Author's note: "Open season on Mutants" didn't end. Storm couldn't convince the people that they meant no harm so the hunt continued, in it Scott and Storm were captured along with Logan. Set after "Day of Recovery."

Second note: I know I'm taking some liberties with Rogue's powers so no flames on that please.

Third note: They might be a little OOC especially Magneto, if so my most sincere apologies.

More reviews I get the faster I'll post.

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A Decision

~*~

I wake up in the morning and I wonder

Why everything's the same as it was

I can't understand, no, I can't understand

How life goes on the way it does

-Skeeter Davis

~*~

"Now what?" Rogue asked glaring at the bottom of the sewer.

"We're stuck here," Jean said. Kitty looked around herself and stifled a sob wondering how things had gotten this bad.

"This is totally awful," Kitty whispered thinking about Logan. He and the professor were closer to fathers than her own father had ever been.

"It is," Bobby agreed. "So, now what?"

"I don't know," Jean whispered. They continued walking. Soon they found themselves face-to-face with what remained of the Brotherhood, Lance, Todd and Wanda. Lance's face lit up when he saw Kitty.

"Hey there, Red," Lance said brightly instead of speaking to the one person he really wanted to.

"Back off, Lance," Rogue said. "We're really not in the mood."

"Where's Summers?" Lance asked. He saw Jean's eyes fill with tears and was taken aback.

"God, Lance, could you just, like, *try* to show some compassion?" Kitty asked hugging Jean.

Lance looked at Kitty feeling hurt by her coldness. "I- I didn't know," he whispered.

"Well, as interesting as this is," Mr. McCoy said. "We need to find some place to sleep for the night."

"Where are you guys stayin'?" Rogue asked.

"We were going to go to Magneto," Lance said.

"Wanda, you're actually going to go to your father after-" Jean was cut off when Wanda turned a vicious glare on her.

"I would rather live than die down here with the rats," she gave the X-Men a look as she said that last word.

"Kitty," Lance said. "Why don't you guys come with us?"

"Allow me to, like, list the reasons that won't happen," Kitty said. "One: you are still the Brotherhood. Two: Magneto is evil. Three: he'd kill us if we went anywhere near his mansion."

"And what do you guys plan to do?" Wanda asked. "Stay down here? How long will you be able to survive without food or water?"

"Ve haven't quite figured zat out," Kurt said.

"Kitty, please," Lance said. "This is suicide, we mutants need to stick together."

"This is all Magneto's fault!" Rogue yelled. "Has everyone forgotten that?"

"No," Wanda said. "But I repeat, I would rather live."

"I stay with my team," Kitty said.

"Then you'll die with them," Lance said sadly. He handed her a piece of paper. "Change your mind and we'll be there." He looked at her a few more seconds before leading the Brotherhood away. The remaining X-Men exchanged glances.

"He's right about one thing," Kurt said. "What are ve going to do?" Jean sighed looking at Hank who shrugged.

"We can't go to Magneto," Jean said finally.

"We know," Rogue said. "Ah mean, he'd kill us. Wait, if we go to him, maybe we can get the resources to get the others back." Jean looked startled.

"Use Magneto to find the others?" she asked.

"That's the plan," Rogue said still looking thoughtful. Mr. McCoy stroked his chin.

"That could actually work," he mused.

"Whoa, wait," Bobby said. "We're going to go straight into the lion's mouth, you guys realize that right?"

"It would be worth it to see Scott again," Jean said. "Or any of them."

"So.?" Kitty asked.

"I say ve go," Kurt said. "Ve owe it to them."

"I concur," Mr. McCoy said.

"Lance!" Kitty called. "Lance, wait up!" The X-Men began walking soon catching up with the Brotherhood who had paused. "We, like, decided that we want to come too."

Lance surveyed the group. "All of you?"

Kitty smiled shrugging; she looked at Wanda. "We would rather live." Wanda smirked and nodded.

"Fine, let's go," she said. They walked a little ways before climbing up a ladder. Todd went first since he could move the quickest. He then motioned the others out.

"We're only a few blocks away," Lance said. Everyone turned to Mr. McCoy. "Kurt, teleport ahead with him."

"But I don't know vhere ze mansion is," Kurt said. Lance cursed and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, Jean, fly with him above our heads."

"What?" Jean demanded. "Have you lost your mind?"

"That way no one will see him," Lance said crossing his arms. "It's our only chance."

"It's suicide!" Jean yelled. "Someone is bound to see a giant flying furry man."

"I am not giant, Jean," Mr. McCoy said crossing his arms. "We have no choice but to do what Lance says."

"Fine," Jean sighed.

"Okay," Lance said. "Now we're using the buddy system."

"You're joking right?" Kitty said. "You, like, can't be serious."

"There's too many of us to travel in a huge group, the Sentinels are bound to pick up on nine mutants traveling together," Lance said. He noticed everyone, including his own team just staring at him. "What?"

"When did you get so smart?" Kitty asked out loud. Lance beamed at her, at the fact that she was calling him smart.

"When I had to," he said. "Okay, obviously Jean and Mr. McCoy are together."

"I'll be with Kurt," Rogue said.

"I'll be with Wanda, yo," Todd said looking at Wanda with lovesick eyes.

Wanda smirked evilly. "If he doesn't make it I had nothing to do with it."

"Bobby and I will go together," Kitty said.

"I'll go with the two of you," Lance said.

"Surprise, surprise," Rogue said dryly.

"Jean, you and Mr. McCoy go first," Lance said. Jean nodded and concentrated until she and Mr. McCoy were airborne. A few moments later Kurt and Rogue started away. "Todd, Wanda, you're up," Lance said after a few more minutes.

"Come on, sweetums, I'll protect you," Todd said. Wanda gave the evil smirk again.

"Wanda, please, don't kill Todd," Lance said.

"I make no promises," Wanda said. They walked away. A few more minutes passed.