Author's note: I don't own any rights to any of the characters except
Gessabelle. This chapter was hard to write so sorry if it seems choppy.
Scott and Storm were on their way back from picking up Rebecca in the Blackbird. Storm had dropped off the SUV in a forested area where she expected Logan to pick it up soon after, the professor had not been clear on what he was going to do with the SUV after she and Scott had left in the hidden area. Kneeling in front of Rebecca's seat storm held the child's hand in an attempt to clam her down and reassure her that she was safe.
"Rebecca, do you know how you got there?" Storm asked her in soothing tone.
" I don't know, I remember going to sleep in my bed and then I was having a dream of me flying over the city. And how beautiful the city lights looked for up there. And then I woke up in a nightmare." Rebecca described to Storm. Storm noticed that the girl was shivering and looked her over for any cuts or bruises. All she found was that Rebecca's hair was wet and dripping onto her also wet nightgown. Grass stains covered the gown from the bottom of trim line to the waistline.
"Scott, put the jet on Auto pilot and go get a blanket out of the back please."
"Gotcha, do you want one of the thick ones or the thinner one's?" Scott asked as he put the Blackbird on auto and got up from his chair.
" Get a thick one she's pretty cold."
" K, be right back." He walked to the back of the jet to where the uniform and first aid compartments were kept. Walking past the uniform section he moved toward the first aid area, there he opened the larger compartment and reached inside. Digging around he finally found what he was looking for and pulled out a large black, double polar fleece blanket. Closing the compartment door he turned and started heading back to the front of the jet.
As she waited for Scott to return with the blanket Storm's mind traveled to a place where she could only imagine what kind of fear was coursing through Rebecca's veins. The fear of waking up to total stranger's surrounding you, some nice, some mean. Not forgiving to the fact that you're just a child who is alone and scared. The thoughts brought shivers to her at the thought of it. Pushing the images out of her mind she closed her eyes and reopened them to a tiny had on her shoulder.
"Are you ok Miss. Ororo?" Worry and innocence sang in Rebecca's voice.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine. Thank you." Taking the child's hand she gently squeezed it and rested it on Rebecca's lap. Walking up behind Storm Scott kneeled down beside her and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Here, it's the thickest one we have back there." He smiled at Rebecca and then stood up and returned to his seat at the front of the jet. Fully opening the blanket Storm wrapped it around the shivering girl and made sure that she was snugly and comfortable.
"Better?" She asked.
When Rebecca had nodded in a happily manor Storm did one last check on the girl by felling her forehead just to make sure that the girl hadn't caught anything while she'd been out in the cold. When she was satisfied that Rebecca was healthy and warm she got up and headed back to her own seat in the front of the jet. When she reached her seat Storm turned around to face Rebecca.
"If you need anything else just tell us, ok?" Storm informed Rebecca.
"Ok." She replied back, and then rested her head on the headrest of the seat and closed her eyes falling into a deep sleep. Seating her self in the seat she ran her fingers through her white hair and closed her eyes for a second. Looking over at Scott she informed him on the situation.
"We'll have to take her to the doctor to get her checked over, she was out there in only her pajamas for god knows how long."
"It's a good thing that the Professor found Dr. McCoy when he did, or we'd have to have a doctor doing daily visits with the amount of accidents we have at the school." He attempted a smile but it soon faded into an apathetic look of nothingness.
Reaching out her hand she rested it on his hand," Scott is everything ok?" "Now no, but maybe, hopefully in time yes." He sighed and looked out the large windshield of the jet.
Memories flashed through his mind of the good, the bad and the ugly times during his life with jean. The mornings waking up with her by his side cuddled close to his body, her body warming his soul and his doing the same to her. Smells of her her favourite perfume when she sprayed it on during the early morning after a shower. The touch of her soft, perfect skin on his skin when they would kiss and hug each other during the day and night The Soothing tone of her voice and how it could tame the wildest of his rages, or cheer him up when nothing else could. But all the memories of the good and wonderful times could never out weight the horrible and haunting memories of what had happened that day at Stryker's base. Having to watch as he beat and nearly killed her with his own powers. Anger swelled in him at the thought of how powerless Stryker had made him and how weak had had been to fight it. Then when he had thought that Jean and him were safe everything fell down around him. That instant in time was like a blur to him, the dame breaking, the engine shot in the jet, a wall of water, Jean.. sacrificing herself so the rest of them would make it out alive. Pictures flashed in his mind of her last moments and tears began to well up in his eyes. Pushing the tears back he reminded himself that if he was weak it would make the team weak, he was the leader he had to be strong. It was what Jean would of wanted.
Storm Tried to peer through Scott's ruby visor but with no luck, she could only imagine what he was thinking about. Jean. The thought of Jean made Storms heart sink. Storm had lost family and friends before back in her homeland when she came to America with Xavier and left her former life behind her. She had kept some contact with one or two members of her family who had come across and also lived in America. But her family back in Africa she hadn't spoken to for years. From that experience she knew that losing a friend was never an easy thing but losing a friend the way that she had lost Jean was the worst way to lose one. Watching the water envelope her friend haunted her, thoughts of 'I could of done something' or ' I should of tried something' taunted her at night. During the days after the rescue she had had dreams of that day. They involved someone, herself, Logan, or Scott finding a way to get jean back in the jet and everyone making it out alive. Then the dream would continue with Her waking up from a nightmare and Jean was by her bed comforting her telling her that everything was ok. Then her and Jean would go down to the kitchen and have a cup of coffee together, there they would talk and laugh about the good days and the bad. Suddenly the ringing of her alarm clock would rudely awaken her and the truth would hit her and hit her hard. The truth was that jean was never again going to aid her during the nightmares or they would never share another cup of coffee together.
"Were all going to miss her Scott, your not the only one feeling that way." Turning her gaze away from him she focused it on the sky.
"I know, I know."He turned and checked on the still sleeping child. " I just keep thinking that I could of done something more, I could of stopped her.."
"Scott, there was nothing any of up could of done. She had made up her mind that it was the only way to save us." Sucking in a deep breath she continued. " I think about it too though, I think that we all do. About the how's, why's, and other questions that surface time to time."
" I just wish that she was here..with us. That's all."
" I'm sure in other ways that she is." Tightening her grip on his for a second to reassure him she then let go. Turning her attention back to the task of getting Rebecca back to the mansion. She averted her attention to the controls of the Black Bird and put the jet back on manual control. Following the trajectory course back to the mansion she let Scott rest and she commanded the jet the rest of the way. Upon reaching the school Storm signaled Scott to prepare the landing area bellow the school basketball court. Using a scope to view the school grounds bellow he ensured that there were no children playing on the court and then pulled a lever on his left side. Holding the lever down he waited and once the doors to the landing bay had begun to open he released the lever.
"Ok, were clear to land." He informed Storm.
Reverting the jet power so that they slowed the rate of decent, preventing the jet from crashing. Storm slowly lowered the Black Bird in the large hallow space under the school grounds. The jets hanger was hidden under one of the main basketball courts on the grounds, which allowed a perfect cover for the hanger doors.
Once the Black Bird and its passengers were safely landed Storm shut down the main power to the jet and Scott powered down the secondary mechanics of the jet. When the jet was silent Storm gently picked up Rebecca so she wouldn't wake the sleeping child. While Scott lowered the hatch and began doing a system check on the jet. Storm slowly walked down the steps and headed toward the door leading to the lower level. Once she reached the sliding doors a motion sensor opened the door and she stepped into the long hall, Maneuvering through the doors so that she wouldn't hit Rebecca's head on the side of the door. She continued down the hall passing the medical lab and training rooms heading to the levels elevator. Once she reached it a Pleasant 'ding' rang and the doors opened.
[Thank you Professor.] She thanked Xavier for the help.
[Your welcome Storm] he continued [Get here to change her clothes and head off to her class, we can take her to Dr. McCoy later]
[Yes Professor] she nodded in agreement and stepped inside the square room and the doors slid shut behind her.
"Main floor." She commanded the elevator.
A sudden squirming in Storms arms caused her to look down. Staring back at her was Rebecca with a questionable look in her eyes.
"Were back at the School, you slept the whole way back." Storm informed the still sleepy child.
Acknowledging what Storm had said she smiled and climbed down out of Storm's arms still holding the blanket and stood beside Storm waiting till they reached the main floor. A second 'ding' was head and let the two know that the elevator was about to stop. Once it had come to a full stop and the doors slid open Rebecca with the blanket waving behind her like a cape raced out of the elevator and ran to the base of the staircase leading to the girls' part of the dorms. Laughing to herself at the child's burst of energy Storm walked out of the elevator and walked over to the now energetic girl. As soon as Storm reached her lunged at her gabbing hold of her waist and gave her a welcomed hug.
"Thank you Miss Ororo," Rebecca thanked her.
"Your very welcome, now go get out of those dirty clothes and into some clean and dry ones then head off to class. And you can keep the blanket." Storm explained as she gave the girl a gentle squeeze then let go. "Thanks," Rebecca turned to leave "Um. Will I see you in class?"
"We'll see, now head off to class," Storm gave her a little nudge on the back, " Or you'll be late."
With blanket in hand Rebecca bolted up the stairs and to her dorm room. Once she was out of sight Storm sighed a sigh of relief and turned back toward the elevator. She wanted to freshen up and change into some dryer clothing since hers had gotten damped from holding Rebecca. Waiting till the elevator doors opened she stepped inside and told the elevator to take her to the teachers dorm floor. While the numbers of the floors lit up and then dimmed she thought about her class that she had to teach that day. It was a social class about the French Revolution; she was going to be introducing the class to the economic cause of the revolution. Her thoughts were disrupted by the 'ding ' of the elevator and the doors opening. Stepping into the corridor she moved to her room, which was next to Scott's and Hank. Moving down the hall to her room she admired the new pictures of landscapes that the Professor had purchased to replace the ones destroyed in the attack on the school. Also the walls had been redone in some spots where they had been torn open or damaged by the fighting put up by the teachers' trying to protect the students. Nearing the end of the hall Storm looked out the large bay window, which had also been replaced, it was one or her favorite views in the mansion. When no one was around she would sit on the windowsill and just watch the children play or read a book. Her floor of the mansion's dorm was one of the biggest so it could accommodate all the teacher's separate needs. A total of 3 corridors were on the floor, the elevator on the floor was located in her corridor, which was a plus for her. Across from her room was Logan's room and beside him was Colossus's room. Once she reached her room she had just begun to turn the doorknob when the elevator doors opened. Leaning back to see who it was she grabbed the doorknob for balance. Seconds after the doors opened Logan stepped though the open door and into the hall. Storm could tell that he had been working on his bike by the oil smeared on his arms and jeans. She knew that he had known she was up here before she knew it was him because as he soon as he had both feet on the hall carpet he looked up and waved to her. Ever since he had moved into the mansion and to the room across to her she had felt safer because of this talent of his since people before anyone else. Moving toward his room he stopped when he reached his room and turned to her.
"You find the kid?" he inquired.
"Yes, she had levitated herself to a street divider in the inner city." Storm told him.
"Good, she ok?"
"Yes, just a little wet and cold"
"Good."
"I thought that you usually work on your bike all afternoon?"
"I do, but Scott just now decided to work on his this afternoon."
"What was so bad about that?"
"He brought his N'SYNC CD."
"Oh," Storm laughed aloud, "I see, I'll never see what he sees in that music. Maybe it's a culture this."
A smirk came across Logan's face, "Neither will I, the only way I'll ever see eye to eye with that music is through 3 holes though that CD. And I don't think it's a culture thing, I think that it's a lack of brains thing."
"I don't think that Scott would appreciate that very much."
"Maybe he wouldn't but I would."
Logan smiled at the thought and Storm giggled quietly.
"I should go clean up before I head back down." Logan pointed out looking at his oil stained hands.
"Me too." Storm agreed.
Suddenly both were struck by a mental message from the Professor.
[Storm, Logan come down to my office.]
[What is it Professor?] Storm questioned him.
[I'll inform you of the details when you get here.]
[I'm gonna clean up then I'll be down.] Logan stated plainly.
[Don't bother, just come to my office.] Xavier ordered Him.
Looking silently at each other for a few moments, then Logan broke the silence, "Jeez, what's the big hurry?" Logan through his hands in the air and then turned and opened the door to his room.
"Logan, Xavier wants to see us now."
"Eh, if it's that important then he'll wait. And maybe you can stand the smell of motor oil, but I can't for much longer." Stepping into his room he closed the door-leaving Storm standing in the Hall alone.
"Men." She whispered to herself frustrated, then headed to the elevator.
Leaning against the back of the door He had heard her comment and laughed to himself. He always loved getting under peoples skin and seeing how they reacted to it. The bigger the reaction the more fun it was to him. He didn't know why, maybe it was something in his feral nature. Once he heard the elevator doors open, Storm step inside and then the doors close he pushed himself off the door and headed over to the other opposite side of the room. His room was the same as the other room on this floor, one bathroom, one bed, two dressers, one huge closet, and a small room for the occupant to do with, as he or she wanted to. Stopping just before the bathroom he pulled or his white and oil coated t-shirt over his head and threw it into a near by laundry basket. Then he walked into the bathroom and took off his dirty jeans and threw them in a pile in the corner of the room and turned on the shower. Grabbing a black towel from a near by rack he wrapped it around his waist and took off his remaining clothing and also threw them into a little pile by the pair of jeans. Checking to make sure that the shower was the temperature that he liked he stuck his hand in and when the scalding feeling began to turn his had red he took the towel off and put it on the counter and stepped inside the shower. As the burning sensation moved down his body he began to wonder what Chuck had wanted. Soon the burning had turned to a numbness that was refreshing and a clean feeling. Once he was satisfied, and he didn't want to keep them waiting too long, he got out of the shower. Turning it off as he got out he grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his waist again he walked into the main room and to one of the dressers. Digging in one of the drawers he found a grey t-shirt and then moved onto another drawer and pulled out a pair of clean jeans. Quickly he changed and then headed down stairs to the study room.
*-----------*----------*---------*
While Logan found his way to the study Xavier, Scott, and Ororo sat waiting for him. Neither of the three were happy with Logan's choice of actions and were growing impatient, especially Xavier. Then again they all had known that he never did take well to orders unless they were from him self.
"What is taking him?" Scott asked impatiently looking around the room.
"He'll be here soon." Storm defended Logan like she had been doing for the last 30 minuets.
"Yah, well not soon enough." Scott snapped.
"What's wrong with you Scott?"
"What's wrong is that he left the garage in a total mess and I had to clean it up." Scott waved his hand in the air in an aggressive manor. "I had to clean the trays and the tools."
"Be glad that's all he did, you do not want to know what he wanted to do to your Cd."
"For some reason, what ever it was I wouldn't doubt it."
During the conversation between Scott and Storm, Xavier was deep in his mind-trying sort out the impossible and the possible. Returning to the morning incident in Cerebro it became suddenly clear. The events in Cerebro following the demise of William Stryker became connected. Scott's bickering with Storm was disrupting him from getting any further with his thoughts, so he turned his chair and faced them. Motioning the two of them to be quite he began ,"Logan will be here soon."
"Where is he now?" Scott asked annoyed.
"In the elevator Scott." Xavier informed him.
"Good it's about time." Scott answered crossing his arms and leaned back into his chair.
Seconds after the door to Xavier's study opened and Logan walked into the room. Pausing for a moment he scanned the room and then moved to the far off wall and leaned up against it.
"Please take a seat Logan." Xavier requested.
"I'd rather stand." Logan crossed his arms.
"If you wish." Xavier moved his attention to all in the room.
"Ok. So were all here. What is so important?" Scott asked.
Clearing his throught he began ,"As you all know each human and mutant has a separate and individual metal state. And it is this that Cerebro uses to separate each person. Which is how I can find one person out of billions."
"Of course proffesor, what are you trying to tell us though?" Storm quzically looked at Xavier.
"I'll explain to you all, in rare occurring situations such as twins or extremely close siblings Cerebro can not identify either of the two."
"Are you talking about the situations when one twin is hurt the other knows and feels it." Scott added.
"Something like that Scott. But in Cerebro's case instead of for one mind one person, it shows to people and one mind. Although this occurance doesn't happen all the time. It only occurs when the two people are experiencing the same emotion or seeing the same thing." Xavier expanded.
Scott and Storm were on their way back from picking up Rebecca in the Blackbird. Storm had dropped off the SUV in a forested area where she expected Logan to pick it up soon after, the professor had not been clear on what he was going to do with the SUV after she and Scott had left in the hidden area. Kneeling in front of Rebecca's seat storm held the child's hand in an attempt to clam her down and reassure her that she was safe.
"Rebecca, do you know how you got there?" Storm asked her in soothing tone.
" I don't know, I remember going to sleep in my bed and then I was having a dream of me flying over the city. And how beautiful the city lights looked for up there. And then I woke up in a nightmare." Rebecca described to Storm. Storm noticed that the girl was shivering and looked her over for any cuts or bruises. All she found was that Rebecca's hair was wet and dripping onto her also wet nightgown. Grass stains covered the gown from the bottom of trim line to the waistline.
"Scott, put the jet on Auto pilot and go get a blanket out of the back please."
"Gotcha, do you want one of the thick ones or the thinner one's?" Scott asked as he put the Blackbird on auto and got up from his chair.
" Get a thick one she's pretty cold."
" K, be right back." He walked to the back of the jet to where the uniform and first aid compartments were kept. Walking past the uniform section he moved toward the first aid area, there he opened the larger compartment and reached inside. Digging around he finally found what he was looking for and pulled out a large black, double polar fleece blanket. Closing the compartment door he turned and started heading back to the front of the jet.
As she waited for Scott to return with the blanket Storm's mind traveled to a place where she could only imagine what kind of fear was coursing through Rebecca's veins. The fear of waking up to total stranger's surrounding you, some nice, some mean. Not forgiving to the fact that you're just a child who is alone and scared. The thoughts brought shivers to her at the thought of it. Pushing the images out of her mind she closed her eyes and reopened them to a tiny had on her shoulder.
"Are you ok Miss. Ororo?" Worry and innocence sang in Rebecca's voice.
"Yes, I'm perfectly fine. Thank you." Taking the child's hand she gently squeezed it and rested it on Rebecca's lap. Walking up behind Storm Scott kneeled down beside her and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Here, it's the thickest one we have back there." He smiled at Rebecca and then stood up and returned to his seat at the front of the jet. Fully opening the blanket Storm wrapped it around the shivering girl and made sure that she was snugly and comfortable.
"Better?" She asked.
When Rebecca had nodded in a happily manor Storm did one last check on the girl by felling her forehead just to make sure that the girl hadn't caught anything while she'd been out in the cold. When she was satisfied that Rebecca was healthy and warm she got up and headed back to her own seat in the front of the jet. When she reached her seat Storm turned around to face Rebecca.
"If you need anything else just tell us, ok?" Storm informed Rebecca.
"Ok." She replied back, and then rested her head on the headrest of the seat and closed her eyes falling into a deep sleep. Seating her self in the seat she ran her fingers through her white hair and closed her eyes for a second. Looking over at Scott she informed him on the situation.
"We'll have to take her to the doctor to get her checked over, she was out there in only her pajamas for god knows how long."
"It's a good thing that the Professor found Dr. McCoy when he did, or we'd have to have a doctor doing daily visits with the amount of accidents we have at the school." He attempted a smile but it soon faded into an apathetic look of nothingness.
Reaching out her hand she rested it on his hand," Scott is everything ok?" "Now no, but maybe, hopefully in time yes." He sighed and looked out the large windshield of the jet.
Memories flashed through his mind of the good, the bad and the ugly times during his life with jean. The mornings waking up with her by his side cuddled close to his body, her body warming his soul and his doing the same to her. Smells of her her favourite perfume when she sprayed it on during the early morning after a shower. The touch of her soft, perfect skin on his skin when they would kiss and hug each other during the day and night The Soothing tone of her voice and how it could tame the wildest of his rages, or cheer him up when nothing else could. But all the memories of the good and wonderful times could never out weight the horrible and haunting memories of what had happened that day at Stryker's base. Having to watch as he beat and nearly killed her with his own powers. Anger swelled in him at the thought of how powerless Stryker had made him and how weak had had been to fight it. Then when he had thought that Jean and him were safe everything fell down around him. That instant in time was like a blur to him, the dame breaking, the engine shot in the jet, a wall of water, Jean.. sacrificing herself so the rest of them would make it out alive. Pictures flashed in his mind of her last moments and tears began to well up in his eyes. Pushing the tears back he reminded himself that if he was weak it would make the team weak, he was the leader he had to be strong. It was what Jean would of wanted.
Storm Tried to peer through Scott's ruby visor but with no luck, she could only imagine what he was thinking about. Jean. The thought of Jean made Storms heart sink. Storm had lost family and friends before back in her homeland when she came to America with Xavier and left her former life behind her. She had kept some contact with one or two members of her family who had come across and also lived in America. But her family back in Africa she hadn't spoken to for years. From that experience she knew that losing a friend was never an easy thing but losing a friend the way that she had lost Jean was the worst way to lose one. Watching the water envelope her friend haunted her, thoughts of 'I could of done something' or ' I should of tried something' taunted her at night. During the days after the rescue she had had dreams of that day. They involved someone, herself, Logan, or Scott finding a way to get jean back in the jet and everyone making it out alive. Then the dream would continue with Her waking up from a nightmare and Jean was by her bed comforting her telling her that everything was ok. Then her and Jean would go down to the kitchen and have a cup of coffee together, there they would talk and laugh about the good days and the bad. Suddenly the ringing of her alarm clock would rudely awaken her and the truth would hit her and hit her hard. The truth was that jean was never again going to aid her during the nightmares or they would never share another cup of coffee together.
"Were all going to miss her Scott, your not the only one feeling that way." Turning her gaze away from him she focused it on the sky.
"I know, I know."He turned and checked on the still sleeping child. " I just keep thinking that I could of done something more, I could of stopped her.."
"Scott, there was nothing any of up could of done. She had made up her mind that it was the only way to save us." Sucking in a deep breath she continued. " I think about it too though, I think that we all do. About the how's, why's, and other questions that surface time to time."
" I just wish that she was here..with us. That's all."
" I'm sure in other ways that she is." Tightening her grip on his for a second to reassure him she then let go. Turning her attention back to the task of getting Rebecca back to the mansion. She averted her attention to the controls of the Black Bird and put the jet back on manual control. Following the trajectory course back to the mansion she let Scott rest and she commanded the jet the rest of the way. Upon reaching the school Storm signaled Scott to prepare the landing area bellow the school basketball court. Using a scope to view the school grounds bellow he ensured that there were no children playing on the court and then pulled a lever on his left side. Holding the lever down he waited and once the doors to the landing bay had begun to open he released the lever.
"Ok, were clear to land." He informed Storm.
Reverting the jet power so that they slowed the rate of decent, preventing the jet from crashing. Storm slowly lowered the Black Bird in the large hallow space under the school grounds. The jets hanger was hidden under one of the main basketball courts on the grounds, which allowed a perfect cover for the hanger doors.
Once the Black Bird and its passengers were safely landed Storm shut down the main power to the jet and Scott powered down the secondary mechanics of the jet. When the jet was silent Storm gently picked up Rebecca so she wouldn't wake the sleeping child. While Scott lowered the hatch and began doing a system check on the jet. Storm slowly walked down the steps and headed toward the door leading to the lower level. Once she reached the sliding doors a motion sensor opened the door and she stepped into the long hall, Maneuvering through the doors so that she wouldn't hit Rebecca's head on the side of the door. She continued down the hall passing the medical lab and training rooms heading to the levels elevator. Once she reached it a Pleasant 'ding' rang and the doors opened.
[Thank you Professor.] She thanked Xavier for the help.
[Your welcome Storm] he continued [Get here to change her clothes and head off to her class, we can take her to Dr. McCoy later]
[Yes Professor] she nodded in agreement and stepped inside the square room and the doors slid shut behind her.
"Main floor." She commanded the elevator.
A sudden squirming in Storms arms caused her to look down. Staring back at her was Rebecca with a questionable look in her eyes.
"Were back at the School, you slept the whole way back." Storm informed the still sleepy child.
Acknowledging what Storm had said she smiled and climbed down out of Storm's arms still holding the blanket and stood beside Storm waiting till they reached the main floor. A second 'ding' was head and let the two know that the elevator was about to stop. Once it had come to a full stop and the doors slid open Rebecca with the blanket waving behind her like a cape raced out of the elevator and ran to the base of the staircase leading to the girls' part of the dorms. Laughing to herself at the child's burst of energy Storm walked out of the elevator and walked over to the now energetic girl. As soon as Storm reached her lunged at her gabbing hold of her waist and gave her a welcomed hug.
"Thank you Miss Ororo," Rebecca thanked her.
"Your very welcome, now go get out of those dirty clothes and into some clean and dry ones then head off to class. And you can keep the blanket." Storm explained as she gave the girl a gentle squeeze then let go. "Thanks," Rebecca turned to leave "Um. Will I see you in class?"
"We'll see, now head off to class," Storm gave her a little nudge on the back, " Or you'll be late."
With blanket in hand Rebecca bolted up the stairs and to her dorm room. Once she was out of sight Storm sighed a sigh of relief and turned back toward the elevator. She wanted to freshen up and change into some dryer clothing since hers had gotten damped from holding Rebecca. Waiting till the elevator doors opened she stepped inside and told the elevator to take her to the teachers dorm floor. While the numbers of the floors lit up and then dimmed she thought about her class that she had to teach that day. It was a social class about the French Revolution; she was going to be introducing the class to the economic cause of the revolution. Her thoughts were disrupted by the 'ding ' of the elevator and the doors opening. Stepping into the corridor she moved to her room, which was next to Scott's and Hank. Moving down the hall to her room she admired the new pictures of landscapes that the Professor had purchased to replace the ones destroyed in the attack on the school. Also the walls had been redone in some spots where they had been torn open or damaged by the fighting put up by the teachers' trying to protect the students. Nearing the end of the hall Storm looked out the large bay window, which had also been replaced, it was one or her favorite views in the mansion. When no one was around she would sit on the windowsill and just watch the children play or read a book. Her floor of the mansion's dorm was one of the biggest so it could accommodate all the teacher's separate needs. A total of 3 corridors were on the floor, the elevator on the floor was located in her corridor, which was a plus for her. Across from her room was Logan's room and beside him was Colossus's room. Once she reached her room she had just begun to turn the doorknob when the elevator doors opened. Leaning back to see who it was she grabbed the doorknob for balance. Seconds after the doors opened Logan stepped though the open door and into the hall. Storm could tell that he had been working on his bike by the oil smeared on his arms and jeans. She knew that he had known she was up here before she knew it was him because as he soon as he had both feet on the hall carpet he looked up and waved to her. Ever since he had moved into the mansion and to the room across to her she had felt safer because of this talent of his since people before anyone else. Moving toward his room he stopped when he reached his room and turned to her.
"You find the kid?" he inquired.
"Yes, she had levitated herself to a street divider in the inner city." Storm told him.
"Good, she ok?"
"Yes, just a little wet and cold"
"Good."
"I thought that you usually work on your bike all afternoon?"
"I do, but Scott just now decided to work on his this afternoon."
"What was so bad about that?"
"He brought his N'SYNC CD."
"Oh," Storm laughed aloud, "I see, I'll never see what he sees in that music. Maybe it's a culture this."
A smirk came across Logan's face, "Neither will I, the only way I'll ever see eye to eye with that music is through 3 holes though that CD. And I don't think it's a culture thing, I think that it's a lack of brains thing."
"I don't think that Scott would appreciate that very much."
"Maybe he wouldn't but I would."
Logan smiled at the thought and Storm giggled quietly.
"I should go clean up before I head back down." Logan pointed out looking at his oil stained hands.
"Me too." Storm agreed.
Suddenly both were struck by a mental message from the Professor.
[Storm, Logan come down to my office.]
[What is it Professor?] Storm questioned him.
[I'll inform you of the details when you get here.]
[I'm gonna clean up then I'll be down.] Logan stated plainly.
[Don't bother, just come to my office.] Xavier ordered Him.
Looking silently at each other for a few moments, then Logan broke the silence, "Jeez, what's the big hurry?" Logan through his hands in the air and then turned and opened the door to his room.
"Logan, Xavier wants to see us now."
"Eh, if it's that important then he'll wait. And maybe you can stand the smell of motor oil, but I can't for much longer." Stepping into his room he closed the door-leaving Storm standing in the Hall alone.
"Men." She whispered to herself frustrated, then headed to the elevator.
Leaning against the back of the door He had heard her comment and laughed to himself. He always loved getting under peoples skin and seeing how they reacted to it. The bigger the reaction the more fun it was to him. He didn't know why, maybe it was something in his feral nature. Once he heard the elevator doors open, Storm step inside and then the doors close he pushed himself off the door and headed over to the other opposite side of the room. His room was the same as the other room on this floor, one bathroom, one bed, two dressers, one huge closet, and a small room for the occupant to do with, as he or she wanted to. Stopping just before the bathroom he pulled or his white and oil coated t-shirt over his head and threw it into a near by laundry basket. Then he walked into the bathroom and took off his dirty jeans and threw them in a pile in the corner of the room and turned on the shower. Grabbing a black towel from a near by rack he wrapped it around his waist and took off his remaining clothing and also threw them into a little pile by the pair of jeans. Checking to make sure that the shower was the temperature that he liked he stuck his hand in and when the scalding feeling began to turn his had red he took the towel off and put it on the counter and stepped inside the shower. As the burning sensation moved down his body he began to wonder what Chuck had wanted. Soon the burning had turned to a numbness that was refreshing and a clean feeling. Once he was satisfied, and he didn't want to keep them waiting too long, he got out of the shower. Turning it off as he got out he grabbed the towel and wrapped it around his waist again he walked into the main room and to one of the dressers. Digging in one of the drawers he found a grey t-shirt and then moved onto another drawer and pulled out a pair of clean jeans. Quickly he changed and then headed down stairs to the study room.
*-----------*----------*---------*
While Logan found his way to the study Xavier, Scott, and Ororo sat waiting for him. Neither of the three were happy with Logan's choice of actions and were growing impatient, especially Xavier. Then again they all had known that he never did take well to orders unless they were from him self.
"What is taking him?" Scott asked impatiently looking around the room.
"He'll be here soon." Storm defended Logan like she had been doing for the last 30 minuets.
"Yah, well not soon enough." Scott snapped.
"What's wrong with you Scott?"
"What's wrong is that he left the garage in a total mess and I had to clean it up." Scott waved his hand in the air in an aggressive manor. "I had to clean the trays and the tools."
"Be glad that's all he did, you do not want to know what he wanted to do to your Cd."
"For some reason, what ever it was I wouldn't doubt it."
During the conversation between Scott and Storm, Xavier was deep in his mind-trying sort out the impossible and the possible. Returning to the morning incident in Cerebro it became suddenly clear. The events in Cerebro following the demise of William Stryker became connected. Scott's bickering with Storm was disrupting him from getting any further with his thoughts, so he turned his chair and faced them. Motioning the two of them to be quite he began ,"Logan will be here soon."
"Where is he now?" Scott asked annoyed.
"In the elevator Scott." Xavier informed him.
"Good it's about time." Scott answered crossing his arms and leaned back into his chair.
Seconds after the door to Xavier's study opened and Logan walked into the room. Pausing for a moment he scanned the room and then moved to the far off wall and leaned up against it.
"Please take a seat Logan." Xavier requested.
"I'd rather stand." Logan crossed his arms.
"If you wish." Xavier moved his attention to all in the room.
"Ok. So were all here. What is so important?" Scott asked.
Clearing his throught he began ,"As you all know each human and mutant has a separate and individual metal state. And it is this that Cerebro uses to separate each person. Which is how I can find one person out of billions."
"Of course proffesor, what are you trying to tell us though?" Storm quzically looked at Xavier.
"I'll explain to you all, in rare occurring situations such as twins or extremely close siblings Cerebro can not identify either of the two."
"Are you talking about the situations when one twin is hurt the other knows and feels it." Scott added.
"Something like that Scott. But in Cerebro's case instead of for one mind one person, it shows to people and one mind. Although this occurance doesn't happen all the time. It only occurs when the two people are experiencing the same emotion or seeing the same thing." Xavier expanded.