Hey there! Thanks once again to all my readers and particularly my reviewers :)
A lot of people have said they have no idea where this is going. I can only hope that's a good thing lol. I do try to keep the suspense and mystery in my plots, but if I'm trying too hard and it's just confusing, please let me know! I do appreciate constructive critisism muchly.
Anyhoo, on with the story!
Hank was called to work very early the next morning, and left before most of the mansion was even awake. Things had been chaotic lately, with the representatives for the Summit arriving from all across the world, needing rooms, interpreters and all manner of other things that no one had managed to completely organise.
"I don't know, Henry," the President said as he marched down a corridor, looking very stressed, "I have reporters clamouring for interviews with the X-men, representatives who want their rooms in particular colours or facing a certain direction, and I've just found out that one of our interpreters has been in a car crash, so we are lacking an Xhosa speaker. She'll be fine, thankfully, but can't work for a while. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find someone who even speaks Xhosa fluently? Let alone someone who will pass all the vetting procedures to qualify them to work at something as important as this Summit. We are never going to be ready on time!"
"You have two weeks until the Summit, that's plenty of time," Hank said reassuringly.
"But less than a week until the welcome party, you know, it's a good job being President pays well!" the President managed a laugh.
"Well, you still have a sense of humour, so it can't all be bad," Hank said, "and as for your interpreter problems – do you have any sort of Linguaphone for Xhosa?"
"Yes, of course – but who knows anyone who can learn an entire language in less than a week?"
"I do," Hank said with a smile.
Warren was the next up in the mansion, and after dressing and quickly eating breakfast, he headed out into the city. Since the X-men had been on television he had started wearing his overcoat again, to keep his wings hidden. He was surprised to find that no one so much as looked twice at him.
The people of America (or New York at least) didn't seem to care about who was behind the costumes, and so far no papers had printed anything about the suspected identities of America's very own superheroes. Warren wondered if this had anything to do with the Government covering it up and stopping the media investigating.
He headed into a large bookstore and after a few minutes fruitless searching, asked a pretty young shop assistant for a hand. She was more than happy to help him, chatting flirtatiously as she showed him to the correct department, and even helped him locate exactly what he was looking for.
Warren wondered if she would have given him the same positive attention if she knew who he really was. Before, probably not. Now, maybe she would be even keener. It was funny what power the media had to change people's opinions. Someone else might have revelled in the attention it granted, but Warren knew it was fake, and subject to change at the slightest whim of the person calling the shots.
He thanked the girl for her time, giving her a rare smile, which made her blush in a pleased manner, then headed to pay for his purchases. As he stepped out of the store, he checked his watch. It was an hour before he had his first lesson, which gave him plenty of time for one more stop before he headed back.
Rogue was getting slightly annoyed at everyone treading eggshells round her. Though Kitty had only mentioned her concerns directly to her the night before, it was clear that she had been discussing it with Bobby and Peter before. They were all watching her to make sure she ate properly, being really kind and helpful, following her everywhere to make sure she was ok. Rogue knew they were doing it with all the best intentions at heart, but it was winding her up.
"Look, I know what you're doing," Rogue said, turning round as they all stood up to follow her out of the room, "and it's really sweet of you to care so much, but at the moment you're just annoying the hell out of me. I'm fine ok, I'm not going to go and kill myself if I go somewhere on my own."
Kitty, Peter and Bobby looked at the floor sheepishly.
"Thank you," Rogue said, "Now if you could leave me in peace until English, that would be great!"
She tried not to storm out of the room, but she was fairly sure that was what it looked like. Deciding she didn't care too much, she went off to find Jack, who was the only person who hadn't been following her round all morning.
"I guess you finally told them to get lost," Jack said as Rogue came and sat by her in the study area.
"Yeah," Rogue said, "I know they were just trying to be good friends, but it was so irritating."
"I told them not to bother," Jack said.
She was sat toying with the necklace she always wore, and had apparently been deep in thought before Rogue had burst in.
"That's really unusual," Rogue said, nodding towards the necklace, "Where did you get it from?"
"My Mother gave it to me," Jack said, removing it and examining it.
It was a symbol of some sort, but Rogue didn't recognise it. The silver coloured metal wound around a spherical orange gemstone that looked a bit like amber.
"It's pretty," Rogue said.
"Thanks," Jack said.
"Do you still… I mean, is you Mother…"
"Dead," Jack interrupted.
"I'm sorry," Rogue whispered.
"Me too," Jack said sadly.
Rogue watched Jack as she ran her fingers over the necklace, before returning it to its place around her neck. There was a closed expression on her face and her breathing was slow and controlled. She began to wonder why Kitty and the others weren't more concerned about Jack, who was clearly far more troubled than she was.
All through English Kitty was trying really hard to act normally around Rogue, like nothing had ever happened, though Rogue could tell the girl was upset and anxious.
"Kitty, I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier," she said, "You're a great friend, and thank you for caring about me."
Kitty sighed with relief before apologising for taking caring about her a step too far. One comment from Rogue about how nice Professor Worthington looked in the shirt he was wearing and the two girls were chatting and giggling like nothing had come between them.
"Jack, can I talk to you for a second?" Warren asked as he dismissed the rest of the class.
Rogue went to wait, but Jack told her to go on to History and tell Storm she would be a bit late. Rogue nodded and left her to her conversation.
"I got something for you," Warren said, handing her a carrier bag.
Jack gave him a slightly confused look, before placing the bag on a table and taking a look inside. She pulled out a CD case, opening it and running her hand over the disk inside. She knew what it was, but she had no way of telling what was on it.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Well, if you keep looking in the bag you should find something to play it on," Warren said.
Jack placed the CD on the table and continued looking in the bag. At the bottom was a portable CD player.
"I thought Rogue would probably want hers back sooner or later," Warren said with a slight smile.
Jack didn't speak, but put the CD in it, placing the headphones on her ears and pressing random buttons until she found the play one. Warren watched her listen to the first few seconds.
"An audio book!" she said with surprise and delight as the opening chapter of To Kill A Mockingbird started playing in her ear.
"I thought it might help," Warren said with a shrug, "Now next time I set you a reading homework you won't have to hassle your friends into reading it for you."
Jack beamed at him.
"Thank you," she said, admiring her brand new CD player, "Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome," Warren said with a smile, "Now you better go and put that in your room and head to History before you miss any more."
She smiled and nodded. Warren watched her walk off. There was definitely a slight skip in her step and he was glad such a small thing could make such a big difference.
"Jack!" Hank called across the dining hall. It was dinnertime, and he had just arrived back from work.
"You're popular today," Bobby said.
Jack, who was playing with her new CD player, looked up at him questioningly.
"Professor McCoy wants you," Rogue said with a grin.
"Oh, right," Jack said, also grinning, "I better go then, back in a minute!"
Jack stood up and wandered over to where Hank was stood, telling Storm of the day's events. Kitty watched her go, then turned to the CD player she had left behind on the table.
"Where'd she get that?" she asked, "It's not yours is it, Rogue?"
"No, she gave me mine back earlier," Rogue said, "Maybe she bought herself her own one."
"When? And with what money?" Kitty asked.
"Does it matter?" Bobby asked.
"It matters coz Kitty thinks Professor Worthington gave it to her," Rogue said with a laugh, guessing her friend's mind.
"That's preferential treatment!" Kitty said indignantly, a flare of jealousy in her eyes.
"If you keep talking and thinking about Professor Worthington like that you'll make me jealous," Peter said jokingly.
"Good," Kitty said, smiling devilishly, "You lavish me with attention when you're jealous!"
Meanwhile, Jack caught up with Hank and asked him what he wanted.
"My dear, I have a favour to ask of you," he said.
"This one doesn't involve reading does it?" Jack quipped, making Hank laugh.
"No, no," he said, smiling at her, "I'm sure you've heard of the upcoming Summit? Yes, well, one of the interpreters needed for the Summit has been in a car crash and will not be able to attend. Therefore, the President is in need of someone who speaks Xhosa, or someone who can learn to in less than a week. So far he's struggling to find someone who speaks it."
"So you want me to do it?" Jack asked, "Doesn't working for the government require doing all sorts of identity checks? I'd never get through all that. I don't even have a real name, not one I'm prepared to give anyway."
"Well, I hope that one day you may be prepared to tell us who you really are, but in the mean time 'Miss Jack Starbright, as recommended by Doctor Henry McCoy' is identity enough to get you through any checks they wish to do."
"Xhosa?" Jack repeated.
"It's a language spoken in South Africa," Hank explained, "compromising of both spoken word and clicks of the tongue, will that be a problem?"
Jack shrugged.
"I doubt it," she said, "how long have I got?"
"The opening party is in five days."
"Can I skip Computing?" Jack asked.
"To give you the time necessary to learn it thoroughly?" Hank asked with a twinkle in his eyes, knowing the girl wouldn't need the extra time, "I'm sure I can work that out for you."
"Then I'm sure I'll have no problem learning Xhosa in five days," Jack said with a nod that cemented their agreement.
"Then I shall find you the Linguaphone. Nice doing business with you," he added with another twinkly-eyed grin.
That night, the X-men got their first call. A hotel resort had caught fire, and with the alarm systems failing, it had spread, trapping several people in their rooms as the building collapsed and burned down around them.
"Get in the jet," Storm ordered, marching everyone into the basement, "We get changed en-route. Remember codenames at all times, and don't do anything stupid or dangerous!"
Rogue, Kitty and Jack all got changed out of their pyjamas and into their costumes. It was late and everyone had been just about ready for bed when they got the call. Outside it was dark and overcast, the kind of night that was closer to black than blue. It didn't do much to help still the nerves of the younger members of the team, who not only had to put on a good show for the world, but had to make sure they didn't let down the older, more experienced X-men.
Kitty watched Jack curiously as she slipped a mobile phone shaped object into a pocket on her utility belt, then attached her pen knife and the boomerang like objects.
"What are they all for?" she asked.
"These?" Jack said, holding up the boomerangs and spinning them round in her hands. As she did so she charged them up with her green energy, "Normally for throwing at people who annoy me."
"That is cool," Kitty said, impressed.
Jack stopped spinning and charging them, returning them to her belt in a well practiced motion. Like with all their suits, she was wearing gloves, but Kitty noticed she hadn't neglected to wear her bracelets.
"You never go anywhere without them, do you?" she said with a grin.
"Never," Jack replied, grinning back as the jet descended into the hotel courtyard below.
The heat was intense and the fire crews present were making little difference to the inferno. Storm knew there was little the majority of her team could do, but they could at least help the tiring fire fighters.
"Iceman, Colossus – go together and see if you can help any rescue efforts. Rogue, Mystique, Starbright – see what you can do to help the fire fighters. Angel, get as close as you can – look for anyone trapped inside. Wolverine, do whatever it is you think best, I know you won't listen to me anyway," Storm said, "Shadowcat, how are you with fire?"
"No problem," Kitty said, "I'll just phase straight through."
"Then go with the boys, help bring any trapped people to safety," Storm said, "Now go!"
Bobby, Kitty and Peter ran towards the building, Bobby creating a protective shield of ice around them as they entered, battling with the fire to find any survivors of the inferno.
Warren took to the sky and circled round, getting as close as he could to peer into the rooms for any sign of people trapped in their rooms.
Jack, Mystique and Rogue all ran over to where fire fighters were trying to tame the flames, helping them direct the enormous jets of water.
Wolverine ran off, presumably to pick his own way through the fire to do whatever he could to help. Storm walked up to the building, her arms out and her eyes glowing as she called on the heavens to open and give them the blessing of rain.
The crowds watching anxiously felt the first few drops. They looked to the sky and the downpour began.
"Anyone in there, Shadowcat?" Bobby called above the roaring of the flames.
"Nope," Kitty replied. She ran through the wall to the next room, which was also empty, then on to the next. In it was a small boy and his unconscious Mother, "Iceman, Colossus! I've found someone!"
Peter hardened his body into the tough organic metal and crashed through the door. Bobby widened his arc of protective icy blasts over the two people in the room.
"I can take the boy, but you'll have to take the mother!" Kitty called.
"I've got her," Peter said, picking her up in his strong arms.
"We need to get out of here!" Bobby yelled, "I can't keep this up much longer!"
"On it!" Peter called, charging through the wall.
The three of them and the family they had rescued burst through the outside wall and were welcomed into the arms of the fire and ambulance services.
The unconscious woman was removed from Peter's arms and immediately put in an oxygen mask. Kitty handed the boy over to a kindly looking nurse who checked over him, giving him water and cooling him down with an icepack.
"How you doing Iceman?" Kitty asked.
"Ready to face the fire again," Bobby replied, "Where's Pyro when you need him, hey?"
"Probably watching us on TV," Peter said, nodding towards the news crews that had gathered.
"Well, let's give him a good show!" Bobby said determinedly and marched back towards the burning building.
The torrential rain did little to abate the intense flames, but it helped a bit. In dribs and drabs other survivors were pulled from the burning building. Warren landed by Storm as the others headed back over, awaiting orders.
"I can't see anything," he said, "The smoke is too thick. Chances are anyone left in there is dead by suffocation by now anyway."
"We did what we could," Storm said, closing her eyes and opening them again. They were no longer glowing white.
"The firemen think that the fire will burn itself out," Rogue said as she and Mystique walked over, "They say they are going to concentrate on stopping it spreading to the other buildings. They've done all they can for this one."
"We checked all the ground floor," Kitty said, "We rescued about half a dozen people."
"It's getting too dangerous to go onto the second floor, even for Shadowcat," Bobby said, "The whole place is coming down."
Jack hadn't spoken – she was just watching the building with that strange half spaced-out, half intense concentration expression on her face. Rogue recognised it as the one she wore when she was listening intently for something.
Rogue closed her eyes and tried to listen too, wondering what had caught Jack's attention. She could hear the roar of the flames so loud, like they were surrounding her completely. The heat on her face and the cool air on her back was the only way she had of knowing that she wasn't surrounded. But the fire wasn't the only sound she could hear. Very quietly in the background, Rogue could just about make out a slight whimper.
"Oh God," she said, tears running down her cheeks.
Someone bumped past her and she turned to see Jack walking over towards Storm. She had a slightly crazy look in her eyes and Rogue didn't like it at all.
Jack walked briskly to where Storm was standing, watching the building burn.
"Just for the record," she said, "I don't do anything unless I'm ninety-eight percent certain that I can do it."
"What?" Storm said, but Jack had already run off, back towards the building.
"Starbright! What are you doing?" Jack heard Storm call after her, but she was too busy concentrating to answer.
She sprinted past the fire crews, past the retreating rescue team and straight towards the building. When she got about ten metres away she powered up her hands, shooting her energy beams towards the floor. She used the energy to propel herself upwards, flipping over gracefully in mid air and sailing feet first towards a second floor window. As she smashed through it, she activated her protective shield only seconds before she was engulfed in flames.
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