AN: This chapter is a bit random, but I wanted to get some stronger background on my Ocs. And yes Robin acts a little different in Chatty's memories of her. Also, I did screw the chronology up, but I'm too lazy to fix it properly. Also, I am not a doctor, neither do I plan to become one. Any medical knowledge portrayed in this story is probably a bunch a bull. With that in mind enjoy.

John's POV

It wasn't my fault. It definitely wasn't my fault. I was only trying to help after all. When I heard Chatty screaming, I had to make sure she was ok. It was the thing to do for a friend. She pretended to be ok, but I saw through it immediately. I pretended not to notice, but she was in a really bad mood. I talked to her, trying to keep a smile on my face. I lost that when she told me to get out.

I started to yell at her, but something hit me sending my flying into the door. Whatever hit me caused a noise so loud that my ears began to ring loudly. I could barely think with the ringing in my ears. I got up and ran to Chatty. She fell to the floor clutching her head shaking violently. I felt my anger dissipate quickly. I placed my hand on her shoulder, "Chatty, what's happening? Are you ok?"

She didn't answer just let a noise halfway between a moan and a whimper before puked blood all over me.

I froze briefly, not knowing what to do. Chatty sagged unconscious against me. I proceeded to do what any sensible person would do and began mindlessly screaming for help. The first person to hear me was Kitty. She seemed to understand the second she saw blood and ran phasing through the door.

I tried to figure out what to do next. I thought about lying Chatty down on her bed, but I remembered hearing somewhere that was a bad thing to do to unconscious people. Something about, them suffocating on their puke. Plus, why get more blood on the sheets then necessary?

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders setting her upright against the wall and ran to get a towel. I used it to wipe blood off her face gently. Her face moved slightly mouthing something, but no noise came out off her mouth. I thought she was coming to, but after I tried to wake her up I realized that she was still out of it. She must be dreaming. Even through the cloud of worry I could help, but wonder what she was dreaming about.

Chatty POV

I was eight years old, walking down the streets of New Orleans Shady in front of me and Jack behind. I was holding both their hands trying not to get swept up in the crowd. I called up loudly to my brother, "Shade, what is all these people here for?"

He looked down at me grinning, "There here for Mardi Gras, the best celebration in the whole world". he sunglasses reflected the sun brightly. His shirt curly hair was cover with a grey newsie hat and his skin was just as tan as usual. I looked around and had to agree with him. The streets were full of color and music and everyone looked really happy. Shady wove expertly through the crowd. I turned around to look at Jack. He looked pale and he was holding onto my hand so hard it was cutting of my circulation.

"You alright Jacky?", he looked at me sadly and shook his head, "Don't worry were almost there, I think". he still didn't look to reassured. I felt bad , but there nothing I could do he's always been really claustrophobic. Especially in big crowds like this. I squeezed his hand reassuringly and he grinned weakly.

Shortly, we arrived at a big warehouse. Inside was pretty empty, except for the workers that were rushing around setting up and a band that was warming up on stage. Shady dragged me and Jack towards the band grinning. When we walked up, the band members all welcomed us warmly. The lead trumpet player led Shady over to a empty chair next to a unopened trombone case.

Jack seemed to have calmed down outside of the crowds, but he still hadn't let go of my hand. I watched as Shady opened and examined his brand new instrument. I dragged Jack over to Shady and asked him if he liked it. Shady looked up grinning. "Yeah! This is beautiful. It's a bit sad, but I've never played on anything but those old student bones, but this is perfect." It was a pretty instrument, it was shiny rose gold, completely unblemished, un-dented, and un-rusted unlike all the school trombones I'd seen him play before. I looked up at him again, "Why it got all the extra tubes?"

He laughed ruffling my hair, "It a bass trombone, that's why"

I didn't get it, but I shrugged and sat cross-legged on the floor watching him clean and grease the instrument. Jack followed my example. He looked around taking in all the workers that were bustling around. "What do you think there getting ready for?"

I shrugged watching one of the guys hanging streamers, ""I don't know maybe, there going to have a dance like they used to at our school".. Jack nodded and some random lady walked up. She was wearing a light blue dress and shoes that looked like torture devices. She leaned down toward us giving us a sickly sweet grin, "Aw, you two are so cute, are they you're sibling?" she directed her question to Shady. He nodded, but otherwise ignored her.

She laughed in what I'm sure was a musical laugh, but it was so phony it sounded weak. "He would you mind if I watched them while you guys are practicing?" Shady looked around o protest, but the lady didn't listen, "Oh trust me it's no trouble. The other band members don't take to kindly to kids running around underfoot." I immediately disliked that lady. She pushed us toward an electric keyboard and sat us on the bench in front of it, "Hey do guys wanna play on the piano? You can play around with it all you want, just don' turn it up, because it'll distract the musicians and don't mess with the sound settings, even though I'm sure it's tempting", she petted us both on the head talking in a little baby voice.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Jack. He had the same look of disgust that I did. We both shrugged and he leaned forward playing some basic scales and arpeggios on the keyboard. The board was set to some type of jazz piano. After warming up, he played some fast ragtime song grinning and swaying in his seat. I laughed along with him. I guess, when you're chaperone can only find jobs at fast food joints and music stores, you pick up a few things. The only thing I learned to do was say "do you want fries with that?". I didn't get the point of learning to play music when I could cheat. After Jack stopped playing, I started plying some tune I'd heard on the radio. (and by playing I mean hitting random keys and making the song with my magical powers). Jack laughed warmly and started singing along, "Just a small town girl living in a lonely world…" I laughed with him. Jacks my best friend, but he cannot sing to save his life, and neither can I really. Once, I tried singing with out using my powers, I quit after about thirty seconds because even I didn't want to listen to me.

The band start to play a tune and we both stopped, listening avidly. It was an old-fashioned swing tune upbeat and exiting. Even the musicians couldn't sit still while playing. Some, swayed in their seat, and a few that had already memorized the music got up and started dancing swing their horns excitedly. Shady was one of them. He hadn't seen

Jack got up and pulled me into a dance. Neither of us could dance, but it was still fun to jump around waving our arms and kicking excitedly. We didn't even care when we smacked into each other. I went to bed that night with bruised shins and a grin on my face. Mardi Gras best holiday ever.

John POV

Jean had arrived quickly and immediately levitated Chatty to the infirmary. I followed mutely, not knowing what else to do. Right before we arrived I ran into Bobby and Rogue. Seriously, they go everywhere together. It's starting to get annoying. When they noticed me, they immediately freaked out. I think it was due to the large amount of blood that was now drying uncomfortably on my shirt. I explained in a monotone what had happened. Rouge ran off to tell the other, but Bobby stayed behind to comfort me.

He put his arm around my shoulder hesitantly. I didn't mind I would be hesitant to hug me at this point. Last time I'd been as freaked as this I'd almost blown up a classroom. That was what got me sent here. I leaned against Bobby feeling somewhat better,

We walked into the infirmary silently, watching Jean scurry around quickly. Chatty was lying on one of the hospital-style beds still completely out of it. Jean was preparing what looked like a blood transfusion, while using her telekinesis to place sensors on Chatty's face and chest. I heard the steady beep of a heart monitor and was reassured that she was definitely alive.

Jean looked at us and I heard Bobby ask if she needed help. That's good old Bobby, always keeping a cool head in bad situations. That's why he's the unspoken leaders of our little group of friends. He shook me back to reality and I looked up. Jean looked annoyed yet concerned, "I said you really should take that shirt off. We don't want you getting sick if whatever happened is contagious", I felt Bobby inch away from me casually, "Plus that's just disgusting… and make sure to wash off any other blood that's on you".

I held back a wry grin and pulled the stiff shirt over my head. I didn't have enough same to care about what I looked like. I walked over to one of the metal sanitation sinks and scrubbed off all the blood that had dried on my skin and face. Bobby watched me warily at first, but Jean dragged him off to do something constructive involving ice packs. Jean ran a few more test before looking t me, "John, could you find Winston Frankowski. He's a senior who can run most of these test by sight.

I nodded and ran off. First, stopped at my room to get a shirt, but then quickly began looking for him. I remembered the name. Short, chubby kid, smartest boy in the senior class and surprisingly nice. I looked at my watch. This is when the seniors usually are finishing up lunch.

I got there just in time to hear the bell ring. Everyone was getting up and I couldn't see very far. We have a really large senior class. I looked around frantically. If I couldn't find him here, it would take ages to find out where his next class was. The crowd was thinning out drastically and I was starting to panic. Just when I'd took I'd have no chance of finding him here, I turned around and noticed him sitting at one of the table frantically writing something glancing worriedly at the clock.

I ran up to him quickly explaining that Jean wanted him in the infirmary because someone was hurt. I was about to explain more, but he was already out the door. I quickly followed him speeding back to the infirmary.

Chatty POV

This time I'm twelve and I'm hanging out in a Music and Arts store. Such a creative name. Shady's working the cashier and Robin's pacing the shelves bored out of her mind. I'm playing with and old tenor saxophone that the store manager's letting me rent out free, I'm not any good, but I might as well try to learn while I'm here. I try playing a c concert scale, but I squeaked, when I hit the high c.

Robin walked back towards me complaining again. "Why do we have to hang out here all day? Are you guys interested in anything besides music?"

I contemplate what she say, wetting my mouthpiece absentmindedly, "You can go hang in the other stores if you want. It is a strip mall after all. No one's making you stay here…but if you don't want to leave then you can try learning an instrument. Have you ever played before?", I babbled out bored.

She snorted, "I can't leave, because last time I did, the police came and you guys almost left with out me", I snorted, we had completely planned to come back for her, eventually, "I played violin for a year in elementary school. Does that count?"

"It's a start. Why'd you quit?"

"Our orchestra sounded like a bunch of cats being tortured"

"Yeah, but that's pretty normal with orchestras"

"No it's not that's mean. it's not like band instruments sound much better"

"What? Bands always sound better."

"Since when?"

"Since the greatest invention on earth. The jazz band. Ever see string play jazz?"

"Well no, but I bet you've never seen a band play… country"

"No one cares about country"

"I do"

"You're weird"

John POV

Winston had already begun scanning Chatty when I arrived (I think he has some kind of x-ray vision, because all he's doing to scan her is to look at her). You know for a chubby guy, he sure can run fast. Jean looked like she had everything under control, so I joined Bobby who was leaning on the far wall. We didn't say anything just watched the two older mutants do their work.

I was almost completely calmed down when Winston gasped. I looked up and saw a horrified expression on his face. Jean asked him what was wrong and he quickly answered, "Maybe it would be better if you'd see for yourself. Can I use your MRI machine?"

She nodded and we all helped put Chatty in the small white hole of the MRI machine. Winston started the play with the computer and soon and image started to appear on the screen. He was scanning her lung and esophagus. At first I didn't understand what it was for, but I quickly figured it out.

I didn't have to be a doctor to know see the tumor wrapped around her esophagus. As they became clearer on the screen, I felt my head spin and my vision blur. This can't be happening. Not now and not to her. I started to sag slightly, but Bobby grabbed me holding me upright. I was shocked that Chatty could even breath with a tumor like that squeezing her windpipe. Now the coughing, the choking, the shortness of breath, the raspy voice, all made sense.

Jean looked just as horrified as I did. She scanned the image desperately as if looking for an explanation. Suddenly she pointed, realizing something. "I found the source of the blood. This part of the tumor seems to have shrunk back and torn a part of her throat away. The blood dripping down her stomach, would of caused her to get sick."

I couldn't see what she was saying, but I nodded anyway. I still got the feeling something was very wrong. It didn't make sense that the tumor would have come back. It thought it would of pushed forward, but what did I know of medical jargon. Jean and Winston started having a conversation using medical terms I couldn't pronounce so I tuned them out. I looked back at Bobby and saw he was just as shocked as I was. I was too numb to feel him take me hand. I saw his hand tight for a reassuring squeeze, but didn't feel it.

He tried to say something encouraging, but I was past the point of caring. I broke away from him and moved as quickly as I could out of the room. I refused to cry. That part of me wasn't numbed out quite yet. As I was walking back to my room, I bumped into plenty of people. They all turned to yell at me or tell me off, but I didn't react. I passed Peter and he tried to ask about what happened to Chatty, but I was already gone by the time it registered, what he'd asked.

I stormed into my room and slammed the door. I figured that, Bobby would probably follow me sooner or later to make sure I was ok, so I opened my closet, which was mostly empty, due to the fact my clothes were al scattered on the floor, and hid in it. I closed the door and sat down pushing the old shoes boxes to the side. I pulled my knees to my chest and sat there until I was sure I would cry.

Chatty POV

When I was 15. I lived, with Robin, in New York City. We actually stayed there for a pretty long time, by our standards. A few months. I went to school at on of the worst schools in the country and Robin got a job. She also got a boyfriend. We lived with mutant twins, a man and woman about Robin's age with blond and hair and angel blue eyes. The girl could make plants grow and the boy was immune to all other mutants abilities. .

We were pretty happy for a while. Until pretty-boy got sick. Soon he couldn't walk and then it went down hill.

Where am I now? Watching him die in the gutters. All of us decided to take him for a walk in his wheelchair and we got mugged by a gang from my school. I was able to handle to handle myself pretty well. I socked the only guy that tried to attack me and I guess he decided I wasn't worth the effort.

Robin got hit pretty bad though. She'd have a proud shiner tomorrow. Blond girl, didn't look too bad, but it was the guy that had the problem. These real brave gang kids had taken him out of his chair and smashed him against the wall, hard. His sister ran off to get help. Robin stooped to help him up. His nose looked broken and blood cover his head. I don't know where all of it came from.

Robin was sobbing trying to tell him that he'd be ok, but he would be dead very soon. I knew that for sure. His time had been coming fast and this attack only sped it up. I watched as he breathed his last in Robin's arms.

After she was done crying, I pulled her up and dragged her home. I left a note for the girl, thanking her and apologizing, and we left that night. I think that's when things started getting real bad. I think it's all because, that night Robin really saw how hard it was on the road.

She seemed angry claiming the I just forgot about the twins. I never told her that's why I got the blue streaks in my hair, because it was the color of their eyes. She assumed it had to do with my power. I never got that because you can't see my power, but Robin told me my eyes changed color, when I used my power, but I have no idea what she was talking about.

That wasn't the point, she never learned the lesson that I'd forgotten.

Never get attached to anybody, at anytime, for any reason. It only leads to heartbreak, suffering, and pain. Death is a part of life and if you let people to close they'll kill you.

AN: As always, gigantic thanks to my reviewers. You didn't think I'd forgotten. ;) Starting now I'm going to start thanking you extra, and personally, because I can.

rosebudlilac: I love you for reviewing! virtual hugs and kisses!

TristeAlma: Don't worry they'll be plenty of Robin soon, but first I have to deal with this Chatty crisis. Virtual hugs and kisses!