Chp. 8
Clark ran back to Smallville as fast as his legs could carry him. Just as he was about to enter the city limits he veered off into a corn field. From there he headed for his family's farm.
Once inside the house he headed for the living room. He gently layed Chloe on one end of the couch while he sat on the other. Chloe curled up one her end still shaking.
"Are you cold?" Clark asked her. Chloe nodded so Clark retreived a blanket for her. 'Must be cold from the running.' Clark thought.
A few minutes passed. The silence that had descended upon the duo was unbearble. Clark was looking at the floor while Chloe continued to stare at Clark.
She couldn't believe it. Clark Kent was a mutant! She continued to stare at him, studying him, somewhat. Her fears were a little diminished by now, replaced by curiosity. She now knew, at least she thought, the secret that Clark Kent had hidden from the world.
Clark made his way over to the mantle to straighten a picture that was crooked. He felt Chloe's eyes staring into him. He closed his own eyes and dropped his head to the floor. 'She knows. She know's that I'm different.' Clark thought. 'How am I gonna get out of this one?' Clark then turned around and plopped into a chair opposite of the couch.
About five minutes had passed and neither one had said a word. Both seemed to stare at one another; still lost in their thoughts. Clark was getting desperate. He hoped that the others would get back soon. He glanced up at the clock on the wall. It read 12:11 p.m.
This was going to be one long wait.
The seven mutants finally managed to get out of school without getting into any major trouble. Bobby and John were able to tell the principal and teacher that a riot started up and they got seperated from the others. Clark and Chloe told them they would take a bus from Metropolis back. This wasn't the best exscuse but the adults accepted it. Once the bell rang they all got onto the buses and headed for their homes. They still had to meet Clark at his place.
"Am I a prisoner?" Chloe asked Clark.
"No. " he replied to her. "Would you like to go somewhere?"
Chloe thought about it for a minute. "Well, I was hoping to be able to go home. But I deserve an explanation from you."
Clark let out a sigh and nodded. "I know Chloe, and you'll get one later tonight."
"Why later tonight?"
"Because, tonight the other's from Westchester will be here." He turned to her. "Besides, I think that you care for Bobby a little more than just friends. If that's so then he of all people should owe you one."
"What about you Clark?" Chloe spat back. "You've been my best friend since I moved to Smallville! Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Chloe, I wanted to. Believe me, I really did but my parents were afraid that if the wrong person found out about me I'd end up in a lab or something." he told her back.
Chloe looked at her friend. "So, you didn't think that I could handle something like this? Were you afraid I might tell the wrong people?!"
"No Chloe, that's not it at all..."
"Oh can it Clark," Chloe retorted. "I've heard enough of your bs for one day." She threw the blanket off and stood up. "I have nothing else to say to you." And with that, she walked out the door.
Rogue had just stepped off the bus when she saw Chloe leaving the farm house. She could tell from her demeanor that Chloe was in no good mood.
Chloe saw Rogue step off the bus as she slammed the door shut. Rogue was staring at her, she knew it. Of course she was staring at her. Rogue was a mutant and Chloe knew it.
The question though was, what about Clark? He'd lied to her.
He'd never told her what he truly was.
Chloe was too angry to want to talk to anyone at the moment. As Rogue made her way for the house and Chloe's towards the road, the two girls couldn't help but stare at one another.
If Rogue was afraid she didn't allow Chloe to see it. She would be stronger than that.
Chloe wasn't sure what she felt towards Rogue. Should it be anger? She did after all attack Lana. But why? Why would she do such a thing? Was it beacuse that the two were dating? Could it be that Lana was extremely jealous? Chloe wasn't sure but she wanted answers and Rogue sounded like the best place to start.
"Rogue."
Rogue stopped at the sound of her voice and turned around.
"Yes, what do you want Chloe?"
Chloe looked at the ground for a second. "Can we talk? About what happened in Metropolis?"
Rogue's guard was up. "Um, yeah, sure. How about we go to the loft?"
Chloe nodded and the two girls proceeded to the barn.
Clark watched the exchange between Rogue and Chloe. He knew that this could turn out ugly at any moment so he continued to follow them with his x-ray vision and hearing.
"What do you want to talk about?" Rogue asked as she sat down on the old couch that occupied the loft. Chloe was walking around a little bit before sitting down on a bale of hay before responding.
"I, uh. I just don't know where to start." Chloe told her. "This is just so overwhelming."
"What, that I'm a mutant? That Bobby's a mutant?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's part of it." Chloe responded.
"But not all of it." Rogue finished. Chloe nodded.
"I mean, I can't believe Clark!" Chloe got up from the bale and began to pace furiously. "I mean, he couldn't just tell me that he was different?" She was still pacing when she stopped in front of Rogue. "He's my best friend. Couldn't he trust me?"
Rogue didn't know what to say. Chloe was on the verge of tears and she wanted to some how comfort her. To tell her that everything was going to be alright. Chloe wiped a stray tear away. "Can I sit with you?" she asked Rogue.
Rogue shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, sure."
Chloe sat down on the couch. "You know, I've known Clark for almost three years now. He's been my best friend since I moved here from Metropolis with my dad." she told Rogue. "We've faced just about everything together, from late night study sessions to fighting meteor freaks." She turned away from Rogue and began studying a ladybug that was crawling on the floor. "Ya know, I even had feelings for him at one time but he never would return them. He was always trying to be with Lana." She turned back to look at Rogue. "But now, I guess he's found someone perfect for him. Someone that's his own species."
Rogue felt a pang of hurt inside her. Chloe actually thought that Clark was a mutant. And it hurt Chloe that Clark had never told her about his abilites.
"Chloe," Rogue hesitated for a minute but continued. "Yes, Clark is a very special person. He has these powers like me and my friends. " She stopped again. She shouldn't be telling Chloe this. This was Clark's secret and only Clark could tell her.
"I'll be right back Chloe." Rogue told her as she got up. A few minutes later Rogue came back in with Clark. Chloe was still crying and seeing Clark there didn't make it any better.
"Chloe, please don't cry." Clark told her. He sat down next to Chloe draping one arm around her. Chloe soon stopped crying and turned to Clark.
"Clark, I don't want to be scared of you or hell, even angry at you." the blonde reporter told him. "I just want us to go back to the way it was. I want us to be friends again." she told him as she sniffled.
"I want my friend back."
Clark felt a little teary eyed himself. He managed to wipe away a stray one. Then he gently pulled Chloe into a hug. Chloe wrapped both her arms around him. She felt like she might start crying again.
"Chloe," Clark whispered into her ear. "I want us to be friends too." He pulled away from her and settled back into the couch. He scooted a little so that Rogue could join him. Rogue sat down between Chloe and Clark and snuggled next to him.
"Now Chloe, about me...."
Chloe listened intently as Clark told her his story. When he was done she sat back in the couch, her mouth completely wide.
"Your, an, a-alien? N-not a mutant?"
Clark nodded.
"Oh my god!" she screamed excitedly. "This just proves it! There is life on other planets!!"
"Chloe it's not that big of a deal when you think about it," Clark told her.
Chloe looked at him. "It's not that big of a deal? Are you crazy, Clark?! There's an actual, living, breathing alien living here! In Smallville of all places!!" Chloe got up and then spun around looking at both Clark and Rogue. "Clark, how many people know about you?"
Clark shifted a little. "Well, there's my parents, Rogue and her friends, you, and Pete."
"Oh ok, wait what?! Pete!! Pete knew before me?!" Chloe asked hysterically
Clark ran a hand through his head as Chloe continued to go on.
"How Clark? How could you just tell Pete and not me?!"
"Chloe, I wanted too, but my parents wouldn't let me..."
"Clark! I'm your friend! Didn't you think for one minute that you could trust me?"
Clark held his head in shame. Here he was trying to rationalize with one of his best friends and getting no where.
Chloe moved over to the edge of the loft. She'd said all that she had wanted and still didn't get the answers she wanted.
"Chloe."
Chloe didn't spin around to confront Clark as he called out her name. She didn't want to. She still couldn't believe that Clark had told Pete and not her.
'It wasn't fair!' her mind thought. 'What was he so worried about? I can keep a secret even one as big as Clark's.' She glanced around a little to find Clark still slowly advancing on her. Then she had sudden realization.
'Maybe he thought I might put him on the Wall of Wierd.' she thought. 'Oh god. That's right, isn't it?' A feeling of guilt and dread form in the pit of Chloe's stomach.
"Clark."
Clark watched as Chloe turned around to confront him.
"Clark, oh god, I'm so sorry." a teary eyed Chloe told him.
"For what?" Clark asked.
"You must've thought that if I found out your secret I'd put you on my wall." she sniffled a little. "Clark, I'd never do anything to intentionally hurt you."
Clark smiled to her. "I know Chloe." He pulled her into another hug.
That night was one to dread. Clark explained what happened in Metropolis with Rogue and Chloe there to interject certain information from time to time. When Jonahthon and Martha found out about Rogue, Jonahton of course, flipped. It didn't make matters any better when the other mutants came over. They each demonstrated their abilities to the Kents and Chloe.
If Jonathon was furious before about having a mutant in his home then he just about blew his top when he found out that they and Chloe knew Clark's secret. He stood up angrily in front of the crowd.
"Clark, don 't you get it? If someone finds out about you they'll take you away from us!"
"Dad, I'm not a little kid anymore! Besides I can trust my new friends. They're like me, different. It's kind of nice in a way that they are here. I don't feel so, alone."
Jonathon looked at his adopted son. He could understand in a way what Clark was going through. Here he was the last of his kind on a planet all by himself. Alone. Something that Clark would probably feel for the rest of his life.
"I'm sorry son." Jonathon told him. He'd never realized some of pressures that Clark had to endure at times.
"It's ok dad." he replied to him as the two men hugged in front of the group. "I'm better now." he said, staring at this girl.
Rogue.
During all of this Bobby had slipped out onto the front porch, watching the stars. Seeing Chloe in there reminded him of what happened back in Metropolis and he wasn't sure if he could confront her just yet.
Iceman heard the house door swing open and turned around to see Chloe coming out. She stopped to look at him for a second then slowly made her way over to him.
"Hi Bobby."
"Hey Chloe."
The two lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Bobby was still looking up at the sky while Chloe had her eyes trained on the porch's floor. Neither were sure what to say to other.
"Bobby."
Bobby's head met her's. "Yes?"
Chloe looked at him for a second. She had never noticed it before but he had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen. They were an icy blue, almost indescribable, in a way.
"I'm sorry, you know, for freaking out on you in Metropolis." She told him.
"No, it's alright. You had every right to be." he turned back towards the stars. "It's not every day that someone finds out what I really am."
Chloe put a reassuring had on his shoulder. Bobby put his on top of hers. The two's gazes locked for a second then gently, Bobby pulled Chloe closer towards him. Their lips lightly brushed, then deepened. The kiss was long, filled with a passion that neither knew they had. When they finally seperated they still did not move their eyes from one another.
"Hold out your hand."
Chloe did as she was told. Bobby put his hand over hers and a soft, blue light came out. When Bobby pulled his back there was a single ice rose sitting in her open hand.
"Oh Bobby, it's beautiful." Chloe told him as she pulled him into another kiss.
When the night was finally over several things had happened. Clark's parents, moreso Mr. Kent, apoligized to the mutants about his behavior. They were told that they were welcome in there anytime.
Bobby and Chloe had taken their relationship to a new level and were pleased with the results.
Pitor finally managed to get up the courage to ask Kitty out who in turn sayed "Like, it's about time. I've been waiting for like, ever." She only giggled when she saw a nervous Colassus blush furiously. She reached up and lightly kissed him on the cheek and reassured him that she was indeed happy with him.
Kurt found some new people that, despite his appearence, accepted him for who he was, not how he looked. He was beaming with pride as he walked through the Kent's home without having to use his image inducer.
Pyro learned something that night that the Professor had always tried to reinforce into the students. He always believed that mutants and humans could co-exist peacefully, given the chance. He found the warmth and happiness that the Kents exposed him too was reassuring, though it would take some time for it to fully sink in.
Then of course there was Rogue and Clark. After the others had left they were cuddled together on the porch swing with a blanket over themselves. Rogue's head now lay againist Clark's chest, fast asleep. Clark listened to the gentle breaths that came from Rogue. Clark was sure that their relationship had take a new turn for the better. He gently leaned his head down closer to hers.
"I love you Rogue." he whispered into her ear. He then gently kissed her forehead and layed back into the swing.
For once, all was right in the world.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis....
"You sure we've got a positive i.d. on these mutants?" Senator Johnson asked a young tech while looking at a computer screen.
"Yes, sir." the tech replied. "We were able to successfully lift the fingerprints of three of the mutants from the battle scene near the museum." He typed a few keys into the computer and the screen changed. "One Marie D'Arnarto, Bobby Drake, and Jubilation Lee."
"Excellent. So, any information on where they based out of?"
The tech punched a few more keys. "Yes sir. They're originally from Xavier's in Westchester, New York. I'm sure your aware of it, sir."
"Of course, son." the senator replied back. "But I'm curious as to why there in Metropolis?"
The tech hit a few more keys. "Well sir, as far as I can tell, they're part of an exchange program set up between Xavier's and another just south of Metropolis. It's called Smallville High."
The senator smiled. "Good work, son. Rally the troops. Looks like were going on a hunting trip..."
chp. 8 done!!
Clark ran back to Smallville as fast as his legs could carry him. Just as he was about to enter the city limits he veered off into a corn field. From there he headed for his family's farm.
Once inside the house he headed for the living room. He gently layed Chloe on one end of the couch while he sat on the other. Chloe curled up one her end still shaking.
"Are you cold?" Clark asked her. Chloe nodded so Clark retreived a blanket for her. 'Must be cold from the running.' Clark thought.
A few minutes passed. The silence that had descended upon the duo was unbearble. Clark was looking at the floor while Chloe continued to stare at Clark.
She couldn't believe it. Clark Kent was a mutant! She continued to stare at him, studying him, somewhat. Her fears were a little diminished by now, replaced by curiosity. She now knew, at least she thought, the secret that Clark Kent had hidden from the world.
Clark made his way over to the mantle to straighten a picture that was crooked. He felt Chloe's eyes staring into him. He closed his own eyes and dropped his head to the floor. 'She knows. She know's that I'm different.' Clark thought. 'How am I gonna get out of this one?' Clark then turned around and plopped into a chair opposite of the couch.
About five minutes had passed and neither one had said a word. Both seemed to stare at one another; still lost in their thoughts. Clark was getting desperate. He hoped that the others would get back soon. He glanced up at the clock on the wall. It read 12:11 p.m.
This was going to be one long wait.
The seven mutants finally managed to get out of school without getting into any major trouble. Bobby and John were able to tell the principal and teacher that a riot started up and they got seperated from the others. Clark and Chloe told them they would take a bus from Metropolis back. This wasn't the best exscuse but the adults accepted it. Once the bell rang they all got onto the buses and headed for their homes. They still had to meet Clark at his place.
"Am I a prisoner?" Chloe asked Clark.
"No. " he replied to her. "Would you like to go somewhere?"
Chloe thought about it for a minute. "Well, I was hoping to be able to go home. But I deserve an explanation from you."
Clark let out a sigh and nodded. "I know Chloe, and you'll get one later tonight."
"Why later tonight?"
"Because, tonight the other's from Westchester will be here." He turned to her. "Besides, I think that you care for Bobby a little more than just friends. If that's so then he of all people should owe you one."
"What about you Clark?" Chloe spat back. "You've been my best friend since I moved to Smallville! Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Chloe, I wanted to. Believe me, I really did but my parents were afraid that if the wrong person found out about me I'd end up in a lab or something." he told her back.
Chloe looked at her friend. "So, you didn't think that I could handle something like this? Were you afraid I might tell the wrong people?!"
"No Chloe, that's not it at all..."
"Oh can it Clark," Chloe retorted. "I've heard enough of your bs for one day." She threw the blanket off and stood up. "I have nothing else to say to you." And with that, she walked out the door.
Rogue had just stepped off the bus when she saw Chloe leaving the farm house. She could tell from her demeanor that Chloe was in no good mood.
Chloe saw Rogue step off the bus as she slammed the door shut. Rogue was staring at her, she knew it. Of course she was staring at her. Rogue was a mutant and Chloe knew it.
The question though was, what about Clark? He'd lied to her.
He'd never told her what he truly was.
Chloe was too angry to want to talk to anyone at the moment. As Rogue made her way for the house and Chloe's towards the road, the two girls couldn't help but stare at one another.
If Rogue was afraid she didn't allow Chloe to see it. She would be stronger than that.
Chloe wasn't sure what she felt towards Rogue. Should it be anger? She did after all attack Lana. But why? Why would she do such a thing? Was it beacuse that the two were dating? Could it be that Lana was extremely jealous? Chloe wasn't sure but she wanted answers and Rogue sounded like the best place to start.
"Rogue."
Rogue stopped at the sound of her voice and turned around.
"Yes, what do you want Chloe?"
Chloe looked at the ground for a second. "Can we talk? About what happened in Metropolis?"
Rogue's guard was up. "Um, yeah, sure. How about we go to the loft?"
Chloe nodded and the two girls proceeded to the barn.
Clark watched the exchange between Rogue and Chloe. He knew that this could turn out ugly at any moment so he continued to follow them with his x-ray vision and hearing.
"What do you want to talk about?" Rogue asked as she sat down on the old couch that occupied the loft. Chloe was walking around a little bit before sitting down on a bale of hay before responding.
"I, uh. I just don't know where to start." Chloe told her. "This is just so overwhelming."
"What, that I'm a mutant? That Bobby's a mutant?" she asked.
"Yeah, that's part of it." Chloe responded.
"But not all of it." Rogue finished. Chloe nodded.
"I mean, I can't believe Clark!" Chloe got up from the bale and began to pace furiously. "I mean, he couldn't just tell me that he was different?" She was still pacing when she stopped in front of Rogue. "He's my best friend. Couldn't he trust me?"
Rogue didn't know what to say. Chloe was on the verge of tears and she wanted to some how comfort her. To tell her that everything was going to be alright. Chloe wiped a stray tear away. "Can I sit with you?" she asked Rogue.
Rogue shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah, sure."
Chloe sat down on the couch. "You know, I've known Clark for almost three years now. He's been my best friend since I moved here from Metropolis with my dad." she told Rogue. "We've faced just about everything together, from late night study sessions to fighting meteor freaks." She turned away from Rogue and began studying a ladybug that was crawling on the floor. "Ya know, I even had feelings for him at one time but he never would return them. He was always trying to be with Lana." She turned back to look at Rogue. "But now, I guess he's found someone perfect for him. Someone that's his own species."
Rogue felt a pang of hurt inside her. Chloe actually thought that Clark was a mutant. And it hurt Chloe that Clark had never told her about his abilites.
"Chloe," Rogue hesitated for a minute but continued. "Yes, Clark is a very special person. He has these powers like me and my friends. " She stopped again. She shouldn't be telling Chloe this. This was Clark's secret and only Clark could tell her.
"I'll be right back Chloe." Rogue told her as she got up. A few minutes later Rogue came back in with Clark. Chloe was still crying and seeing Clark there didn't make it any better.
"Chloe, please don't cry." Clark told her. He sat down next to Chloe draping one arm around her. Chloe soon stopped crying and turned to Clark.
"Clark, I don't want to be scared of you or hell, even angry at you." the blonde reporter told him. "I just want us to go back to the way it was. I want us to be friends again." she told him as she sniffled.
"I want my friend back."
Clark felt a little teary eyed himself. He managed to wipe away a stray one. Then he gently pulled Chloe into a hug. Chloe wrapped both her arms around him. She felt like she might start crying again.
"Chloe," Clark whispered into her ear. "I want us to be friends too." He pulled away from her and settled back into the couch. He scooted a little so that Rogue could join him. Rogue sat down between Chloe and Clark and snuggled next to him.
"Now Chloe, about me...."
Chloe listened intently as Clark told her his story. When he was done she sat back in the couch, her mouth completely wide.
"Your, an, a-alien? N-not a mutant?"
Clark nodded.
"Oh my god!" she screamed excitedly. "This just proves it! There is life on other planets!!"
"Chloe it's not that big of a deal when you think about it," Clark told her.
Chloe looked at him. "It's not that big of a deal? Are you crazy, Clark?! There's an actual, living, breathing alien living here! In Smallville of all places!!" Chloe got up and then spun around looking at both Clark and Rogue. "Clark, how many people know about you?"
Clark shifted a little. "Well, there's my parents, Rogue and her friends, you, and Pete."
"Oh ok, wait what?! Pete!! Pete knew before me?!" Chloe asked hysterically
Clark ran a hand through his head as Chloe continued to go on.
"How Clark? How could you just tell Pete and not me?!"
"Chloe, I wanted too, but my parents wouldn't let me..."
"Clark! I'm your friend! Didn't you think for one minute that you could trust me?"
Clark held his head in shame. Here he was trying to rationalize with one of his best friends and getting no where.
Chloe moved over to the edge of the loft. She'd said all that she had wanted and still didn't get the answers she wanted.
"Chloe."
Chloe didn't spin around to confront Clark as he called out her name. She didn't want to. She still couldn't believe that Clark had told Pete and not her.
'It wasn't fair!' her mind thought. 'What was he so worried about? I can keep a secret even one as big as Clark's.' She glanced around a little to find Clark still slowly advancing on her. Then she had sudden realization.
'Maybe he thought I might put him on the Wall of Wierd.' she thought. 'Oh god. That's right, isn't it?' A feeling of guilt and dread form in the pit of Chloe's stomach.
"Clark."
Clark watched as Chloe turned around to confront him.
"Clark, oh god, I'm so sorry." a teary eyed Chloe told him.
"For what?" Clark asked.
"You must've thought that if I found out your secret I'd put you on my wall." she sniffled a little. "Clark, I'd never do anything to intentionally hurt you."
Clark smiled to her. "I know Chloe." He pulled her into another hug.
That night was one to dread. Clark explained what happened in Metropolis with Rogue and Chloe there to interject certain information from time to time. When Jonahthon and Martha found out about Rogue, Jonahton of course, flipped. It didn't make matters any better when the other mutants came over. They each demonstrated their abilities to the Kents and Chloe.
If Jonathon was furious before about having a mutant in his home then he just about blew his top when he found out that they and Chloe knew Clark's secret. He stood up angrily in front of the crowd.
"Clark, don 't you get it? If someone finds out about you they'll take you away from us!"
"Dad, I'm not a little kid anymore! Besides I can trust my new friends. They're like me, different. It's kind of nice in a way that they are here. I don't feel so, alone."
Jonathon looked at his adopted son. He could understand in a way what Clark was going through. Here he was the last of his kind on a planet all by himself. Alone. Something that Clark would probably feel for the rest of his life.
"I'm sorry son." Jonathon told him. He'd never realized some of pressures that Clark had to endure at times.
"It's ok dad." he replied to him as the two men hugged in front of the group. "I'm better now." he said, staring at this girl.
Rogue.
During all of this Bobby had slipped out onto the front porch, watching the stars. Seeing Chloe in there reminded him of what happened back in Metropolis and he wasn't sure if he could confront her just yet.
Iceman heard the house door swing open and turned around to see Chloe coming out. She stopped to look at him for a second then slowly made her way over to him.
"Hi Bobby."
"Hey Chloe."
The two lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Bobby was still looking up at the sky while Chloe had her eyes trained on the porch's floor. Neither were sure what to say to other.
"Bobby."
Bobby's head met her's. "Yes?"
Chloe looked at him for a second. She had never noticed it before but he had the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen. They were an icy blue, almost indescribable, in a way.
"I'm sorry, you know, for freaking out on you in Metropolis." She told him.
"No, it's alright. You had every right to be." he turned back towards the stars. "It's not every day that someone finds out what I really am."
Chloe put a reassuring had on his shoulder. Bobby put his on top of hers. The two's gazes locked for a second then gently, Bobby pulled Chloe closer towards him. Their lips lightly brushed, then deepened. The kiss was long, filled with a passion that neither knew they had. When they finally seperated they still did not move their eyes from one another.
"Hold out your hand."
Chloe did as she was told. Bobby put his hand over hers and a soft, blue light came out. When Bobby pulled his back there was a single ice rose sitting in her open hand.
"Oh Bobby, it's beautiful." Chloe told him as she pulled him into another kiss.
When the night was finally over several things had happened. Clark's parents, moreso Mr. Kent, apoligized to the mutants about his behavior. They were told that they were welcome in there anytime.
Bobby and Chloe had taken their relationship to a new level and were pleased with the results.
Pitor finally managed to get up the courage to ask Kitty out who in turn sayed "Like, it's about time. I've been waiting for like, ever." She only giggled when she saw a nervous Colassus blush furiously. She reached up and lightly kissed him on the cheek and reassured him that she was indeed happy with him.
Kurt found some new people that, despite his appearence, accepted him for who he was, not how he looked. He was beaming with pride as he walked through the Kent's home without having to use his image inducer.
Pyro learned something that night that the Professor had always tried to reinforce into the students. He always believed that mutants and humans could co-exist peacefully, given the chance. He found the warmth and happiness that the Kents exposed him too was reassuring, though it would take some time for it to fully sink in.
Then of course there was Rogue and Clark. After the others had left they were cuddled together on the porch swing with a blanket over themselves. Rogue's head now lay againist Clark's chest, fast asleep. Clark listened to the gentle breaths that came from Rogue. Clark was sure that their relationship had take a new turn for the better. He gently leaned his head down closer to hers.
"I love you Rogue." he whispered into her ear. He then gently kissed her forehead and layed back into the swing.
For once, all was right in the world.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis....
"You sure we've got a positive i.d. on these mutants?" Senator Johnson asked a young tech while looking at a computer screen.
"Yes, sir." the tech replied. "We were able to successfully lift the fingerprints of three of the mutants from the battle scene near the museum." He typed a few keys into the computer and the screen changed. "One Marie D'Arnarto, Bobby Drake, and Jubilation Lee."
"Excellent. So, any information on where they based out of?"
The tech punched a few more keys. "Yes sir. They're originally from Xavier's in Westchester, New York. I'm sure your aware of it, sir."
"Of course, son." the senator replied back. "But I'm curious as to why there in Metropolis?"
The tech hit a few more keys. "Well sir, as far as I can tell, they're part of an exchange program set up between Xavier's and another just south of Metropolis. It's called Smallville High."
The senator smiled. "Good work, son. Rally the troops. Looks like were going on a hunting trip..."
chp. 8 done!!