Alex sputtered and squirmed.
Magneto took a step back and released Alex. "I'll give you one minute to think about your answer." He took another step back, his eyes never leaving my brother. "Boys!"
The Brotherhood boys came up to Magneto. I ducked back around the corner, so I wouldn't be spotted. Almost immediately a firm hand clamped over my mouth. My eyes widened even though I knew it was Logan. I relaxed to tell him I'd be quiet. Logan turned me to face him and cautiously removed his hand. I looked up at him. Logan pointed down at the floor. I glared at him, but sat down as he'd ordered.
Jean, what did you tell Logan to do? I asked slightly agitated.
I heard a small laugh in my mind. Sorry, Scott. I told him to make sure you don't do anything stupid . . . for Alex's sake.
I grumbled silently. Well, at least tell me what's going on in there. Jean, please.
Scott-
Fine. Just protect him, OK?
How?
I don't know. Put up a shield or something.
That'll shut off our communication. Is that OK?
Sure, sure, anything.
Then everything went silent. I glanced at Logan. He was looking around the corner at the others. I leaned forward and strained to hear the conversation in the other room. Logan didn't notice me.
"Well, Havoc, have you decided what to tell me?" Magneto asked Alex.
"I don't know where they went," Alex stated. His voice caught with fear.
Magneto sighed, "Quicksilver."
I wanted to know so badly what was going on in the other room. Jean was trying to protect Alex, but I still felt uneasy. There was an awkward silence.
"Jean," Magneto growled, "think about this. There's a room full of young, vulnerable mutants out here. I don't believe you have enough power to protect them all. We can hurt people out here until you give us Havoc. It's your choice as to who gets hurt."
There was a brief pause before I heard something I really didn't want to hear.
I'm sorry, Scott. Jean was communicating, so I knew her shield was down and more than likely Magneto had Alex in his grasp. I calmed myself down and tried to lean around the corner to see. Logan knocked me back against the wall with his knee. I looked up at him, but Logan was watching the other room again.
It's all right, Jean. I told her sincerely. I understand your problem, so does Alex.
He got me flustered and my concentration broke. Then Pietro ran in and grabbed him.
I smiled weakly. I love you, Jean.
Scott-
She was about to contradict me, so I interrupted her. I do, Jean. Do you love me?
Scott- She paused; then sighed. Of course I do, baby. I'll always love you.
I know. I smiled to myself. And you're like a sister to Alex.
Are you trying to distract me?
I'm trying to distract myself. I shifted positions slightly. Logan pressed his knee into my shoulder a bit harder. I grimaced at the pressure. Unfortunately the extra security made me think something was happening in the other room. I paused and tried to listen to the room.
"Havoc, I have no patience left!" Magneto boomed. "Where are they?"
"I don't know." He was scared. It was obvious to me and I couldn't even see him. I cringed as I heard Alvers speak up.
"I can get information out of him," Lance suggested. "It might take a little work though." There was silence. Logan turned to face me and applied even more pressure to my shoulder. I looked up at him but didn't say anything. I wasn't going to argue at such a hectic time.
Jean, tell- I started, but was interrupted by a sickening crack coming from the other room. I'd learned what that sound was over the last week. It was the unmistakable sound of a fist to bone. I shot forward instantly. Logan quickly knocked me back into the wall. Even more pressure was applied to both of my shoulders. Logan glared down at me. I sighed silently. Jean, tell Alex to tell them all he knows.
I assume you have a plan. She returned instantly.
Somewhat. The first step is to get Alex out of danger. Then I have to get Logan to let me up. Iglanced up at Logan. He had turned back to listening in on the other room. Just tell him, honey.
OK. She went silent for a moment. He, uh . . . he doesn't want to.
What!? I exploded.
Calm down, Scott. He doesn't want- Jean stopped as another vicious crack came from the other room. A few gasps told me that Alex had been hit hard. I struggled against Logan. He glared at me and returned his attention back to Magneto. I dropped back against the wall.
Jean, can you connect Logan into this conversation? I asked hopefully. We have no way of communicating right now.
I don't know. I'll try. Jean went silent. Scott, I'm not sure if I can or not. Do you want me to go ahead and try it?
Not yet. I can't risk you passing out or getting caught or anything. Just try to convince Alex to go ahead and tell on me.
I'll try, but he's pretty determined.
I sat in my own silence for a moment. Then I strained to listen in on the conversation Magneto was leading. After a few seconds, I heard the words.
"Havoc, I can order more of this or you can tell me what you know and it'll all stop. Hell, I might even be generous and give you a painkiller, if you give me the information right now."
I heard some wheezing and coughing before Alex's voice came through, "All I know is that Logan went after you and Scott went to find him. Scott promised me he'd be right back."
Logan turned and shot me a deadly look. I shrugged. I couldn't blame Alex for wanting to save his own skin. Logan moved away from the corner and me. I sighed. Jean, how's Alex? He sounds horrible.
He's- hang on.
"Jean," Magneto boomed. "I would find it really interesting to know who you are communicating with, since it must be someone in this building."
I jumped to my feet. Logan made no protest. I went to the corner before talking to Logan. "I'm going." I told him in a voice he could only hear because of his heightened listening. Logan rolled his eyes and made a shooing motion with his hands. I smiled.
"I- uh . . ." Jean stumbled for words.
I took a deep breathe and took two large steps around the corner and into the living room. "She was talking to me!"
TBC
