Closing Arguments

"We will now hear closing arguments," Judge Brooks gave a sigh of relief.

"It is obvious that mutants are dangerous," The Prosecutor had returned with his arm bandaged. "Evan Daniels is a menace to society. Just look at him. Do you really want something like that walking the streets…"

"Man what a jerk," Rogue whispered under her breath.

"Evan's innocent and he knows it," Ororo whispered back. "All the evidence proves that! All he can play is the hate card."

Then it was Jack's turn to speak. "Your honor this trial has been nothing but a show for all the hate mongers of America. Every scrap of evidence, from DNA testing to videotape that showed that Daniels was with none other than the head of the FOH at the time of the murder has been ignored. The only thing that matters to people is the fact that Daniels is a mutant. To them that is all they need to brand him a murderer…no, not just a murderer, a monster."

"In this world mutants are branded as outcasts from the moment they are exposed. They are shunned, even turned away by their own families. Forced to live a life in hiding for fear of being hunted or killed. And when a mutant stands up for himself, stands up for his right to exist he is persecuted. I know this all too well." He wryly looked at his own bandaged leg.

"Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the court, there is absolutely no proof that Evan Daniels was even near Spears at the time of the murder, much less his killer. It is time for this mindless persecution to stop. But only you can do so. You know in your hearts Evan Daniels did not kill Guy Spears. Listen to your hearts and maybe, just maybe we might strike a blow against unjust intolerance. Thank you."

"Well it's in the judge's hands now," Rogue said as Brooks retired to his chambers. "There's no real evidence he did it but if the Judge sees this as a way to get one more mutant off the street…"

"There's always that possibility," Ororo sighed. "All we can do now is wait."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"Wait a minute!" Hank snapped "You can't be serious!"

"What is wrong with the idea of having a liaison between the X-Men and X-Factor?" Alison shouted.

"I didn't say anything was wrong with it," Hank corrected. "Just…It's wrong for you."

"Why?" Alison folded her arms.

"Oh come on Alison!" Hank threw up his arms. "Can't you see that you're being used again?"

"Hank like it or not I am somewhat of a celebrity," Alison told him. "Of course people are going to use my name to try and cash in. But this time it's for a good cause. By having someone on X-Factor that works closely with the X-Men both teams will have closer ties to working with each other. This could improve relations between the X-Men and the government. Not to mention the public. Having me as a spokeswoman I could recommend the school to a lot of kids who need help with their powers."

"You'd do anything to be back in the spotlight again!" Hank snapped.

"This is not about standing onstage and wanting applause!" Alison told him. "This is about trying to put a positive spin on mutants. Think about it, I could do a lot of good out there."

"You could also get trashed in the tabloids again!" Hank said. "They could bring up a lot of things about your past."

"Hank I'm not exactly the only celebrity in the world who's had a drug problem and gone out of control. If Pamela Anderson can overcome it, I can! Even Scott thinks this is a good idea!" Alison threw up her arms. "Why else would he suggest it?"

"Wait, Scott gave you this ridiculous idea?" Hank's jaw dropped.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now," Alison said. "I don't know if I'm cut out to be a full X-Man but I do know in X-Factor I'd be doing a lot of PR work. That I can do!"

"But you'd be in Washington DC, if something happens…"

"For god's sake Hank you can't keep 'protecting' me all my life!" Alison snapped. "I'm not the only one who's made mistakes you know!"

"And the press will bring up those mistakes," Hank pointed out.

"All the more reason for me to do this," Alison said. "To stop other kids from making the same mistakes I did!"

"Alison your place is here! I forbid you to…" The words were out of Hank's mouth before he realized he said that.

"You did not just say that…" Alison growled at him. "You did not just say that!"

"I didn't mean it…"

"Oh yes you did! Hank, I was under the control of one man. I refuse to be under the control of another! I may be younger than you, but you're the one being immature!" Alison shouted at him as she left the room. "Maybe we should give each other some space at least until you grow up!"

Hank flinched as the door slammed. Logan then walked in after a moment. "You heard all of that?" Hank asked.

"Everyone on two floors heard it," Logan told him.

"I just blew it big time didn't I?" Hank groaned.

"Oh boy did you ever," Logan shook his head. "For someone so smart you really are dumb!"

"I fear your anaysis is more than correct," Hank moaned.