Her shrieks of terror made him spring to his feet, cursing the nausea that ensued shortly after. He was nauseous from the fight, a side effect of running around and being smack-downed ferociously by the X-Geeks. He struggled to stay on his feet and sped up the stairs, pausing to listen for where her shrieks were coming from. He sped to Lance's room and the door was thrown off its hinges from the force of his speed. His sapphire eyes widened at the scene and he found himself rooted to the floor for once, struggling to process the sight before him.

Gabrielle was shrieking in terror and clutching at her hair, tugging on locks. Her eyes were shut tight but tears were evident on her cheeks. She was slightly hunched over by Lance's side. Her entire body was trembling and despite her commotion, Lance was still unconscious.

"Gabrielle!" Pietro shouted before he found himself speeding to her side at last.

His arms wrapped around her and he hoisted her off the bed. He tried to keep her on her feet but she crumpled to the floor, bringing him down with her. They hit the floor and he quickly reached out to her again, grasping her shoulders and shaking her. It was as if she was having some sort of nightmare she couldn't wake up from. Pietro kept shaking her shoulders until her eyelids fluttered semi open. He then brought his hands to her face, cupping it between his palms as his sapphire eyes scanned for her emerald ones.

"Gabrielle! Look at me!"

Wild emerald eyes bore into his suddenly and she started trying to thrash around.

"Whoa! Hey! Hey! Look at me!"

His palms struggled to keep her face between them, wanting to give her something to focus on. Her ragged breathing and wild eyes told him she was shaken up by something he couldn't see.

"Gabrielle! Right here. Look here. In my eyes. Look at me."

Pietro pleaded as his thumbs lightly pressed into her cheekbones before he began to caress them. Her eyes darted around wildly before they focused on his.

"That's it. Look at me, babe, I'm right here."

Her lower lip quivered and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks before she threw herself into his arms. His sapphire eyes widened before he slowly wrapped his arms around her as well. He embraced her tightly and exhaled a soft sigh as he felt the way she trembled in his embrace. She looked so fragile, so vulnerable and it made something in him want to protect her. He couldn't possibly have feelings for this French little princess who was too stuck up for his taste. She was merely a challenge, something he'd conquer soon. Pretty soon he was going to have her wrapped around his — Dammit, focus Pietro! He mentally scolded himself and pushed his thoughts aside before he looked down, feeling the way Gabrielle was starting to tug on his shirt.

"What is it?"

She gazed up at him, emerald eyes glazed over with trapped tears before she whispered. "Am I safe...?"

Pietro blinked a few times as he processed her words. Her question seemed vague and he couldn't help but wonder what exactly she was safe from now. He took in her expression and something about it disgusted him. Her lips still quivered and they weren't in her usual smile or pursed together thoughtfully. Her lively eyes were wide and scared unlike the ones that looked on to the world as if it held marvelous mysteries for her to unravel. Her pale skin seemed sickly now. She looked nothing like the girl he was chasing after so devoutly but even so, he could not bring himself to leave her side.

"You're safe... I'll keep you safe." He whispered before he'd realized the words he'd spoken. He cursed himself mentally again and reminded himself that she meant nothing to him. No woman could ever be enough for him and he was too much for just one person.

"Thank you." She whispered and closed her eyes, leaning her head down against his chest.

She slipped into a peaceful state of unconsciousness right before Todd and Fred showed up. Lance began to stir awake soon after. Todd blinked incredulously and looked at Gabrielle's sleeping form crumpled in Pietro's arms then at Lance. He wasn't sure what to ask about first. Fred poked his head in the doorway and glanced at Lance just as the later groaned before sitting up. Lance brought his palm to his forehead and slowly let his vision clear. He turned his head and almost fell off the bed at the sight of his team all gathered in the sanctity of his room. He was taken aback most by the sight of Pietro holding an unconscious Gabrielle. He clenched one hand into a fist and let out a small growl under his breath.

"You guys got about five seconds to get out before I rock ya..." Lance grumbled, not caring if using his powers meant destroying his sanctuary after they'd all gone and intruded upon it.

"Whoa! Lance! You ain't gotta do that!" Todd exclaimed as he waved his hands a rounds frantically.

Fred took a precautionary step back, standing back in the hallway and blocking the doorway. He didn't want to risk being trapped when Lance unleashed his wrath.

"Calm down, lover boy." Pietro stated as he rolled his eyes and tried to get up. He frowned as he struggled to get a firm grip on Gabrielle to hoist her up.

"Somebody tell me why you're all here! Now!" Lance demanded and glared at them.

Todd gulped and hopped towards the door, only to smack into Fred's gut and bounce back on to the floor. He simply laid there on his back, waiting for Lance's wrath to ensue.

"Man, I thought you'd be a lot cooler when you woke up, especially after that hell we all went through." Pietro remarked and gave up on trying to get up. He carefully set Gabrielle down on her back on the floor then slowly stood up. He dusted himself off and turned to face Lance, crossing his arms over his chest. "Do you have any idea what we went through?"

Lance's right eye twitched before he pointed an accusatory finger at Gabrielle. "Yeah, I do! She was supposed to have our back and she let us get our asses kicked! She let Rogue take my power! She didn't do shit!"

Sapphire eyes narrowed dangerously and he sped up to Lance, grabbing him by his shirt and glaring into his eyes. "She saved us! She's the one who pulled us out of the mess and she's the one who's been taking care of you since you got knocked out! She single handedly took out the X-Geeks and retreated with us so don't you dare say she didn't do anything!"

Lance's eyes widened as he stared at Pietro after hearing his words. Gabrielle had taken care of him? She'd saved them? She took out the X-Geeks? He noticed the fury in Pietro's eyes and a new worry rose. Why was he so furious? Why did it seem like he cared for Gabrielle, genuinely cared about somebody besides himself? He slowly placed his hands over Pietro's and shrugged him off, taking a step back and sizing him up. Something in Pietro had changed while he was out. He exhaled a soft sigh and began ruffling the back of his hair before he turned his attention to Gabrielle.

"Pietro... What happened to her?"

Pietro slowly turned his head to stare at Gabrielle then turned back to Lance. "I don't know. She was taking care of you then I heard screaming. I sped in here and it looked like... She looked spooked. She passed out not long after. I'm not sure what happened but she hasn't been out long."

Lance's brows furrowed before he slowly walked up to her. "We should move her. Help me get her on my bed."

"You sure about that?" Pietro asked as he arched an inquisitive brow.

He tensed at the question then slowly relaxed as he knelt down beside her. "Yeah. Probably my fault she's like this anyway. Least I could do for 'er."

Pietro knelt down as well and together they lifted her up then gently laid her down upon Lance's bed. Lance pulled a blanket over her while Pietro began to kick out Todd and Fred. Fred headed back downstairs but Todd whined about wanting to keep first watch over Gabrielle. Pietro gave up on trying to put up with the nuisance and left to rest in his room. Lance accepted but limited Todd to an hour of watch only before he went downstairs to grab a bite to eat. Todd happily jumped up and down before he dragged a chair to the bed. He sat on it and watched Gabrielle rest, thinking of all the ways he could show her that he was just as cool as Pietro and Lance.

When Gabrielle woke up, she tried to sit up immediately but a pair of hands held her down by her shoulders. She instinctively panicked and started to kick her legs around until she heard a grunt of pain. She froze and squinted as her gaze focused. Her emerald eyes were gazing up at chocolate ones and messy brown hair. Her lips parted as she tried to formulate words then pursed together as she decided to gauge his mood first. He slowly removed his hands from her shoulders and sat back down on the chair, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"You know, this is the second time I've been around for when you wake up and give a panicky reaction."

"Good thing you haven't had to kiss me to wake me up, right?" She asked softly and smiled as his cheeks flushed pink for a few brief moments.

"Gabrielle, I've got somebody."

"I was simply kidding, Lance." She responded and smiled warmly as she turned her head to face him fully.

He released a small chuckle and shook his head in disbelief that her first words were aimed at teasing him. "I'm glad you're awake. The guys have been worried about you."

She blinked and looked up at the ceiling, inhaling a deep breath before she responded. "They shouldn't be. I failed you guys. I failed to back you guys up... I failed to protect you, Lance..."

He tensed up at her last words. He hadn't wanted for her to mention such things. It only fueled the anger he was trying to push down. He was angry at her for having allowed Rogue to take from him again. He'd never admitted it but he was scared of what that girl did to him. It terrified him to feel like she could sap his life away if she held on too long. His hands clenched into fists as he struggled not to have an outburst.

"I know that apologizing doesn't do much, Lance, but I... It all happened so fast and before I knew it, you guys were down and out. By the time I reached you, she'd already taken your power. I confronted them and took them down." She stated softly then turned her head to face him. "I know you're angry... Actually... I know a lot more... I know what you felt when she took your power... I know how much it scares you..."

His eyes widened at her words and he stood up immediately, knocking the chair back and slamming his hands down on the bed. "You don't know anything!"

Stop, don't tell him anymore, she thought. She could hear the voice inside her head warning her of such actions but she couldn't listen to it anymore. She inhaled a deep breath and gazed straight into his eyes. "Lance... I'm a telepath."

He immediately stepped back and looked at her in disgust. He felt like she'd violated him by peering into his mind. She had no right to go skulking around whenever she damn well pleased. His hands clenched into fists again as his body trembled in anger.

"Lance, please, listen to me..." She pleaded but she could tell he was shrugging off her words.

"You can't... You can't read my mind... That's not your power..." He stated through gritted teeth.

"Lance... I think it's about time you all learned the truth about me..."

"I've had enough of your bullshit!" Lance shouted and raised his hand at her.

Emerald eyes widened as his hand was nearing her face. She shut her eyes tightly and braced herself. She could halt mutant powers but physical capabilities were beyond her control. There was going to be nothing stopping Lance Alvers from striking her. She was utterly helpless for once before a man.