Review Responses:
ishandahalf: As always, your review made me smile. I can't thank you enough for your kind words. And I admit that I almost didn't put the part where Remy put the ring on her while she was in a coma in the story. I was worried some people might think it was weird for him to put jewelry on his unconscious girlfriend. But, I can see from your squealing that I did okay with that. Again, thanks for the praise. You're the greatest. Ah, and yes...I apologize, but Carly will not be magically dieing anytime soon. Sorry. :( Oh, and also...I posted chapter 14 and then went to take a shower. I get back in my room and I have a review from you! So that was soooo awesome. :) Being a bit "quick like a bunny on crack" were we? :P I really didn't expect a review so soon, so thanks for that.
angyxoxo: I apologize from keeping you from your school work. I mean, we all know how important it is right? Much more so than fan fiction...Okay, I just wanted to see if I could get through that with a strait face. :) Anywho, thank you so much for reviewing. As a fan of your work, your approval means a lot to me. And yea, I'm kinda pissed at Scott right now, too. I think Emma is controlling him psychically. Yep, that's my theory. I'm glad I could help you forget about stupid Marvel for a few moments. And yes, you are delusional, but hey, aren't we all? Otherwise we wouldn't be having nearly this much fun. As for your questions....all will be revealed....:D Thanks again!
Jukebox: Glad you liked the chappy. And I do apologize for the long update. I had some personal issues that I told y'all about in an earlier chapter. After all that was taken care of, I thought I'd be able to write, but I had a slight medical issue that I had to deal with too. All is well now, and you can rest assured that the next update isn't too far away. Thanks for sticking with the story. I'm glad you appreciated the recap. I thought it might be helpful considering I haven't updated in like six months. :( I feel bad for Wolvie to. I honestly didn't plan for Jean to be pregnant. I really have no idea where that came from. But I guess it worked out for the best since it indirectly prompted Remy's proposal. Anyway, I hope you like what's coming. Thanks again.
IvyZoe: Heh, again I apologize for the insanely long wait. I really feel terrible about not updating it. But rest assured that the rest will go smoothly. There are roughly seven chapters left, and I hope to have them all done by the time fall semester begins. (crosses fingers) Thank you so much for stickin' with this story. It's my first fan fic, so it'll always be my baby. :)
Leishy: Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you liked this chapter. Like I said above, I didn't plan this one at all. It just came to me the other day. Anyway, thanks for taking time to review. Stay tuned for more Romy goodness. :)
Kat: I'm so glad that someone else likes Scott. I think he really gets a bad rep...Except right now with the whole Emma scandal he kinda deserves a kick in the ass, but whatever. I was worried that I made him too out of character, but I guess not. Thanks for the review. And don't worry, I've signed that petition AND sent several strongly worded letters and e-mails to Marvel. We must not sit idly by! :P
lebibliothecaire: No, not abandoned just yet. Thanks for stickin' with me. :)
Abaiisiia: Ah, another Scott-hater...:P I'm not his number one fan myself right now. But I still maintain that Emma is controlling him. I'm glad you like what you've seen so far. Hope I don't disappoint you.
Star-of-Chaos, enchantedlight, allison, Boomkat: Thanks so much for reviewing. The kind words mean so much to me. I hope you all enjoy where this story is going.
I hope I haven't missed anyone. If I have - 1,000 apologies. I love all my reviewers! You guys are great!
I don't own 'em. Please don't sue me. I'm poor.
Somebody Else's Song - Chapter 15
Rogue woke up the next morning felling happier than she ever remembered being. She snuggled closer to Remy and sighed.
"You finally awake, sleepyhead?
She pulled her head back and gazed into his dark eyes, "Mornin'." She squinted her eyes at the few leaks of sunlight that made their way through the drawn curtains.
"Mornin' belle," he smiled. His voice was thick with sleep, "How do ya feel?"
"Wonderful," she grinned and snuggled again. She caught sight of her ring and studied it as the newly risen sun's rays danced off the solitary diamond. She felt Remy kiss the top of her head.
"Penny for yer thoughts, Chere. Y'ain't...regrettin' anyt'ing 'bout last night are ya?"
"Oh, Remy, no!" She was sitting up immediately.
"Bon," he propped himself up on an elbow and kissed the tip of her nose, before moving to get out of bed.
"Where are you goin'?"
"I got a Danger Room session to supervise in less dan an hour---"
"Why cain't we just stay in bed today?" she buried her face in his chest in a pleading manner.
"Truth be told, I'd rather snuggle for a few more hours m'self. But, Chere..."
"Okay, fine," his fiancée conceded, pouting slightly.
"Don' you give me dat look. Ain't my fault. 'Ro did the schedules dis week." He sighed as she continued to pout. "Okay, Chere ten more minutes, den I have to get up."
She grinned at her small victory as they settled back down under the covers.
xxxx
"You all know the mission. Our primary target is the girl. She comes out alive. But no one else in that building survives this." Simon Greene motioned to Xavier's school. He pressed a button on his communicator, "We're in position."
"Copy, Colonel. The other squads just checked in. We're waiting for your signal."
"We have a while to wait yet. We need to catch them completely unaware if any of us want to get out alive. And remember to stay away from their sensors until we get ready for the attack. We don't want them to know we're here until it's too late."
Simon set his lips in a thin line as he removed his rifle from it's place on his back and secured it in his experienced hands. He looked back at his men grimly and motioned for them to follow.
xxxx
Remy smiled to himself as he made his way down the hall to Rogue's bedroom. She wouldn't be up to bed for a while - Logan was helping her with her physical therapy this evening. Remy opened the door to the room and stepped inside. He slipped his sneakers off and made himself comfortable on the bed. The edge of his lips twitched as he thought about the meeting he had just left. Kurt, Storm and the Professor had asked him to Xavier's office. He never did make it to the Danger Room session that morning and Kurt had to pull a double shift to cover him when he didn't show up.
The three of them had been very agitated with him. At least, until he gave them his excuse.
"I do apologize for dat, Professor. But I do have a good reason for missin' dat session."
"We are waiting," the bald man replied.
"Well, de t'ing is dis: Rogue didn't want me to get outta bed dis mornin' and my fiancée can be very persuasive..."
He nearly laughed out loud when he recalled the looks on their faces. Then he had been showered with well-wishes, hugs and handshakes. The Professor let him off with a stern warning and Remy promised to never let it happen again. Then he left the meeting after the other three mutants promised not to say anything. He and Rogue wanted to keep their engagement a secret for a while longer. Rogue thought it was romantic or something like that. He didn't care either way. All he knew was that in a few months, he would be married to the most amazing woman he had ever known.
Remy turned over on his side and contemplated getting up and grabbing a quick shower. Or maybe he should wait for Rogue and convince her to join him...
Gambit never got to finish that thought. He was suddenly thrown onto the floor as a loud explosion rocked the mansion.
xxxx
"Be careful, darlin'. You wanna reverse all the hard work you've put into recoverin'?"
Rogue snatched her arm away from Wolverine and tried to perform the leg exercise again, "Ah said Ah was fine."
Wolverine smiled as she nearly hit the floor. He caught her before she made impact and laughed at her frustrated cry.
"It's okay, Rogue. Nobody expects you to be completely healed just yet. Take it slow."
"Ah don't want ta take it slow, Wolverine. I don't want to have to limp down the aisle at mah own wedding!" Her hand flew to her mouth instantly and she looked at her friend with wide eyes.
Logan smiled at her, one eyebrow raised.
"Please tell me that Ah didn't just say that."
"Oh, you said it. But I already kinda figured...seein' as how you got that little ring on your finger."
"Oh, Logan, please don't tell anybody. It's supposed to be a secret..."
"Don't worry, darlin'. Yer secret's safe with me. But if you plan on keepin' it hush-hush for too long, you may want to consider not advertisin' it." He pointed at the ring.
"Yea, Ah know. But Ah cain't bear to take it off. It's just that Ah wanted to keep it to myself for a few days. Just to get used to it. Plus I didn't want Scott an' Jean to think Ah was tryin' to steal their thunder..."
She noticed the shift in Logan's mood with the mention of Jean's pregnancy and mentally kicked herself. God, why cain't Ah just keep mah mouth shut today?
"Look, Logan," she attempted to repair the damage, "Ah'm really tired. Why don't we just call it a day?"
Logan nodded and moved to grab his duffle bag when he and Rogue were suddenly knocked off their feet as the gym shook around them.
"What's goin' on?"
"Don't know!"Logan yelled back, "But I sure as hell don't like it!"
He managed to get to his feet and made his way over to Rogue. He grabbed her arm and pulled her up. Together, the two of them made their way to the door as another blast shook the walls around them and the intruder alarms began screaming through the halls.
The two X-Men stumbled into the hall as another explosion shook building violently.
"Jesus!" Logan shouted as part of the ceiling collapsed around them. He pulled Rogue down and covered her the best he could and waited for more debris to fall on them. The impact never came. Logan looked up to see Jean standing before them. He looked above him and saw the debris suspended inches above his head. With a flick of her wrist, Jean sent the fragments of ceiling flying into a heap behind her teammates.
"Are you two alright?" she came forward and knelt with them.
"We're fine," Rogue moved to stand, using Logan's shoulder as a prop. "What's goin' on?"
As if to answer her, the building shook again.
"We're under attack," Jean answered, leaning against the wall.
"No shit. Who is it, Jeannie?" Logan asked, running a hand through his hair and brushing out several pieces of plaster.
"I don't know," Jean shook her head, "I can't pick up on anyone outside the Institute, but...something's not right. It's almost as if my telepathy is being deliberately blocked."
Before the other two could respond another blast sounded.
"We need to get to the others and get out of here before the whole mansion caves in on us," Jean stood up and Logan and Rogue followed her.
xxxx
"Warren, look out!" Betsy screamed as the window behind her lover exploded and glass shards were sent flying into his back. He fell to the floor clutching at his back with one hand and trying to break his fall with the other. She was at his side instantly, checking him for serious wounds.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," He sat up painfully as another grenade was tossed through a window on the far side of the library. He pulled her to him roughly and then wrapped his wings around both of them and waited for the explosion to come.
xxxx
"Oh my stars and garters!" Hank gasped ask he struggled to keep himself and the highly explosive tubes of chemicals upright. "Bobby! Grab that one!"
Bobby shot a stream of ice at the tube and froze it solid just before it hit the floor and shattered against the tile. Hank shot him a disapproving look.
"Without destroying it."
Bobby held up his hands in defense, "Hey, you didn't specify!"
"What the hell is goin' on?" Paige stumbled from the dark room where she had been developing some x-rays for Hank and landed on the floor.
"I'm afraid we are just as in the dark about this as you, my dear. Bobby and I will take care of these chemicals, Paige. You go to the upper levels and see if you can find out what's going on."
Paige nodded and made her way to the door quickly, despite the shaking building.
She started up the stairs and clung desperately to the handrail as another explosion rattled the building.
"Geez!" she shouted as a huge piece of falling plaster missed her head by mere inches. She ran the rest of the way up the stairs, using the temporary lull in explosions to her advantage. She got to the top of the stairs and stopped cold. In front of her lay Jubilee with a small pool of blood surrounding her head.
xxxx
Storm hovered just above the floor so that the shaking building didn't knock her off her feet. She, the Professor, Kurt and Scott had been in his office discussing the new Danger Room sims when the attack had started.
"Is everyone alright?" She asked. Scott nodded as he and Kurt helped the Professor back into his hovercraft that had become slightly damaged by the falling debris. The room shook again and the three men fell to the ground.
"This isn't working. Kurt!" Scott slipped into fearless leader mode naturally, "Get the Professor to a secure room in the lower levels. Storm and I will find the rest of the team and find out what's going on."
"Wait!" Charles looked to Storm and Cyclops, "Something isn't right here. I can feel it."
"What do you mean?"
"We're under attack---"
"That is a bit obvious Professor," Kurt interrupted him.
"You don't understand, children. My psychic scans are being blocked somehow. I can't pick up on anything outside of the mansion walls."
"So...?"
"I believe we are being attacked by a mutant. A psychic."
Scott covered his face with his hand, "It's Carly, isn't it Professor?"
"It has to be," Storm acknowledged, "No one else could be powerful enough to nullify the Professor's power."
Charles nodded gravely.
"Right," Kurt nodded, "So what do we do?"
Scott licked his lips and swallowed, "Get the Professor to safety, Kurt. And find someone to help you get the students out. This vendetta ends here. Tonight."
xxxx
"This way!" Shadowcat called out to the group of students. She turned a corner and ran strait into Colossus.
"Petey! Thank god!" She hugged him tightly and then pulled away, "Have you seen anyone else?"
"No," he shook his head.
"Crap. Okay, here's what we do: You take this group down to the lowest level and wait for me there. I'm gonna go back for the other students."
"Shouldn't I go back up there?"
"No. I'm sneakier than you. And until we know what we're up against..."
"Da. Okay. Just be careful Kitty."
"Always am." She blew him a kiss and took off towards the stairs.
xxxx
Gambit tore down the stairs four at the time. He barely had time to slip on his boots and grab his trench coat before Rogue's bedroom had been blown to pieces around him. He landed on the living room floor silently and quickly surveyed his surroundings. He made his was over to the Rec room. There was no enemy in sight. Remy let out a breath and fumbled in the interior pockets of his coat looking for his spare communicator. He didn't know what was going on, but finding the normally bustling Rec room empty and in shambles caused his hair to stand on end. Not to mention that the screaming intruder alert sirens were giving him a migraine. He had to find the other X-Men, and in particular Rogue. She was powerless now and still going through rehab to strengthen her legs. She just could walk on her own and now they were under attack in their home.
Finally, Remy pulled out his communicator and pressed the button.
"Dis is Gambit. If anyone can hear me please respond."
"Gambit, this is Shadowcat. Where are you?"
"In de Rec room. What de hell is goin' on?"
"I don't know. Have you seen anyone else?"
"Non. You?"
"Only Colossus. The majority of the students are safe with him."
"Bon. Can you meet me here to regroup and plan our next move?"
"Sure. I'll be there in a sec."
"I'll be waitin'."
xxxx
"Y'all sure this is a good idea? Maybe we should be headed to the lower levels until we know what's goin' on." Rogue walked behind Logan and Jean as they made their down the hall towards the Professor's office. The bombing had curiously stopped, though the alarms were still sounding, and the three X-Men were on the search for their teammates.
"I need to find the Professor before we do anything. Maybe he is able to pick up on something outside of the mansion." Jean walked with her hand pressed to her stomach. She was terrified. She felt completely helpless and vulnerable with her psychic powers "turned off" and an innocent life growing inside of her.
"Wait!" Logan whispered urgently, grabbing Jean's arm and pulling her back before she could step around a corner.
"Logan---" He put a hand to her mouth to silence her and started backing away from the corner. Rogue followed his lead.
"What's goin' on?" she whispered.
"We got company. I can smell 'em."
"Anyone we know?"
Wolverine was silent as he led the two women into a bathroom. He locked the door, but didn't turn on the light.
"Yea, we know 'em." He said quietly studying his teammates faces in the dim room. Outside the door, they could hear the light footsteps of their enemies.
"Well? Who is it?"
"It's Carly," Jean answered for him. She attempted to pick up on how many men they were up against, but her telepathy still felt off.
Rogue grew pale at the news and sank down to the floor. "She's here?"
"Don't worry darlin'," Wolverine released his claws, "They ain't gettin' to ya this time."
xxxx
"Come on Jubes. Talk to me, please!" Paige cradled her friend gently and brushed her black hair away from her too-pale face. "Come on Jubilee, please be okay." She felt tears forming in her eyes. She moved to brush them away, but stopped when she caught sight of her friend's blood on her hand. "Oh, God...I have to get Hank. He'll help you. I'll be right back, okay. I'll be right back."
"You're not going anywhere, mutie."
Paige's head snapped up and her blood ran cold. Before her stood four well-armed soldiers.
"Who are you people? Why are you here?" She demanded, sounding braver than she felt.
"Get up," One of the men motioned at her with his rifle, ignoring her question.
"Alright! Okay." She slipped her arms out from under Jubilee carefully and stood up.
"Take it easy, girl. No sudden movements."
"Alright, already. Could you just not point those guns at me please?!"
"I'm givin' the orders here. Not you. Put your hands up. Pearson, give her the inhibitor collar."
"I thought we were supposed to kill everyone but the one with the white stripes," Pearson responded.
"Just shut-up and follow orders. We'll keep this one around for a little while. She's just a little girl. And she'll be our very own little bargaining chip."
White stripes? Shit. These are the guys that went after Rogue in North Carolina...
"Paige...?"
"Jubilee?!" Completely forgetting the men, Paige knelt beside her fallen teammate, "Are you okay?"
"My head hurts like a bitch. What's goin' on?"
"Well," the gunman smiled, "Looks like we'll be needing two of those collars, Pearson."
xxxx
Scott let loose a full-powered blast at the men in front of him. He and Storm had been ambushed seconds earlier as they made their way towards the living room and now found themselves fighting for their lives. All Scott could think about was his wife and their unborn child as he went against every belief he had and set his visor to full blast. If killing these men were the only way to protect his family and home, then so be it.
Above him, Storm had come to the same conclusion. She blasted men left and right with lightning bolts as her winds whipped around her. She felt little remorse for the men she was striking down. They had, after all, nearly killed Rogue, Remy, and Bobby. And for what? Some sick woman's demented version of justice? No, Scott was right. This had to end tonight, for all their sakes.
She blasted another enemy away and looked to see how Scott was fairing. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw three men sneak up behind him. She realized instantly that she couldn't help him. Her lighting bolts were much to uncontrollable for her to try and knock the men away. She opened her mouth to warn him, but instead let out a scream as a bullet caught her left shoulder.
"Storm?!" She heard Scott's voice as she fell, and then nothing.
Cyclops felt sick as he watched Storm fall to the floor.
Come on Wind Rider, get up. He thought as he turned back to the battle. Suddenly, he was blown to his knees as something exploded behind him. After a few more explosions, the room was silent.
Scott looked up to see Gambit and Shadowcat standing in the doorway.
"Yer welcome," Gambit said grimly as he moved to take Cyclops' hand and help him up. "Kitty-cat, go check on Stormy."
Cyclops nodded his thanks and looked behind him. Three bodies. They had been right behind him. If Gambit hadn't shown up...
He shook his head to chase away the thought and turned to Remy, "Have you seen anyone else?"
"Non. You?"
"I sent Nightcrawler away with the Professor. Other than that..."
"Kitty said dat Colossus has a group of students safe wit' him in one of the lower levels. If it gets too hot in here, he'll be able to get dem out."
Scott nodded, "How's Storm?"
"She unconscious, but alive. She's got a bullet in her shoulder and she'll have a hell of a headache when she wakes up. But I think she'll be okay."
"Okay. Kitty, get her out of here. We can't leave her out in the open. Then get back here pronto."
Without a word, Kitty phased both of them through the floor.
"We need to find the rest of the team. It's dangerous for us to be split up right now."
"You can say that again, bub." Wolverine and Jean stepped into the room, "Me and Jeanie had a time with the little group we just took out."
"Jean," Scott was at her side instantly. He kissed her briefly, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Wolverine," Gambit stepped forward, "Where's Rogue?"
"She was with us when the attack started," Jean answered. "We figured out it was Carly so we thought it would be best if we got her away from the battle."
"So where is she?" Gambit couldn't help the panic that overtook him. These men were here for Rogue and now, Rogue was all alone.
"We took her to the Danger Room. The security system is on, Gumbo. There's no way they could get to her in there."
"I'm goin' after her."
"Gambit, no. Splitting up anymore than we have to is a bad move---"
"Dese folks are here for her Cyclops. She's dere target. Don' you get dat? What if dey were gunnin' for Jean, huh? Would you be standin' around talkin' 'bout strategies den? Non. I don' t'ink so." Without another word, Gambit headed toward the Danger Room.
xxxx
"What should we do, Professor?" Kurt watched the mansion from their hiding place in the woods. The bombing had stopped and the mansion was mostly dark. Chills ran up Kurt's spine as he watched groups of soldiers running freely all around the mansion grounds. He tried desperately to control his anger as another group made their way into the mansion through a hole that had been blown in the kitchen wall. This was his home...
"I think I'm beginning to break through whatever kind of shield it is that Carly has established. I think I may be able to contact Jean or Elizabeth now." Charles focused hard for a moment, his eyes closed tightly. Finally he let out a breath, "No. Something is still wrong. She's so strong, Kurt. I fear for our friends. We need to get back in there."
"But Professor, your chair was damaged. Without some way to move around---"
"Just get me back inside, Kurt."
xxxx
"It sure got quiet all of the sudden," Bobby mused. "What do you think happened?"
"I'm not exactly sure," Hank called from his office. "But whatever it was has knocked out the cameras. I'm trying to get them back online now so that perhaps we can see what's going on---Oh my!"
"What is it?" Bobby stepped into the office and looked to the one screen that Hank seemed to have fixed. It was a shot of the living room, or what was left of it. Cyclops, Wolverine and Jean stood amid the rubble and bodies.
"What the hell happened up there?"
Hank looked deep in thought. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a communicator. "Cyclops, this is Beast. Do you copy?"
"Beast! Thank God! Are you alright?"
"Yes. Iceman and I are fine. We're on the Lab. What has happened."
"It's Carly."
Hank shot Bobby a look. He looked like he was about to be sick.
"Is everyone alright?"
"Storm got hit. Shadowcat is getting her to safety. Colossus has most of the students and Kurt got the Professor out. Rogue is safely hidden for now."
"Where are the others?"
"We don't know."
Hank digested that. Who else had been home this evening? Sam and Celia were both out for the night. Betsy stayed home this evening. Warren. Paige...
"Bobby! We sent Paige up there alone."
Bobby swore under his breath. Paige wasn't even a senior yet. There was no way she could handle a combat situation. "I'm goin' after her." He iced up and turned to go.
"Bobby, wait."
"Cyclops, Iceman and I are on our way. We'll be there as soon as we can."
"Affirmative. Watch your backs."
xxxx
"Colossus!" Shadowcat whispered loudly down the dim hallway. The bombing had knocked the lights out, and Kitty's eyes were still adjusting to the darkness. "Petey!"
"Kitty? Over here."
Suddenly a bright light hit Kitty in the face. "What the hell?"
"Sorry." Colossus lowered the flashlight.
"Where'd you get that?"
"One of the students had sense enough to grab one when this mess started."
"It's Carly, Pete. And she brought out the big guns this time."
"How are the others?"
"Storm's been hurt. But everyone else I've seen is fine so far. Of course, I haven't seen everyone."
He nodded, "Where is Storm?"
"I left her down the hall. I needed to get her out of harms way. Pete...We're needed up there."
Colossus turned around and looked at the terrified faces of the students. Most were crying now. "What about the children?"
"We have to leave them here. With Storm."
xxxx
Gambit punched in the security override codes and entered the large metallic room. He locked the door behind him and surveyed the dark Danger Room.
"Rogue?"
She stepped out of the shadows.
Remy closed his eyes and let out a breath as relief flowed through him.
Rogue ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. "Ah was so scared somethin' had happened to you, Remy. Oh, God are you okay?"
"I'm fine Chere. Everyt'ing's gonna be okay," he whispered into her hair. She pulled back and looked at him.
"Ah'm scared, Remy. These guys took me out when Ah was at full power..." her voice caught, "Now Ah'm powerless..."
"Shhh," Remy pulled her back to him and stroked her hair, "I might not have done de best job of protectin' you before, but dis time, Chere, I promise dey won't hurt you."
xxxx
"What's goin' on?" Jubilee looked at her friend in fright.
"We're in a little trouble."
"No shit," she joked weakly.
"Hey! I said to get your hands up now!"
"What do we do?" Jubilee raised her hands the best she could.
"Just follow my lead and when I tell you to, I need you to husk my outer layer for me," Paige whispered.
"What? That's gross. You know I hate it when you do that. Why would I want to do it for you?"
"Because our survival depends on it. Now shut up and do it." Paige stood and faced her opposition. "My friend can't stand up. She's hurt her head."
"Well, she better not try any funny business, or else you get one o' these right through that pretty little skull of yours."
"Ya hear that Jubes? Don't go playin' hero."
Pearson stepped towards Paige with an open collar. Just as he prepared to snap it around her neck, she lunged at him, knocking the collar out of his hand and him to the floor.
"Shoot her!"
"Jubes, now!" Paige began peeling away her face as Jubilee pulled at the skin on her legs to reveal her new form. By the time the solders fired, Paige's body had morphed into solid rock. As the bullets clipped off sections of her new body, Paige smiled at the men.
Before they had time to take anymore shots at her friend, Jubilee shot blinding fireworks at them. Then Husk went to work.
xxxx
Nightcrawler and the Professor appeared in a cloud of smoke outside the Danger Room. Kurt held the Prof up to the keypad allowing him to type in the pass code. The door slide open and the two entered the dark room, locking the door behind them.
"Merde!" Remy yelled suddenly, "You two scared de fuck outta me!"
"Gambit? Are you alright?"
"We're fine." Rogue stepped up behind him.
"Thank goodness, Rogue." The Professor smiled briefly at her.
"What are you two doin' here?" Remy asked Kurt. "Thought Cyke told you to get clear."
"The Prof had other plans."
Xavier nodded, "The Cerebro unit in my office has undoubtedly been destroyed so I had Kurt bring me here so that I can access the Danger Room unit."
"Okay...?" Remy prompted the Professor.
"He thinks that with Cerebro we may be able to beat Carly," Kurt replied. He looked over to Rogue, "You sure you're okay?"
She nodded silently and gave him a weak smile. He smiled back, but his was no more sincere. They were in a bad situation, and they were swiftly running out of time.
xxxx
"Well, Robert, it appears our assistance wasn't considered necessary."
Paige turned and smiled as she let the last of the soldiers fall to the ground unconscious.
"Hey boys," Jubilee said weakly from the floor. "You're a little late."
"Jubilee! What happened to you?" Bobby knelt beside her and turned her head to examine her injury.
"I was on my way down to see Paige when the building started shaking. I guess I got knocked in the head with a piece of ceiling or something. It reeeeally hurts."
"I imagine it does." Hank continued to examined the wound while Bobby stood and began pacing the small corridor.
"Hey, Bobby?" Paige asked as she peeled away her rock skin to reveal her normal appearance. "Are you okay?"
Bobby shook his head and kept pacing. Hank glanced at him momentarily then spoke to the girls. "Paige, I need you to get Jubilee back to the Lab. Bandage her head up as best you can to stop the bleeding and keep it clean. Then, the two of you head down to the tunnels under the mansion. Most of the other students should already be there. All of you are to wait there until one of the X-Men comes to get you. If you don't hear anything from us within the hour, the two of you lead the kids out and away from the mansion. There is a special communicator in the second drawer on the right hand side of my desk in the Lab. When you get clear of the mansion, use the phone to contact Moira McTaggert. She'll be able to send help. Then call Cecilia Reyes and your brother, Paige, and let them know what has happened."
"Hank," Paige had gone pale, "What has happened?"
"The crazy bitch that nearly killed me is upstairs with a fuckin' army, Paige!"
"Bobby!"
"No, Hank. They need to hear this. Those people up there are insane and they are bloodthirsty so you two have got to get yourselves out of here, do you understand me?"
The girls nodded numbly. The normally laidback Iceman's outburst had obviously shaken them.
"Just go girls," Hank helped Jubilee up and Paige moved to help support her.
After they were out of earshot, Beast turned to his distraught friend.
"Save it, Hank. I don't need to hear it. Let's just go and get this over with."
They started up the stairs when they heard the Professor's voice in their heads.
"X-Men! Those of you who are able please report to the Danger Room immediately."
"You heard the man," Bobby turned a too fake smile on his friend as he turned his body to ice.
xxxx
"Behind you, Kitty!" Colossus yelled from across the room. The two of them had made the mistake of making their way to the Danger Room through the kitchen.
Kitty turned intangible as the man behind her lunged. Then turned her fist solid as it contacted with his jaw.
"Another one out for the count big guy!" She called as she dodged a punch. In a matter of moments, nearly a dozen intruders lay unconscious in the kitchen floor. Kitty wiped the sweat from her top lip and looked at her teammate. "Now...where were we?"
xxxx
Moments later, the Professor, Cyclops, Jean, Rogue, Gambit, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Beast, Iceman, Shadowcat and Colossus were locked inside the Danger Room planning their next move. With Cerebro's help, the Professor had determined that the X-Men had taken out most of their enemies on their way to the Danger Room.
"So now all we really have to worry about is Carly herself and the few men she has with her," Charles mused.
"But where is she Professor?" Rogue spoke up for the first time in several minutes.
"Somewhere close. But I can't pinpoint an exact location, even with Cerebro's help."
Rogue swallowed and sank deeper into Gambit's embrace.
"Don' worry, Rogue. Everyt'ing's gonna be just fine."
"How can you say that, Remy? She's knows we're here. She's just bidin' her time. Sooner or later she's gonna come after me and all of you'll be caught in the middle."
"Dere's no place I'd rather be than in between you and her, Chere." Remy kissed the top of her head. "Have you thought about what kind of flowers you want for de wedding yet?" He whispered in her ear.
Rogue smiled slightly, "Hard to believe that that was just this mornin', huh? Ah love you, Remy."
"Love you, too." He squeezed her tighter against him.
"I have some good news," the Professor interrupted them. "I finished my scan of the school. All of the students made it down to the lower levels."
"Thank goodness," Jean sighed, leaning her head against Scott's chest.
"What about Angel and Psylocke?" Logan asked from a few feet away.
"I can't find them. Either they've escaped or..."
"Don't say it, Prof," Bobby said from his place on the floor - the first words he'd spoken since entering the room.
Before anyone could respond, Jean and the Professor doubled over.
"Oh, God!" Jean screamed as she fell to her knees clutching at her head. Scott fell to the floor beside her, looking utterly helpless. The other X-Men were on their feet immediately.
"It's Carly! She's coming!" Xavier screamed as he yanked Cerebro off his head and tossed it aside, "X-Men prepare for battle!"
Logan stepped toward the door. "Been waitin' to hear those words all evening."
Cyclops surveyed the room silently then closed his eyes.
"Scott?" he opened his eyes at Jean's pleading tone.
"What is it hon?" He attempted a smile as he brushed her bright hair away from her sweaty face.
"Carly's sending out some sort of psychic shock waves. As long as she does that, Charles and I are useless to you. We need you to distract her long enough to give us a moment to recover. We may be able to beat her Scott, but not if she keeps us out of the fight like this." Jean cried out again as another wave assaulted her. Scott watched his wife writhe in agony on the cold metal floor for a moment and then turned to his team.
"Danger Room. Lights on." The room lit up instantly. "We may as well see what we're up against." He said more to himself than to the others. "Okay team, be careful. Watch your own back as well as each other's. And hold nothing back." He turned toward the door, "What are you waiting for Logan? Let her in."
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Wow, guys. This was hard to write. And it's 18 freakin' pages long! I hope it turned out okay. I'm really worried that it was too repetitive or something, but I was trying to keep it as un-confusing as possible since there was so much going on. I hope everything was easy to understand. If there something that isn't too clear, please let me know in a review and I'll do my best to fix it. There wasn't too much R&R interaction here, but I wanted to feature a few other X-Men. Plus I really have thought out this battle, so I needed to have everything taken care of (for instance: the students). The next chapter is ready to post, but I'm holding it hostage until I get lots and lots of reviews. :)
Thanks for reading!
-Alyx
