Chapter 36

The hum of activity sounded even outside the train station as the busy commuters continued their day-to-day travels. Mystique slipped through the crowds undetected as she entered the station, appearance disguised as that as a businesswoman. She wouldn't receive a second glance, for she was merely one of many that passed by. She concealed her silver earpiece beneath longs locks of blonde. It was through this earpiece that Magneto and her had been communicating. Magneto was off to fetch the girl, whilst Mystique was to meet with Toad and Sabretooth to stop the inevitable trail of the X-Men.

And there, up ahead was Storm and Scott. Mystique's eyes narrowed as she watched them, leaning languidly on one of the decorative pillars. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Toad lounging on top of one of the large signs.

Scott was stood in the centre of the passing crowds, looking around slowly. Storm was up at the ticket desk, conversing with the man behind the glass divider. Mystique's eyes trained up a familiar figure who stalked by. Sabretooth. He headed towards the queue at the ticket desk, violently shoving aside humans. Mystique sighed quietly. He never did keep his cover long. He grabbed Storm by the neck as she turned, causing her to gasp. With a swift motion, he pulled her closer to his, snarling under his breath, "Scream for me," and with that, he shoved her against the glass, which was heard cracking by the force.

The sound had alerted Scott, who slowly turned round to see his team mate pinned up against the glass. Mystique looked up slowly, seeing Toad leap from the sign towards the corner where he climbed up towards the ceiling. Scott began to move forward, pushing aside the humans as he made his way towards Storm. But he had only managed to take a few steps when Toad's tongue lashed out from the roof, grabbing onto the man's visor and yanking it off.

Mystique's eyes widened as the visor came away and a gigantic flood of red light blasted to towards the roof bursting through it and destroying it. With a gasp, Mystique scrambled back behind the pillar, trying to avoid the sudden chunks of stone that crashed down. Behind her, a sudden flash lit up the train station and a blast of lightning crashed from the visible skies above. Mystique quickly looked round, seeing Sabretooth be thrown back by the strike and smash through one of the timetable boards.

"Come on!" a voice cried, and in fear the people began to scatter out of the train station, screaming and crying. Several had suddenly begun dialling their mobile phones for emergency assistance. As the crowds began to clear, Mystique walked forward slowly. Amongst the rubble and debris, Storm was slumped on the floor against the wall after being attacked by Sabretooth, seeming to drift in and out of consciousness. A distance away, laid amongst wreckage was Scott, his eyes closed tightly as he struggled to move himself.

Mystique crouched slowly besides him, her form changing back into that of her blue skin. She leant over him, a hand resting on his arm. He quickly started in surprise, head moving round whilst his eyes remained closed. "It's alright," said Mystique softly.

"Storm?"

The soft tones of Storm disappeared, as Mystique laughed quietly, "No."

Scott's face quickly consorted with an angry expression, "You!"

Mystique smiled slowly as she lowered herself upon him, bringing her face mere inches from his as she spoke softly, "Just like old times, hm?" Their lips were extremely close, and whilst Scott tried to pull his head back, he was flat on the floor and couldn't pull back any further. "So, Scott.." whispered Mystique quietly, still keeping her face close to his, "Missed me?" she chuckles quietly under her breath. "I noticed you're still with that doctor. Tell me, who's better?"

"Shut up!" Scott raised his arm from the floor, attempting to strike Mystique across the face even though he was blind. But Mystique grabbed the oncoming arm all too easily, and squeezed a vicious grip around his wrist before slamming it down to the floor to pin it above his head.

"Don't you dare even raise a finger against me." Mystique extended her free hand to take Scott's remaining one, trapping this one to the floor also alongside his other. She could hear Scott's breathing rate increase, out of anger and fear. It skimmed warmly across her lips and cheek, soothing her, consoling her. "That was all I ever wanted, Scott. From the day you came to the mansion, when I took care of you. I was with you every step of the way, helping you when you were blind. And that meant nothing to you in the end."

"You used me," he snarled quietly, "Simply because I couldn't see you for what you really was."

"True," agreed Mystique quietly, "But with an appearance such as mine, didn't I deserve to have that advantage over someone?" Scott said nothing, so Mystique continued. "I've already had a bad enough time with humans, I didn't need the same prejudice from a mutant."

"That had nothing to do with it!"

In her ear, Mystique heard Magneto's voice speak, "Mystique, bring the helicopter. We are on our way."

Mystique smiled slowly, then leaning her weight down upon Scott's body. She felt the muscles of his chest tense beneath hers, "Perhaps I should give you a little reminder, for old times sake." And the words had only managed to slip out of her mouth but the small space between their mouths closed in. With his arms still remained by Mystique's grasp, Scott could not move to resist. Even as Mystique closed her lips tightly about his, he did not move his head, remaining deadly still below the weight of her body. With a teasing and almost mocking flick of her tongue across the male's lips, Mystique lifted her head upwards with a satisfied smirk etched crookedly in place.

"Get off me," said Scott in a quiet voice, struggling it keep it steady.

"What are you going to do if I don't? You could have used your powers ages ago and yet.. you haven't."

Scott remained quiet, turning his head away from her. It was true. He could have easily opened his eyes. They both knew the impact would instantly kill Mystique. From such close range, it would do more than kill her, it would destroy her. But also, both knew he wouldn't do it. Slowly, Mystique released his wrists; pushing herself up gracefully that Scott hardly noticed that her light weight had left his torso. Mystique backed away gradually through the debris, watching as Scott began to push himself to his feet.

And without a word, Mystique turned, sprinting out of sight and leaving Scott stood in silence, turning to try and find his fallen team member.

The helicopter lowered slowly upon the tarmac outside the train station, which was now surrounded by police and their vehicles, as well as gathered spectators. Magneto strode towards the aircraft, opening the door with raise of his hand. Toad jumped in, carrying a black body bag over a shoulder. Behind him entered Magneto, who strode towards the co-pilots seat. "You're late," he muttered, "I contacted you a while ago. Where were you? We had Xavier there to disrupt the smoothness of my plan."

"There was someone I had to see," said Mystique calmly, directing the helicopter up across the landscape.

Magneto was watching her, although she tried to ignore the scrutiny of his gaze. "Mystique, neither of you are not the same people anymore."

"Some things haven't changed."