Thank you SO MUCH to all of my reviewers. Reading your thoughts really makes me feel all...bubbly inside, haha. Well, here is the second chapter. I hope you aren't disappointed at having to wait so long. It's just that my chapters definitely won't be coming fast with my chemistry being the way it is...but I thank you so much for taking the time to review. I love you all!

Faces of the Heart
Chapter Two

"What are you doing here, Allerdyce?"

Logan's voice was harsh and full of malice as he glared at the boy who had left the Institute for Magneto almost two years ago. Rather ironic. He complained about being treated as a kid and, had he stayed, he would probably be an X-Man now, just like Bobby and Marie. Even without her powers Marie was still a large part to the team.

John didn't even snap back as he usually did, requesting to be referred to as Pyro—the name that he thrived on. Instead he looked out the window as if he was ignoring the giant man before him. In reality, he was trying to figure out how to explain why he was here now. To make them realize what was happening and the seriousness of the situation. Never before had he been sentimental, but if there was ever a time he knew this was it. He couldn't help but notice, however, how much had changed at the school since he was gone. For instance even now, where Scott would usually stand, peering down at him through his sunglasses, there was a man in a trench coat, eyes just as red as Cyclops' had been. He leaned casually against the wall, as if he was bored although there was a distinct sense of entertainment around him. Scott, however, would have never darted towards him to slam his back against the wall.

'Great, another one of Mr. Claws,' he thought with a sigh, rolling his eyes before shifting his shoulders in discomfort. Glancing up to meet the crimson eyes, however, he realized they weren't filled with Wolverine's usual rage. Instead they were amused, waiting to see his reaction.

"Gambit thinks you might want to tell de Wolverine what you know."

"Remy," Ororo's voice was sharp, giving him a distinct warning look. Snorting, he lifted his hands from John's collar before straightening out his own jacket before returning to his spot, enjoying the relaxed position with an air of leisure.

Turning to John, Professor Munroe gave him the same stern look. "Would you care to explain what's going on?"

Sighing, John ran his fingers through his hair, the strands still wet from the earlier downpour. It had taken him nearly two hours of straight running before he had reached the school. Part of him wondered why he had even bothered coming here, now. He had left Mystique inside a hospital; what else could he have done? He couldn't think of anyone else properly equipped to deal with her situation. That is, besides the X-Men. Which was the answer to his own question to himself. It had taken a lot to give in and come to the mansion. He wasn't used to putting others before himself, and now that he was he wasn't quite sure how to go about it. He did, however, know that these mutants would never let anyone die.

Part of him wondered if it was for retribution. He hadn't gone for help when it was Magneto. Now it was too late. But there was Mystique.

"It started a week ago," he began slowly, concentrating on the desk rather than meeting their eyes. "Mystique discovered that her powers were returning. The two of us went to find Magneto. I think part of her planned to kill him, but I still needed to find him. So I followed. When we discovered where he was, he had regained some of his powers as well. Only…he didn't quite seem right. He was very pale and moved so slowly. I just thought it was old age, but he had never let something like that hold him back before. I think Mystique noticed it as well. She must have—there is no way she would have let him live if she hadn't felt some sort of pity. Instead she followed in confusion. We took him back to her apartment where he collapsed. He was bedridden for the rest of it all…"

Pausing, John felt as if he was going to be sick at the memory. He noticed that Marie looked flushed. Slowly she removed her hand from Bobby's, and her boyfriend frowned. They both knew what she was thinking. The cure wasn't permanent. In any moment she could knock any of them flat on their ass. If he knew Bobby, however, he would gladly go through that if only to touch her skin.

"We thought it was his age and everything for a while. That is, until he started to cough up his own blood. We tried everything but we aren't doctors." Slowly he raised his eyes now to meet Ororo's. "He died like that. Choking on his own blood. We had originally hoped that it was just a sickness, not knowing how else to explain it. But now it's started again. Mystique has it and she's dying."

He froze now as he turned his attention to Marie's stunned expression, knowing it would impact her the most.

"We think it's the cure."

Bobby instinctively grabbed her hand again, tightening for support while all other eyes turned to her, some out of sympathy, others confusion. Marie did nothing but stare blankly at him, as if caught by the mere thought that she, very soon, could die of something that she had taken. Something that she had thought to be her salvation was proving slowly to be nothing more than a temporary peace of mind. The calm before the storm.

The two kept their gaze for a few moments, as if he was trying to assure her that everything he said was the truth. He was cut off, however, when the distinct sound of metal shot through the air and three claws scraped below his neck.

"Don't make me use these," Logan's voice was low and threatening. "What the hell would make you think it was the cure?"

Frowning, John shrugged, meeting Logan's eyes now without any sign of discomfort. Instead, his voice was deathly calm. "It's the only thing they have in common. Which means you better hurry up because little Marie over there might not have much time."

And there it is! I know most of you are probably ready to kill me for it being so short. I just really need to keep my chapters to around 1,000 words if I don't have a bigger plotline for it. Otherwise it drives me nuts trying to make it longer and stretch it out. Therefore, I just end it where I find a convenient location. Once again, thank you to my readers and please review!