Sorry about the delay but Christmas has taken it's toll on me. I've been busy shopping and visiting my sister so I haven't had much time to work on this story.  

Beaubier: It was so much fun to write that chapter, to have the X-Men finally relaxing. Scott can be cool at times; I always loved how he interacted with people after the originals rejoined the X-Men. He was much more laid back then. *sigh*

Enjis: Thanks, it's always great to get a new reader, especially one who's been a fan of the X-Men for so long. I admit Warren was a bit meaner than he is in some of the early issues, but I did that for a reason. He always seemed to be fighting with Bobby for the first few issues so I wanted to elaborate on that. Not much is told about the boys time together before Jean so I chose to use that leeway to it's fullest. I am I huge fan of the original X-Men era, I adore those stories but I wanted to incorporate as much as the past and current continuity as I could. I don't really see Mr. Drake's attitude being bigoted, at least in this early stage of Bobbys' training. Since this is from Warrens' point of view I can't really show what Mr. Drake is thinking. Right now I think he's more frustrated that he can't really understand or help his son deal with his abilities. And he might even feel guilty, that it's his fault that Bobby is a mutant. I have fixed some of the typos but I haven't reposted it yet. My beta reader gave up on me to return to her studies and I haven't had time to do it lately but I will repost some chapter soon.

Chapter 15: The Writing on the Wall.

We must have been in 'Eddies' Place' for another half an hour before Duncan came back to check on us. His lips visibly thinned when he caught sight of me. I mentally prepared myself for more of the criticism I was becoming accustomed to in the past week. But it never came. Instead I received a look I knew well, one that did nothing to calm my nerves.

"Where's Scott?" He asked glancing past my shoulder to watch Bobby attempt to escape from a man dressed in a rat costume. I got the impression that if Duncan had not been so grim the two of us would have laughed at the spectacle the popsicle was making.

"He said something about getting a drink." I answered with a shrug. I wasn't the guys' keeper after all, so I shouldn't be expected to keep track of him. Especially during our time off. "Why, are we leaving?" I didn't want to go back yet, not when we were finally having fun. 

"I'm afraid so. We can't stay here any longer." He seemed to be talking more to himself than to me. I suppressed my groan, knowing that it was futile to argue with him. Not waiting for my reply Duncan went off to find Scott amidst the crowd of teens. I knew what my job was with out being told. I had to look after the runt.

"Hey ice cube, time to go." I called out as I checked out the area for him. One thing you learn about Bobby is that he can't stay still for long durations. Sure his patience has improved over the years but not much. I admit I sometimes have the same problem. Men of action don't tend to behave well to inactiveness, or so I'm told.

Something, or rather someone collided with my back letting out a small irritated grunt. Bobby massaged his brow, glaring at me for chuckling at his discomfort. "Having fun with your playmate?" I asked eyeing the costumed man hurrying off to the party area.

"I was just minding my own business when that idiot came after me!"

"Did he think you were part of the kiddie party?" I asked, knowing full well that he had. I had overheard the man ask what the kid was doing away from his friends. Bobby however didn't find it one bit funny. Whatever happened to his infamous sense of humor? 

"Aw, shuddup Angel." He grumbled as I helped him to his feet. My smile faltered when I saw Duncan returning with Scott in tow. Both of their faces were grim when they advanced towards us. "What's--"

"We're leaving." Scott snapped.

"But--"

"Now." Bobby and I shared a brief glance before we were pushed and tugged along. My stomach clenched when we were led towards the back of the establishment. This wasn't right. This was just suppose to be a normal run-of-the-mill night out with the guys. We weren't here on a mission, or a training session.

"Why are we going--" Bobby tried to ask but was cut off by Duncan.

"Go to the car," he handed me the keys, "and wait for me down at Jordons' four blocks down." I nodded understanding what he was saying and more importantly what he wasn't. Whatever was happening he had to check it out; and we had to stay out of his way. Taking my cue from Scott I rushed Bobby along making sure he didn't look back. I wasn't sure what was behind us but I knew we couldn't afford to stop.

We settled Bobby (much to his protest) in the backseat next to Scott. He kept asking us what was wrong but neither of us bothered to answer. I tried to calm myself but my hands couldn't stop shaking. They shook so badly that I lost my grip of the keys twice.

I had just managed to rev up the engine when shouts rang out in the street. A mob began to gather outside Eddies' Place. Glancing up into the rearview mirror I caught Scott rest a reassuring hand on Bobbys' shoulder. I was trying to block out everything and just focus on getting where we needed to be. I could not allow myself to think about what could be going on, I didn't think I could handle that. Though I wasn't as focused as I should have been, as I heard my team-mates' next words.

"Not here…" Scott gasped. I automatically looked over to his side of the street and silently cursed.

The letters 'MEF' were spray painted over the store windows in bold blood red letters. Underneath was a simple message, "DIE MUTANTS DIE!"

"WARREN!" Bobby hollered. I turned the car sharply, narrowly missing an oncoming truck. "Uuufff!" They both exclaimed slamming into the back of the seats.

"Pull over, Warren!" Slim screamed at me.

"I'll stop when we reach Jordens'!" I yelled back. If we stopped we were dead, I just knew it…

"You just passed it!" I swore under my breath and made an abrupt u-turn. By the time I parked the car (awkwardly but parked nonetheless) we were all gasping for air. Scott stood tall, and alert, checking out the block for signs of danger. He paced in front of us (more or less planted a couple feet before Bobby) to protect us should we receive and incoming attack. I scanned the area as well, knowing that my eyesight was better than theirs' in the dark. Every once in awhile I would subtly glance at the others to see how they were holding up.

I noticed fairly early that Scott was moving like he did in our practices with the Prof. Shoulders held back, mouth drawn in tight, and fist slightly clutched. You just knew the guy had to be thinking up different scenarios in his head, planning out escape routes and such. His bit into his lip, a move that he rarely does, one that implies he has to make a tough decision.

"Bobby, come over here." Scott whispers into his ears. I flinch when I hear the plan and hope it doesn't come to this. If the mob catches up to us before Duncan--we have to stop them. Panicking people do a lot of damage, mainly to each other. If they came around the corner it's would basically be up to Iceman to stop them.

Bobby's face was impassive. His eyes didn't dart frantically like mine did, he simply looked straight ahead. No jokes, no smiles, or gestures. If not for his hands clutching at his jacket pockets you would have thought he was the picture of serenity.  

A shadow cast of the lamp lights giving it an oversized and sinister appearance. We gave each other quick worried looks as the shape grew larger. Drawing a deep breath Bobby dug his heels into the topsoil in front of Jordons'. Slowly he extended his right arm…

"Wait a second." Scott commanded. He seemed to be straining to see or hear something. I did likewise but I couldn't figure out what he was waiting for.

"What is it?" Bobby asked nervously.

"Do you hear that?" Our leader inquired.

"Hear what?" I asked impatiently. Now was not a good place to start playing twenty questions.

"Exactly. Do you hear the crowds' screams getting closer?" He pointed out.

"No." Bobby visibly relaxed, though not enough to stuff his hands back into his pockets.

 The lone figure came out of the darkness to greet us. Agent Duncan gave us a nod and wordlessly went to the car, knowing we would follow. None of us spoke on the journey back to our dismal base camp. Each of us was weighted down by our own dark thoughts making the normal chit-chat impossible. Was this what it always was going to be like? Not ever able to live our lives, always fleeing in fear? How could we possibly hope to fight against such hate?

A/N: The term 'playmate' was used often by Stan Lee when fighting a bad guy. Yeah it may sound retro but I like it for some reason. 'Shuddup' is not a typo. The line 'Aw, shuddup Angel' was taken directly from the comic where Bobby transforms into his icy form for the first time. Which Warren of course had to comment on.

Next Chapter: Xavier has something new to teach the X-Men in Mental Defense.