Life as We Knew It
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men. I wish I did but hey what ya gonna do? A few OC's are mine.
________________________________________________
Chapter 2
~*~
"What are you too gonna do for the night?" Jean followed Rogue and Claudia out in to the hallway from the kitchen.
"I think I'm gonna go down to the war room and wait for T.J, Chris and Hilde to get back." Claudia rested her hand on the elevator panel that led to the lower levels of the mansion.
"I'll go with ya. Remy said he was gonna be back tonight."
"No." Jean jumped in front of the door. "You shouldn't go down there. It's cold and drafty. Bad for both of you."
"Jean, honey, you feelin' ok?" Rogue reached for her forehead.
"I'm fine."
"Then why the hell are you acting so weird?" Claudia pushed past her and called the elevator. When it came they entered despite Jean's constant protestations.
"Hmmm…" Claudia stepped out into the hall way and strained her ears. "I think I hear the blackbird." she took off sprinting toward the hanger. Her mother followed slowly behind her.
Jean sighed. I'm sorry Scott. There coming. she sent to her husband following behind the other two.
________________________________________________
T.J. walked slowly down the ramp into the hangar. The others followed behind him carrying the stretcher. He heard the door slide open before he saw it and reacted. He stepped forward and caught Claudia as she came in to greet him.
"T.J., what's wrong?" she saw his face and tried to look behind him. She saw the others carrying the body. "Tell me what's going on."
He held her shoulders. "We went in and found him."
"Found who?" she looked around at him and the others.
Wolverine broke away after they set down the stretcher. He silently handed her a deck of cards.
Claudia shook her head. "No, Its… No!" she pulled away. "No." she stumbled back against the wall.
Rogue stood silent in the doorway. She had seen the exchange.
"I'm sorry, Rougy." Wolverine approached her. "We didn't know. By the time we got there…"
"I know, Logan." sadness seemed to permeate her voice.
"We didn't expect him home or we would have…"
________________________________________________
Two days later they all stood around the small cemetery on the school grounds. The x-men that had passed before them. Claudia was tucked at her husband's side. The pain of losing her father was only the beginning of her grief. She had lost her baby shortly after the discovery. Rogue, of all people, seemed the most calm. She stood quietly at the grave looking down at the dark wood casket. As the others slowly drifted away Logan stayed and waited as she finished saying her goodbyes. The marker was simple, he wouldn't have wanted anything flashy. Remy Etienne LeBeau, it read, 1985-2027 Loving father, Loving husband. She took the ancient mutant's arm and walked back to the school.
"Make sure she doesn't get herself killed, Logan." she said suddenly.
"What're ya talking about."
"Claudia. I know she is goin' ta go for revenge. I would to, if I still could. Go with her. Make sure she doesn't hurt herself."
He nodded and walked her to her favorite spot in the library.
________________________________________________
Three days later the brotherhood of mutants. The organization that had survived countless coups and rebellions. Even the death of its founder, Magneto, was wiped from the earth. None of it members were ever seen or heard from again. No trace was ever found of its members, save for a few hairs from Victor Creed. Though on a table in their headquarters authorities found a single charred playing card. The ace of hearts.
________________________________________________
Comments, Criticisms, etc.??
A/N: 2 more chapters to go.