author's apologies---

Where is Xavior, you ask? I'm sure you trusting fools think I'm keeping him separate purposefully. That I have some master plan. WELL I DON'T. honestly. I forgot him. I'm so embarrassed. Hee hee, and you know I was just teasing about the fools thing.

Good lord, how could I overlook Charlie-X? I should have just killed him off at the beginning, but now it's too late. DAMN DAMN DAMN. If anyone has any ideas about what to do with 'Wheels' email me and let me know… Seriously I am so embarrassed. Way to catch me though, Kudos carmilla. Ay mi Dios, I must be smoking the crack.

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It was decided that Toad would lead a team to find the Brotherhood and enlist their help. It took a lot of arguing; Toad stayed out of it after his first impulsive run of ideas. He'd backed away and watched the X-Men try to sort out the plans. Mort wasn't sure exactly how it had happened, but here he was looking over his 'troops'.

Blondie had weaseled her way into the group. She claimed Toad needed someone 'watching his ass'. She winked and nudged him as she'd said it too. Toad wasn't the only one who looked at her like she was crazy. Pretty much the entire camp had become squeamish as the words came out of her attractive blonde head. But Tabitha merely shrugged and remarked loudly that she liked guys with character.

Storm was coming, much to Toad's chagrin, but he couldn't find a reason that wasn't personal to dispute it. Chances were they'd need someone who could provide cover, and Storm was the best choice.

She'd actually volunteered, as odd as that seemed. She didn't seem happy to be his traveling companion, but at least she could push aside personal feelings for the good of the group. She stood beside him now, acting as an obvious second in command as he looked over the rest.

A statuesque Asian woman with a British accent had volunteered herself. She had an angry, no-nonsense air about her, and carried twin samurai blades. She had said candidly that she didn't know who this Magneto was, but that she preferred to hit her enemies' head on, and that all this running we'd been doing was making her sick.

The last two volunteers had been male. A younger guy with a southern accent and a silly grin plastered on his face had stepped forward introducing himself as Sam and said that as long as somebody'd watch his little sister he'd be 'mor'n happy to oblige', and a Cajun guy in a trench coat who claimed to have some practice at sneaking around.

For the fourth time that day Toad wondered how it was that he'd ended up in charge of this lot. According to the news Magneto had last been sighted in New York City, so that's where they were headed. The rest of the group would stay in contact, but try to keep the kids as concealed as possible.

When he'd found Magneto, they'd try to come up with some sort of plan. Toad bitterly wondered what they would do if Magneto refused them. Toad rubbed his temples. He wouldn't though. Toad was almost certain of it. Magneto loved a big scene and what got bigger than this?

Still, Toad didn't feel prepared for the task at hand. He'd never so much as led one of Sabretooth's fleas, never mind leading an actual group of people. Would they listen to him? A glance at Storm made him doubt it.

But there was Tabitha, leaning on the arm of Sam and laughing loudly. She met his glance when Toad looked over and waved. She'd listen. And the others didn't know him well enough not too.

He hefted a bag of supplies over his shoulder and glanced back at the group. Who would have thought he'd be taking the responsibility of all this? He turned back to his traveling companions and motioned that they should head out.

"Want to cover some group 'for it gets light out."

"Yes sir, Captain," Tabitha saluted him and started off at a brusque pace he was sure she wouldn't be able to keep up.

Sam hugged his little sister, a cute blonde pigtailed thing that barely came above his waist. She wrapped her arms around him and furrowed her brow.

"Don't leave Sammie!"

"I'm goin on an adventure Paige, ah real life adventure, alright? So don't you worry none."

"Ah wanna go on the 'venture too," her pink face screwed up to cry, but Jean's hand on her shoulder quieted her. She let go of her brother and stepped back, waving and sniffling.

The Asian beauty scowled unbecomingly and paced up the road, followed by the Cajun who looked as though he was trying to hit on her.

Storm came last, walking beside Toad. She merely nodded at her friends and promised to keep in regular contact. They began the way in silence, but it was easy enough, not as uncomfortable as Toad might have expected.

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Jean watched them leave with a heavy heart. She didn't like that any of them were splitting up, but it had to be done. Toad's suggestion had been the only one that held any long-term promise. They couldn't just keep running forever.

She watched him as he spoke to the mottled assembly he was taking with him. Still nervous, anxious of the normal looking mutants. He'd wanted to go alone. She shook her head, admiring his bravery.

She'd never expected, never known what kind of person he was. Always dumping him as Magneto's lackey. Jean wondered briefly what his life would have been like if they'd found him first. Would he still have this strength of character?

Wolverine cleared his throat beside her, watching the group leave. Paige Guthrie still standing there waving though her brother was out of sight.

"Kid turned out to be a surprise."

Jean nodded.

"Do you think they'll make it Wolverine?" She could trust him to be honest at least.

"Yeah, Jeannie. They got a better chance than most, I'd say."

The group disappeared from sight, and Jean turned back to her tasks. The kids needed to be rounded up. They needed to get moving again. Rations had to be handed out, and worries quashed away.

She thought of Professor Xavior, wondering where he was, and why she couldn't sense him. He'd been attending meetings of Congress, doing his best to fight the bill before it was passed. She hadn't heard from him since the first attack.

She couldn't let herself think about it too much, because it hurt. If she let herself think about his absence, it made it all the more real. And right now they needed to cling to as much hope as possible.

She looked back to the place where they'd disappeared into the trees, wishing for one last glimpse. She hadn't told Storm she was sorry before she left. She hoped she wouldn't be saddled with regretting that later.