Note: I know it's been a really long wait, but I was sick for almost a month. I hope health and time to write both hang around for a while now. I know where this story is going, if only life will let me actually write it.

Disclaimer: Time to remind everyone I don't own X-men. This story is just for fun.

Chapter Eighteen

Scott led Marie and Logan into the conservatory where Ororo taught her history classes. It was more secluded than the lounge. Besides, it had been a long time since he watched the dawn through those tall windows. Since Marie found him on Alcatraz he felt closer to the world, more part of it. He supposed that was to be expected when someone came back from death, and he did think of those days when he was trapped in his folded state as a sort of death. Now, he wanted to enjoy the emerging light, especially since he suspected the subjects they had to discuss would be dark.

Logan circled the room turning on a few lamps to counter the shadows that the still-dim and blue sky outside couldn't penetrate. Then he leaned back against the curved student table. "We're not finished with this Eater thing, are we?"

Scott let Marie settle the chair he pulled over to Ororo's desk, then slid up onto the desk beside her. The position was a bit casual for leading a meeting, however informal, but he found he wanted to stay near her and not only so he wouldn't fold again. She was an anchor locking him into life. He liked being locked into hope.

She looked up at him, questioning, but didn't move. He could guess what she was thinking about. Why had he kissed her? Sooner or later, she'd want him to explain that impulsive action. He had no idea how he'd answer. How was he supposed to do that when the only answer that came to his mind was I want to be alive again?

He forced his attention back on Logan's question. "I doubt we are finished with The Eaters."

Logan gave a sharp, quick nod. "Fought one in Viet Nam, I think. Jean shoved these memories into my head before she died, but they're all disordered fragments. I can't make sense of them yet. All I know is I connect the jungles in those memories with Nam, and the sense of the Eater was there."

"You can sense an Eater? Could you tell one was on Jean?" Scott knew the memories had to be important if Jean had made the effort to give them to Logan when so much was happening.

"Once I knew what I was looking for, yes." Logan paced again, as if the monster were stalking him at that very moment. "It was like that feeling you get when you know someone is watching you, but worse."

"Angrier," Scott offered, thinking of the evil mind he'd looked into. "Hateful."

"I felt that hate watching me when I was with Jean in the infirmary right before she tore off the door. The Nam memories she gave me are full of the same sensation."

Scott must have flinched because Marie slid her hand under his where it rested on his leg and squeezed. "It's the eyes. I think if it can focus all six of its eyes on you at once it--"

"--can kill you," Logan finished. "I couldn't see it to count eyes, but I know you can feel the thing's gaze turning toward you slowly. You aren't the only one with a deadly stare, Cyke."

Scott didn't like remembering the sensation of The Eater looking at him. He glanced out the windows and wished for warm noontime sunlight to chase the oppressive memories away. He did like having the warmth of Marie's hand pinned between his palm and thigh, though. Yes, he really was going to have to deal with what he felt about her when this meeting was over.

"So, Irene's prophecy is still going to happen." Marie's quiet voice carried the weight of inevitability. Scott frowned. Prophecy?

"Tell us about this prophecy, Kid," Logan prompted. "You didn't mention it back in the infirmary."

"I met this woman--"

"I thought I called the meeting for ten." Ororo entered the conservatory wearing a brightly patterned silk robe and carrying a cup of coffee. "In Charles' office. But, somehow I doubt you're here for breakfast at dawn. What's going on?"

Scott thought he shouldn't have to explain a private conversation to Ororo, and he didn't like implications to the contrary. Whatever challenges he still faced from the folding, he remained their commander. Yet, he found himself saying, "We had a few things to discuss before meeting with the full team."

She set her coffee down on a table. "Too many secrets around here."

That was more than a casual complaint. "I'm not trying to leave you out. Let's not make a fight."

"It's not a fight," she agreed. "But, we've been through a lot recently and there have been too many secrets around here. I think everything needs to be discussed openly from now on."

It sounded as if she was looking for an argument despite what she said. Scott didn't feel like obliging her, especially since he wasn't sure he was the one she wanted to fight with. "Fine. We can call the full team if you want. It's all coming out sooner or later."

"Not that the kids are going to appreciate being up before dawn," Logan muttered. "I'll roust them."

--

Bobby was still riding the high of victory in waves that peaked but never really hit valley. Even getting rousted from bed by Logan couldn't dim his spirits. Kitty however, falling into step beside him clearly didn't feel the same way.

"It's not even six in the morning," she muttered. Peter just grunted agreement as he joined the group.

"That's what happens now that we have full team responsibilities, " Bobby told them. He couldn't feel tired, or grouchy. They'd proven their worth at Alcatraz and now were going to become full fledged members of the team. No more junior status. He was sure that's what everyone would be announcing at this meeting. And that was worth losing sleep over.

He'd left Magneto's helmet in his room under the bed. Granted, the meeting might have been a good time to produce it, but Rogue wasn't back yet and he did want to show her first. Tomorrow or the next day would be soon enough to take it to Storm or Wolverine. Right now he'd take praise for the fight, promotion on the team, and then try to find something to do until Rogue came back.

The trio pushed into the conservatory behind Logan. Ororo was wearing her robe and Dr. McCoy was in workout clothes of all things. More surprising, Cyclops sat on the edge of the teacher's desk.

Bobby realized the team leader's return was probably the reason for this dawn meeting rather than their promotion and felt a stab of disappointment. Then he noticed Rogue sitting in a chair next to Cyclops. Seeing her, Bobby lost interest in everything else.

Rogue had come home. But she hadn't come to see him first. He didn't even know if she'd taken the cure or not. Bobby noticed her bare arms, lack of gloves, and then her hand tucked under Cyclops'. Her bare hand, under his, fingers laced together and resting on the team leader's leg.

What did that mean? That she'd taken the cure, but for someone else? Ice formed under his skin at that thought.

"We're here to discuss matters of concern," Storm said as Bobby slid into a chair near the front where he could watch Rogue better. "Both to the team and the school."

"Excuse me," Kitty broke in. Bobby wasn't sure, from her expression, if she'd even heard Storm start to speak. "Mr. Summers, is that really you?"

"Yes." Cyclops grinned … and did he actually squeeze Rogue's hand? "I'm dependant on Rogue here to keep me solid though. Her power seems to be able to pull me back into this dimension."

"So there is a connection between your folding and life energy? Because the theory is that's what Rogue draws with her power."

Oh great. Kitty was on a roll now. Dr. McCoy quickly joined in, babbling something about Cyclops' folding being instrumental in proving M-Theory and explaining the history of the universe before the Big Bang. Bobby knew a dry physics lecture wouldn't distract him from the anger building inside as he stared at Rogue's hand. He needed distracting before he did something stupid.

She's just keeping him unfolded, Bobby told himself in an effort to stay calm. It's not what it looks like. It's just her powers. The fact she was using her powers, of course, meant Rogue had changed her mind about taking the cure. Which in turn meant she'd be staying on the team. Bobby smiled. Thinking about being close to Rogue on missions did a lot to settle him down. They'd have so many opportunities together that would have been missed if she'd cured herself.

He tried to imagine those situations. But, his gaze kept wandering to her fingers entwined with another guy's. Did she just rub her thumb against his? Bobby gritted his teeth.

How the hell was he supposed to see that as necessary use of her powers? He was in a competition here, and not with quiet Peter or some other kid. He'd know how to compete with another student. But how did he prove himself a hero to Rogue when his competition was the guy deciding who got to do the heroic stuff?

"Fascinated as I am in puzzling out the limits of my corporeal reality, we do have important matters to discuss," Cyclops said before Kitty and Dr. McCoy could take the conversation any farther into geek-land.

"The kid was going to tell us about some prophecy." Logan seemed grouchier than usual as he circled the room apparently searching for something to slouch against. "I think we should let her get to it."

"Thanks, Logan," Rogue said. She was nervous. Bobby could tell because she tucked her white-streaked hair behind her ears. He wondered if the guy holding her hand noticed that. "As I told Logan and Scott, I met a woman named Irene outside the cure clinic. Her mutant ability was seeing the future."

Scott? Since when did she call Cyclops Scott? Bobby glanced around the room but no one else seemed even surprised. What did everyone else know that he had missed? How far behind in this was he?

"Irene had a recurring vision of a future where mutants go insane and destroy everything," Rogue continued. "She believed the only solution was for all mutants to take the cure."

"Why would mutants all go crazy at the same time?" Kitty asked. "It doesn't make sense and statistically it's pretty improbable."

"The Eater of Souls, Kitty." Rogue leaned closer to Cyclops as she said it, as if taking strength from him. The whole scene made Bobby want to freeze something. "Irene saw that too. It was the monster making us all insane."

"I hate the idea of mythology coming to life," Storm muttered. Arms crossed and jaw set, she looked as irritated as Bobby felt. "Not that whatever this Eater is has any direct correlation to the Egyptian myth."

Dr. McCoy turned in his chair. "The monster could be the foundation for the myth, however. A real monster that converts people who should rightly be deceased into psychopathic killers might be tamed through storytelling into a creature that eats the souls of the evil dead."

"Also not really the point," Cyclops broke in. "The important part of this is that a precognitive mutant saw a future where The Eater of Souls infests the majority of mutants and causes mass destruction. We need to know if our victory on Alcatraz prevented that future or not."

"And if it didn't, how are we going to stop that future?" Logan added.

Bobby forced himself to pay attention to the discussion. His whole body felt like it was icing up under the skin and that couldn't be good. He had to stop imagining things about Rogue and … he just had to stop.

Besides, monsters, especially ones that might not be as dead as expected, were important stuff. Bobby resented not being told how important this Eater of Souls thing was before the Alcatraz fight. He'd been so proud to be in the fight with Magneto at Alcatraz. Now Cyclops and Logan were implying he'd missed the important battle, that the whole team had been taking on the second string while Mr. Hotshot tackled the real danger.

"Scott killed all the Eater's offspring," Storm said. "If it is dead and so are all its young, how can it still be a threat?"

"I don't think I missed any of the young." Cyclops' expression could be had to read at times. He'd flatten his mouth and with that visor covering his eyes it was impossible to know if he was about to praise or shout at you. He wore that blank face now and Bobby couldn't help but wonder what it meant.

"The authorities have detained most of the miscreants involved in Magneto's insurrection, Scott. I could arrange for you to interrogate them if you would like."

"That would help. Thanks, Hank." Cyclops nodded . "So, Logan and I can check those who were arrested for Eaters. But, that doesn't cover everyone Jean might have contacted."

"Magneto himself, and Pyro, are unaccounted for," Dr. McCoy agreed. "Could either of them harbor a monster?"

Bobby considered throwing out that he had Magneto's helmet, but he wasn't sure how to fit it into the conversation. He scraped his chair on the tile floor just to make a little noise and maybe force Rogue to at least look at him.

"They weren't infested at Alcatraz." Cyclops sounded sure about that.

Logan grunted. "Could'a been earlier, up at the camp."

"Did you sense an Eater on him while you were there?" That was Cyclops again, still acting all commander-in-chief. What did Rogue want with such a stern, closed man anyway? Wasn't he like seven years older than her or something? Bobby reached over and nudged her. She frowned at him, then turned back to the conversation.

Logan was shaking his head. "No, nothing. But the thing could have grabbed him between the time I was there and Alcatraz."

At least Logan had never encouraged Rogue to be infatuated with him. That was a decent guy, Bobby had decided. He would have said the same about Cyclops just yesterday. Now he wished he'd never mentioned the dust he'd seem moving around in the back of the Bentley on that trip up from White Plains. Maybe if he hadn't the guy would have just died all invisible. Instead, now, Rogue was treating Bobby as if he were the invisible one. He had to do something about that, but what?

"Why do we think there is an Eater in Magneto?" Storm asked.

"We don't think there is so much as wonder if there is." Cyclops finally released Rogue's hand as he stood up. He didn't vanish immediately so he hadn't needed to hold onto her like he had been. "But, it's a possibility we can't afford to ignore. Magneto is a powerful mutant. An Eater having access to his powers could do a lot of damage."

Storm nodded at this, finally taking a seat near Dr. McCoy.

"So we need to find Magneto," Bobby pounced on the opening her silent response allowed. "And make sure he isn't infected with this monster."

"That'd be about it, " Logan agreed." Too bad the professor's Cerebro won't work without him. Even if we Magneto's wearing that blasted helmet of his, I'm betting Pyro's still with him and we could find him."

"He lost the helmet at Alcatraz," Storm said. "I saw that he wasn't wearing it right before he escaped."

Pointless now to even mention the helmet was under his bed, Bobby concluded. Storm had just provided the important information that Magneto didn't have it. If he handed it over now Rogue would just see him as a foolish boy for not turning it in sooner. Not a hero.

Bobby had felt so great walking into this meeting. Now he felt useless and forgotten. Even Rogue wasn't paying him attention. She sat watching Cyclops. Bobby whispered her name. She put a finger to her lips and shushed him like he was a child.

"If Magneto has been separated from his helmet we could potentially track him with Cerebro were we to find another telepath of sufficient power," Dr. McCoy began. "I know a few telepaths who might be capable of operating it."

"We'll have to repair the damage Stryker did, but I can do that with a bit of help." Cyclops looked at Dr. McCoy. "You have time for that, Hank?"

"Amidst my copious other duties?" Apparently that was a joke, but Bobby didn't get it. "Certainly."

"Good. Then we repair Cerebro as quickly as possible and get someone in who can use it to find Magneto." Cyclops leaned back against the desk again. At least he didn't reach for Rogue again. "Storm do we have other business?"

Get a grip, Bobby told himself. He was letting his imagination run wild here. This wasn't what it looked like. It just couldn't be. Rogue would have told him if she was interested in another guy, wouldn't she? Maybe he just needed to give her the chance to explain.

"A few things regarding the school administration," Storm replied. "But I need to get my notes if we're going to discuss that now."

Great, a long boring discussion of history text inventories and cafeteria protocols -- Bobby didn't want to get trapped in that. He needed to talk to Rogue now. He stretched over to tap her shoulder again, "Rogue."

"What?" At least she looked at him. But, her eyes barely focused on him. Where was the longing he used to see there? That's all he needed really, to see that flare of admiration and joy in her eyes.

"How about we get out of here?" Bobby whispered. "They don't need us to talk about eraser orders and I need to show you something."

"Later. I need to stay with Scott." And her gaze slid back that direction.

"He doesn't look like he's going anywhere." Why wouldn't she at least talk to him? His breath tasted cold. He knew is was anger frosting him over. He could hear it crackling inside him, under his skull, behind his ears.

As if to refute his simple observation, Cyclops pushed away from the desk and started across the room toward Logan. His leaving might have been a blessing if Rogue's shoulders hadn't slumped fractionally. Bobby couldn't see her face, but he knew, he just knew what expression she was wearing.

Cyclops glanced back, gave a quick nod, and she bounded after.

Bobby stared. There was no arm around the shoulders or waist, nothing so overt. But, he knew he wasn't misreading now. Cyclops was taking her away, not just from Bobby's side and not just for the moment. It was as if this intruder had lifted her totally out of Bobby's realm into the rarefied turf of leadership with that single come-along glance.

In an instant she would be beyond his reach forever. Bobby didn't know how he knew that, only that he knew it. And he had to do something to stop it.

He was on his feet before he really thought about it, following Rogue.

"We'll need to talk later," Cyclops was saying to her softly and he brushed a hand over her bare forearm. The movement was meant to be hidden, but it was a lover's touch.

Bobby grabbed hold of Rogue's arm near her shoulder where the short sleeve covered her skin. She turned, startled. She looked furious.

She couldn't even manage guilty, or apologetic. Bobby knew he should just let go and walk away but he couldn't. His fingers wouldn't unlock from her arm. Rogue had to shake his hand free.

"Is there a problem?" That was Cyclops interfering and with a tone that said there had better not be a problem. Well, he was wrong. There damn well was a problem and he was it.

"Only with you fucking my girlfriend."

The sound of his own words startled Bobby. He hadn't exactly meant to say that. But, maybe it was good he did. Cyclops' dark brows arched well above his visor and Rogue's mouth formed a small circle of surprise. She flushed a guilty crimson.

"Marie deserves an apolo--" That was all Bobby let the other man say before he took his swing.

He aimed for a jaw shot, but his fist kept going well past the point when it should have connected. He felt his body twisting off balance. An instant later he lost his breath.

Hit. Gut. Fist. The thoughts popped into his brain in stuttering bursts that matched his gasping. He was staring at the ground. It seemed to be moving. Bobby's knees cracked against the tile floor before he really comprehended that Cyclops had punched him in the gut and he'd lost his wind.

"If you want a fight, schedule one." Cyclops' angry, clipped order was barked over him. He couldn't even glare up in challenge. "In the Danger Room where no one will get hurt."

White sparks spun across his vision. His ears filled with a ringing louder than that tense, angry voice. Mortification rolled over Bobby. Bad enough to miss his own punch, but to be felled by one blow. And now -- oh no -- the burning in his throat and nose warned him he was going to throw up.

Bobby fought retching, and failed. At least he hadn't had breakfast yet, so it was mostly dry, rancid-tasted heaving. Then he felt a hand on his arm. Firm, too thick to be Rogue.

He glanced up. Logan. Thank god. He couldn't have accepted help from Cyclops, but Wolverine was all right even though he was shaking his head in disgust.

"Word of advice. If you're stupid enough to schedule that Danger Room fight, practice first."