Combusting Hearts

Chapter 33

"Remy!" I groaned.

He just gave me one of those goofy smiles of his, smiling away as he stood there with me in the basements Danger Room twirling his staff in his hand. He was trying his best to help me with my powers, something that the Professor had advised once I was feeling up to it, along with teasing me at the same time. Although, the only thing I got was a smoking heap of nothing. It was hard to gather everything up when I wasn't frightened or angry or had an immediate need for them.

So much had happened in the last few weeks and now I was stuck in the Danger Room everyday practicing and fighting. It was something that I had to do. I had to learn to harness this power that I had inside of me so that I'd be able to use it at will. I had gotten lucky when fighting Victor, since I was on an emotional high. Although, that high was gone now, leaving me only the willpower that I currently had.

I never want to be that vulnerable again, I thought to myself, frowning slightly as I thought about it.

It annoyed me that I had been powerless to defend myself against Victor. I had been so easily controlled, turned against my own friends, the ones that I considered to be family in my eyes. I had been forced to attack the one close to my heart, the one that loved me. Remy hadn't even fought back when I had attacked him and I'd say that that hurt even more because he wasn't willing to protect himself properly against me. Especially, since I could have easily killed him if Scott hadn't shot at me like he had. I mean yes, it hurt, but I'd rather get hit than end up killing one of my friends.

"Somethin' wrong cheri?" Gambit asked, his brows furrowing as he gazed at me.

I knew that it was probably obvious to him what I was thinking, but I just shook my head though before quickly moving out of the way as something flew by us, startling me in the process.

"I hate this thing," I groaned, feeling myself becoming frustrated as I stared down at my hands.

They curled at my sides as I thought about things causing them to flare and spark, a faint glow of red raising upon my skin, licking at it as though waiting in anticipation.

"Careful d'ere Cheri," Gambit quipped, moving back slightly as he watched.

"Remy, move!" I shouted, quickly pushing him out of the way as another weapon was fired at us, before sending an energy wave down into the ground.

I watched the building upheaval of earth raising, racing toward the enemy at high speed, the sound of heavy rumbling meeting our ears. All this because of the fact that I absolutely hated guns. After all, why wouldn't I after being shot with one. Although, once again, that left me thinking back to what had happened.

I still remember freezing when that gun was raised, the barrel aiming at Gambit with the intent to kill him. My mind was on fire, thoughts racing rampant through my head. I could have died right then and there and I was still under Victor's control. I was still amazed when I had managed to stop it though, pulling myself forward enough to protect him, even though I ended up with a bullet in the back. It was all worth it though in order to save him.

Even though weren't mutants, that doesn't mean that we can't be killed by simple human weapons.

T

"Hey!" Logan called, catching my attention as we walked down the hall.

We'd been done with the Danger Room for at least a couple hours now, leaving us to merely walk around the mansion and talk.

"Hey Logan," I smiled, giving him a small wave as he walked toward us.

"What's goin' on?" Gambit asked, scratching the back of his neck as he sent a glance Logan's way.

"Nothing," he said, before turning toward me. "Professor wants a word with ya," he told me, hitching a thumb behind him.

"About what?" I was curious to know what he wanted, although, I kind of had an idea of what it was.

It was most likely the normal stuff, checking on me personally to see how I was doing, and how I was holding up. The Professor was always keeping tabs on me, making sure that I was okay. It was likely due to everything that's happened to me so far. Not to mention, since he practically knows everything about me. That's the only problem about having a telepath around, you don't always get the privacy that you'd like.

"Your guess is as good as mine kid. I suggest you get goin' though and don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Gumbo here," he grinned, throwing an arm around Remy's shoulders and pulling him close.

Gambit let out a groan in response, trying to pull away from the rugged man. It did him little good though since Logan pulled him closer, keeping a tight grip with his arm on Remy's neck so that he was left leaning over a bit as a result.

"Come on now, let go," he complained, trying once more to tug himself free. "Let go a me," he exclaimed.

I couldn't help, but to let out a small laugh as I watched this, earning myself a halfhearted glare from the Cajun.

"D'is ain't funny cher," he told me, tugging once more, only to end up in a full on headlock this time.

"Just quit while you're ahead kid," Logan told him, before pulling him away and down the hallway.

I was left standing there, a hand over my mouth as I stifled a laugh, shaking my head before turning around to walk the other way.

"Those two are something else," I mumbled, a small smile on my face as I headed toward the Professor's study to speak with him.

T

"Professor?" I called, gently knocking on his door.

A moment later, I heard the sound of his voice, the same warm tone coming out like it always does.

"Come in," he said.

I then opened the doors, letting myself step inside the room, before closing them behind me.

"You wanted to see me Sir?" I questioned, standing there in front of his desk with my hands clasped together in front of me.

"Yes, please, have a seat child," he smiled, slowly rolling out from behind his desk as I sat down in one of the chairs. "I just wanted to see how you were doing," he told me.

"Well, fine I guess," I said quietly, not sure of what else to say about it.

"And your time in the Danger Room with Gambit?" he inquired.

"Still not much luck," I sighed, a bit annoyed that I was still having trouble control things and drawing them out.

"But you have gotten better though," he assured me, giving me a smile of encouragement.

"I just…I can't seem to get a grasp on it," I admitted. "I'm trying, really I am Professor," I promised.

"I know you are my dear, it just takes time and practice is all," he assured me once more.

"But I should be able to use it by now," I exclaimed, frustrated with myself. "How can I put so much out before and yet now I'm left with nothing?" I asked.

He exhaled before speaking, coming a bit closer, until his hand was on top of mine.

"Elaine, my dear, sometimes we perform at our best when placed in such circumstances," he told me. "It's happening right then, at a time when you have to make a choice and act. I'm sure you merely need a bit more encouragement is all," he said, giving my hand a small squeeze.

"But…" I started, quickly losing my voice.

My thoughts went back to that feeling of vulnerability, being unable to do anything, being under the control of another.

"Elaine, that wasn't your fault," he said firmly, obviously hearing my thoughts.

"I could have killed him!" I cried, quickly becoming upset with myself.

"But you didn't," he pointed out.

"But I still tried to!" I cried, feeling my eyes water.

"Elaine, listen to me," he started, taking hold of my shoulders with his hands. "That was not you," he said, looking me straight in the eyes. "That serium that he gave you, I've seen what it can you. It couldn't be helped he told me."

"But I…"

"No," he shook his head. "Believe me, even some of the strongest of us are unable to overcome such a thing," he told me.

I'm sure you'd be able to, I thought quietly to myself.

"Not necessarily," he said. "Even Magneto fell prey to it once before and he's a very strong minded individual mind you," he pointed out.

That caught my attention, shocking me to say the least. I never thought that either Magneto or the Professor would be able to fall prey to something such as that, but I guess that I was wrong.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of my dear. In fact, you should be rather proud of yourself from what I gather," he smiled.

"What do you mean?" I asked, not quite sure what he was getting at.

"There were a few moments where you were able to fight it off, even if only for a few moments. You fought and took control, enough to stop Gambit from meeting that bullet," he explained.

I was silent at the mention of it. I guess I was a bit proud in that fact, but I still wasn't happy with any of it per say.

"You did a very brave thing my dear," he told me, giving me a kind smile.

"I guess so…"

"You're much stronger than you think Elaine and there are many others out there that would kill to get a hold of someone like you. Remember that."

I nodded my head in reply, burning his statement into my mind. In a way, it was also his way of telling me to be careful.

I had come to realize over time, that I truly was dangerous. Then again, it's also something that I had learned a long time ago. The only difference now, was that I had more control over my powers than what I used to. Although, I still had the occasional slip ups of course, but I guess that was to be expected with me.

"You merely need practice my dear," he assured me. "That's also why we're all here for you."

That was true now that I thought about it. The Professor had always said that he would be there to help me and so far he'd kept to his word, helping me with my powers and other things.

Although, even with that, not everything was able to be resolved. My nightmares being one of them. In fact, I've had a few since I've been back, ones of Victor. Each time, they'd play in my head over and over again. I'd be laying there with him on top of me, kissing and groping with his mouth and hands. It was downright disgusting, sickening, and detestably revolting. It made me sick to my stomach even.

"Elaine?"

"Yes Professor?" I looked up quickly, realizing that I had zoned out for a moment.

"Try not to dwell on it too much dear," he said, referring to the nightmares.

"I'll try Sir," I said with a nod.

In return, he gave me a nod of his own, a warm smile on his face as he gazed over at me.

"Perhaps you should get something to eat my dear?" he suggested, rolling back a bit to give me some room to stand.

"Yes, I think I will," I nodded, carefully standing up from me seat.

I felt a little light headed when I did this, but just shook my head slightly, before blinking a few times. I'd likely stood up too quickly is all.

"Good day Professor," I said, bowing my head respectfully to him.

With that, I left the room, the Professor still inside.

Yay! 33 everyone! Man, it feels good to be back! Anyway, I hope that everyone liked it? Also, please remember to REVIEW and MESSAGE me? Thanks everyone!

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I need HELP with this story to a degree. So please, if you have any ideas either MESSAGE me or send them in your REVIEW. You don't have to have an account to REVIEW, so there's no stopping you. But seriously, I do need help if I want to keep writing this, and I'd rather like to continue so that I can eventually label it as complete. Thanks everyone!