Chapter 39
Of Sinister Betrayal
Disclaimer: Here we go, yo! Craig and Paul belong to L1.
The Grey Home In Stamford, Connecticut, An Hour Ago
The Grey Home had been a bustle of activity that day and even into the evening somewhat as the Grey family had been busy prepping for the arrival of a guest. Namely, a College Professor of Jean's and something of a long time family friend by the name of Sterisin. Whom had been teaching Jean quite a lot since gaining admission into a local college in the area and often supported and encouraged her when it was needed. Once he had arrived, Jean had quickly brought him in and everyone sat down at the dinner table for a well cooked meal. Something done to show their appreciation for everything the man had been doing for Jean since coming to attend College. "Ahh, I must admit, I have not had an evening this pleasant in some time." Remarked Professor Sterisin as he and the Grey family made their way from the dining room to the living room once they were all done eating.
"Well, old man, we're happy to provide." Dr. John Grey told him happily.
Sterisin smiled at him before turning his attention to Elaine. "You simply must give me the recipes for that delicious meal, my dear."
Elaine smiled happily at the man while Sara fought to keep herself from rolling her eyes over the whole thing as Jean looked on happily. "I'm just glad you were able to make it after all, Professor." Jean told him.
"Of course, Jean, I wouldn't miss it for the world." He told her with a grin on his lips.
One that was rather unsettling and it wasn't just Sara who was feeling that way either. Especially as he got up and the four of them found themselves with some nasty headaches and falling out of their respective seats. "Hmm… Impressive, I take it Xavier must've given your family some shielding for their minds at some point." Sterisin said.
But it was no matter, for shields or no shields, he had the Grey family at his mercy. "Wha-What's going on?" Mumbled Jean as she looked at him.
She watched in shock as his shape transformed into that of an extremely pale figure with a red diamond on his forehead and wearing purplish armor with a red diamond on the chest. "What's going on, my dear, is that I am going to be taking you and your family away for some… In-depth, studying." The figure told her with that unsettling grin on his face as he pressed a button and a green portal opened.
Allowing for three figures to step through it and for Jean's eyes to widen at the sight of one of them and she wasn't the only one! "C-Craig? What's going on!?" Asked Elaine in shock as while the boy did have his rough edges since she and her family met him after he had moved in to the area shortly after Jean had come back home, she had thought him a good kid!
Her daughters had even befriended him, which some would likely find surprising where Jean's concerned but a closeness had developed between the trio of teens nonetheless. "Pretty sure the Doc already explained what's goin' on." Grunted out Craig with a heavy frown on his face.
Whom was wearing a black uniform with a nightstick on his left hip, had spiky black hair, a black star birthmark on his left eye, and shades covering his face. "That's Mr. Sinister, Mr. Allman. Now, Arclight, go and get anything like hairbrushes that would likely have their DNA on it."
"You got it, Mr. Sinister." Arclight, in her silver armor, told him in a no nonsense tone of voice.
She then turned her attention to the Greys. "Sorry, but this isn't personal, just business." She informed them before getting on with the job she'd been assigned.
"Now see here!" Yelled out Dr. Grey unhappily as he forced himself to his feet.
Only to find himself doubling over thanks to the other figure that had shown up with Craig and Arclight. "That's enough outta you!"
"I believe you'll have no problem getting him through the portal, Harpoon."
The figure known as Harpoon chuckled nastily as Craig stared on impassively and doing his best to ignore the pleading looks of the Grey ladies. "Craig! Why are you doing this!? This doesn't make any sense!" Protested Jean as she stood between her family and their unwanted guests.
Ready to do damage if the one known as Harpoon or her supposed Professor took another step. Sinister chuckled. "Mr. Allman has a… Condition in his mind, one I became aware of by pure luck and informed him I could help him be rid of it if he worked for me."
"Yeah… He's… That's why I've been here, to keep an eye on you and your family until the boss was ready to make his move."
Craig didn't like the damned voice that kept popping into his mind like it'd been doing some for some time now and he wanted it gone period. It worried him that it was something much worse and since he's adopted, he had no idea of what past family history could be where his biological family's concerned. The Grey family, especially Jean and Sara, all felt betrayed by this knowledge. Something Craig could see on their faces and did his best to ignore the guilt welling up in him. "Darkstar, Harpoon, take them." Ordered Sinister.
"It'll be my pleasure, Boss." Declared Harpoon eagerly with a savage grin.
Jean didn't bother to wait and made to attack first while yelling for her family to get out through the back door. Unfortunately, that wasn't going to happen thanks to another mental attack by Sinister that brought the trio down to their knees as Jean telekinetically slammed Harpoon into a wall but he proved that wasn't going to let that effect him for long as Craig stood where he was. Finding it hard to move and starting to find that he strongly hated the entire situation. "Darkstar, move forward."
But Craig didn't move as the sounds of fighting and screaming were heard, especially as Arclight had returned and was forcing Dr. Grey to his feet to get him towards their portal. Forcing Jean to split her attention between the two invaders of her home. Sinister frowned unhappily at the sight of Darkstar's unmoving form as his hands clenched. "Darkstar, if you wish to have your condition removed, you will do as you are told."
"Don't listen to him, Craig! Please!" Yelled out Sara before screaming in fear as a spear narrowly missed hitting her and embedding itself in a wall and destroying a framed photograph in the process. Craig growled softly as he came to the realization his conscience was coming out to play.
"ARGH!" Yelled out Sinister in pain as he stumbled back.
Not having expected to be hit in the face by Craig's nightstick and momentarily stopping the madness in the process. "Yeah… I don't think I'll be doin' what you want, you pale whackjob."
Sinister was none too happy by this betrayal. "Only I can remove your condition, Darkstar! Remember that and think very carefully about your next move! I am only so forgiving."
"I like to think I have thought about it and while I've done a lot of bad *%^$ back in Cali, I'm not gonna be part of some whacked out murder and Mad Science garbage! I'll deal with my… Condition on my own if I have too! Even if it kills my ass!"
Sinister narrowed his eyes at the boy as he stood up. "Very well… If that's how you wish to play this, then you leave me no choice, Darkstar. Arclight, Harpoon, ATTACK!"
It soon became outright chaos as Jean and Darkstar took on the two while doing their best to protect the rest of the Grey family. The fight between Darkstar and Harpoon would see the two crashing out of a window and into the front yard as the Jean's fight with Arclight continued inside the house. Even using her Telekinesis to shove the other woman right into Sinister and knocking the two into their portal. "Come on! We have to get out of here!"
Not wasting time to argue, the Grey's hauled ass for the door to their garage where the SUV was parked and not wasting time, backed through the garage door and into the driveway. Where the family would watch in horror as Craig was impaled with one of Harpoon's spears. "Mother*^*#!" Yelled out Craig as that had hurt worse than anything he'd ever felt before!
Harpoon smiled nastily at him before speaking. "You're gonna be feeling a lot more than that by the time I'm done with you, boy! Betrayers always pay the ultimate price!" He declared menacingly and began to reach down to touch his spear and charge it with his power to cause more pain when he found himself flying backwards rather painfully thanks to Jean driving into him.
"Get him inside!" Jean yelled and her father and sister hurriedly did so after hurriedly pulling out the spear from Craig's body.
Causing more blood to pour out from him as he yelled out in absolute pain. "Oh God!" Cried out Elaine tearfully over the sight of the young man as he was helped into the SUV.
Once all were the SUV, Jean hauled ass as Sirens could be heard in the distance. Not willing to wait and see what would happen just in case the man she had thought of as a good man and teacher decided to make his return with his goon. And possibly others for all she knew as tears of her own came down her face.
An Hour Later In A Deserted Parking Lot
After quite a bit of frantic driving, Jean had finally stopped in a deserted parking lot so that her dad could do what he was able to patch Craig up more effectively while in one place. Making her absolutely thankful her father had always been adamant about keeping a First Aid Kit in the SUV. And once she and the others had gotten the full story from the boy she had thought of as a friend until tonight, she had gone into his mind with his permission to look at his 'condition' for herself. Coming to realize that the voice he kept hearing and spoke with on occasion, was a real individual and quickly told Craig as much to his dislike. Prompting Sara to somewhat sarcastically suggest he ask the voice to try and get ahold of Xavier. "And by the way, its going to be a long time before I forgive you!" Sara told him unhappily as he got ahold of the voice in his head.
'Huh!? Oh! Yeah! I'm here! Totally wild you reached out to me instead of the usual way this goes!' The voice on the other end of the mental connection in Craig's head replied happily.
Causing the young and gruff man to groan. 'Dial down the happy, wouldja? I'm friggin' injured here and I can't take that right now. And by the way, who the Hell are you?'
'I'm Paul! Paul Stanley Starr! And whoa, man, sounds like you need a hospital!'
'Can't, the goons who attacked us would probably check there if they haven't already. I need you to get ahold of that Xavier guy in Bayville. Tell him Jean Grey's been attacked and is on the run with her family and me and we need his help gettin' outta here!'
'Holy Rockin' Hair Gods! That's pretty serious! But I don't know the dude's number, man! None of us do, actually!'
Craig sighed and asked Jean for the Institute's phone number and quickly gave it to Paul. 'And be quick, alright? And since ya told me your name, I'll tell ya mine, I'm Craig Allman.' He told Paul.
Figuring it was the least he could do and deciding to blame it on the blood loss in the process. Nearly fifteen minutes later would see a portal open up, making the 5 tense up and when Professor Xavier himself, Wolverine, an armed Roadblock, and the Misfit known as Manifold came through it, they all breathed a sigh of relief. 'Quickly, get through the portal!' Ordered the Professor telepathically as he, Roadblock, and Manifold moved out of the way.
Not needing to be told twice, Jean sped through the portal and came out onto the large front yard of the Xavier Institute with Xavier, Roadblock, and Manifold close behind and closing up the portal once they were through. Not having expected things to be as grim as they were where the young man with the Grey family was concerned, Hank quickly had Kurt teleport to the medbay to grab a stretcher and once a passed out Craig was on it, Manifold would use his own ability to send Hank, Dr. Grey, and Craig directly to the Institute's medbay. "What happened? The young man on the phone didn't go in to many details." Asked the Professor concernedly of the three tearful Grey ladies as they held on to one another as others came to check up on them and provide what comfort they could.
A little bit later would see those at the Institute rather horrified and shocked by what they had been told by the Greys. Xavier and Gambit both were pretty spooked where Sinister was concerned and while Gambit was tightlipped about what he himself knew, Xavier hadn't been as tightlipped and spoke of what he knew regarding Nathaniel Essex. Shocking and horrifying the Grey family considerably where the man they thought they knew was concerned. "We're… We're going to have to move so he can't find us." Elaine murmured as she held on to her daughters and Dr. Grey looked on with an angry look on his face.
Whom had made his way to the living room not long after Lifeline and Lina showed up to provide extra assistance for him and Hank where Craig was concerned and with their capabilities, feeling he wasn't as needed there. "I feel like this is all my fault." Jean said softly.
"Its not, sweetheart, don't even think for a second that it is. Man's a damned maniac and for all we know, would've attacked us even if you weren't around." Her father told her sternly.
"Still, I think maybe its best if I return here to the Institute just to be on the safe side while you guys find somewhere new and safer to live."
Even if there was likely to be some tension with her return considering some past actions of hers where Kitty and Rogue are concerned. Her words would start an argument but Jean would get her parents to go with the return in the end, even if they didn't like it. "Why not that school in Cleveland? Its actually just that!" Tried Elaine one last time.
Jean sighed. "Considering they seem to have some hostile feelings towards the Professor and the Institute, that's not a good idea."
Her mother sighed in defeat while wondering just what the Cleveland School's problem was with Charles. And speaking of the man, he rolled into the living room with an announcement for them. "I've arranged some rooms for the 4 of you for the night and in the morning I and several others will accompany you back to your home to ensure everything is safe."
"Thank you, Charles, it is appreciated." Dr. Grey told him as Amara made an appearance.
"Professor, Valerie Cooper is on the phone for you! She wants to know what happened in Connecticut."
The Professor sighed but wasn't entirely surprised by the fact Ms. Cooper had heard of the incident by now. "Very well. Amara, could you show the Greys to their rooms?" He asked and rolled off to go and talk with the head of Mutant Affairs.
"Of course! Right this way!"
None of them having a clue that down the road from the Institute, Sinister was looking on at the Mansion. "You have your refuge for now as your samples will keep me busy for some time." He laughed maniacally before opening a portal and leaving through it with no one the wiser. Not knowing that Phillipa had sent Craig an email telling him she was proud of the decision he'd made that night of the attack and that Greycrow was of a similar mind thanks to how well she knew her man.
The Next Morning Back In Stamford, Connecticut
The sight of a portal appearing startled a number of those in the area and when Dr. Grey and his eldest came through it with Professor Xavier, Wolverine, Roadblock, Manifold, Wavedancer, and several Greenshirts surprise also swept through the area. "Quite the handy talent there." Greeted Director Cooper as she came up to the group.
"It definitely saves on gas." Quipped Manifold as he and the others took in the damage of the Grey home.
Elaine and Sara had decided not to come as both were still feeling pretty frightened and Craig had yet to wake up after passing out from his injury. "Jeeze, this place has seen some better days." Wavedancer muttered.
"Yeah, it really has." Jean said sadly after hearing the other girl's words as reporters yelled out questions to her frowning father as Police Officers kept them from getting closer.
A Press Conference was held shortly afterwards. "If anyone sees this man in either form, please, contact us immediately! Do not try to go after him yourself!" Director Cooper told those present after a Q and A session as she presented a photograph of Sinister in his Sterisin form and a sketch of Sinister in his base form.
Something that would annoy Sinister as it meant he wouldn't be able to use his Sterisin disguise anymore but he was thankful he had others so it wasn't a complete loss for him. And once the press conference was over with, Jean and her father would head inside with the Greenshirts to begin packing up their former home with a heavy heart. Once they returned to the Institute, they were greeted with welcome news of Craig having awakened. "I'm not one for apologies but… I am sorry." He told the Grey family in the medbay sincerely.
Elaine hugged him, an act that made the young man uncomfortable while Sara walked off in a huff as she still felt pretty betrayed by him. Her crush on him also having been shaken pretty badly as well as Dr. Grey spoke up. "In the end, you did the right thing, son, and that's what matters. Sara in time will forgive you once she deals with her feelings on the matter."
"Yeah…" Craig never was entirely sure how to handle Sara's crush on him.
Plus, he was certainly no stranger to women but they usually tended to be direct about what they wanted and this whole shy routine thing of Sara's was, well… Yeah, very different. "My dad's right, Craig. And while I'm not entirely happy myself with you, I like to think I've matured enough to see why you'd end up with Sinister since you weren't sure what was going on with the voice in your head and felt you had little options because of it." Jean told him as Elaine ended the hug much to the young man's not so hidden relief.
"You are a good boy, sweetie." Elaine told him.
"No, I'm not." Grumbled the boy but he couldn't quite muster up any heat to the words.
Earning himself another hug in the process much to his dismay, even if a part of him did like it! Ugh, that injury makin' me crazy.
'You sure about that, Craig? Hugs make the world rock even more!'
'Oh shut up!'
'We should meet up, dude! It'd be totally stellar!'
Craig groaned aloud much to the confusion of the others. "Paul wants… Wants to meet."
"Sounds like a great idea to me!" Elaine told him happily.
As she wanted to give this Paul a big hug for his part in helping save Craig and her family! Another groan escaped Craig, making for Jean to smirk in amusement and her father to chuckle. 'Fine… Why the Hell not? Probably hafta run it by the old man who runs this place first though.'
'Sweet!'
Author's Notes: Hope folks enjoyed this chapter, I know I sure enjoyed writing it! I probably could have broken it into several parts but it probably works as one long chapter for the best. And to L1, apologies if I've stretched Craig and Paul's mental connection to one another a bit in this. I also had thought of having it to where Jean did have some feelings for Craig but decided not to go that route and go with Sara feeling that way instead. Up next: Craig and Paul meet!