Chapter 5
So very sorry for such a long delay.
I have had quite a few obligations since the New Year. Bear with me, I will get this story done.
Thank you to all of those who took the time to read and/or review. Your comments keep me motivated. Be sure to let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions on where this story should go.
"Ororo is awake." Charles repeated to no one particular.
Scott met Charles' eyes in mutual understanding of what the other was feeling.
Both were relieved that she was finally awake.
That they would finally have the reunion with her that they had been longing for.
Charles and Scott should have been overcome with feelings of joy.
Instead, they were both silent, in deep contemplation.
No matter how much they wished it to be so, they knew that they would not be getting the happy reunion with Ororo that they desired.
The way things were when she ran off…
Would she, could she, forgive them?
Could they, would they, forgive her?
For no matter the amount of denial, accusation, anger and regret, not one of the three were faultless in the matter.
Charles and Scott remained motionless, while Eric had already moved to follow Jean back into the exam room.
Erik was just about to walk through the doorway, when he realized that neither Scott nor Charles made a move to follow.
"Charles?" he inquired, motioning for him to follow.
Scott shared one more look with his father, and nodded his head.
"Yes, of course." Charles answered as he put on a fake mask of calm as he moved into the room, with Scott closely following.
They walked in to find Hank gently stroking Ororo's hand, and speaking to her softly.
She made no sound, just intently watched Hank, appearing to be listening to whatever he was saying to her.
Charles moved past Erik in order to make his way to her bedside first.
A warm smile formed on his lips as he spoke to her for the first time in three months.
"Hello, sweetheart." he said as he reached out to touch her hand. He gently caressed it as he waited anxiously for her response.
And waited…
And waited…
Ororo said nothing.
Her eyes slowly moved from Charles, then Scott, to finally settle on Erik.
She closed her eyes, not wanting to see any of them at the moment.
Not wanting them to see her. For she knew her eyes clearly spoke what she was so desperate to hide.
It was bittersweet being back in her home and seeing her family.
She was secretly happy to see them.
Despite what had happened, she still loved Charles and Scott fiercely.
Ororo could not help enjoy the feeling of Charles' soft, warm hand caressing her cold one.
Goddess, it would be so easy to leave the past in the past…
But that was not to be. It would do her no good to find security in a short lived fantasy.
Charles was only being kind because she was ill.
Glad that she was back under his careful watch.
Sadly, she convinces herself that it would not last.
Once she was better, he would recall all her iniquities, and once again cast her out.
It had been the second most painful experience of her young life.
And she would not allow it again.
Suddenly, she was overcome with a burning anger.
If they thought for one minute that she was in such poor health that they would be able to manipulate her into staying, they were wrong.
Ororo's eyes sprung open, fixing Erik with an accusing glare.
"Magnus," her voice still hoarse from sleep and vomiting. "why did you bring me here?"
Erik moved up next to Charles, suddenly feeling like a disobedient child under her icy stare.
"My dear, you were ill and needed urgent medical care. I knew of no other way to help you." he explained.
"Why here? You could have called for a physician if you were soo concerned for my well being. And if you were so concerned, you would NOT have brought me HERE!" she exclaimed in near hysterics.
"Ororo, I did what I felt was best for you…and your children." he finished softly.
Ororo's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation of her condition.
Hot tears blurred her vision, as she began to plead with Erik.
"Take me back. Please…do not leave me here." she begged him, tears streaming down her still pale face.
Erik had to look away, not willing to bear witness to her distress.
How he hated to see her upset. He had watched her shed many tears over the last few months.
He could stand it no more.
All he wanted was her to be happy, healthy and safe.
For a moment, he was tempted to pick her up from the bed, escape the mansion, and never, ever, bring her back.
That was what he wanted to do.
That was what she thought she wanted him to do.
However, what they wanted, was not what she needed.
And though it pained him to do so, he would temporarily remove himself from the situation in order for the family to heal.
Erik steeled himself and looked at Ororo, resolve clear in his eyes.
Ororo knew he had made up his mind, and there was no changing it.
"I am sorry, sweetheart, but I cannot do as you ask. You will be better off here, in your home." he could not mask the sadness in his voice.
The tears continued to rolled down her cheeks as she turned her back to all of them.
"Then go." she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I am sorry." Erik said once more as he turned to leave, knowing if he remained any longer, he would go through with his original plan.
Charles and Scott made no comment about Erik's departure, preferring to keep their focus on Ororo.
Only Hank took notice of his retreating back and shook his head.
He hated seeing his mentors and teammates in such a state, but they made this mess, and it was up to them to fix it.
.
Charles sighed deeply.
"Ororo, please do not turn away from us. We wish to see you, talk to you, assure ourselves that you are going to be alright." he pleaded with her.
"Go away." came her hoarse response.
Charles shivered, the ice in her voice making his blood run cold.
"My dear, I.." Charles attempted again.
"I. SAID. GO. AWAY!" this time her voice was strong and demanding.
Charles, not one to give up so easily, attempted to appeal to her again.
However, the look Hank gave him deterred him.
Charles sought out Scott for support, but he only shook his head "no", and motioned for Charles and Hank to join him in the hall.
Jean, who had been silently watching the scene unfold, took Hank's place at Ororo's side, doing her best to get her friend to calm herself and rest.
Out in the hall, they were surprised to find Erik pacing the length of the floor, furiously rubbing his forehead. When he heard the others approach, he turned towards them.
Charles spoke first. "Thank you for bringing her back to us."
Erik looked at Charles, anger evident in his eyes. "I neither need nor require your thanks. I only did this for Ororo, not for any of you. You are the reason she left." he accused his old friend.
"Do you think you are telling me something I am not already aware of?" Charles bellowed. "I have suffered with that knowledge for months now. If I apologized to her everyday for the rest of my existence, it would still not be enough. It is my deepest regret that I failed her so terribly. However, she is still MY child, and my love for her has never wavered. For you to come into my house and look down upon me with such distaste will not be tolerated. You wanted to make sure Ororo was alright? Well you have seen that she is. I believe it is best for you to take your leave." Charles finished, his hands curled into tight fist on the arms of his chair.
"I will not be dismissed so callously Charles. You…"
"Enough damn it!" came the agitated voice of Hank. Hank was always so gentle and even tempered, the fact that he had raised his voice caught everyone's attention.
"I have heard enough. You two want to waste time out here throwing accusations at each other, trying to convince each other they love Ororo the most. If you both love her like you say you do, you would work together to help her, not squabbling over what has already been done. Neither of you posses the power to change the past, however, you now have the opportunity to right the wrongs that have been done. It would not be wise to waste such a gift. Forget about yourselves and concentrate on Ororo." Hank urged the two older men.
"He's right." Scott said. All three looked at him expectantly. He had been surprisingly quiet during the whole exchange.
"We have all been so focused on the wrongs that were done. We need to concentrate on reestablishing our relationship with her. Redefine our roles in her life. It's not going to happen over night, but it can and will be done. Patience will be our greatest ally. Put our expectations on the back burner, and let the healing begin."
Erik moved toward Scott and placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "You always were very wise, Scott." He turned his head to address Charles. "He speaks the truth, Charles. I am not trying to take your place in Ororo's life, nor am I here to condemn you. I know you love her, it is just…I have had to watch her deteriorate before my very eyes and I felt powerless to help her. Whatever plan is devised, I will be more than willing to do my part." Erik said sincerely.
Then he looked towards Hank. "Henry, please let Ororo know that she is to call me if she needs me, no matter what. Now, if you will excuse me, I will be taking my leave. Good night." Erik said as he made his way to the elevator.
The two remaining men in the hall stood silently, waiting for Charles direction. They trusted in him to do the right thing and would follow his lead.
Charles looked up into the expectant faces waiting for him.
He straightened his posture and confidently regarded them both. He was ready to fight for his child.
"Gentlemen, I believe we have work to do."
TBC