military base isn't a military base. It's a factory," he paused, staring at everyone's confused faces. "A factory for making robotic mutant hunters....Sentinels as they are now called."
The X-Men stared at him like he was crazy. "What're ya talkin' about?" Rogue asked.
"Don't you see? These Sentinels are our kind's end. Mutants will be captured, placed in concentrated camps...just like what the Nazis did to the Jews," he answered, his voice bitter as he said the word Nazis.
"You're kidding..." Kurt reluctantly said.
"No," Magnus said plainly, "I'm not. I also found out that the Sentinel Program is an illegal operation...at least for the moment. The U.S. Government hasn't officially approved the making of these Sentinels. If you want proof," Magneto said, looking at Pietro, who held a brown of folder in his hand, "I have it."
"If it is an illegal operation, they why don't we just tell it to police?" Scott asked. "They can just bust `em, can't they?"
"I'm not sure...but even if they do, by then hundreds of Sentinels will already be roaming the globe, and who knows what they'll do to our brothers and sisters. It's important that we deal with this situation immediately."
"So dude, what're you saying? That we go and destroy this factory thing?" Evan suddenly asked.
"Exactly."
Everybody fell silent, glancing at each other. This was bigger than they had ever imagined.
==
It was strange, but Magneto had said that he built this ship just in case...things happened. There was a gym-like training room, where Magneto said his followers trained, and there was a kind of communications room. But it seemed that there was much more than he was willing to tell... But he did have small bedrooms for his guests. And again, the students found themselves sharing their quarters with one another.
Jean lay on the top bunk, and listened at Scott's steady breathing for a while, trying to figure out if he was asleep or not. "Scott?"
"Yeah, Jean?" his voice answered in the darkness.
"Are you....scared?"
Scott hesitated. Should he tell the truth and say "Yes, I'm scared as hell and I need your arms wrapped around me because I'm so damn afraid that tomorrow is going to be the last day of my miserable life"? Or should he play the brave leader, and just say no?
But then again...Jean is a telepath.
"Um...yeah, I kinda am."
"Me too," Jean said, glad that she wasn't the only one.
"But I mean, we shouldn't worry about anything," Scott said, trying to give a little confidence. "Magneto's on our side now."
"Yeah, but Scott..."
"Hmm?"
"Is that a good thing?"
Scott didn't know what to say to that. Sure? Yes? Of course?
Instead, he changed the subject.
"Can I ask you something Jean?" he asked, sitting up, careful not to bump his head.
"Of course." Jean could hear him shuffling below. She slowly climbed down the ladders wondering what was on his mind. "Scott, what is it?"
Scott looked at her, but walked to the glass wall-like window that showed them a magnificent view of the earth. It was so breathtaking and perfect...
Just like Jean.
His back towards her, he began to speak, mustering every ounce of his courage.
"Not to scare you more or anything, but...I-I've been doing a lot of thinking and uhm..."
"Yes?" Jean asked, walking to his side. Scott swallowed.
"It's such a scary thought, but...this could be our last night...together."
Jean closed her eyes for a second taking in the horrifying thought. "I guess you're right. There's a chance tonight could be our last."
Scott looked at her, the shadows covering half of her face. She looked tired, but wow, was she beautiful.
He inched towards her, his heart beating fast. "I don't want to force you...but will you let me...?"
As Jean looked at him, his face was serious but...there was something else. Something so strong that she felt drawn towards him...
Her mind went blank. All she could do was nod...
Scott raised a shaking hand and brushed strands of scarlet hair from her face...
And he kissed her.
Jean's heart stopped as she felt Scott's lips pull away from hers. All thoughts and doubts disappeared except one...
"I love you, Scott Summers," she murmured absently, content within his embrace.
==
He had four and a half hours left of sleep. And he spent three of them in the 'Gym'. He planned to spend the last hour and a half doing the same. At the moment, he was lifting weights, sweat forming and dripping down the sides of his face, sliding through his ruffled hair. His count stopped at 143, and he was already way past that number.
"Logan?"
He turned his head, not stopping his exercise. "Ro?"
"You should be resting, you know," she said, walking over to him, her white silky hair bouncing with each graceful step. His wary eyes followed her.
Damn, she really is a goddess.
"Is anything the matter?" she asked, concerned. Logan's eyes widened for a second, as he found himself staring. He shook his head. "No, unless the fact that we may all die tomorrow is-- "
"Logan, please don't," Storm interrupted. "Don't make it harder than it already is."
"I...I'm sorry, Ro. I...uh, didn't mean it that way," Logan apologized uncertainly as he set the weights down on the floor.
"It's alright...I'm just so worried about them..." her words trailed off.
"The students?" Logan asked, unaware he was staring again, but she didn't seem to notice.
"Yes, the students. They're only teenagers and kids. They're supposed to have their whole lives ahead of them, but already they have to deal with this!" Ororo said, gesturing around the room, her face flustered.
What to say?
"Yeah...yer right," Logan said. "But I'm not gonna let anythin' happen to any of `em. I promise ya, everybody's gonna be fine. Every one of `em."
Storm nodded. She sure hoped so.
==
She could see them...
Stunning red eyes on black...the way they glinted in the dim light every time he smiled...
And his lips...the way they moved so smoothly when he talked...and oh, that sweet rough voice forming those lovely French words with every single...
Rogue blinked, startled.
Fuck! Rogue swore as she realized what she was thinking about. Why the hell can't I get him off of my mind?
She touched her forehead with frustration.
"Dammit..."
Rhymes with...Gambit! a tiny voice laughed mockingly. Can't stop thinkin' about him, huh? So cute, so sexy, so--
Shut the hell up! Rogue yelled back. She waited for a few seconds to see if the little voice would reply, but it didn't.
Christ, I'm hearing voices now? ...Not that it's anything new...but still...
Remy, why'd ya have to come into mah life? I was doin' fine without you!
Knowing there was no one who'd answer, Rogue ran her fingers through her hair, rolling her eyes as she did.
Besides, "dammit" does not rhyme with "Gambit" ...
God, of all the six billion people in the world...why me? Why me?!
She sighed deeply, finally giving up. "Why....me?" she whispered.
It was just no use.
==
Liked it? Hope you did. I actually reached my goal for this chapter...1700 words...lol. 600 more than the last one.
Yeah...two or three chaps left ^ ^ I'll try to write them to the best of my abilities!
...so that it'll actually be worth reading....hehe:)