Thicker than Water
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "You know that thing where we talk to each other about things? Let's not do that anymore".
****
Huzah to the very small few who are still reading this thing *hugs*, your perseverance will pay off, i bless you all with happiness and joy. *Waves happiness and joy around*
****
Chapter 19 - Healing takes time
****
A few days had past since Storm had lost her powers. Everyone else had finally started to calm down slightly and fall back into the ease of living together. Magneto and Xavier were currently sitting in Xavier's study, playing chess. Neither of them could remember who exactly had started the first game, or even knew how many games they had played together..it was just..something they both did, like an unspoken renewal of their friendship.
"You do realise, Charles, that we now know what sort of threat is present to us now", said Magneto, moving a chess piece and glancing at Xavier.
Xavier sighed.
"That's true, Magnus", he said, "though what has happened to Ororo is a tragedy, we now at least know what we are up against".
Magneto gave a nod.
"She is dealing with it better than i imagined", he said, "the first day was terrible..but at least she'll talk to us now".
"Not many of us, Magus", said Xavier, "only a small few. Myself, Kitty, you, Rogue and Forge, i believe".
Xavier finally moved a chess piece of his own.
"How goes the design of her treatment?", asked Magneto, "once we have something to combat this, the threat of the nulifier will be very small".
"Forge has been working on it for two days straight", said Xavier, "he hasn't come up with anything yet".
"Time is wasting", said Magneto, making a move and taking one of Xavier's pawns, "i hope we have a solution soon".
"As do i", said Xavier, "for Ororo's sake as much as any of us".
****
Piotr had been quietly sketching away in the Garden. He loved to draw, granted, he much prefered to draw cartoons and caricatures than amazing landscapes or portraits, but it was what he was good at, and he enjoyed it. He was drawing a scene from breakfast ealier that day. Ray had tried to steal Sidney's muffin, Sidney had caught him and put him in a stangle hold until he gave it back. The cartoon he was putting the finnishing touches to showed that. A very feral looking Sidney pinning Ray down on the table, an arm locked around his throat, the other arm holding one of his hands behind his back, a look of pain and total terror on Ray's face as his free hand held the muffin up like a white peace flag. Piotr glanced up, hearing a chuckle behind him. He turned to see Sidney, looking amusedly at the picture. He cleared his throat, busted.
"Hey, that's pretty good", she said, leaning over his huge shoulder to have a closer look.
"Err..thank you", said Piotr, he was a guy of few words to begin with, and it was rare he would initiate a conversation, he blinked, realising the person looking at the picture was one of his subjects, "sorry".
"Sorry nothing", replied Sidney, "you got me pegged. Can i?".
Piotr nodded, handing her his work, suprised someone was showing so much interest in it, the other Acolytes had chosen to ignore his sketches, not study them like the cat-girl was.
"You got quite a tallent there, big guy", she said, leaning an elbow on his shoulder, "wouldn't really expect it, but i know better than anyone that apperances are deceptive".
Piotr gave a shrug.
"I suppose", he said, "i like to draw, it gives me some peace".
Sidney nodded, she could relate, whenether she had frustrations she couldn't take care of by ripping something to shreds, she would go and play her guitar. Boy, she hadn't done that for a while, with all the anti-mutant sentiment going around, she had pretty much given up on a career in music, besides, she hardly had the time to sleep when she was Matriach, let alone play...but she wasn't Matriach now. She handed back Piotr's picture but he held up a hand.
"Keep it", he said.
Sidney smiled, giving the picture another look before nodding.
"Thanks", she said, heading off back to the mansion, "see ya around, Pete".
*****
Later in the common room, as few of the students and teachers had gathered. Scott glanced over at his brother, who had his nose deep in a book. Scott tilted his head to the side to see the title..Jane Eyre.....okay. He gave Alex a worried glance, wondering when he had started to read REAL books...that weren't about surfing.
"My fault", said Mastermind, as if he had read Scott's mind...which he probably had.
"Oh", said Scott, glancing back at Alex, who hadn't moved, "okay".
"Come on chere, let Gambit see dat smile he knows you have".
Remy meanwhile was trying his best to cheer up Rogue, sure, she didn't blame herself as much as she did, but she still felt pretty low. Gambit had even resorted to juggling apples, which had recived a small giggle.
"Ahhh Remy knew you had it in you, chere", he said, giving her wink.
"Don't wink at me, Swamp Rat", said Rogue, giving Remy a flick on the nose.
Jamie, ont the other had was not as forward, he had lost his nerve again and had to resort to not-watching Gina dreamily as she played on a video game, claiming she would 'whoop Roberto good'.
"Ahhhhhhh lamoure", said Pyro with a laugh, slinging an arm over Piotr's shoulder, "look at all these happy couples....i hate them!".
"Perhaps if you were not so....insane you could find someone, no?", relied Piotr, carefully brushing Johns arm off his shoulder.
"Hey, i don't see a chick hanging off you either, Petey Pureheart", sent back John.
Piotr gave John a deadpan look, before glancing up at the ceiling at the sound of a guitar being stummed. John glanced up to before rolling his eyes.
"Damn noisy Sheila!", he shouted at the ceiling, "turn that down".
"Come and make me, Flame Boy", came Sidney's muffled reply, the music being played even louder, Piotr giving a chuckle.
"Hey, who's side are you on?!", said John, before looking at the ceiling again, "okay, that's it, i'm coming up!".
"That's not a good idea", said Destiny, then chuckled, "then again...go ahead".
With that he stormed out of the room. The sound of him walking up the stairs echoed throughout the house, followed by a door slamming open. They was some muffled shouting and then dead silence.
"Think she's killed him?", asked Bobby.
"I'm not going to look, that's for sure", said Freddy, shaking his head.
"Don't worry, she hasn't killed him", said Irene, "she giving him some...guitar lessons".
"You can't be serious", said Jason.
"See for yourself, if you don't believe me", said Irene, crossing her arms.
"Fine, i will", said Jason, closing his eyes before opening them and chuckling, "okay....that was...odd".
***
Forge gave a tired yawn from where he looked at the pile of metal in front of him. He had been working without any sleep for two days straight now, nothing strange for him, his power often made him stay awake for days on end trying to fix or make something. But it was starting to take it's toll on him, he was tired. Max, who was lying down beside him suddenly looked up, wagging his tail happily. The sound of someone clearing their throat made Forge turn around. He saw Storm stood there with two cups of coffee, one held out to him.
"Thanks", he said, greatfully taking the drink, "man, this is one of the toughest things i ever had to work on, and i thought my bionic arm was hard".
Storm nodded, stooping down to give Max a pat on the head, before sighing.
"You really should get some sleep", she said, "you have been working on this for two days solid, Forge, i think you are intitled to some rest".
Forge waved a hand in dismissal.
"I'll be fine", he said, taking a sip of his coffee then sighing, "how are you holding up anyway?".
"I am....getting there, it is strange...i", she paused then sighed, "never mind, you do not need to hear me drawl on all day".
"No, it's okay", said Forge, "i want to know, Ororo..why else would i ask?".
Storm paused for a second before sighing, she WAS tired of keeping everything bottled up.
"Well..when i had my powers, i had to keep all my emotions in check", she said, "all my anger, fear..everything. I had to keep completely serene or my emotions would have affected the weather. I had an excuse for not showing my emotions, even if at times i WANTED to show them. But now...now i don not have to keep myself serene, i can show my emotions without having to worry about a bolt of lighting hitting someone, or a huricane slicing through the mansion...i guess i am worried i will not know HOW to use them anymore".
"I'm sure that's not true", said Forge, "you having to harness them shows that you have to have strong emotions, or you wouldn't have to go through the trouble of protecting them".
"I guess", replied Storm, not really believing it, "but now, the only one that is in danger of my emotions is me, i do not have to worry about harming anyone else".
"Now i know that isn't true", Forge cuckled, "everyone is affected by the emotions of those around them, Godesses included".
Storm thought this over for a second before sighing resignedly.
"Promise me you'll get some sleep", she said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "you need it".
"Okay, okay, you win", said Forge, holding up his hands, "i'll get some sleep".
He yawned again before standing up and heading off towards the guest room he was currently sleeping in, he paused to glance over his shoulder.
"Just think about what i said, huh, 'Ro?".
Storm gave a small nod, satisfied, Forge walked off, giving a whistle. Max got up and nuzzled Ororo's hand before trotting off after his master. Storm sighed, watching Forge go before looking at the semi-completed machine on the table, for the first time in two days, she allowed herself a small smile.
*****
"Ya wanted ta see me, Prof?".
Todd glanced around the door of Xavier's study, noting that Logan and Magneto were also there.
"Yes Todd, do come in", he said, watching as Todd entered the room, "i trust that John is still breathing?".
"Yeah", said Todd with a chuckle, "Luckily, Sidney was playin' 'Waltzing Matilda' when he walked in ta yell at her....she somehow convinced him ta take up guitar lessons".
"Oh dear God no", said Magneto under his breath, he had to LIVE with this guy after the mess was over, he hoped so very much that it would be a passing phase.
Xavier chuckled at Magneto's response before glancing back at Todd.
"The reason i called you here was to ask you about Dagger", he said, noticing the Frog-like -boy flinch at her name, "i got a phsycic reading that you knew her once".
"Yeah...a long time ago", said Todd, before sighing, "old girlfriend, kinda' one'a those 'alot'a water under the bridge' deals".
"What the heck did ya do ta her, kid?", said Logan, from where he was leaning by the fireplace, "she wasn't exactly nice ta ya".
"More like what she did ta me", replied Todd, "she's an assasin, i became her hit. She decided she'd take the money an' my life, luckily, i got away".
"So instead of kissing you, she decided to kill you...nice", said Logan with a chuckle.
"So, i take it, it will be impossible to reason with her?", tried Magneto.
"Not unless ya got a death wish" said Todd.
Xavier sighed.
"Thank you Todd", he said, watching Todd nod, then leave the room, he glanced up at Magneto and Logan, "if Trask get ahold of that machine...we, as a race, will be in grave danger".
"Ya want me ta go an track her down?", asked Logan, popping out his claws, "i can be pretty....persuasive".
"No violence Logan", said Xavier, then sighed, "though it may be a good idea to see if you can track her down".
"I'll send Sabertooth with you", said Magneto, "assuming you two can spend some time together wihtout attempting to kill each other. After all, two sets of inhanced senses are better than one".
Logan gave a growl, but said nothing.
"Then it's settled", said Xavier, "you both head out tomrrow".
****
There we go. Please review...just ONE review so i know that at least SOMEONE is reading this still and i'll be happy. Like i said, i don't write for the reviews, but i do like to know if people are reading what i write. Okay..that's enough pleading for today. Until next time...
By Todd Fan
Disclaimer: "You know that thing where we talk to each other about things? Let's not do that anymore".
****
Huzah to the very small few who are still reading this thing *hugs*, your perseverance will pay off, i bless you all with happiness and joy. *Waves happiness and joy around*
****
Chapter 19 - Healing takes time
****
A few days had past since Storm had lost her powers. Everyone else had finally started to calm down slightly and fall back into the ease of living together. Magneto and Xavier were currently sitting in Xavier's study, playing chess. Neither of them could remember who exactly had started the first game, or even knew how many games they had played together..it was just..something they both did, like an unspoken renewal of their friendship.
"You do realise, Charles, that we now know what sort of threat is present to us now", said Magneto, moving a chess piece and glancing at Xavier.
Xavier sighed.
"That's true, Magnus", he said, "though what has happened to Ororo is a tragedy, we now at least know what we are up against".
Magneto gave a nod.
"She is dealing with it better than i imagined", he said, "the first day was terrible..but at least she'll talk to us now".
"Not many of us, Magus", said Xavier, "only a small few. Myself, Kitty, you, Rogue and Forge, i believe".
Xavier finally moved a chess piece of his own.
"How goes the design of her treatment?", asked Magneto, "once we have something to combat this, the threat of the nulifier will be very small".
"Forge has been working on it for two days straight", said Xavier, "he hasn't come up with anything yet".
"Time is wasting", said Magneto, making a move and taking one of Xavier's pawns, "i hope we have a solution soon".
"As do i", said Xavier, "for Ororo's sake as much as any of us".
****
Piotr had been quietly sketching away in the Garden. He loved to draw, granted, he much prefered to draw cartoons and caricatures than amazing landscapes or portraits, but it was what he was good at, and he enjoyed it. He was drawing a scene from breakfast ealier that day. Ray had tried to steal Sidney's muffin, Sidney had caught him and put him in a stangle hold until he gave it back. The cartoon he was putting the finnishing touches to showed that. A very feral looking Sidney pinning Ray down on the table, an arm locked around his throat, the other arm holding one of his hands behind his back, a look of pain and total terror on Ray's face as his free hand held the muffin up like a white peace flag. Piotr glanced up, hearing a chuckle behind him. He turned to see Sidney, looking amusedly at the picture. He cleared his throat, busted.
"Hey, that's pretty good", she said, leaning over his huge shoulder to have a closer look.
"Err..thank you", said Piotr, he was a guy of few words to begin with, and it was rare he would initiate a conversation, he blinked, realising the person looking at the picture was one of his subjects, "sorry".
"Sorry nothing", replied Sidney, "you got me pegged. Can i?".
Piotr nodded, handing her his work, suprised someone was showing so much interest in it, the other Acolytes had chosen to ignore his sketches, not study them like the cat-girl was.
"You got quite a tallent there, big guy", she said, leaning an elbow on his shoulder, "wouldn't really expect it, but i know better than anyone that apperances are deceptive".
Piotr gave a shrug.
"I suppose", he said, "i like to draw, it gives me some peace".
Sidney nodded, she could relate, whenether she had frustrations she couldn't take care of by ripping something to shreds, she would go and play her guitar. Boy, she hadn't done that for a while, with all the anti-mutant sentiment going around, she had pretty much given up on a career in music, besides, she hardly had the time to sleep when she was Matriach, let alone play...but she wasn't Matriach now. She handed back Piotr's picture but he held up a hand.
"Keep it", he said.
Sidney smiled, giving the picture another look before nodding.
"Thanks", she said, heading off back to the mansion, "see ya around, Pete".
*****
Later in the common room, as few of the students and teachers had gathered. Scott glanced over at his brother, who had his nose deep in a book. Scott tilted his head to the side to see the title..Jane Eyre.....okay. He gave Alex a worried glance, wondering when he had started to read REAL books...that weren't about surfing.
"My fault", said Mastermind, as if he had read Scott's mind...which he probably had.
"Oh", said Scott, glancing back at Alex, who hadn't moved, "okay".
"Come on chere, let Gambit see dat smile he knows you have".
Remy meanwhile was trying his best to cheer up Rogue, sure, she didn't blame herself as much as she did, but she still felt pretty low. Gambit had even resorted to juggling apples, which had recived a small giggle.
"Ahhh Remy knew you had it in you, chere", he said, giving her wink.
"Don't wink at me, Swamp Rat", said Rogue, giving Remy a flick on the nose.
Jamie, ont the other had was not as forward, he had lost his nerve again and had to resort to not-watching Gina dreamily as she played on a video game, claiming she would 'whoop Roberto good'.
"Ahhhhhhh lamoure", said Pyro with a laugh, slinging an arm over Piotr's shoulder, "look at all these happy couples....i hate them!".
"Perhaps if you were not so....insane you could find someone, no?", relied Piotr, carefully brushing Johns arm off his shoulder.
"Hey, i don't see a chick hanging off you either, Petey Pureheart", sent back John.
Piotr gave John a deadpan look, before glancing up at the ceiling at the sound of a guitar being stummed. John glanced up to before rolling his eyes.
"Damn noisy Sheila!", he shouted at the ceiling, "turn that down".
"Come and make me, Flame Boy", came Sidney's muffled reply, the music being played even louder, Piotr giving a chuckle.
"Hey, who's side are you on?!", said John, before looking at the ceiling again, "okay, that's it, i'm coming up!".
"That's not a good idea", said Destiny, then chuckled, "then again...go ahead".
With that he stormed out of the room. The sound of him walking up the stairs echoed throughout the house, followed by a door slamming open. They was some muffled shouting and then dead silence.
"Think she's killed him?", asked Bobby.
"I'm not going to look, that's for sure", said Freddy, shaking his head.
"Don't worry, she hasn't killed him", said Irene, "she giving him some...guitar lessons".
"You can't be serious", said Jason.
"See for yourself, if you don't believe me", said Irene, crossing her arms.
"Fine, i will", said Jason, closing his eyes before opening them and chuckling, "okay....that was...odd".
***
Forge gave a tired yawn from where he looked at the pile of metal in front of him. He had been working without any sleep for two days straight now, nothing strange for him, his power often made him stay awake for days on end trying to fix or make something. But it was starting to take it's toll on him, he was tired. Max, who was lying down beside him suddenly looked up, wagging his tail happily. The sound of someone clearing their throat made Forge turn around. He saw Storm stood there with two cups of coffee, one held out to him.
"Thanks", he said, greatfully taking the drink, "man, this is one of the toughest things i ever had to work on, and i thought my bionic arm was hard".
Storm nodded, stooping down to give Max a pat on the head, before sighing.
"You really should get some sleep", she said, "you have been working on this for two days solid, Forge, i think you are intitled to some rest".
Forge waved a hand in dismissal.
"I'll be fine", he said, taking a sip of his coffee then sighing, "how are you holding up anyway?".
"I am....getting there, it is strange...i", she paused then sighed, "never mind, you do not need to hear me drawl on all day".
"No, it's okay", said Forge, "i want to know, Ororo..why else would i ask?".
Storm paused for a second before sighing, she WAS tired of keeping everything bottled up.
"Well..when i had my powers, i had to keep all my emotions in check", she said, "all my anger, fear..everything. I had to keep completely serene or my emotions would have affected the weather. I had an excuse for not showing my emotions, even if at times i WANTED to show them. But now...now i don not have to keep myself serene, i can show my emotions without having to worry about a bolt of lighting hitting someone, or a huricane slicing through the mansion...i guess i am worried i will not know HOW to use them anymore".
"I'm sure that's not true", said Forge, "you having to harness them shows that you have to have strong emotions, or you wouldn't have to go through the trouble of protecting them".
"I guess", replied Storm, not really believing it, "but now, the only one that is in danger of my emotions is me, i do not have to worry about harming anyone else".
"Now i know that isn't true", Forge cuckled, "everyone is affected by the emotions of those around them, Godesses included".
Storm thought this over for a second before sighing resignedly.
"Promise me you'll get some sleep", she said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "you need it".
"Okay, okay, you win", said Forge, holding up his hands, "i'll get some sleep".
He yawned again before standing up and heading off towards the guest room he was currently sleeping in, he paused to glance over his shoulder.
"Just think about what i said, huh, 'Ro?".
Storm gave a small nod, satisfied, Forge walked off, giving a whistle. Max got up and nuzzled Ororo's hand before trotting off after his master. Storm sighed, watching Forge go before looking at the semi-completed machine on the table, for the first time in two days, she allowed herself a small smile.
*****
"Ya wanted ta see me, Prof?".
Todd glanced around the door of Xavier's study, noting that Logan and Magneto were also there.
"Yes Todd, do come in", he said, watching as Todd entered the room, "i trust that John is still breathing?".
"Yeah", said Todd with a chuckle, "Luckily, Sidney was playin' 'Waltzing Matilda' when he walked in ta yell at her....she somehow convinced him ta take up guitar lessons".
"Oh dear God no", said Magneto under his breath, he had to LIVE with this guy after the mess was over, he hoped so very much that it would be a passing phase.
Xavier chuckled at Magneto's response before glancing back at Todd.
"The reason i called you here was to ask you about Dagger", he said, noticing the Frog-like -boy flinch at her name, "i got a phsycic reading that you knew her once".
"Yeah...a long time ago", said Todd, before sighing, "old girlfriend, kinda' one'a those 'alot'a water under the bridge' deals".
"What the heck did ya do ta her, kid?", said Logan, from where he was leaning by the fireplace, "she wasn't exactly nice ta ya".
"More like what she did ta me", replied Todd, "she's an assasin, i became her hit. She decided she'd take the money an' my life, luckily, i got away".
"So instead of kissing you, she decided to kill you...nice", said Logan with a chuckle.
"So, i take it, it will be impossible to reason with her?", tried Magneto.
"Not unless ya got a death wish" said Todd.
Xavier sighed.
"Thank you Todd", he said, watching Todd nod, then leave the room, he glanced up at Magneto and Logan, "if Trask get ahold of that machine...we, as a race, will be in grave danger".
"Ya want me ta go an track her down?", asked Logan, popping out his claws, "i can be pretty....persuasive".
"No violence Logan", said Xavier, then sighed, "though it may be a good idea to see if you can track her down".
"I'll send Sabertooth with you", said Magneto, "assuming you two can spend some time together wihtout attempting to kill each other. After all, two sets of inhanced senses are better than one".
Logan gave a growl, but said nothing.
"Then it's settled", said Xavier, "you both head out tomrrow".
****
There we go. Please review...just ONE review so i know that at least SOMEONE is reading this still and i'll be happy. Like i said, i don't write for the reviews, but i do like to know if people are reading what i write. Okay..that's enough pleading for today. Until next time...