A Friend in Need III: Crash and Burn
By Somogyi
Chapter 13
Ororo sat at the round metal table in the Ready Room, watching Scott pace the hallway. He had been doing so for the past two hours-ever since Nathan had entered the chamber where Cerebro was housed in order to enhance his telepathic powers to search for Jean. She had managed to get Scott to sit down with her for a while. But then when his impatience manifested as incessant finger drumming, she was certain he was going to drive her mad. Needless to say, she did not protest when he returned to pacing the hallway.
His movements reminded her of a caged tiger, lithe and menacing as it patrolled the borders of its enclosure. Ororo sighed, shaking her head; she was convinced Scott would manage to wear a hole in the metal flooring.
Hearing the hiss of the door opening, Ororo was on her feet and sprinting into the hallway almost as quickly as Scott stopped pacing and approached the adjacent room entrance. A moment later, Nathan emerged, shoulders slumped, face slick with sweat, looking weary to the bone. Though the answer was painfully obvious, Scott nonetheless felt the need to ask: "Any luck?"
Nathan shook his bowed head. He seemed unable to look either of them in the eyes. "I'm finding absolutely no sign of her."
"What exactly does that mean?" Ororo asked.
Cable sighed. "Either she's unconscious, she's somewhere where there's psi-shielding, or. . . ." He broke off abruptly, unable to voice the words.
"She's not dead," Scott said confidently. "I would know."
"But I thought your rapport is not active," Ororo questioned.
"It's not," he admitted. "Nonetheless, Ororo, we've been mindlinked for so long, I would know. And I'm telling you, she's not dead." Crossing his arms, Scott turned his attention to Cable. "Are you sure you've searched every potential location?"
Ororo would not believe it possible, but Nathan's shoulders slumped even further. He and Scott had never had the best father-son relationship since they learned of their true connection, and Cable was nothing if not a proud, self-assured, take-no-shit-from anyone man. And yet, now, looking at him, Storm was reminded of a little boy who had just lost a little league game, and was unable to face his father's disappointment. When he spoke, his voice was low, uncertain, and he was still unable to look Scott in the face.
"I've looked everywhere I can think of, Scott. I'm sorry, but I can't locate her. Maybe Betsy can give it a try when she returns. Any luck contacting her or the professor, Ororo?" He managed to meet her gaze, and seemed almost to be pleading for a sign of her understanding.
She only wished she had better news for him. "A message was left for Betsy to contact us as soon as she received it. And there has still been no success in reaching Charles."
"Giving up already, Nate?" Scott asked with a scowl.
"I'm not-"
"If it were you who were missing, you know that Jean would not even sleep until we found you."
For a moment, Ororo saw anger flash in Cable's eyes as his fists clenched at his sides. But just as quickly, it was gone, and he bowed his head once more. She understood, then, the reason for his disappointment. It was not so much fear of letting down his father, as it was a sense of helplessness for being unable to help his stepmother.
"I know that, Scott. And I'm not giving up. I'm just brain-fried right now. My attempting to search won't do any good at the moment if I can't concentrate. I need a shower, and about half an hour to meditate to clear my head."
Scott snorted.
"Oath! We're not all made of stone, Cyclops." Ororo could feel the tension in the room skyrocket. "Some of us actually need rest to be able to function at full capacity. We can't all be the perfect little mutant soldier."
Scott's jaw visibly tightened and he stood up even straighter. "This isn't about some mission, Nathan. This is about Jean-my wife, your mother-and-"
Nathan's brow furrowed. "And what?"
"Nothing," Scott muttered, lowering his arms. "Go get yourself cleaned up and rested. And eat something while you're at it. You're of no use to anyone if you're dead on your feet." And with that, he spun on his heel and headed for the Ready Room.
Cable watched his father stride down the corridor. "What the hell's gotten into him?"
"Try not to be too hard on him, Nathan," Ororo told him. "He is very worried about Jean."
"There's more to it than that," Cable replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "Wiped as I am, I could still feel the emotions reverberating off of him, almost as if he were projecting them. He's scared shitless."
"One cannot really blame him," she pointed out. "If you like, Nathan, I can prepare some food for you while you shower. You will need to keep up your energy if you are to persist at using Cerebro to aid you in your search."
He actually managed a weary smile. "Thanks, Storm. That sounds great." Together, they headed for the elevator. "Can I ask a favor?"
"Of course."
"Would you mind making a little extra, and bringing it to Scott? I don't think he's eaten anything since I arrived yesterday."
She smiled, touched by the son's concern for the father who had just chastised him. "Certainly."
They rode up to the main floor of the mansion in silence. Stepping out onto the first floor, they smiled at one another before parting ways-Cable up to his second-floor guest room, Storm continuing to the kitchen at the back of the mansion.
She busied herself with food preparations: brewing coffee, heating soup, making sandwiches, washing fruit. Twenty minutes later, she had assembled a tray, which she carried upstairs to Cable's room, and knocked on his door.
A few moments later, the door swung open, revealing Nathan as he pulled on a long-sleeved tee-shirt over a pair of jeans. His hair was still damp from his shower, and the smell of soap clung to him.
"Did someone order room service?" Ororo inquired deadpan.
His eyebrows rose. "Do my ears deceive me? Did the mighty Wind-Rider actually just make a joke?"
"I shall deny it, and no one will believe you," she replied with a wink.
"Thank you, Storm. This smells wonderful," he said, taking the tray from her and stepping away from the doorway. "Would you care to join me?"
"No, you go ahead. I shall bring some to Scott, and see if perhaps he is willing to talk."
He placed the tray down on the desk. "Y'know, 'Ro, I think you and Jean are the only ones able to deal with Scott when he gets in one of these moods." Nathan picked up a sandwich and took a large bite.
"I would hazard to say that Scott is not the only Summers to have difficult 'moods'."
"Jus' wha're you implyin'?" he asked around a mouthful of ham and cheese.
"The phrase 'like father like son' comes to mind."
"The ole apple don't levitate far from the mutant tree, eh?"
She smiled. "Finish your lunch and take some time to meditate. I shall see you downstairs later this afternoon."
"Than's again f'r the food," he called after her.
Chuckling to herself, Ororo returned to the kitchen to stock a second tray with coffee, soup, sandwiches, and fruit. She carried it down with her to the sub-basement, where she found Scott sitting behind the computer console in the Ready Room.
"Scott, I brought you some food," she announced, setting the tray down on the counter beside him.
"Not hungry," he replied, typing away at the keyboard as he stared at the monitor.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she pulled up a seat beside him.
"Searching hospitals for admitted patients matching Jean's description," he replied, clicking the mouse.
"I thought Henry had already performed such a search."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't hurt to be thorough. I'm expanding the database to include more recent dates in case there was a delay in her admittance, as well as expanding the search radius. I figure if Sinister was able to substitute a clone for Jean's body, he likely could have transported her out of the area."
"If he is capable of such transportation, then theoretically Jean could be anywhere on the globe."
Scott's jaw tensed. "In theory, yes."
"Then is this not a senseless search?"
His fist came down so hard and fast on the computer console that Ororo jerked back, startled. "And what the hell would you have me do, Ororo? Sit around twiddling my thumbs? We've already been over the accident scene with a fine-toothed comb. The recent rain has long since washed away any evidence-though Logan has nonetheless been back there several times, all to no avail. Nathan has been using Cerebro nearly non-stop for the past twenty-four hours, also with no luck. I- I don't know what else to do. . . ." Rising and placing palms on the console, he leaned forward and bowed his head.
"How about getting some rest?" she suggested. "I do not think you have slept since you received news of the accident."
"Ororo, my wife is out there somewhere, in the hands of a madman whose hobby is playing with my family's DNA like some sort of modern-day Dr. Frankenstein. I can't-I won't-rest until she's back here, safe and sound."
"The thought of Jean in Sinister's clutches does not put me at ease either, Scott. But surely if he values her genetics so highly he will not cause her any harm."
"Maybe not directly, no."
She was about to ask him what he meant by that cryptic comment when there came a knock on the open door to the Ready Room. They both turned to see Hank enter the room.
"Excuse me for interrupting," he said softly. Though he appeared to be attempting to keep a neutral expression, there was no mistaking the sadness in his eyes.
"Henry, is something wrong?" Ororo asked, rising and taking a step closer to him.
"I am afraid I have some . . . sad news." Hank cleared his throat. "Dr. Philips just called from the hospital. It would seem that our Jane Doe has . . . passed away."
"Goddess! How long ago?"
"Just recently. Bobby was with her at the time."
Ororo sighed. "At least the poor woman was not alone."
Scott crossed his arms and took a deep breath. "You stand by your test results, Hank?"
The Beast nodded. "I am 99 certain she is not Jeanie. That woman's DNA was a direct match to Jeanie's-save for the fact that her x-factor gene was not activated. She is a perfect clone, aside from not being a mutant." He hesitated. "Nonetheless, I would like to have her dental records compared to Jeanie's, just to be completely thorough."
Scott nodded. "Are they going to autopsy her?"
Ororo's head whipped around to face him. She was surprised how well he was taking this. Though he had been rather confident himself that the injured woman was not his wife-especially after Hank got his test results-she would nonetheless expect him to find the entire situation somewhat disconcerting, at the very least.
"I'm not certain if they planned to perform a postmortem," Hank said. "From what the doctor described, it sounds as though they are suspicious the cause of death was ARDS-Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. A common sequela to severe burn injuries."
"Can you request that they perform an autopsy?"
"If you want one, of course," Hank replied. He regarded his friend for a moment. "If I may ask, Scott, is there a particular reason?"
Scott nodded. "I need to be one hundred percent sure, Hank. Deep down, I know Jean is still alive-I'm sure I would be able to feel it if she weren't. Still, I have to be certain."
Hank's brow furrowed. "But I still do not understand how an autopsy would provide any additional information that the DNA testing or dental records do not."
Scott did not reply immediately. A muscle in his jaw twitched. Finally, after many long moments of uncomfortable silence, he spoke softly. "Because they'll be able to tell us if the woman they autopsy was pregnant."
Hank's eyes went wide even as Ororo's mouth dropped open.
"Bright Lady!"
"Oh my stars. . . ! Scotty, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Slowly, Scott nodded. "Jean's pregnant."
"Goddess! Scott, why did you not say something sooner? Why did you not tell us?"
"Tell us what?"
They all turned to the doorway to see Cable standing there. As the room became suddenly silent, he looked around at the trio of faces. "Why do I feel as though I'm late to the party?" He stepped inside. "What's going on? What's with all the deer-in-headlights expressions?"
"Well, Nathan, it would seem that your father here has just dropped a bombshell on us."
"Hank-!" There was a sharp warning tone to Scott's voice.
"Does Nathan not know either?" Storm asked.
"Know what?"
Scott shot Ororo a cold glance.
Cable looked from Storm to Scott and back again. "What's there to tell me? Have you gotten new info?"
Ororo regarded Scott coolly. "Scott, this could affect his success with Cerebro. If you do not tell him, I shall."
Nathan walked over to his father. "Something about Jean? Something you don't want me to know?"
"It's irrelevant." Scott issued the words offhandedly, in the manner of a leader accustomed to having his orders obeyed without question.
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" Cable asked, taking a step closer, invading Scott's personal space. "If you know something that might make it easier for me to locate her, then please, Scott, tell me. I'm no Xavier here. I could use all the help I can get. Do you want to find your wife or not?"
In response to the belligerent tone of Nathan's accusation, Scott's hands balled into fists at his sides, shaking almost imperceptibly. Meeting Nathan's gaze, he nodded. "Of course I do."
"Then tell me what you know." There was an underlying vulnerability in the sentiment that belied the demanding nature of Cable's words.
Nathan watched silently, patiently, as Scott took a step back and turned around, contemplating.
Scott took a deep breath, as though steeling himself. Still, he hesitated. Finally, he made up his mind, though he did not turn to face Nathan. "Jean's pregnant."
Cable stiffened, back going ramrod straight in a stance reminiscent of his father. "What?"
"Jean's pregnant," Scott repeated, his tone flat.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" Nathan demanded.
"We were all only just informed," Hank offered, finally interceding in the argument in hopes of diffusing some of the tension.
"Scott?" Nathan questioned. "Why were you keeping this from us?"
"Nathan, please-I really don't want to talk about this right now," Scott replied, walking back toward the console.
"That's too fucking bad," Cable replied, quickly closing the distance between them and grabbing his arm. "This changes everything."
Scott spun back around to face him. "How? Jean is still missing. We still have no idea where she is."
"But now we have motive for why Sinister took her."
"Do you think he knows?" Ororo asked, walking closer.
Scott shrugged. "I'm not sure."
"How far along is she?" Hank asked.
"Just over three months."
"Well, at least it won't be obvious yet."
"Oath! You think he doesn't know? Why the flonq do you think he kidnapped her!"
"Nathan, perhaps the child is not his main objective."
Cable practically rolled his eyes at her. "C'mon, Storm, think about who you're talking to here. The only reason I even exist is because that madman wanted to combine Jean and Scott's genetics to make an alpha-class mutant that he could control." He shook his head before once again glaring at his father. "And I still can't believe you didn't tell me!"
Scott squared his shoulders, though he avoided Nathan's gaze. "Like I said, I didn't think it was relevant."
"Not relevant?" Cable once again shook his head in disbelief. "Sinister's plans for me as his perfect little mutant were foiled when Apocalypse infected me with the T-O virus, preventing me from achieving my full potential with my powers. Can you even begin to imagine what he could do with an untampered, unhindered Grey-Summers offspring?"
"Forgive me, Nathan, if I try not to think about it."
"Knowledge is power, Scott," Cable said, walking closer to his father. "I suggest you consider the consequences if we don't find Jean and put an end to Sinister's plans for her and your child."
Scott's face had gone distinctly white.
"Enough!" Storm bellowed. She walked between the men, placed a staying hand on Nathan's chest. "Arguing amongst ourselves is not helping anyone-most certainly not Jean. We should be focusing this energy on finding her."
"You're right, Ororo," Cable said. "I'm going to go back to Cerebro. Maybe now I can try looking for Jean's mind plus another more emergent one in close association with hers."
"Do you think that shall work?" she questioned.
"It's worth a try, 'Ro, don't you think?" Giving Scott one last glare, he headed for the door.
"What can we do?" she called after Cable.
"Pray." He stepped into the room that housed the mighty machine that would amplify his telepathic powers, and the metal doors whooshed shut behind him.
"G'journey, Nate," Scott whispered under his breath. Then, more loudly, he said, "I'm going upstairs to see if Logan's checked in." Without another word, he left the room.
Hank and Ororo exchanged a glance.
"I shall call the hospital to request the postmortem exam," Hank said.
She nodded. "I am going to go attempt to talk to Scott."
"Go easy on him, Ororo."
She graced him with a warm smile. "Of course."
End Chapter 13