Disclaimer: I have no part in the X-Men. Sometimes I wish I did. But then I shrug it off.
Note: Yes, Lara's pocketknife is real! I have an exact replica at home. I love it.
Pyro blinked and yawned, looking around him. He looked down to see Wild Thing curled up next to him, his arms wrapped around her waist. The corners of his lips twitched upward. His memories came back to him and he casually tucked a piece of Wild's hair behind her ear. She was gorgeous. He closed his eyes and remembered that look she gave him last night. It was the same look he had given her. She loves me. The thought sent chills down his spine. Love wasn't something Pyro had ever had before. He almost hadn't recognized it. But here, this pink-eyed tiger, loved him- as much as he loved her.
Lara stirred in his arms and she opened her eyes slowly. When she saw Pyro's handsome face above her, she smiled softly.
"Morning, Hot-Shot," she yawned.
"Morning," he said in reply and was suddenly blinded by a black suit. Lara had thrown him an X-Men uniform and she was casually stepping into hers.
"Put this on. We've got a lot of things to do," she told him and pulled the zipper up to her neck. Then she started on the boots. He followed in her lead and sat down at the controls a little bit after she had. He noticed the clear rod that was hooked to her waist and he absentmindedly reached for his lighter.
"So, you're gonna take me back, after what I did?" he asked her and handed her a biscuit from the cabinet. She took it and when their fingers brushed he shivered from the contact.
"Yeah. Besides, you were only trying to protect me. But I don't know about the others…" Her voice trailed off as she concentrated on launching the jet. When they were in the air and flying smoothly, she picked back up where she was.
"The others might not want you there anymore and I don't know about Xavier," she said quietly. John dropped his eyes to the floor.
"Then maybe I'd be better off without anyone."
"I'm staying with you," she said abruptly and looked up at him, her eyes carrying that same look. "I…I love you, John." His eyebrows shot up and he gently placed his hand on hers.
"I love you, too, Lara."
Lara smiled softly and looked back out the windshield. They sat in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company until the moment was shattered by the radar's shrill screech. Wild Thing jerked her head down and looked at the machine.
"Another jet. Same as ours and coming in fast," she rattled off and looked up. The jet came by and Wild caught a glimpse of the pilots. She knew them immediately.
"Ryan! And Joe!" she gasped and jumped as the radio crackled and Ryan's voice came in over the loudspeakers.
"We know the Firebug's in there with you Lara! You hear me, Fire Hazard!" The other jet fell back and a weapon popped out from underneath its cockpit.
"And we're here for one purpose only. To avenge Darren!" That was the last they heard of them before the weapon fired. A missile came shooting straight at them.
RTD: Ooo. Suspense!
Pyro: It's not that funny when death is shooting straight at you and you're frozen in time! Load the next chapter or I'll burn your eyebrows off!
RTD: Okay! Okay! Geeze. Touchy...