You know, I always wondered what everyone's fear was. We know Storm's, so
that's not going to be a big surprise. I'm an avid Rogue/Gambit supporter,
so this chapter has a little sappiness in it. I apologize in advance.
Storm was still shaking as they entered the War Room. Rogue's eyes were still wide with horror, and Wolverine hadn't said a word to anyone. And if Jubilee hadn't known better, she'd say he was avoiding her. Xavier was waiting for them.
"A fine job, X-men. I know how hard this one was on everyone, and I also know that the best way to deal with the emotions you're feeling is to get it out into the open. Now, this is not mandatory, but it would help greatly if you share what you experienced." Most of the X-men nodded, but Wolverine's eyes flashed with rage.
"Ain't nobody gonna psycho-analyze me, pal. I'm outta here," and he bolted. But of course, everyone had been expecting this. Everyone else sat down, much to the joy of the Professor.
"I know it will be difficult, but we must share our thoughts and feelings in order to understand them and help each other through them." The Professor looked from one person to another, and Jubilee spoke up.
"I'll go first," she said. She began to tell of her vision, how it seemed so real, how the beating had really hurt. She didn't dare cry, but she wanted to. She silently wished Wolverine hadn't left, but of course, she would never tell anyone that. She was old enough to be allowed on a mission, so she was supposed to be strong and mature.
"So," she said taking a deep breath, "who's next?" Rogue, after seeing the child's bravery, offered. (A/N: a whole paragraph in Rogue's accent, this is going to be interesting)
"Well, ah was home again, and Ma and Papa were sittin' down ta eat supper. The whole family was there, and it was Christmas time. After we ate, music started playin' and everyone got up ta dance. Somebody tapped me on the shoulder, and when ah turned around, Cody was there," she paused for a moment and swallowed. "I realized too late that I didn't have any gloves on, and it happened again. But this time," she choked for a second, "This time it killed him." Gambit stood and walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her, not caring who was there. She leaned into him and cried silently.
Professor Xavier waited a minute before speaking. "Thank you Rogue, Jubilee. I realize this is hard, but it is helpful."
"Gambit will go now. If chere can be dis brave, tis only fair dat Gambit do de same." Unbeknownst to the others, she squeezed him a little harder in thanks. "Most people know what Gambit's fear is, but I will say." He took a deep breath. "Da Thieves Guild called me back to avenge deir honor, and de X-Men came wit me. But de assassins showed up and stole Rogue away from me." He squeezed her shoulder, and she looked up at him. His eyes had closed, as if he were trying to wipe out a bad image. He opened them and continued. "Gambit told de X-men to go home, dat he would deal wit dis, and dey did. When I got to da mansion of de assassins, dey had tied Rogue to a tree. Dey ambushed me and tied me to another tree, and dey made me watch as dey tortured and killed her. Den dey beat me and let me go, but kept her body." He too let out a deep breath, but it was shuddered, as if he were holding back a sob. He would not cry, not when he had to be strong for Rogue. She squeezed him a little harder and smiled. The Professor nodded.
"Storm, would you please share?"
"Of course, Professor. Most of you know I am afraid of enclosed spaces. But what I am most terrified of is losing control of my powers. And that is what happened in my vision. I lost my control completely, and killed all of you, destroying the mansion. My vision did not last very long, as I am stronger than most mentally. He was not able to get a complete hold on me."
"I was able to throw him off completely," said Jean, "but I still saw an image of Scott dying." Cyclops grabbed her hand and squeezed it, and she smiled back at him. He cleared his throat.
"My fear would be losing those closest to me as well, though I lost everyone to Sinister, and he mocked me for my weakness. Somehow he had managed to find a way to neglect my blasts, so nothing could hurt him. He went on a rampage, killing everyone, r-ra-raping Jean, and destroying the mansion. And I could do nothing to stop him." The professor looked saddened, and smiled meekly. The only one left was Beast, who stood.
"I, luckily, was not caught in his vision realm. I was on the Blackbird as he trapped the rest of you. As I emerged, I ran into Jean and Gambit, and joined the rest of you. But my worst fear would be that the hatred between mutants and humans will never end and perhaps escalate to war."
"I share that fear, Hank, and I thank you for telling us. I know this has been hard on all of you, and I thank you all for sharing with us. Jubilee, do not be upset with Wolverine; he must deal with things in his own way." She nodded, and everyone got up to leave.
Storm was still shaking as they entered the War Room. Rogue's eyes were still wide with horror, and Wolverine hadn't said a word to anyone. And if Jubilee hadn't known better, she'd say he was avoiding her. Xavier was waiting for them.
"A fine job, X-men. I know how hard this one was on everyone, and I also know that the best way to deal with the emotions you're feeling is to get it out into the open. Now, this is not mandatory, but it would help greatly if you share what you experienced." Most of the X-men nodded, but Wolverine's eyes flashed with rage.
"Ain't nobody gonna psycho-analyze me, pal. I'm outta here," and he bolted. But of course, everyone had been expecting this. Everyone else sat down, much to the joy of the Professor.
"I know it will be difficult, but we must share our thoughts and feelings in order to understand them and help each other through them." The Professor looked from one person to another, and Jubilee spoke up.
"I'll go first," she said. She began to tell of her vision, how it seemed so real, how the beating had really hurt. She didn't dare cry, but she wanted to. She silently wished Wolverine hadn't left, but of course, she would never tell anyone that. She was old enough to be allowed on a mission, so she was supposed to be strong and mature.
"So," she said taking a deep breath, "who's next?" Rogue, after seeing the child's bravery, offered. (A/N: a whole paragraph in Rogue's accent, this is going to be interesting)
"Well, ah was home again, and Ma and Papa were sittin' down ta eat supper. The whole family was there, and it was Christmas time. After we ate, music started playin' and everyone got up ta dance. Somebody tapped me on the shoulder, and when ah turned around, Cody was there," she paused for a moment and swallowed. "I realized too late that I didn't have any gloves on, and it happened again. But this time," she choked for a second, "This time it killed him." Gambit stood and walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her, not caring who was there. She leaned into him and cried silently.
Professor Xavier waited a minute before speaking. "Thank you Rogue, Jubilee. I realize this is hard, but it is helpful."
"Gambit will go now. If chere can be dis brave, tis only fair dat Gambit do de same." Unbeknownst to the others, she squeezed him a little harder in thanks. "Most people know what Gambit's fear is, but I will say." He took a deep breath. "Da Thieves Guild called me back to avenge deir honor, and de X-Men came wit me. But de assassins showed up and stole Rogue away from me." He squeezed her shoulder, and she looked up at him. His eyes had closed, as if he were trying to wipe out a bad image. He opened them and continued. "Gambit told de X-men to go home, dat he would deal wit dis, and dey did. When I got to da mansion of de assassins, dey had tied Rogue to a tree. Dey ambushed me and tied me to another tree, and dey made me watch as dey tortured and killed her. Den dey beat me and let me go, but kept her body." He too let out a deep breath, but it was shuddered, as if he were holding back a sob. He would not cry, not when he had to be strong for Rogue. She squeezed him a little harder and smiled. The Professor nodded.
"Storm, would you please share?"
"Of course, Professor. Most of you know I am afraid of enclosed spaces. But what I am most terrified of is losing control of my powers. And that is what happened in my vision. I lost my control completely, and killed all of you, destroying the mansion. My vision did not last very long, as I am stronger than most mentally. He was not able to get a complete hold on me."
"I was able to throw him off completely," said Jean, "but I still saw an image of Scott dying." Cyclops grabbed her hand and squeezed it, and she smiled back at him. He cleared his throat.
"My fear would be losing those closest to me as well, though I lost everyone to Sinister, and he mocked me for my weakness. Somehow he had managed to find a way to neglect my blasts, so nothing could hurt him. He went on a rampage, killing everyone, r-ra-raping Jean, and destroying the mansion. And I could do nothing to stop him." The professor looked saddened, and smiled meekly. The only one left was Beast, who stood.
"I, luckily, was not caught in his vision realm. I was on the Blackbird as he trapped the rest of you. As I emerged, I ran into Jean and Gambit, and joined the rest of you. But my worst fear would be that the hatred between mutants and humans will never end and perhaps escalate to war."
"I share that fear, Hank, and I thank you for telling us. I know this has been hard on all of you, and I thank you all for sharing with us. Jubilee, do not be upset with Wolverine; he must deal with things in his own way." She nodded, and everyone got up to leave.