Heartbreak Hotel

Several hours later Alison woke up. The light surrounding her was gone. She was covered with a blanket. "You're awake," Hank said. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, I think," Alison sighed. "How long was I out?"

"Most of the morning," Hank told her. "I gave you a sedative so you could rest. Your system was so hypersensitve even a whisper could activate your powers. Your body stored up so much light it had an overload. You should be fine now."

"Thanks," Alison sighed as she sat up. "Why did you come after me like that?"

"You were in trouble," Hank told her. "That's what we X-Men do."

"No I meant in the arena," Alison shook her head. "I could have taken care of Horns. I did it before."

"Before? You mean you've actually fought in that…" Hank began to say when a commotion downstairs alerted him. "What's going on?"

"That guy Alex from the theater's here for Alison and X23!" Sam ran up.

"I'll take care of him," Hank growled.

"No!" Alison protested. Then she stood up. "He isn't here to hurt anybody! I know him!"

"But…" Hank protested.

"I want to see him now!" Alison told them.

"All right," Sam shrugged. They went downstairs. Alexander was alone and he was in the middle of an argument between Logan and X23.

"You can't go back with him!" Logan roared.

"I have to!" X23 shouted. "We both know what will happen if I go to the Institute with you! Do you want SHEILD or Hydra to burst through your doors and take you all away too?"

"That's not gonna happen!" Logan protested.

Alexander looked up. "Ali! Honey I was so worried about you!" He rushed over to her. "Are you all right? I've been working everywhere for you!"

"I'll bet," Hank grunted.

"I just forgot to take my pills that's all," Alison told him. "I'll be fine now."

"I thought so," Alexander took out the pills. "I've got them right here."

"Pills?" Hank raised an eyebrow. "What kind of pills?"

"It's her medicine," Alexander looked at him. "She needs it to control her powers."

"Kate can I get a glass of water?" Alison asked.

"Sure in the back," Kate motioned.

"I'll go with her," Hank growled at Alexander who attempted to follow her.

Alexander grinned. "Go right ahead. I've got nothing to be worried about."

Hank followed her and saw Alison taking her pills. "Alison you can't be serious about going back with that guy. After what happened last night."

"It was an accident," Alison told him after sipping her water. "It must have been. Alex would never put me in danger."

"Oh so it's Alex is it?" Hank grunted.

"Why should you care? What business is it of yours?" Alison snapped. "We barely know each other. He's been looking out for me since…" She stopped.

"Well something tells me he's looking out for his pocketbook," Hank told her.

"You're making too much of nothing," Alison told him. "I just forgot to take my pills before the performance. That's all. The sounds overloaded me and I couldn't control the output of light. As long as I take the pills…"

"Alison believe me I know better than anyone about how medicine can affect mutant physiology," Hank said. "I know from experience that pills aren't the answer. If you are having trouble with you powers I can help you. The Institute can help you. You don't have to hide yourself in some sleazy gladiator arena. You can even be a real star again if you just…"

"Hank we both know I could never go back," Alison sobbed. "I tried my best and failed. They nearly killed me out there. At least at the Arena I can sing and act and I'm not seen as a freak."

"Are you?" Hank asked. "You fight other mutants for the entertainment of rich snobs. People who'd never give you the time of day or the respect you deserve!"

"Don't you think I know that?" Alison shouted. "Don't you think I want better than that? I've tried Hank! God I tried. But the truth is I couldn't do it! The Arena is the only place I can be myself!"

"That's not true!" Hank took her by the shoulders. "You can use your talents to make the world a better place!"

"You mean by fighting like you do?" Alison snapped. "Running around in spandex nearly getting killed by some mutant hating scum or giant robots or another crazy mutant! And you have the gall to call the Arena crazy and undignified?"

"There is a huge difference between the fighting the X-Men do and the fighting in that…that circus you belong too!" Hank shouted.

"Yeah there are fewer fatalities and I get paid!" Alison shouted. "I'm out of here!" She stormed out. "Alex! I'm coming home. The Arena's where I belong. I know that now."

"Okay kid," Logan growled. "Yeah you got outed as a mutant and lost your fame and fortune. And ya also lost control of your powers, but that's no reason to sink so low!"

"Oh and I suppose you would know all about that?" Alison shouted. "Your kid told me her life story! And you have a lot of nerve mister for trying to run her life when you were absent from it when she needed you the most!"

"I didn't even know she existed until…" Logan growled.

"It doesn't matter now!" X23 shouted. "I've been fighting for my own life since I was created to be a weapon! Can't you just let me live it? Believe me, there are a lot worse ways to make a living."

"Does being a star mean that much to you?" Hank shouted. "Have you lost every sense of self respect and decency for some vain quest for the limelight?"

"It's no different than fighting for a dream that will never come true!" Alison shot back.

"Come on babe," Alexander put his arm around her. "Let's go home. Coming kid?"

X23 looked at them. "Coming," She started to walk away.

"How can you just leave like that?" Jubilee shouted. "Don't you care about Logan?"

"Yes I do," X23 looked at her. "That's why I have to leave." And she did.