Thanks for the feedback: Rosethorn3, Steven P. P, DemonRogue13, Dusty, raniatlw, sanna, Risty, IceBlueRose.
After Magneto's departure, things settled down around the mansion.
Wanda was too unsure of her memories to want to go anywhere with anyone, but that worked out okay. With Magneto gone Pietro wasn't in a rush to leave the Institute either so the Maximoffs decided the only possible thing to do was to stay as well.
Ray regained consciousness twenty hours after the battle. He could barely produce enough electricity to light a flashlight. Still with the rest he was expected to make a full recovery.
Ororo and Pyro were both stable and expected to remain that way.
Matt prepared Scott to testify. He and Xavier both went to Greg Samual's pre-trial. After the senior was allowed to plea insanity Matt drug Scott off to an old run down gym and let him blow off some steam.
Xavier called Lance about turning himself into the police. Lance wasn't thrilled. After three hours of arguing with Xavier, Matt, most of the Institute's instructors and several of the students Lance reluctantly agreed to surrender himself the morning before he was due in court.
Remy called Tante Mattie and passed on Moira's request for help from the healer.
****** ****** ******
Lance hiked along the highway toward a rural grade school he'd noticed a few miles from the Petroses'. The sun was just dawning and he'd already been walking for quite awhile. He was hoping to catch his father before work but he wasn't comfortable calling from his Grandparents' given their vehement dislike for Rich Alvers.
He wondered what it would have been like to grow here. He wondered what it felt like to be Nicky, surrounded by family, completely confident of his welcome, completely sure of where he belonged, of whom belonged to him. He wondered what it was like to be Jessica, to have the family she'd grown up with being so uncomfortable about a choice she'd made that they pretended she'd made the choice they would have preferred rather than acknowledging the truth.
Mystique only wanted Avalanche. His powers were a tool she could employ to achieve her goals. Lance Alvers was an inconvenience to her. But that was Mystique, it wasn't like he ever really expected more from her. Whether or not she'd been happy about it she had given him a place to live and introduced him to his friends. She'd kept them fed and handled the myriad of bills that had driven him to distraction after she was gone. He'd wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt when she came back. He'd wanted to believe she hadn't been able to come back sooner and that she'd given a damn about him. So what if it had been stupid, it wasn't like he'd gotten hurt by giving her a chance to prove what she thought of him.
Andrew and Dora both wanted him as a connection to his mom and a chance to make up for things they regretted. They said they wanted to get to know Lance, but he wasn't sure he bought it. They didn't like who his dad was and they wanted to pretend Avalanche didn't exist. They tried to say the right things, but what happened once they figured out just how much he didn't fit in here? That he never would fit in.
He didn't know what to expect from these people. He didn't even know what he wanted from them. When he finally reached the school Lance glanced around curiously, after a few minutes he located a phone.
"Rich Alvers."
"Hi Dad, I mean Rich." Lance said.
"Please call me Dad if you want to." Rich replied giddily.
Lance shrugged. "I don't want to. I've just been remembering stuff; I slipped. Um, well, I well, I thought maybe we could talk some. Just, you know talk."
"There's nothing I'd like more."
****** ****** ******
Magda couldn't stop smiling. She settled an arm around Pietro's shoulders and looped the other around Wanda's waist. Pietro grinned up at her from the wheel chair he'd borrowed until his leg healed. Wanda drew away uncertainly. "It's okay Pumpkin." Magda said.
Wanda relaxed and let her mother pull her close again even as her nose wrinkled. "Mama, don't call me that!" She protested. "You don't call Pietro by stupid names anymore."
"You have no idea how long it took me to get her to quit." Pietro said with a grin.
"No, I don't." Wanda said, her mood quickly turning dark.
"I've finally got you both back. Let's not think about the bad stuff." Magda said in an attempt to play peacemaker.
"Right, I should just forget about half my life!" Wanda snapped. She shrugged off her mother's arm.
"I shouldn't have said that." Pietro said as he watched his sister storm away.
Magda sighed. "It was an innocent comment Pey."
"She's just like Magneto." Wanda muttered. "Let's pretend Daddy didn't lock you in a crazy house for years and years. Let's just be happy. I don't even know how to be happy!"
"Y' do cherie." Remy said as he stepped out of the shadows. "Your mere ain't wrong. Y' and I had fun, when y' let yourself forget. Dat's all your mere is askin' y' to do. She ain't takin' your past from y', jus' askin' y' to let it stay in de past."
Wanda turned to Remy and leaned against his chest. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Remy tentatively rested his hand on her back. "Your mere, your Papa an' Silver love y' too. Do what your mere says: forget Magneto. Don't hold on to your hate cherie. It don't do y' any good. Y' listen to me femme. I know what 'M talkin' 'bout. Anger, hate… revenge, it leaves y' empty. Once y've had it y' have nothin'. De only t'ing y' can do is focus on your next target. 'Ventually dere won't be no target's left. Den y'll make dem up. Y' won' see de whole picture s' y' can go on havin' somet'ing to hate."
"What are you talking about, Remy?" Wanda asked as she frowned at him in confusion.
"Nothin' cherie." Remy sighed.
****** ****** ******
"Today's the day, huh?" Lance said with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.
"You heard the Professor and everyone; it's going to be okay." Kitty reassured him. "We just go with Mr. Murdock and by tomorrow everything's going to go back to normal. We'll be able to go back to the Institute. You know Rogue and Pietro are driving Mr. Logan up the wall now that they can touch. I want to see how Ororo's doing. Apocalypse is still out there, we need to be there to help next time the X-Men fight him."
"Yeah." Lance smiled fleetingly. "Let's go meet Murdock and get this over with."
"Lance have you seen Nicky?" Dora called from downstairs. "Rachael's on the phone. He's run off again."
"I'll check the road between their house and yours." Lance volunteered quickly.
"Is there anywhere else he might have gone?" Kitty asked.
"One of the boys found a litter of kittens at the old silo on the River Road." Dora said. "If you could check there? I'll call everyone else and have them start looking… How the devil did that boy get out this time I wonder? I know Rachael tries. Nicky's too clever for his own good."
Before she finished Lance and Kitty were hurrying out the door.
"Where're you running off to kid?" Logan asked gruffly as the pair raced down the lane.
"Where'd you come from?" Kitty exclaimed.
"The chopper. I figured your beau there might back out at the last minute."
"I'm going through with it." Lance declared irritably. "My cousin's missing, we've gotta find him first."
Logan tapped the side of his nose. "I might be able to help with that."
"We'll probably run into him on the way, but thanks." Lance said. "I way I hear it, Nicky's always going off exploring. The kid's got no sense, he's not scared of anything."
"Don't worry Rocky, we'll find him."
Ten minutes later they arrived at Jeremy and Rachael's gate. "Lance, did you find him?" Rachael asked as she ran toward them from the grove where she'd been searching. She glanced away when she saw Nicky wasn't with them. "I'm really worried this time. The gate was securely closed. He's been missing all morning."
While Rachael spoke with Lance Logan prowled around the gate. "Something stinking was hanging around." He said in a low voice. "Come on you two."
He turned and headed across the field at a brisk pace. Lance hurried after him.
"Mr. Logan's a really good tracker. We'll have Nicky back before you know it." Kitty assured Rachael before running after them.
****** ****** ******
"Irene's gonna be here any minute. Get all this crap off the floor." Rogue ordered as she glared down at Bobby and Jamie.
The two boys glanced up from the Battlecraft game spread across the floor. "What's the big deal? A little mess is hardly the worst thing she's going to see here." Bobby said.
"She's not gonna see it." Rogue snapped. "Irene's blind and Ah don't want her tripping over your stupid game."
"Alright we're cleaning it up." Jamie said.
"Hurry!" Rogue said.
Bobby punched Jamie in the shoulder then sat back and grinned. "I did my part."
"You're not getting out of helping." Four Jamies said in perfect sync.
"All of yah get to work." Rogue ordered as the doorbell rang. She slapped Jamie on the shoulder, several more Jamies appeared. "Hurry." She said as she ran toward the door.
"Irene!" Rogue cried. She hesitated then carefully embraced her foster mother.
"Anna, what a greeting!" Irene said. She patted Rogue on the back.
"I-rene!" Rogue exclaimed in outrage.
"Rogue's mystery name is Anna?" Evan said. "What's the big deal?"
"I'm sorry dear." Irene said. "I know Rogue is ever so much cooler and you've insisted on being called that ever since ninth grade…"
"There were five other Annas in mah class and it's so boring." Rogue muttered under her breath.
"I think it's cute." Pietro said.
Irene tilted her head toward him. "You must be the boyfriend I heard so much about when someone finally remembered to call."
"Ah didn't know how to tell yah Mystique was a manipulative lying b…witch." Rogue said. "When yah sent me with her yah sounded like yah really trusted her a lot."
"I did." Irene sighed. "But your happiness is always my first concern."
"Let me get your bags and I'll show yah where your room is." Rogue changed the subject as she ducked her head to hide a faint blush. She grabbed Irene's suitcase and offered the older woman her arm.
"It's a wonder we ain't run out of guestrooms already. Rogue commented as they headed upstairs. "Moira ain't hardly a guest no more."
"Any more and don't say 'ain't'." Irene corrected reflexively.
Rogue gave a long-suffering sigh. "Then there's Ms. Mattie, she just got here the other day. Mr. Murdock's been staying, he's helping with this mess one of the students got into with the police."
"Which one?" Irene asked there was an edge of urgency underlying her tone.
"Lance, but it wasn't his fault at all, it's just a big screw up. Then there's Gambit and Wanda. Wanda's Pietro's twin sister, it's a long story but she's been missing for a while so his parents are here too. Wanda's… been through a lot, they didn't think dragging her off to their place would be the healthiest thing right off. The Maximoffs are nice folks, you'll like 'em."
"I'm sure I will."
"And Ah haven't even started telling yah about the other students here…"
****** ****** ******
Logan, Lance and Kitty stood in the center of a small clearing. "The trail ends right here." Logan said. "And the dirt smells like metal."
"Magneto." Lance said.
"Got it in one Rocky." Logan replied.
"Why would he take Nicky?" Kitty asked.
"Either the kid's a mutant or he's not the real target." Logan said with a nod toward Lance. "I think it's time we called the rest of the team. The Tin-man's still with Magneto, Charles will be able to track him."
"I'm not turning myself in until Nicky's home safe." Lance declared.
"I know how ya feel, but yes you are." Logan said. "If ya don't show today, they won't drop the charges. This is one problem we've got solved, there's no reason to mess it up."
"It's my fault Magneto's doing this!" Lance exclaimed. "I have to get Nicky back."
"Lance, I'll get the kid back." Logan said quietly. "You have got start trusting us sometime."
Lance grimaced, but after a moment's pause he nodded. "We have to tell Dora something before we leave." He said unhappily.
"Yeah." Logan said with a sigh.
By the time they arrived back at the house Dora was gone, there was a note taped to the door. Lance pulled it off then read it. "She's out looking for Nicky." He said then shoved the note in his pocket. "Kitty, I hate asking you this but could you stay here and explain what's going on to everyone? I'm going to run upstairs and grab my stuff. Mr. Logan you should probably call the mansion so they can start looking for Nicky right away."
"Sounds good." Logan said. Kitty nodded.
Lance headed upstairs. Instead of going to the room where he'd been staying he went to the end of the hall and climbed out of the window on to the garage roof. From there it was an easy jump to the ground. He kept the garage between himself and the house as he jogged toward the road. Ten minutes later he was confronting Colossus. "I got your note." He said.
"I am sorry." The big Russian said. "I did not choose to involve the child."
"Let's get this over with." Lance snapped. "I didn't do that good of a job ditching Logan. Don't count on him being as willing to trade as I am."
Colossus gestured for Lance to precede him. As Lance walked past him, Colossus grabbed the younger mutant's arm and injected him with something.
"What the hell!" Lance snarled as he jerked away.
"Insurance that you will not change your mind once the boy is released." Colossus said. "The drug blocks your powers."
Lance's shoulders slumped. He started walking in the direction Colossus had indicated. A few minutes later they entered a ramshackle house. "Lance!" Nicky squealed running to his cousin. The boy's eyes were redden and there were tearstains on his cheeks.
Lance dropped to his knees and clumsily embraced the little boy. "It's okay kiddo, it's okay. You're safe now. I promise. Nicky there's something you've gotta do for me though. I want you to run back to your Grandma's as fast as you can. You don't stop, no matter what. Kitty'll be there waiting for you."
Nicky nodded. He looked scared. Lance gave him a gentle shove toward the door. Mastermind stepped toward the door, as if to prevent Nicky from leaving. Colossus barred his path. "We will keep our word." He said with determination.
Lance watched until Nicky disappeared around a bend in the road then his eyes rolled back as he strained to use his powers. He felt like he was flying: Disconnected, disoriented and nauseous. Grudgingly the earth shivered then went still.
Colossus grabbed Lance's arm and yanked him toward several waiting spheres. "We had a deal." He said accuingly.
"I had to try." Lance said unrepentantly.
****** ****** ******
Moira finished her examination of her patients then she slid her glasses to the top of her head and crossed the room to speak with Tante Mattie. "Thank ye for coming." Moira said. "Ororo's markedly improved. Pyro…" Moira sighed.
"The boy don' feel safe. Dere's little drawin' him back to dis world. He fights more for fear of de next dan any other reason and dat ain't de strongest of motivations. He don' give me much to work wit'."
"Perhaps Charles could help him feel safe." Moira muttered to herself. "Let the lad know he's protected here."
Mattie shrugged noncommittally and left the infirmary. Once the door slid shut behind her she paused. "Chile, if y've somet'ing dat needs sayin', out wit' it. Dis lurkin' in de shadows is gettin' tired."
Remy sighed and stepped out in the open. "Y' were right." He said. "I nevah should've started de sort of game I was playin' wit' mon Wanda."
Mattie waited patiently for him to continue. Neither she nor Remy noticed the tall, dark haired girl standing frozen in the stairwell.
"I knew she weren't experienced, but dat weren't de half of it. She's not but a hurt, angry chile inside." Remy said. "Once I got to know her I tol' m'self I could go t'rough wit' hurtin' her but de truth was I jus' didn' know how to back out. I don' know what to do wit' m'self now dat Et's been avenged."
"Run." Mattie said.
Remy turned to and saw Wanda stalking toward them. The girl was completely wrapped in the eldritch fire of her powers.
"Mon Dieu!" Remy exclaimed. He threw a card that exploded well short of Wanda but it filled the hall with a blindingly bright light. Using the flash as a distraction Remy pushed Mattie back into the Infirmary. "Lets take dis outside cherie." Remy suggested. "Fewer bystandards."
"Fine." Wanda ground out. A tendril of her power lashed out at Remy and he went flying up the stairs.
Remy hit the door at the top of the stairs and it burst open. He rolled to his feet as the Institute's startled inhabitants stared at him.
"Gambit…" Scott began.
"Stay out of dis!" Remy yelled. "It's none of your business!"
He turned and darted outside as Wanda stormed up the stairs after him.
"That is one ugly lovers' spat." Ray commented.
"Wanda, calm down!" Jean ordered. "Tell us what's wrong."
Wanda snarled at Jean, her power tossed the other girl aside like a rag doll. The red-head hit the wall with a thump and slid to the floor stunned.
Remy skidded to a stop by the fountain and waited for Wanda to catch up. "I haven' meant to hurt y' for a long time." He insisted. "Den Magneto gave us all dose fake memories. I t'ought I 'membered y' as a chile, not how y' were a week ago."
"You're like everyone else!" Wanda spat.
One of Logan's obstacle course devices responded to Wanda's power and shot several saw blades at Remy. He telescoped out his bo staff and deflect two flying blades then jumped over the last one.
"Femme, I got two sets of memories in m' head, same as y'. I know one be lies but it's still affectin' me. I don' know how to deal wit' dat. How I feel 'bout y', de decisions I made, dat's part of m' heart. I love y'. 'M trying to do what's right for y' but everyt'ing dat's happened… 'M confused. 'M guessin' y' are too."
The ground around Remy exploded. Wanda stood, head down, fists clenched at her sides, tears dripping down her nose. The dust cleared. Remy stood on an undisturbed patch of ground less than a hand-span wider than his shoulders. He looked around as if he could believe he was still alive then noticed Wanda.
Cautiously Remy crossed the ring of scorched earth to her side. He put a very hesitant hand on her shoulder. " 'M sorry y're hurt and confused. Y' didn' deserve dis mess. I'll leave if dat's what y' want."
Wanda shoved him away violently then ran back inside and up to the room where her parents were staying.
"I want to go home." She cried as she buried herself in her mother's embrace.
Sadly Magda stroked her daughter's hair and rocked back and forth as she whispered promises that everything would be all right.
****** ****** ******
"Mommy I was really scared." Nicky said. Rachael held her son in her lap. Jeremy stood behind them, his hands rested on his wife's shoulders. "I didn't run away, honest. I saw this other kid. I said hi. I didn't know him, but he was a kid like me. Then I was somewhere scary and there were these guys."
"What did they look like?" Kitty asked.
"One guy was really, really big. The other one was ugly, like a monkey in at the zoo. He was mean. The big one was sad. He talked funny. He said he had a baby sister who was just a little older than me. I told him I wasn't a baby. Then he left. That was when I really got scared. I don't like the monkey man. But he brought Lance back with him. Lance told me to run home to Grandma's."
Dora and Andrew exchanged a concerned look.
"What's going on? Why did this happen?" Jeremy demanded.
"It's a mutant thing isn't it?" Andrew asked as he looked to Kitty.
She jumped to her feet and glared confrontationally at Andrew. "It's not our fault! We don't go around asking for people to attack us. No one was even supposed to know Lance was here."
"You brought that sort of trouble here? Without even warning us?" Jeremy yelled at Andrew.
"We had no idea something like this would happen." Dora protested.
"How could you not know?" Jeremy accused. "Haven't you watched the news lately?"
"He's your sister's son." Andrew said.
"You should have warned us."
"Shut up!" Kitty yelled. "You're acting like everyone else. As soon as you find out you turn on us. You're Lance's family; you're supposed to be different."
Logan stepped into the room in the wake of silence that followed Kitty's outburst. "They were gone by the time I got there." He said. "Kitty, did the Prof pick up anything?"
Kitty shook her head. "Those spheres of Magneto's must work like his helmet, Cerebro didn't pick up anything."
"Gambit didn't have anything useful to add?" Logan asked.
"He knew about one base in upstate New York, in the Adirondack Mountains. Mr. McCoy, Jean, Scott, and Fred went with Gambit to check it out."
"We might be able to catch up." Logan said.
****** ****** ******
Hank stared through binoculars at the gleaming metal dome. "It looks deserted." He said.
"Wasn' last time." Gambit said. He sat on a log staring at his feet.
"I don't sense anyone." Jean confirmed. She ignored Gambit.
"So what do we do now?" Fred asked.
"We look for clues," Scott replied, "and hope we can figure out where else Magneto has a base."
"Okay lets go." Fred said as he started down the hill.
Several hours later the quintet trudged dejectedly back up the slope.
" 'M headed m' own way." Gambit said. His tone was subdued. "T'ink it be best if I give Wanda some space."
"Probably a good idea." Jean said.
Remy held out a scrape of paper. "Y' give dis to Wanda, neh? Silver already knows how to reach me. Y' tell Wanda if she ever wants to talk 'gain… Well, I'll be waiting."
Jean nodded. She reached out and took the paper. "I'll give it to her."
A/N: Rogue is currenantly calling herself Anna in X-Treme X-Men, I like the name better than Marie, and I always though Irene calling Rogue Rogue in "Rogue Recruit" was sort of odd.