The flight back to the Institute was utterly silent.  Even Bobby was devoid of his usual wisecracking.  The same thoughts echoed through everyone's minds.  No cure... no cure... no cure.

They touched down in the hangar, and Logan immediately picked up Sarah and carried her with him to the Danger Room, bumping into Moira on the way.  Recognizing her as an old friend of Chuck's, he followed her as she ushered him and the sick girl into the Danger Room, after taking some preventive measures to keep Logan and herself safe from the virus.  Bobby was taking the jet back to rendezvous and pick up the other members of the team, as Logan met with the resident eggheads and asked if they'd found a cure.  Well, asked was a strong word.

"No, we've not had any luck," replied Hank, his eyelids dropping, his fur bristled.  He hadn't had much sleep lately.  And with good reason.  The deadline was posted on the wall of the lab, out of the eyes of the students.  Five hours, twenty-three minutes, forty-one seconds.  Forty seconds.  Thirty-nine.

Time was running out.

"There has to be something we can do," said Logan angrily.

"We're doin' all we can Logan, ya know that," said Moira, trying to reassure him.  She had no idea who the girl was he'd brought in, but she was a very empathic individual.  She could sense they shared some sort of bond... kinship, almost.

Logan growled, stalking out of the lab, stalking out of the Institute.  He sat down on the edge of the fountain, resisting the urge to pop his claws and tear everything around him to bits.  Scientists.  Doctors.  He hated them all.  Hated them for what they did to himself, to X23, and to this world.  For every breakthrough that came closer to curing cancer, a half-dozen others had been invented to destroy and control people's lives, to play god and decide who lived and who died.  This virus was proof to that.

And now Sarah... the closest thing Logan had to family... might die because of it.

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Any luck Hank?"

"None," he replied, his same response for the past thirty times the Professor had asked him.

"I have that blood sample from X23, as you requested... perhaps this enhanced version of the virus carries some answers.  We've placed her in a specially isolated ward just in case."

"Wise move," remarked Hank, sipping his coffee as he took the sample, placing it under the microscope and again taking a look at the blood.  Professor Xavier wheeled out, leaving the resident scientists alone.  MacTaggert and Patronete and McCoy.

Blood cells floated aimlessly in front of the microscope, even as the smaller, green virus cells quickly scattered among them, in much higher numbers now.  X23's blood had the concentrated form of the virus, after all.  It was far more deadly.  She'd be dead within the hour, if Spears spoke the truth.

Hmmmm... that was curious.  The cell count was that of a healthy cell, not an infected one.  Hank adjusted the microscope, diving in deeper.  There, the virus... it moved in on the cell... but something... repelled it.  A click, and he'd moved in closer.  There, that's what it was.

"Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie," he whispered, quoting Shakespeare.  "Lady, Gentleman," he stated, getting the attention of Moira and Patronete.  He was grinning like an idiot, but it was worth the sacrifice to his dignity.  "I... have... found it!"

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

X23's eyes fluttered open.  She'd never felt so weak in her entire life.  And she'd once been starved an entire week for Hydra to observe how long she could go without food and water.  But even then, she could still stand, could still walk... now she felt like she could barely open her jaw, should she want to.

Her vision finally managed to come into sharp focus, and as she peered up, she wasn't entirely surprised to see Logan looking down at her.  Though to her surprise, he didn't seem the least bit concerned.

"Hey kid... how're you feelin'?"

"Well I was doin' fine 'til I woke up," she replied with a grunt.  A soft, sharp pain pierced her arm, and glanced over to see that Hank was drawing out some of her blood into a needle.  "What's going on?"

"We've found our cure to this horrible virus," stated Hank, tapping the syringe and admiring the blood contained therein.

"What cure?"

"You, my dear," he stated, knuckling his way back to the lab, leaving a confused X23 and Logan to try and explain things to her.

"What is he talking about?" she asked softly.

"We think we finally figured out why Spears and Trask had you, me, and our big buddy Sabertooth captured while they let loose the virus," he explained, leaning on the back of the chair.  "We all possess an advanced healing factor.  Sarah... we're immune to the virus.  You caught it, and the worst you'll have in an hour is a sniffle.  Your body is producing antibodies that are fighting the virus."

"But... how did Spears know... he said he didn't have a cure..."

"He knew the three of us would be immune.  Or he suspected, at any rate... but he couldn't have imagined that your body holds the cure to all the infected people.  Mutants and humans.  Your blood is going to save countless lives, Sarah."

Then he did something very un-Logan-like.  He smiled.  A big, happy smile, no less.

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I seem to be getting into the habit of thank you, Professor X," said Fury, extending his hand and shaking Xavier's.  "You didn't listen to me, but I'll overlook that."

"Thank you, Mr. Fury," he replied generously.  "I trust SHIELD will have little difficulty in helping us to get the antibodies around the world?"

"We'll have to work through our intermediaries, but yes we'll handle that.  You only need to worry about the Institute now, Professor.  Deborah... go give them a hand down in the lab," he stated.

The blond scientist nodded, joining Moira and Patronete as they continue their work to distribute the miracle cure to the dreadful Legacy Virus.  And Professor X and Nicholas Fury shared a moment where they were both thankful that, yet again, disaster had been averted by the hands of a few brave young kids.

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cure was tested, of course, the antibodies drawn from X23 modified so there would be no chance of rejection.  Then Hank and the other scientists began mass producing them in great quantities, until liters of the cure filled the lab, and even more were being passed around the Danger Room by the able bodied.  After, of course, being given a small dose.  They were henceforth immune, as the other mutants would be once they recovered.  The miracle cure was working, and people on the brink of death were being brought back to life and health.  Slowly, to be sure, far slower than X23 herself, but it was more than any of them could have hoped for.

As it was, after the battle at the abandoned complex, SHIELD was called in, and they were more than happy to help continue production and distribution of the cure.  Even now they were sending relief planes to the more isolated parts of the world, as well as their own top people in the field of medicine to the cities of the United States.  Slowly, but surely, the virus was being fought, and there was amazingly few casualties.  Here and there, in parts of the world, the cure came too late, and mutants and humans alike fell victim to the machinations of hate-filled men.

Through it all, at the Xavier Institute, there was joy as friends and family were reunited.  Mutant and human alike.  They didn't see such barriers, they were all people.

And, as John found out, there was still nothing on TV.

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"The board of directors for the Legacy company will continue with business during the investigation into the outbreak of the so-called "Legacy Virus."  Back to you, Phil..."

Click.

"... and we're told that it was Hank McCoy, of the Xavier Institute, who came up with the miracle cure that has, effectively, saved countless lives.  Hank McCoy, a promising teacher at Bayville high before a freak change..."

Click.

"...statement that the fugitive Bolivar Trask is still at large, while his accomplice Guy Spears, an promising young businessman, has been taken into the custody of the CIA, to face charges..."

Click.

"...And we have received reports that the poisoned water in Dark Hollow is being cleaned up as we speak..."

Click.

The TV mercifully shut off, and John sighed, whirling the remote in his hands as he leans his head back, staring up at the ceiling.

"Great bloodae god awful 'ell... I save the world, get knocked on me head, get stuck in goo that takes bloodae HOURS to get out of my hair," he remarked, running a hand through his now clean crimson locks.  "And I still can't see WIGGLES?!  There is no justice in this world!  Bloody hell."

"Mr. Allerdyce," came a cold voice from behind him.  John immediately snapped to his feet, turning to face his employer.  Magneto.

"Uh, yes sir?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"Come with me," he stated, beckoning, as he made his way back down the corridors of the Institute, followed closely by the psychotic red-head, who was mumbling to himself as he was wont to do.

                                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slowly, in twos and threes, patients were fixed up and deemed fit to leave the med ward in the Danger Room, which was rapidly diminishing.  There had been no casualties.  They'd been very fortunate.  Slowly, the Institute began to again fill with life, and laughter, and happiness.  It was subdued happiness though.  Not that they weren't happy.  Hank had retired, getting some much deserved rest.  And they wanted to keep quiet for the man who'd managed to save all their lives, and many more.

So it was that they started talking to one another, stealing moments of privacy to air out their personal closets and clear the air with their friends and loved ones.  Nothing like a near-end-of-the-world scenario to put things into perspective.

Author's Notes:

No, that's not it.  Come on, give me some credit.  Plenty more to come, with the couples and families coming together for enough sappy moments to make you all reach for the tissues.  Plus, ya'll are probably wondering what Magneto's gonna do to Pyro.  You'll find out soon enough.  I know some of you were rooting for character deaths, but I'm afraid not.  If I killed off anybody I'd be swarmed by their fans and castrated.  Well, except for maybe Jean, since nobody likes Evo Jean.  Nope, sorry, not gonna happen.  Did you like my idea for the cure though?  I got the idea from a TAS episode where Wolverine was purposefully infected with a virus that, for all intensive purposes, was the "Not-quite-the-Legacy" Virus.  I mean, it was a kids show, after all.  I am fully aware the Legacy Virus of the comics, properly a viroid, had no cur, and it claimed all sorts of lives like Moira and Pyro and Colossus.  I am taking creative license... love it or leave it!  Hehehe.

Todd fan: Oh come on, you know X23 is the last person I would ever kill in one of my stories.  If I do, she can never grow up to be a hot babe and run away to some deserted island with me.  And don't fret, there's your cure and both your lovable Todd and Forge are alive and healthy again.

Raphaela: Well as you can see, I lied.  Still think I'm evil?  No one has died and it comes back to a big happy ending, like all my other stories.  Glad you liked the battle scenes though.

Nessie6: That something for the Brotherhood (plus a Sister) to come next chapter.  But at least they're all alive and healthy again, right?  I did good?  Hehehe.  Holy (*censored*) you're right, I replied to you twice!  ARRRRRGH!!!

Cookies_n_cream_2008: Is answer question?  There was a cure, Guy Spears just didn't know about it.  And now everything has gone back to normal.  Hooray!  Now I can continue to torment the mutants in future stories.

Risty: Does that answer your question?  Word of advice.  I will -never- kill X23.  Ever.  She is my all time absolute favorite character (sorry Rogue) and I will never do away with her.  Like it'd be easy anyway.  Glad you like the Shadowcat phasing, I noticed lots of people complaining about that when they fought the prototype Sentinel.  Pairing her with Sabertooth was just a stroke of genius.

Sandoz: Yeah, Karma's a bitch.  That's why I only torment the characters a little and give them all happy endings.  Except the really mean ones like Mesmero.  Its not animosity its good natured camaraderie.  They just exchange insults in a friendly sort of way, like most males.  You cheater!  Comic-reader!  Nah, s'okay.  But -I- have a strange twist in store!  Muwahahaha!  Wow, you got lots of current projects.  Can't wait to see them when they're up.

Taineyah: Psychic alert!  Psychic alert!  You foresaw the future!  Oh my various gods!  *runs around in circles screaming*  You're Destiny in disguise, aren't you?!  Confess!  Confess!!

Bleedingmoon89: 'Course X23 is a hero.  'cause I love her so much.  And its good to get chicken pox, at least its out of the way.  Hope I've managed to alleviate all those terrible fears you had.

Ray1: You wouldn't be the first psychic I've had to deal with.  If not, I've met more useless tools in my shed, believe you me.  But you're thinkin'... I like that.  Tell me, where you right?  Did you see my masterful plan?

Elrohirthewriter: Oh your muses assistance will not be needed, tell her to take the day off.  And yeah, Wanda certainly has that "do not F*** with me" aura about her.  Even after she's mellowed out by Mastermind.  Must get it from her dad, ya think?

Ayce Shade: If you like this, feel free to check out Nullification and my other previous works.  Also high quality, and since they're prequels to this you need to read them anyway to understand a few plot elements.  But still, thank you for the review.

Optic Red: Well apparently I can't make it anymore obvious, if everyone and their dog figured out what I'm doing!  Damn you all to hell!  I thought I was being pretty clever, but I guess not.  Guess I'll have to settle for writing really good characterizations and inner thoughts.

Rogue14: Nope, I think my genre works fine where it is.  There was a cure, see?  Besides, half my audience figured it out before I'd even written it in.  And I say you write more ASAP!  Write more of that Scott-Rogue romance you were working on.  DO IT!

Kat: Is answer question?  Wanda was stuck in those green goo, so Avalanche and Cyclops stayed behind to break her out.  They arrived back to receive the cure like everybody else.  You didn't seriously think I'd kill off so many people, did you?  For shame.