Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 01:27:55 -0600
From: Adam Mcdonald <ender2155@gmail.com>
Subject: Phoenix reborn part 9

All the disclaimers and restrictions from my last stories are in effect.


I had really expected a more elaborate way to cross the pond than what
I am now flying in.  I mean, I had seen the jet the X-Men fly in on
the news, so I was expecting more than just a cramped seat in coach in
a commercial jet.  When I asked Xavier (he had mentally informed me I
didn't need to be so formal by calling him by his first name) he
replied that it would raise less suspicion to travel normally rather
than by a Mach 5 jet.  Still, if I was involved with the X-Men, I
would have at least liked to travel in style instead of being
scrunched between a married couple who seemed to be fighting at the
moment.  I had already offered to trade seats so they could sit next
to each other, however both parties said they would rather not be in
THAT close of proximity to another ... not that it stopped their
leaning over me to argue with each other.

I slide further down in my seat and pull the Man. United cap even more
firmly over my head.

I HATE hats but agreed to the fact it was necessary to hide the
inhibitor on my head.

DAMN that thing!  I've had a lingering headache cuz if it ever since I
woke up hours ago.  But I dealt with it since I was told it 'kept us
safe' and I didn't want to put my friends in any more danger.

Ah, my 'friends'; ever since I as reunited with Cindy and Nick, I had
refused to talk to or even acknowledge Nick.  I wasn't angry or upset
he was an X-Man and hadn't told me; I just couldn't believe he had
been spying on me all this time while playing along that he was at
Xavier's school learning how to work for society's better good!  We
had emailed and called back and forth countless times while he was
'away'.  We both trusted each other completely with our lives and
secrets! How could he have betrayed me this way!?

The anger rises in me, and as it does, pain flares through my head.  I
lean forward and moan slightly as we hit some turbulance.

"Are you ok?" the lady next to me asks, "Are you going to be sick?"

"No, I'm fine.  Just got a bit of a migraine."

"Oh good," she replies gladly, as if the thought of someone puking
next to her would be more than she could deal with.

Thankfully, I hear the captain alert us to ready ourselves for landing
in New York.

I am gripped suddenly with fear and anticipation.  Fear about where
this journey might lead me, and anticipation over finally figuring out
what is going on inside me.

We land at JFK without incident, and as we exit the terminal, we are
greeted by a small group of people dressed in business casual.

Xavier immediatey wheels over to a medium sized, red haired man in a
polo shirt, slacks and what appears to be opaque, dark red glasses.

As they confer for a few minutes, I get a chance to check out the rest
of our welcoming committee.

There is a tall and extrordinarily beautiful African-American woman
with shockingly long, white hair; a lanky man with what appears to be
red eyes; a young woman leaning against him with brown hair that has a
blonde streak in the front who was furiously working on a piece of
gum; and an incredibly handsome young man with spiky blonde hair and a
sarcastic smirk on his face.

As I take in this motley crew, a voice sounds behind me.

"Uh, Ryan," Nick begins.

"SAVE IT!" I reply sharply, "Dont talk to me right now!"

Nick stays silent, and I walk over to Xavier.

"Ah, Ryan," Xavier says as he turns toward me, "I want you to meet the
leader of our team.  This is Scott, otherwise known as Cyclops."

Cyclops doesn't change the hard look on his face a he extends his hand
to take mine and says, "Ryan.  The Professor has filled us in on you."

'Filled us in on me?'. That was far from the welcome I was looking for.

"Funny, he has said nothing about you," I reply.

Cyclops says nothing, but drops my had and turns back to Xavier.

"What are you proposing to do with him?" Cyclops asks, and I can feel
myself tense up, annoyed at being dismissed so easily by this stranger.

I call myself down, though, because I don't really want to be hit with
another jolt of pain from my inhibitor.

As the two men resume their conversation, I walk away and look around
for a restroom.  I really don't like to use restrooms in an airplane,
so I really new to go.

Spying one next to the food court, I start to walk over when I hear
Xavier ask, "Where are you going?"

"Uh, just gotta pee."

"Very well.  Bobby," he says, and the blonde guy looks up, "Will you
please escort our friend to the restroom?"

Rolling my eyes, I say, "Im an adult!  I've been potty trained since I
was a toddler.  I'm sure I can manage on my own."

Xavier smiles, "I am sure of that.  I am only sending him to make sure
you are protected."

"Protected?!  From what?  All the tourists?"

"Just to be safe.  We look out for our own."

"But how am I 'your own'?  I'm not even a mu ..."

"You are in our care," Xavier interrupts. "And we mean to keep you
safe.  So, Bobby, if you please."

Bobby shrugs nonchalantly, and begins to follow me as I continue
walking to the restroom.

With Bobby on my heels, I enter the bathroom and head toward one of
the urinals.  There is no one there but one young guy washing his
hands at the sink.  He is pretty cute, and after I pass him, I glance
back for a second look only to catch him looking at me with a sexy
grin on his face.

In a different situation, I might have said 'hi', but with Bobby as my
bodyguard, I simply continued to the toilet, set down my bag, and went
about my business.  When I was done, the cute guy was already done
drying his hands and out the door.

As I was at the sink, I said to Bobby, "Youre being pretty quiet."

"Eh," he replies, "I was busy on a date with my girlfriend when we
were told to meet the Professor here, so I can't say my mind isn't
focused on something else at the moment."

"Well sorry I messed up your night," I say sarcastically, "This isn't
my idea of a pleasure cruise either."

"Yeah well, let's hurry it up so I can get back to what I was doing,"
Bobby replies testily.

"Whatever," I murmer as I dry my hands.  "You know I've been here ten
minutes and met two of you X-Men, and both of you seem like pricks.
So much for looking at you guys as all heroes!"

"Look," begins Bobby, softening somewhat, "Sorry if you took this the
wrong way.  It's just that the Professor filled us in on what's been
going on, and we're all anxious over this.  We've been through this
before and nearly lost our lives over what happened.  We're all just a
little uptight."

Bobby offered me a lopsided and very cute grin and said, "Sorry we got
off to the wrong start.  Name's Bobby, or Iceman, take your pick.
Nice to meet you."

Bobby extends his hand, and as I reach to grab it, the cute guy I saw
a moment ago rushes back in, pulls a gun, and shoots Bobby in the back.

Bobby's smile wavers and fades completely as he crumples to the ground
with a dart in his back.

I stand in shock as a similar dart hits me in the chest, and I also
collapse to the ground.

I am completely conscious but unable to move.  Thankfully, I fall on
my back and can see what is unfolding before my eyes.

The guy who shot us suddenly transforms into a strangely beautiful
blue skinned woman.  She grabs my arm, touches an earpiece and says,
"I have him.  Take us back."

At her words, the world begins to waver and spin.  The bathroom
disappears, and I find myself lying on a cold concrete floor.

The blue woman releases my arm and walks over to a tall and older, yet
distinguished looking gentleman.

The man smiles gently and says, "Welcome, young Ryan.  We have been
watching you for some time.  My name is Erik, and I welcome you."


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