Still don't own this, suing would cost more than I'm worth.
Cries in the Ocean of Night.
"He's still screaming at night about the pain." Emma tells Xavier softly, so softly, she hopes no one, save them two can hear. "I can't soothe it, but some of the memories of what he went through are starting to surface. Maybe you could help him?" she asks, almost pleading.
"I'm flattered you came to me, Emma, but I fail to understand what it is you want for me to do." Charles looks at her intrigued.
"If you can't use the memories to find out what we need to know, can you make him forget?" She says in hushed, ashamed tones. "Just so I can have him back. Scott back, not this wasted and scared little man."
"Like it or not, Emma, that man is Scott, and if you love him and want to be with him, that's something you'll have to accept." He stares her down in his fatherly way. "After everything you two went through together to be together, you do still want to be together?"
"Yes…I think so. I don't know." She admits as she slumps down on the worn, leather couch. "He's not the Scott I fell in love with, he won't even share what he went through with me." She looks towards the ceiling, trying not to cry and smudge her makeup. "I don't know how to deal with that. Maybe if I just knew what happened to him and Rachel…it's been several months since their return, I'd just like to know something, how to help!"
"The best thing we can do to help Scott, is to wait for him to ask for it." The professor sighs, perhaps tied of living in a soap opera. "But, if you want, we can observe him tonight and see what terrifies him so in his sleep, then, we may get some answers. I'm sorry we didn't think of it sooner."
"The nightmares weren't the problem when we got him back, Charles." She tells him compassionately. "We had to deal with one thing at a time. Remember the first few weeks, the way he refused to really even talk? Even the way he shied away from touch like a severely traumatized child? You worked on that and I'm grateful." She puts a hand on his shoulder in gratitude. "You did what you could, but now, more than ever, he needs the help that only you or, and I loathe to say it, Jean could give him. She's gone and might never come back, you're here and able, won't you help him be Scott again? No body ever has to know."
"Emma, I tried that with him before, with almost all of them before, and they never want it." He grits his teeth. "The never understand why I did what I did, so no. I will not erase what he's been through, but I will observe him. Nothing else unless it's for his very life."
"What if it were for Jean and Remy's?" She poignantly asks.
"I hardly think…" Charles begins before his chamber doors open and Beast pokes in his head.
"I am all too sorry to impose, Professor, but there is an urgent matter afoot that one would presume…" Beast prattles on before Charles cuts him short.
"Henry, just tell me what it is in plain English, and for goodness sake tell me nothings ruined!" Charles snaps.
"Ahem, yes, just the Oriental rug in the hallway. Orroro has gone into labor." Beast says as he adjusts his glasses.
"Well, where is she?" Charles asks.
"On the oriental rug in the hallway." Beast pauses to think. "I should probably move her to downstairs."
"Good idea. I'll be down momentarily." The Professor agrees. "Emma, shall we finish this later?"
"Yes, Sir." She smiles to throw Beast off of the previous conversation. "But just to be fair, this is her first child, it could be hours, if not all night."
"Should I notify Logan?" Beast asks as he heads out, leaving a trail of blue fur in his wake.
"That is up to Bobby and Storm." The Professor rubs his temples. "I… I've got such a headache… excuse me. I'll be down soon, good night Emma."
"Charles?" She asks concerned. "That's no ordinary headache, who's trying to contact you?"
"I can't say, it's blocked somehow." He explains as his face contorts in pain. "We'll discuss this later, Orroro needs us now."
The next Morning.
"She's beautiful, 'Ro." Logan says as he looks over the tiny infant. "She looks just like you."
"Much to Roberts delight." Storm says wearily. "She does seem to have your unruly black hair."
"It suits her." He smiles. While he is the genetic contributor, another man will forever call himself the proud Papa. "About the papers?"
"I would rather not discuss it, but there is no time to delay such things, I suppose." She sighs. "Bobby is listed as the adoptive father, when you sign the papers, your rights are terminated, are you prepared for that?"
"I have to be, for your sake." Logan strokes the newborn's hair. "Bobby and his lawyer are gonna be here later, than this nightmare of a year's behind you."
"It won't be over until Jean comes back, then I can make things up to her." Storm shuts her eyes and looks away. "I don't know how." She pauses. "How are you doing with this?"
"Remy's been getting letters out here and there telling me about things." He bites his lips and breathes in deep. "Jean's getting about due, Sinister has stopped much of the testing on her, but not much else."
"I'm so sorry, Logan." She says as her new daughter coos in her sleep. "I know this has to be tough for you."
"At least I can understand what I did to Bobby." He says sympathetically. "Made me a better person because of it. I just wish I knew the details."
"Hello, Scott!" Orroro says cheerfully as Scott walks into the room to visit. His clothes are big on him now, he never was heavily built, downright slim, hence his old moniker, Slim, but now, he's downright skeletal.
"Hello, Orroro, I came to see the baby, what's her name?" He asks as he slinks over, being sure not to touch anyone.
"Aurora." She says. "It means Light."
"It fits. How are you feeling?" He tries to smile, not something he's really been able to do for months without considerable effort. "I brought chocolate."
"You do know me all too well. Would you like to hold her?" She asks as she takes the box of confectionaries.
"I'm sorry, 'Ro. I don't think that's a good idea." He replies, almost scared as he backs away. "I wouldn't want to drop her."
"You and Emma might want more one day." She smiles as she offers him the chance to hold the newest family member.
"I… just can't yet, Storm. I'm sorry." He edges towards the door. "I'm just not ready. Hello, Bobby."
"Hello, Scott." Bobby replies while giving Logan a "What are you doing here?" look before reaching down to hold his adopted daughter. "Logan, thank you for signing the papers. I won't forget this."
"You signed them already?" Orroro asks in shock. "You told me later!"
"I just need you to sign, 'Ro." He smiles bitterly as he kisses the nose of the little girl. "Just whenever you feel strong enough."
"I…Yes Robert." She smiles back. "I just need to rest."
"Sure thing." He says as he glares at Logan. "you wouldn't mind leaving would you, Logan?"
"Nope." He says short and sweet. "I've got to go see Rachel anyhow."
He walks into Rachel's room to find Beast and Charles restraining her as best they can as she thrashes about, calling for her mother and father.
"Don't just stand there, Logan!" Charles calls out to him. "We need help!"