I don't own X-Men!

Dark Night Falls

5

"Chuck, something about those kids and that girl are very off," Logan growled.

"I know, Logan. Lira is not from our world, and I'm not quite sure how that came about, but she was right that her memories helped to explain a bit more about her little group. It's quite disturbing that another group has managed to eliminate the entire population of mutants in Rochester and many non-mutants as well," the professor frowned.

"Uh!" Lira woken up as if she had been running a marathon. Her breathing was quick and her heartbeat was quicker. Immediately, as if in response to Lira's waking, the other two girls woke. They noticed the state that Lira was in, but they looked at her with haunted eyes, telling her that they too had nightmares that woke them. Lira smiled gently at her two charges, picked up the small basket that held Faye, and led the girls into the boys' room.

"Hm?" San frowned as the noise of the door opening woke him. He yawned and stretched lazily, as he watched Lira placed Faye near Quin, and then crawled over to his bed. San smiled and lifted up the covers to let her slide in, and then wrapped his arm around her protectively. He grinned as she snuggled into his chest with a contented sigh. He looked to see where the other two girls had gotten to… Jinks had crawled in with Rye and Indy had crawled in with Colt. Both were now sound asleep. "What was wrong?" San whispered.

"Bad dreams," Lira murmured softly as she inhaled San's scent.

"Well, we're safe now," San sighed sleepily as he let his chin rest on Lira's head.

"We'll never be safe, San. We never will…" Lira softly let her tears fall on San's naked torso.

"Then I will always find you and protect you," San whispered into her ear as she fell asleep. "I promise, Lira…"

"Girls, it's time to get... up?" Ororo blinked in surprise as she opened the girl's door, only to lay her eyes on unmade beds. Blinking in surprise, she walked to the boy's door, and when she peeked in, she smiled and let them be. : Professor, I think it wise to let them sleep in, they can meet the others later. :

: Do not worry, Storm, I knew they'd have a lot of rest to catch up on. Frankly, with what I saw from Analira, I'm surprised that they all made it this far…: Professor Charles Xavior replied.

"Good morning, Logan," Ororo nodded politely to Wolverine as she passed him in the hall. "Care to join me for an early breakfast?"

"I was going to wakeup the newbies."

"Logan, leave them be. I'm sure they'll talk later, but until then, don't..."

"Morning Auntie Stormy!" Indy jumped at Storm and wrapped her in a hug.

"Good morning little one," Storm smiled in reply.

"Morning Uncle Wolfy!" Indy waved at a shocked Logan.

"Storm, Wolverine," San nodded stiffly.

"Are all of you up?" Wolverine growled.

Sanil turned and glared at Wolverine, "Stay away from…"

"Morning Storm, Indy, Mr. Logan, Sanil…" Lira walked in with the rest of the kids attached to her in some way. Faye was in her arms, Jinks had her free hand, and Colt, Rye, and Quin flanked her.

"Good morning Analira," Storm smiled at the sight of one girl being surrounded by so many children.

"I was wondering if there are any sirens on the streets, Mr. Logan."

"Not the kind you're thinking of," Logan grumped.

"Ah, then in that case, would you and Storm take us shopping? We are in need of a few things, and none of us knows who or what to look out for around here. If you could, we'd really appreciate the favor," Lira faced Logan and watched as he turned to each kid's confused face.

Finally he turned back to Lira and grumbled, "Fine. But you aren't going on my bike!"

"I have my own, in case you've forgotten," Lira grinned. "However, I think we should take two vans."

"One adult in each…" Sanil glared at Logan. "I'm with…"

"You're going with Storm, Faye, Quin, and Colt," Lira shot him a look. San nodded angrily and stormed from the room, leaving the others to follow or stay. "Guys, stay with Auntie Stormy and Uncle Wolfy for a moment."

"Sanil! San!" Lira caught up quickly to where the invisible boy was hiding.

"Why are you doing this, Lira? I don't trust him!" Sanil growled at her irritably.

Lira sighed and engulfed the invisible man in a hug, for though she could not see him, she could sense him, "San, I know you don't trust him, and I know how you feel…"

"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL!" Sanil tried to brush her off of him, but she refused to let go.

"SANIL KNOT! LISTERN TO ME!" Lira yelled at him angrily, "Don't you remember how Vinatsyr treated me when I came to live with you?" Sanil sighed and nodded, "That's the way that Wolverine is treating you. He's scared that we're going to be bad news for this place and all his friends. This is his home, and they are his family. He's only trying to protect them."

"… I'm sorry, Lira…" Sanil turned visible and wrapped his arms around Analira tightly. "I don't know what where I'd be without you."

"You'd be up a creek without a paddle," Lira teased him gently. "Now, I can handle 'Uncle Wolfy' don't worry. If I know Indy, and I do, she'll have him wrapped around her little finger so tight that he won't know how it happened!"

"That's why you're taking Indy," Sanil chuckled.

"Awe, Sanny, you do have a brain!" Lira pecked him on the cheek before running back towards the kitchen, leaving an amused Sanil.