Chapter 21: Last Minute Plans

One Month Later…..

Still no word has been reported about the strange occurrences that happened in Egypt. Reports say that it may have been a series of shootings. Here's John Steinberg with more information on this event….

Click…

"Terrorists!" Shouted Bobby as he threw the remote across the room. "That's the best they could find out! Man! We saved the world yet again and still they refuse to give us credit!" Bobby lay down lazily on his back as he began to watch the fan rotate on the ceiling.

"Now, now, Bobby. You should always remember that the goodness in man should come from the shear will to help instead of searching for an incentive." The Professor said as he looked outside the window to see some of his students running around waiting for everyone to finish packing. The Professor made it his personal mission every year to see off all his students who decided to leave for the summer. He made everyone feel that the institute would always be there…waiting for them to return and as a beacon of light for those looking for a sanctuary.

"Mystique is being held in a maximum security facility where she will be highly guarded. Unfortunately, she will be facing the wrath of the government's hand." The Professor explained. "Whatever they choose to do with her…is out of our hands." Despite her great wrong doings, the Professor still felt much pity for her. Her anger surely will be the death of her. But there was nothing he could do.

"Yeah? What's sad is that not even Magneto would help her. He completely cut all ties with her after…" Bobby hesitated as he remembered what happened that night.

They had found that Magneto verbally denounced his ties with her completely after she refused to listen to reason. He had changed and was looking to settle down while maybe getting involved on a political note. He especially denounced her plans and wanted nothing to do with her…especially after he saw the side effects of the amulet. When Mystique had been knocked out, her powers had disappeared and thus made her into a normal woman. At first Scott thought it was a trap when they took her back to the States but after keeping her locked up for a while, she never transformed to escape. And her cries of anguish echoed throughout the night as realization hit her that she became a product of her own power lust. The authorities from the U.S. government weren't so appeased and still marched her right along to a cell since she was labeled as an international threat. The US and Egypt governments covered the ordeal up and gave the public a simple explanation.

"Well, Bobby unfortunately what's done is done. We cannot spend our time dwelling in the past. True we must always remember it so that the mistakes of yesterday aren't repeated. But it's also important that you live in the present and appreciate what you have today." The Professor advised as he backed his wheel chair up and began to leave the room. "Now come on Bobby. Let's spend our present time being with our friends and helping the little ones get packed to go home with their loved ones."

With a shrug of his shoulders Bobby stood and followed the Professor out of the room just like he would follow him to the ends of the earth.

2 hours later...OUTSIDE

"Ok! Bye sweety!" Nicole said as she squeezed a little girl with a full hearted hug. "Make sure you call us when you reach your house ok!"

"Yes mam!" The little girl replied as she hugged back just as hard.

"Ok now. Off you go hun!" Nicole said as she patted the girl towards her ride. She watched as the little girl skipped to her mom who in returned hugged her daughter with a fierceness and rubbed her blonde little pigtails. The mom looked up and waived to Nicole and mouthed a thank you to her.

"Take care!" She yelled as the car pulled off and out of view.

Nicole stood there for a while looking down the pathway where the car had disappeared. "Now what?" Nicole whispered to herself as she looked back at the mansion.

Everything went pretty much back to normal for the most part. It was the end of the school year and students were packing to go back to their families for the summer break. Many of the students had left already. The mansion was practically empty with a few students waiting to be picked up. The X-men had taken turns traveling with groups of students to airports and train stations to make sure that they were in the good hands of their relatives and safely on their way home. Now they all had returned to the mansion ready to have a bit of fun themselves.

"What Nicole? No plans?" Bobby said as he put his green duffle bag at the front door. She turned to see Kurt follow suit as he bounced happily out of the door with his mp3 player in his ears. Bobby and Kurt had plans to go visit their friend and party in Hawaii for the summer. Kitty went home to her mom and dad who practically couldn't wait to spoil her with gifts they had picked up. Scott and Jean were going to Belize for a week. The whole mansion could see the heat coming from the pair since the whole "end of the world" scare. Remy was going back to his playground in New Orleans. Chantel was going with Jacob back to Forks to meet his folks. Even the Professor was going to head off with Hank to Washington for a dinner at some gala. Ororo and Logan volunteered to stay behind to watch the place and Rogue had already started her vacay headed for Florida. It seemed that everyone had plans except Nicole.

She sighed and looked back at the mansion. "Nope. My mother is going on a cruise with her new love so I have to wait till later to visit her. Also, I was so caught up in the end of the year crunch that I forgot to make plans."

"Sucks for you!" Kurt said as he danced around her.

Nicole rolled her eyes and stuck out her foot. Kurt didn't pay attention due to his current dedication to his dance moves and quickly tripped right over her foot landing on the dirt by the pavement. Bobby laughed hysterically as he picked up their bags and walked to the parked jeep in the driveway.

"Karma." Stated Nicole as she shook her head and headed inside to at least pretend to do something productive leaving Kurt to sputter the dirt from his lips.

With Chantel and Jacob

"You sure it's cool if I tag along?" Chantel asked as she bit her lips in nervousness at the idea that she would be in the presence of Jacobs's family in the next 24 hours.

Jacob smirked as he zipped up his warn tote bag and looked up at her. He crossed the room and put his hands on her shoulders. "For the last hundredth time, it's cool!" He stated as he pecked her on the forehead and walked past her to grab her bag. They already expect you to show up and besides they are looking forward to seeing you. Jacob ran his hand absently through his mane in thought at the conversation that was had on the phone. It took a lot of convincing on his part. Sam wasn't too thrilled because of the danger he felt Chantel would be in. But when he told them about her mutant powers they caved in thinking that she could definitely hold her own should she be in any immediate danger. That made him think of a thought he really didn't want to approach. Bella….

Chantel could see the dark hue covering his face. She knew it very well. It's the same look he gave whenever he thought about running into the Cullens which she knew he wasn't too fond of. From the few pieces of information she gathered, the Cullens were still in town. Renesmee, Bella's daughter had grown quite fast and looked like a young adult. The Cullens did not know about his stay at the institute or that the institute even existed. For that Jacob explained he was highly thankful because he had found the mansion to be his place of belonging where he felt like he had control over his life and who he wanted in it. Chantel looked at his face as his muscles lightly twitched.

She walked over to him and hugged him from behind. He stood rigid at first before slacking. "Whatever it is…we can beat it."

Jacob's eyes closed as he relaxed and took in a deep breath. "It's just that Sam wrote me and told me ever since I left she has been sending letters to the clan that Bella wanted to see me but Sam gives her the run around. I know she's gonna try to see me and bring Renesmee but I haven't seen any of them in so long…I don't know how I'm going to react."

"Well, just take it a day at a time." Chantel said brightly.

Jacob smiled and Chantel released him. He turned and looked at her. "That was some corny advice, Chantel."

Chantel laughed as she picked up her bag and headed toward the door. "Yet, it still managed to rock your world." Jacob laughed and picked up his stuff and began to follow her.

1 hour later

"Come on Nicole!" Chantel screamed at her as she threw her bags inside the white SUV. "You can't stay here by yourself!"

"Chantel is right, Nicole. It isn't healthy to stay locked up inside." The Professor said as he looked at Nicole with concern. "I must insist that you at least get out of the house for at least one weekend before the Fall term."

Nicole sighed and looked around as everyone was loading up and looking at her. "I'm fine! Really! Besides, someone has to be here to look after the mansion. "

"Darlin' the mansion will be fine. You need to get out and get some fresh air." Logan stated as he crossed his arms leaning against the door frame next to Ororo.

"Sugar, Logan's right!" Rogue agreed as she walked from around the white SUV.

"Well in any case, here is something for you." The Professor said handing her an envelope. Open it when we leave. It should make things easier for you. The Professor said telepathically.

"Well, Nicole last chance to come with us to our Hawaiian quest!" Bobby said as he bumped Nicole on the arm with his elbow. Kurt came around and lazily put one arm around her shoulder. "For the last time, you two. I'm not going with you two on your man-cation." Nicole laughed as suddenly everyone started offering for her to go places. She couldn't even get a word in really with them auctioning off their vacation plans.

"Petite isn't goin' everyone." Remy declared as he came outside with his bag and toothpick in his mouth with a smirk on his face.

"Thank you! I was trying to tell..."

"Cuz she's comin ta' da' Big Easy wit me." Remy interrupted as he sat his bag down and looked at Nicole with mischief in his eyes.

"Wha…" she tried to start a sentence.

"Ok! Let's all beat it! Everyone's going somewhere! Yay!" Chantel exclaimed hurriedly as she went around and gave hugs. Everyone did the same as Nicole stood there in shock trying to say something to anyone who would listen. Her argument got lost in a series of "goodbyes" and "see you later-s".

"Enjoy Louisiana! I heard things get hot there this time of year." Bobby yelled as he ran before she could strangle him. Soon everyone was piled in their vehicles driving off leaving Remy and Nicole alone in front of the mansion. Ororo and Logan managed to slip away in the house and closed the door behind them.

"Well Cher', you should get to packin'. We ave' a plane ta' catch." He said as he watched her look at him with suspicion.

"Well Mr. Lebeau, I'm so sorry you made that declaration of my travels because it's not happening. You know how much tickets are at last minute not to mention if there is even space available!"

Remy walked up to Nicole and hooked his index finger underneath her chin lifting her head to make eye contact with him. "If it's one ting' you must know bout' ole Remy…it is dis. Whatever Remy wants…eventually Remy gets."

Nicole just shook her head and fanned his hand away from her face. Remy chuckled and brushed back a lock of her black inky curls from her face. He bent down and gently kissed her lips. She couldn't help but give in and moan in delight. Feeling slightly heated Nicole pulled away slowly with her eyes half closed. She looked into Remy's face and plastered on it was a smirk of victory. Nicole blushed and stepped back looking at the white envelope in her hand.

'Open it when we leave. It should make things easier for you.' The Professor's words echoed in her brain as she opened it and peered inside. She pulled out a note and began to read. Her eyes scanned the paper and her eyebrows drew in.

"Oh man! I've been set up!" Nicole yelled in astonishment. Her eyes widened as she looked up at Remy. "You planned this all along!" With that she shoved the note in the envelope.

Remy looked at Nicole with a raised eyebrow. "What's da matta' Cher?"

"You're amazing!" Nicole exclaimed as she gave him the envelope and turned to run up the stairs.

"Where ar' ya' goin' petite?" He yelled as he watched her enter the house.

"To pack a bag!" She yelled excitedly.

Remy's eyes chuckled at the scene. "Well dat went betta den expected." Remy muttered with a smirk. He looked down at the envelope in his hands and opened it. Inside was a plane ticket to New Orleans and a note.

Nicole

You are going to need this and don't worry everything at the mansion has already been taken care of. Have fun with Remy.

Professor Xavier

With a chuckle Remy folded the note and placed it in the envelope. "Mon dieu!" Remy exclaimed at the sudden rush of excitement and the unknown possibilities that lie ahead. He couldn't shake off the feeling that things were going to change for the better during this trip. The excitement that he would receive before entering a good game of cards dwelled within him all of a sudden. Out of habit he pulled out his deck of cards from his duster and pulled out a queen of hearts.

"My Chere, I bet good tings will be comin.'" He muttered as he walked up the steps and into the house. He could hear her rambling with things up the staircase. With a smirk he looked back at the card he held and put it back in his deck. "All bets are on de table. Let the games begin."

Fin!