Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. Someone else does.but not me. Got it? Good.

Author's Note: This story takes place four days after 'Love Kills'. You need to read that one first. I'm pretty sure it won't make sense otherwise. Told from Scott's point of view. Scott/Jean. Logan and Rogue have a little sister and overprotective big brother relationship. Telepathy. Without anymore babbling. 'Dangerous Crossings'.


Chapter 1: Excitement

"How are you doing, Scott?" Alex asked as he came into the infirmary.

I glanced up at him and moaned, "I'm bored out of my mind. I don't think I will be able to stand another second here. Being bed-ridden for four days is not exactly my idea of fun."

Alex smiled, "I know, but it can't be that bad to wake up next to Jean every morning."

I smiled too, "It's not that bad."

"I think your wish is about to come true," Hank said, coming in the room. "Your head is almost healed and your stitches are doing their job, so if you think you're up to it, I'll discharge you from here."

I sat bolt upright, "I've never been more ready for anything."

Hank chuckled, "If you're sure you're ready, then simply sign this form and come back for check-ups every morning for the next two weeks."

"O- wait! Aren't you supposed to go out of town today? It is the twenty- third, right?"

"Yes, but I think that I'm needed more here. With you Summers boys out of the action and Magneto still ready to strike us again, I think I ought to stay here to help you all. It's only a conference."

"An important conference," I protested. "Go on, out of town. We'll be fine. If you don't want to believe me, ask Logan. He'll tell you the same thing. Just go to your conference and do your job."

Hank hesitated, "Well... okay."

I climbed out of the bed and signed the paper with barely a glance toward it. Alex opened the door, while beaming. I left the infirmary with him. As the door was shutting, Hank called out, "Take it easy, Scott."

Alex and I walked down the hall and got in the elevator. Alex pushed the button before turning to me and enveloping me into a big hug. I laughed.

"Alex," I said. "Alex, a little oxygen would be nice right about now. Alex... Alex!"

He let me go. "Sorry. I'm just glad you are out of there. With all of your injuries, I thought you'd be in that bed forever."

I laughed as the door opened and we stepped out. I wrapped an arm around Alex's shoulders. He looked up at me and smiled. I couldn't resist smiling back at my little brother.

"Hey, Alex," I asked. "What time is it?"

"5:23 and 46 seconds."

I shook my head. "You're getting worse and worse at telling time. I think it's time for me to get a watch, so I don't have to listen to you." Alex faked a look of hurt. "It'll be better for us all."

"You still need to sign my cast." Alex still had the bland gray cast that Magneto had put on his broken arm. According to Hank, the cast was proper and the bone was set. Alex would have to keep it on for quite some time.

"I will after we stop in the kitchen."

"Are you hungry?" Alex asked as we continued down the hall.

"I know you are," I replied in the same rag-on-Alex voice. "You always are."

Alex scoffed, but he knew I was right. Alex always had a little room for some more food. Without another word, we headed to the kitchen for some dinner. We stopped outside one of the two doors, before sneaking in to surprise the other X-men. I released my hold on Alex and looked at the backs of the people I hadn't seen in days. Alex smiled and shot me a look that could only be read as now-what?. I held up a finger to signal him to wait a minute.

"So, what are your plans now that Spring Break has officially started?" Jean asked Kitty.

"I don't know," she replied.

"I know vhat I vant to do," Kurt stated. "I vant to svim."

That's when I chose to speak up. "You could get in twice as many training sessions." Everyone turned to look at me.

"Scott!" Jean called, running over to me. She gave me a hug and planted her lips on mine in a passionate kiss. I saw stars as I lost myself in her. After a few moments, she pulled away.

"Hey, honey," I whispered. Then I raised my voice a bit louder. "Now I know why I had to wait for my ribs to heal before I could get out. You guys could suffocate someone or break some ribs."

Jean swatted my arm. A few people laughed and some drew closer. Then I got flooded with questions. I took a step back, utterly overwhelmed. The other door opened. I could just barely see Rogue and Logan come in. Logan popped his claws out when he saw the chaos and confusion. I saw him hesitate but understood that he didn't know what was going on.

Suddenly Alex hopped up on the table and let out a shrill whistle. Everyone froze.

Logan smirked, "All right, everyone, sit down. Hey, Blondie, aren't you supposed to be in the infirmary with your brother?"

Alex looked over at him and said quietly, "Then you don't know?"

"Know what?" Logan demanded, concerned.

"That I was released today," I said, finally being able to come into his line of sight. The others sat down around the table to eat.

"Don't scare me like that," Logan growled.

"You should've been able to catch my scent in here," I pointed out. "I haven't been in here in over a week and a half."

Logan glared at me. Rogue touched Logan's arm. He looked down at her and put his claws back in. I walked over to Alex and helped him off the table. Then we sat down to eat the pizza Evan had ordered. I slid in between Jean and Alex.

After fifteen minutes or so, Hank came in.

"I'm heading out to the conference now," he reported. "I'll be back Wednesday afternoon."

"Be careful," Logan warned. "We still aren't sure what Magneto's retaliation plan is."

Hank nodded. "Don't worry, Logan. I'll watch everyone and every place closely. Scott," I looked up at him, "take it easy, all right? You are getting better, but you're still in pretty bad shape."

I nodded, "I'll try."

"He will," Logan interjected, glaring at me.

I smiled to myself. Every since Operation: Take-Back four days ago, Logan held me in pretty high standards. He was actually sort of nice and incredibly protective of Alex and me. Rogue and Logan had come into the infirmary every afternoon, every day I was there. They brought my lunch and checked up on my progress.

Hank turned toward Alex, "Watch that arm, kiddo. It's healing, but one accident will do some major damage and we'll possibly have to reset it."

Alex nodded, "I know."

"Well, I think that's it, so I'll be heading on to Baltimore now," Hank said. There was a chorus of 'goodbyes' and 'be carefuls' as he left the room. We began to eat as Hank left the Institute.

I sighed and got lost in thought. No one had been badly hurt in our operation. Kurt had been a bit bruised from his wrestling match with Mystique, but all signs of the bruiseswere long gone. Jamie had multiplied a few times, but as I'd expected, Kitty took care of it. Other than those, no one was even touched by any of the Brotherhood boys. Maybe it was because Pietro and Evan had been separated.

"It's mine!" a loud voice interrupted my thoughts. I crashed back into reality to see Bobby, Sam, Jamie, and Roberto arguing over the last slice of pizza out of all of the boxes.

I groaned, "Logan-"

"I'm on it." Logan popped out his claws and cut the slice of pizza. His three claws split the slice into four pieces. Each of those boys took a piece and ate it in a nice change: tranquil silence.

Something touched my hand. I looked down at it to see Jean slip her hand into mine. I moved my gaze up to her face and smiled. Jean laced her fingers into mine and smiled back. I gazed deeply into her eyes.

Are you okay? She looked concerned.

I'm fine, Jean. Nothing can get me down when I'm with you.

Aw, honey, that's so sweet.

I smiled. Jean reached out slid her fingers down one side of my face. I gave her hand a slight squeeze of affection. She giggled.

Suddenly Logan jumped up and smelled the air. I froze and looked at him. I could tell just by the look in his eyes that something was definitely wrong. I climbed to my feet, expectantly.

"Sit down," he growled. I obeyed, because I knew that the slightest slip in our part could cost us our lives. Logan sniffed the air again and muttered the one name I really didn't want to hear right now, "Mystique."

I looked at him closely for any sign as to what he was planning to do. Everyone was silent. Logan popped out his claws and ran out with the simple and direct order, "Stay here."

We all sat in dead silence and wondered what was going on outside. Alex scooted closer to me. I glanced at Jean; she nodded. Alex was still scared! I wrapped my free arm around him and pulled him closer.

"It's okay. I won't let them hurt you," I whispered to him.

"Do you promise?" he asked, leaning even closer to me.

You can't promise that, Jean pointed out.

Jean, this is my little brother we're talking about. There's no way I'll let anything happen to him.

Scott-

"Yes," I whispered to Alex. "I promise that I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. You're my brother, okay? You're safe with me."

Alex smiled. Jean stood up suddenly. I looked up at her in wonder.

"Wolverine says he needs some help," Jean reported. "Mystique split but left Storm by the gate. He wants Spyke, Cannonball and Sunspot out there right now. Nightcrawler will get a stretcher and-" Jean paused as she received more information "-Shadowcat and Magma will prep the infirmary. Everyone else stays."

Everyone split to do their jobs. Jean released my hand and looked at me. "I have to go move Storm on the stretcher. Stay here."

"Is that Logan's order or yours?" I asked.

"Both," she replied, leaving the rest of us in the kitchen. I glanced around the empty room at the others who had been left. They were all whispering. I sighed and turned to talk to Alex.

"How are you doing?" I asked.

"Great, fantastic, marvelous, but my arm hurts."

I laughed. Alex smiled. Then we fell into another silence. My nerves practically shattered as I waited for some word of something. Finally the door opened. Kitty and Amara came in. I looked at them, in hope of some answers. I figured Kitty would crack if she held something in too long, so I waited.

"She's in the infirmary," Amara broke the silence. "She's barely conscious and in a very bad state. She's not going to be able to talk for quite a few days." I shut my eyes. This was bad, really bad. There was no telling what Magneto had planned for us. Alex touched my arm and my eyes shot open.

"Are you okay?" he asked me.

"Fine." It was a lie but not an obvious lie. Slowly everyone else filed back in. Logan was at the rear.

He looked at me in surprised, "You listened?" I merely nodded.

"Where's Evan?" Ray asked.

Logan hesitated, "Ororo lost consciousness. Porcupine wanted to sit with her for a little while." A gasp shot around the room. Alex slid over until he was against me. I looked at Jean for help. She shrugged.

"It's okay, Alex," I whispered. "Everything's going to be fine."

He nodded but didn't move. I sighed and looked at Logan to see what we were going to do. He was raking a hand through his hair and pacing.

As if he knew what I'd do, Logan said, "Everyone sit down. We need to talk."

"I think I, like, found our first order of business," Kitty said, looking up from the pile of the afternoon mail. She held a plain business letter in one of her hands. "It's addressed to... Scott."

I got up and went over to her. I took the envelope from her. I turned it over in my hands and examined it carefully.

"Kitty's right," I told Logan. "Look at this."

Logan came over and took it. His eyes widened when he saw what I did. The envelope was addressed to Mr. Cyke Lopps.

TBC