X-Men Evolution is a trademarked product from Marvel, all the characters are owned by Marvel and not me. This is a work of fiction based off of said series. I make no money off this, yadda yadda yah.

"In The Garage" - by Val Shrum (kiyonekatz at yahoo dot com)

Chapter 22

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*Ring Ring Ring*

"Took you long enough to call back. Lance... someone wants to talk to you." Said Wanda before he even spoke a word. She handed the phone over to Professor Xavier.

"Why, hello Mr. Alvers." Xavier started.

"... oh... oh crap. Uh... this is the Professor right? You need to get to New York City." Lance stammered. "There's been an accident."

"Wanda and Kurt were just informing me of some trouble. What happened?" Xavier asked.

"I don't know!" Lance almost yelled, "I told her not to go in there, but she did anyway! It's not my fault, Professor. I swear."

"Calm down, Lance. What kind of accident? I can't read your mind from here, you have to explain it to me." He said, matter-of-factly.

"I don't... her head... there was blood... and they're doing x-rays... paramedics said something about maybe a concussion or spine trauma. Does that mean she can't walk? What does that mean!?" Lance sounded hysterical.

Xavier's voice was calm, almost soothing, "Now Lance, where are you? Are you with her right now? I'll have to send an adult to the hospital for legality purposes and to pick you two up."

"Wanda or Kurt, too?" Lance asked, "I want them here."

"I understand, Lance."

"... don't be mad at me, Professor. I know it may look bad, but... I told her not to get involved. I told her to stay behind, she could get hurt. This is one time I never wanted to be right." Lance pleaded.

"No one is mad at you, Lance. Where are you now?"

"Some urgent care center... uh... New York Hospital? It's where they brought us."

"That's fine. Just stay where you are. Someone from the Institute will be there soon." Xavier assured. "I'm going to hand the phone back to Wanda now. Thank you."

The Professor handed the phone to Wanda. Wanda spoke into it, "Are YOU okay?"

"No." Lance said sharply. "Just make sure they don't leave without you or Kurt. I really need you guys here."

"Okay Lance. Then I'm going to let you go, okay?"

"Yeah... okay." Lance spoke softly.

"You're not okay with that." Wanda noted.

"No, but I'll live. Just get here soon."

"You know these X-Men... I'm sure it won't be long. Bye." Wanda closed the phone.

The office had Wanda, Kurt, and the Professor. Kurt was sitting down in a chair, Wanda stood near the desk where she retrieved the phone from Xavier, and he was behind it.

"... so what is wrong?" Kurt voiced.

"I'm not sure. The only definite is that Kitty is hurt."

A voice came from behind the door, "What was that, Professor?"

"... Scott, come in. You know, it's not polite to eavesdrop."

"Sorry." Scott stepped in, "I heard you say Kitty was hurt? What's going on?"

"It appears that the day trip to the city provided to be a little more dangerous than planned. She's at a hopsital getting taken care of."

"She's what?" Scott looked shocked, "I'll prep the jet."

"Hold on, Scott." Xavier interrupted. "It's going to be Kurt, Wanda, and either Logan or Ororo. I know how you feel about Mr. Alvers, and I'd rather not cause a conflict. He's completely innocent in this particular case."

"I highly doubt that, sir."

"Then keep your doubts to yourself. You can question him when he gets back to Bayville. In the meantime... Kurt, prepare the jet. I'll see who's available for the ride."

"C'mon Wanda." Kurt took her arm and teleported them away from the office.

Scott looked at Xavier. "But Sir..."

"No buts, Scott. This conversation is over with."

"Yes, sir."

***

The hospital lobby was a boring place to be with it's magazines and small television that showed a local channel that was displaying some game show. Lance stared at the screen, not paying too much attention to who was winning or losing, but just for something to do.

A light 'whir' noise echoed from the front entrance as people entered an exited the hospital. Then entered Wanda, Kurt, and Ororo. The beautiful African goddess stepped over to the receptionists desk, while Kurt and Wanda looked around the lobby for their friend.

Wanda touched her hand on Lance's shoulder. He stirred out of his fixed gaze and blinked, startled. "Oh... OH, guys! You're here."

"Usually pretty quickly by jet. How're you holding up?" Wanda took the seat next to Lance.

"... okay, I guess. I'm not family, I can't even go in to see how she is. They haven't told me much other than 'She's stable'." Lance sighed.

"I'm sure Ororo will be able to get in. Showing off fancy paper work as being her guardian and all. Really Lance, what kind of date did you go on to get in THIS kind of a mess?" Wanda joked, and he knew it.

Lance's expression was still serious. He said softly, "You know me, dinner, movie, near death experience. Must be a Brotherhood thing."

Kurt wandered over to where he spotted Wanda and Lance, "... so what's the deal, man?"

"Must be one of those goodie-goodie traits that she had to follow. I told her to..." His voice started to shake. He was trying his best to be lighthearted, but couldn't any longer. "...what's going to happen? I'm so scared. Last thing she said to me was 'Shut up'. Oh man."

"Shhh... it's okay, Lance." Wanda put a hand over his. "Kurt, go check on things with your teacher."

"Come over, fix my anteanna, go to the store, teleport us across town, check on things... you're always so demanding, Wanda." Kurt saw the look Wanda gave him, "Eh... going now." He walked over to Ororo's side. "How's it coming?"

"They're checking up on our credentials and trying to contact the doctor on duty to speak to in person. What happened today wasn't an accident." Ororo commented to Kurt. "Police may need to speak with her about the incident. It shouldn't be long. I'll make sure to get us out of here as soon as possible."

Kurt nodded. "Lance would like to see her. He's anxious."

"He'll have to wait." Ororo paused, "He'll have time at home and on the plane. Looks like they just got the go ahead. I'll be back." She stepped toward a doctor who had waved her through.

Kurt watched her walk away and went back to where Lance and Wanda were waiting.

***

Ororo entered the hospital room. Kitty absent-mindedly watched the television that was broadcasting some of the 'Superhero incident' footage.

"Now if you wanted our attention, I could think of less dangerous ways to get that, Kitten." Ororo said softly, approaching the bed.

"Ororo! Finally I can get out of here. What took so long?" Kitty straightened up her posture, giving Ororo a smile. Even though her tone didn't imply it, she certainly looked worse for wear. A small cut on her cheek, a gash in the back of the head that had been bandaged and stitched up along with several bruises.

"My my, you seem rather chipper for someone who shouldn't be moving." Ororo made it to the side of the hospital bed. Kitty leaned over and hugged the older woman. "... I take it you missed me?"

"It's been a really... really... really long day. I feel like such an idiot. I screwed up what quite possibly may have been one of the best dates I've ever been on." Kitty sighed.

"No time to worry about that now, Kitten. The police want to speak with you. And I'm sure the press. You need to tell the police everything you saw, but as for the press... well... I'd prefer if you didn't say anything. Mutants have had enough spotlight lately."

"It doesn't have to be about a mutant issue."

"No, but it'll become one."

"... you're right. I know you are." Kitty sighed.

"So what kind of shape are you in after your brave act of heroism?"

"Doctors aren't sure if I have a concussion, so they've been watching me for a while now. So... scorecard says... stitches in my head and a cracked rib or two. I've been knocked around worse. It's okay, I'm not feeling it!"

"Too much information. I'm going to check in with the doctor to see about you getting released soon. I'll send in the police now that you're awake." Ororo headed to the door.

"Great, and just when I thought I'd be able to relax." As Ororo left, two officers entered the room. "Hello officers..."

***

Ororo sat at a small table, filling out paperwork. Wanda walked over and stood next to the the goddess-like woman. "Yes, dear?" Ororo asked without looking up.

"I lost. Rock beats scissors. What's going on now?" Wanda crossed her arms and leaned against the wall that the table was sat up against.

"I fill out these papers with the proper information, especially the details that our Institute's medical facility is more than capable of taking care of Kitty, and then they'll release her to us. Hopefully."

"Hopefully? Why, something else wrong?"

"I'm a little worried about how the law would handle this. Kitty ignored a law enforcement officer which put her into danger. She may have rescued several people and saved lives... but I wonder if her actions might count against her." Ororo continued to write.

"... what does that mean? They'd arrest her? What? I don't understand. She went in and helped people after they thought a situation was over with." Wanda sounded confused.

"I'm not sure how that works, we'll find out soon. As far as I'm concerned, they won't arrest her. Considering our history, they will most likely understand that she was only trying to lend a hand where others could not. We're certainly not in Bayville, though. It can go either way. " She stopped, then gestured, "You should go back and join the others. Let them know we'll hopefully be leaving soon."

"You worry me, Storm."

"You shouldn't be. As for Kitty, I'm proud. I would never wish for her to be harmed, but the act itself was something to be admired. She'll be reprimanded when we get home, or however Charles decides to deal with it. No, there's nothing to worry about."

"So you say. I'll brief the boys, thanks."

***