Through Hellfire and Back,

Part 16

Disclaimer: X-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. All the characters in this story are the property of Marvel. Meanwhile, back at the ranch......

Enjoy!

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It was nightfall in Bayville, as the teenaged mutants at the Xavier institute found themselves preparing for bed. Teeth were brushed and sleep cloths donned, as more then one weary mutant made a yawn, slipping between their individual sets of cozy sheets and blankets. Some chose to shut there eyes in contentment, curling up against soft pillows and falling fast asleep, while others contented themselves with staring out moonlit windows until eyelids grew heavy. Ororo and Hank were on bed check, moving through the halls with silent ease, flicking off lights, tucking in covers and, occasionally removing portable stereos and headphones.

Downstairs, by the rebuilt Cerebro's mainframe, the other two adult residents of the mansion were continuing to converse, their attentions drawn on the situation a recently returned Logan had put on the table.

"Are you certain?" Professor Xavier scrutinized his eyebrows. All of the information had had just received was rather hard to digest, not to mention somewhat disturbing in nature.

"Positive. I know what I heard."

"A mutant criminal..... well, I suppose with Mystique and Magneto, that's hardly to be unexpected." The mutant professor clasped his hands and sighed. "Alas, I fear some mutants will find the temptation to use their powers for personal gain far too much to ignore. Something which doesn't bode well for those of us who dream of peace."

Logan's frowned, eyes became downtrodden as he looked away. Xavier picked up on the gustier as reluctance to speak on his pupil's part.

"Is something the matter?" He sensed there was something more. "It there something you aren't telling me?"

Logan's right hand lightly touched Cerebro's solid frame. "Yeah, there is. This wasn't 'some mutant' Chuck."

Xavier gave his oldest X-man a confused glance. Logan was starting to act rather peculiar, and the emotions being emitted were not good ones. "What do you mean? Did you recognize the behavior of the theft?"

The Wolverine took a deep breath before continuing. "Yeah. I did."

"And?"

"And I think you and I need to have a word with one of our students." He paused, not quite certain how to say the words which Charles unfortunately needed to hear. "With one of our _former_ students."

This caused Xavier's curiosity to heighten considerably. Although a mind scan would extract the information immediately, respect for privacy forced him to use the old-fashioned vocal method. "You don't mean... ?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Are you certain?" Xavier wheeled closer. "This sort of behavior doesn't seem at all like the child we both know."

"She was there Chuck. I caught her scent when I checked it out for myself. Figured you'd want as much detail as you could get. It wasn't too strong, a day old at least, but it was there; her scent was there. No doubt about it."

Xavier was doubtful. "Perhaps, but I'm certain many people must have been in and out of the building before you arrived. Is it not likely that she may have stopped by earlier to make a withdr-"

"If she was there on legal business she wouldn't have been anywhere near the safe." Logan closed his eyes and slammed his knuckles on Cerebro's front panel. ".....and it was definitely her Chuck. I know that scent almost as much as my own or Sabertooth's. Besides, how many other people do we know that can just walk right through an alarm system like that? For the love of Mike, the security guard was crying about a ghost back there!"

"True." Xavier wheeled closer, mind still in heavy thought. "But, if that's true, what on earth could posses her of all people....?"

"I don't know." Logan shook his head. "I don't know how or why, but I do know who." He breathed deeply, opening his eyes. "We need answers Charles, fast. And getting'm ain't gonna be easy. Asking 's the hardest part."

Xavier agreed fully. "We can not let something like this slip by, but I don't believe charging in would be the wisest course of action either. In the mean time, go talk to Beast; see if the two of you can't gather more information on these robberies. It's possible that an investigation of another crime seen may hold information, your initial one missed. There may be more to this then even you suspect."

"And if I'm right? If half-pint really has become a thief?" Logan whispered, still praying his words carried no truth.

"Then we'll have to discuss this matter further, and what's to be done. All of us."