Through Hellfire and Back,

Part 18

Disclaimer: X-men Evolution is the property of Marvel and Kids WB. All the characters in this story are the property of Marvel, although, once again, some have been slightly Evolution-fied for this story.

*sigh* Yes, I know, late update, I'm sure many of you have been wanting to poke me with sharp pointy objects for a while now. Unavoidable though; I really should 've put up a notice back at the end of January, when it was pretty clear I wouldn't be able to get much done for at least another month or so. Blame tough final exams, love of travel, heavy workload, multiple online projects and good 'ol procrastination...... not necessarily in that order. Still don't know when the next update will be from here- probably sometime in April. If it helps however, one thing I can promise- this story will be finished and it does have an ending- I've already written it! The time-taker is figuring out and writing about what happens from point A to B, C to D and being happy with how it's done.

Meantime, hope these next three chapters can keep ya'll entertained 'till then!

Enjoy!

*********

Silence filled the X-jet.

Silence.......

Silence.......

More silence........

"Is this REALLY necessary man?!" Spike, Evan Daniels groaned out, shifting in his seat. Around him, strapped to their seats and in full uniform were his teammates- Nightcrawler, Rogue, Jean, Cyclops, and the Wolverine. All of which were just as uninterested in being in their current positions as he was. Books and magazines remained on laps, while envious glances were passed over to Kurt, the only one with enough sense to bring a walkman. Scott was doing his weekend physics assignment. Jean had her nose in a Cosmo. Logan was napping. Rogue was flipping through a cheap paperback novel- either some sort of nightly vampire-slayer story or and open-sea pirate romance. Evan's eyes briefly flickered over the Scateboarder's digest he'd brought along, and, after reading page 16 for the twentieth time, groaned aloud again. What a waste- a perfectly good Friday night, and he was stuck on duty playing the waiting game.

Absently, he sighed, thinking of all the activities he'd likely be enjoying now if his Auntie O hadn't declared differently. Playing video games..... going to a party...... watching some horror-flick on HBO.... reading one of the half-dozen sports swimsuit issues he kept hidden under his bed.....

"You got a better idea Porcupine?" The Wolverine was gruff with his question, opening a lazy eye and turning his head slightly to glare at the boy behind. Fortunately for Evan however, with his boots on the dashboard, his mask off and arms crossed over his chest, the older man appeared much more irritated at the outburst then actually angered.

Lucky break, although this calm disposition didn't stop the blond boy from backing up slightly into the soft cushion behind, his eyes hesitant to meet Logan's own cold dark one. He winced. "Well, no, but..... I mean, what good is it to have us all just waiting here?" Logan didn't budge, so Evan assumed he was suppose to clarify. Breathing deeply and wiping off the brief sheen of sweat, he relaxed again, holding himself up with confidence as he made fists with both hands. "Why can't we just go out and kick this thief's big bad butt? That's why we're out here right?"

A round of groans and 'oh brother' erupted all around.

"Kick butt- sh, yeah, right, and just where would we go do that, huh?" Rogue pried her eyes away from her book, to give a good, solid glare with pouted mouth at the youngest in the jet. "Ah mean, there's only god-only-knows how many banks in America What, you want us to try and fly to each one in one night?"

"Umm..... well, no, but......" Evan wasn't certain which was worse: being cornered by the eye Logan had shot out a moment ago, or the face Rogue was presently giving him.

"And, I might add, there's no guarantee they'll strike tonight." Jean spoke up in her matter-of-factly tone, attempting to calm the sparks of vexation growing from the back. Brushing back a wisp of stray red hair, her features faced the front with full determination. "We need to wait, bide our time until they make their move; then appraise the situation and take action properly."

Logan grunted slightly, closing his eye at this.

"Ya know, you're starting to sound more and more like the Professor every day." Rogue muttered.

Jean turned to her with oblivious green eyes. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Well.... no, but, ah mean....." Rogue shifted her position slightly, sifting a set of fingers through her own mane of auburn with white-stripe. "Do ya always have to agree with *everything* he says? Ah mean, it's one thing to look up to a person, but you don't need ta put him on a pedestal y'know."

Jean frowned, about to counter, when Scott turned around in his seat, placing a hand on the front of her shoulder. "Easy Jean, Rogue's just tired, like all the rest of us."

Kurt acceded that. "I just hope this plan verks." His attention moved to the restful Logan ahead, who seemed torn between a nice nap and remaining in the awaken world. "Still, are you certain this needs all of us? I mean, I don't mind going out on a mission, but this is just one thief right? Why bring out the whole team?"

"Can't hurt." Logan muttered. "Having us all here means we can all get where they strike fast- real fast. You're teleport'n and Jean's levitation might come in handy."

"Yeah, and since we don't know which mutant is pulled those jobs, or the full extent of their powers, it won't hurt having a full team ready. Who knows who we might need to go up against?"

.......

Logan kept his eyes closed, lips silent at this, as his students continued to chatter with their own speculations.

"Hey, with all the mutants that are showing up on the scanners, who knows who it might be?" Kurt interjected. "Maybe there are mutants out there with powers like our own! After all, both Jean and the Professor are telepaths, and Sabertooth and Logan can both heal real fast right? Maybe there are others!"

"You mean maybe there are more blue fuzz balls out there, right man? Like maybe a fuzzy chick?" Evan grinned. "Looking for a new date?"

Kurt shook his head lowly at this. "No, Amanda and I.... ve get along great. She doesn't mind the blue dude at all, and her parents seem to like me..... vell, vith the image inducer on. I'd hate for someone to come between us."

"Must be nice to have a somebody...." Rogue muttered.

Jean smirked. "What was that Rogue? Something about a Cajun?"

"OH FOR- am I *never* to live that down?!!!"

"Well, you've got to admit Rogue, you were pretty out of it when he gave you that card. Looking into his eyes like that, holding the ticking time-bomb." Evan laughed. "Man, I'm surprised you let go when you did!"

"Evan....." Rogue gritted her teeth.

Logan sighed, leaning further back in his chair as he moved his hands to behind his head, shutting ears to the rest of the conversation. He'd heard enough. Perhaps it was all for the best, this plan of Xavier's: wait for Ceribro to give the signal, then fly in on location. If they caught the criminal red handed, they'd be certain of the robber's identity. Then, maybe, his theory could be proven wrong, and the criminal could be carted off or taken care of without much fuss. Then he and Chuck wouldn't be required explain why they didn't share the information they did have. He didn't want to share it. He didn't want to see the heartbreak and betrayal in their eyes.

He couldn't tell his students, of course, that they did in fact have a lead, that they did in fact have a clue as to who the thief really was.

He couldn't tell them that Kitty Pryde was their prime suspect.