Warning: This chapter contains some mild language.
Chapter 5
Hours have passed, but still no signs of where Sabertooth is or even if he's still in the local area. Together, both teams have been searching both the island and the nearby land, while always leaving someone at the base.
Time continues to move slowly for everyone involved. The smallest sounds make people jump, thinking Sabertooth has returned. When the noise is identified as something simple, the people involved feel foolish to think that Sabertooth would have given himself away so easily.
All too soon, everyone is beginning to crave a little action, even the calm Cyclops. Pacing in the comm room, he awaits news about Sabertooth's whereabouts. Hearing the sound of running feet, Cyclops turns to face the door just as Cannonball enters the comm room.
"Cyclops, Kitty was hoping to speak with you," says the youngest X-Men.
Nodding his head, Cyclops follows Cannonball out of the comm room and down the hall toward the medlab. Entering the lab, Cyclops notices Shadowcat laying on the bed, the same bed that she has been on ever since the attack.
At first, seeing her eyes shut, Cyclops assumes the young woman is sleeping, until he reaches her bedside and watches as her eyes open. Smiling a cheeky grin, Shadowcat adjusts herself in bed to sit up more.
"Thanks for coming, Scott," says Kitty.
"No problem," replies Cyclops, as he slips away for a moment to grab another pillow.
Setting the new pillow on top of the one she had been using, Shadowcat is pushed into a more comfortable sitting position.
"Sam mentioned that you wanted to talk with me," says Cyclops.
"I have an idea on how to find Sabertooth," says Shadowcat.
"And that would be what?" asks Cyclops, tilting his head to the right.
"Well, I was hoping to only have to say this once," replies Shadowcat. "I also asked Logan and Ororo to be here."
"We just arrived, Kitten," says Storm, as she and Wolverine also enter the medlab and gather around Shadowcat's bed.
"What's the idea, pum'kin?" asks Wolverine, as he moves to the nearest wall and leans against it.
"Well, I know you're not going to like the idea," starts Shadowcat, glancing between the three X-Men.
"On with it, Kitty," says Cyclops.
"If he wants me, let him have me," says Shadowcat in a rush.
"WHAT!" asks Storm, rushing to Shadowcat's bed and placing a hand on Kitty's forehead. "You must be fevered to even mention such a thing."
"I don't mean for you to truly let him have me, but make him think he does," says Shadowcat, raising a hand to Storm's and removing Ororo's hand from her forehead.
"We're not going to use you as bait, Kitten," says Storm, shaking her head.
"Storm's right. Baiting him is not an option," says Cyclops, who is also shaking his head.
"What if it's the only way?" asks Shadowcat, glancing between the other of them. "Have someone waiting in nearby. Then when Sabertooth thinks he has won, jump him."
"But what if the person isn't fast enough, Kitten?" asks Storm. "This can't be our last option."
"Stormy, she's right," says Wolverine, who up until now had been silent.
"Logan! How can you even suggest such a thing?" exclaims Storm, shifting her gaze from Shadowcat to Wolverine.
"Not an option," says Cyclops. "I won't allow her to use herself as bait like this."
"Listen here, Cyke," says Wolerine, stepping away from the wall and walking up to his team leader. "If Creed wants her, he'll come. Better we set his ass up than for him to take us unaware."
"You can't consider it, Scott," says Storm. "There must be some other way, than for us to use one of our own as bait."
"Ororo, if you really want him, you may not have a choice," says Shadowcat.
"No, Kitten," says Storm, shaking her head with tears glittering in her eyes. "There are always other choices."
Raising a hand, Storm brushes away some loose hair from Shadowcat's face. Lifting a hand of her own, Shadowcat takes Storm's hand in her own and gives it a gentle squeeze. For a brief moment, the years fade away and Kitty remembers what it was like when she first joined the X-Men at the age of 13. Storm had been like a mother to her, and even to this day, Storm still feels that burning love inside her heart.
I know this is hard for you. Please understand, thinks Shadowcat, as she released Storm's hand.
Taking a deep breath, Cyclops glances once at Storm before turning his attention back to Shadowcat.
"Who should be the backup?" asks Cyclops.
"No, Scott," says Storm. "There must be some other way."
"There is no other way," replies Cyclops.
"I'll do it," says Wolverine.
"Wolvie would be best," says Shadowcat.
Taking a second deep breath, Cyclops glances between Shadowcat, Wolverine, and Storm.
"Get both teams together. We need to brief them," says Cyclops, before leaving the room.