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- THE BEAST
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- PHOENIX
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- CYCLOPS
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- STORM
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- ARCHANGEL
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- CECILIA REYES
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- BANSHEE
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- PROTEUS
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- ANGELA MOLTON
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- CAMERON DALIN
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- CAPTAIN AMERICA
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- BLACK WIDOW
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- SENATOR KELLY
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- MELISSA BENNETT
MOVING ON
By Ryan Krupienski
The Xavier Institute; Jean Grey’s Office
The redhead whose name is emblazoned on the horizontal plaque sitting atop the large, wooded desk sits silently, alone with her thoughts. It’s been a week now since the funeral, and it just feels… strange. Strange, knowing that he’s really gone. That Logan’s really dead.
It’s business as usual, though… it has to be. There’s a school with students that need teaching, a political campaign to run, and for Jean in particular, a husband and a daughter to love. It honestly hasn’t been too difficult for Jean to phase back into her regular routine, but thoughts of Logan refuse to leave her mind. He was a dear friend, one of her best, and the idea of him being dead… it’s pretty unbelievable.
She knows it’s true, though; she saw his body, as well as the urn that carries his ashes. That’s what he’d always wanted, to be cremated, to have his ashes spread into the seas surrounding Madripoor… partly because he would truly become one with nature, but also because he knew that there would be people out there who might want to try reanimating his corpse and use it for unsavory purposes. He had a lot of enemies in his life, many who would do anything to disgrace him, even after death.
That can’t happen now, though. All that can happen is life moving on… never forget those who have been lost, but forge ahead into the future. It’s the best way Jean can think of to honor the memory of Logan, of her son, of her sister, of all those she and her teammates have lost over the years. And today, that’s exactly what she’s doing.
As if on cue, the double doors to Jean’s office open, and the form of Senator Robert Kelly walks into the room. Behind him, the blue-skinned, blond-haired Warren Worthington III, and a petite, short-haired Asian woman, Melissa Bennett, co-CEO of Worthington International.
“Good afternoon, Jean,” Robert says, the first to address Jean. She smiles at the senator as she rises from her seat to shake his head.
“Hello, Robert,” she responds. Jean then turns her attention to Warren and Melissa, greeting them both with a smile and a ‘hello’. All three of her guests take seats in front of the desk, and Jean sits back down as well, facing them and ready to begin speaking.
“Thank you all for coming,” Jean addresses them. “I know it was short notice, but I appreciate you all being able to make it.”
“I can’t say I’m surprised that Cassandra is absent,” Warren comments.
“Oh, yes, after the press conference in Washington… you all must be furious with her,” Melissa says, looking at Warren then at Jean. “To pretend that she’s your Professor…”
Jean throws Warren a look, indicating surprise and a bit of frustration. “You told her?”
“I had to, Jean,” Warren explains. “Melissa’s in this with us. Especially with what we’re planning for the future of Worthington International, I couldn’t keep any secrets.”
“I know this is a sensitive subject, Miss Grey…” Melissa begins.
“It’s Missus Summers, but please, call me Jean,” Jean responds, her tone slightly snide. “And it’s a very sensitive subject. We’re not just telling anyone the truth… only people who need to know. We’ve been doing our best to keep things under control and roll with the punches after what happened in Washington, and for the truth to get out now…”
“I understand that, and I promise to you, I won’t tell a soul,” Melissa says with the utmost of sincerity. “I know I still have some ways to go until I regain Warren’s full trust, and that of his closest friends… but I do suppose if worse came to worse you’d just erase the knowledge from my mind anyway.”
As the two women exchange words, Warren and Robert just give each other a look and decide to stay quiet for the moment.
“No, I wouldn’t,” Jean tells her. “Not unless someone’s life depended on it.”
Melissa continues, “Well, I don’t think it will come to that. I assure you, I won’t say a word.”
Supposedly satisfied, Jean nods. “Good.” She turns her attention to some papers on her desk for a split second, then moves her eyes back up to her ‘audience’. “Well, just so you all know, Cassandra’s going to be gone for a short time… she’s going around the country, doing interviews. I think the one with Barbara Walters is tonight, in fact…”
“I can’t say that it’s wise to let her lose like that,” Robert says. “You should be keeping an eye on her.”
“What else can we do?” Jean asks rhetorically. “She’s announced herself to the world as being Charles Xavier… saying that he never even existed. We all know that it’s not true, but unless we want to cause even more of an uproar, we have to go along with that, and that means letting Cassandra get her story out there.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, but could we maybe get to the point of this meeting?” Warren cuts in. “Like the campaign, and the aligning of it with Worthington International?”
“Sure, Warren,” Jean says. “That’s exactly why I called this meeting, in fact. While we’ve already officially kicked off the campaign, we’re still in the very early stages. It’s also looking like the mutant issue is going to be the big focus of next year’s presidential election, which is something we can work with. Now’s the perfect time to bring your company into the mix and expand the campaign outside of the political arena.”
“In a lot of ways, the business world is just like the political world,” Warren quips. “But I see what you mean, and I agree. Melissa and I have been busy with a little project of our own, which we think can tie perfectly into the campaign and what you have in mind.”
Melissa reaches down beside her chair and retrieves her briefcase, placing it on her lap. She opens it up and takes out two laminated reports, handing one to Robert and one to Jean. “These are our ideas for a complete overhaul of Worthington International next year.”
Jean looks at the cover of the report and cocks an eyebrow. “X-Corporation?”
The War Room
A couple of levels down, on the first sub-basement level of the Xavier mansion, a different kind of meeting is taking place. Scott Summers sits on one side of the long, oval-shaped table that sits in the middle of the large room. Across from him sit two individuals, a blond-haired man with chiseled features and a demure woman with dark red hair. The two were attendants at Wolverine’s funeral a week ago, and opted to take advantage of the X-Men’s hospitality and stick around for a while, though their stay has ended up being a bit longer than expected.
Over the past several days, Cyclops has been briefing a select few individuals regarding the situation with the school’s new headmistress. It’s been difficult to keep the truth from so many old friends, but for the sake of the mutant rights campaign, it’s a decision his teammates have had to make. However, they do realize the importance of informing certain people of the truth, predominantly at Scott’s behest; he trusts Cassandra least of all, and wants there to be people who know who she is really, should something happen. Steve Rogers, Captain America, and Natasha Romanov, Black Widow, are the latest to be told the truth.
The two Avengers were just as shocked as anyone else when they heard Cassandra’s announcement. However, being longtime allies of the X-Men, they knew something wasn’t adding up… and their suspicions have been confirmed. Cassandra lied, afterwards trying to sell her move to the X-Men as being of benefit to the mutant rights campaign. While everyone seems to have their own opinion on the matter, most outside of the Xavier Institute circle have to wonder…
“Where exactly is Charles Xavier while all of this is going on?”
Scott sighs and shakes his head. “We have no idea, Steve,” he admits. “We’ve been looking for him for so long… the last time we saw him, he was dying of the Legacy Virus. Then he’s cured… and he disappeared.”
“And he never mentioned having a twin sister?” Natasha asks.
“No. According to Cassandra, Charles didn’t know he had a twin, and it was only a few years ago that she learned who she really was,” Scott tells her. “DNA tests have confirmed her as a genetic match for Charles, but that’s hardly proof; she could be some kind of clone for all we know. There’s really no way of being sure of anything she says, especially since her ‘brother’ isn’t around to corroborate any of her story.”
“I don’t see how that would make any difference if he didn’t know about her,” Steve retorts. “And I don’t mean to trivialize your concerns, but your wife seems to trust her, and Jean also happens to be an incredibly powerful telepath.”
“Who Cassandra may be manipulating.”
“Scott, you should give your wife some more credit than that…”
“Steve,” Natasha says, silencing Captain America with a look then turning her attention back to Scott. “I think you have good reason to be suspicious, personally.”
“As do I,” Steve agrees, affording Natasha the same look he received himself a moment ago. “But all I’m saying is, this woman hasn’t done anything horrible yet… she’s done nothing to threaten you or anyone else in this mansion. Some things don’t add up, and I’m not saying you shouldn’t be suspicious and keep an eye on her, but I hate to see you get so wound up over this.”
“Hmm, I guess we do agree,” Natasha says with a nod. “Like Steve said. There’s reason to doubt her, to be somewhat suspect… but don’t become obsessed with this whole notion of Cassandra being here to destroy the X-Men. Especially if she is here for something of the sort… you need to stay sharp and in full control of your faculties.”
“I know that, and I assure you I’m not going crazy,” Scott quips. “I just hate to see people I care about being manipulated…”
“If they’re being manipulated,” Steve points out. “How many reformed criminals have you allowed onto your team in the past? Magneto ran this school at one point, for crying out loud. Rogue almost killed one of my teammates, but over the years she’s redeemed herself and proven herself as a hero. Even Logan… Logan was a complete wildcard when he first came here, if I’m not mistaken.”
Scott sighs, and looks down at the tabletop for a moment. Steve is correct; there have been more unsavory specimens of mutantkind associated with the X-Men in the past. Cyclops briefly thinks of Marrow, who started out as a terrorist and ended up sacrificing her life to stop Graydon Creed and the Friends of Humanity. When it comes to Cassandra, though, there’s something else… something he can’t quite put his finger on.
“We appreciate you letting us know the truth about Cassandra,” Steve continues. “It’s going to be awkward, but we won’t divulge this information to rest of the Avengers or any government officials. The mutant rights campaign is important and we won’t do anything to jeopardize it.”
“And in the event that anything does happen… we’ll be here to stop her,” Natasha affirms. A quick lock of her eyes with Scott’s tells the X-Man that the Black Widow is leaning more in his direction in terms of opinions of Cassandra.
“I won’t dwell on that subject for too long,” Scott says. He picks up a remote on the table in front of him and presses a button, activating a holographic projection in the middle of the table. “There are other things I want to fill you in on.”
“Emma Frost?” Steve asks as he looks at the projection. “I thought she ran your school in Massachusetts…”
“Up until about a year ago,” Scott explains. “Something happened. She turned on us… she trapped Sean Cassidy and Jubilation Lee in illusions for an extended period of time, and it looks like she may have killed the rest of the students.”
Steve and Natasha are wide-eyed for a moment before Natasha asks, “Do you have any idea why?”
“No,” Scott says with a slight shrug of his shoulders. “We don’t know why or how it happened, but she seems to have reverted back to her old self, back to the way she was when she was part of the Hellfire Club. It doesn’t end there. Apparently, she’s involved in the new Weapon X program…”
“Wait, Weapon X?” Steve interrupts. “The same Weapon X that gave Logan his adamantium skeleton?”
“The same one,” Scott answers. “Apparently, they’re back in business… we acquired some general information from their computer database in Russia. They had a facility there that we tracked Frost to, and we inadvertently learned about Weapon X. One of our newer recruits also had a run-in with Mystique, who’s apparently reformed the Brotherhood.”
“As if we don’t have enough terrorists running around,” Natasha sighs. “We intend to work with you in stopping these people, I hope you know that.”
“I appreciate it, because we’re stretched pretty thin as it is,” Scott says. “Half the team is out investigating another organization specializing in genetic experimentation called Black Womb, and on top of that, someone’s stolen Nathaniel Essex’s entire mutant DNA database. With all of these problems popping out of the woodwork, Logan’s death, Jean and Warren focusing on the campaign… and then there’s Hank and Cecilia…”
“You’re all doing a good job of keeping things going, though,” Steve comments. “And like Natasha said, we’re here to help. These are threats to everyone, and it’s not the sole responsibility of the X-Men to take care of them. So with that said, why don’t you tell us what you know, and we can get to work on formulating some plans of attack.”
Scott takes a breath, inhaling through his nose and exhaling through his mouth, and rubs the back of his neck. “I just have to warn you,” he says to his guests, “this could take a while…”
The Danger Room
“This. Is. Incredible.”
The words are spoken by Angela Molton, who stands near the middle of the sterile metal room, holding a touch screen device the size of a clipboard in her hands. For almost the entirety of her time at the Xavier Institute, she’s been working on designing a new wing for the mansion, as her way of repaying the X-Men for their hospitality. She knows they don’t expect anything of her, but she doesn’t like to accept help without giving something back. Not to mention this is a perfect opportunity to really utilize her several years of studying to become an architect.
“I love this thing,” Angela says, still astounded, as she studies the extra large holographic projection taking up a good portion of the enormous room. The projection displays a series of blueprints of the mansion, which Angela is manipulating with her touch pad. She’s so used to the old fashioned drawing board, using pencils and rulers and things of the sort, and she’s even worked with some computer programs, but this is something she never could have dreamed of.
“I wonder if I can get one of these things when I leave?” Angela asks, the question directed at no one in particular, although there are two others in the room with her.
Cameron Dalin and Peter Valentino seem to always be messing around in the Danger Room, whether they’re training or watching movies or playing video games. Unlike most of the other X-Men, it hasn’t become something old and tired for them. So why not share the experience with another one of their fellow ‘newbies’?
“Yeah, Microsoft ain’t got nothin’ on these Shi’ar guys,” Cameron comments. “You know, you’re workin’ on that like a pro already…”
“I’m a fast learner,” Angela tells him. “And I’m not a pro so much as I’m just testing every little function out that I can.”
“So when’s all this remodeling supposed to happen, anyway?” Peter asks. He’s taken a vested interest in Angela’s project, as he’s sort of a design buff himself.
Angela shrugs her shoulders. “No idea,” she answers. “Sometime next year, I’m guessing… summertime, perhaps. Once school’s out, and things around here have settled down.”
“I doubt that’s going to happen anytime this century,” Cameron quips. “The madness never ends…”
“I just can’t believe all the people we’ve had in and out of here the past week,” Peter says. “I mean… Captain Freakin’ America!”
“The Falcon. Mmm,” Angela says. “Even better looking in person…”
“Sad it took a funeral for ’em all to come here,” Cameron says. “You know, I always wondered… if the X-Men are so chummy with people like the Avengers and Fantastic Four, why don’t those guys stand up for them? Why don’t they put the good word out there, why don’t they speak up whenever people call the X-Men terrorists?”
“Politics,” Angela says with a sigh. “Not even superheroes are safe from it all.” She studies her blueprints a moment longer and then, satisfied with her progress, decides to close the file and the program its running on. “Well boys, I’d love to stay and chat, but my little one’s gonna wake up from his nap soon and we got us a snack date.”
“See ya later then,” Cameron says as Angela waves goodbye, and Peter nods at her.
The door to the Danger Room slides open, and Angela exits, leaving the two young men by themselves. Cameron cracks his knuckles and looks at Peter. “Well, personally, I’m in the mood for some Xbox… what do you say?”
“No thanks,” Peter politely declines, and he shrugs. “I think I’m going to go for a walk, actually… get some fresh air.”
“You all right?” Cameron asks. He’s noticed this past week, Peter hasn’t been in the best spirits. “Something goin’ on?”
“It’s just…” Peter stops himself, and shakes his head. “Nevermind. I think I’m just being too much of a drama queen.”
Cameron laughs. “Right,” he says. He becomes a bit more serious when he asks, “For real, now… something on your mind?”
“I guess,” Peter says with a sigh. “I feel kind of weird… I mean, I barely knew the guy…”
“Ah, Wolverine,” Cameron says with an understanding nod. “Yeah, everyone’s pretty shaken up. It’s no problem, man.”
“It’s not that, exactly,” Peter continues. “It’s just that… you know, I hear all these stories about people who used to be on the team or be students here and who died, and it’s just… it’s scary, you know?”
“Yeah… any of us could be next,” Cameron says matter-of-factly. “But you know none of us have to be here… if you’re afraid for your life, no one would hold it against you if you decided to pack up and go. Hell, Angela’s not gonna be staying for too long…”
“It’s not that,” Peter says. “I want to be here, I believe in this cause… I’m just afraid of getting too close, I guess. I’m afraid that I’m going to really, really care about the people here, and… well, I can’t stand to see people I care about hurt.”
“I know what you mean, I feel you,” Cameron says. He suddenly feels in no mood for games; come to think of it, he could use some fresh air himself.
“Well, sorry, I won’t keep you,” Peter says with an apologetic smile.
“Nah, you know what?” Cameron starts walking towards the exit and motions for Peter to follow along. “I think some fresh air sounds good.”
Storm’s Greenhouse
While not an official ‘level’ of the Xavier mansion, the attic is certainly more than spacious enough to be used for more living quarters or classrooms. However, for several years, the attic level has served as the living area of one X-Man in particular, namely Ororo Munroe. Due to childhood trauma, Ororo suffers from claustrophobia, thus the wide open space and glass roof are much easier for her to cope with as opposed to the smaller, enclosed bedrooms that her teammates and students occupy.
It’s not only Ororo’s living quarters, however, it’s also a lavish garden. Being a woman of nature, and possessing the ability to control the weather, she is instinctively maternal and nurturing. She teaches, she looks after her friends, but she also takes care of her myriad of plants, which are the closest things to her own children she has at the moment. Maybe one day that will change.
At the moment, she has no class to teach, and she’s already sent a team away on a mission… it’s been a hectic week, and she hasn’t had as much time to spend in her garden as usual. It’s understandable, what with Logan’s passing and all of the guests that have been at the mansion, but she’s hoping things will settle down and return to normal soon. Logan wouldn’t want anyone to make a big fuss over him and Ororo certainly intends to abide by that wish.
Ororo walks through the lavish garden, using her powers to water the various plants with miniature storm clouds. The sun shines in through the panes of glasses, feeding warmth to the greenery and to Ororo as well; she smiles as she feels the tingle of heat on face. A beautiful day is enough to make her happy, and it’s especially nice when she doesn’t have to manipulate the weather to make it so. Though it takes little to no effort for her at all, she doesn’t enjoy performing a widespread alteration of the weather unless she absolutely has to.
As Ororo continues to walk and water her plants, she doesn’t notice as a slightly older gentleman, looking to be in his forties, enters the room through its single wooden door. His name is Sean Cassidy, and he’s just returned to this mansion as of a week ago. Like his former student, Jubilee, he was trapped in an illusion courtesy of Emma Frost for quite a while, and has only recently escaped from it. It’s been an adjustment, coming back to reality and learning how much has changed, but he’s been coping better than even he would have expected.
A small smile on his face, Sean walks towards Ororo slowly and silently, hoping to surprise her. He should know by now that she has incredibly acute senses and no one can get too close without her knowing it.
“Hello, Sean,” Ororo says, grinning but not turning to face her friend.
“How’d you know it was me?” Sean asks, taken aback.
“That blasted aftershave that you’ve been wearing for the past ten years,” Ororo laughs as she turns around and locks eyes with Sean. “I could smell it from across the room.”
“Good nose,” Sean says as he takes one of Ororo’s hands and gives it a light squeeze. “Hope I’m not interrupting anythin’… we haven’t had a chance to talk this week, been so hectic an’ all.”
“Not at all, I’ve just been tending to my garden,” Ororo tells him. “It’s good to see you, Sean. I’ve been looking forward to catching up with you.”
“Aye, I’ve been doing that with just about everyone, especially spendin’ time with Jubilee an’ Angelo,” Sean says. “Still havin’ quite a time wrappin’ me head around what Emma did…”
“I know, Sean,” Ororo concurs, “we all are. The last time I saw her, she even actually apologized for all her bad deeds over the years… and the students seemed to trust her, even look up to her in some ways… it’s truly sad.”
“It is,” Sean says with a nod. “An’ horrible. I’ve been thinkin’ more of the rest o’ the kids… Ev, Monet, Paige, Jono, Clarice. I need to find out what really happened to ’em, an’ if they’re really dead… bring Emma to justice for what she did.”
Ororo and Sean begin to walk together, Ororo tending to some of the plants along the way. “It’s one of our number one priorities, Sean,” she says, “to find Emma. We’ve encountered her once, she got away, but according to Jubilee, not even she knows what happened to the rest of the children.”
“Could be lyin’,” Sean says. “I don’t know… I’m just tryin’ not to get too worked up about it, stay strong for Jubilee an’ Angelo…”
“You seem to be doing a good job,” Ororo comments. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have to be a little nosey.”
Sean cocks and eyebrows and smiles, “Oh, really? Go ahead.”
“Moira,” Ororo begins. “I’ve noticed she’s not with you, and last I heard you two were engaged… what happened?”
Sean sighs and hangs his head for a moment before responding. “Another one o’ Emma’s tricks,” he explains. “She orchestrated it all, planted all these thoughts in our minds… when it stopped, it just seemed to be gone. Th’ magic, th’ spark, whatever y’want to call it. We just decided to go our separate ways. She’s back in Britain, at Braddock Manor now.”
“I’m sorry,” Ororo says, placing a consoling hand on her friend’s shoulder. “I know you two did love each other…”
“We did, yes,” Sean agrees, “but not like we used to. It was long past time that we moved on.”
“I’m glad you’ve made peace,” Ororo says. “And I’m glad you’re back.”
“It’s good to be back.” Sean looks around the garden and takes a moment to admire the greenery; he always did enjoy visiting Ororo’s quarters, away from the craziness. It’s so serene, it seems like it doesn’t fit in at the mansion. “It’s encouragin’ to see life’s still flourishing in such abundance, even with all the death that’s plagued this place.”
“I believe we return to Mother Earth when we pass on,” Ororo explains. “In that sense, it’s as if I’m helping to nurture the spirits of all of our lost friends.”
“I think it’s somethin’ like that, indeed,” Sean agrees. He takes a look at his watch, noticing the time and also realizing he’s rather hungry. “Ororo?”
“Yes?” Ororo responds.
“I’m thinkin’ I’ll go grab a bite, and I’m wondering if you’d like t’join me,” Sean says.
Ororo smiles a little. “Sean,” she says, “I would be delighted.”
Jean Grey’s Office
“Hmm… X-Corporation.” Jean’s already read the preface of the report in her hands, and now looks over a few pages, briefly glancing at some of the details.
“A quite bold initiative, I’ll say,” Robert says, visibly impressed as he reads part of the report. “This could be just what the campaign needs.”
“We realize the need to not make mutants the focal point so much as mutant integration,” Melissa explains. “While the campaign itself is focused on securing civil rights for mutants, the X-Corporation will serve as the template for a world where human, mutant, and other superhuman beings can all live and work together in peace.”
“A realization of Charles’ dream, in a way,” Warren says. “We’re planning to implement these changes after the new year arrives.”
“I think I can speak for Robert and myself when I say this is wonderful,” Jean says, closing her copy of the report and offering a smile to Warren and Melissa. “I knew you were cooking up something big, Warren, spending so much time back at the company… but this is fantastic.”
Robert nods. “I’ll have to agree.”
“So when are you planning to announce this change?” Jean asks.
“We’ve already had a meeting with the board of directors, they’ve approved it,” Warren answers. “We’re going to be holding employee conferences at all of our different offices over the next month, and once that’s finished, we’ll announce it to the media. So, most likely by the end of the year.”
Jean nods. “Sounds good.”
“Ah, before we continue here,” Robert says, as the other three sets of eyes in the room fall on him, “I believe I should make an announcement of my own before we get too far into mapping out our next moves.”
“Go ahead,” Jean says.
“As Jean said before, the mutant issue is likely going to be the focal point of next year’s presidential election,” Robert says. “I believe this campaign and the new X-Corporation will do a lot of good in terms of securing clearly-stated rights for mutantkind, but as you all know, we have a president in office right now who’s pushing for a new mutant registration act. Even some Democratic candidates are campaigning on an anti-mutant platform. What we need is a candidate who will be sensitive to the rights of allAmericans and not try to demonize any of its countless minorities… including mutants.”
“And you’ve found a candidate, Senator?” Melissa inquires.
“Yes,” Robert says with a nod. He grins a little, then says, “Tomorrow, I’m holding a press conference near my home… and I’m going to announce my candidacy for president.”
New York University Medical Center
Henry McCoy sits at the bedside of his fiancée, Cecilia Reyes, savoring what may be his final moments with her. He’s trying not to be negative; she has the best doctors, and the procedure is pretty straightforward, but it is surgery, and nothing’s ever certain. Mistakes can be made, accidents can happen… he can’t help but worry. This is the woman he loves more than life itself, after all.
“Hank,” Cecilia says, looking deep into his eyes, “they’re going to come get me in a few minutes…”
“I know, my love,” Henry says. “I know, but I’m not going anywhere… I’m going to follow you into the operating room, and…”
“No, Hank,” Cecilia says with a soft hush. “I need you to do something else for me.”
Henry sighs sadly, then says, “Anything.”
“While I’m in there, stay in the waiting room… stay with my mother,” Cecilia asks of him. He’s taken aback at the request, but Cecilia continues, “I know I didn’t even tell you she would be here… I’ve barely mentioned her. She was in here earlier with me, and she’s staying until the operation’s all done. I just… I don’t want her to be alone.”
Henry nods. “Alright, Cecilia,” he tells her, “if that’s what you want.”
Cecilia places her hand on one of Henry’s, giving it a slight squeeze. She smiles at him, and says, “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Henry says, leaning forward to give Cecilia a kiss on the forehead.
Before either of them can say or do anything else, an elderly Chinese man walks into the room. “Cecilia,” he says as he approaches his patient, “it’s time.”
NEXT ISSUE: It’s the event of the year! You are cordially invited to the wedding of Doctors Henry McCoy and Cecilia Reyes. What previously unseen force seeks to tear the happy couple apart, though? Be here for a tale of survival and acceptance as the lives of two X-Men are changed forever.
So we have two issues left this year, one in November and one in December, and then in January… THE BIG EVENT. It’s gonna be SO big, I kid you not 🙂 In other news, Banshee is officially back, and I mean back for good. I have some interesting things in store for the guy.
Well, that’s about all for now… next month, wedding time! And I promise Beast won’t go psycho and transform into the Dark Beast (because Chuck Austen I ain’t). Until next time!
~Ryan
10/30/03
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