Disclaimer: I don't own any of the X-men. Marvel owns them.(Someday… they will be mine!) I do however own Dom (SCORE!) and Astral and Nicole/Mindfire. Additionally this chapter I own Daniel (Devil) and Jessie(Daystar).

Please be gentle! This is my first X-men fanfic! Reviews welcome, no flames! I burn easy.

Jessie and Daniel are based upon my ex and I, because I still care about him and whatnot and I thought it would be a cool little twist in my story. I borrowed Daystar from the Blade Trinity movie. Thought it would fit her powers.

Mm4ever2gether- thanks for being so patient with me. I hope so too!

Starbabt-210- U R CRAZY! Thanks for the Ideas and think of the dot!

Floppybelly- stalking can be a good thing! LOL. I know that Logan and Rogue need a kid, but I need to decide if it'll be a boy or a girl and all that jazz… aren't honeymoons where all the magic happens? I promise Evan will be cute.

Fairytalepriness03- thank you very very much and welcome to the cult!

So Dom decided not to run again… well… not entirely. Seeing as how every time he saw Nicole he ran the opposite direction. Or to a bar. He was content to spend all his waking moments drunk. All of his waking moments besides his classes.

In those rare moments, he was not in class and still lucid, he'd be found running. Often the children would sit outside on the track and watch him run for hours. When Dom ran, he blocked out everything else and his thoughts.

Crouching to tie his sneaker, he noticed the children waiting on the bleachers to watch him and he smiled. He'd outlast them all.

After three hours of running, Dom went back inside to the mansion and to the common room. He lied down on a sofa and promptly fell asleep.

Nicole stared at the book across the room from her in the library and slowly it began to levitate. She brought it to her hand and began to flip through it. Unsatisfied with what she read, she levitated it back to its spot. As she was about to levitate another, Scott entered the room.

"What are you doing?"

"Practicing."

"Ready for a danger room session?"

"Sure. I've got time to kill. Lonely since Logan is gone on his honeymoon?"

"Yeah. I don't have any sparring partners for the Danger Room now."

Nicole followed him down the hall and almost bumped into him when he stopped short. A smile came to his face.

"Your best friend."

She peered around him to see Dom asleep on a couch. One of the younger girls in the school was covering him with an afghan and she turned to smile at them.

"He doesn't make me do guy pushups in gym." She ran off, blushing.

Nicole smiled. "Where has he been?"

Scott shrugged. "He disappears every night. I think he goes bar hopping."

"I really hurt him bad, Scott."

"If he really cares he'll let you be happy."

"That's what Jubilee said. C'mon. Let's go to the Danger Room."

As they walked away, Dom opened his eyes and frowned. Why was it any of Scott's business where he went? It's not like he was one of the X-Men. He was just teaching… until he found a way to move on. He had nothing to tie him to this place. Nothing but a damn job.

I need everyone to come to my office, immediately. The Professor voice cut through Dom's thoughts. Dom growled and threw the blanket to the floor. By the time he arrived in the office everyone else had gathered.

"I have a mission that is of the utmost priority. It seems there is a young girl in southern California who can concentrate psi waves into objects and she's being persecuted by her church. We need to establish contact with the girl and help her. Storm, I want you and Nicole to-"

"Wait. Nicole is a little young to be going on a mission, isn't she?" Scott asked. "Why aren't you going, Professor? You always want to offer your school to prospective students.

Xavier sighed. "I was hoping to wait to inform everyone of my decision, but it seems now is the time."

"Professor-" Jean started and he held up his hand.

"No Jean. They need to know. As you all are aware, I won't live forever, and someday, someone will have to take my place. I've chosen Nicole as my successor, if she'll accept."

Nicole's eyes widened. "Me?"

"Yes. I know you are young and still have yet to prove yourself in the field, but I believe you would be an astounding leader."

"What about Jean?" Nicole stated. "I mean she seems like more of a-"

Jean stopped her. "Nicole you are more powerful than me by far. When I was your age I could barely levitate a book and the other day I saw you lift a car for Scott. With just a few more years of practice you could even operate Cerebro."

Nicole shook her head. "I don't know… I mean. I don't feel that qualified and-"

"Nicole," Dom spoke quietly. "I've never been afraid of anything in my entire life. Not any of the bad asses I've come across, not the military, not even death, but that night you threw me against a wall and drained me… I got a little skittish. You have amazing power. I think you can do it."

"Well said, young man," Hank chuckled. "I agree."

Scott nodded. "I'm a good field leader, but when it comes to running a school and the team, I'm lost. You're perfect for this Nicole."

Nicole blushed. "Are you sure?"

Xavier grinned. "Of course. Does this mean you'll accept?"

Nicole nodded. "Yes. I'd be proud to be your successor."

"Good, then Storm and Nicole shall go on to California to talk with the young girl."

"Okay," Nicole said and the team started to dissemble.

"Dominic. Would you stay for a moment?" Xavier asked as Dom was about to leave the room. Dom turned and crossed his arms over his chest. Jean gave him a smile.

"What?"

Xavier laced his fingers together. "I know you aren't an official member of the team, Dominic, but I was hoping you'd accompany them to California."

Dom raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I know Storm and Nicole are both able to defend themselves if necessary, but it would make me rest easier if they had someone else along, such as you."

"Like you said. I'm not a member of the team, Chuck."

"You could be," Nicole said.

Dom let his gaze drop on her. "Isn't one Wolverine enough for you people?"

"Apparently not," Storm smiled. "Please come with us."

Dom sighed. "I guess… If you can get Popsicle to watch my classes."

Nicole smiled and Xavier nodded.

"I believe that can be arranged."

As they left his office to pack and prepare for their mission, Nicole stopped Dom in the hall with a warm hand on his arm.

"Thank you, Dom… For what you said in there."

"I only spoke the truth."

"Yeah, but coming from you… It means something. Thanks for agreeing to come with us."

"I've been looking for an excuse to fly that jet." Dom shrugged his shoulders.

"Anyways. Thanks. I'll see you on the jet." She turned and walked away to pack and call Darryl. Upon entering her room, she dialed his number.

"Hello?"

"Darryl? It's me, Nicole. I've got wonderful news!"

"What's that?" Darryl asked.

"Xavier has chosen me as his successor! I'll be in charge of the school!"

"That's wonderful, but what about school? What about being a doctor?"

"I'll still be able to do that Darryl."

He was quiet for a moment. "What about us? Can we have a future if you're running a school?"

"Of course we can. Why wouldn't we?"

"I don't know. Can we talk later? I've got to go to my meetings."

Nicole sighed. "I'll be gone for a few days. I need to go to California for Xavier."

"Call me when you get back."

"Of course. I love you."

"Love you, too."

Nicole hung up. She had expected him to be happier for her. When she got back they could talk about it and maybe he'd understand. She started to shove clothes into her bag. Maybe being away for awhile would be good for her. Although, she was going to have to be around Dom a lot and he was still angry with her. A knock sounded on her door and she spun around. Storm stood there with a smile on her face.

"Are you ready?"

Storm set the controls as she spun her chair around in the Blackbird. "We'll be staying with Mama Belle. She has a halfway house for mutants out here. She's a close friend of ours."

Nicole peered out the window at the large, Victoria style house. "Mama Belle?"

"She prefers to be called that. She's a wonderful woman, and she works wonders with the teens that come here. She's a healer… that's her power."

"Well, let's get going. It's damn hot and I need a beer." Dom grabbed Storm and Nicole's bags.

Storm smiled at Nicole as they watch Dom carry their bags off the jet.
"That was unexpected."

Nicole grinned. "We'll civilize him yet."

"Get your asses in gear and stop talkin' about me!" Dom yelled.

The hot California sun nearly blinded Dom when he got off the plane. He put up a hand to shield his eyes and spotted an older woman standing on the front porch of the spacious house, set in the mountains outside of Oceanside, California. She waved them forward. She had long black hair that was in a long braid down her back.

"That's Belle," Storm waved back.

"Ororo Munroe! It's been ages, darling!" Belle wrapped her arms around the taller African. "How I've missed you. Where's Charles?"

"He's handling the school right now. Graduation is coming up. Instead he sent someone very special to meet you." Storm held out her hand to Nicole and drew her forward. "This is Nicole Logan. Charles chose her as his successor."

"It's about time he made up his mind. It's a pleasure to meet you, dear. And who is this stud with you two?" Belle laughed and winked at Dom.

"This is Dominic James. More affectingly known as Dom."

Belle's features turned sad. "I never thought I'd here that name again."

Dom raised and eyebrow. "What?"

"The last time I saw you, you were barely walking. Yuri was always a little worried about you. You were such a small thing. How is Yuriko?"

"My mother died. Stryker found us," Dom said, bluntly.

"James warned her that one day she would have to face her demons. I'm glad some small part of her survived," Belle said, touching his arm.

"So am I."

"Let me show you all to your rooms. " Belle led them into the large house and some small children ran around their legs. "Outside you guys!"

Dom watched the small children with interest. One had wings much like a bat and the other had horns. The little girl with wings stuck her tongue out at him.

"Alyssa!" a voice reprimanded sharply. "Is that any way to treat guests?"

They looked to the doorway to see a beautiful blonde woman standing there. She smiled, her eyes twinkling. Dom noticed that one of her eyes was blue and one was green.

"Storm, Nicole, and Dom, I'm like you to meet Jessica. Jessie, as she is more fondly called, is one of my oldest students. Jessie, these are some of Charles's X-Men."

"Nice to meet you three. Sorry about Alyssa. She's at that age." Jessie held out her hand to Storm. "It's awesome to meet you guys."

Belle smiled. "Jessie has some extraordinary powers. She can gather light energy and compress it."

Dom raised an eyebrow and Nicole laughed. "Explain it slower for him."

"It's simple," Jessie held out her hands and slowly brought them closer. A white ball of light formed between her fingers. "I compress light. They call me Daystar."

"You and Jessie will be bunking together," Belle said to Nicole. She turned to Jessie. "Would you show Nicole to your room? I'll take Dom and Storm to theirs."

"Sure, Belle. Follow me." Jessie led Nicole down the hallway. "So who's the hunk?"

"Huh? Oh, that's Dom."

"He your boyfriend?"

"Oh, no. He wishes."

Jessie shrugged. "Why not? He's cute."

"Dom and I were involved once… It didn't work out. I'm dating a guy named Darryl from school." Nicole laughed. "I barely know you, Jessie, and I'm blabbing like an idiot!"

"People always seem to open up to me." Jessie shrugged. "It's a gift. Welcome to our room. It's not much, but its home."

Nicole sat down her bags and saw a picture of Jessie with a tall dark headed man. He had shoulder length brown hair and was smiling brightly. "Who's that?"

"That would be Daniel. He's… a good friend."

"Good friend, huh? He's cute. I like his hair."

"So do I… When he keeps it long."

"Does he live here too?"

"No… well… sometimes. Daniel is one of the front men for the Mutant Liberation Front. He comes by sometimes."

"Mutant Liberation Front… I've heard of them. Professor Xavier knows some of them."

Belle came to the door. "Dinner will be ready in five. You all had better be hungry."

Both girls rolled their eyes and grinned at one another. Jessie held out her hand. "I think you and I are going to be great friends."

Belle watched as Dom sat outside on her porch smoking a cigarette. She looked down at the book clenched between her fingers and she took a deep breath. She walked out on the porch and stood next to him.

"Hello Dominic."

He looked up and her and nodded. "Belle."

She snorted. "I remember when you used to call me Nana."

"Sorry, Nana."

She smiled and sat down next to him. He put out his cigarette. "Thank you."

He shrugged and stared out at kids playing in the yard. "How long were we here?"

"Fourteen wonderful years."

He nodded. "Were we happy?"

"Yes. You… your mother… and James."

"James?"

"He was your mother's only love, besides you. She left me this to give you someday if something was to happen to her." Belle handed him the book. "She also wanted you to have her tags."

Dom took the chain that Belle held out to him and studied the engraving. 458-65-875 and Deathstryke. His mother's numbers and name.

"The book is full of pictures and mementos."

Dom opened the book and saw himself as a baby. He started to flip through the book, slowly, examining his life.

"I can only remember some… It comes back to me slowly," he confessed. "Thanks Belle."

She nodded. "You two fought the good cause. It was a honor to have you in my house."

"Thank you."

Belle left Dom to his musings and Jessie wandered out onto the porch.

"Sorry, am I intruding?"

He shook his head. "Belle found memories for me and I was just getting lost in them I guess."

She smiled. "Your mother must have loved you."

He nodded. "What did you want?"

"Oh, I was just leaving Nicole alone to talk on the phone with her boyfriend. He sounds… dull."

Dom smirked. "He looks like a walking ad for American Eagle."

Jessie grinned. "She said you hated him."

He nodded again. "With a passion."

"Because you love her?"

"With a passion." He changed the subject. "So you got a boyfriend?"

Jessie rolled her eyes. "Nah. I couldn't be so lucky… I was in love once."

"With who?" Dom asked, interested.

"His name is Daniel… He lives here… sometimes. He travels a lot."

"Did he love you back?"

"I think so."

"He a mutant?"

"Yes. One with the amazing power of his head continuously stuck up his ass."

Dom laughed.

"No… He has wings... One a lot like Warren Worthington's, but Daniel has black feathers… and they retract. They call him Devil."

"Where's he at now?"

"Wherever the Mutant Liberation Front takes him. They fight to free mutants from prisons and other unlawful holding pens."

Dom nodded. "Like labs?"

"Like labs. He's gone a lot… I miss him. He comes and visits every once in a while."

Dom took a long drag off his cigarette. "He'll come around. You're beautiful and no man can stay away from a beautiful girl like you for long."

She blushed. "Thanks, Dom."

"No trouble."

Nicole came to the door, a distressed look on her face.

"What's wrong, doll?"

"Nothing. Darryl is just busy all the time. He never has time to talk anymore."

"Boyfriends suck." Jessie mused.

Dom laughed and ground out his cigarette. "Cset la vie, kids. That's life."

Jessie stretched and yawned. "Well, I'm turning in since we have to be up early tomorrow to hunt down that girl."

"We?" Dom raised an eyebrow.

"Storm and Nicole both agreed I'd be helpful. I may even come back to Xavier's with you all."

She left them with that and went to bed. Dom looked at Nicole, uncomfortable.

"You can run away if you want to. I won't chase you," Nicole said, quietly.

"I'm sorry."

"I know."

"I lo-"

"I know."

"Will you ever?"

She shrugged. "Darryl loves me and he won't run Dom."

"I didn't ask about Darryl."

"I do love you, Dom, you know I do."

He nodded and took her hand, kissing the palm. "Maybe in the next life."

She shrugged and leaned down to brush her lips against his cheek. "Maybe."