A/N: This chapter takes place just after issue #20.

Chapter 1: The Real Thing

"I thought I'd find you here."

The darkness of the room bore such a strong contrast to the glow of the computer screen that Henry had to blink several times before he could perceive the slender form standing in its frame. "'Ro, it's one in the morning. Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Couldn't," was the terse reply. "Come upstairs, please. Or at least let's break into the kitchen for something to eat."

"I'll be okay, thanks."

"Sure?"

"Positive." As she turned to go, "But you can stay here if you like. I'll only be a few minutes more."

"Thanks." She seated herself in one of the empty chairs. "What are you doing?"

"Checking the papers for how the lawsuit's going. Professor Xavier's pretty hush-hush about the whole thing, but as far as I can tell, they're bringing up all kinds of child-endangerment clauses. It sounds like the Drakes aren't even that involved anymore. It's all lawyers who want to bite a chunk out of the X-Men's operations." He shook his head. "It doesn't look good."

"How is Bobby?"

"No change."

"You miss him, don't you?" Ororo asked softly.

"It wasn't supposed to turn out like this." She started to speak. He cut her off. "I know, I know, we both knew the risks when we joined up. That was what you were going to say, right?"

"I knew the risks when I thought we'd lost you in our first battle against Bucket Head," she replied. "Not before. When I joined up…" She frowned. "I guess I was just happy for the change. I didn't have any idea that one of the team was going to get hurt."

"So you miss Iceman, too?"

"I miss Bobby," she corrected him. "God, Henry, he's your best friend. Can't you even call him by his real name?"

He actually turned away from the computer. "Sorry, babe. I don't know what came over me."

"Accepted." She caught him staring at him fixedly. "Something else you wanted to say?" When he didn't answer, she rolled her pale eyes. "You're not still thinking that, are you?"

"Two telepaths per household is my limit."

"It is way too late at night for conspiracy theories," Ororo told him firmly.

"Think about it a second. Scott leaves after a big blowout with Xavier, but then he comes back. Colossus tries to return to his normal life. Ditto. Wolverine comes here to kill him, and ends up switching sides."

"Maybe Jean's just great in bed," she suggested.

"Ororo!"

"Shhh, you'll wake the others. Anyway, the whole reason Magneto sent Wolverine was because Xavier couldn't get inside his head, right?" After another silence, "I thought so."

"But what about Scooter and Colossus? And what about the fact that Bobby's in a coma and all any of us can think about is the loss the team's been suffering? What's to stop me from believing that Proteus wasn't just provoking us, and the professor really is…"

"I don't know." His girlfriend's voice had taken on an edge of steel. "Maybe the fact that he isn't?"

"Well, then what about when I suggested that we move in together, away from the school, and you hesitated?"

"I thought smart people were above paranoia," she accused.

"No such luck. We're paranoid because we know too much."

"Henry, please listen," she said. "I've had my doubts, too. It's a human thing, never really being happy with the situation you're in. And you're still human, too, no matter if you're pink or blue or green with yellow polka dots. Knowing what he did to Magneto, I wouldn't put anything past him. Got that?"

Henry nodded. "But —" he prompted.

"But I also know how persuasive he can be even without screwing around with people's heads. I know that this is the only home Scott's known since he was almost half your age. And I know that this is the first family I've had since…" She shook her head. "I can't even remember. I have friends. I have all the adventure I could ever want. I have a place where I don't have to hide or feel alone. And I have you. Don't I?" She scooted her swivel-chair closer.

"Ororo, go to bed. I'll be up soon."

"You're mad at me," she said decisively.

"I'm not."

"You are. Look, if you want, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But until I have proof, I'm not making waves. I've learned a thing or two about taking risks since I came here."

He raised his voice. "Will you listen to yourself? 'Since I came here.' Like you never would have amounted to anything if Jean and Xavier hadn't found you! How can I know that I'm really hearing you? How can I know that you ever really…"

She stood up. "Good night, Henry." And before he could reply, she vanished into the darkness.

When she woke up the next morning, she knew immediately that he hadn't come upstairs at all.