Disclaimer: Well, my circles in the sand look really snazzy… that is, until the tide comes in…

"…"- conversation

'…'- thoughts

(…)- extra facts/actions (some)

((…))- author's/my own thoughts

'blah…' -telepathy/what people say mentally

Chapter 36: Meeting with Wanda and John, Part 3: Flashback, Part 2

Hallway #5, Asteroid Evolution, Orbit of the Moon, Milky Way Galaxy- May 65, 10:45 AM

Just as Wanda and John finished making sure the cells were operational, the door to the hall opened and Piotr walked in. He saw the scorch marks on the ground from where the static and flames had joined when Wanda and John had kissed, and saw the nervousness with which Wanda and John avoided looking at each other. He surmised that they had finally given in to the feelings that he had been sensing since he and the other Acolytes had moved in with the Brotherhood between John and Wanda, (because of the level of nervousness that he was sensing in the room) but didn't know what to make of the scorch marks. He smiled to himself and knew that they would tell him about their relationship when they were ready.

"Comrades," said Piotr as he walked over to the two mutants and stopped in front of them. "I have orders for you to go and see that Xavier is put into his cell and then return back to here. Understood?" Piotr then shifted into his human form and looked behind them at the 2 cells that stood open and ready to receive their occupants.

"Yes, understood," responded Wanda as bitterly as she could manage, but knew she was unable to stop the nervousness she felt from edging into her voice. 'Damn,' thought Wanda, 'if Colossus finds out about John and me he'll tell my father, and then I'll lose John forever.'

Almost as if he was reading her mind, Piotr said, "Do not worry, Wanda. I know about you and John; in fact, I have been sensing it since we moved into da Brotherhood a few days ago. It comes from my being an artist and how I can sense changes—however small—in people's attitudes that may not be noticeable to others. I will not tell Magneto. You and John should report to your assigned post now or Magneto may get suspicious. Good luck, and congratulations, comrades," finished Piotr as he put out his hand for John to shake, a genuine smile gracing his face.

"Thanks mate. Oy appreciate wot you're doin', and Oy thank you from the bottom of moy heart," said John as he shook Piotr's hand a little too vigorously, causing Wanda to roll her eyes and grab John by the neck of his uniform. She then proceeded to drag him towards the door, muttering under her breath how John was an idiot and asking herself why she even liked him anyway. She suddenly stopped, turned, and flashed Piotr a rare, but genuine, smile.

"Thanks Piotr. You're not as bad as I was led to believe, and thanks again for keeping our secret," said Wanda as she let go of John and walked towards the door, telling John to not show any sign that he liked her at all, because they could not risk getting caught.

As the door closed behind them, Piotr shook his head at them, and thought 'I'm glad that they have found each other, but I wish someone would see how good a guy I am behind my metal façade. Especially Katchya.'

A few minutes later, Jason came in with Jean and Ororo. Piotr stood to attention, as he had been trained by his family to obey all orders given to him by a superior officer, whom he considered to be Jason.

"Are the cages ready?" asked Jason as he kept his attention on keeping the two powerful female mutants under his control, focusing his attention for one moment on Piotr's answer, which was a yes. He then guided Ororo to her cell and waited until she was screaming in pain before moving onto Jean Grey-Summers.

Hallways of Asteroid Evolution, Orbit of the Moon, Milky Way Galaxy- May 16, 10:45 AM

Wanda and John walked towards hallway #29, which had only one cell in it; that cell belonged to Xavier. As they approached the room, they began their parts, with each of them remaining silent. Each was thinking 'God, I hope he doesn't suspect anything.'

When they opened the door, they saw not an empty room and only Xavier like they'd expected, but found Magneto taking care of Xavier himself. Erik looked up from his work and nodded at them in greeting. This threw Wanda for a loop, as she knew that her father never greeted her with a gesture; he barely noticed her at all, except when he needed her for something. She glanced over at John quickly, and saw he had his "maniacal-laugh" face on, and she congratulated John through the mind link she somehow knew she and he had created not long ago. She snapped to attention as Erik spoke to her and John.

"Ah, daughter… St. John… I have no need for your assistance. You may go and do what you please until I have need of you again. Now leave." Erik glanced down once more at his task, which was placing Xavier into a device that would hurt the telepath whenever he would try to access his powers. He then moved Xavier into a metal cage, and on closing the door walked over to a machine that looked remarkably like Cerebro. After he typed something into it he strode towards the door, grabbing his helmet from the table it had been on and exiting the room. As he passed, he shot daggers at John, and Wanda felt John mentally shiver, and prayed her father wouldn't be able to feel it. She felt a reassuring presence in the back of her mind, telling her that her father was unable to sense the mind link, and would never be able to unless he caught the two of them with their guard down.

When Erik had left, John let out a sigh of relief, and Wanda grinned at him.

"Good job," said Wanda as she threw her arms around his neck, knowing that there was no one around to see them as Xavier still unconscious. John grinned back at her and said, "You too, luv." He then put his hands on her waist and they kissed once more, and although it was shorter than the last one, the same thing happened with their powers, except this time no visible mark was left behind.

As they broke off, they grinned once more at each other, and for once Wanda felt at total peace with herself. She was able to hear herself think clearly, as she wasn't consumed by the anger she usually felt.

A few minutes later, they agreed mentally to go to some of the hallways after getting something to eat in the cafeteria onboard and make fun or sympathize with some of the hostages. They then smirked evilly on the thought at the forefront of their minds: go to hallway #5 and make fun of Jean while she screamed in pain. As they left, Wanda told John mentally that she liked how he acted stupid most of the time when he really wasn't. They chatted amiably; every now and then falling silent to make sure they were not being followed or watched. They ate lunch, went to some of the other hallways, and then went into hallway #5 and met up with Kitty and Lance.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY/TIME