A/N: thanks to Wen1, The Dark Feline and redrosethorns for reviewing.

Chapter XVIII

Going Back

I got up off the bed to go see who Matt and Elektra were talking about.

Ah! Bad idea.

Pain ripped through my side the moment that I stood up. I grabbed my side, trying to make the pain stop, then, I slowly made my way to the bedroom door. I stood there and listened to them argue.

"We just want to talk to Jen and see why she left the school," Scott's voice drifted threw the door.

Scott? What the hell is he doing here?

''Looking for you,'' Jean's voice slid into my mind.

I exited the dark bedroom and entered the large, bright living room. It took a second for my eyes to adjust to the light. When they were focused again, I took a look around at the people in the room. Elektra stood, arms crossed, glaring at Matt, who stood with his back to me. And Scott, who stood with his arm around Jean's waist.

Well, I see that they're back to being the perfect couple.

Jean's eyes fell on me. Elektra turned to see what Jean was staring at.

"Jen. What are you doing up?" Elektra asked with concern, as she moved towards me. "Come on, lets get you back into bed."

Elektra led me back to her room. Jean followed, leaving Scott and Matt alone. Elektra turned on the lamp by the bed, as Jean began to check my side. She pressed lightly around the cut, as Elektra filled her in on what had happened.

"Not that I would want you to, but why didn't you use your powers?" Jean asked, finishing the examination and sitting down in front of me on the bed.

"I tried, but they didn't work," I explained, sitting up to face her.

"What are your powers any way?" Elektra asked, from her crossed legged sitting position to the right of me.

"Fire," I said dully, making a bright red-orange ball of fire appear in my hand.

Oh, so now they work!

"That's amazing," she said softly, staring wide-eyed at the dancing flame in my hand.

"What's so amazing about it?" I asked her, closing my hand on the flame, making it go out. "It doesn't work when I need it to."

"Well, if you come back to the school..." Jean started.

"I'm not going back!" I protested, looking at Jean, trying to stare her down.

"Why?" she asked, staring right back at me.

"Because, I have to find the Brotherhood," I stated in a determined voice.

"The Professor will find them," Jean said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"No, he won't!" I yelled, moving away from her. "He couldn't find them before, so what makes you think that he can find them now?"

I can't believe that I just yelled at Jean. All she's ever done is try to help me...

"It takes time, Jen," Jean said softly, derailing my train of thought. "We'll find them,...but first, we need you to come back to the mansion, where it's safe."

Safe? Hell, that's where the Brotherhood first got hold of me!

"Jean, it's getting late," Scott said, entering the room, followed by Matt. "Is she ready to go?"

NO!

Jean stared at him. I could tell that they were talking telepathically.

"Can Elektra come?" I asked, looking at Jean.

"I...," Elektra started, but stopped and looked at me.

I stared at her with pleading eyes.

"I have a lot of stuff to do around here," she said, giving me a sad smile.

"I'll take care of it," Matt entered the conversation, smiling. "Go. You need a vacation."

If staring at someone really could kill them, Matt would dead right now. Elektra's piercing green eyes were locked on Matt, like a lioness about to take down a poor, defenseless, blind zebra.

"It's OK with me if you come," Jean said, breaking Elektra's death stare.

"Fine with me,"Scott agreed, looking at Elektra.

She looked around the room, then, settled her eyes on me.

"Please," I mouthed to her, trying to look as needy as possible.

"Fine. I guess I could use a vacation," she said, giving me a fake smile. "Just give me thirty minutes to pack."