A/N: I know, I suck.
Thoughts
/telepathically speaking\\
XxX
He could hear the whirring of fans, the gentle click as the generator urged the motors into motion. The rhythmic sounds that had once soothed him now rattled his nerves and turned his stomach, causing his palms to sweat. Scott squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the memories of Trask that threatened his peace of mind. Jeans cool hands wrapped around his own and Scott cracked his eyes open enough to see the worried eyes behind her reassuring smile. "Hey, you all right?"
Scott took a deep breath, contemplated lying to his telepathic girlfriend, then decided that had the weighted equivalent of suicide. "I'm not sure I can do this," He whispered.
Jean squeezed is hand, "It may not be the easiest thing but I do believe what you are doing is right."
Scott heaved a heavy sigh. Inwardly he cursed himself, knowing that Jean as right, yet hating it all the same.
XxX
"You first allow the mutant to escape and then you try to follow in his path." It was a statement, not a question. "A mutant lover, you're not any better than the scum itself." Trask introduced the back of his hand to Ami Foster's cheek, causing her to wince in pain as the smack reverberated off the walls. "Where is the mutant?"
"I don't know." Ami answered, staring her employer in the eye. "And I wouldn't tell you if I did."
A malicious smirk curled across Trask's lips at her answer and he crossed the room, muttering into an intercom system. "Bring the girl in."
Bob and Brutus entered the dimly lit room, flanking a small girl of Asian descent.
"Oh, God, no!" Ami whispered. "You monster!" The words were shrieks now, "Why are you bringing her into this? She's done nothing wrong!"
"Tell me where the mutant is and no harm comes to Ari."
XxX
The blackbird landed in the same sparse field as before, with only an eerie silence and cloud of dust to welcome them. "Not that I vas expecting a velcome party or anything, but you think they'd have some sort of guard here after we infiltrated last time." Kurt whispered to Kitty.
"It's totally like one of those movies, where there's that unusual silence and you just know something's about to go wrong, maybe even incorporate some dramatic irony." She shivered slightly.
Kurt nodded, "I'm vaiting for them to ambush us."
Kitty agreed readily, "The minute we get off the plan they'll surround us."
"And we'll be defenseless, completely unprepared."
Rogue rolled her eyes, "Except for our mutant abilities."
Kurt glared at her, "Can you not ruin this for us?"
Rogue muttered something about having a dork for a brother and tried to tune back into the conversation the older students were having with Storm.
"We'll split up similar to last time. Shadowcat and Rogue will take the west tunnel, and Nightcrawler and Spyke will take the east."
"And us?"
Storm and Wolverine exchanged glances. "We think it's best if you two stay here, darlin'."
/Why?\\ Jean stretched her mind, suddenly aware of the unease resonating within her teachers.
/Scott isn't ready to handle this, not after such an emotionally draining experience. I'm afraid he may lose control, despite his good intentions.\\ Storm answered. /You'll be here if we need back-up.\\
Jean inclined her head in an imitation of a nod. Somewhere within the indignation she felt rising, she knew that Storm was probably right. And if Scott lost control . . . he would never be able to forgive himself.
In just one glance, Jean knew Scott was aware of the silent discussions they'd had on his behalf. His jaw line was set rigidly, his teeth clenched together in silent resignation. Everything that had gone unsaid was evident in his stoic expression.
Jean sighed, methodically rubbing her thumb in small circles on the back of Scott's hand. /It will be all right.\\ Though she tried to comfort him, Jean understood the conversation that had gone unspoken. Yes, Scott had undergone a traumatic experience, he was emotionally unstable and could not be trusted to repress any sudden loathing. But Scott wasn't the concern. More than any of the X-men, Scott had the best control over his emotions; rarely did he let personal feelings interfere. Jean could usually follow well in his footsteps, but she had a temper that went unrivaled. When anger possessed her she took on the world with vengeance in mind. These monsters had beaten her boyfriend, brought tears to the stoic leader's eyes. Jean knew that Storm and Wolverine were afraid she'd unleash that same pain on the woman they were meant to save.
XxX
Ari Foster sat huddled in a corner of the dank room, her knees pulled against her chest in a protective, yet futile, gesture. The tip of a hastily constructed braid had been inserted into the right corner of her small mouth. Normally, she'd have been ashamed to have regressed to her childhood habit of sucking on her hair, but the rational part of her 8-year-old mind figured that this situation warranted such an action.
She'd always known that there was more to her mother's clandestine profession than originally noticed. It was evident in the way that she was instructed each year to tell anyone that asked that her mother was a genetic engineer studying the hereditary style of different plants. It was clear in the way that a hired driver escorted her to and from school each day, and how she'd never been permitted to bring friends home.
But never before had Ari entertained any of the terrifying implications that could possibly coincide with her mother's job.
And now she was sitting in a subterranean laboratory, blinking her eyes against tears as her mother screamed, voice undulating with fear, at what she could only assume were soldiers. Words reverberated off metallic walls, but nothing was discernible amidst the noise.
Ari closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the wall, wondering how long she could last before she started sucking her thumb.
XxX
"Dude, I don't see why we've got to do this," Spyke moaned in a loud stage whisper. "Why are we saving some lady who's tormenting mutants?"
"'Cause Scott says she's' not all bad," Nightcrawler whispered back, stealthily slipping down the hall on the balls of his feet.
"I think our fearless leader has a few screws loose."
Nightcrawler's eyes darkened but he said nothing, opting instead to put his senses to better use. Spyke was simply succumbing to the pressure of being an X-man; he didn't mean anything by it. Teachers were piling more work on them than ever before, preparing them for semester exams, and here they were, sneaking around a seemingly abandoned basement, when all they wanted to do was finish their Literature essay.
"I mean, hey, I've got nothing against Scott, he's a great guy but"
Nightcrawler head up a hand to silence Spyke.
"What?"
"I thought I heard something."
The two inched closer to the wall, trying to suppress the sound of their breathing as they strained their ears. "Hear anything?" Spyke whispered.
Nightcrawler shook his head no and motioned for Spyke to follow him.
XxX
Shadowcat and Rogue stood amid the debris left littering the floor of the central power system from their recent decimation of the place.
Shadowcat over turned the remains of a control panel wither her toe. "They like, totally trashed their system."
"Maybe they were trying to figure out how you shorted it."
Shadowcat shrugged and spoke into the communication device Storm had handed out to each of them. "All clear in the control room, they're housing their power supply somewhere else."
XxX
The yelling was becoming unbearable. Ari Foster wasn't entirely sure what a "mutie" was or why Trask wanted one so bad, but she'd begun to pray for God to tell her mom to give it to Trask.
A muffled clap sounded outside the barred door, much like the sound textbooks made when dropped outside classrooms. The thought was enough to stop Ari mid-prayer, she hadn't imagined there would be textbooks in this hellish place. Ari glanced upwards, but the two men guarding her seemed unfazed by the sound.
The initial clap was followed by two solid thuds. Ari stared intently at the door, as if focusing all of her energy was going to give her X-ray vision. Her eyes widened as she noticed the first sparks of static electricity, forming around the door. "Mommy," she whispered, watching the sparks grow in multitude, "Mommy!"
XxX
It was all over in a matter of seconds. A blinding flash of light, a cacophony of terrified screams, the screech of metal ripping against metal, the distinct thud of bodies hitting the ground, a pleading sob, a tug at the wrist; and it was all over. When Ari reopened her eyes, she was cradled in the arms of a regal African women, a shock of sleek white hair spilling over her shoulders. Ari twisted slightly, and as she caught sight of her mother, entangled in the arms of a man who appeared to be clothed in some sort of Halloween costume, she began to whimper.
"Hush now," a slender finger was brought to Ari's lips, "You and your mother are safe. We won't let anyone harm you."
Ari twisted again, trying to assess what had happened in the room, but the woman shielded her from the view. "Don't look," she whispered and slowly she began to hum a tune unlike anything Ari had ever heard before. The melodic tone carried promise and hope, and it gently lulled Ari into a sense of content exhaustion.
"'Ro," the gruff man murmured, as if hesitant to interrupt her serenade, "The kids are waitin' for us."
She nodded, bringing the girl closer to her chest, and together Ari's saviors left the wreckage of Trask's laboratory behind them.
XxX
"Hey, you okay?"
Jean smiled up at Scott, "I should be asking you the same question."
"I'll just be glad when this is all over. I don't like not being able to focus, to concentrate . . ."
"Not being in control?"
Scott's lips quirked upwards. Jean was the only one who could poke fun at his need to be in control, his desire to protect everyone. "That too. What can I say? I have a complex."
Jean motioned for him to scoot over and joined him on his seat, laying her head on his shoulder. "You don't always have to be in control, you know. It's all right to let others protect you."
Scott nodded into her hair, catching her hand in his. "I'm sorry you're stuck in here with me. I know it frustrates you."
"Hey," Jean removed her head and hand, placing her palms on his cheeks, and stared up into his shaded eyes. "There is no place I'd rather be."
XxX
"Who are you? Where are you taking us? Let us go!" Dr. Ami Foster shouted, struggling against Wolverine's bruising grip.
"Keep it down Lady, we're the good guys."
Ari began to whimper in Storm's arms as her mother's screams escalated. "Shh, it's all right child, we're not going to harm you, you're safe now."
Despite her mother's repeated orders to never trust strangers, Ari began to relax, soothed by Storm's lulling tone and gentle touch.
"Rogue, Shadowcat, report."
"Hallway adjacent to the lab, I think," Shadowcat's voice crackled over the transmitter.
"Good, we need back-up." Wolverine had to raise his voice to be heard over Foster. "Got a lil' somethin' that requires the Rogue's touch."
"'kay, be there in a sec."
"Spyke, Nightcrawler?"
"Nearing ze entrance, ve'll meet you by ze jet."
No sooner had Nightcrawler spoken, Shadowcat and Rogue phased through the wall, bringing silence to Foster for a moment.
"Y-you're mutants."
Wolverine rolled his eyes and nodded towards Foster, causing Rogue to arch her eyebrows in inquiry before complying. Storm turned her body, shielding Ari as her mother fell limp beneath Rogue's touch.
Wolverine gave a grunt of disgust, hoisting Foster up in his arms. "Mutants, unh, remind me again why we're saving her?"
XxX
"Oy, boy scout, give me a hand would ya?" Scott and Jean exchanged glances at Logan's annoyed tone, but instantly jumped to their feet to help.
"Jeez, Logan," Scott breathed as Foster's limp body was passed into his hands. "What'd you do to her?"
"She had to be sedated, an' let me tell you, she ain't all that grateful towards yer lil' rescue mission."
Scott said nothing in reply, shaking his head as Jean attempted to help him with Foster, and solely walked her to an empty seat. Jean sighed and shot an annoyed glare at Logan who rolled his eyes in return. "Don't look at me like that, Red, it ain't my fault Slim's got a guilt complex stronger than the sun."
"Jean," Storm approached, still balancing Ari in her arms. "We need to get moving before Trask sends out his remaining troops. Can you take her?"
"Sure," but Ari clung to Storm, reluctant to leave her source of comfort.
"It's alright, my child, Jean will take good care of you, I promise. I need to fly the plane so we can keep your mother safe."
Ari nodded, and reluctantly let go of Storm, allowing herself to be carried away by Jean. "Hey sweetie, what's your name?"
"Ari," she whispered.
"Ari? That's a beautiful name. I'm Jean."
She nodded. "Is my mommy okay?
Jean rubbed the girl's back gently, in the same comforting manner had mother had used when she was scared. "Of course, she's just sleeping right now. But you can talk to her as soon as she wakes up, okay?"
Ari nodded once again but fell silent, leaning her head against Jean's chest until the gentle rumblings of the jet provoked a whimper. "Sh, that's just the jet, sweetie, nothing to worry about."
Ari motioned for Jean to lean closer and shakily whispered. "I've never been on a plane before."
"No? Well, you're lucky this is your first time, Scott and Ororo are very good pilots."
Ari gripped Jean's hand tightly throughout the take off, squeezing her eyes shut as if to somehow block out the reality of the situation. Once the plane was smoothly coasting, Scott motioned for Ari to step forward, though the girl insisted on dragging Jean with her. Scott hoisted her onto his lap and smiled down at her. "Hey, how would you like to help me fly the plane?"
Ari shot a glance to Jean who gave an encouraging nod. "Okay."
"Alright, put your hands here, that's right. Now slowly turn to the right, you're doing great. My daddy used to let me do this when I was little," he confided, placing his hands over Ari's as they eased to the left.
"Was he a good pilot?"
"One of the best."
Ari thought on this for a moment. "He must be proud of you."
"Yeah?" He looked at her in surprise. "Why's that?"
"'Cause you're the best pilot I know, so you must be just like him."
XxX
It was early morning when Ami Foster first woke, sunlight streaming through cracks in her blinds. Blinds. She blinked, confused, her room didn't have blinds. Nor did she have cream-colored down comforters, nor soft carpet, nor lavender wall paper.
Ami was trying not to panic when she heard a giggle escape from a room beside hers. Dragging her aching body out of the bed, she inched lightly across the plush carpet, stopping beside her open door.
"Are you and Scott married?" She recognized Ari's voice.
A bubbling laugh followed. "Married? No."
"Do you want to get married?"
"To Scott? We're only 18, sweetheart."
"Oh. She paused. "Do you love him?"
There was little hesitation and Ami could hear a smile in the other girl's voice. "Yeah, I think I do."
"Then you should get married. I would marry him."
"Oh yeah? Why's that?"
"Because he's really nice and cute."
"You think?"
"Yep."
"Ahem," Ami cleared her throat, turning the corner to find a redhead braiding Ari's hair.
"Mommy!" Ari jumped up, running into Ami's arms. "You're awake!"
"Mhm," her gaze followed the redhead as she stood, a multitude of emotions flashing through her vibrant eyes. Anger, resentment, pity . . .
"Excuse me," the redhead stepped forward. "I know you probably have many questions, but if you'd just follow me the professor would like to speak with you." Though she was nothing short of polite, her tone was cold and her eyes were unforgiving.
Ami was given the impression that she had no choice but to comply.
XxX
Scott sat hunched over his desk, forehead resting in his hand, fingers tangled in his bangs.
"Hey, Slim."
Jean was standing in the doorway, lounging against the frame. He raised an eyebrow, "Red?"
"How goes calculus?"
"Not well,"
"Poor baby," she teased lightly, beginning to massage his shoulders.
Scott groaned. "You are the worst kind of distraction."
"And why's that?"
"Because other distractions I can ignore." He pulled her around, allowing her to sit in his lap as she placed a light kiss to her lips.
"Mmm, you need to focus."
"You should have thought about that before you came in here."
"Oh, so it's my fault now?"
"Isn't it always?"
Jean smiled into her boyfriend's mouth, capturing his lips in a soft kiss. /Foster's awake, she's downstairs with the professor.\\ She waited for him to tense, for him to break their contact, but Scott merely settled deeper into her arms, seeking the comfort only she could offer.
"I don't know if I want to see her. I'm afraid of what I might do, what she might do."
Jean nodded in understanding, stroking his head. "I know it might not seem like it, but I still think you did the right thing. Ari's proof of that." She kissed Scott's forehead and gave his hand a squeeze, letting him know that she would be there if he needed her. "No one said being a hero would be easy."
XxX
Days at the Institute slipped by quickly for the Fosters. At first, Ami had been filled with unshakeable apprehension, slight trepidation that followed her as she made her way along the many halls. These people had rescued her, yet she could tell by their averted eyes that not all of them had forgiven her for what she'd done to Scott. Yes, she'd learned the young mutant's name, but everything else was left to speculation. Out of all the mutants, she'd seen him the least, yet she couldn't bring herself to blame him. She had been overwhelmed by surprise when she'd discovered it was Scott's will that had saved her and Ari from Trask, and was unable to suppress an outpouring of gratitude. But aside from few, mild conversations with Ari, he seemed to want nothing to do with the Fosters.
Other than Scott's evident desire to avoid her, Ami received the coldest reception from Jean, the girl she'd walked in on with her daughter. It came as no surprise to her that, as Scott's girlfriend, the woman resented any superfluous contact with Ami. Yet despite her evident disliking for Ami, Jean was nothing short of polite throughout their stay, and it was clear that she adored Ari. While Ari immersed herself into the central attention of the Institute, Ami did her best to fade into the background, wanting to avoid drawing any unneeded attention to herself.
It wasn't long before Professor Xavier announced he had made the final arrangements for the Foster's departure and eventually hiding. He had a friend near Scotland, he said, who would be more than happy to have an additional geneticist to her team. She would be surrounded by mutants, it was given, yet Xavier believed Foster was perfectly capable to adjust to the new challenge. And his friend, he guaranteed, would be able to help the Fosters disappear, leaving no tracks for Trask to follow.
So, as the sun rose on the 8th day following Foster's retrieval, the X-men found themselves assembled on the front porch, bidding farewell to a teary Ari.
"You have to promise to write me, Jean, okay?"
The telepath smiled, "I promise. They'll be a letter waiting for you when you get to Scotland."
A grin broke across the young girl's face, despite her tears. "Okay, and you have to promise that I get to be flower girl in your wedding."
Jean laughed at Ari's unabashed promptings, all the while feeling Scott's confusion. "It might take awhile, but I promise – if you can make it to the wedding, you can be flower girl."
"Good," Ari gave one last hug to Jean before running into Scott's open arms. "And you have to teach me how to fly, okay?"
"Someday," he smiled.
"Ari," Ami's voice was soft, hesitant, and she cast her eyes downwards as she felt Scott's gaze upon her. "We need to go, sweetheart."
"Okay," Ari gave one last wave to the other X-men, leaving them to wonder if this was really the shy, frightened child they'd picked up a week before. "Bye Auntie 'Roro, bye Uncle Logan!" And with one last smile, she joined her mother in the car Xavier had arranged for them, the car that would drive them across country to an airport unlikely to be monitored by Trask's men.
As the car drove off, Scott turned to Jean, a bemused smile flitting across his face. "So, a wedding, huh?"
Jean's cheeks flushed with color, yet she managed to pull off a nonchalant shrug "Possibly."
"Oh?" he gave her arm a light tug, wrapping his own around her waist. "May I ask who too?"
"Oh, y'know, this guy I met once," she waved her hand dismissively.
"Ah, is he cute?"
"Oh, definitely."
"Must be pretty smart too, huh?"
"Fairly, and he's a decent pool player."
"Really?"
"Mhm, and an excellent kisser."
"You don't say." Jean giggled as Scott brushed his nose across hers, his breath hot on her lips. "Well, Miss Grey, it doesn't sound as if there's anything I can do to deter you from this . . . endeavor. But I've got to say, if Ari's the flower girl, I better be the groom."
XxX
A/N: Well, folks, that's the end! "The Boy Next Door"/ "In Their Eyes" series has finally come to an end. I know I haven't updated since October, but this year was more demanding than I ever could have imagined. I'm sorry it's taken so long, but at least I've finally gotten here, right? Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with me all the way through – you guys have no idea how much your reviews and encouragement mean to me. I hope the last chapter was enjoyable. Please don't forget to leave a review! I know you no longer have to goad me into updating, but it would be nice to hear what you thought of the end!
Oh, and one last thing, I still haven't seen X-men 3: The Last Stand, since my current country of residence has decided to deprive me of that joy. So please, please, please don't say anything about it! Thanks!
Love, always - DOJ
