Hello my friends.

I am happy to be able to offer you another update so soon.

Unfortunately, there does not seem to be much interest in this series, so after I complete this story, I am going to step away from the series for a bit and focus on some other storylines I am working on.

I hope to be wrapping this up in another 2 chapters so look for more updates.

As always, I appreciate the reviews and encouragement.

Chapter 4

/

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

/

As the sun began to set, Erik found himself once again seated at Ororo's bedside while she slept.

For once, he was actually glad that she was sleeping.

After breakfast, Ororo was plagued with the most severe bout of vomiting he had ever witnessed.

The feeling of hopelessness shrouded his shoulders.

All he was able to do was stand by and helplessly watch her empty the non-existent contents of her belly.

Her last episode completely drained her to the point of not even having the energy to make it out of the bathroom.

Erik carefully lifted Ororo's small frame into his arms and placed her in bed.

That was 4 hours ago.

She had not moved since.

As he watched her sleep, he could not help but feel like a failure compared to Charles.

Despite the fact that their argument had caused her to run off, she had always been healthy in his care.

Even if she did become ill, he had in-house medical care available 24hrs a day.

Erik could not offer her the same luxury.

He could not take her to the local hospital, as they were not equipped to deal with mutant anomalies.

Erik even considered contacting Moira MacTaggart, but he knew there was no way she would keep Ororo's whereabouts from Charles.

Erik Lehnsherr, Magneto, the Master of Metal, was totally oblivious as to what to do.

Because not only was she physically ill, Ororo was suffering emotionally.

One would be surprised that it was the physical illness that caught him off guard.

Ororo had always shown some signs of emotional instability, but they magnified 100 fold when Charles was involved in the accident that nearly killed him.

She had been through so much at such a young age.

Her parents, cruelly taken away from her because of a senseless war.

Trapped for days underneath a fallen building that threatened with every breath to collapse on her.

Seeing her father killed and crushed to death instantly.

Watching the life drain out of her mother, desperately trying to hang on for her young daughter.

Lying under the cold, dead, body of her mother who could no longer hear her cries.

Alone.

Erik knew some of that pain.

He ran a rough finger over his lower arm.

A-33705.

The number assigned to him over 50 years ago when he was just a boy, by the Germans.

A number he would never forget.

Never would he forget the last time he saw his mother as she and his young sister were taken away.

He discovered days later they were taken straight to the ovens.

Never would he forget how they ripped him out of his father's arms, separating them for eternity.

Never would he forget when he realized too late that he possessed a great power; a power that could have saved his family.

A sinister smile reached his lips.

When the liberation came just days later, Erik befriended a young man and they traveled together.

Together they grieved their families.

And when he became stronger, he exacted revenge for what had been done to his entire race.

Oh how good it felt.

Ororo, however never grieved for her loss parents.

Never given the opportunity to let go.

Erik and Charles often argued about how to deal with Ororo.

Charles felt as though Ororo was young and inexperienced in her powers. Allowing her to release the fury of Mother Nature would be deadly.

No, he felt that with love, patience, and security, Ororo would come through just fine.

Erik was not suggesting mass destruction or loss of life…

But he knew she needed and outlet.

That encouraging her to suppress her feelings was only putting a small bandage on a gaping wound.

Grieving was a natural part of life and he was doing her a disservice by shielding her.

But Charles could be a stubborn fool at times. He would hear none of it.

"Oh Charles, if you could only see her now." he said out loud to himself.

"Ya need ta take her back ta her Pa." came a gruff voice from the doorway.

The intruder startled Erik.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" he hissed at the large man.

Sabertooth ignored his question and made his way into the room to look down on a sleeping Ororo.

Erik watched every move the large feral made, not trusting him around Ororo.

And not appreciating his unsolicited advice.

"You know nothing about what she needs. Now leave!" his voice raised in ire.

Saberooth gave Magneto a disgusted look.

"I tell ya what I do know, if ya don't get her back ta Xavier, they aint gonna make it too much longer." he stated matter-of factly.

Magneto looked at the man in confusion. "Who? Who is not going to make it?" his voice held a hint of fear of what he might hear.

"Them pups she carryin. Seems like yer Princess here done gone and got herself knocked up by tha Runt."

Erik shot up from his seat, his hands balled into fist and his mouth forming a thin, angry line.

"How dare you! How dare you accuse her of such a thing. She would never, ever lay down with the likes of beast such as Wolverine. NEVER!"

Sabertooth took offense to what Magneto was saying. He leaned in close to his face and growled at him.

"I don't give a shit what ya think she would never do. I know she carryin his pups, done known since that day she went all ape-shit on me. She got 3 heartbeats, and I can smell em on her too. Them pups is my kin. If ya don't take her back I will, cause if something happen to em, I'm comin after ya!" he threatened.

Erik was taken back by Sabertooth's threat.

"Sabertooth, I have never known you to show such concern for life."

" I ain't just some dumb animal or a cold blooded killer. My mama didn't name me Sabertooth. Victor is my name and survival has always been tha game. These pups is my kin and I'm gonna make sure her and them babies survive." Sabertooth spat at Magneto.

Erik looked at him incredulously and laughed.

"Are you mad? Must I remind you how many times you have attempted to harm Ororo?"

"I aint never tried to hurt her. I wanted…" he trailed off.

Surprise settled on Erik's face when he realized what Sabertooth was intimating.

He did not want to kill Ororo…

He wanted Ororo!

Sabertooth ignore Erik's expression and continued on.

"Never mind that, aint important now. Tha important thing is getting them help. Yer pride may not want ta admit it, but ya know Xavier can help her." Sabertooth moved to leave the room.

Before walking through the threshold he turned back to Magneto.

"Don't wait too long. They ain't got much time." with that he turned and walked away.

Erik cursed to himself, not wanting to admit that the man was right.

He knew, however that he was.

He stood up to look down at the fledgling beauty deep in slumber. He tucked the covers up around her thin shoulders, and moved her hair out of her face.

Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he whispered "Sleep now child. When you awake, everything will be as it should."

With that, he turned and made quiet work gathering all her personal effects.

After about an hour, Ororo vaguely felt herself being lifted out of her soft bed.

She fought to open her eyes, but she only managed to open them briefly before closing them again.

Goddess, I feel so weak, she thought to herself.

She buried her face further into Erik's neck, enjoying his scent which always comforted her.

Gathering the little bit of strength she had, she managed to whisper "Where…where are you taking me?" her voice hoarse due to the most recent bout of vomiting.

Erik's cheek came to rest upon her head, as he spoke softly into her ear.

"Home."

/

/

Henry MCcoy was busy helping the children set up for movie night, when he heard the ringing of the doorbell.

He had his hands full with treats, so he instructed Rogue to go and answer the door.

Less than a minute later, she came running into the room, looking like she had seen a ghost.

"Hank, I think yah betta come to the door." she said in an excited yet stunned voice.

Hank could not fathom what could have put Rogue in such a state, so he quickly stopped what he was doing and made his way to the front hall.

The junior members of the X-Men moved to follow him.

What Hank found waiting filled him with a mixture of joy and anxiousness.

Joy, because lying limp in Magneto's arms was Ororo.

Anxiousness…

well because she was lying limp in Magneto's arms.

"My stars and garters." Hank said with a rumble in his chest.

The startled and happy cries of the other X-Men when they caught sight of Ororo began filling the air.

He knew they all missed Ororo, but he could tell from where he stood she was not well.

Hank realized he had to quickly control the situation or the children create a small mob.

Besides, their was someone who needed to see her first.

~Charles, please come to the main hall…QUICKLY~

Then he turned to the small crowd behind him.

"Everyone, please…everyone please calm down." As they started to calm down, Hank addressed them. "Now, I know you are all excited to see Ororo back home, however, it would be wise to give her some space. I would like you all to return to the entertainment room. I will let you know when you can visit with her." his voice calm yet firm.

A voice from the crowd spoke up. "Yeah, but like, what about him? Can we like, trust him to be in here?" Kitty asked.

"Yeah, and how did he get past the gate?" Rogue chimed in looking at the metal master suspiciously.

Other voices began to raise up in protest.

"Settle down. Settle down all of you!" Hank roared. That got everyone's attention "You are right young Katherine. Under normal circumstances, his presence would not be welcome. However, I do believe that he is not here to cause any mischief. Is that not correct Herr Lehnsherr?" Hank inquired, addressing him by his given name in order to set an amicable mood.

Erik answered easily. "I assure you young lady that I have come bearing no ill will. Once Ororo is seen to, I will leave in peace."

Kitty shared skeptical stares with her fellow X-Men.

Erik understood their apprehension.

They had only dealt with Magneto in battle. They had never shared a personal relationship with him as the senior members of the team had.

Hank saw their hesitance and moved to reassure them.

"Erik is being truthful. You all have nothing to worry about. Above anything, he is a man of his word. Now please, return to your movie while we get Ororo situated." Hank used a large blue hand to usher the youngsters on their way.

Once they left, Hank swiftly made his way to Ororo.

He slowly pulled back the thin blanket covering part of her face and upper body.

What he saw made him gasp.

She looked absolutely dreadful, which was not an easy for a lovely creature such as herself.

"What in God's name happened to her?" he exclaimed.

Charles' voice reached him from down the hall.

"What has happened to whom?" he finished his statement just as the three men came into view.

He stopped in his tracks and stared at the two of them, not yet seeing Ororo, who was blocked by Hank's large mass.

"What are you doing here?" he asked Erik with a frown on his face.

Erik gave him a small, sad, smile.

"I came to return your daughter."

/

After a brief reunion between father and daughter, which Ororo slept through, Hank carried Ororo down to the medlab where he could examine her.

While he was getting set up, Charles contacted Scott and Jean.

"She is soo thin, so pale. Is this what I have done to you?" he asked silently as he observed her from his place at her side.

Suddenly, the double doors opened and in ran a disheveled Scott and Jean.

Scott noticed Erik right away.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked hastily.

"Scott…" was all Charles said, but it was the way in which he said it that caught Scott's attention.

He turned to look his way, and spotted Ororo on the table.

Rapidly, his eyes began to blink.

Could it really be true?

Grabbing Jean's hand, they swiftly moved to her side.

Jean said nothing with her mouth. Her heart felt as though it were about to leap out of her chest.

She was home…really home.

And for the first time since Ororo left, Jean finally wept for her sister, her tears saying everything her mouth could not.

Jean bent so she was able to touch foreheads with Ororo, and the others heard with their minds her silent chant.

"Thank God, thank you, thank you…"

Scott stood dumbstruck.

He could not comprehend that Ororo was lying on a bed in front of him.

He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he was scared that if he did, he would wake up from his marvelous dream.

She would once again be gone, and what was left of his broken heart would cease to exist.

~Do not be afraid son. She is real, she is here, she is home.~

Jean heard the conversation between father and son.

She placed a soft kiss on Ororo's cheek, and then moved aside for Scott to welcome his sister home.

Scott lifted her cold palm to his mouth and laid a kiss in it. Then he held it to his cheek.

"I'm sorry. I am soo very sorry Ro. Please…" he spoke to her gently, not once trying to conceal the tears free falling down his face.

Hank had waited to allow the family some time with her, but he needed to get started.

"I hate to break up this reunion, but I need some space to examine her. If you gentleman would not mind waiting outside in order to give Ororo some privacy? Jean, if you would not mind assisting?" he asked.

"Of course." Jean eagerly agreed.

"Good. Gentlemen, if you will." Hank said as he gestured to the door. "I shall let you know when we have finished."

Before they moved to leave, Erik knew there was something he must tell them.

Erik closed his eyes and sighed. He did not wish to be the one to deliver this news to them.

Especially Charles.

"Henry, there is something you should know before you get started."

Charles instantly became alarmed.

"What is it Erik?" Charles inquired as he turned to observe his frenemy.

"Charles, do calm yourself." he pleaded, before starting again. "Ororo is pregnant." he took a deep breath before continuing.

"With twins."

/

Charles, Erik, and Scott settled themselves in the hall, while Hank and Jean commenced with Ororo's examination.

Not a word had been spoken after the startling revelation.

Really, what the hell did you say to that kind of news?

Scott sat silently, his hands suddenly fascinating him.

Charles was quietly observing the sterile wall surrounding them.

"Tell me Erik, how did Ororo come to be with you?" the strain of the last few months heavy in his voice.

"Ororo called me after she left the mansion. I could barely understand her she was crying so hard. She told me where she was and I went to retrieve her. I found her soaked to the bone sitting on a park bench. I brought her home with me and she has been with me ever since."

Scott stood up and began pacing.

"I don't understand. She came to you for help, and she ends up getting pregnant under your watch?" his voice tinged with anger.

Erik detected the outrage in the younger man's voice. "Scott, Ororo was already pregnant when she came to me."

"That's a lie and you know it!" he yelled, pointing a finger in Erik's face.

Erik promptly stood against Scott. "You will do well to remember who you are speaking to young man. Charles is not the only one responsible for your upbringing, and although we are on opposite sides of the fight, you will show me the respect I deserve." Erik demanded.

And although Scott wanted to argue with him, he stopped himself.

Erik had always been good to him, even when he and Charles parted ways.

It was Scott who severed their relationship, not Erik, and even though it hurt Erik, he respected Scott's decision.

"Scott, do calm yourself. If Ororo is indeed pregnant, it happened before she left." Charles said somberly.

"You knew she was pregnant and you never said anything? Is that the reason she ran off?" he questioned Charles.

Charles looked Scott in the eye, his own eyes filled with guilt and shame.

"No, Scott, I was not aware that she was with child, but she became pregnant while under this roof. I saw them together. It is why we had a falling out. It is the reason why she fled." Charles admitted.

"You…you saw them?" he inquired hesitantly, not sure he wanted to know the answer.

"I went to Ororo's room on the morning she left. I found her…in bed…with Logan."

Scott was right.

He didn't want to know the answer.

And he didn't want to believe what he heard, but he knew Charles was not prone to lying.

And he definitely would not lie about this.

"Why didn't I see it coming? I caught them the night before on the balcony, kissing." Scott wondered out loud.

"I am aware of what transpired the night before. But like you Scott, I did not expect any intimacy to come of it. We were wrong."

"Charles, what happened between you." Erik encouraged.

Charles did not speak right away, instead searching for the right words to recount the events of that day.

After a minute, he realized there was no getting around telling the facts as they were.

"I had found out some information in reference to Logan's past, so I went to his room to give him what I uncovered. When I reached his door, I knew immediately he was not there. I reached out to find him and was surprised to find he was with Ororo. I did not think much of it, so I was not prepared for the scene I came upon." Charles shook his head as if trying to shake off the memory of that day.

"They were sound asleep, and I knew instantly what had transpired between them. Needless to say I was furious. I gave Logan the information and suggested he leave immediately. I ordered Ororo to meet me in my office in an hours time."

Charles paused in his retelling in order to collect himself.

"I was incensed that she would callously engage in such activity under my roof. Her attitude was soo…" he stopped, because he could find no words to adequately describe the abundance of emotion that was present at that time. "In turn, I became even more furious. I said horrible, horrible things to her. Things a father should never say to his child. I hurt her, terribly. So much pain…" his voice trailed off.

Erik placed an encouraging hand on his shoulder.

"And now, she is with child, and I sent the father away. What a mess I have made. What am I to do?" he asked to no one.

Erik offered his opinion.

"One thing at a time, my old friend. Let us concentrate on Ororo for the moment. Unfortunately, pregnancy is not the only thing that is ailing our dear girl."

Charles looked to Erik, his eyes asking a question to which he already knew the answer.

Erik returned his stare, the answer evident in his eyes.

Charles only nodded his head in acknowledgment.

Scott watched the silent communication between the two.

He did not need to hear the words either.

All of those close to Ororo knew of her "issues".

And they were all guilty of acting as though they didn't exist.

Silence one again encompassed the room.

Some time later, the doors to the exam room finally opened and Jean walked out.

She observed the drawn faces of the three men she loved and shook her head.

Not for the first time, she wondered how in the world had they ended up here?

She must have made some noise, because all three men looked to her at one time waiting for some news.

Jean offered what she hoped was an encouraging smile.

"You can come in now. Ororo is awake."

TBC