It wasn't long before I was healed. The surgery I had to go through was agonizing; they had to pull the bullet from my back and then stitch me up. Luckily the bullet was nowhere near my spine, so I was in no serious danger. It still hurt like Hades, though. For a couple weeks after that I walked with a cane, because my left side, which is where the bullet lodged itself, was still weak from the surgery.

As for Kurt, he didn't seem to be getting any better. He was still so weak and so sick….. it pained me to see him in such a way. He couldn't teleport without putting himself in some serious agony; one time he had tried it when he had wanted to get a book of the shelves. He could barely move as he lay there crying out…. Luckily I had been in the other room and when I ran back in at the sound of his cries I found him on the floor in tears and in pain.

We had been home for almost two weeks at that point, and I had had enough. I started using my powers to help him heal. I only did once every few days, because I knew that if I did it too much at one time it could backfire, seriously hurting one of us. The nurse at school told me that Kurt was doing a lot better than he should have been because of my powers, but I still felt I wasn't doing enough for him. I didn't think I was using the full extent of my powers, and I knew I had to think of something soon or Kurt could die. I had never been so afraid in my entire life.

After about three weeks of being home I was done on my cane and was pretty much healed, other than the occasional, small streak of pain I'd get in my lower part of my back. They started me on painkillers again. One Sunday afternoon I sat on the edge of Kurt's bed, watching over him as he slept. He had been sleeping very frequently lately, because the sickness had taken a lot out of him. I stared out the window and began thinking of my family. I don't know what made me think of them, but suddenly their picture filled my mind and I couldn't ignore it. What were they doing? Were they thinking of me? Did they miss me any?

A strange feeling came over me suddenly, as if I were being watched, and I looked over to find Kurt watching me quietly. I'd been thinking so hard I hadn't even noticed he'd woken up.

"Hi," I smiled quietly.

"Guten tag, kleines," he returned the smile and took my hand.

"How're you feeling, sweetheart? Better?"

Kurt nodded, and didn't say anything for a moment. "What were you thinking about there?"

"Oh," I smiled. "Just… my family. Wondering if they ever thought about me."

"I bet they do," a smile slowly spread over Kurt's face. "Such a wonderful girl, how could they not think about you?"

I blushed, my smile widening. "I…. I think I should go find them."

Kurt nodded at me again, silent for a moment. "Okay. But I want to go with you."
"No," I shook my head. "You're weak, you--"

"Erin…." Kurt squeezed my hand. "You know what happened with my father. My mother killed herself after she had me. She couldn't deal with the way I looked, and was afraid that if she had any more children- I was her only- that they would look like me."

I felt a pang of disgust, and Kurt continued. "Erin, you are all I have now."

For a moment nothing happened.

"Jean? Can I get a wheelchair in here, please?"

I found Marie out on the basketball court with some of our friends as we left, and she came running over to us. "Wow, Kurt, how are you feeling?"

"A lot better, Marie, thank you."

"Where are you guys going?"

I sighed. "To my parents' place."

"What? You mean you're going all the way to Raleigh, North Carolina?"

"Mm-hmm. I'm flying, and I'm taking Kurt with me."

Rogue gaped at me, unable to say anything.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to ask you a big favor. Stall for us, okay?"
"Oh, now, look--"

"Just tell them we're going into town or something, okay?"

"Oh, yeah, a girl accompanied by a blue guy with a tail. The town has seen so much of that. No offense, Kurt."

"Es ist nichts."

I sighed. "Okay, okay. Do you wanna come with us?"

"Erin, I can't. I've got Shop in an hour."

"Really? This late? And on a Sunday?" I checked my watch.

"Yeah, it's an extra Shop course."

"Alright, alright. Uh….. just….. just stall for us, okay? We gotta go." I started walking again.

"Erin!"

"Marie!"

"ARGH! Fine! But you owe me!"

"I'll buy you lunch!"

I could hear her laughing as we rounded the corner and made it into the woods. After a few moments we came to a stop.

"Okay," I turned to Kurt. "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Alright." I put an arm around Kurt and helped him stand up. "Now, you're gonna have to stand on your own for a few moments while I hide this thing, okay?" I motioned to the wheelchair. "Can you do it?"

"Of course," Kurt smiled assuredly at me.

I smiled back at him and managed to hide the wheelchair in some bushes before Kurt's legs went weak again. Putting my arm around him, we lifted off into the air and began the trip to Raleigh.