THE HEAVENS OPEN
By Stormkeeper (stormkpr@usa.net)
As always, I wish to thank my beta tester Leigh for assisting with every aspect of my writing.
CHAPTER ELLEVEN
**************
The following morning, the X-men leaders found themselves reassembled in the same conference room as when the Pirates had made their insane proposal. Dani Moonstar joined them this time.
"….and so I decided that for the good of all mutants on earth," she was saying to the group, "that I am willing to agree to their terms and leave the X-men to be with the Pirates."
Moonstar faced the shocked expressions that her teammates now wore on their faces. Nearly an hour of debate and discussion followed, with the X-men (aside from Storm) attempting to dissuade her.
"None of us here expect you to be a martyr," the Professor was saying. "None of us would expect you to throw away your life like this."
"Dani, girl, you don't gotta do this!" Rogue said. "None of us would hold it against you. We want you to stay here."
Statements such as those continued on, but Dani remained firm. Wolverine brought up the idea of bargaining for the Pirates to keep Moonstar with them for no longer than one year.
"I don't trust them much," Rogue said in response to that. "We can ask them to give us Dani back in a year but what's gonna make 'em do it?"
"If we gotta go to battle against 'em to get her back, then we do," Wolverine said.
"There is one other piece," Storm began. "I am going to go with Dani. If she is to be…held captive with these women, then I must accompany her. To protect her and to help preserve her sanity."
Another maelstrom ensued. The other X-men attempted to change Storm's mind as well, though they knew fully that once the Wind Rider had decided upon something, there was no stopping her. Storm had told Moonstar of her plans to accompany her just prior to the meeting. Dani had debated and argued with her, insisted that she certainly did not need a chaperone, but Storm gave back to Moonstar every ounce of the stubbornness that Moonstar had earlier shown Storm.
Still, during the meeting, Dani tried to argue with Storm's idea again. "You don't have to do this for me, Storm," she said at one point. "I can take care of myself. It's okay."
"I must insist. Dani, we X-men do not abandon each other."
The arguments continued on. Storm listened patiently but held firm to her decision.
Rogue blinked as she participated in and watched the meeting unfold. Part of her could not believe what she was seeing. Storm, who was one of her best friends, possibly leaving the X-men for a year. Or for potentially much longer than a year, as who knew what would be in store for the X-men or for the Pirates? Rogue really couldn't imagine being deprived of this steady rock of wisdom in her life.
'Guess I gotta stop bein' selfish here,' Rogue told herself. `Poor **Wolverine**. He looks crushed.' After all these years, she had a sense as to what her gruff, old friend was feeling despite his well-honed defenses.
"Look, we have argued and debated enough," Storm said, standing up out of her seat causing all eyes to turn towards her. The meeting had been going on for approximately one and a half hours now. "The decisions have been made. The X-men can continue on without myself and without Moonstar. We need to focus on doing whatever it takes to aid the mutants back on earth! Enough deaths have already taken place, enough suffering. The Friends of Humanity are torturing, raping, and killing mutants with impunity, and we must do whatever it takes to stop it! The Pirates have dilithium and we need it to get back to earth. Whatever…sadness I shall endure being separated from you is insignificant compared to the suffering of our brothers and sisters back home!"
The Professor listened thoughtfully to Storm's impassioned statements and he nodded. "I agree with Storm. Let us now contact the Pirates." As much as he loathed the thought of Storm and Moonstar leaving, his hopes and his dreams still lay with the mutants back on earth, and on healing the divide between mutant and human. As dire as the situation on earth indubitably was, his dream still smoldered within his heart.
Moments later, Marrow and Psylocke's images looked back at the X-men leaders. "Have you made up your mind yet?" Psylocke asked. Fleetingly, Rogue knew that given Betsy's powers and her propensity for invading the minds of others, Betsy had to know the answer to her question already----if she wanted to.
"Yes. We wish to make you a counteroffer," Storm said. "We agree to your proposal, but with two alterations." She paused for emphasis and then spoke, "First, we will send Dani to live with you, but it shall be **for one year only.** After one year's time, you will return Dani to us. Secondly, during that year, **I** will also be joining your crew. I will accompany Dani."
Psylocke's surprised expression indicated to all that she had not used her telepathy to enter the X-men's minds, though it was anyone's guess as to why she had not. She and Marrow looked at each other.
"Stand by for a few minutes," Psylocke ordered, and shut off the viewscreen.
The X-men remained mostly silent for the two or three minutes that Marrow and Psylocke apparently discussed the counteroffer.
'Too late to turn back now,' Logan thought. `The offer's on the table. It's too late now.' He was not the type of person to raise his hopes or to even wish for the best. But he found himself making a fervent entreaty to the universe.
Only once during the agonizing wait for the return of the Pirates did Storm and Wolverine lock eyes. He turned his glance away.
The screen flickered and once again Marrow and Psylocke's faces appeared before them.
"We accept your terms," Marrow stated.
***************
I couldn't believe it. I'd had two days to digest it, but I still couldn't believe what was happening. As I walked into the rec room, I tried to squelch the lump in my throat.
"I hope I don't cry," I said to Jean-Paul.
"If you do, it's okay, amour. It is only human," he responded, and squeezed my hand a little tighter.
We were throwing a going-away party for Storm and Moonstar. A mere two days after the negotiations with the Pirates had occurred, we were having this party to wish them bon voyage. As Storm had told us at the meeting (a meeting which was held, apparently, hours after the Pirates had agreed to our terms), it is not truly a going-away party but rather "'till we meet again." So that would have to do.
I saw that the rec room was festively decorated, and music from our DJ Russ played. I remembered the last big party I'd attended here, when we X-men had arrived back from our journey. The food, music and decorations were more or less along the same themes but here, in contrast, the mood was decidedly somber. The party was being held partly in the rec room, but it also spilt out onto one of our largest porches. For some reason, I didn't feel like going outdoors that afternoon.
I surveyed the room. It was odd. Most of the X-men socialized together and the non X-men An'zhinians tended to cluster together, keeping away from us. They mostly were hanging out on the porch --- the rec room itself held far more X-men than non X-men. It's like the non X-men consciously backed off and gave us some space. Why exactly that occurred, I wasn't sure but I sensed that they held us in some sort of awe and respect. Or maybe they were just afraid that we'd try to recruit them and make them do some actual work. : - )
"I can't believe it," I found myself mumbling. We ended up sitting on the sofa; I was next to Jean-Paul, and his sister was on his other side. "No Storm or Dani for a whole year. I just don't believe it."
"It could be longer than a year, even," Jeanne-Marie responded, her voice quiet. "You know the chaos and uncertainty we live with. Once you separate from someone in space, who knows if you shall ever see them again." She then turned and looked at me, "I know it sounds grim but it is the truth."
"It will be okay, Bobby," Jean-Paul said. "We'll get them back in a year's time. With all the power and resources the X-men have…." He let his voice trail off. Moonstar could be seen walking towards where we sat and I'm sure he didn't want her to overhear anything. She stood and spoke with Nightcrawler for a while before she came over and sat on the sofa with us, on my other side.
"So you and Storm are leaving tomorrow?" Jean-Paul asked.
"Yep," Dani replied. "I'm pretty much all packed. Not that I have much besides a flute and a few pairs of clothes. And that book on karate from Wolverine." She had a smile on her face. Since she had told me the news a few days ago, I had never seen her looking at all sad or depressed. I truly wondered how much of it was just an act. If it was a performance, she was doing a job that would've done proud by the best of Hollywood actresses. "What about you guys? There's an X-men meeting tomorrow, isn't there?"
I nodded. "I guess we'll talk about the details of our next trip to earth. We'll probably leave not long after you do. Once we get the dilithium, we can go."
"Jean Grey has said that she'll do telepathic check-ins with you two for as long as she can," Jean-Paul added.
"That'll be cool," Dani replied. "Rumor has it that Jean and Scott are gonna go on the next mission to earth again."
"Interesting," I said. I looked at Jean-Paul. Spending time with Scott and Jean on an enclosed starship could be 'interesting', to say the least. We pretty much avoided Jean and Scott on An'zhinia, which was easy to do given its size and how many things there were to do. But put us on a starship with limited common areas in which to "hang out", and a different picture is there. Avoidance just might not be possible, and that thought didn't make me too happy.
"We might not leave so quickly, though," Jean-Paul said. "What about Panda and Hank's baby? She might want to have the baby here, instead of in space."
"Oh yeah, I hadn't thought of that."
We chatted some more with Moonstar for a while. Again, I marveled at how calm and accepting she seemed of her fate. Soon, a song came on that Dani liked, and she and Jeanne-Marie headed for the dance floor, to join those who were dancing.
"I actually feel better that Storm's going with," I said to Jean-Paul. "For Dani's sake, I mean. Of course I don't wanna see either of them go, but I'd fear for Dani if Storm wasn't there to protect her."
"Yes, I agree," Jean-Paul said, keeping his voice low. "If Marrow and Psylocke start to abuse Dani, I'm sure Storm can protect her." He paused. "Poor Dani. She must be completely heartbroken to agree to this. I never guessed that she had it so bad for Jubilee."
I shook my head. "But can you imagine what she is walking in to? A year roaming around the galaxy with Marrow and Psylocke, attacking FOH ships. And with Marrow maybe forcing her to…." I let my voice trail off and added, "sounds like pure hell to me."
He nodded. "Can you imagine what **we** are walking in to as well?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" I murmured.
"Another mission to earth, possibly more encounters with the FOH….we'll probably have to stop at that strange planet to retrieve our shuttle and God only knows what awaits us there." Jean-Paul had a very far-away look in his eyes, and a very….**fearful** look. 'Fearful' is the only term I can think of to describe this and, trust me, he was a man who did not often display fear. But he had this look in his eyes….as if we was only just now really thinking about a journey to earth again would mean.
He looked terrified.
"Jean-Paul?" I whispered. I reached for his hand and held it. "What's wrong?"
He opened his mouth as if to speak but our moment was interrupted when little Aurora bounded up to us. Jubilee and Cannonball were right behind her. They sat next to us on the sofa and we chatted about nothing in particular, as Jean-Paul and I played with the toddler.
"You're growing bigger and bigger every time I see you!" I said to the girl as I held her. She smiled and waved her arms happily. She **was** getting bigger too. Someday soon, I guessed, she would be a little girl and no longer a toddler.
The next time I looked back at Jean-Paul, his usual expression had returned. But I remained worried by the look I'd seen in his eyes---I'd never really seen anything like that on his face.
*************
Although the party was being held partly in her honor, Storm had a difficult time socializing that afternoon. She was content to sit at one of the bar stools, flanked by Rogue and Gambit.
"If those crazy shitheads don't keep up their end of the bargain, we're gonna find you," Rogue vowed.
"I know," Storm said. "I am not afraid of that. Truly, I am relieved to be going with Moonstar. If she were to be going with the Pirates alone, I would fear for her day and night. It is much better this way." She look a look at Gambit and saw the consternation all over his face. "You do not look as if you agree, Remy."
Gambit shook his head, not meeting either woman's eyes. "What's dere to say? Gonna miss you, Storm."
She reached a hand out to touch him, resting it gently on his shoulder. "And I shall miss you, Remy. You know that I shall miss you both terribly."
He nodded, his eyes still not meeting Storm's. His gaze was directed towards the floor.
"Friendship lasts forever," Storm continued. "No matter how long we're separated, our caring for each other will remain."
"But it just ain't gonna be the same!" Rogue said.
"I know," Storm replied.
Rogue began a reply, thought better of it, and closed her mouth. The three then sat together for some time in silence. Gambit's words kept repeating themselves in all of their minds. `What's dere to say?' Truly, there was not much else to talk about. None of them wanted to get emotional in public. Duty and honor were driving forces in their lives, and duty and honor required that the X-men return to earth and improve the lot of mutants there. As much as part of them all wished, deep down, to continue their life of luxury and joy on An'zhina, duty and honor did not allow this. No one was particularly thrilled with the way things worked out.
And Rogue and Gambit both knew, of course, not to bring up the subject of Wolverine. Obviously Storm would miss him terribly, and the feeling would be mutual. No point in dwelling on that subject either.
"I regret mainly that I cannot prevent them from killing anyone," Storm said, after the lull of silence. The Pirates had beamed down an agreement for Storm, Moonstar, and all the other X-men leaders to sign. It promised that the Vengeance would return Storm and Moonstar to An'zhina within one year's time. The two X-men, however, also had to make a promise. Storm and Moonstar were forced to agree not to prevent the Pirates from torturing and killing any FOH soldiers. "This will be a difficult promise to keep. I abhor what Marrow and Psylocke do to the soldiers, even though the soldiers themselves have committed heinous deeds. I am not sure whether I will be able to bear standing by while human beings are killed, and I worry whether I shall became as cold and callous as they."
"Storm," Gambit began quietly, his voice just above a whisper. He reached to hold one of her hands. "Dere ain't a more sensitive or carin' person in the galaxy. You ain't at any risk of losin' dat."
Rogue smiled, a bittersweet smile full of resignation and the beginnings of acceptance. "Remy's right, sugar." She grasped Storm's other hand. "We're gonna miss you so much, girl."
Much later, when Storm was no longer sitting at their side, having gone off to bid farewell to someone else, Rogue murmured to Gambit, "Storm's always been my best girlfriend. Since I joined the X-men—God-knows-how-long ago. At least ten years," she added. "It's gonna be so hard without her."
Gambit reached over to put his arm around her. "At leas' we're still toget'her. Can you imagine what Wolverine's goin' 'drough?"
Rogue shook her head. "I can't. I can't imagine that." She paused and added, "Part of me thinks we oughtta just **take** the damn dilithium from the Pirates! But I know that's wrong."
"Had the same t'oughts myself, chere," he said, with a smile. "Had the same t'oughts myself. At leas' dere's one bright t'ing to come from all dis. We're gonna be goin' back to earth. Gonna be gettin' the chance to free the mutants from FOH. T'ink of the difference we'll be makin.'"
*************
"So rumor has it that at the meeting tomorrow, we're gonna talk about heading back for earth," Jubilee said to Sam. The two were taking a break from dancing and found themselves leisurely sipping drinks together. Hank was playing with little Aurora nearby.
"I actually can't wait to get back there," Cannonball said. "Even if we don't beam down to the earth itself. Just the thought of bein' closer to where my parents and sister live makes me happy. Jean can do another mental check-in like she did before and just let me know that they're alive and well. It makes all the difference to me."
Jubilee nodded, liking that Sam was so concerned with his family and, apparently, had been such a caring older brother to Paige. And, as she reminded herself frequently, he was so good with Rory too.
Mark Burroughs then spotted Sam and Jubilee across the rec room and walked over. As Mark and Sam were friends, Jubilee upon occasion found herself hanging out with the two of them, sometimes along with Hector as well. Jubilee didn't mind too much. She didn't think she'd ever be close with Mark or consider him a friend but she decided that she could tolerate him.
Incidentally, not long ago, Rogue and Gambit had shared the news with Jubilee----that Mark's brother had been one of the FOH soldiers on board Freedom. Mark had consented to a blood test, and the lab results had confirmed that there existed no biological relationship between Mark and Rory. Rory's "sperm donor" (Jubilee's words) had not been Mark's brother.
Jubilee wasn't sure how she felt about Mark's brother having been one of the soldiers who had assaulted her. She knew that Mark wasn't responsible for the actions of his brother but she also knew that Mark, too, had committed similar acts----just somewhere else with some other women. 'The thought of that oughtta freak me out more than it does,' she said to herself once. Mentally, she shrugged and tolerated the presence of Mark.
"I'm gonna get some more punch," Jubilee said. "You guys want some?"
"No thanks," Sam and Mark replied in unison. Jubilee then walked over to the drink station. A festive bowl of spiked punch, complete with bits of fruit floating merrily on the surface, was ready for the ladle. A bowl next to it contained non-alcoholic punch. Jubilee opted for the alcohol-enhanced version.
"Excuse me, Jubilee."
Jubilee turned and found herself standing face to face with Dani Moonstar.
"Hi," Jubilee stammered. The two had so studiously avoided each other for so long that coming up with words to say felt quite awkward. They hadn't spoken since the ill-fated kiss. "How's it going?"
"It's going okay," Dani answered. From the look on Dani's face, Jubilee guessed that the feeling of discomfort was mutual. "I – uh—have something for you." She thrust a small item into one of Jubilee's hands. "It's a tape. Of some flute music."
"Thank you," Jubilee replied unenthusiastically. She looked at the tape, glad to have somewhere other than Moonstar's face to direct her gaze at. "That's really nice of you." She continued to study the tape.
Moonstar hesitated, as if contemplating whether or not to say something else, but she just forced a quick smile and said, "You're welcome." She then turned and walked away.
Jubilee wished that the cute dress she wore had pockets. Jubilee didn't often dress up but, for this party, she had donned a pert, bright red dress with a short skirt and spaghetti straps. She loved her look this evening (especially since she'd received many compliments; she was more formally dressed than almost anyone in attendance) but now wished she had a pocket to stick the tape in. Jubilee walked over to Rory's diaper bag and found a pocket there in which to deposit the tape.
Jubilee had not felt like discussing what occurred between the two of them with anyone, and she had not brought it up with anyone, outside of her brief conversation with Bobby that one evening. As much as she hated to admit it, she still felt grave discomfort when thinking back to Moonstar's misguided kiss. Truth be told, she still felt a twinge of disgust. She simply was not attracted to Dani---or to any woman---and was more than a bit annoyed that Dani had thought that the situation might be otherwise.
'Did I do something wrong? Give off the wrong signals?' she wondered. But then Jubilee argued with herself, `Of course not! Dani was the one who should be like totally embarrassed at what she did. I didn't do anything wrong!' Jubilee could not honestly say she felt any woe at Moonstar's impending departure.
Storm, of course, was another matter entirely. At one point during the somber party, Jubilee found herself sitting in a corner of the room with Rogue and Jean. The two girls, Aurora and Charlotte, played near their mothers and Aunt Rogue. "I still am going to have such a hard time accepting this," Jean murmured, shaking her head. "Storm's going to be away from us for an **entire** year."
"She's been our leader, in a way," Jubilee said. "I mean, a leader of all of the X-men, plus a leader of us girls too." She then quickly corrected herself, "Women."
"You got that right," Rogue said. "She pulled us together after that….that crap with the soldiers and got us into those healing ceremonies. Sometimes I thought they were right corny but they helped us so much."
"And she is such a great leader of the X-men overall, too," Jean said. She smiled wryly, "Don't get me wrong; I think Scott is a wonderful leader too, of course. I've always felt their styles complimented each other very well. We'll be missing something by her departure." She sighed. "I just keep telling myself that at least we know she's coming back."
"You can get through anything if you know it's gonna end in a set period of time," Rogue said. "Somehow we'll get through a year without Storm." She shook her head. "Ya know that Remy and I been tryin' to get pregnant. Part of me's hopin' now that it'll take a while longer, 'cause if I get pregnant soon, Storm ain't even gonna be there for the birth. That would be such a loss for us."
Jubilee looked down at her hands and nodded. She thought back to her own pregnancy and how, at times, it had felt as if it took an eternity. Storm would be gone for that amount of time plus three whole months!
*************
Hank and Panda were sitting together on one of the porch swings just outside of the rec room. The farewell party continued on, and this couple had socialized quite a bit during the event. They now had decided on some quiet time for themselves. Although some of the merry-makers were mingling on the porch, it was far quieter there than in the rec room.
"If we get the dilithium tomorrow, the team can leave for the mission any time then, right?" Panda asked, though she knew full well the answer.
"Yes. Jessica, have you changed your mind at all?" Hank asked.
"The more I think about it, the more I really want to have the baby **here**, on An'zhina. Not aboard a starship."
He nodded and held her hand. "Rob is due to be here in six weeks' time. I am certain that we can persuade the rest of the X-men to delay for six weeks' more time, so that we can all be present at the time of the birth. Many babies are early, as well."
"In the grand scheme of things, six or seven weeks isn't too long," Panda said.
"That is quite true."
Panda then wanted to say more but held her tongue. She was irresolute about her future and she had not spoken to anyone about this, not even Hank.
She didn't want to bring the baby on the next mission.
`We've had too many catastrophes on our missions,' Panda had thought to herself. `Last mission we lost our dilithium and almost didn't make it back here. Before that, we've been captured by FOH –Colossus was killed and it was just blind luck that it was him they shot, and not Hank. And even before that, on another mission, Wolverine, Gambit and Bobby were once captured and taken halfway across the galaxy to work as slaves before we found them. Our track record really isn't that good….and I'm not subjecting my baby to that.'
Hank had not guessed at her uncertainty. Or if he had, he gave zero indications of it. `Sometimes he gets so wrapped up in the lab, that he doesn't notice that much,' Panda thought. `He'll probably be pretty surprised when I bring this up.' The thought of bringing it up, and the discussion and debate that was certain to ensue, did not appeal to her. She dreaded it for a number of reasons, but the main reason kept repeating itself in her mind.
'If it came down to staying on An'zhina with me and the baby or doing his duty with the X-men…I think I know which Hank will choose.' Panda knew, and she didn't like it one bit.
************
"I will miss two of my X-men," the Professor was saying to me at the party. He and I found ourselves sitting near each other at one point, and I'd asked him how he was doing. "Moonstar has shown such promise, and Storm has always been a first-rate leader and team member. But I remind myself that we shall be reunited with them in one year's time."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. On a personal level, I'm going to miss them both like crazy myself."
"I continually question whether or not this is the right thing. Even if Moonstar and Storm both made the choice freely, how much of a choice was it? And what are we allowing them to turn themselves over to? Is it right to allow a young woman like Dani go to the Pirates?"
I looked at the Professor and knew that he truly was agonized. I had to guess that part of him was secretly thrilled at the idea of the X-men returning to earth and helping our cause there. He probably felt torn and quite a bit of guilt. The poor guy. I took a closer look at his face and saw wrinkles that I hadn't noticed before and bags under the eyes that I swear hadn't been there before. He'd told me that living on An'zhina helped to rest and relax him, and I guessed that had to be true, but from looking at him I also knew that he continually agonized over all of his X-men.
The conversation was kinda weird too, because I couldn't recall him ever expressing how he felt about something like this with me. I mean, he's like a teacher or an uncle to me --- not a confidant.
"I can imagine how much this bothers you," I began, feeling very weird at the idea of **me** comforting the Professor. "But you gotta know that they are adults and they can make their own choices."
We then turned to look at Shaman, who was standing in the middle of the rec room, trying to get everyone's attention. The party had been going on for a while and I sensed that some were getting ready to call it a night when Shaman stood up. Russ turned the music off so Shaman could be heard. "Thank you for your attention, everyone," he began. "Before we leave for the evening, I would like to invite the X-men to participate in a ritual. This is a ritual of farewell, so that we can say a temporary goodbye to Dani and Storm, and so we can remind ourselves that we shall all be reunited soon."
This must've been impromptu; I hadn't know that he was planning a ceremony. But Shaman's rituals were not to be missed; each one I had attended had been among the most truly awe-inspiring experiences I'd been a part of. I know that sounds like a lot of hyperbole, but it's true. I'll always think back to the group healing ceremony he led on Freedom, **way** back when, just weeks after we'd been freed of FOH. I always view it as a turning point. So I gladly joined the group that evening as we filed out of the rec room and headed for the forest.
Before I knew it, we all were standing around in a circle. Basically, the same group of X-men as had been at the holiday celebration were outside, with a few exceptions. Jean Grey was absent; I bet that she had to put Christopher to bed (Charlotte and Rory were with us though---the two girls seemed too stirred up even though it had to be past their bedtime.) Wolverine wasn't there either and I had a pretty good guess as to why.
The ritual was a brief one. We held hands. The Professor spoke eloquently about the contributions made by Storm and by Moonstar, and how much he looked forward to being reunited with them. I marveled at his ability to just speak off the cuff. I didn't think he'd had anything prepared, and he'd seemed as surprised by Shaman's call to ritual as I had been. He managed to put together some very moving words about both Storm and Dani, and their contributions to the X-men.
"And I, too, shall miss all of you," Storm said, after the Professor had spoken. "Being a part of the X-men has been the most fulfilling, most exciting aspect of my entire life. I shall miss all of you very much, and I shall eagerly look forward to my return." She then paused. Her face was hard to make out in the waning light, and I wasn't sure if she was pausing to gather her words or because she possibly was choked with emotion. I couldn't tell, but I did have a better view of a very sorrowful-looking Rogue.
"I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you personally," Storm continued. "But I fear that, in front of the entire group, I shall forget someone or not be able to eloquently convey to each of you what you mean to me. Instead, I would like to speak with each of you privately after the ceremony and bid farewell then."
She turned to Dani. Dani then spoke, "I'd like to say a few words." She never showed any fear of speaking in public, which I admired so much. "I want to thank all of you for taking me in and making me feel at home and accepted, all at once. There are a few who I have to thank especially." She paused. "Well, he's not here, but I have to publicly thank Wolverine for being a great mentor and for patiently teaching me karate. I have more confidence than I've ever had in my life."
Moonstar paused, and then looked straight at me. My heart sped up at the attention, as other people turned their heads towards me. "Bobby, you are a true friend and I always have so much fun with you. I think I'll miss your laughter and your jokes the most. During the dark times that lie ahead, I'll just think of you and your spirit, and I know I'll be smiling once again."
I quietly thanked her and bowed my head. Then I bit my lip, futilely hoping I wouldn't get all teary. Jean-Paul held my hand a bit tighter.
"Shaman," Dani said, turning towards him, "I want to thank you, and your wife Silver Moon, for helping me keep the connection with my Native roots. We're from different nations, but our----" she broke off and added. "Oh, for those of you who don't know, we use the term 'nation' to mean what white people tend to refer to as 'tribe.'" She added her informative statement in without coming across as nasty or talking down to anyone. Dani then continued, "Anyway, Shaman, we come from different nations but our nations do have many things in common. I know I'll miss that connection with my heritage. But I'll always be able to think of you two---and Lily Pearl---to feel connected to the earth again, even though we are so far away from home."
"And Storm," Dani continued, "you're coming with me, but I have to publicly say a few grateful words to you. I cannot express enough how much your sacrifice---of coming with me, protecting me---means to me." She stopped and seemed to have to collect herself before continuing. "I can never come close to repaying your favor….I can't even fathom everything you're giving up. A 'thank you' doesn't seem to do it, but I wanted to….wanted to at least say it in public."
Storm smiled and softly said, "Dani, you are worth it." She emphasized every word.
I looked around the circle and spotted Jubilee. He head was bowed; she looked towards the ground. Moonstar didn't say any words to or about Jubilee, and I felt another stab of pain thinking of what Dani had to be going through inside. I wish she had decided to speak about it with me. But it was her choice to keep it to herself, and I had to honor that, if that was what she wished. She surely wasn't the only X man who preferred things that way.
Shaman then asked if anyone had anything else to share with the entire group. Rogue spoke up. "Storm, girl, all I wanna say is that we're gonna continue the Healing Ceremonies you started." Rogue looked like she wanted to say so much else, but I could tell that her voice was on the edge. I think she worried about getting overemotional, so she clamed up. Gambit put his arm around her. Rogue spoke no more to the group, though I guessed that she and Storm would have a lot to talk about in private together.
The ritual ended with Moonstar whipping out her ever-present flute and playing a song. Every song I've heard her play lately has been piercingly sorrowful and I braced myself for another gut-wrencher. This one, though, had a more uplifting tone to it. It just felt so positive as she played it, and it literally ended with a high note. I felt as if Dani were musically promising to return soon, and I have to say it was oddly comforting.
Most of, or at least many of, the X-men didn't want to evening to end. The majority of us filtered back to the rec room instead of our own rooms. Jeanne-Marie was tired and bid goodnight to many, but Jean-Paul and I stayed a while later and hung out with many of the X-men.
Storm slowly moved through what remained of the group in the rec room. It looked to me as if she was sitting with each one, and saying a personalized farewell. After some time, she approached me.
"I was telling the others," she began, "that even though we're having that meeting before Dani and I leave tomorrow, I don't want to be saying farewells then. I would rather keep tomorrow's meeting businesslike, and say my farewells now."
I nodded, the lump back in my throat again. I tried to be brave, and I looked straight at her. "I'm gonna miss you, Storm," I managed.
"And I shall miss you too," Storm said. Somehow her words were reassuring. She sounded strong and confident…and bold, even. She reached for one of my hands and held it. "And Bobby, I wanted to take a moment and say how much I admire you."
I dropped her hand. "You? Admire **me**?" I regained enough composure to make an attempt at a joke. "I think you got it backwards, right?"
"I mean it very sincerely," she said. "You have come so far since I've known you, you have grown and changed. You have become a very key member of our team."
I knew I had to be glowing at her praise. It's not that Storm was ever stingy with her compliments---she wasn't---but hearing her say these words was music to my ears. "Thank you," I said quietly. "That really means a lot to me." I collected myself enough to add, "I suppose I don't need to say how much I admire you, and everything you've done for the X-men. You're a truly wonderful leader."
We sat and talked for a little while longer. We somehow ended up reminiscing about our days on the Paradise planet.
"I remember one thing you said during one of those evenings we sat around the campfire," Storm was saying to me. Just from the way her voice was, I could close my eyes and practically see the campfire in front of us, and I could almost hear the crackling of the fire. "You said you wonder how you ever survived your childhood, and how you were able to carry on despite all the pain you lived with. I believe that it was meant to be," she said firmly. "You were meant to be with the X-men and grow and learn from us….and to teach all of us too."
By this point I was blushing furiously at all the praise, but Storm continued on. "And you saved all of our lives when the FOH held us captive on board Freedom. You were the one who broke the others out of the cell. Without you, Bobby, none of us would be here today."
I again swallowed the lump in my throat and managed to mumble a "thank you." I wordlessly pulled Storm into a hug, and we remained hugging each other for a long time.
***********
After the ritual, a very tired Cyclops returned to the room he shared with his family. He held the sleeping Charlotte in his arms. When they reached the room, they found Jean on the bed, reading by the nightlight. Christopher was sound asleep in his crib.
"We should go on that next mission to earth," Jean said, once Scott had settled in by her side on the bed and put Charlotte down for the night. "Charles needs to stay here."
Scott nodded. "I know. He shouldn't be going on any more missions. He still needs rest."
"And the next mission needs a telepath." Jean sighed. "My family's going to fight us tooth and nail on the idea of us going on that mission though."
Scott turned to face Jean. "You didn't…read their minds, did you?" He said the words gently, without reproach. However, he knew that Jean had not been in the best of moods since Scott's "deal" with the Queen, and they had talked about the few unauthorized forays into other people's minds Jean had taken.
"No. I'm finished with that. I truly am----and I'm feeling much better." Jean's words were, for the most part, true. "You know my Dad. You don't need to be a telepath to know that he's going to go ballistic at the idea of me going on the mission with the kids. Especially after what happened on the last mission."
Scott nodded. "Do you think…do you think we should consider leaving Char and Chris with your parents?" He knew exactly what her thoughts on that matter were. "I know, I know. I'd rather cut off one of my arms, I think."
"I just cannot imagine being separated from them. I can't," Jean repeated.
"Even if it might be better for them in the long term?" Scott asked softly. "We don't know what's going to happen on this next mission. At some point on the mission, we will have to go back to that mysterious planet to retrieve our shuttle. Who knows what we might face there?" Scott inched closer to Jean and enfolded her within his arms. This was the most familiar bedtime position for both of them.
"I know. I ask myself every day whether putting the kids in jeopardy…in **possible** jeopardy is the right thing to do or not. Maybe they would be better off here, with their grandparents." She paused. "Or maybe….maybe you could stay here with them. That way, they're with one of their parents at least. Though I can't imagine being separated from you for so long."
"No….No, Jean we cannot consider that option. It's not just that I don't want to be separated from you. The X-men need a leader now. Especially with Storm gone."
"Well, that's partly why we have our field commanders. Wolverine, Rogue and Beast. I think they're capable of leading the mission." Jean then added, "I can tell from the look on your face that you don't agree."
"It's not that they're not capable," Scott began cautiously. "I think Hank's a wonderful leader. But with Panda having a baby, maybe he'll want to stay here. At the very least, he's going to be distracted with parenthood. And I have to say that I'm not in favor of a mission led by Wolverine and Rogue."
Jean shot him a look. "Really?" she asked.
"Jean, really, it's not that I don't trust them or think they're good leaders. It's just that they're both still kind of….you know."
Jean nodded. She knew what he meant. Wolverine and Rogue were the most bellicose members of the team --- and there was always the memory of what the two of them, and Gambit, did to the FOH soldiers.
"The main reason, though, is that I can't bear to be separated from you," Scott said. "I'll admit it. That is the main reason I want to go on that next mission."
"Yes," Jean said. "I agree. I don't want to be separated." She knew, as well, that Scott had **not** been worried about the possibility of Jean being on a ship with a Storm-deprived Wolverine while Scott stayed at home. She knew that the two men's rivalry and jealousy was a thing of the past. The same scenario several years ago might've told a different story, however.
"And that's also why," Jean continued, "we need to take the kids on this next mission. I cannot imagine just leaving them here with our parents. We are not going to be separated from each other or from the children." Jean said the words firmly, sensing that both she and Scott were close to solidifying their decision.
"I spoke with Jubilee. She's taking Aurora on the mission," Scott said, as if to add another bolster to their plan. He also added, "It'll be nice to be away from the Queen too."
Jean nodded. "My parents are still going to give us hell for this…."
"….but it's our choice to make," Scott said, though he did not look forward to this discussion with his in-laws. "We can stand up to them. We can do it."
Later, the light was turned off and Scott and Jean were quietly making love. When they were finished, they remained entwined in each other's arms. "I'm so glad we're staying together on this mission," Jean whispered. "I can't imagine being separated."
"I know," Scott whispered back, kissing Jean's sweaty forehead. "I love you, Jean."
"I love you too."
Jean knew that their fate was luckier than the one that awaited Storm and Wolverine, and her heart broke at the thought of the two lovers being separated.
************
Dani Moonstar stayed until the last guest had left the party. She, plus the two stray An'zhinians who'd remained till the end, put away the snacks that remained and tidied up the rec room. Russ had packed up his CDs. Dani took the last of the streamers and balloons, and placed them in the recycling bins *where the replicator would later turn them into something else.) Moonstar reached to shut off the lights, leaving the rec room in darkness.
She then walked down the corridor to her room, trying to choke back tears. Stoic and proud to this point, the fact that she was truly going to leave finally began to sink in and the hot tears began to form. She walked faster when she heard the swoosh of the door to someone's quarters opening. Moonstar had no desire for anyone to see her walking down the halls sobbing.
"Moonstar, wait."
She had to obey Wolverine's gruff voice. She wiped away the tears, and turned to face him.
"Just wanted to say goodbye," he said, walking towards her, as the distance between them narrowed. "You're a damn good karate student. When you get back, we'll start workin' together again. I'm lookin' forward to it."
Wolverine now stood close enough to her that her weepy state was obvious. The two shared a look and, in that instant, she knew that he understood and she didn't need to try to hide her crying. Wolverine reached for Moonstar and held her in his arms. She quietly sobbed against his warm body for a bit, and they remained in a hug for several minutes. Dani pulled away when her tears had run their course.
"Thanks, Wolverine," she said. "I look forward to it too. You're the best teacher." She had to cease speaking now, as a new round of tears threatened.
Wolverine planted a chaste kiss on her cheek, and Dani resumed her walk towards her room.
That evening, she prayed. 'Dear Sister Moon and Brother Sky. I don't know what awaits me in this new chapter of my life. Please continue to watch over me and keep me safe. Please help me to be strong.'
************
`I wait all my life to find a woman I love…one who loves me back. I find her, and now we gotta be separated.'
Wolverine had entertained absolutely no notions of attending the "farewell" party. He had no desire to engage in small talk with anyone, nor did he care to have everyone taking sideways glances at him during the evening. He'd spent most of the time walking in the forest and reached his quarters when the party had been winding down.
`Why did Psylocke even agree to this?' he wondered. Storm was strong and powerful; Psylocke couldn't have wanted to her to join the crew of the Pirates and possibly trump her power. He wondered if it were some sort of sick revenge on Wolverine for the fact that he chose Storm over Psylocke.
Whatever the case, the woman he loved dearly was going to be leaving and it would be at the very least one full year before he saw her again.
***********
Storm walked down the corridor towards Wolverine's room. She understood his reasons for not attending the party. It wasn't as if Logan were the most sociable person to begin with. The morning of the party, she'd asked if he planned on attending and had known the answer before the flat "no" had slipped from his mouth.
But now the party was over. Storm had watched most of the other X-men leave and had left Dani Moonstar with a handful of others in the rec room to finish up their night.
A million phrases stumbled through Storm's mind as she headed for Wolverine's quarters. 'So this is it.' 'So this is it for now.' 'I will miss you greatly.' 'I shall miss you terribly, but we will be together again in twelve months.' 'I love you so much, and this is so hard for both of us.' 'We must try to make the best of a difficult situation and remember that we shall be together again soon.'
A bunch of miserable cliches! All of them contained nothing but things that did not need to be said. Logan was never one to fancy restating the obvious. Storm continued to plod towards his room at a complete loss for words.
She reached his door still in a quandary, her mouth dry. The door slid aside and, at the sight of a miserably sad Wolverine, standing there shirtless and wearing faded jeans, Storm fell into his embrace. They said nothing and they remained standing in the doorway, holding each other, for a long time.
Eventually they made their way to the bed, but not for lovemaking. They simply collapsed on the bed together, entwined. Both wanted to cry but neither was actually forming the tears. They just remained cuddled together, wrapped in as much full-body contact as they could manage.
At one point, Logan's ears perked up and he sniffed the air. 'What is it?" Storm softly asked.
"Dani's comin' down the hall. I wanna say goodbye to her. I ain't gonna do it at the meeting tomorrow."
Storm nodded, and Wolverine slipped from the bed. She immediately felt the loss of his embrace, the coldness from his absence, and she despaired at the thought of surviving an entire year like this. Although Logan returned in just a minute, Storm knew that she'd experienced a mere morsel of the pain that was to await her.
**************
TO BE CONTINUED
Question of the week---What do you expect will happen to Storm and Moonstar now? What do you want to happen?
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