Chapter 5-Jamila's Return

Jamila fairly flew off the plane and into the airport, where Henry was waiting for her. She threw her arms around his neck and began to sob.

Henry looked down at the sobbing girl in his arms. He stroked her hair gently, waiting until her sobs abated. When at last she stopped, he led her to his van, as she had no luggage to speak of. They rode in silence all the way to the Institute, where Jamila tore through the mansion to the infirmary, where Jendayi was laid out, tubes and wires were connected to her suddenly frail looking body. Logan was watching Ororo, who was sleeping softly in a chair. He looked up as Jamila entered.

"She's fine, but we don't know when she'll come out of it."

Jamila nodded, and sat down next to her sister on the hospital bed, watching her intently. "How did this happen?"

"It's my fault. She went berserk, and when I tried to calm her down, she went after me. I threw her against the balcony, and she hit her head hard on the marble railing. Hank said the head trauma put her in a coma."

Jamila bit her lip, breathing in quietly and deeply before speaking. "It's not your fault. It's mah father's. If he hadn't told Magneto of me, and they hadn't taken me, Jendayi wouldn't have gone as wild as she did."

Ororo woke with a gasp. "Jamila?"

"Hi Ma."

"When did you get here?"

"Not long ago. You should go get some sleep, both of you. Ah don't want any more family members falling out."

Ororo sat up, and Jamila noticed the dark circles under her mother's eyes. "I am fine."

Logan spoke up. "No yer not darlin'." He strode over to where she sat and hefted her in his arms. "Yer takin' a nice long sleep." He walked out of the room. Ororo was too exhausted to even protest. She fell asleep in Logan's arms before they had even gone up the stairs.

Jamila smoothed down some of Jendayi's hair tenderly. "Ah don't know if you can hear me, but Ah love you. People talk about twins having strong bonds, but Ah never realized how empty mah mind is without you until now. It's scary. You have to get better. Ah need you, everyone needs you. You're mah heart, mah lifeline, the other part of my soul." She kissed her twin's forehead gently.

Scott entered the room almost reverently. "I came to see how Jendayi was doing."

"Ah guess she's the same as she was earlier. Ah just got here." Jamila bit her lip hard as tears came rushing to her eyes. Scott placed his hand on her shoulder gingerly.

"Are you okay?"

"No. Jendayi's not going to get better, is she?"

"I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see."

"Thank you for coming down. Do you know where Kurt is?"

"He's been in his room for the longest."

"Could you send him down here? Ah have some things to say to him."

Scott squeezed Jamila's shoulder and nodded. "Sure." Jamila gratefully squeezed his hand back, and he left. Jamila installed herself in a chair, and pulled her knees up to her chest. Her tail twitched spasmodically through a gap in the chair. She rested her chin on her knees, watching her twin through half- closed eyes. A wisp of brimstone heralded Kurt's arrival. He too looked as though he hadn't slept in a while, a haggard look in his eyes

"Scott said you vanted to talk to me?"

Jamila looked up at him and nodded. "Sit down." Kurt sat, and Jamila began. "Don't retreat from everything. It's not healthy. Get out and do something, but don't stay holed up in your room. Jendayi wouldn't want that."

"I know."

Jamila nodded. "Just making sure." Kurt left, and Jamila maneuvered into a more comfortable sleeping position. Soon she was breathing evenly and deeply in slumber.

Jamila's days were spent recounting her time with Magneto and watching over her sister. Thanks to Ororo and Logan's persistence, she stayed relatively healthy, her only complaint being that sleeping in the chair wrecked havoc on her back. Henry had placed a cot in the room so that Jamila could sleep more comfortably. Jamila spent her time with her sister singing and talking to her, and massaging her arms and legs. When Ororo came in, the two would sit and talk to Jendayi together, Ororo choosing to talk in her native tongue, while Jamila listened and slowly gained an understanding of her mother's first language. A few weeks passed, with no change in Jendayi's condition. Henry assured them that sometimes no news was the best news.

"Jendayi, you've got to get better." Jamila whispered to her, as she drifted off to sleep.

Pietro stood outside the gates of the Institute, wondering what it was about Jamila that had brought him this far. He stared up at the mansion for a long time, until at last, he sighed, and began to turn away.

Pietro, you are quite welcome here, so long as you stay out of Jamila's family's sights. Xavier said. Pietro froze, and the gates began to creak open. Jamila does need you, now more than ever. I suggest you come in and apologize to her. Pietro took a deep breath and walked into the Institute grounds. Some mental instinct, most likely Xavier's handiwork, guided him to the infirmary. Jamila was sitting in a chair, sleeping.

"There's no change in Jendayi or Jamila, Pietro. Jamila's sunken into quite a depression." A soft voice said. Pietro whirled around. Ororo held up her hands peaceably. "I'm not going to hurt you."

Pietro returned his gaze to Jamila. "Will she be okay?"

Ororo smoothed the hair back from Jamila's face. "I think that if you were here, it would make a bigger difference. I hold no grudge against you. My daughters' lives mean more to me than our being of different opinions. Logan, however, might not like the idea of you being here."

Jamila stirred in her sleep. She began to whimper. Ororo squeezed her hand. "Wake up Jamila, you're having a nightmare. Jamila, wake up!"

Jamila woke with a start. "Mama?" Pietro quietly hid himself in the next room.

"I'm right here."

Jamila shuddered. "That was awful. Ah dreamed that Sabretooth was coming here for me. Magneto too."

"You'll never have to see them again." Ororo hugged her daughter, and Jamila laid her head on her mother's shoulder.

"Ah miss Pietro. Ah know he lied to me and basically kidnapped me, but Ah miss him."

"I know."

Jamila's eyebrows furrowed. "Mama is this what love feels like?"

Ororo sighed heavily. "It seems like it, doesn't it?"

Jamila exhaled in frustration. "Ah don't know. It's just so…frigging frustrating! Ah think Ah love him, but Ah'm scared that he'll hurt me again."

Ororo straightened up. "Charles wants me." She placed kisses on both girls' foreheads and left. As she walked past Pietro's hiding place, she breathed, "Goddess help you if she comes to harm."

"Jamila, I'm not going to hurt you."

Jamila's head jerked up. "How...what...why."

"How, Xavier, what, I'm sorry, why, I love you."

Jamila buried her face in her hands. "No, you don't."

"Yes, I do."

"How can Ah know for sure? You could kidnap me again. Ah can't trust you."

"But you do, admit it."

"Pietro, Ah can't love someone while mah sister is in a coma."

"Says who?"

Jamila looked up, eyes blazing. "Says me! You want me to go rushin' off with you, when mah sister could very well die! You don't even know what Ah'm goin' through! You selfish…"

Pietro's eyes lit with anger. "I don't know what you're going through? Let me tell you something. My sister was put in a mental institution when we were five. I didn't see her for eleven years, and when she did show up, she fucking hated my guts. Don't even think about calling me selfish when you don't know the whole damn story!"

Jamila was standing up now, fury radiating through her very pores. "It's not like you told me anythin', is it? Half of what you said to me was a lie, so Ah never knew what the hell to believe, and NOW, after a week of lies, you show up and tell your sob story. Well boo fucking hoo for you, Pietro."

Pietro was shouting now, not giving a damn if Wolverine himself came down and ripped him to shreds. "I didn't have a choice! Since you've never had a goddamn father, let me explain something to you..." Jamila smacked him across his face. Her claws left four marks across his cheek.

"Don't throw mah not having a father in mah face." Jamila's voice was very quiet. "You, the man who doesn't breathe unless his father tells him to. You're nothing better than a lapdog."

Pietro opened his mouth to retort, when a mental alarm rung through both angry teens' heads. X-Men, we have a situation. Prepare for battle. Jamila, we need you up here, right now.

The look of anger in Jamila's eyes was quickly replaced by fear. She looked around the room wildly. She grabbed Pietro and knocked him out, with a well-placed tap with her paw. She sat him in a chair and tied him up with an extension cord. She raced out of the infirmary, where Ororo, Xavier and Logan were waiting, along with the other X-Men.

"What's wrong?"

"Magneto and the Acolytes just showed up. They're looking for you," Scott stated.

"Then we'll just have to give them what they want."

"You are not going anywhere with either Sabretooth, or Magneto." Xavier said.

"Then what do we do?"

Logan's claws slid out. "Leave good ol' Sabretooth to me."

Jamila shook her head. "Ah should do this."

"You'll stay outta the way."

"I agree with Wolverine. Jamila, we'll need you to help us with Magneto." The mansion shook violently.

Jamila looked around. "Ah've been around the Acolytes. Bobby, you're with me, St. John. We're the only ones who can handle him. Rogue, you have to put Remy out soon as possible. Everyone else should concentrate on Magneto. Leave Sabretooth to Logan, and Mystique to Henry and Storm."

Scott opened his mouth to protest. A nearly imperceptible shake of Xavier's head closed Scott's mouth. He nodded. "You heard the woman. Move out!"

Jamila transformed into lioness and barreled out of the front door, knocking St. John down. She sat firmly on his chest. Bobby placed his hands over St. John's flamethrowers, freezing the liquid in them and rendering them useless. Jamila moved off of him, and transformed back to human. "Bobby, keep an eye on him. Freeze his ass if he tries something."

Rogue and Remy were facing off. Remy smiled charmingly. "So, chérie, we meet again."

"Unfortunately." The southern mutant did an amazing roundhouse kick. Remy caught her leg and twisted. Instead of trying to force free, Rogue went with Remy's direction and landed on her feet. A smile tugged her lips. "Ah've been practicing." Rogue took off her gloves. They went at it again, Remy careful to block Rogue's bare hands with his gloved ones.

Sabretooth grinned at Logan. "Jus' hand over the frail and we'll go peaceful like."

Logan's claws unsheathed themselves. "Over my dead body, bub." The longtime enemies began to fight.

Ororo and Henry had her hands full with Mystique. The woman was quick and agile, and Ororo was afraid to use her lightning bolts with so many students around. Luckily, Scott noticed her dilemma and blasted Mystique into next week. Ororo gave him a nod of appreciation, and turned her attention to Magneto.

Ororo, blast him with a lightning bolt.

What about the children?

X-Men, back away, quickly.

The X-Men covering Magneto backed away, guessing the weather witch would handle Magneto. Magneto lifted himself up in the air, facing Ororo squarely. "So, Storm, we meet again."

"You despicable bastard." Lightning crackled between Ororo's fingers. On the ground, everyone stopped fighting and turned their attention upwards.

"Now, I'm just making sure Jamila has the proper contact with her biological father."

"By kidnapping her? You make me sick." The lightning surrounding Ororo was bright, and everyone had to squint to see what was happening. Thunder rumbled menacingly overhead.

"You could destroy me in a second."

Ororo played with the lightning in her fingers. "I could."

"Unfortunately, I won't let you." A sort of magnetic blast sent Ororo flying. She landed in the ground, forming a ten feet wide crater. Two roars rent the night air.

"MOM!"

Jamila's head jerked around. Limping dazedly, eyes glowing with pure fury, Jendayi made her way to Jamila's side. Her eyes were glowing bright red. Jamila's eyes began to glow blue. Liquid fire was playing around Jendayi's body.

Professor, what's going on? Jean asked.

I believe that Jendayi and Jamila are reaching the full extent of their mutations.

From the feet up, Jendayi's body became liquid fire. Jamila's body was coated in a thick layer of ice. "Ah'm going to kill you." Jendayi's voice was flat, emotionless. Without much effort, she lifted herself into the air and flew at Magneto. Jamila followed, gliding on a path of ice. Every obstacle Magneto threw at them was disintegrated by fire, or iced over and smashed. They stopped in front of Magneto. Jendayi raised her hand, and a fireball lit in it. She launched it at Magneto. Jamila followed suit with an iceball. The resulting steam was so hot; Evan could feel it on the ground. Magneto's scream of pain chilled the blood of all who heard it.

Jamila, Jendayi, stop. When his quiet plea garnered no response, Xavier yelled. STOP, BOT H OF YOU!

The twins froze, and turned their blank gazes to Xavier. "Why?"

"You can't kill him."

Jamila snorted. "Says who?"

"Don't kill him, please."

"Why shouldn't we, after all the shit he put us through." Jendayi said.

"Then you'll be even worse than he is. Do you really want to be known as a murderer for the rest of your life?"

"He nearly killed our mother."

"Leave him to the proper authorities. Jendayi, Jamila, I am begging you, do not kill Magneto."

Magneto was still alive and floating. His outfit had protected him somewhat, but the heat and cold had hurt beyond all mortal belief. He groaned slightly.

Jamila began to glide downwards. Jendayi remained floating, staring at Magneto with flame colored eyes. She made her way to his body. "Xavier can't protect you all the time, Magneto. And when he's not around, Ah'll kill you." She floated down to join her sister, who was pulling Ororo from the crater she had made.

"Mama? Mama can you hear me?" Jamila asked.

Ororo lifted a hand to her temple. "Goddess," She muttered.

Jendayi smiled through her tears. "Mama, where does it hurt?" The Acolytes slipped away, carrying Magneto. Xavier let them go.

"It hurts everywhere."

Jamila lifted her mother gently. "Henry, can you help her?"

Henry placed his hand on Jendayi's shoulder. "Follow me, ladies." The students and adults entered the Mansion. Henry led them down to the Infirmary, where Pietro was still tied up. Jamila nodded to Jendayi, and she untied him. Ororo was placed on the bed Jendayi had only recently vacated. Henry kicked them all out. Jendayi went to go take a shower and brush her teeth. She walked with a slight limp, but otherwise appeared fine. Jamila sat down against the wall outside of the infirmary, and burst into tears. Pietro stood watching her awkwardly.

Jendayi sighed with pleasure as she stepped into the shower. When all the hot water ran out, half an hour later, she brushed her teeth vigorously. After she dressed, she made her way back to the infirmary, where Jamila was sobbing her eyes out. Pietro was standing off to the side, looking confused. Jendayi sat down next to her sister.

"What is it?"

"It's him!" Jamila sobbed, pointing to Pietro. "Ah nearly killed his father."

"WHAT?!"

Jendayi looked up. "Yes, we nearly killed your father. You're lucky Xavier stopped us." Her eyes grew hard and cold. "If Ah EVER see him again, Ah'll kill him, make no mistake."

Pietro disappeared. "It's okay, Mila. We're together now, and Mama will be fine, you'll see."

"You don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"Ah was in love with him."

"You were?"

Jamila nodded morosely. "Ah know Mama will be okay, and Ah'm so happy you're okay, but Ah don't know what to do about him. Now Ah'll probably never see him again." Jamila sighed, and wiped her tears. "It's probably for the best."

Jendayi rubbed her head against her sister's hair and purred. "It probably is. Ah know it'll be hard to get over him, but Ah'll help the best Ah can. We're sisters, best friends. Your problems are mah problems."

The two girls sat for a moment, giving each other sisterly comfort. Henry opened the door. "Jendayi, Jamila, would you like to see your mother now?"

"What's wrong with her?"

"Surprisingly, not much. She managed to slow herself, and use the air to cushion her fall. She's got a minor concussion, a broken arm and several cracked ribs, but that's all."

Ororo was lying down when the twins entered. She smiled at them. "Did they leave?"

"The Acolytes? Yes. Hopefully, we won't have to deal with them for a while," Jendayi said gratefully.

Ororo nodded. "And Pietro?"

Jamila looked down at the floor. "He left too. Ah doubt he'll be coming back."

Ororo took Jamila's hand and squeezed it. "I'm so sorry, Jamila."

"Don't be. Ah'm sure it was for the best. But you need rest. We'll come see you tomorrow."

Ororo nodded, and closed her eyes. Jamila and Jendayi padded silently out of the room. Logan was waiting for them.

"How is she?"

"Sleeping. Are you gonna stay with her?" Jendayi asked.

"Yeah."

The twins walked away, kissing Logan on the cheek as they did so. Logan slipped in to the infirmary, where Henry was making sure Ororo was comfortable. He nodded briefly to Logan before leaving. Logan sat down in a chair, and took Ororo's hand.

"Well 'Ro, you got yourself into one hell of a mess, darlin. Ya handled it well though. That's something I always liked about you. You were a woman who knew what she was doing. Even before the twins were born, you knew what you wanted, and you went after it. I guess that's why I fell in love with you. I know you can't hear me, but I love you darlin'."

"I love you too."

"Holy…" Logan bit his voice back before he could say something he'd regret. "I thought you were sleeping?"

"Not yet. I was almost asleep. When I heard you say 'I love you'. I just wanted to let you know that I love you too." Ororo's voice was weak, but clear. Logan kissed her forehead, and she fell asleep.

Jendayi was lying on her bed, eyes half closed, and Jamila was sitting on the windowsill when someone knocked. "Come in."

Kurt walked in, and Jamila raised an eyebrow. "Ah'm going to go get something to eat." Jamila squeezed past Kurt and out the door.

"How are you feeling, Jendayi?"

Jendayi kept her posture. "Ah'm fine."

"That's good."

Jendayi sat up abruptly. "What's wrong?" She asked, motioning for him to sit down next to her.

"Nothing."

Jendayi scoffed. "Oh please. What, did you fall in love with Kitty while Ah was in a coma or something?"

"No. I didn't even see Kitty vhile you vere in a coma. I spent most of my time either by your side, or praying in my room."

Jendayi nodded. "Oh. Well, what's the matter?"

"Nothing. I just." Kurt sighed in frustration.

"Kurt, what is it?"

"I vas vorried about you. I couldn't eat, or sleep or anything vhile you vere in the coma."

"Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Okay. So…"

"Vat now?"

"Well, as soon as mah mom gets better, we're going to go see a movie, and then we're going sightseeing in New York. Ah don't want to think about dating until Mom's better," Jendayi said decisively. "Until then, Ah need a friend." She held out her hand. "Friends?"

Kurt shook her hand. "Friends."

(Eyes of Green; Eyes of Gold)