***** Author's Note***** I'm sorry I took so long and that this is so
short. Damned writer's block. Don't worry though; the next chapter should
be up by this weekend.
"An Interlude For 5 A.M."
Jonothon Starsmore sat in his bed staring at his hands. Well, he wasn't exactly staring at his hands; he was staring at the clear liquid that had assembled in the creases of his palms. Tears?
The nineteen year old codenamed Chamber's body was nothing more than a shell. Whose sole purpose was to encase his pure psionic energy based being. He no longer ate or breathed. He no longer had lungs, a heart or any other major organs. His body no longer had any use for them. The only thing that remained was a smoldering inferno of psionic energy that threatened to roast what was left of him if left unchecked. It was this same ruthless energy that had taken away the telepath's power of speech. No mouth, no throat, no vocal cords, no voice; a terrible blow for a once aspirating musician to accept.
Although, instead of focusing on what his ravaged body could no longer due thanks to the emergence of his mutation, Chamber had never ceased to be amazed by what it could still do. Oddly enough he could still bleed, though at a speed that was barely noticeable. Lack of a heart will do that to a body. Doctor McCoy had attributed the boy's remaining circulation to his psionic energy field. The same field that warmed his body to a fever pitch, keeping the rest of him alive. And if Jono could succeed in gaining full control over this unruly mass of cosmic force if was theorized the he would be able to rebuild his broken body just through sheer telepathic will. And truthfully, the full extent of Chamber's mutation and abilities were still being explored.
In the end there were only two things that truly amazed the London Goth. One being that he could still cry; he was looking at the proof of that at that exact moment. The other was as much of a thrill as it was a curse; that being he could still get aroused. Yeah, that last one was a bother. Luckily, he had been able to control himself when his best buddy and constant bed companion; Vash Wagner had decided that she wanted to snuggle in her sleep. Damn the rules, they just couldn't sleep without one another. It was becoming quite sickening really.
But this crying thing he would definitely have to put a stop to. It was undignified. 'Men don't cry', his dad used to say, especially over something this stupid. There was really no point in being this upset anyway. The girl currently in his arms would never have him for anything more than a best friend and pillow. And the girl that had actually wanted him at one point had been sent away.
After what happened on Valentine's, Paige Guthrie had been expelled from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters for a full year. It would be spring of next year before she could return and that was only because Vash, the very girl that Paige had attacked, had spoken in her defense. Why had she done it? Even Jono didn't know. It didn't matter anyway. A month ago, before the Kentucky girl left, she told Jono that she hoped that they could remain friends. This in other words meant she was putting and end to their shameful excuse for a relationship. And to make matters worse Paige's brother, Sam Guthrie now hated him and Vash and let them know it on a daily basis. In short Jono Starsmore's life was not going the way he would have liked.
But just then Vash shifted and her hand slipped underneath the boy's T- shirt and he turned to mush. Maybe things weren't so bad. He still got to sleep with the girl he loved every night and occasionally she'd let him cop a feel or two. This could work. Though the nights of soft kisses and wandering hands had only started after Paige left. And he still had this horrible ache where his stomach used to be when ever he looked at her and still wouldn't dare mention that he loved her and wanted to be more than just friends. Vash didn't want him as any more than that but she still seemed to enjoy herself during their intimate moments. They hadn't actually done 'it' but there were a few close calls. And deep down, he knew that soon she'd realize that it was stupid to go on this way and she would give in and be his girl. Or she'd decide that this strange arrangement they had was unhealthy and put an end to it. Just like Paige. Just like his old girlfriend Gayle back in London. Why couldn't he be grateful for what he did have with her?
Things were bad again.
*Vash?* Chamber asked quietly. *Are yer awake?*
The sleepy girl only groaned in reply and her hands began to travel lower on the boy's torso and down past his waist. She smiled in her sleep and Jono couldn't help but smile too, the best he could muster anyway. But he also needed her to stop, so he decided to be more assertive.
*C'mon now, ducks!* Chamber said while pulling her hand out of his pajama bottoms.
"Wha-?" she groaned as she began to wake up.
She sat up slowly in the bed and stared at Chamber with glossy eyes, well, Chamber assumed they were glossy. It was pretty difficult to tell for sure, because her glowing yellow eyes always looked glossy. He just thought they were that way because usually when she first woke up they were just a bit weirder looking than normal.
"What time is it?" she asked with a frown.
*About five.* Chamber answered.
"Five? In the morning?" she asked eyes wide in outrage.
*I really need ta talk ta ya, love.* The telepath projected.
"Now?" she asked rubbing sleep from her eyes.
*Yes,* Jono said his eyes crinkling just a little. *Now.*
She huffed indignantly and made herself comfortable directly in front of him. She was so cute when she was annoyed. The bruises on her face were fading fast. She was obscenely lucky that Paige hadn't done any more damage. She was a fast healer, not as fast as Logan, but fast nonetheless. This prompted Jono to think of Ray, he had not been so lucky, thanks to him. Poor Ray, he was currently getting around in a wheelchair with the help of a sympathetic Amara. This fact, causing Lance to hate him now too. Well maybe Lance and Sam will team up and put and end to his tortured existence. Jono gave a mental sigh and stared longingly into that pretty slightly bruised face and-
"What's wrong?" Vash asked with a look of growing concern.
Jono's had black smears all over his cheeks. That black stuff her wore around his eyes was running, he'd been crying.
"You didn't have one of those dreams again, did you?"
*No.* It was so very quiet that it barely registered in the girl's consciousness.
*I just,* The shaggy-haired Goth began. *I just- About-*
"About what?" she asked, thoroughly confused.
*Us.*
"Us?"
*Yes, us.* Jono said quietly. *What is this? What are we?*
Her face softened into a smile. "We're friends." She finally said. "With benefits." She added with a leer so kinky Jono couldn't help but feel a little dirty. He chuckled, but stopped abruptly.
"I know that's not it." She said a moment later.
*It never is at five in the morning.* Jono replied.
She noticed the change in his expression. He was upset. She hated it when he was upset. She thought that maybe since Paige had left it would be appropriate for her and Jono to explore the more interesting aspects of a friendship between two people who found each other reasonably attractive. That had seemed to make him happy. She had obviously ignored the fact that Jono had professed his love for her not too long beforehand. Jono hadn't mentioned it since then, but he had that same look on his face now. Maybe she shouldn't have started anything with him but he was so damned sexy with all the black and leather and those eyes. Cow's eyes; all big and brown and deep and soulful. It took everything in her to stop herself every time. Deep down she knew that if they'd ever went and did 'it', she never get him to see reason. What they had was perfect the way it was. There was no need to commit to each other. They'd only end up broken and hating each other, she could bare for that to happen. Not with Jono. Besides then he'd find out about 'him'.
*I.* Jono's projected 'voice' sound so very tired. *I love you* He finally said. *I know we already talked about this but I do. I really do. And this thing we got, it's just.*
"Not enough." She finished.
She sunk into the bed and stared at the comforter. Jono couldn't figure out what was so interesting about it. It was black like most of his stuff. No designs. Just black. Nothing terribly interesting about it at all. She sighed softly, and then looked up at him with sad golden eyes.
"I just wanted you to be happy." She said. "But I was stupid to think you'd be happy like this."
She shifted uncomfortably. "I love you a lot ya know. I mean REALLY. When you were with Paige I was really sorta jealous."
*I was only with 'er cause I couldn't 'ave you.* He said.
She just looked at him with a sad smile. "I'm scared." She said. "I'm scared of a lot of things."
*I know. Me too.*
"I."
She stared up at the ceiling in annoyance with herself. She had to tell him the truth. He'd find out sooner or later anyway.
"I met someone."
*I know.* He said after a while.
She looked up at him surprised.
*I didn't snoop or anythin'.* He said defensively. *I can just tell. Plus, you've been sneaking off without me, on yer own. Figured yer were meeting someone.*
"I didn't want ya ta find out like that." She said staring at the comforter again.
Silence.
"I really do love you." She said. It sounded like she was trying to convince herself. "But I."
*Yer love 'im too.*
"Yeah." She exhaled loudly. "I didn't want to have to choose."
Jono didn't say a word.
"He knows about you." She said. "He's always known about you. He doesn't care."
Still nothing.
"He wants to meet you."
Jono looked at her surprised. She smiled weakly in return. Something tugged on the edge of Jono's telepathy; he sensed that there was something very important that Vash was leaving out. But he wanted her to be the one to say it.
*What's his name?*
"St. John Allerdyce."
*Pyro!*
"Yes," she mumbled.
*But he's with Magneto.* Jono said outraged.
"So." Vash was becoming annoyed with Jono, but he didn't seem to care.
*Wha-? 'e is a terrorist, Vash!* Jono said confused, but he quickly got back to his senses. *'Ow did yer even meet 'im in the first place.*
"You telepaths are really more oblivious then I thought." Vash laughed ruefully. "He's been coming here on the regular for months now. With Pietro Maximoff. Pietro visits Wanda all the time."
*Does the Professor know?*
"Yes." The teleporter said. "He's not a danger. Neither of them are. Pietro just misses his sister. And John, he just misses the school. We became friends."
*Like me and you?*
"Like me and you." She said in reply. "I want you two to meet. I think you'd like each other."
*Really.* Jono griped. *Then what? All three of us can become some happy little threesome so yer don't have to choose?*
"You'd do that?" Vash said with a joking smile.
Jono gave her the look. She could tell he was being serious.
"Sorry. God, I didn't' want to hurt you." Vash groaned. "I just want you to be friends. I want us all to be friends."
*Do yer love REALLY love 'im?*
"Yes." She answered. "Just like I love you."
There was at least ten minutes of silence as she waited for a response.
*Fine then.* Jono said. *I'll do it.*
He was desperate to keep her anyway he could. If that meant sharing, even with a pyromaniac terrorist, he was willing to do so.
"You mean meet him or the other thing?"
*Don't push yer luck.* Jono said. *I might not even find 'im attractive.* He added with a small eye crinkle.
"I've got pictures." She joked.
Jono just groaned in response. Then he didn't say another word.
"You don't hate me do you?"
*Of course not.* Jono said. *Yer just better 'ope I like 'im.*
Vash smiled happily. This was going to be perfect.
"An Interlude For 5 A.M."
Jonothon Starsmore sat in his bed staring at his hands. Well, he wasn't exactly staring at his hands; he was staring at the clear liquid that had assembled in the creases of his palms. Tears?
The nineteen year old codenamed Chamber's body was nothing more than a shell. Whose sole purpose was to encase his pure psionic energy based being. He no longer ate or breathed. He no longer had lungs, a heart or any other major organs. His body no longer had any use for them. The only thing that remained was a smoldering inferno of psionic energy that threatened to roast what was left of him if left unchecked. It was this same ruthless energy that had taken away the telepath's power of speech. No mouth, no throat, no vocal cords, no voice; a terrible blow for a once aspirating musician to accept.
Although, instead of focusing on what his ravaged body could no longer due thanks to the emergence of his mutation, Chamber had never ceased to be amazed by what it could still do. Oddly enough he could still bleed, though at a speed that was barely noticeable. Lack of a heart will do that to a body. Doctor McCoy had attributed the boy's remaining circulation to his psionic energy field. The same field that warmed his body to a fever pitch, keeping the rest of him alive. And if Jono could succeed in gaining full control over this unruly mass of cosmic force if was theorized the he would be able to rebuild his broken body just through sheer telepathic will. And truthfully, the full extent of Chamber's mutation and abilities were still being explored.
In the end there were only two things that truly amazed the London Goth. One being that he could still cry; he was looking at the proof of that at that exact moment. The other was as much of a thrill as it was a curse; that being he could still get aroused. Yeah, that last one was a bother. Luckily, he had been able to control himself when his best buddy and constant bed companion; Vash Wagner had decided that she wanted to snuggle in her sleep. Damn the rules, they just couldn't sleep without one another. It was becoming quite sickening really.
But this crying thing he would definitely have to put a stop to. It was undignified. 'Men don't cry', his dad used to say, especially over something this stupid. There was really no point in being this upset anyway. The girl currently in his arms would never have him for anything more than a best friend and pillow. And the girl that had actually wanted him at one point had been sent away.
After what happened on Valentine's, Paige Guthrie had been expelled from Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters for a full year. It would be spring of next year before she could return and that was only because Vash, the very girl that Paige had attacked, had spoken in her defense. Why had she done it? Even Jono didn't know. It didn't matter anyway. A month ago, before the Kentucky girl left, she told Jono that she hoped that they could remain friends. This in other words meant she was putting and end to their shameful excuse for a relationship. And to make matters worse Paige's brother, Sam Guthrie now hated him and Vash and let them know it on a daily basis. In short Jono Starsmore's life was not going the way he would have liked.
But just then Vash shifted and her hand slipped underneath the boy's T- shirt and he turned to mush. Maybe things weren't so bad. He still got to sleep with the girl he loved every night and occasionally she'd let him cop a feel or two. This could work. Though the nights of soft kisses and wandering hands had only started after Paige left. And he still had this horrible ache where his stomach used to be when ever he looked at her and still wouldn't dare mention that he loved her and wanted to be more than just friends. Vash didn't want him as any more than that but she still seemed to enjoy herself during their intimate moments. They hadn't actually done 'it' but there were a few close calls. And deep down, he knew that soon she'd realize that it was stupid to go on this way and she would give in and be his girl. Or she'd decide that this strange arrangement they had was unhealthy and put an end to it. Just like Paige. Just like his old girlfriend Gayle back in London. Why couldn't he be grateful for what he did have with her?
Things were bad again.
*Vash?* Chamber asked quietly. *Are yer awake?*
The sleepy girl only groaned in reply and her hands began to travel lower on the boy's torso and down past his waist. She smiled in her sleep and Jono couldn't help but smile too, the best he could muster anyway. But he also needed her to stop, so he decided to be more assertive.
*C'mon now, ducks!* Chamber said while pulling her hand out of his pajama bottoms.
"Wha-?" she groaned as she began to wake up.
She sat up slowly in the bed and stared at Chamber with glossy eyes, well, Chamber assumed they were glossy. It was pretty difficult to tell for sure, because her glowing yellow eyes always looked glossy. He just thought they were that way because usually when she first woke up they were just a bit weirder looking than normal.
"What time is it?" she asked with a frown.
*About five.* Chamber answered.
"Five? In the morning?" she asked eyes wide in outrage.
*I really need ta talk ta ya, love.* The telepath projected.
"Now?" she asked rubbing sleep from her eyes.
*Yes,* Jono said his eyes crinkling just a little. *Now.*
She huffed indignantly and made herself comfortable directly in front of him. She was so cute when she was annoyed. The bruises on her face were fading fast. She was obscenely lucky that Paige hadn't done any more damage. She was a fast healer, not as fast as Logan, but fast nonetheless. This prompted Jono to think of Ray, he had not been so lucky, thanks to him. Poor Ray, he was currently getting around in a wheelchair with the help of a sympathetic Amara. This fact, causing Lance to hate him now too. Well maybe Lance and Sam will team up and put and end to his tortured existence. Jono gave a mental sigh and stared longingly into that pretty slightly bruised face and-
"What's wrong?" Vash asked with a look of growing concern.
Jono's had black smears all over his cheeks. That black stuff her wore around his eyes was running, he'd been crying.
"You didn't have one of those dreams again, did you?"
*No.* It was so very quiet that it barely registered in the girl's consciousness.
*I just,* The shaggy-haired Goth began. *I just- About-*
"About what?" she asked, thoroughly confused.
*Us.*
"Us?"
*Yes, us.* Jono said quietly. *What is this? What are we?*
Her face softened into a smile. "We're friends." She finally said. "With benefits." She added with a leer so kinky Jono couldn't help but feel a little dirty. He chuckled, but stopped abruptly.
"I know that's not it." She said a moment later.
*It never is at five in the morning.* Jono replied.
She noticed the change in his expression. He was upset. She hated it when he was upset. She thought that maybe since Paige had left it would be appropriate for her and Jono to explore the more interesting aspects of a friendship between two people who found each other reasonably attractive. That had seemed to make him happy. She had obviously ignored the fact that Jono had professed his love for her not too long beforehand. Jono hadn't mentioned it since then, but he had that same look on his face now. Maybe she shouldn't have started anything with him but he was so damned sexy with all the black and leather and those eyes. Cow's eyes; all big and brown and deep and soulful. It took everything in her to stop herself every time. Deep down she knew that if they'd ever went and did 'it', she never get him to see reason. What they had was perfect the way it was. There was no need to commit to each other. They'd only end up broken and hating each other, she could bare for that to happen. Not with Jono. Besides then he'd find out about 'him'.
*I.* Jono's projected 'voice' sound so very tired. *I love you* He finally said. *I know we already talked about this but I do. I really do. And this thing we got, it's just.*
"Not enough." She finished.
She sunk into the bed and stared at the comforter. Jono couldn't figure out what was so interesting about it. It was black like most of his stuff. No designs. Just black. Nothing terribly interesting about it at all. She sighed softly, and then looked up at him with sad golden eyes.
"I just wanted you to be happy." She said. "But I was stupid to think you'd be happy like this."
She shifted uncomfortably. "I love you a lot ya know. I mean REALLY. When you were with Paige I was really sorta jealous."
*I was only with 'er cause I couldn't 'ave you.* He said.
She just looked at him with a sad smile. "I'm scared." She said. "I'm scared of a lot of things."
*I know. Me too.*
"I."
She stared up at the ceiling in annoyance with herself. She had to tell him the truth. He'd find out sooner or later anyway.
"I met someone."
*I know.* He said after a while.
She looked up at him surprised.
*I didn't snoop or anythin'.* He said defensively. *I can just tell. Plus, you've been sneaking off without me, on yer own. Figured yer were meeting someone.*
"I didn't want ya ta find out like that." She said staring at the comforter again.
Silence.
"I really do love you." She said. It sounded like she was trying to convince herself. "But I."
*Yer love 'im too.*
"Yeah." She exhaled loudly. "I didn't want to have to choose."
Jono didn't say a word.
"He knows about you." She said. "He's always known about you. He doesn't care."
Still nothing.
"He wants to meet you."
Jono looked at her surprised. She smiled weakly in return. Something tugged on the edge of Jono's telepathy; he sensed that there was something very important that Vash was leaving out. But he wanted her to be the one to say it.
*What's his name?*
"St. John Allerdyce."
*Pyro!*
"Yes," she mumbled.
*But he's with Magneto.* Jono said outraged.
"So." Vash was becoming annoyed with Jono, but he didn't seem to care.
*Wha-? 'e is a terrorist, Vash!* Jono said confused, but he quickly got back to his senses. *'Ow did yer even meet 'im in the first place.*
"You telepaths are really more oblivious then I thought." Vash laughed ruefully. "He's been coming here on the regular for months now. With Pietro Maximoff. Pietro visits Wanda all the time."
*Does the Professor know?*
"Yes." The teleporter said. "He's not a danger. Neither of them are. Pietro just misses his sister. And John, he just misses the school. We became friends."
*Like me and you?*
"Like me and you." She said in reply. "I want you two to meet. I think you'd like each other."
*Really.* Jono griped. *Then what? All three of us can become some happy little threesome so yer don't have to choose?*
"You'd do that?" Vash said with a joking smile.
Jono gave her the look. She could tell he was being serious.
"Sorry. God, I didn't' want to hurt you." Vash groaned. "I just want you to be friends. I want us all to be friends."
*Do yer love REALLY love 'im?*
"Yes." She answered. "Just like I love you."
There was at least ten minutes of silence as she waited for a response.
*Fine then.* Jono said. *I'll do it.*
He was desperate to keep her anyway he could. If that meant sharing, even with a pyromaniac terrorist, he was willing to do so.
"You mean meet him or the other thing?"
*Don't push yer luck.* Jono said. *I might not even find 'im attractive.* He added with a small eye crinkle.
"I've got pictures." She joked.
Jono just groaned in response. Then he didn't say another word.
"You don't hate me do you?"
*Of course not.* Jono said. *Yer just better 'ope I like 'im.*
Vash smiled happily. This was going to be perfect.