Saints and Sinners – By Darlin
AN – First, I have to apologize for the lateness of this chapter. I lost this and the next chapter after completing them so I had to piece them all together again. It wasn't fun. You'd think that would teach me to use floppy discs but we'll see. Secondly, I'm posting the next chapter tomorrow and the final chapter the day after that on Sunday. Three chapters in three days should make amends for my stupidity. At any rate I'm finally finished with this monster. Yay! Writing this has been fun, frustrating, and fulfilling in varying degrees.
Thanks to all who've ever read, reviewed, and even to those who may have criticized my little Ultimate X-Men story. It's always good to know what people think about my little hobby. This was a very different type of story for me to write, a kind of experiment if you will since I didn't care for the Ultimate X-Men comic when I first started writing this. I'm a little iffy now with the new team but will wait to see what happens. Last issue Ororo and Logan were paired up together and even though she's changed her look drastically Logan seemed to be the only one who understood. Maybe they've finally figured out that they make a great couple but one never knows with Marvel. I just want Storm to have a life! J
Chapter Twenty – Charles in Charge
Teacher and student sat before each other in a numbing silence. Mentor and protégé. Father and son almost. The Professor was getting tired of Hank's games. Hank was getting good at masking his thoughts. It made him feel safer and because of that he felt smug and it showed.
"So you are determined to leave us?" Charles asked.
"How did . . . ?"
"Must you really ask?"
"I-I . . . I guess not."
Charles smiled. "And that is why you have decided to leave?"
"You reading my mind? I . . . well . . . yes."
"You know I cannot allow that."
"I . . . excuse me?" Hank stared in surprise.
"You are like a son to me," the Professor said, his voice low and soothing, almost hypnotizing. "Surely you can't just expect me to allow you to leave us?"
"I don't think I'll be missed."
"There would be no one left with your intelligence and your specific skills, Henry. We need you, all of us."
"I'm sure you'll be able to find another similar pliable mutant."
"Like Forge?"
Hank looked down at this paws and remained silent.
"Would you like to tell me where Forge is, Henry?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Well, I don't think you murdered him and I know Logan didn't."
"How do you know that?" Hank asked before he could stop himself.
"Let's just say I'm not the world's greatest telepath for nothing although I thought you were very much aware of that fact," Charles said with a chuckle.
Hank was for once speechless.
"Would you like me to tell you where Forge is?" Charles asked.
When Hank continued to play mute the Professor chuckled again.
"I know you think I'm controlling and manipulative but I'm far from that, Henry. I am your leader, your mentor, your teacher, and your friend. As such I must rule with an iron hand. I realize many of my methods are a little disagreeable to you but I assure you that have only the best intentions.
"Yes, I manipulate you all to some degree but it is only with love and kindness. How else do you think Ororo would have loved you? And Jean, do you really think she would have turned her affection from Logan to Scott unless I had aided her?
"Oh, you may shudder and think me foul and evil but you were happy then in your ignorance and now so is Jean though she fights her urge to be with Scott every now and then. She's a woman who doesn't know her own mind and so has to have it made up for her though I do suppose neither Scott nor Logan are truly the right men for her but that is something I shall soon rectify.
"You on the other hand would not allow yourself to be happy would you? It wasn't Ororo that I was forcing to like you but the other way around. Poor Ororo truly cared for you but you let my son convince you it wasn't so. That still amuses me which is why I let you act as you have although I grew negligent and should have kept a better eye on you.
"You've been a very busy boy, haven't you? Not only with your Internet dealings with the Blob and faking Forge's death. I know you're up to something else but you've succeeded in blocking part of your thoughts from me haven't you?"
Too afraid to move or speak, Hank simply sat and gawked at the Professor in fear.
"Quite an accomplishment, Henry but no matter, your little games bother me exactly that much – very little. I am the one in control here. I always have been and I always will be."
"But . . . but . . ."
"Finally managing to find your courage?"
Hank bristled at this and he gripped both armrests in a vice like hold.
"But we're just kids, Professor – you can't go around making us do what you think we should do and make us like whom you think we should like."
"You 'kids' are far from being ready for what I've planned and so you need a little nudge every once in awhile. Peter never would have gotten up the nerve to ask Kitty out but now look at them; they're both very happy with each other. And happy teenagers in such close quarters makes for a better team don't you think?"
When Hank didn't respond the Professor went on smoothly, even happily – "But that's neither here nor there. I asked you to meet with me today because you're dealings with Forge have crossed the line. You in particular have crossed over the line. I'd hoped I wouldn't have to do this but you've left me no other choice."
Hank leapt up, suddenly deathly afraid. In his hurry he knocked over his chair. He made a valiant effort to escape the Professor but it was too late. Even before he could move another step he was frozen into place with a simple telepathic command.
"Henry, you made a mistake when you tried to make me believe that Forge was dead. A very foolish thing to do indeed as you well know I had plans for that young man but when you took matters into your own hands to make Logan look like the murderer you sealed your fate. I wish I didn't have to do this but you've left me no alternative, and for that I truly am sorry, Henry. You were so promising, so promising."
"Wh-what are you going to do to me, Professor?" Hank asked as he tried to step away still struggling against Charles' mental command to stay where he was.
"Why, brainwash you of course, just what you feared I was already doing. It's quite ironic isn't it? Had you been a good little boy I would have been content to continue humoring you. But never fear you will enjoy it – I'll let you jump through hoops, once I find some large enough for you, and then I'm going to have you apologize to my prized assassin slash mercenary do you understand?"
"Please, don't do this to me, Professor! I'll be good. I'll do whatever you want. I've already apologized to Storm! I told her I'd leave them alone. I don't care about her and Wolverine any more! And I'll get Forge. I can wake him up – it was just a drug. I'm sorry, really I am, Professor. Please don't do this. I wasn't thinking right!" Hank pleaded with his paws clasped before him imploringly.
Charles smiled as he jotted down a reminder to find the type of large hoops that lion tamers used. He might just put on a little show too. That would entertain the troops he mused as he slowly began bending Hank's mind to his will.
"What're you doing?" Jean asked when she saw Ororo who had obviously been eavesdropping at the kitchen door. "Trying to keep tabs on your little wolf in sheep's clothing?"
"If you're talking about Logan – no."
"So who're you spying on then?"
"I wasn't spying I just didn't want to interrupt is all."
"Like I believe that!"
"Scott and Logan were having a . . . moment."
"My handsome prince talking to your slimy frog, huh – what was he apologizing for his asinine behavior?" Jean laughed.
Ororo was silent. She wondered if Jean was using her powers.
"Well, will wonders never cease? I'm right!" Jean laughed.
"Just let it go, Jean."
"You won't be saying that after he tries to kill Hank or leaves him to die on some mission now will you?"
"You sound a lot more bitter than usual. Where's all this coming from?" Ororo asked.
"It's the truth," Jean said with a shrug. "Tigers don't change their stripes."
"All right, he's a killer and he probably always will be but that's not your problem any more now is it?"
"Ororo, I'm not trying to be mean but I think you need to start thinking with your head instead of with your . . . er . . . emotions."
"Um, what? You mean like you? Please, get real!"
"If that's supposed to be funny it isn't. I at least learn from my mistakes."
"I never once said anything when you and Logan were together, Jean. Not once! So why are you all into my business now that I'm hanging out with Logan?"
"Sometimes you're head's so thick I think I could take out a diesel truck with it."
"Oh, I see, you're in bitch mode today."
"Like you aren't?"
"Can't we have a normal conversation and not mention Logan once?"
"Probably if things weren't so weird around here. Ororo, haven't you noticed? Everything feels . . . well, just weird," Jean whispered as she moved closer to Ororo.
"How could I not notice? But it doesn't have anything to do with Logan. It's more your precious . . ."
"You think its Scott's fault? That's stupid!" Jean said, interrupting Ororo in a fit of rage.
"I don't think its Scott's fault. Calm down why don't you! I know he doesn't have anything to do with everything being all mixed up. Um, are you okay?"
Jean had raised a hand to her forehead and was groaning softly. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before answering.
"I've got a killer headache. I'm so sick of these things!"
"I thought the Professor was supposed to be helping you?"
"Yeah, I've got a session with him now and I'm late; he'll be able to fix it. I just wanted to tell Scott I can't make the danger room session can you tell him for me?"
"Sure."
"Thanks. I gotta go. My head feels like it's going to explode."
"Well, I hope you feel better."
"Thanks. Me too. You be careful, 'kay?"
As Jean hurried off Ororo wondered briefly how Jean felt about being the Professor's pet. It was easy to see she was his favorite followed by Scott. After those two she figured Hank was next in line. She never could figure out where she or the others stood but she didn't really care. After all, she preferred not to be all that close to the guy that was using them like puppets on a string as her instincts were telling her and she definitely was one to rely on her instincts. She wouldn't have made it this far in life if she hadn't.
Her instincts had been right about Logan from the first and Hank had reminded her that she was the first one who had serious doubts about the Professor. She figured she'd put those fears in the back of her head and tried not to go there or either the Professor had done it. Whether it was her or Xavier it had worked. Now she almost wished she was still blind to what she saw as the truth. Her instincts had never been wrong before even when she ignored them like she'd done with Logan which was stupid in retrospect because they could have all died but now she wasn't ignoring her inner voice of wisdom any more. It was too strong for her to do that.
"Um, look, Ororo we weren't trying to eavesdrop or anything but you two were a little loud and I couldn't help hear what you were talking about and you'll have to excuse Jean. She gets that way when she's not feeling so good. You know she's just worried about you. She doesn't mean any harm," Scott said when he and Logan came out of the kitchen after Jean left.
"And jealous," Ororo muttered.
Scott didn't seem to hear her snide remark and she was glad he hadn't. She didn't want to hurt him just because his girlfriend couldn't control her crazy emotions.
"She's been worried about a lot of things for awhile now but she'll feel better after she sees the Professor."
"Her precious Professor," Ororo muttered under her breath.
"Um, is everything okay with you two?" Scott asked.
"We're fine," Logan said as he shot a look at Ororo.
"Um, I meant between Ororo and Jean. I wasn't talking about you and Ororo," Scott said with a grin, then seeing Logan's annoyed look he changed the subject – "You know I don't think any of us think you really killed Forge, right?"
"You think he just keeled over with a heart attack then?" Ororo asked.
"I don't know what happened but I'm sure Fury and his people will figure it out. I'll be the first to admit that things are pretty mixed up right now but if we all hang in there together as a team we'll come through all this with flying colors."
"Yeah, right," Ororo muttered.
"Hey don't forget we've got a danger room session scheduled later."
"Oh yeah, Jean wanted me to tell you she won't be there but I guess you heard that. And you know something, Hank told me to be watch out for the danger room like there was some kind of problem so I'm not going either. You should have it checked out."
"There're always problems, Ororo that's what it's set up for. We've got a new guy working with Hank now and I saw some of the improvements they made. They've got a lot of ideas from amusement parks and one ride – workout they have takes you up all the way to the ceiling and you've got to try to escape in thirty seconds . . ."
"Sound likes fun but I'm still not going."
"Jean has an excuse which is the only reason she's excused. You don't so you better be there or else."
"Scott, Hank actually told me to beware not just be careful!" Ororo insisted.
"That's something we all need to do," Scott said just as insistently.
"But I think he was trying to warn me about . . ."
"Look, I don't mean to cut you off but we all know Hank's still stuck on you. He just doesn't want to see anything happen to you."
"I don't think that's what . . ."
"Scott's right, Ro," Logan asserted with a glare. "You an' me, we need to talk, come on."
"You guys need to listen to me, I really think he . . ."
"Tell it to him later," Logan said as he pulled Ororo away.
Scott grinned before he left. He knew just how Logan felt. Jean was constantly overreacting too. Maybe it was a girl thing but it could be really annoying after awhile.
"What's wrong with you?" Ororo asked as she tried to pull away from Logan. "This is important!"
"If it's got anything to do with Hank I don't wanna hear it."
"You need to wake up. He's probably planning something sinister again and you know it."
"Like I can't handle it?"
"Apparently he doesn't think I can."
"You let Hank influence you too much."
"And you don't let him influence you enough!" she retorted. "How can you act as if nothing ever happened? Why were we running if what happened doesn't matter? Don't you want some answers? Like where's Forge's body and do you know what Hank said to me about him – about Forge?"
"I don't care what that freakin' Beast said to you, Ro. I'm sick of hearing you talking about him and for your information I wasn't running. I was lookin' for evidence 'cause Forge ain't dead. And another thing, for what it's worth, Fury's got his act together enough to find out what went down so as much as I don't care for his little S.H.I.E.L.D. ops at least I don't gotta keep tryin' to find out what the deal is while draggin' you along with me."
"Is that why you came back?" Ororo asked after taking a moment to absorb what he'd said.
"Yeah, pretty much. You think I was gonna risk you an' Kitty getting' mixed up in all that? And for what? Fury and Xavier said everything's cool so just let it go."
"But you don't know what Hank said to . . ."
"I don't wanna hear that guy's name for the rest of the day – for the rest of my life from you – you got that?" Logan yelled.
"That's rude not to mention impractical."
"Look, Ro I've never stuck it out anywhere before not even before after what I did to Scott. I gotta start somewhere an' here's as good a place as any. Besides, you've got friends here that would lay down their lives for you; you can't just up an' leave."
"If you're talking about Bobby I'd give my life for him too if we were in a battle but why should any of us have to do that? Why are we all his personal army and none of us are questioning that, not even you?
"Logan, I'm scared to death! I don't like feeling like I'm trapped and can't do what I want to do or like who I want to. I have to know if he is or if he isn't messing with us because if he is how long will he keep doing it and how can anyone have a life like that, not being in control of what we think or do? I have to find out and I'm going to whether you want to help me or not!"
"You know why that's crazy, darlin'? Charles Xavier, match maker to the mutants, he can read minds and manipulate 'em so give him a call at 555 blah, blah, blah. Don't make any sense."
"That's not funny."
"An' it ain't realistic either, darlin'. What's in it for him playin' match maker like you think he is?"
"Hank thought it was to keep him from leaving. If he thought I liked him then he wouldn't have a reason to go."
"That doesn't make any sense. Use your head, why didn't he turn Jean onto Scott before the Boy Scout left then? And why not fix Pete up with Kitty or some local girl before he split too that time? Why just yer boyfriend? He ain't more important than any of them."
"He's a genius and he's not my boyfriend!"
"Whatever, brains are a dime a dozen – what was Forge, a dumb blonde?"
"I don't want to talk about him."
"Well you still got no proof do you? Think about it, Ro if he was monitoring every thought in this house then why doesn't he come in here and shut you up? You got an answer for that?"
"No, I don't."
"So there you go!"
"It's not cut and dry like that. Hank tests him all the time!"
"Screw, Hank! I'm tired of hearing about Hank! All you've been doing since we got back is obsessing over that blue freak! It's always Hank said this or Hank did that! Can't you just let it go? I don't care how smart he is, the guy's a loser and an' idiot!"
Stunned by the wrath of Logan's words Ororo looked around as if to see who might be watching them. He sounded like the old Logan like when he first came there but he was getting worked up for the wrong side. She didn't need that. She needed him calm and sensible and she needed him to help her so she took him by the arm and led him to her room glad to see he kept his mouth shut and went without complaining.
"There, there now," the Professor cooed as he stroked Jean's short red hair.
Her face was pressed against his chest, her shoulders heaving slightly as she wept in serious pain. The Professor was used to this. He could always tell when her power was becoming too much for her. He could have stopped it altogether with a simple mental command but he had never completely subdued it because he secretly enjoyed it when she came to him like this.
"Jean, Jean, my poor little Jean."
Jean felt as if something was trying to suck the very life out of her and she clung to Xavier all the harder.
"Professor, I . . . I have to tell you something," she whispered sounding like a small child afraid to confess some wrong doing.
"What is it my dear?"
"I know I'm not supposed to read anyone's minds any more and I've really been good since Logan and me broke up but . . . sometimes I can't always control it and I forget and try but . . ."
"Jean, we both know you can control it if you want to," Charles noted with a look of bemusement.
"But I've really, really tried not to only sometimes when I see Logan I just can't help it."
"That is a blatant violation of your team mate's trust which I can not allow. You know that."
"But I haven't been able to read his mind that's just it – well I never could read his mind, just pick up feelings but now I can't read any of their minds. I just get these headaches whenever I try."
"Perhaps it's your own little way of punishing yourself as you know attempting to invade their privacy is unacceptable."
"But I wasn't trying to be nosey, really I wasn't, I just couldn't help it. When I see Ororo and Logan together I just want to know the truth. Is he in love with her or me? It's killing me not to know and I can't help it!"
"Would you like me to tell you?"
Jean's eyes grew wide with surprise but she couldn't stop herself from nodding.
"Logan was never in love with you, Jean. He lusted after you and enjoyed ordering you around. You did everything he could think of and then some without question and he ate it up as any man would."
Jean paled considerably but the Professor didn't let that bother him, in fact he kept going as if he had been dying to tell her the truth after so long.
"He never loved you though you think you still love him. The truth is that Logan loves Ororo with a love that frankly I thought he was incapable of. It's quite extraordinary and totally unexpected but it works to our benefit."
"Our benefit?"
"Well, to my benefit exactly. While you had him panting after you he remained a valuable asset to the team, however I thought he was gone for good after the two of you fell out. But now he's more involved in chasing after Ororo, he's got a very strong emotional investment in her and so here he'll remain."
"H-how do you know what he's thinking, Professor? I thought you couldn't read his mind."
Charles smiled. "It wasn't easy, however with practice and as my powers have grown tremendously in the past few months I've learned how to break through the many barriers in his mind. Not all of them mind you, but enough to see where his loyalties lie. He has tremendous faith in me and a great love for Ororo as I said, and because he's never experienced deep emotions before, here he will remain despite the fact that you're still here."
"Me? You saw all that? Does he . . . hate me that much?"
"He finds you to be pretty annoying."
"Annoying?"
"And unpleasantly jealous. He doesn't like annoying or jealous women but what man does?"
"I don't believe you!" Jean gasped, her head feeling worse than before. "But . . . but why would you lie?"
"You see why you don't want to read your friends minds now? There are far too many unexpected turns their thoughts flow in. For instances, everyone pretty much thinks you're a slut though I believe Ororo has told you her opinion in the matter from what I can see in your mind.
"Not surprisingly she has little respect for you. That's something the majority of the other students feel as well. Respect isn't something they associate with you much to my regret but I suppose jumping from one bed to another, how did Ororo put it? – Ah, 'a la Dawson's Creek' she said or rather so I gathered from Kitty's thoughts. Well it gives one a sad reputation. It also reduces one's feelings of love or lust knowing that the woman you're involved with is rather 'easy' as we used to call it in my day.
"Logan lost any residue of feelings he had towards you when you slept with Scott and oddly enough Scott's so called love for you diminished when he finally got you into bed. Apparently Scott wanted you to be harder to win over after all that time waiting for you. It disgusted him to see how easy you really are and how easy it could have been for him to stick you, as you kids like to say nowadays, before Logan got here.
"But Scott always has some type of turmoil going on inside his head. He can't make anything simple. He's constantly worried that you're going to bed Warren now though he hates to admit it. He felt he had no other competition prior to Warren's arrival and in fact, my dear he truly believed you were completely his after you'd finished with Logan, despite the fact that he, Scott, was less enthralled with you. Poor Scott actually thought you'd remain his as long as you both were a part of the X-Men. He's funny like that but he's a good boy, does what he's told mostly and barely needs a push in the right direction since he returned."
"I- you – how could you know all that? What do you mean he needs a push in the right direction?"
"You of all people know how hard it is to block everyone's thoughts absolutely. Without my aid you would be snooping, albeit not intentionally I'm sure, day and night. Though I have no desire to listen into my students thoughts I can't oftentimes help it when I've so many other things to keep tabs on. I can only find peace when I sleep you know."
"Are you saying you're the reason I can't read their minds?"
"I've tried to help you as best I could."
Jean mulled this over but the look of mistrust she gave him sent a sudden shot of fear into the Professor's heart though his expression barely registered this.
"I never intentionally read anyone's mind, Jean. You know that just as I know you would never do that either, am I right?"
Her mouth dropped. She felt as if she'd been busted and blackmailed all at the same time. To admit that she tried her best to see what the others were thinking whenever she wanted to would be like putting her head on the chopping block.
"We both only want the best for the X-Men isn't that right, Jean?"
"Y-yes."
"Logan's happy with Ororo so put him out of your thoughts and move on."
"But, He loved me, I know he did!"
"Sex makes men say and do things no woman could imagine."
"But Scott's not like that – you're not like that! I could kill Logan! He's like an animal or worse!"
"You women always say we're animals when all we want is the woman we love."
"But you said he didn't love me!"
"And that is true and of no consequence in the long run. He'll stay as long as Ororo does and where is she going to go? She has no reason to leave. Henry's apologized and promised to leave her and Logan alone. She gets paid handsomely, doesn't have to steal and live off her wits, no Ororo won't be leaving us like some of the others have.
"Now it's true that I've sensed some unrest from her but I think it's safe to say that she will find what she wants in the arms of your ex lover. But just to be on the safe side since I've managed to read Logan's feelings fairly well I've also been trying to get past the static that Ororo's powers put out when she's emotional. Unfortunately her emotions are always on full alert as if she lives on the edge of every moment but I suppose that would come from having led the type of uncertain life she used to live on the streets wouldn't you agree? But no matter, I have all the time in the world as Jean, my dear, you and Ororo will always be with me and so will the men who love you both."
"This doesn't sound anything like you at all, Professor!"
He sighed realizing he was going to have to take the same measures with Jean as he had with Hank. He had hoped she would have understood since her own need to master her power for her own desires had grown so strong within her.
"Scott's been in love with you since the first moment he saw you though you didn't realize it. I let him leave us before because Henry was starting to have serious doubts about remaining with us. They both had to see that any one could come and go of their own free will. But now that Henry – oh, I didn't tell you about Henry did I?
"Henry tried to outsmart me and built up his mental defenses so I couldn't read his thoughts quite as clearly then his little charade with Forge left me no choice – I've had to do to him what I'm about to do to you. But you'll both be happier. No more worries, no more doubting me and . . ."
"What do you mean? What're you talking about?" Jean asked, not comprehending him at all.
"You think you're still in love with Logan and I'm rather tired of that. You've tried to love Scott and you've succeeded to some extent but watching you with both of them has left a sour taste in my mouth. I've decided that you'll no longer be with either of them."
"What?"
"The pain you feel now – it's me. Do you think I really would let you read my mind or any of the others so easily? I've known every time that you've tried to read my mind and the others and I haven't been pleased with your little games."
"But – but I don't have my powers any more!"
"Exactly. Every time you've tried to use them I've given you a headache to shame even the worse migraine."
"You? You? You're doing this to me?"
Charles chuckled. "But it will soon be over my dear, my darling. Soon you will be free of your pain. And you'll be free of your confusion and worries too. You'll only want one man and only want to trust and love and obey him always."
"Professor, you're talking like you're crazy!"
"No, I'm not crazy. I've never been better in fact. I have such ideas and such aspirations! I feel so free and uninhibited now that I've let go all of my puritan, self righteous beliefs! And I have Erik Magnus Lehnsherr to thank for this new energy I feel and this new power growing within me. It's power unimaginable, Jean!"
"Magneto? You can't be serious!"
"Very much so, my dear. His vision and my own were always the same. It was only the means that changed though not as drastically as I had once thought. But he is out of the equation now and I will have my way at last. All I need now, Jean, to make my life complete and perfect is you by my side."
Jean stared at the Professor in shock. She could barely think. Her head was throbbing worse than it had ever before. The Professor was bombarding her with thoughts and desires as he tired to bend her to his will as he had with Hank only a few hours earlier.
"Please don't do this!" Jean cried as she looked up at her mentor in confusion and horror.
"Don't fight me, dear. Let me guide you; let me help you find what you've wanted and searched for all your life. Let me be the one that will love you like you've always wanted to be loved. Accept my love and my desires and rule at my side for I will rule this world, make no mistake, and no one can stop me. Accept me and I will make your pain subside my dear, my beloved."
"No!" Jean cried out before she crashed to the floor as a sea of blackness swam about her and then she saw nothing else.