The next two week at the school was chaotic. I didn't know it, but Stryker had attacked the school while half the X-men were away. Thankfully no students were killed, mainly because the older students were prepared for the attack and the Avengers were keeping watch over the school, but many were injured and scared. The teenagers who fought had training from the Danger Room, but nothing could prepare them for the mental trauma of real opponents. And aside of the student body being scared that the one place in the world they thought was safe for them was no longer a haven, there were many injuries.

The MedBay was full of injured students and a few teachers the first day we got back. They found space for me, but they were starting to send students who needed extra care to Miri Island or to trusted hospitals that helped mutants secretly. Hank and Jean were running themselves ragged, trying to help all those injured. Professor Xavier was busy trying to console all the students, using his powers to keep them calm, so he couldn't help. Storm had enough training to look after most cases, and she was a big help, but not enough. Students with healing abilities came down to help, along with the friends of those who had been hurt to look after them. Everyone was doing their share to help, either in the MedBay or doing repairs to the school.

But eventually things slowed down. More and more students were able to go back to their rooms until it was only me and five other students left.

Or at least, this is what I've been told. I didn't witness the chaos taking place in the school because I was in a coma. The blood loss, physical trauma and the psychic strain had put me out. Now I am getting better, but I'm very weak. I can barely keep my eyes open for an hour before I fall back asleep.

Friends have been visiting me, so when I'm awake I have something to focus on other than the horrors I've seen and experienced.

Jenny, Megan and Greg visited me a few times. They didn't mention anything about my prior abandoning them, I guess that was because they felt sorry for what happened to me. Megan and Greg were the best of friends now, but they had made new friends too. I could see they were still scared about the attack on the school, but they were handling it. When Jenny came to see me by herself, I learned a little more "adult" going ons in the school, stuff that the two younger kids should know about. It was good to have her back as a friend, but I missed Derik and Zach. Zach didn't come see me because he never really liked me. Apparently he was having troubles adjusting in the school as well, because Jenny was making friends and growing away from her brother while he wanted her to always be with him. She was growing tired of it and was leaving him more and more by himself. Derik had met up with his friend from his hometown and made a few other friends here. I don't know the exact reason, but he never did come see me. Jenny told me that Diffuse was adjusting well, until about a month ago. That's when she just shut down. Jenny was sharing a room with her, so she knew that she now hardly left the room and was crying a lot, but she didn't know the reason.

My new friends came to see me a lot. I felt a new kind of closeness to them, especially knowing how much they risked to come save me. I owed each of them my life. They waved it off like it was nothing, like they saved people everyday, but I knew how much this mission changed them.

And Felicia came a few days. She was still in mourning for her brother and what had happened to her at the base, but after sessions with Professor Xavier she felt ready to come see me. She was very nice and kind, very likable. We got along well and soon became friends. We cried together when I relayed Bryan's message to his sister, and when she told me about their childhood. We both knew that Bryan's death was a great loss, but we could sense our friendship growing.

My little Leah came everyday, telling me all that I've missed. She drew me pictures, tried to make me comfortable, told me about how much she loves Storm's garden. She adores Dani, who looks after the few kids that mutated early and were too young for the classes here, but she really looked up to Storm. The both loved the outdoors, Storm understood Leah's connection with nature, and was helping her with her garden. It seemed that Storm had filled my "mothering" role for Leah while I wasn't here.

Today something a little different happened during Leah's daily visit.

"As soon as you're good, you have to come see my greenhouse, okay?" Leah said excitedly. She was sitting on my bed and bouncing. She had a secondary mutation already; her hair was living plants. Instead of the shiny black hair she used to have, she now had vines, grass and little flowers. Right now they swirled around her head, little pink flowers were growing today, along with some ivy making bangs to frame her face.

I smiled but said nothing. I was really tired but I didn't want her to know

"Storm said that she's gunna take me to this really cool place she knows soon so that we can get flowers for the greenhouse. She said that we'll always have plants, even in the winter! She is so cool!" Leah told me, barely able to suppress her delight. And why should she? She's had some of the hardest times at a young age, from now it seems fair that she has smooth sailing from here.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a slim figure enter the MedBay. At first I thought it was Professor Jean, coming to take more blood samples or something, but then I saw who it really way. Diffuse glowed in the dimly lit room, coming closer to my bed. She looked hesitant, and so much older than when I last saw her.

She leaned against the chair next to my bed, and awkwardly offered me a bouquet of flowers.

"Uh, hi Shadow." She tried to smile, but it didn't work. "Um, these are for you."

"Thank you Diffuse, that's really nice of you." I said, equally unsure. Out of all the people in the school, I expected to see her the least. After our falling out…

Leah took the flowers for me and put them on my bedside stand before leaping at Diffuse. Hugging her, she squealed. "Di-Di!" The name she always called her. "I haven't saw you forever! I've missed you!"

Diffuse looked like she was going to cry, but luckily Leah didn't notice. She patted the young girl's head softly, looking over top of it to meet my eyes. I saw such a great sorrow and pain in her eyes; and she needed to talk to me.

"Um, Leah-" I started to say.

"No Cat!" Leah interrupted insistently. Then I remembered our conversation the first day she came to see me when she said "Cat". Leah always had this thing about saying a person's full name, so Cathleen became Cat. "My name is Sprout! All the other kids get codenames here, so me too!"

I hid my grin, "Right, sorry Sprout."

"Its okay, I don't think I'm allowed to be mad at a sick person any ways." She told me, with all the wisdom of a six year old. She came back from Diffuse and kissed my forehead.

"Uh, listen Sprout, me and Diffuse are going to have a little talk." I told her gently.

"Okay." She slimed sweetly at me and sat down cross legged on my bed, looking at the two of us.

"Sprout, why don't you go down for dinner now? I think Storm's back from her meeting with the Professor now, you can eat with her." I asked trying a different tactic.

"Can you come too?" She asked.

"Not yet sweetie, Professor Jean and Hank still have me on lock up." When I saw a clouded look come over her face, I added. "But maybe if I rest up this evening, they'll let me out tomorrow so you can show me your greenhouse. How does that sound?"

She beamed at me, her little green face practically shining. She gave me and Diffuse each another hug, before skipping away humming.

"You're really good with her, Cathleen." Diffuse told me quietly, sitting down in the armchair next to my bed. "She really loves you."

"Leah's such a sweetie, she's easy to love back." I replied. We were quiet for awhile, not knowing what to say to each other. I knew that she wanted to talk to me about something important, probably about what Jenny was telling me about how she's been acting differently. I could have used my powers (as weak as they were at the moment) to see what was going on, but I decided to just give her time.

"So, er, 'Sprout' was right about the whole codename thing." I said, trying to ease the moment. "Everyone in this school seems to need one, too many X-men wannabes. Every where I look there's some new kid being christened with a new name."

"Yeah, in my case its 'slut'", Diffuse whispered darkly.

I looked over at her, trying to tell whether she was kidding or something.

"What?"

Diffuse placed her head in her hands.

"You were right, about Arez. He didn't care about me. He just whispered things like 'I love you' and 'you're beautiful', and I fell for it. I was so stupid, I thought he really cared about me. He took advantage of that." Diffuse looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears. "Oh Shadow!"

With that she fell into my arms, crying and crying. I really didn't know what to say…I guess I was hoping that I was interpreting this wrong, and he just dumped her or something but-

"Shadow," She whispered, looking up. "I-I need someone to know what happened, I can't, I can't-"

I knew what she wanted me to do, but I hesitated. I had enough in my head already…

She looked up at me with her watery eyes. I sighed, knowing that she needed someone to know but she couldn't tell. I closed my eyes and connected our minds.

Two minutes later, Diffuse was crying even harder in my arms, I nearly crying with her. After seeing what that monster did to her, seeing it through her eyes and feeling every motion and thought that was in her mind, I was going to make him pay.

xXx

It was nearly a week later that Dr. Grey and Dr. McCoy agreed to let me out, and it was only for the night because the school was having a huge bonfire. The school event was designed to inspire togetherness, community, healing, and hope in the students, something they defiantly needed.

Kitty, Jenny, Rogue, Rahne and Felicia had come to so me earlier that day to pick out my outfit and help me get ready. Diffuse had come to, but that was more because she's been coming to me every day since her first visit. She never wanted to get too far from me, and some nights see came and slept in the bed next to mine in the MedBay. It seemed that was the only way she could sleep.

When Sprout showed up, things got really fun. At least, for the other girls. Sprout was even more eager to play "dress up Cat" than the older girls. Rogue did my nails while Kitty cut my hair (she was actually very skilled, and it felt good to have it short again). Rahne had brought down half her wardrobe (she was the closest one of the girls to my size) so that the girls could pick my outfit together. Now she, Felicia and Sprout were finding combinations of clothing that would work for tonight, not getting very far because Sprout kept wanting to try on the older girl's clothes. Felicia was also choosing an outfit for tonight. Jenny read out fashion tips from a magazine as Diffuse read over her shoulder. We had a great time, and though I didn't really like being the other girls' Barbie doll, I really enjoyed the time we had together.

Just as I was waving goodbye to them and promising to meet up with them at the bonfire, I caught my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I came closer to the mirror, my reflection becoming clearer. My auburn hair was pixie short again and was spiked, I just realized now of what a great job Kitty did. I was wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, a shirt with a low neckline and long sleeves, with a red plaid blouse over top. Rahne had even leant me these really cute pair of low cow girl boots with a slight heel (the other girls laughed that the heel would help me get in kissing distance of Peter). After Rogue did my nails in a deep red that matched my shirt, she did my make up. She did a good job of avoiding getting make up in the healing gash on my forehead. The headband that separated my straightened pushed to the side bangs and my spiky hair in the back was picked out by Sprout.

I had to admit it, I looked good.

"Cathleen, you look…great." I turned to see Peter standing in the door way, blushing. I smiled at him and led him back to my bed.

"Thanks, but really all credit goes to the girls, they've been working on me for like an hour." I smiled and shrugged.

"They did an exceptional job, but I think its because of you that it looks so good." Peter said shyly, blushing even more.

That's just like my knight in shining armour, saying something incredibly sweet then thinking that he was over stepping boundaries. To set him at ease I took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ever since he saved me (Kitty and the other girl's told me all about how he planned the rescue and how he acted while I was taken), we've been closer than ever.

"Er, Cat?" Peter said quietly. Now it seemed that everyone in the school had taken to calling me Cat like Leah.

"Yeah?" I said over my shoulder as I rooted through the bedside drawer, looking for my watch to take to the bonfire.

"Well, when you were gone, I, er…" Peter tried to say. I stopped what I was doing and gave him my whole attention, smiling encouragingly.

"Uh, well, you know your photograph of your family?" Peter spat out, pointing at the very picture on my bedside stand. "Um, when you were gone, I did a lot of paintings, it helped me focus and keep calm. And, I started doing portraits of, well, you."

Peter face was as red as my shirt now, but he continued.

"But, then I remembered the picture, and how beat up it was. And, I started working on this." Peter reached over and took a wrapped up canvas and handed it to me. "I thought something a little bigger and in better condition would be nice, but if you don't want it or anything, I'll understand."

I unwrapped the canvas, and gasped when I saw it. It was a marvellous replica of my photograph, with a few small differences, like my hair was as short as it is now unlike in the original I had long hair. It was really beautiful, and it surprised me of how good it was. Peter was an amazing artist.

Seeing the beautiful painting and knowing how much time and effort it must have taken him, the only way I thought to express myself was to wrap my arms around my sweet giant's neck and kiss him passionately. It surprised him at first, but soon Peter wrapped his arms around me and was kissing back just as devotedly.

"Wow Pete, this is, wow." I said breathlessly when we finally broke apart.

"Were those wows for the painting or the kissing?" Peter asked me, still holding me close to him.

"Ahem," Peter and I looked over to see Hank McCoy smiling at us from the door way, I'm pretty sure we matched in blush shades by now. "I just came down to remind Cathleen that the bonfire was starting and to see if she needed an escort up, but I'm sure you, Mr. Rasputin will be more than willing to help her."

I might have been hallucinating a little but I could have sworn that I saw the Beast wink at us before leaving us alone once more. I looked up at Peter and sure enough he was blushing up a storm.

I cleared my throat, "So, lets go to a bonfire."

xXx

It was an amazing sight. Out on the grassy cliff where flying lessons were held were several fires built up with logs set around them. The student body was too large to fit around one fire, but some how there was still unity from the individual fires. A full silver moon hung low over the water, casting a haunting reflection on its black still surface.

Peter and I walked over to one of the fires where we saw our friends, holding hands.

Our appearance was greeted by cat-calls and encouraging yells from our friends. We both laughed as we settled on one log in a spot that was saved for us. Peter sat first, then pulled me onto his lap where his big arms kept me warm. Who needs a campfire when you have a colossus boyfriend?

Everyone but the girls who had come to help me get ready, were surprised to see me. I didn't tell them about how I was getting the evening free, only Peter and those girls. It was kind of a surprise, which was added by me showing up holding Peter's hand. They all greeted me warmly individually.

Finally it came to Remy Lebue. I knew that he blamed himself for my kidnapping, but I didn't hold any grudges. It was my own stupidity and stubbornness of going at in the first place, then trying to come home by myself.

"Bonjour, petite, comment ca-va?" Remy asked in his rich accent as he kissed my hand.

"Je suis bien, merci." I replied, smiling.

"Ah, vous savez le français ?" Remy said sounding impressed.

"Un peu." I answered before saying in English. "I used to live close to the Quebec border when I lived in Canada. Half my neighbours were French and in school we had daily classes, so I picked it up."

We shared a smile before he went back to Rogue. It was a mutual understanding that there were no hard feelings over what had happened.

And then the songs started.

Sam and Paige had brought out their guitars, like many other students at the other campfires. We sang a few classic campfire songs until the solos started. Sam and Paige did a duet of "Landslide" by the Dixie chicks, their beautiful voices combining amazingly. Then Kitty, Jubilee and Paige lightened the mood by singing this silly love song about a cheeseburger , not bothering to use the guitar or sing in tune. More and more of my friends sang, making the night even better. It was really special when Felicia get up the nerve to sing, and her voice was amazing. Even people from the other circles stopped what they were doing to come over and listen as she sang "Somewhere over the Rainbow" with Sam on the guitar. Once it was over she accepted the compliments gracefully as she made her way over to me. Taking a seat on the ground with me, she leaned over and whispered "That was for Bryan, it was his favourite song but never admitted it to anyone but me." I smiled and gave her a small hug.

Eventually Sam convinced Felicia to sing again, this time with him. They both settled on a hauntingly beautiful "Whiskey Lullaby" by Brad Paisley. It was really marvellous and everything was going fine until I felt Diffuse push herself right up against me. When I left Peter's lap and sat on the ground, she had come to sit by me, but now it was as if she was trying to hide herself using me.

And when I saw who was passing with a small blonde girl in tow, I understood why. The idea came to me suddenly, and I didn't think on it, just reacted. I patted Diffuse's shoulder and passed her a sleeping Leah to hold (Dani had gathered up the other young students half an hour ago for bed, but we hid Leah so she could stay up with us) and stood up. Peter was about to stand as well, but I stopped him.

I kissed his cheek and whispered, as to not disturb the singers, "I'll be right back."

I followed Arez and the girl away from the campfire light and noise to the orchards. Since my psychic powers had been restored, my feral abilities were dulled, almost as if only one set of powers could surface at a time like split personalities. But I still had enough of my enhanced sense to see where I was going. I leapt up into a tall tree and watched the couple.

"Arez, stop it! This isn't fun any more, lets just go back to the others." The unknown girl tried to keep her voice light, but I still heard fear in her voice. "Lets go back, we can just cuddle by the fire-"

"Bell, you know want I want, and it isn't cuddling, babe." Arez said, pushing the girl up against a tree and trapping her there with his arms.

"Arez, I like you but I don't think I can go through with that, I'm not ready." The girl was really terrified now.

"Shh," Arez hissed in her ear, "Everything's going to be fine, just trust me."

"Like Diffuse did?" I called, jumping lightly out of the tree to where they were standing. Arez was so shocked that he let the girl go.

I indicated my head towards the cliff with the campfires. "Go on back." I told the girl gently.

As she ran past me, I heard her mutter "Thank you"

Arez tried to play it cool, leaning up against the tree. "Hey girl, what's up? Want to party? You didn't have to get rid of her to do that, there's enough of me to go around."

I ignored his trash. "I know what you did to Diffuse."

"Diffuse? You mean that glowstick chick? Hey, I didn't do anything that she didn't want. Not my problem that she changed her mind." Arez shrugged and started to saunter off back to the campfires, but I used my telekinesis to pick him up and slam him against the tree.

"Now you listen to me," I hissed at him. Arez struggled , his legs dangling. In my mind I felt him try to teleport away but I held on to him. "You led her on and took advantage of that little girl. She didn't understand, and when she did she told you to stop. But you didn't. And you were going to do the exact same thing here, tonight."

"Hey, Arez has to play or else he becomes a dull boy. Can't contain the beast, chick." I knew he was trying to pull it off that he was right and I was just over reacting, but I sensed his panic and fear. I also knew that he was never going to change, he was just going to become an even more powerful monster, doing the same thing over and over.

"So bitch," Arez sneered at me, "Wha'ca gonna do now? Tell the teachers that I've been bad? Like they can stop me, as if anyone can. You see, the beauty of my power is that I can just exit a bad situation anytime I want to. I can get away with anything I want to."

"And how does that seem to be working for you right now?" I hissed, slamming him into the tree again. But he was right, no one was going to be able to stop him but me.

I closed my eyes and entered his mind. Using all the power I had, I went to work. First I made him experience all the torment Diffuse had to feel. I used my powers to take away his ability to scream, just like he did to Diffuse by taking her away to where no one could hear her.

I was starting to tire, but I kept going. This was my only chance to avenge Diffuse, and to make sure he would never do anything like this again. It was wrong to use my powers this way, but it was just as wrong to let him continue.

Five minutes later, Arez stood shaking in front of me. His eyes were wide and fearful, his mouth shut tightly. While in his mind I took away all the urges he had to hurt and dominate women. If the urges returned and he did anything…inappropriate to anyone unwilling, he would feel the mental pain that Diffuse felt when he hurt her, and the pain she has to deal with everyday because of him.

"Arez, you are going to leave this place." I whispered softly to him. "You aren't going to come back. You won't remember me, but you'll remember the lesson that is now carved into your mind. Now go."

Arez stared blankly ahead and started walking. It was only when I could no longer see him that I went back to the campfire. I was exhausted and my head ached, but I put on a smile for my friends. My nose had started bleeding, but I quickly wiped away the blood before anyone noticed. Sighing, I took a seat in front of Peter and leaned back on his massive legs. I took Leah back from Diffuse.

"Shadow-" Diffuse started, but I shook my head.

He's gone now Diffuse, he can't hurt you or any other girl any more. I sent her the telepathic message.

She nodded and looked like a great weight had been removed from her shoulders. She glowed more brightly in the night, finally a true smile on her face, and she actually started singing along with the rest of the group as they sang "Let it Be".

Peter came down to sit by me. He put a large arm around me and pulled me closer to him. He looked down at me, trying to read my expression to see if I thought this was okay. I rested my head against his chest to let him know that this was totally okay.

Being here, it was like … home. My friends singing, the beautiful scenery, my little garden angel on my lap and cuddling with my knight in shining armour. At this moment, I didn't have to worry about my past, what had happened these last four months at the base with Sabretooth or what happened to Diffuse. At this moment, I could simply be with my friends in my new home, and pray for the future.

I was happy. I'm not sure how long until some new terror came along. But it didn't matter, because I will always have this moment.

The End

* So, what did you guys think? Something along the lines of "OMG! Finally, this is done! I thought she'd never stop!"? I hope not, because I was planning on a sequel if you guys were interested. Anyways, I just wanted to thank everyone who reviewed, I really appreciated all your comments. You guys are the best!

So please review if you're interested in a sequel, and thanks again!