Chapter 19 HeightenTension

Waking up to the bright morning sunlight shining through his window, Hawks opened his eyes. Ripping the covers off him, he sprung out of bed, lunging for his watch. "Shit!" he screams, grabbing his clothes from the floor and shoving them on as he ran out the door and took off back to Osaka City to meet with the X-Men.

Sweaty from his feverish flight, Hawks tried to play it cool as he walked into the meeting room, clothes wrinkled, dark circles under his eyes. Everyone turned to look at him, unamused with his tardiness.

"Heyo, what'd I miss? Anybody want some coffee?" Hawks asked, spreading his wings to reveal dozens of cans of sweet coffee burrowed inside. The popping of his drink opening was the only sound in the room.

"You're late, Feathers. The meeting started 30 minutes ago." Logan said.

Hawks glanced around for the only open seat in the room, unluckily set right next to Rogue. You've got to be kidding me. Looking down, he walked towards Rogue's cold, unwavering stare.

"Okay, let's continue," Logan said. "So we need to find a way to fix the jet or we are going to all be trapped here. I don't know how Sabretooth found me again, and, let me just say, I'm thankful it was the jet and not me that got the beating."

"Wow, Logan, you sure have a way of making friends," said Hawks. "By the way who's Sabretooth, and why is he after you? I mean, other than because of your charming disposition."

"Cut the jokes, Feathers. We don't have time for your shenanigans." Logan responded.

"I just... I mean, is this guy a villain?" Hawks shot back.

"He's a villain to me. He is cold-blooded. He means well, but doesn't have the heart of a X-man. We have always had an out for one another. He has just chosen vengeance."

"I knew I could get it out of you, Silver Claws. See, that wasn't so bad, was it?" Hawks responded with a cheeky grin.

"Feathers, I'm at capacity for your crap, and you've been here five minutes."

"Hey, I get it, you got attacked and your ego is hurting so you are picking on the-OUCH! What the hell, Rogue?!"

Rogue, with her elbow in Hawks' side, sneered back at Hawks. "Why were ya late, Hawks? Whatcha ya hiding?"

"What am I hiding? Nothing, nothing at all. What makes you think I would be hiding something?"

Hawks, flustered, suddenly felt a rush of heat through his body. Lying was not his strong suit, and he was up against one of the best interrogators he has ever met... and this time, with an audience.

"Do ya want me to brief the others on everything I've seen, or are ya goin' save us all the trouble and just tell us. Either way, we will find out what you're up to."

Rogue, pushing her elbow deeper into Hawks' side, removed it when she finished talking, though Hawks would take her elbow in his side over her unwavering glare that remained on him since he had entered the room.

"I am just doing my hero work." Hawks said, rubbing his side. "And seriously, you're going to leave a bruise. I mean, I know women love battle wounds, but really, Rogue? You've gotta take a chill pill."

"And what exactly is your work, Hawks? Why won't ya tell us about it?"

"It's just another mission, you know? You guys don't need all the details. We have a lot to do here, like fix the jet! There's no need for us to worry about my silly hero work."

"There is one thing I've learned about being with the X-Men," Rogue responded, "if you're not willin' to tell the others about it, ya probably shouldn't be doin' it. You are in danger, Hawks, and you need us. What is goin' on?"

"I- it's nothing." Hawks sank further into his chair, wings wrapping around him. She nailed it.

"I- I-"

"We all have our stuff." Logan cut in. "We have a busted jet right now because of mine. You've gotta let us in, though, Feathers, or you'll be doing life alone, and this work is too much for even the best of us."

"I can't talk about it, and your intimidation tactics are not working on me either."

"Hawks, the less we know, the more in danger we all are. Who is the commission and what do they want from ya? Why come here? Why did ya to come to the U.S in the first place? There are a lot of blanks that need filled in and your silence is starting to make me question your motives."

"Whoa, me coming to The US was not my idea. I was shrunken and because of that Logan and the others brought me there. And, in case you didn't know this, Professor Xavier is my father, so technically you are all living in my home."

"Wait, what?!" Kitty cut in.

Insert foot in mouth. Shit, I can't believe I just told them. "Yes, you heard me right. I just found this out, too, and it's a lot to digest. Sooo... about this jet. How are we going to get out of here?" Hawks asked.

"How many hours of sleep have you gotten?" Logan asked Hawks.

"Uh..."

Logan groaned he walked and plucked the coffee can from Hawks' hand.

"Hey! My coffee." Hawks said, pouting.

"You're going to get some sleep, Feathers."

"Can't I'm suppose to-"

"Whatever it is can wait. Go inside the jet and get a few more hours of sleep Hawks." Logan ordered.

Hawks sighed, his shoulders slumping, "you won't give me back my coffee if I don't?"

Logan shook his head, guiding Hawks towards the jet. "You can have your coffee and phone back after you sleep some more."

Hawks' eyes widened seeing Logan holding out his hand for the phone. "You're taking my phone too?!" He gasped, acting hurt.

"Either you give it to me or turn it off, your pick."

Hawks sighed, pulling his phone out. "You'll wake me?" Hawks asked, handing it over to Logan.

"Yes."

Hawks smiled and walked into the jet, yawning. He plopped down into the closest chair, his eyes dropped. Letting out another yawn, he shifted, using his wings for a cushion and blanket, then slipped into a dreamless sleep.

. **** **** *****.

Meanwhile the others got to work on the jet. They had enlisted the help from Class 1A, who would be arriving in a couple of hours.

Hawks' phone, secure in Logan's pocket, began buzzing. He ignored it, staying focused on his task at hand. Immediately after the phone stopped buzzing, it immediately started up again. Logan, gritting his teeth, again ignored the buzzing phone. Relieved when it had stopped, he had just regained his concentration when the phone again began buzzing.

"You've got to be kidding!" Logan's booming voice cut through the forest. Pulling Hawks' phone out of his pocket to turn it off (or throw it across the forest), Logan looked down at the phone and froze.

*HPSC:

President 10:42am

Hawks, where are you? We have another mission.

*President 10:44am

You have a lot of nerve ignoring my messages. If you don't respond, we will find you and your little friends and you will not like the consequences.

*President 10:46am

Last chance. You have five

minutes.

*Burn Patch 10:48am

There is a meeting tonight be there. Same time, same place.

*Burn Patch 10:49am

And leave your little shadow at home this time. Don't think I didn't see her.

Hawks, what kind of shit did you get yourself into? Logan thought before turning off Hawks' phone and placing it back in his pocket. Whatever it is, this can't be good. Whose side is this guy on, anyway? Are we all in danger with him close to us? Logan peering into the window to see Hawks fast asleep in a chair, sighed. This kid has the weight of the world on his wings and thinks he has to carry it on his own. Whatever he's doing, he needs our help and protection. Logan sighs, picking up his tools to get back to work on the jet.

. ***** **** ****.

The sun climbed higher as the afternoon grew closer, as Deku and his classmates approached the clearing with Kitty and Evan leading the way.

"So, Deku have you asked Aizawa about wanting to visit The U.S?" Uraraka asked.

"Yeah, I have. Actually, I did yesterday. Principal Nezu, All Might, and Aizawa are getting in contact with Professor X to ask him about it. I am gonna check with them when we get back." Deku said.

"Sounds like you have a well thought out plan. I'm sure many of us would love to go as well. I heard hero work is different there." Ida said.

"Whoa, your jet is cool, right Bakugo?!" Kirishima said, drawing attention to the black X-Jet parked before them.

"Tsk, whatever Stupid Hair." The spiky blonde scoffed.

Logan sighed, his gaze traveled over class 1A, Rouge, Kitty and Evan. Aizawa and Nezu both agreed to let Deku and his classmates help out with repairs on the jet today. Many of them were very eager.

"All right, listen up. Aizawa gave you all permission to be here. This means I'm in charge of you all this afternoon." said Logan.

. **** **** ***.

*CLINK- CLINK- THUD*

"WHAT THE HELL DEKU?!"

Hawks jolted awake from loud metal on metal sound followed by shouting. Jumping up he ran over to the opening.

A few feathers zipped out the door, towards a bucket catching it before fell to the ground. Deku and Denki sigh in relief.

"You really know how to wake a guy up." Hawks hovered, his feathers holding out the bucket of nails and the empty bucket that fell on Bakugo. Deku and Deki jump startled as Hawks lands next to them, feet touch the top of the jet.

"We're sorry. Logan said that someone was sleeping and we all had to be quiet if we all were going to be helping out." Deku apologized.

"No sweat, actually I'm glad I did wake up. Because I am missing out all the fun here. So, what I am doing then?" Hawks scans the area sending a feather over to Logan tapping his shoulder and flew towards him.

"Yo, Silver Claws, got any task you want from me? Also can I have my coffee and phone awhile you're at it too."

Logan turns around to face Hawks and walked over to him holding out his phone. "Glad you go some sleep." Logan hands Hawks back his phone not breaking eye contact. "You seem to have a lot going on."

Hawks turned his phone back on. Bombarded by the pinging of new messages, he fumbled his phone. A feather swiftly intercepted the phone's fall at the last minute. Hawks regained his phone turned it back off an shoved it into his pocket. Looking back meeting Logan's dead set stare on his every move.

"Alright let's kick this into overdrive and blow this popsicle stand. Whatcha say?" Hawks said, snatching the can of coffee from Logan's other hand downed it in a single gulp.

"Whoa slow down there Feathers, what's with sudden the change?"

"I've come like The US. The US, us, same thing."

Shaking his head he followed Hawks back towards the jet, same time he tossed Hawks a hammer.

. **** *** ****.

As the evening rolled around, despite their efforts there was no way the jet would be done before nightfall. They wrapped up what they had been doing.

"Alright then, I'll escort guys back to campus." Hawks looking at the time became anxious about the meeting with LOV.

"That would be great. Right guys?" Mina said.

"Of course thank you Hawks." Momo added.

"Hold on there Feathers. Maybe you should go home and get some sleep. I can take care of escorting them back."

"Nah, it's no big deal."

"Feathers-"

"Really Logan, I got this covered."

"Hawks, I'm not stupid. Be careful."

"I'm always careful, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be just fine.— Well then how about we all get going, I'm sure Eraser Head and other teachers want you guys back by curfew— heya I'll see you all tomorrow." As Hawks lead Deku and his classmates away he caught a glimpse of Rouge shaking her head at him from a distance.