Chapter Five

"Sight"

I see the world.

I see the happy, the sad,

The proud, the fallen.

I see all these things.

Yet I say nothing.

I see a boy,

Alone, forgotten,

Holding a wilted rose.

A girl, crying,

Huddled in the dark,

Clinging to wisps of light.

Joys, hopes that flee,

Abandon us at sight.

Fly at all speed,

To visit another.

Only to be off again a breath later.

I see all these things.

I see the world.

And I weep.

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

It was hot again.  Waves of heat clung to the ground like moisture on a fevered brow, while the drone of katydids nearly drowned all other noise out.  In the bowels of the Institute, however, it was quite cool.  In fact, several members of the X-men had retreated beneath their home to hide from the scorching heat.  Finally banned from the medical wing for constant hovering, Evan Daniels trudged through their maze of a basement, hands thrust into his trouser pockets.

The Brotherhood were being surprisingly polite during the last twenty-four hours they'd stayed.  Lance had brooded silently, all the while staying in sight of Toad and Blob, who also seemed reluctant to fall out of each other's gaze.  Toad and Kurt stayed in a video-game death-match most of the time, steadily working through their entire collection of games.  When Evan had last checked, the score was 87 to 73 in Kurt's favor.  They had refrained from betting money since the first go, but both boys had been seen around the Institute, sometimes with an irate Jean or Kitty on their tail.  They had resorted to betting pranks rather than money.  The Blob had sat himself in a corner, watching the goings on with an expression of mild interest.  One of the younger students, Bobby, had approached him and they had played a quick game of Go-Fish until Blob had nearly broken the table when he lost.  After the ensuing chaos, the place had trembled dangerously.  Lance was still staring out the window, but he let the ground give one last, warning roll.  The fight had ended quickly, with no causalities.

Wanda remained holed up in the infirmary. When questioned why, by Hank, she had said that she was just making sure that Pietro wasn't going to take the easy way out.  Wanda stayed by his side, playing solitaire with a deck of cards she'd stolen from one of Magneto's men.  Evan had even spoken to the girl when he'd come in with a tray a food sent by the Professor the evening before.

            She had barely glanced up when the door opened and Evan had entered, carrying the tray.  Silently, he put it next to her game and stood staring down.  "...Move the two over to that three, there," he said, pointing.

            "I know," Wanda had snapped automatically.  Evan snorted. "Well, sorree.  The Professor said ya need to eat." He gestured towards the filled plates.

            "I'll be fine.  I don't need a baby-sitter."

            "Neither do I, and look where that got me."

            Wanda finally tore her eyes away from her cards and glared at him.  "Is there something to want, Spykie?"

            Evan ignored the slight jibe.  "Why do you hate him so much?" He asked softly.

            This time it was Wanda's turn to snort.  "I could as you the same question.  You and Pietro always seem to be at each other's throats."

            "Well, that's cuz he's a conniving, arrogant, egotistical, pain-in-the-ass.  What's your excuse?"

            "It isn't any of your business."

            "Nah, I suppose not," Evan conceded, turning his gaze to the bed.  "Whatever it is, I think it bothers him."

            "Yeah right. How can you tell? It's not like you're around.  He's fine with the way things are."

            Evan shrugged.  "I dunno.  It's just that, Pietro would be all up in your face if he didn't really care.  So, I think, him acting as if he don't care proves that he does."

            "You're a moron," Wanda said, but she glanced at the bed.  She growled and returned to her game, successfully ignoring him until he'd given up and left.

            Evan's stomach gurgled and he sighed.  It was nearly lunch time and Evan was starving.  He hadn't been this hungry in a while, perhaps he was going to have another growth spurt. He hoped so.  He hated glaring up at people like Scott or, just about any person who annoyed him. He liked it that Pietro was only an inch taller than him, but he wished it was the other way around.  On his way back upstairs, he paused as a pair of raised voices caught his attention.

            "Fuck that! I don't care!"

            Evan frowned. That sounded like Lance's voice.  Curious now, he edged closer to the voices just around the corner.

"So what?! Neither do they, Lance!" It was Toad's voice, hissing in a failed attempt to keep his voice down.  "It's not a good time, now! You know that! They're always busy this time of year."

Evan could hear Lance's scowl in his voice. "So what?"

"She won't see you."

"Yes she will.  Listen, you know as well as me that the best way to find out what happened to Pietro would mean going to the Lady."

They had Evan's full attention now.

Toad sighed.  "I know that.  But, listen, yo, you can't go now.  What'll we tell the X-geeks?"

"I don't give a rat's ass what you tell them."

"Lance!"

"Listen, you think I care?! I don't care if I tell them I've gone to Magneto to tell him that they kidnapped 'Tro! Just give me until sundown.  If I'm not back by then..."

"We'll go und look for ya," Blob's rumbled finished for him.

"And go straight to the Lady," Toad grumbled.

"Right.  I'm off. I'll see you kids later."

As their voices faded away, Evan remained, staring at the wall opposite.  They didn't know it, but they had put him in quite a difficulty.  What was that about?  Lance seemed adamant about going, no matter what Toad said.  It was something about what had happened to Pietro?  Who was the Lady and how would she know? Unless she was in on it somehow.  Maybe that's why Lance needed to go, to avenge his friend.  Then why didn't he have Wanda and the others to go with him?  Wanda, most certainly, would want to go.  Unless he thought that it would be too dangerous, Wanda might blow up half the city before checking her temper.

So, what next?  Should he tell the professor?

"Hey, Evan? What are you doing here?"

Evan jumped.  "Uh, oops," he said rather sheepishly as he saw Scott pick himself off the floor from where he'd dived when a three foot spike embedded itself right where his head had been.

"Yeah, careful with those," Scott said, laughing, a little nervously.  "What's up?"

"Ah, noth'n." Evan glanced behind briefly.  Scott frowned.

"You sure?  You can talk to me, if you want."

Evan looked at Scott for a long moment.  Knowing Scott, the second he heard that Lance had left, he'd be after him like a shot of his eye-beams. Either he'd confront him, or he'd follow him to see what he was up too.  Evan made up his mind.

            Lance's eyes flickered around quickly.  The neighborhood he currently made his way through was not safe at any time of day.  Fortunately, his reputation kept the worst muggers and thieves at bay, but there were always idiots running about.  Idiots can be very dangerous.  It made him glad that Todd was still at the Institute.  There was one less idiot out on the streets.  The thought made him grin briefly.

Catching sight of a dirty, green-gray coat, Lance sped up.  The coat's owner had his back towards him as he approached at speed.  Slapping a hand on his shoulder, Lance spun him around.

"Oi! Whatchit!"  Blurry, blue eyes focused on him and grinned.  "Oh, Ts you. Hallo, Knight."

"Rooster," Lance greeted coolly. "I want to see the Lady."

The man called the Rooster raised a scabbed eyebrow.  "Ya think ya can just waltz up ta me und say ya wanna see 'er Ladyship und I'll just letcha?"

"It's important, Rooster."

"So ya say, so ya say. But 'ow do I know?"

Lance lifted the scrawny man off the ground and slammed him against the alley-wall.

"Ah," Rooster coughed. "I see. Awright, j'st put me down."  Lance dropped him like a hot coal.

Rubbing his collarbone, the Rooster eyed him suspiciously.  "Why'dyou wanna see Her so badly?"

Lance shot him an icy-glare.  "It's none of your business, Rooster."

Rooster snorted. "Right, right. Sure, whatevah. Com'on." Gesturing lazily, he slipped down an alley. Lance followed him quietly.  They walked in silence, the day's heat pressing down on them, making rivulets of sweat run down their bodies.

"How can you where a coat in this heat?" Lance asked finally.

Rooster grinned, brushing back a lock of hair of a strangely mixed hue of brown and sterling gray.  "T's my trademark. 'Ow could I not? So, how's Toad do'n? Haven't seen 'im round lately."

"Fine."

"Sure, sure. 'Fine,' ya say. Che. That's so helpful," he sighed dramatically.

"He's alive and unharmed. Has food and a little cash. What else do you want?"

"...He happy?"

"Not at the moment, but, mostly, yeah."

"Good, good.  Do ya realize we're be'in followed?"

"Yes."

Rooster ruffled his hair as they turned a corner.  "A red head.  Sunglasses."

Lance scowled at the empty air in front of him. "Summers..."

"Should I call down the kids?"

Lance thought for a minute.  A slow grin spread across his face. "Nah.  Let him follow."

Rooster coughed.  "Wha? J'st, let him? Are ya nutters?"

"That one," Lance jerked his head back towards the trailing Scott, "Is one of the X-men."

"Oh. Oh.  Hm," Rooster grinned.  "Well, well.  This is gonna get inter'sting."

"Yes."

"Yur a nasty buggar, ya know that? Well, com'on." He gestured towards an old building that had, at one point, been a warehouse.  Through it's evolution the building had seen many renovations, but none of which in recent decades.  The prime molding was crumbling.  Windows were boarded up, and the surrounding area was barren of plant life.  To Lance, it looked like home, only bigger.  After a quick glance at a grinning Rooster, he ducked under the low-hanging door and entered.

Scott followed in what he thought to be a discreet manner about ten feet behind Lance and his unknown companion.  He'd caught up with them just as the man had pulled Lance down an alleyway not ten minutes before.  They were in a section of town that Scott had never seen before.  Rats scuttled underfoot and along the sides of buildings, trying to find water and shade.  Speaking of shade, Scott thought as he glanced around.  He could feel eyes watching him from the alley-mouths.  It sent his nerves jangling.  How many where out there?  He didn't know.  Glancing behind him, he turned the final corner and found himself facing a large, abandoned warehouse.  Lance and that man where no-where to be seen. Scowling at his being distracted, Scott hurried into the building.

"Hallo there!"

Scott spun, his hands on his sunglasses before he even saw who spoke.

"Whoa, there, sunny!  Careful where ya point those things, ya never know when they're gonna go off!"

Scott slowly took in the sight before him.  It was that man he'd seen before.  Only an inch or two shorter than him, he had to be well into his twenties.  He wore a gray-green trench coat with the collar turned up, a simple, white t-shirt, and plain, brown pants, all of which had seen better days.  The man had a Cheshire grin on his face as he held his hands out in an effort to show he was unarmed. "I'm called the Rooster. Whatcha called?"

Scott hesitated.  Since he'd been given a choice... "Cyclops."

The Rooster's grin widened. Scott felt like he'd just been given a test, but he wasn't sure on the results. 

"Welcome! Knight's gotta audience with her Ladyship, so ya gotta wait in anoutha room," Rooster chirped happily. Taking his arm, he steered Scott down the long hallway further into the building.  Scott gaped and went to speak, but was shoved into a room with the door shut behind him.

"What the hell?!"

"Tsk, tsk, ya no James Bond, are ya?  Ya got a lotta learn 'bout be'n sneaky if ya wanna survive 'round here," Rooster chastised.  Scott growled, shifting into his fighting stance.

"Now, now, there's no need fer that.  Ya just gotta wait here 'til Knight's finished with 'er Ladyship.  Don't worry, I won't lock the door. But ya gonna have a guard..."

The door opened just then.  Rooster gaped for a second, then shrugged.  "Well, well. Ya got Gabriel as a guard," he whistled.  "Aw right.  See ya 'round, porkchops!" Rooster crowed as he left.

"It's Cyclops!" Scott yelled at the shut door.  He received no answer.  Finally, Scott turned to his guard, Gabriel.  Gabriel was tall, had to be over six feet, and slim.  His long, dark hair was swept back and tied with an old, battered piece of string at the base of his neck.  Sharp, blue eyes stared blandly at him surrounded with thick lashes.  His face was long and finely boned, set in a permanent expression of disinterest.  He swore simple clothing, much like Rooster's, but without the trench coat.  While he didn't seem dangerous, Scott could feel the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

"How long must I wait?" he asked, trying to be polite, but his nervousness presented itself in his snappish tone.  Gabriel didn't answer, only gestured that Scott should sit down.  Frowning, he did so, making sure to face both the door and his silent guard.

Silence reigned with an iron fist in the small room.  After a while, seeing that Gabriel wasn't going to jump him, Scott found his gaze traveling over the room.  It was surprising cozy.  That was a strange word to use when the atmosphere was so tense, but true.  The white-washed room was filled with light pouring through the unshuttered window.  There was no glass in the pane, so the noises from outside filled the silence.  There were three small, worn couches positioned in the middle of the room around a coffee table.  It was simply furnished, but something about the room projected an air of home-ness. Which was strange, considering where he lived.

Scott surreptitiously glanced over at his supposed guard.  The man had his eyes shut and appeared to be napping. He frowned. Some guard, he could just walk out now, if he wanted too. But Scott didn't want to.  He wanted to see what Lance was up to, and who this lady was he wanted so desperately to see.  And why he seemed so adamant that they didn't get involved! Lance was up to something and it had to do with Pietro.  It was Scott's duty to find out what. For the safety of the X-men.

The door opened with a bang, startling the daylights out of the silently fuming Scott.  Before he could move, a small blur sped into the room and under the table.  Scott blinked.  After the initial shock, he moved so he could peer underneath.  A child of about ten or eleven years old sat there, grinning.  Upon seeing him, she placed a finger to her lips.  Glancing up at his unmoving guard he saw that Gabriel was still oblivious.  Tch, some guard. He flinched as another loud bang echoed somewhere down the hall.  The girl broke out into a large grin and crawled out from under the table.

"Thanks! I didn't want Knight to find me!" she chirped. Scott leaned back as the girl came out and found himself smiling along with her.  The girl seemed so happy at hiding from "Knight." She had long, dark brown hair braided down her back and the clearest green eyes Scott had ever seen.

"My name's Scott.  What's yours?" he asked, offering a hand.

"Elizabeth, but you can call me Lizzy!"  Lizzy didn't seem to see his hand, jumping up to sit next to him.

"Hello, Lizzy. What are you doing here?"

"I live here, silly!" The small girl said.

"But should you be here, in this room? I could be dangerous, you know. They even gave me a guard," Scott smirked, jerking a thumb at Gabriel.

"Yes, you are! That's why Gabriel is guarding you! Gabriel is the Lady's own personal guard, so that is a high honor!"

Scott raised an eyebrow. "Lady? Who is she? Do you know her?"

Lizzy grinned. "Yup! You see, when I lost my family, I had no place to stay, but other kids had similar problems and had been banning together to survive. The Lady rules over them. Her entire purpose is to make sure that everyone is protected and as a place.  But what are you doing here? You don't seem like you need a place." She tugged at his clothes as evidence.

Scott balked. "How many people live here?"

"Right now? There are about twenty, from ages two to twenty-five!"

            Scott couldn't think of anything to respond to this.  The girl seemed quite talkative, maybe he could get some information out of her. "I followed someone I know here. He's up to no good, I just know it, and I came to see what."

"Who? Knight?"

"No, his name is Lance Alvers."

"Right! Knight! Sir Lancelot, the Knight of the Lady.  He saved us all a while ago during a Mutant attack and the Lady gave him the title. I think it's a joke, too, but no-one will tell me why."

"A Mutant attack? When?"

"A while ago, I don't remember when," Lizzy waved a hand dismissively.

"So, Lance was looking for you just now?"

"Uh-huh. I think I made him angry. But come on! Let's go for a walk and I can show you around!" Lizzy leapt up, pulling on his arm.

"But I'm supposed to wait here..."

"That's okay, Gabriel can come too! C'mon Gabby!"  To Scott's surprise, Gabriel stood, opening his eyes.  Was he awake that whole time?  Scott allowed himself to be pulled out of the room watching suspiciously as Gabriel followed him.

"Come on! Come on!"

"Wait, do you know where Lance went?"  Scott asked.  Lizzy shrugged.

"Home, probably."

"He left already!?"

"Uh-huh! He seemed upset about something."

The girl seemed to know a lot about Lance. Maybe the Brotherhood had dealings with these people and obviously the Lady.  Who was the Lady? Wasn't Scott supposed to meet her?  These thoughts flew from his mind as he passed an open doorway. Inside was a girl of about fourteen, playing Ping-Pong with another boy.  However, that wasn't what caught his attention.  The fact that they were playing with no paddles and a small fireball as a ball was.  Scott froze. "Wait! They're Mutants!"

Lizzy paused and looked in. "Yup. That's Annie and Tyler.  Annie likes fire and Tyler can make invisible walls."

"But...why haven't they been recruited?" If the Brotherhood knew about them, then shouldn't Magneto? Wait, maybe Magneto did, and this whole place was where he was hiding new Mutants.

"Recruited? For what? They aren't very strong." The girl seemed nonplused by his reaction.

"But, they're Mutants!"

"We prefer the term 'Talents.' Mutants sounds so...um," Lizzy stopped, searching for a word.

"Vulgar," Gabriel supplied.

"Right!" Lizzy nodded.

Scott shot a look at Gabriel, who ignored him. "Do you all have talents?"

"Nah. The Lady says that it would be wrong to ignore anyone when they need help, no matter what they can or cannot do."

"Anyone?"

"Yup! Knight stayed here for about a week before going back to Pietro, Toad, and Fred. Said it was too tame here," she giggled.  "I'd hate to see what you'd get up to if you think this place is tame."

            Scott gave Lizzy a long look. How old was this kid? She spoke as if she was his age but she sure didn't look it.  She walked lightly, as if trying to hold herself from dancing down the hall.  Her energetic grin was infectious and Scott found himself smiling along with her as she showed him around the warehouse.  It was quiet.  It seemed as though no one beside themselves and the two playing Ping-Pong were home.

            "Where is everybody?" Scott found himself asking about ten minutes later.

            Lizzy looked up from their tour of the second floor toilets (apparently a new novelty from their last home).  "Working!"

            "Really? Wow." Scott thought about it for a minute. "Wait, even the kids?"

            "Uh-huh! Annie and Tyler have the day off today, and Gabriel stays here to guard the Lady."

            "And you?"

            "I'm not allowed out," she said sulkily.

            "Why not?"

            "Lizzy-chan!"

            Scott turned to find the source of the sudden call when something rushed past him.  The man, the Rooster picked up Lizzy and spun her around. Lizzy squealed. "Rooster!"

            Laughing, he set her down again.  "Sorry, chibi, but I haven't seen ya out of that room barely at all lately!"

            "I know! It's awful, isn't it?" Lizzy moaned.

            "Is there something you need, Rooster?" Gabriel asked suddenly.

            Rooster blinked at him for a moment. "Oh right! Sorry, chibi, but I need ta speak with the Lady."

            "Oh," Lizzy sighed. "Okay.  Scott?" she turned to him. "Do you mind?  I'm sorry to cut short our tour, but..."

            "It's important that I speak with the Lady, James," Rooster said.

            "James?"

            "Bond, James Bond, ya know..." Rooster winked at Scott.

Lizzy frowned, a tiny crinkle marring her forehead. "No... Is it like 'Lancelot?'"

            Rooster laughed. "Somethin' like that."

            "That's okay," Scott faked a smile. "I'll find my own way out."

            "No way! Gabby can show you the shortest way out of the neighborhood! It's almost dark and this area can get really bad at night," Lizzy said.  Scott eyed Gabriel from behind his shades. Gabriel's face didn't twitch.  "Alright.  Can I...visit again? I would love to meet this 'Lady' of yours."

            "Of course!  Find Rooster and he'll show you the way. It's hard to find, otherwise!"

            "Okay, I will. Goodbye!" Scott said, waving. Lizzy and the Rooster were already halfway down the hall.

            "Bye-bye!"

            "Later, James!"

            Scott turned his gaze to Gabriel. Inclining his head, the dark-haired man motioned for Scott to follow him.

            The trip out of the neighborhood was a quiet one. The streets were empty, even the alleyways were devoid of eyes.  When they reached the street seperating the slums from the rest of town, Gabriel spoke. "My Lady wishes it to be understood that you will not speak of our Talents with anyone. We want no difficulties."

            Scott raised an eyebrow.  "You could have more problems keeping it a secret. Your mutants would be safer at the Institute."

            "No. There is safety in numbers and our Lady will protect us.  She won't hesitate to use all that is within her power to keep us safe," he said with a meaningful look.

            Scott sighed. "Understood.  As long as there is no trouble, I won't tell anyone.  But keep in mind, I will if I hear of any mutants attacking innocent people."

            Gabriel watched him for a moment, then nodded. "I will remember those words."  He walked away without another word.

            Lance was pissed, but only slightly.  The Lady seemed annoyed by his sudden visit for all her apparent joy at the sight of him.  She was like that.  He'd pressed her about any information on Pietro she had had.  As the head of the children's part of the Underground, the Lady had information of just about everybody in the city.  Not that she remembered most of it.  She had seemed shocked about Pietro's condition, which meant that she had no clue about what had happened.  She did promise, however, to dig up all the information for the past four months, just in case something came up.  And Lance was supposed to be appeased by this! Still, there was nothing he could do at this point until he had some kind of lead.

            He made it back to the Institute a good hour before Scott arrived.  He had time to explain the situation to Todd and Fred, and convince Wanda not to go charging after the Lady and demand the information right there.  Possibly the only thing that really kept her from going was Gabriel's Talent.  The world was a much happier place with someone like Gabriel deciding to follow the Lady.  Even Pietro thought so, which was probably why Magneto was still in the dark about this particular Mutant.

            Speaking of Pietro...

            Wanda sighed as she dealt out another hand of solitaire.  It was a game of patience and strategy, mostly patience.  However, after playing it for eight hours straight, Wanda felt as though her brain was melting.  Night had fallen.  In fact, the only light in the whole building was the one in the medical lab.  Everyone else was asleep or unconscious except for her.  Evan had stopped by before going to bed.  Wanda still didn't know what to think about the boy.  He said that he was Pietro's ultimate rival, that they hated each other with a passion.  Yet, the visited the boy so often that it seemed like he never left.  Lance visited as well. Toad and Fred didn't after the initial time.  They were too creeped out at seeing their friend in such an obvious state.

            She was tired too.  Maybe she should stop for the night?  Standing, Wanda shut off the light and was about to crawl into the second cot to sleep when the call of nature made itself known. Sighing again, Wanda left, trying to remember where the bathroom was.

It was dark.  That was the first realization Pietro made when he awoke.  The darkness wrapped around him in such cold waves that he was forced to fight back a shiver.  He was cold.  That fact was always annoying to someone as skinny as he was.  Pietro's eyes remained closed as he strained for any information that hinted at his whereabouts.  He was covered in a thin sheet of cool cloth.  He lay on something soft, which was a good sign.  At least he wasn't chained up anywhere.  A steady beeping sounded somewhere to his right, soft enough not to be very noticeable.  As he became more aware, Pietro decided it was night.  That would explain it being so dark and cool.  That is, unless he was underground somewhere.  Where was he?  It wasn't his father's place.  His father always kept the lights on, and the place smelled of iron.  This place didn't smell much of anything. Except, he waited until he drew his next steady breath.  There was a slight tang in the air.  It seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it.  His head fuzzed for a moment.  When it cleared he decided that he wasn't at the Brotherhood.  It was too quiet for that.  He wasn't... there.  Pietro was almost certain of that.  That is, unless, they had moved him.

All this information flitted through his mind in a fraction of a second.  Curiosity finally got the better of him and he opened his eyes.

It was dark, but not dark enough that he couldn't see.  Something was glowing next to him, but he didn't deem it safe enough to turn and look just yet.  The ceiling was metal. The walls were metal.  Ooh, bad sign.  The air was crisp and smelled of... plastic, sweat, and...that something else he couldn't put a name to.  Something was covering his left eye.  Tensing his arms slightly he felt wires shift and something move in his arm.  A needle.  A metal needle.  Shit, he hated metal.  Finally, he slowly shifted his head and looked at the strange green light.  It was a monitor with squiggly lines and numbers across it.  Behind the machine was a curtain on iron rings.  Recap, it was night, he was in a metal room that was currently acting as a medical room, and it was cold.

Unfortunately, that was all he could deduce from his surroundings.  He didn't know where he was.  He could be somewhere safe; but then again he might not.  Oh well, Pietro sighed softly, when in doubt make a break for it.  He didn't know where he was and didn't know if he was safe.  Therefore, it was time to leave.

            It took him longer to sit up than he expected.  He hurt all over, a burning, aching pain that sent his teeth on edge.  Slowly, he removed the censors from his arms, chest and head.  The steady beeping changed to a long, flat note as the machine lost his pulse.  Standing as quickly as he could manage without collapsing, Pietro unplugged the machine and it fell dead silent.  Gently, he worked the needle out of his arm, letting it fall on the bed.  Freed, Pietro paused, watching the world swirl around him as it fuzzed in and out.  His sight, blurred by the bump on his head, worsened.  Gasping, Pietro staggered to the door and pushed it open.

            The trip down the hall was a long one. He leaned heavily against the cool, steel wall, dragging himself forward, step by faltering step. His only thought was get away.

            "P-Pietro?!"

            Pietro jerked his head up and immediately regretted it. Moaning to himself, he shut his eyes tight against the flash of color and pain.  Firm hands gripped his shoulder, keeping him from falling.

            "What are you doing up, you stupid ass?!"

            Pietro knew that voice. Fuck, who was it? It sounded so familiar. His brain didn't send up any red flags so it couldn't be someone too dangerous to him.  Right?  Opening unfocused, red-shot eyes, Pietro looked at the blob of color in front of him.  A name rose up in his pain-hazed mind.

            "Wanda?"

            He passed out.

~~~~~~~~~

Skycat: And he's...out of the coma! Hazzah!  Sorry about the long wait. I was hoping to get 40 reviews before I updated again...maybe I should have said? Also, this chapter did not want to be written. But it's done.  This time I shall say that I want at least 50 reviews before I update.  I won't update any day but a Saturday, and view my Personal Profile for Posting dates in advance. Ja ne!