Title: Stormy Forecast
Author: Viral
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men. This is fan fiction; a fan's version of expression in which he/she wishes to portray character(s) aside from the creator's original concepts and/or ideas.
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Awakening to the odd surroundings did not exactly startle Miguel as he woke up on a soft bed with small medical machines attached to his arms. What did startle him were the vastness of the room, the advance of technology, and the odd lack of memory he had from what happened before he was knocked out. His brown eyes looked around the room, before he sat up straight. Just then Dr. McCoy, better known as Beast, walked into the room. He was relieved to know he was in the X-Men's custody.
"Ah, Miguel, I see you are recuperating quite nicely," Beast said, walking over to check the machinery connected to Miguel. "It is quite an amazing feat for you to have survived Omega Red's attack."
"That's right!" Miguel said as his memory rushed back into his head. He then felt his torso and the soreness that was still there as well as the support pad that had been placed to ease some of the pain caused by Omega Red's tendrils. "Omega Red did this! Is mi Tormenta alright?"
"Storm is fine," Beast said with a smile between his fang-like teeth before disconnecting the machinery from Miguel. "Ororo is currently trying to convince the team to allow you to stay here, at least until you're fully healed. If they do allow you, you will be the 2nd homo sapien we have allowed to stay here."
"So the voting begins?" Miguel said. He hoped, not for healing purposes, but for more time with Ororo, that he would be allowed to stay. He was comfortable around mutants, but how comfortable would they be?
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In the parlor of the Xavier's Institute sat the X-Men, excluding Beast. Scattered throughout the huge room were couches, coffee tables, and fancy decorations, all complimented by a royal red carpeting and shiny woodwork. In the center of the room Ororo addressed her case.
"Miguel risked his life against Omega Red, a deadly foe even towards Wolverine. That is enough proof to show me that he is trustworthy. He will not pose a threat to the mansion security," Ororo stated, blue eyes moving across each mutant present.
"I don't mind, hun," Rogue said with her southern accent. She had healed, with the help of Wolverine's abilities, quite quickly, though not fully. "It's about time we get some new buns around here anyway. You get tired of seein the same ol thing every mornin."
"Rogue, this is a serious matter," Cyclops addressed with stern leadership. "For all we know this guy could have just set this all up."
"Scott makes a good point Ororo," Professor Xavier said with a long sigh. He then folded his hand atop the lap of his wheelchair, "We must think this through very thoroughly. As soon as Miguel became an active participant in your life these odd occurrences have become more frequent. Could he not be the culprit?"
"You have read his mind, Charles," Ororo said with her arms cross, "You should already know the answer to that query."
"I agree with Storm, he's not a threat to us," Jean said, green eyes smiling at Ororo.
"He no angel, chere," Gambit says with angry red eyes and a scowl drooped across his face. "We can't trust him. He could be de one behind yo problems."
"Cajun, yer just jealous cause he got 'Ro," Wolverine warned and growled, "Now shut yer trap and get over it. For all we know it could be you tryin to get at 'Ro cause you can't have her no more."
"You don't know what you talkin about, Logan!" Gambit shouted as he pulled a card from within his trench coat and threatened to ignite it with kinetic energy.
Logan growled, "C'mon bub, I'm ready for you." He unsheathed his claws and looked ready to pounce on Gambit.
"After thinking this through," Shadowcat says, interrupting the pending fight between Wolverine and Gambit with her analysis. "This could be quite the memorable experiment and experience. Xavier's dream for the X-Men is for mutants and humans to peacefully coexist with one another. Miguel's stay here could be putting action to words and see what we as a team could improve on."
"That's quite an interesting theory, Katherine," Professor Xavier says and ponders the facts over one more time. "It is settled. Miguel will be allowed to stay."
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"Dis guy, he's no good for you chere," Remy said as he followed Ororo around the attic. She was watering her plants, creating small storm clouds over the menagerie of multicolored flowers. The air in her room was fresh as she floating above the floor, bare-footed, with a cool breeze following behind her.
"Remy," Ororo said as she turned from her work just for a second. "I understand your concern, but do not be alarmed – Miguel is a very nice gentleman." Ororo faced her plants once more as the gentle showers soaked the soil.
Remy continued to follow her; heavy boots making loud footsteps on the attic floor, "Den why you been avoidin him. You worried about something, no?"
"My concerns do not lie within his presence or his company," Ororo noted with a striking tone of anger in her voice. "Remy, I understand your take on my entire situation, but I do not need your suffocating protection. You seem to think our relationship is of the same nature as when we first met: you protected me, watched over me, cared for me. When you met me, though, I had been turned into a child by a machine! I could not handle everything on my own, but now I am back to normal and I do not need you to tower over my every decision. So if you would please deny yourself the duty of acting as my father, I would appreciate it."
"You dink you have control over everyd'ing in the world, Stormy, but you don't!" Gambit shouted as he threw his hands in the air. "Just cause you can control de weather don't make you invincible! You may be de greatest of all the X-Men with all your power, but you can't handle the little stuff because you never learned how to!"
"I would have you know I grew up on the streets of Cairo, Egypt as a beggar and a thief because my parents were killed. I do not need someone to train me about life!" Ororo proclaimed with a frustrated sigh. She made her way over to her plush bed, "Remy, do you see this?" She lifted up her pillow to show a sharp dagger beneath, "There is never a night that goes by that I do not have this under my pillow! It is a fear obsession that I have had since a child. It stays with me, and yet you have the audacity to claim that I know nothing of life. All you know, Remy Lebeau, are thieves and assassins!"
"You don't understand. Gambit tryin to make you see dat you can't handle everyd'ing on your own!" he said, frustrated as he walked towards the attic door.
"I have done as much so far," Ororo replied with a challenging look on her face. She then turned away from the door with closed eyes and a sad face as Remy walked out of the room.
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Miguel and Gambit stared at each other from across the kitchen. There was nothing left to be said; all was said and done. With a flick of his wrist, the kinetically charged card was sent from Gambit's fingers and with accuracy towards Miguel's position.