Babysitting

The sound of rain lashing against the window created a moody atmosphere as Scott sat in the Common Room with some of the students who had stayed behind. For want of anything else to occupy their attention, they were watching the late evening news to see what kind of coverage the Rally was getting. Though most of the older students had indeed accompanied Professor Xavier and the others to New York, Scott was very surprised by the identities of a few of those who chose to remain behind.

"So, what made you decide to stay behind?" Scott asked the two teenagers who sat next to him on the other couch.

Peter shifted uncomfortably and Kitty answered evasively, "I... wasn't feeling well."

Scott smiled knowingly. "And you, Peter? Also not feeling well?"

"It's Bobby and Rogue's first mission," Peter answered, ignoring a dirty look from Kitty at his forthrightness. "We didn't... want to get in the way, you know?"

Scott turned the volume on the television down and turned to face the two students. "Peter, Kitty: you know you're going to be on the team with them any day now. There's no reason to be jealous of your friends."

"We're not jealous!" Peter assured him.

"Things are... different now," Kitty admitted, apparently encouraged by Peter's example. "It'll take some getting used to, but..."

"Mr. Summers!"

Scott smiled at the little girl who stood in the doorway. "Yes, Siryn, what is it?"

"There's a woman and some people at the front door. I told them the Professor was gone, but she said she wanted to talk to you."

Scott frowned, immediately suspicious. "A woman and some people"...? Emma?

As Scott stood to follow Siryn out of the room, he caught the Breaking News logo on the television. He inhaled sharply. "Peter, turn that up."

"--shocking scene in downtown New York this afternoon as military forces confronted dangerous mutant terrorists--"

"Oh my God!" Kitty screamed as it showed footage of bodies in the streets.

Unable to control his rage, Scott fired an optic blast at the television, startling everyone in the room. "Peter, Kitty, take Siryn back to the younger students and keep them safe."

"Safe from what?" Colossus, having reflexively gone into metal form, asked.

"I have no idea," Cyclops admitted.

XXX

As Cyclops dreaded, Emma Frost and several of her students stood outside the main entrance of the Mansion. They all held umbrellas as it was raining heavily, and there was not a telekinetic in their group.

Not wanting to look as paranoid as he felt, Cyclops opened the door and stepped outside. "Good evening, Miss Frost," he greeted stiffly.

"Scott," Emma greeted, apparently agitated and lacking her customary icy demeanor. "I know how bad this looks, but we were just on our way to New York for an academic conference."

"What an interesting coincidence," Scott noted coldly.

"We weren't planning on coming here, Scott!" Emma insisted. "But we heard radio reports of the government's attack in New York. We didn't feel safe. You were the only place we could think of..."

Cyclops knew he should be suspicious. He knew he had every reason not to trust her. But for some reason...

"Emma--"

"I know we didn't precisely part on the best of terms, Scott. I'm prepared to overlook that if you are."

All of Cyclops's logic and reason creid out against this, but he felt an odd sense of guilt seeing Emma and her students standing out in the rain. This was a very different situation.

"Alright," Scott agreed reluctantly. "You can use the guest rooms."

"Thank you, Scott," Emma replied with an uncustomary amount of warmth.

XXX

"Cyclops!" Peter called as Scott re-entered the Mansion. "I have the Professor on the line-- oh," he noticed the group of people.

"What are they doing here?" Kitty asked, eyeing Emma very suspiciously.

Emma smiled. "Delightful to meet you, young lady. I'm--"

"I know who you are," Kitty cut her off, then looked at Scott expectantly.

"They're just here until we can figure out what's going on with the military," Cyclops assured her, but gave a subtle nod to indicate she was right to be suspicious. He took the phone from Colossus, and said, "Thank you, Peter. Would you and Kitty please show Miss Frost and her students to the guest rooms?"

"Of course," Peter agreed.

Scott stepped into a nearby classroom for privacy and put the phone to his ear. "Professor?"

"Scott," Xavier answered.

"I'm glad you're alright. We just saw it on the news. Did you get everyone out safely?"

There was a painful pause, and Cyclops knew something was wrong. "Regrettably, no. We lost Kurt, Scott."

Cyclops almost punched the wall in frustration.

"We got all the students out safely, and quite a few other civilians. I'm afraid we're going to have some guests for the foreseeable future."

"About that," Cyclops added hesitantly. "We already have some. Emma Frost and a few of her students."

"Emma?" Xavier repeated incredulously. "We seem to be seeing quite a bit of Miss Frost lately. I begin to share your suspicions, Scott."

"I know," Scott agreed. "But I couldn't in good conscience turn her away."

Another pause. "Of course."

"I know what you're thinking, Professor. I promise you I'm not being manipulated. Not this time, anyway."

"I'll trust your judgment, Scott. As I should have all along. Consider yourself back on active status."

"Thank you, Professor."

"I can't estimate when we'll be back. We're being extra cautious because of all the military aircraft in the area."

"Be careful, Professor."

"You as well, Scott."

XXX

As the X-Jet wasn't designed with privacy in mind, there was precious little to be had, especially with all the refugees on board. Still, the others were trying to give Storm plenty of space.

Logan was not.

He went looking for her as soon as Rogue assured him she could take over at copilot.

Logan had looked at her skeptically, to which she indignantly insisted she had been practicing.

"Hey," Wolverine said softly when he found Storm alone in the briefing room.

Storm turned away to hide her tears, unwilling to appear weak. "Oh, Logan. Do you need me to fly? I'll be up in a minute."

"No, we're covered," Logan assured her as he moved closer. "I just wanted to see how you were holding up."

"I got a teammate killed, Logan," Storm answered bitterly. "How do you think I'm holding up?"

"It wasn't your fault."

"I..." Storm's composure was hanging by a thread. "I need to be alone right now, Logan."

Wolverine gently turned her around and looked into her eyes. "No you don't," he answered with a surprising amount of tenderness, echoing the words Storm had spoken to him just days ago.

They were suddenly kissing, without a second thought. In that moment, so much that had been hanging unspoken between them was fulfilled. It felt natural, as if they had always been together.

And then he was holding her, and she wasn't afraid to show her tears, though she still looked so strong.

"It's not fair," Storm whispered.

"I know," Logan replied gently.

"This is going to sound crazy, Logan... but I swear, he even looked less blue..."