Chapter 4: I'm Scared

Warmth. She couldn't stand it. It reminded her too much of the light.

In her mind, Sabere threw off the covers and flung open the window to let the cold night air in, but she was weaker than she thought. Nothing moved. God, get it off me – The light threatened to overwhelm her again –

/It's all right, Sabere,/ Xavier's thoughts consoled her. She was too weak to open her eyes. Cool air brushed her arms as he pulled back the covers, and she sighed in relief. /You're back at the mansion, and you're going to be fine./

She managed a small nod before the light faded and she drifted back into sleep.

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"Professor, I don't know. There was the light, and we all cowered, everyone, we did not know what it was – but – she would not get up – I did not know what to do – "

"But there was never anything besides the light?"

"No – the blue flash, and then red. I do not know. Will she live?" Kurt's voice, his words broken and usually careful English barely understandable.

"Of course she will. She's exhausted, and as far as I can tell, it was because she used a great deal of her healing powers. Are you sure you weren't unconscious, and just didn't – "

Kurt interrupted Xavier angrily. "Of course I am sure! I was there, I saw everything, and I know she collapsed after calling for help!"

"Kurt, calm down." A female voice broke in gently – Storm. "Can you think of any possible way she would have been using her powers?"

A sigh – "No. I do not know."

Sabere had to tell them. They were going to sit there and argue about whether or not Kurt had been unconscious while Sabere healed the equivalent of a small country, and she was too tired to sit and have more nightmares about the lights. She wanted to tell them what happened, and she wanted answers.

"Wait – she's awake." Xavier spoke softly. Instantly they were at her bedside, looking down at her, worrying. Sabere tried to breathe, to speak, but she was still so tired…

A fresh, cool breeze blew gently across her face from Storm's open palm. "Does that help?"

Sabere managed a nod. "I didn't heal anyone – intentionally. There were…the lights…and – I felt like something was watching me. No, that was before – I felt like something was watching me while we ate…measuring me…and then there were the lights. It read my mind…it made me remember when I healed people, and I felt like it was using that power…what did it do to me?"

Xavier sighed. "We don't know. I was hoping you would have a more illuminating explanation – "

"Professor?" Jean's voice sounded over the intercom in the hospital room. Sabere winced away from the loud, mechanical voice. "Hank McCoy is on the phone – it's important."

"Thank you, Jean." Xavier rolled away to the phone. Sabere closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, still trying to wake herself out of the fog. When Kurt sat down on the edge of the bed, she was distinctly aware of the uncomfortable tilt and pressure on the mattress. And still the light was haunting her…She forced herself to focus on Xavier's conversation.

"Hello, Hank…No, we've had a very interesting night…really?...oh, Lord – " He whispered anxiously away from the phone. "Storm, turn on the news – yes…no, I can see where you would get the idea…and it may fit with what happened in New York tonight…you haven't heard? Strange lights, two bright flashes – yes – yes – oh, the pyramids! Hank, what's happening?"

Sabere couldn't find the strength to lift her head and see what was on the television mounted on the wall. She reached out a feeble hand for Kurt's arm, then jerked it away when he looked down at her – he was still unrecognizable under the image inducer.

"Sorry," he whispered, and pushed the button. The demonic face had never been more reassuring, but the news was still flickering that blue light –

"What's going on?" she whispered

Kurt looked back at the screen. "Something in Egypt – the pyramids are glowing. Hold on…the anchor says it's like they've been rebuilt – witnesses say they shimmered or something, and all the stone became like new – and then they started glowing with that blue light, and they're been like that since."

"Hank, that's impossible…It's been millennia! Surely he must be dead and gone…I suppose there's some way…oh, of course…God…if it is, Hank, what will we do?...Of course….yes, please do. We could use your knowledge…yes, bring anyone. Good-bye, Hank."

Xavier hung up and sat staring at the screen. The room waited in silence. Storm chewed nervously on her lip, eyes flicking back and forth between Xavier and the freakishly glowing pyramids. "What does it mean?"

"I have a horrible suspicion, and everyone must pray I'm wrong. Dr. McCoy is taking the 'copter up here now, and we will get to the bottom of this as soon as we can. Meanwhile, Sabere, you must try to rest. You've had a trying night, and we may all need our rest in the coming weeks. I am going to Cerebro to see what I can uncover." He left the room quickly, and Storm, after one last glance at Sabere, followed him out. The newscast still glared the horrible blue light into the room.

"Turn it off…God…that light…"

The room was delivered into darkness as Kurt shut off the news. "You should rest," he said quietly, taking her hand. "I do not know what happened, but…you must get better."

"I want to know what's going on," she whispered weakly. "I'm scared…I don't know what happened to me…"

He hushed her gently, and she saw his faint outline bend to kiss her forehead. His hair brushed her cheeks, and she clung to the feeling, trying to remember that this was the present, not an alien light. "Kurt – "

"Shh." His hand traced the edge of her face and brushed her eyes closed. "Sleep."