Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men.
Note: I DID IT! I finally wrote the last scene. It's been a hard road for some reason but I'm done this installment of the story. I think you'll all like the wrap up.
Imaginary Friend
Chapter 35
Turning his chair again he faced them with resolve. "I will erase everyone's memories back to the point of my error."
"That was yesterday afternoon," Evie worried out loud. "That's a long time to recreate."
"I will fabricate the time in between with a peaceful evening of relaxation. Last night's dinner events will not have happened." Charles was forming his plan as he spoke.
"We have to have a reason to be in the medlab." Jean reasoned.
After a moment's thought, Evie had an idea. "Brennan has been on overload since before we came. It would be reasonable for Logan to offer help. Maybe they could have sparred."
"Sparring Brennan wouldn't put Logan in the lab," Jean countered.
"But an unusually hard danger room session could," Charles made mental notes as they spoke. "I understand Hank's hand is healed, Logan was waking when I stopped everyone and thanks to Evie, Brennan has no scars from Wolverine's claws. I will add Scott and Remy to the session, allowing them to witness both Logan and Brennan being hurt. They would have stopped any program and gotten the men to the lab." Charles stared at his desk for a moment in decision. "Yes, this will work nicely. I will handle one person at a time and be certain that everything coincides." He looked up at the women in front of him. His eyes were sad as he carried this burden. Taking each of their hands in his, he spoke softly. "I regret that in all of this you both will not be affected. It should be I alone who carries this burden of truth."
"If we were strong enough to unwittingly resist your powers, I think we can bear up under this." Jean smiled when she saw Evie nod in agreement.
"Nothing happens without good reason, Charles." Evie concluded. "If you must do this then we were meant to know about it. You shouldn't carry this alone."
With a slow smile of agreement touching his lips he nodded sadly, "Very well. You both must stand with me as I work so that you are aware of the new timeline which I will create for that period. You will be involved, especially in the lives of your husbands and children." He led them to the chairs and offered them a seat. "This will take a while. Then I want Shalimar up here immediately. The true memory of her life with Brennan must be restored before anything else can go wrong." In complete agreement, the three psionics began. Their task was puzzling at times. Each mind had to have memories fabricated and each memory had to relate to that of any other person around at the time. Every child and adult was affected. The process took quite a while as Evie had foreseen.
With a deep breath and sigh, Charles spoke. "Jean, Evie, you must both return to the lab and resume your places. Inform me when you are ready and I will awaken everyone. Then get Shalimar here as soon as possible."
"Charles, you're exhausted." Jean' voice was full of concern.
"I will be fine." Determined, Charles sat up straighter and forced strength back into his voice. "This must be done immediately. I will risk no other complications."
Both girls returned to the lab. Charles had been very precise and attentive to every detail. They shared a knowing glance when all had played out exactly as he had described. Even the tesla coils in Brennan's hands were laughed away as he demonstrated a move he easily used on a sentinel.
"That's all very interesting but I believe the professor is ready to work with Shalimar again." Jean walked closer to her.
Shalimar suddenly got nervous and looked from Jesse to Adam.
"It's ok, Shal. I'll walk you up." Jesse quickly glanced and caught the sadness that crossed Brennan's face. Without another word, he led her out of the lab.
Charles opened communication to the rest. I will complete Shalimar's memory reconstruction. I estimate it will take approximately 3 hours. After lunch, Brennan, you may come into my office and await our conclusion.
Adam smiled. He pat Brennan's shoulder as Evie stepped forward and hugged him. "No more danger room for you this visit," he ordered. Turning to his wife he reached for her hand. "Let's find the babies."
Brennan went to his room and showered. He was extraordinarily tired for some reason so he opted to take a little nap before he needed to be in the office. He wanted to look good and be rested when she would come to him again. Making sure Evie would wake him and not let him oversleep; he stretched out on the bed and smiled at the thought of holding Shalimar in his arms once more.
Jean and Evie spent the time carefully listening in on conversations. They especially checked on Logan. In a private send Jean was pleased with the results. It looks like everything worked.
Yes, Charles was very careful. But why were we not affected?
He's been very tired. I think he wasn't able to put forth the energy needed to actually overpower us. The women appeared to anyone who had wandered through the kitchen to be drinking coffee and happily overseeing their children eating lunch.
What about the other psionics in the mansion? Wouldn't they have also been missed?
I don't think so. There are only 3 students who display telepathic gifts. I checked and read them. They know nothing. I believe it's because they're so young and their powers are underdeveloped.
That's a relief. I'm glad Nadene and Thomas are so young. I only pray this never needs to happen again.
Well,…maybe once more.
Evie suddenly stopped wiping the peanut butter and jelly from Nadene's face and looked up at Jean. Jean,…
Jean turned and met Evie's worried eyes for only a moment then continued to clean the highchair tray from Thomas's peanut butter finger painting. Charles…This has been too much on him. He carries too much guilt around as it is for the situations in many of our lives.
I certainly know what that's like. Adam is the same way with the New Mutants. The most basic of all his motivations for his work now is the guilt that it was his discoveries that caused our existence to be what it is.
Charles did all this memory wipe himself. I know using his powers like that, especially on his own family, is something that will eat into his soul…We don't have to let it. I believe that you and I, together, can turn the tables and do the same thing to him.
Evie sat contemplating. Then only you and I will know what really happened…and why…Do you think we can do it?
We can together. He worked on everyone in the mansion. We only have to work on him.
It would have to be while he's asleep. We can insist he eats something then takes a nap. He should respond to that.
Then we combine our powers and go in together. We follow the same pattern he laid out for everyone else. Jean smiled as she picked up her son. "It's time for your nap."
"You too, little lady. We can't have you all cranky to see Aunt Shalimar when she's done." Evie followed Jean as they went out of the kitchen and up the stairs with two yawning toddlers.
TBC
