Author's note: We're getting towards the business end of things now … stay tuned!

Thanks for all the reviews ... 

kid_wolvie: Thanks! 
 
Obiwanfan: I'm glad you like it ... what I wanted to do was go into why he was so angry and why he hated humans so much ... 
 
pyro luver: Thank you very much =) 
                                              
Dont-eat-chunky-pudding: =) Thanks. (I love your name by the way!) About using part of the fic, would you mind if I read where you were planning to use it first? Thanks. 
                                              
XxxSarahxxx: Thanks =)

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CHAPTER 5: Breath before the Storm

Pyro was late back to the base that night – very late. He found Sabretooth waiting at the front door when he crept back in at 1am. Sabretooth prompty grabbed him by the throat and pushed him up against the wall. "Where the hell have you been?"

Pyro tried to answer, but the giant simply squeezed hardly on the boy's throat, and he stopped the attempt, content merely with trying to breathe.

"Mystique's missing. The plan's been brought forward; we're leaving at 10am." He dropped Pyro – choking and coughing – to the ground, before walking away.

Oddly enough, Pyro's first thought wasn't "What happened to Mystique?" … it was "I'd better get the letter to Bobby". He ran back to his room, determined to finish it.

However, within his room was another – and more unpleasant – surprise: Magneto.

"Good evening – or morning – Pyro," Magneto said evenly, holding the boy's gaze. "Glad you decided to join us."

"Sorry … I was – well I didn't notice the time," Pyro ended lamely – that was true enough. After leaving the library, he had wandered through the forest, thinking – about his past, the Xmen, Magneto's plan.

Magneto nodded. "You were practising for your part in the plan?"

"Yes."

Magneto nodded, a cold understanding filling his eyes. "Good…" He got to his feet to leave, and Pyro moved out of the doorway. Magneto paused as he was about to leave. "Pyro…"

The boy turned to face him.

"If you betray me I will hunt you down and you will die the death of a traitor." There was no compassion, no weakness, in those cold eyes. Pyro gulped, feeling the letter in his pocket, knowing that somehow Magneto had found out about it.

"See you at 10," Magneto said, closing the door.

Pyro collapsed onto the bed, shivering uncontrollably. C'mon, he told himself, Calm down – he can't know – he can't … Pyro took a few shuddering breaths, felt his consciousness calm itself.

He sat down at his desk and started writing. Maybe he could finish the letter tonight, and then sneak out, drop it off at the mansion, and sneak back in – Magneto need never know ...

He sat down to write.

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Bobby ran first to Rogue's room, and shoved the door open, yelling "Rogue! Rogue!"

Starlted, Kitty and Jubilee looked up. "Bobby," Kitty began, "what's wrong?" Her eyes widened as an obviously distressed Logan appeared in the doorway behind Bobby.

"Where's Rogue?" Bobby demanded.

Jubilee stammered, "I haven't seen her since breakfast," and Kitty nodded to back this statement up. Bobby grimaced in anger, while Logan growled and made his way down the hallway, kicking open each door and checking to see if Rogue was inside.

Suddenly he paused, as the Professor spoke within his head: *Logan ... try the grounds*

"Come on," Logan yelled at Bobby, dashing down the stairs. They ran out the back of the mansion, then came to a halt, staring round the expanses of the mansion. "Right," Logan said. "You take that part, I'll look over here. Whoever finds her, bring her back to the mansion and tell the Professor to tell the other person – got it?"

Bobby nodded, then ran towards his side of the grounds. Logan turned also and jogged away.

"Rogue!" Bobby yelled, hearing the sound fade away. "Rogue!" He ran through the trees, eyes scanning the undergrowth for any sign of movement … but there was nothing.

He had been running for about five minutes when he saw a body amoung the trees in front of him. "Oh Jesus ..." he murmured. "Oh Jesus, no!" He increased his pace and came stumbling to a halt by Rogue's limp body.

He grabbed her wrist without thinking: no pulse. Bobby tried to calm down, to slow his breathing, to think properly. Don't panic, he told himself.

It was useless. He panicked.

"LOGAN!" he yelled. "LOGAN, HELP!"

Deep in the trees, Logan heard Bobby's anguished cry. He turned instantly, running towards the sound, knowing what it must mean. He crashed recklessly through the trees, driving a path towards Bobby and Rogue. Again he heard Bobby shout "LOGAN!"

Bobby held Rogue, shaking her, trying desperately to remember the CPR course he had done. Of course, it wasn't suited to this situation - How the hell do I resusitate someone I can't touch? Bobby wondered angrily.

He looked up, and saw Logan crashing through the trees towards them. "Over here!" he yelled, pointlessly, as Logan was already heading straight towards him.

Logan fell to his knees beside Rogue, stroking her hair gently. "What did she do to you ..." he murmured, picking her up in his arms. "We have to get her back to the Professor – it's the only way."

Bobby nodded, even as Logan – carrying Rogue – crashed back through the trees towards the mansion.

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Author's note 2: That's ch. 5 up ... hope it satisfies! I know, it's not very long ... but more is coming – I promise! I just have to overcome the dreaded writer's block first ... I've moved some stuff from this chapter into the next so I can get a run at the idea that's causing problems *brandishes stick at troublesome idea* so hopefully I will update again soon ...