Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men:Evolution or it's characters. Just my OC, Molly Callum/Creature and any original characters/background characters that may pop up from time to time.

"We tried to stop it," Remy insisted.

"Honest! Then I got a little...angry...and started going t-rex, and that was when you came in," Molly said.

"If I see Bobby, he's a dead man," Scott glowered, standing there looking quite chilled, wrapped up in a blanket, "ACHOO!".

The three of them stood in the professor's office. They'd expected a chewing out, but the Professor didn't seem angry at all, just a bit distressed.

"I see we're going to have to be more disciplinary with some of the more rebellious students," Charles held a hand to his head, "I don't blame any of you. I blame myself. I cannot be here all the time, but it was a lapse in judgement to let only three of you try and take care of eighty students on your own. I applaud the Acolytes for not going along with the party and trying to help you wrangle it in. Next time, I'll make sure some of the more mature X-Men are here along with you to keep a tight leash on things. Go relax. You did your best."

Molly watched Scott and Remy walk out, but stayed behind. "Uh, listen Professor, I feel like we didn't entirely clear the air about...about me leaving the other night. It was so slapdash, my apology. I really want to talk it out now." Molly rubbed her arm, looking at the floor and feeling ashamed.

"You have the floor," Charles held out a hand. Molly grabbed the chair nearest to her and got comfortable.

"I'd been never so angry with anyone. I felt pretty betrayed. I understand why you did it, we all did...but...after everything that happened, you let Magneto in so willingly. Why?" Molly questioned her mentor with huge eyes, eager for an answer.

"He is my oldest and dearest friend. We've been through a lot together. As much as you and the other X-Men. Despite his tactics and stance on mutants versus humans, I have always believed Erek Lensherr to be a good man. I could no easier turn my back on him then I could you, Scott or Jean. What he did to me, all those months, was a travesty. It took me a lot of time to get past and even now, I have not forgotten his torture. I still have faith in him, Molly, and after that, we still consider each other friends. I couldn't leave him to the wolves." There was earnestness and sadness in Charles' eyes.

"I understand, but did he ever, you know, at least apologize for the...the torture?" Molly found it hard to choke out. The memory wasn't pleasant for her either. They'd spent all those months, searching for him.

"Yes," Charles said.

A smile finally showed on Molly's face. It wasn't perfect, and she didn't know if she'd ever fully trust Magneto, but it made her feel better At that moment. At least the man had done that much.

"Molly," Charles reached out and put a hand over hers, "I want you to know, whatever decisions I make, they have the teams best interests at heart. I never want to betray you on purpose, never want to hurt you. You are my X-Men, my dream, and I will never let that dream falter, to wither and die. You are all my legacy Molly, please, understand that. Remember that."

"Always Professor," Molly squeezed his hand.

Molly opened the door to the office just in time to Scott and Remy landing on their butts.

"We...we were just..." Scott faltered.

"Save it," Molly said, "You needed to hear it as much as I did, don't lie."

"We did, Molly," Remy got up, "Thanks for having the guts to bridge the gap like that. It was brave. Noble of you."

"Alright, alright! I'm not trying to be knighted or something. Just, you know, wanted closure." Molly waved her hands.

"What are you nerds all doing?" Ray came through the hall, holding a soda and a small bag of Cheetos.

"Nothing much," Remy said, turning to Molly, "I'm going to catch a shower. See you in a few, baby." He bent down and kissed her cheek, leaving.

"I've gotta go talk to Jean. See you guys," Scott also made his leave, undoubtedly to relay to Jean everything the Professor had said.

That left Ray and Molly standing in the hallway facing each other. Ray dug into his snack, staring at her. "Why're you staring?"

"I'm trying to wrap my head around you actually being there for me earlier. Being nice. Helping me out," Molly crossed her arms, tilting her head curiously.

"Fiiiine," Ray stopped eating, "You're still short, fat, a ditz and you really do eat like a truck driver, but I didn't want to see you setback. You made progress today. You didn't deserve my help, Molly, but I gave it anyway. You're my teammate, even if you're not my friend. Teammates don't let each other slide back. I don't know if I'll ever respect you like everyone wants, but you have my support and my trust. Do I have yours?"

"Always...you orange-haired, big nosed cheeto-loving freak." Molly smiled. It was a weak insult, but it wasn't meant to hurt his feelings, anyway.

"Baby-faced, waddling short stack."

"Slacker."

"Midget."

Molly grabbed a few Cheetos out of his bag, munching them and sucking the dust of her fingers, popping her thumb out of her mouth last. Ray glared at her. They'd never stop disliking each other and Molly knew he'd always razz on her, but maybe he'd be a tiny bit less cutting now that they'd had it out. Things were back to normal with them, and that was fine with Molly.