Disclaimer: I don't own anything X-men

Author's note: Finally another chapter. This one took me longer to finish than I thought it would. I also want to thank Heavenstar3, Nelle07, and Aria DeLoncray for reviewing. I have also been having a new story popping up in my mind. It's a Harry Potter/X-Men crossover and I have a quick summary posted on my profile, so check it out and let me know if you'd be interested in reading it. Thanks, that's all for now, enjoy.

Chapter 6: Cure?

It was still quite early on a Sunday morning when Logan received the mental call from the Professor. All X-men were to report to his office right away. Logan of course was already awake when he heard the call because he hadn't slept much that night. In fact he hadn't slept well since the mission to Alkali Lake, but the dream that disturbed his slumber this time wasn't focused on Jean and her death. Instead he kept seeing Sadie's face when his claws went through her stomach, the look in her eyes. Confusion, fear, and anger flashing through them in the moment before her heart stopped beating. Shaking his head he stood up and went to throw on some clothes before leaving for the Professor's office.

When he arrived he noticed that he was one of the last ones to arrive, and, though he was tired, he was more awake than some of the others. Both Rouge and Bobby were trying to rub the sleep from their eyes and stifle yawns, while Storm sat on the couch sipping some coffee in an attempt to shake off her morning grogginess, and Scott, well… he wasn't even there yet. After Logan sat himself on the couch next to Storm and gave Rouge a quick smile, Professor Xavier wheeled into the room and took his place behind his desk.

"I believe I have located our mystery mutant," the Professor began. "Last night when I couldn't locate her using Cerebro, I began to do some searching on the computer. Last night when Logan mentioned the name Phillips it reminded me of a Canadian scientist who at one point worked very closely with William Stryker." At the mention of Stryker, Logan's head snapped towards the professor.

"What are you getting at Chuck?" he questioned. "Is Sa… this mutant connected to the work he was doing up at Alkali Lake?" he continued in almost a growl before Charles could even answer the first question.

"Yes I believe there is some connection," at this Logan looked ready to kill

someone but the Professor continued, "and no, I don't believe it is in the way you are thinking Logan." He only snorted in disbelief at this statement which Charles chose to ignore. "You see, before Stryker made it his mission to destroy the mutant race, he was working with the government on discovering ways to manipulate and harness the powers of the mutant gene. The complexity of the mutant gene was Dr. Phillips field of study, in fact he was in the top of this field, which was probably the reason he was recruited by Stryker."

"Excuse me Professor," interrupted Storm, "but how do you know all of this?"

"Well, most of this information came from the files we got off his computer, while the rest is just educated guess work," he answered. "The fact of the matter is that Doctor Sadie Phillips is the adopted daughter of Doctors Emmanuel and Grace Phillips, who died while on vacation at their winter cabin, up in the valley near Alkali Lake." At this statement the others gasped, having understood just how and when they must have died. Logan was looking very pensive by this point, there was just so much information and he was trying to piece it all together like a puzzle, but his thoughts were interrupted as the Professor continued, "I used Cerebro again this morning and I believe that I have found her. Her family had a manor in the country just north of New York City, and that is where she is. X-men, I need you to go there and bring her back here so that we can keep her safe from Magneto and his Brotherhood, and good luck."

Once he finished the team all rose to their feet and headed for the door, all except Storm who walked up to Charles desk as the others went to prepare for the mission.

"Professor?" she quietly asked

"Yes Storm?" he replied as he looked up from some papers on his desk.

"It's just…well…I'm worried about Scott," she said her voice filled with concern. "I mean it wasn't hard to notice his absence from the meeting this morning, and he has not been himself since…since Alkali Lake."

"Yes, I know," he sighed. "He's taking Jean's death very hard. I'm planning on speaking with him later today, but right now I need you to focus on this mission. I have a feeling that whatever side this new mutant is on it is very important that we protect her," he stated while looking off in the distance outside of his window. Storm simply nodded her head in understanding and turned to go and ready herself and the jet for their journey.

A tall, broad shouldered officer walked briskly through the long, underground hallway of a government compound building in an undisclosed location. In his hand was a manila folder, the contents of which would drastically change the government's fortune in dealing with rouge mutants, like Magneto. Within this folder was an answer to their problems, within it was information on a "cure" to the mutant gene. The officer, Lt. James Fisk, had just returned from a meeting at the pharmaceutical company of Worthington Inc. It was there that the president of the company revealed they had been researching a way to cure mutants, and that they felt they had finally found it. Worthington revealed that his researchers got the basis for their studies from a NYU scientific journal article written by Professor Emmanuel Phillips five years earlier.

"In his article Professor Phillips explained his theory about the mutant gene in respect with such concepts as evolution and Darwinism. His article gave a basic breakdown of the gene, and it was from this that we developed our formula," Worthington stated to a stunned Lt. Fisk.

Shaking his head at the memory of this revelation, he continued to the end of the corridor until he finally reached a large metal door with armed guards on both sides, and a code pad where he punched in the pass code. There was a slight clinking sound as the door activated and opened inward to the secure command center. He walked straight to the table filled with other government officials and handed the folder directly to the Secretary of Defense. After handing it off he stepped back to allow General Cross to flip through the contents.

"Excuse me gentlemen," the General addressed the others in at the table. "I have just received some very pertinent information. It appears that Worthington Inc. have developed what they are deeming as a cure to the mutant gene." At his proclamation the rest of the group just sat in stunned silence for a moment.

"A cure?" asked another defense official.

"That is what these documents I just received are indicating, yes. Lieutenant Fisk, what can you tell us about this information?" the General asked as he turned to address said Lieutenant.

"Sir, the meeting I attended at Worthington Inc., at the invitation of Mr. Worthington himself, revealed that they have been in the process of developing this cure for years. He also shared that his company will begin to administer the cure to any mutant who willfully chooses to receive it within the week," replied Lt. Fisk.

"I'm glad to hear that this option is now available, but why was military representation requested for this meeting?" inquired yet another defense official.

"It is my understanding that they want to cooperate with the government in developing a way to integrate this cure into the nation's defense system," answered Lt. Fisk.

"I think that this offer should be taken into serious consideration gentlemen," replied General Cross. "Accepting it gives us the means to deal with some very real threats from the mutant community, but…we must also understand that there could be some serious repercussions as well. Just imagine the outcry and possible resistance we could face when the mutant community discovers that we have turned a voluntary cure into weapon."

Back at the Worthington Manor a very concerned father was about to reveal the same news of the "cure" to his son, Warren Worthington III. His son was the main reason he had his company researching the mutant gene so frenetically. He wanted to be able to offer his son a normal life. Not that he thought any less of his son for being a mutant, but he thought that Warren would be happier without his large wingspan.

He turned away from the window where he had been collecting his thoughts to face his son, sitting patiently waiting for the reason his father had wanted to speak with him. Warren had been away at school when he received the call from his father, and whatever it was he wanted to see him about it seemed important.

'Looks like I'll finally find out what all this is about, and it's about time, he's been staring out that window for twenty minutes,' Warren thought to himself when he saw his father turn to face him.

"I'm that you were able to get away from school to come and see me. Something very important is going to occur that will change many lives, including yours," Worthington senior began, peaking Warren's already high curiosity. "You see, ever since you developed your…your wings, I felt that you weren't really given a choice whether you wanted this…well, this addition. I set out to find a way to suppress the mutant gene, a way to give you that choice. Now that Worthington Inc. has successfully found a way to achieve this, I wanted to offer it to you first before allowing it to be accessible to the public. I want you to be able to have the normal, happy life that your wings have denied you."

Warren just sat quietly when his father finished. He wasn't quite sure how to take all this information. Slowly he stood up and walked over to the window his father had previously been staring out so that he could figure out how he wanted to reply.

'Did he really do all this for me, or is it because he really doesn't want a mutant for a son? No, I know he loves me with or without my wings, but do I really want to be "cured". Sure it has been difficult to keep my wings hidden, but do I want them gone, they're a part of me,' he thought as he tried to form an answer for his father. With a sigh he turned his head to look at his father standing there next to him. Would he support Warren whatever he chose, or would he try to convince him that it was all for the best.

"Father, I…I don't really know what to say. I know you love me, and you just want to give me the choice to be…normal. I don't know if you'll ever really understand why, but I don't think I can take it. No matter how hard it has been or will be to disguise my wings, they are a part of me and it would be almost like having my arm cut off. I appreciate what you have done, and like you said, it will change many lives, because I know there are others out there who really do want the choice to be normal, but I'm not one of them," Warren said turning to look back out the window.

"But Warren," his father started.

"No 'buts'. I can't do it father," he stated angrily before turning on his heel and striding out of his father's study. He left the manor immediately, planning on returning to school. Little did he know what difference his decision would have on his life.

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Author's note: I now that you're all wondering what's going on with Sadie, but I had to use this chapter to introduce some of the other characters and subplots. Next chapter we're back to Sadie and how she reacts when the X-Men come to retrieve her. Remember to review, it helps motivate my creative mind.