WRONG WAY HOME

The next mornin' Ah woke up real strange at the crack a'dawn. John had taken care of Anna for meh through the night, so it's obvious whay he's still asleep. But Ah had no dreams last night, just woke up with this feelin' that we needed ta get up and get outta there now. Ah jumped up and put mah uniform on, when Ah realized that Ah turned off mah powers last night and Ah wasn't wearin' the uniform. Ah went ta wake up John as fast as Ah could when Ah noticed he was peakin' at meh.

"Ya'll lil pervert."

"Hmm, sheila. That you?"

"Don't goof 'round. Now's not the time. We gotta get outta here now."

"What's wrong?"

"Get dressed fast, we probably got sentinels on our tail." Ah told him as Ah threw his clothes at him. He jumped up and got dressed and grabbed Anna for meh while Ah grabbed our stuff and we headed for the car. Looked clear so far. We took off as fast as Ah could get the car ta go. Ah didn't even think 'bout the fact that Ah shut off mah powers and that Ah wasn't wearin' gloves, just how could Ah be so careless. That's when John touched mah hand.

"It's not your fault." Ah broke out of mah train of thought.

"What?"

"It's not your fault. Everythings going to be alright."

"Can't beh so sure sugah. This kevlar is what masks mah mutant signature. Once we use our powers, any of them from a hundred mile radius could beh alerted."

"I know."

"Ah was careless."

"No, you were thinking about Anna and me."

"If'n Ah was Ah should'a put mah suit on."

"You were tired, it happens to the best of us."

"Not meh John, not meh. It was careless." He turned and looked through the window and mumbled, "It's not your fault."

We got as far as Nebraska when we saw it. There was half a dozen of the sentinels headin' our way from behind us and closin' in. Ah slammed on the brakes.

"John, mah powers ain't on and we can't out run them."

"Way ahead of you." He grabbed mah hand and it was so quick that Ah hadn't had the time ta register mah powers were back in full force, but he was still concentratin' on keepin' his mind in his own head. Ah pulled out of his grasp and he gave meh a weak smile. Ah got out of the car.

"John, take her and get outta here."

"I'm not leaving you here."

"Ah don't matter. Ah can handle mahself. Got Ms. Marvels powers, permanently, remembah."

He nodded in agreement and pulled Anna out of the car, car seat and all and ran nearby ta the woods nearby. They wouldn't have known he was a mutant, they weren't close 'nough ta scan and he hadn't used his powers. Just as John got clear they landed around meh.

"Halt mutant."

"Guess ya'll figured out mah lil secret."

I didn't have any time left, they started attackin' meh. Fahne, ya'll wanna play with meh, let's play. Ah flew up and started knockin' some heads. Ah was almost finished when John came runnin' out since one of them was 'bout ta hit meh and it did. It took its fist and knocked meh straight back down ta the ground. Then it decided ta step on meh. All Ah could hear was, "Nnnooo!" from John. All of a sudden it fell down and burst inta flames. Ah got up, mah suit was just 'bout worthless now, not just 'cause they're lookin' fer meh now, but the fight got it all messed up.

"John, what the hell?"

"I just saved your life."

"Invunerable remembah?"

"Yeah, but to what extent?"

"Don't know, but now ya'll ain't safe either."

"Wasn't safe in a mutant hating world anyway."

"Get in the car. Make sure Anna's locked up tight."

"No problem."

We finally made it ta Colorado without anymore problems. But we had ta stop at a lil coffee shop. Ah needed ta change mah clothes and take care of Anna. Ah looked at John.

"Ah can't go in there sugah."

"Yeah you can, shut it off."

"What if-"

"The suit is mostly there we should be safe."

"Sounds like a plan." It was easier ta shut it off. Ah don't know whay maybe the practice or the fact Ah trust him. We get out and head inside, and once 'gain John's playin' daddy, but he's lovin' it as all the girls swoon over him and Anna. Ah come out fully dressed in a sweater and jeans and Ah go take Anna away from him and he gives meh a sad look.

"Well, Ah thought ya'll said ya'll were a chick magnet anyhow. Ya'll don't need ta use mah sweet, innocent child in this."

"Come on sheila, it was all in good fun. Besides, you're the only one for meh."

"Right. Let's hurry up and get on our way. Might just beh able ta get there before dark."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Ah certainly hope so sugah."

We got outta there and high tailed it ta the settlement. Ah hope Ah'm not puttin' anybody in danger. Ah really think we lost 'em. Ah took all sorts o'roads Ah didn't need ta in all sorts of directions and Ah've been goin' pretty fast just ta make up the time. Ah park the car in the woods and decide ta walk up there. John starts complainin' 'bout the bags bein' too heavy so Ah tell him ta shut up 'fore Ah do somethin' with his lighters and he doesn't say 'nother word. We made it there without any problems, in fact Kurt was there at the front gates ta welcome meh. John was a lil freaked, but handled it pretty rationally for once. But then again after livin' 'round Mystique and Beast for so long, ya'll get used ta blue people. Kurt sets us up in a cabin after admirin' mah Anna. The cabin he gives meh has two beds so John and Ah can stay in the same place without takin' up so much room. As we get somethin' ta eat Ah explain ta Kurt what happened on the way back, but that Ah need ta speak ta Scott before Ah leave. Kurt informs meh that Ah can't because Scott's on a mission and won't beh back until tomorrow mornin'. Thats fine, but Ah need ta get out of here before Ah bring mah problems ta these people, so Ah agree and head back ta mah cabin.

John's layin' there starin' up at the ceilin' with his hands tucked behind his head.

"We're leavin' tomorrow aftah Ah talk ta Scott."

"Ok."

"We are gonna have ta move fast too, don't wanna bring mah problems ta these folks front door."

"Our problems."

"What?"

"They have to know that I'm with you after what happened."

"You're right."

"I know."

"Ah'll beh right back."

"Uh huh."

Ah went in search of Kurt again, still with Anna in mah arms. Ah found him in his cabin prayin'.

"Kurt Ah'm sorry ta do this."

"What is it?"

"Ah need a real big favor?"

"Anything."

"It kills meh ta say this, but Ah need ya'll ta take Anna when Ah leave tomorrow."

"What? Why?"

"The sentinels are most likely gonna beh trackin' us. Ah made a stupid mistake and then Pyro tried ta help meh and now he's wound up in this mess tight too. Ah can't have nothin' happen ta mah child. Will ya'll do this for meh? For her?"

"Of course."

"Ah'll beh back for her, Ah promise. But it's gotta beh safe."

"Yes, I understand."

"Kurt, Ah know somethin' and it's the only way Ah can thank you."

"Ja."

"Kurt Ah know ya'll momma." He looked at meh like Ah grew another head.

"She was mah momma too, she adopted meh. Ah saw it in your memories and hers. She was tryin' ta protect ya'll but couldn't. Ended up protected herself. Doesn't know ya'll alive, but Ah don't know if she is either. Ya'll have her eyes, and her skin was blue."

"Thank you."

"No sugah, thank you."

With that Ah left, craddlin' mah sleepin' child in mah arms.