Please send comments to  Erika Burke.

*Note: The following story is a mix of first and third person perspectives and involves some very dark writing, so if you are in a depressed mood now would not be the time to read this. Also, you will notice the color change on the chapter...I have decided I am going to redo all coloring on my writings to match this format because it is easiest on the eyes. Sorry for the past eyestrain. It might take a while, so sorry in advance for the inconvience. Also an additional note, I do not know much about Jewish funerals, but I have put together what I can for this one. If the spellings are off I apologize ahead of time and hope people will forgive me.*

I've often wondered what was worse, for love to die in a great fireball of negative emotion, and thus leaving both parties with no regrets due to the bitterness encasing them, or for it to die slowly as the one person slowly slides away from you to the point that you can no longer find them, or anything your love used to stand for. I have read the note before me many times. It sits, it seems, almost mocking me on the coffee table. When I got the call from Storm I knew it wasn't going to be good news, it was past that just by the tone of her voice. Thus to make the day complete after finding out that my father had died, I had opened up the letter that had so tormented and comforted me through so much. I still recall the crinkling of paper as I tore open the seal that was barely holding anyway... the laser burns, and other similiar forms of hardship, and the dread in my heart as I lifted the paper that still bore his scent...a peculiar blend of cigarette smoke and aftershave. I've found myself pondering how it could have still bore the scent after all the envelope, and I, had been through, but I guess it really doesn't matter when it all boils down. Either way the letter stayed intact enough for me to read every word till the point it became branded into my mind. I pick up the letter now, wondering once again why I continue to put myself through this, but I do so anyway...maybe I relish the pain...it at least reassures me I'm still alive. When I think of my father, dead from a friend's hand, lying in a coffin that is to be buried in the ground today, I just feel nothing. I'm completely numb. I knew something was wrong from the moment I had that nightmare, but I had pushed it aside as the wanderings of my subconscious... something that I couldn't control, but something that was removed from reality so that I was still safe from the hurt the truth would cause me. I push the thoughts of that to the back of my mind, I have not dressed for the funeral yet, in fact the sun hasn't even peaked over the far horizion...I have not slept in...God I can't even recall how long it has been anymore. I pull the letter from the envelope, and unfold it carefully and as quietly as possible so as to not awaken... what some ghost in the house? Not even Logan's hearing is that acute... oh well better safe than sorry after all of the changes his body has gone through. I lift the letter so that I can read the words, and feel my heart start to break all over again. It read...

My Dearest, Cat, Pryde oh to bloody hell with it Katherine,

I'm not at all good with words, so bear with me here. I could beat around the bush and tell you every reason under the sun why I'm doing what I'm doing, and all about how love is like a bleedin' rose or something, but you know me better then that. Sometimes I've thought that you know me better then I know me self. To put it simply I'm leaving you...at least for now.

I realize that this is going to hurt you as much as it does me, but the truth of the matter is that you deserve better than what I have to offer you. I look over at you sleeping there, your arm thrown across my part of the bed almost like you are missing me even in slumber, and see the open honesty on your face even now. I've not been honest with you, and can't take the lies anymore. Cat...I've done a lot in my life that I'm not proud of or even want to admit that I did, and I realize now that even after Scratch I've got a lot to make up for until I'm worthy of you and the open, honest love you have to offer me.

To top those feelings off, Black Air is back in business and is more deadly then ever. With how very precarious the world has become for mutants as of late...I couldn't put you in any more bleeding danger then you are already in...there I said it for pity's sake. I can't ask you to stay with me and put yourself in extra danger. It wouldn't be right, and thus I'm going to vamoose until I can either shut Black Air down, or get them afraid enough of me that they aren't going to try to kill me or anyone I love anytime soon. Most importantly you and me sister. Me father? Well...I could give or take the old coot, but at the same time he is my father. What am I going to do to make them afraid of me? You probably don't want to know, and even if you did I probably wouldn't tell you. Yeah I'm falling off the wagon again, but at least this time it is for a purpose. I realize that when you read these words you will want to try and stop me, but I've gotten very good at disappearing...I've got friends who will help me do it, and do it well. Perhaps one day I'll see you again, and this time I can look in your eyes and find something to be proud of other than what you see in me. I've got to start seeing those things for meself. After seeing what you see within me I'm not going to settle for anything less then being worthy of what you think of me.

If you ever need to contact me in any way, due to something going horribly wrong or whatever the bloody hell might come up, feel free to leave a message with me sister. Her e-mail is attached to the end of this long ass letter I have going here. Just give her a holler and she'll get the message to me one way or the other. I'm sure she's going to tell me I'm doing a stupid selfless thing here, and I guess she would be right. Perhaps there's hope for me yet. Take care of yourself you hear? And always remember that I do love you, and you are worthy of the best in life.

Sincerely, yours truly...oh bugger...Love,

Pete

The words were just so Pete that every time I read them I wanted to cry, but now I just read them as if from a distance. I've been in this type of emotional shock before. I know the numbness will wear off and the pain will come, but until then I'm going to hold onto the numbness as long as I can. I carefully fold the letter and put it back in the envelope. I had contacted his sister, one of the nicest people I had ever met, and left a message on her e-mail to please contact Pete and tell him what happened to my father. God, I needed and still need him right now. I almost curse myself for being weak, as I look out the window and numbly watch the first rays of dawn peak over the distant trees...only a couple more hours to go. I vaguely wonder if mom is going to sleep in or not, but can't find the will to really care all that much.

***************

Storm glanced over at Hank, "My arm is fine, Henry. I know I'm going to be in a sling for a week or so, but I'm feeling much better than when I was strapped to a wall." She smiled a bit to try and coax a smile out of the gentle blue giant, but Hank just grinned half heartedly over at her, "I realize that, Ororo, but please just let me continue to run these tests. Warren and I are both equally concerned about you, not to mention Nathan, Jean and Scott. They are all wishing me to make absolutely sure that Apocolypse didn't mess with one strand of DNA out of any of them." Storm nodded in understanding, she herself a bit concerned at the possibility. She was still wondering where Rachel, Callisto and Cecilia had been for a while. They had said they had had some excitement while the others were gone, but that was as much as they would say. She was still reeling from the fact that they had been gone for almost three months. It was well into spring now. Scott and his team had been gone for almost six months. She could imagine what they were feeling right about now.

Her attention focused on the TV in the corner of the med bay, Hank had put it on a prominant medical channel a while ago, as had Cecilia to track the progress of the Legacy Virus, and what it had to say wasn't encouraging...in a whole new way, "Today reports of a new virus outbreak are creating minor panic about the United States. The virus seems to have the patterns of the Legacy Virus, except it does not seem to attack mutants, it seems to instead strike unwitting homo sapiens with no mercy. The death rate thus far is tallied at 100%." Hank looked at the screen and then quickly back down at the bandage, "That virus is my fault Storm." Storm looked at him in shock for a moment and outright bewilderment and then cautiously announced, "Explain." Hank sighed and sat down on his haunches, adjusting his glasses as he made a few notes on her medical chart, "Sinister released that virus. He told us he would give us a month to stop Bastion and then he would release a virus that would kill the Prime Sentinels. I got some tissue samples off of a victim from a friend at Harvard, and the tests were conclusive... it is the virus, with a few tinkerings so it won't kill off about 1/3 of the population of the world...  only the Prime Sentinels and perhaps Douglock and Cable... here's hoping I can find a cure before then. I don't know where to start on this virus to cure it. At this point creating a vaccine for Cable and Douglock is a necessity, but on the other hand, the virus will kill the TO in the Prime Sentinels, thus killing the victim, but it will take care of an enemy. I took a vow to harm none, so I'm going to be working on a virus to help people that are trying to kill off me and everyone I love. But if that virus mutates...I don't even want to contemplate the possible reprecussions of that." Storm reached out gently and put her hand on the side of Hank's face, "Henry, think of this for a moment. How is curing prime sentinels different then finding a cure for the Legacy Virus? You will be curing innocents, true, but at the same time you will be curing Pyro and several people who want you dead. Prime Sentinels... some can not help that they were infected with the nano-technology that will make them try to kill us, the same way that innocents are dying from the Legacy Virus every day. You must listen to your heart Henry...it will tell you what to do." Hank looked at her, his eyes showing the torment of a doctor and a man battling for results, "The only thing is that Ororo...a part of me wants that virus to go lose and kill Bastion's army. For what they did to Kitty and others we love. What they did to Charles who is being held in a cell somewhere, and more." He hung his head for a moment and then chuckled, "Of course I'm also a doctor with that pesky 'shall harm none' vow attached to it, aren't I? If nothing else the research might help to put things into perspective about Nathan's virus and thus put it into remission for good. There is always hope."
His face once again sobered and he said calmly, "The sun is coming up by the time. We better get ready for the Rabbi when he comes." Storm nodded as she scooted off the table, "Yes...let us prepare for yet another burial. One day it will get better, Henry...we must have faith, for that is one thing Bastion doesn't have when it comes right down to it."

******************

The sun slowly rose as if someone was trying to hold off the day, which would probably have been true if it had taken the feelings of the people on the mansion's premises feelings into consideration. Jubilee looked at the coming day with a pain she couldn't explain. She never knew Carmen Pryde in any way, and yet at the same time he was Kitty's dad and seeing her going through such pain was tearing out a piece of her soul, although she would never have admitted it to anyone. She glanced over at Everett who was sitting at the kitchen table from her position by the kitchen window and asked the one question on her mind, "Ev...how do I comfort her? I mean when Illayna died she was sobbing all over the place, but right now she's acting a lot like Petey did before he went postal on us. She hasn't spoken to anyone since she got the news...not really, and she just stares off into space with this look in her eyes that I can't even stand to glance at. It's like she's totally shut herself off or something, or has gotten so used to losing that it's no surprise anymore. How do I tell her that tomorrow will get better when I have no gaurantee it will? How do I comfort someone who has lost so much and yet keeps losing more?" She turned back to the window, not really seeing the sun peak over the trees, spreading light only so far before it was stopped by the massive amounts of clouds that were blanketing the grounds, her thoughts were more turned inward, "How do I comfort her?" She wasn't really expecting an answer, but she got one. Male arms enfolded her from behind and she stiffened in shock for a second, but the words that came with them helped to ease her back into his embrace, "It's only me Jubes. How do you comfort her? J, I've lost a lot of people in my life, usually grandparents and other relatives, but I've lost some friends too...comes from where I live. I've found the only way to comfort someone at a time like this is to simply be there for them, and wait for them to come to you. Give them the comfort they need and try to convince them that tomorrow will get better simply by telling them that you'll continue to fight for one. Knowing Kitty it'll mean a lot." Jubilee hugged his arms for a minute and then pulled away, turning to face him as she did so, "Thanks Ev. I needed that."

Rachel glanced at the two young ones for a minute and had to grin a little at the way they turned to each other for comfort. It amazed her how well the younger ones got along, even M seemed to open up a little bit more everyday. She then sighed, losing the grin as she thought of darker thoughts. Kitty though...Kitty hadn't been open with her emotions for a while now. When Illayna died she knew the grief had just overwhelmed her on top of everything else, but this time...this time the shock of losing someone so close to her and so quickly...Kitty had gone into recluse mode, much like her father tended to do in periods of high emotion. She would be there for her, but she didn't know how she was going to take being comforted. She had expected hugs and a joyful reunion with her best friend, but under the circumstances, Kitty had been happy that she had returned, true, but had then asked calmly when she was going back. Rachel had to tell her that she wasn't sure when, but she would eventually have to return to her time. Kitty had taken that on top of everything else and had just pushed it into the "box" as Rachel liked to call it. She just hoped one of them would be there for her when the stress got too much and the box cracked open. A hand laid itself on her shoulder and she reacted instinctively, going into a battle ready pose and trying to flip the assailant. Kurt chuckled as he countered the move smoothly and then said in his usual manner, "Sorry liebchen. I called out but I didn't know if you heard me or not, obviously not. I came to tell you that Jean and Scott would like to speak with you as soon as you have time. Now I must find Hank and tell him the image inducers are ready for later on." He lost his smile for a moment, his eyes growing more serious then Rachel had ever seen them, the leader and friend coming through in him as he said, "She'll survive this. I know she will. She just needs time and caring people around her, and you can't get more caring then the company she is keeping here. When Illayna died...it took her a while to get to the point she could grieve completely over her...she's just that way...it's a survival reflex. She'll snap out of it and then start blaming herself. You know her. Then we will have to kick her butt and tell her it's not her fault no matter how many times we have to repeat it. We just must give her space and time, let the emotions run their course, and then pick up the pieces with her." Rachel laid her hand over his and smiled, "I know that and you know that, but will it get through Kitty's head so SHE knows that? I'm hoping she won't blame herself, and that my dad won't blame himself, but we both know that it is too much to ask that they won't. Go on and find Hank." Kurt bamfed out in a puff of sulfur and even though times were tough and Kitty had just lost someone dear...it was still good to be home...even if it was only for a visit.

************

I put on the dress that I will wear to my father's burial and looking in the mirror don't even really recognize myself in the mirror. I look like death. Black was never really a great color on me, but with the dark circles under my eyes and the pale cast to my skin I look even worse. My mother is planning to wear a black veil to the funeral and I wonder for a moment if she will go through with it. She and my father didn't exactly have a wonderful divorce... it got pretty messy there for a while. I shake myself out of that as I slip into the shoes that put about two inches on my height and head out the door. Time to go and meet the rabbi. The Star of David my grandma gave me is the only spot of color on my whole outfit. It seemed appropriate. I'm even wearing black gloves. The well wishers had shown up at the funeral home and remembered my father as was custom... to try and help the mourning period, but also to remember the good times they had had with the man who was known as Carmen Pryde. Surprisingly, my mother had contributed much more then anyone else there and had shown she did in fact still care for dad. I had just shared my memories and had waited for it all to be over. My mother had asked me many times how I was holding up, and other times she had just talked to me about non-essential things, like her new position on Muir and how she would be safer there and could care for the mutants, the parking ticket she had gotten a week ago and how unfair it was, how she was thinking about studying another degree at Muir, how proud she and dad had been of me, how it was okay that I'm a super hero...she sorta figured it all out with the news reports and all, and other things. I just sorta took it all in and continued in my own little numb world...I still am.

I walk down the stairs and seeing Scott, make a beeline for him to see about the rabbi. Keeping myself occupied with things that needed to be done helped for me to cope and break it all down to points that I could understand and work with, instead of drowning in an emotional sea of turmoil should the box my emotions were in crack. I look at him outwardly calm and ask the question about the rabbi. Scott nods and says back, "He'll be here in the next hour and a half. He had to make a stop for something beforehand, but he assures me he will be here." I'm almost shocked when a hand reaches out and lays itself on my shoulder followed by Scott saying, "Don't worry, Kitty. I feel your loss...I've lost a lot in my life. It'll get better." He then pats my shoulder a couple of times and it takes me a second to realize that his lips are moving as he is patting my shoulder. He then says, "It's going to be fine," and the process starts again with the patting. I look at him incredulously for a moment, "Scott... are you counting the times you are patting me?" Scott looks at me a moment and I see a slightly chargined look come across his face as he says, "Jean said that it would work, and that three or four pats is customary. I'm not used to giving comfort." He then raised his voice as he said, "Jean, I thought that when we got married we both agreed that I would handle the shoveling of snow in the winter, the cleaning of the pool in the summer, and YOU would handle the comforting! I'm not good at this!!!" Jean suddenly appears out of nowhere and pats Scott on the shoulder, "You were doing fine honey. You're getting better... you even did it without me pushing you. I'm proud of you." I suddenly realize that I can still feel something in all of this... amusement. Seeing the look on Scott's face, the scowl of failure, I suddenly have the intense urge to laugh. I giggle instead. Jean glances at me and smiles, concern apparent in her open green eyes, "Sorry about this. He really is getting better at this." I nod as I walk toward the door, "I'm going for a walk... something to keep me busy. Tell Scott four or five pats will be better, and next time he MIGHT not want to count them out loud.. it'll help. Where's my mom by the way?" I heard Scott chuckle a little in response to the first comment , "Will do Kitty, and your mom went to pick up the rabbi. They'll be back shortly."

*************

Piotr saw her walking around the corner of the house and almost ran the other way. He didn't know what to say to her at a time like this, and thus had been avoiding talking to her. She had been there for him during his whole period of mourning and had been one of the few people who had not given up hope on him. He took a deep breath and stepped into her path. She almost ran into him she was so preoccupied, and he actually had to reach out and put his hands on her shoulders to steady her when she started suddenly. "Katya." He dropped his hands to his sides, not knowing what else to do with them as she said, "Yes Piotr? What is it?" He had practiced the words several times in his mind, but now that it came time to say them he found that he was having problems, "I... I just wanted you to know that I'm there for you if you need me."

Kitty looked at him, solemn numb brown eyes looking into his blue and said, "Are you Piotr? You have never really proven it to me. You first chose a dead healer over me and my love. I waited for you even though I knew that you might not want me when all was said and done, and every time I've dared to hope it has come down to someone else over me and what I may need at any given time. When Illyana died and we could have leaned on each other you chose to lean on no one. Then you ran off with Magneto, and came back to me only to choose the Acolytes and Magneto and his teachings over me once again. My parents divorced and Ororo was there for me. You died and Kurt was hurting so much that I learned to grieve in private. When I thought Excalibur might be gone for good, you weren't there. When Courtney betrayed me you weren't there. When Doug died you weren't there. I love you, Piotr, and a part of me always will, but sometimes I wonder if you know what it means. Even recently, you chose checking in on Ororo and Magneto more then asking about me, and I haven't seen you once since the word came to me that my dad was dead." She then shook her head at the hurt that flashed through his eyes and turned away, "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I expect better from myself. I'm fine, Piotr. I'll be fine too. I learned a long time ago how to take loss and move on. I've lost my grandparents, my friends, and now my father...I can take the loss and move on. It's almost habit to be in this position." She started to walk away and he raised his hand to stop her and was about to raise his voice when she turned, not looking up and said, "Oh wait. I do have something for you. Here." She reached into the sleeve of her blouse and Piotr felt his eyebrows furrow in confusion as she pulled out a silver dagger. She flipped the dagger by the handle and caught it by the blade almost as if by habit, and finally raised her eyes to meet his, "Take it." Piotr reached out his hand on automatic pilot and took the dagger in his hand. With a flash of light and heat shooting up his arm, he looked over at Kitty, "What?" Kitty just shook her head, "She might want to talk to you...especially after everything Mikhail has done recently. She'll explain how it is possible." She then glanced at the dagger in his hand and said, "You know where to find me, blondie." The dagger seemed to glow in response and his eyes widened in shock as he heard a voice he thought he would never hear again, "You got it kiddo... oh wait, you can't hear me right now. Oh wel,l I'll find her. Hey, big brother. It's great to see you again." Piotr looked down at the now sword in his hand and seeing the reflection in the metal didn't even notice when Kitty walked off. "Illyana...Little Snowflake? How..." She answered him with mental laughter, "It's a long story...it all started when a big demon offered me his hand in marriage..."

****************

The rabbi and Kitty's mom arrived right on time, image inducers were turned on immediately, and everyone prepared for the burial. They gathered around the grave outside as the rabbi spoke in a language they didn't understand, and then translated it into English for them. He then nodded at Kitty and her mother and they threw the first fistfuls of dirt on the grave. The grave was quickly filled, and flowers put on top of the new mound, as people slowly but surely expressed their sympathy and started back toward the house. Betsy stopped by, Warren by her side, and said in her soft English accent, "I'm sorry for your loss, Kitty. I know we never got to know one another very well, but I do know what it feels like to lose a parent, so if you want someone to scream, yell, cry, or laugh with please don't hesitate. The door is always open." They then headed back to the house, and Kitty glanced after them realizing how nice a couple they did make. Terry Pryde looked at her daughter and hugged her close, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I wish there was something I could do to take back what has happened." Kitty then looked at her solemnly and said, "I'll be fine mom. Go on back and talk to the few guests we had at the funeral... all of our cousins and all. Try to explain to them why dad wasn't buried in a Jewish cemetary without sounding offensive. And good luck... they are our family after all." Terry snorted as she said, "You wanted him buried here, sweetie, so that was enough for me. I understand that he died due to those blasted prime sentinels and you are worried that they are going to try and dig up the grave, even though you wouldn't tell me that. I'll just tell them that you wanted him near your friends and family... they might take that as an excuse or I'll tell them that he got a tattoo when he was still married to me. That they'd probably buy." She reached over and kissed Kitty's forehead as she said, "If you need to talk to someone talk to me... I'm worried about you." Kitty hugged her back this time as she said, "I'm strong, mom. Try and not to blame yourself, okay?" Terry grinned as she stepped back, sorrow shadowing eyes that Kitty was sure would look like hers in a couple of years, "You got it, sweetie. You don't blame yourself either. It was the government's fault and no one else's, and I'm going to see that they pay for that one way or the other. You didn't do anything wrong and couldn't have prevented this. Tell Mr. Summers the same thing too... seems like all of your friends are like you in the feeling guilty category." She walked off toward the house and passed by Magneto on her way. He glanced at the woman and realized for a second how well Kitty would age as he came even with the young woman whom he had known as both enemy and ally many times, "Katherine." Kitty looked over at him for a moment and then said contemplatively, "You know, you are one of the few people who can get away with calling me that. What is it?" Magneto looked at her for a moment, and then reaching into his trenchcoat pocket pulled out two candles, "It is time to light a candle if ever there was one. Also is there something you would like to say to your father?" Kitty took the candle when offered and looking down at the grave knew what he was referring too. "What is the point, Eric? I didn't get to say it at Doug's funeral, I didn't get a chance to say it at Blondie's before you crashed in on a high horse and so forth. What's the point of saying it now?" Magnus looked at her for a moment and then down at the grave of her father saying simply, "Because he was your father." Jubilee came even with them a moment later and looked at Magnus, "What's going on? Whatever it is count me in." Magneto reached into his coat pocket and drew out another candle, "Good thing I carried a spare then, isn't it?" Kitty didn't even notice when Jubilee's paf lit the candle she held in her hand, but she did notice when Magneto started the Hebrew death prayer...the Kaddish. Kitty listened to his voice as he intoned the words perfectly, and after a moment haltingly started with him, and slowly it gained strength till they were both saying the words that were to be said over a man who deserved to be recognized. Jubilee listened for a couple of moments and even though she didn't know the word's meanings she still intonated the prayer with them. Kitty didn't even notice when it started to rain, for Magneto put up a bubble without even thinking about it, as they finished the prayer and started back to the house, The candles put out and left on the grave, sort of a tribute to say that life wasn't worth giving up on. Jubilee put her arm around Kitty's waist as Magneto put his around Kitty's shoulder. Kitty laid her head on his shoulder as they walked toward another day in the battle for acceptance.

*************

Kitty stood staring at the fire, not even knowing what time it was. She still hadn't changed out of the clothing from the burial, and she didn't really care. The flames danced as if possessed, and she found herself entranced by them. It had to be about two o'clock in the morning or so, but she didn't glance at the clock. She was just too tired for that. Her laptop's screen was the only other light in the room. She had checked her e-mail at least seventeen times in the past twelve hours, hoping beyond hope for some word from Pete, but she supposed it was too much to expect that he might still care enough to send her some little tidbit of sympathy. She turned around, and was preparing to sit back on the couch... maybe she would work on the Muir Island webpage and update it a bit, when she heard the knocking on the front door. She DID then check the clock on her computer screen and seeing the '2:35 AM' staring back at her, headed for the door to find out what was wrong...at this late hour it had to be something big. Skids was pretty far along in her pregnancy and was starting to show... maybe something was wrong with the baby and she had flown over to find Moira, or one of X-force had gotten seriously hurt and they had taken a jeep to get help. She knew they were illogical worries, if Skids was having problems she would have contacted someone or taken a helicopter or something, while if it was the other they would call ahead, but she was so tired she didn't even think as she yanked open the door, a worried look on her face.

What she saw shocked her so much she was speechless.

Pete Wisdom stood in the rain looking miserable, somehow the cigarette still keeping lit as he raised his fist to pound on the door again. As soon as he saw her he lowered his fist slowly, and taking the cigarette out of his mouth shot it out into the rain somewhere, "Kitty. I got your message." He looked at her for a moment and said, "You going to kick me off the property or can I come in?" Kitty snapped out of the shock enough to step aside and let him into the house, "Yes...come in." He stood dripping in the entryway for a moment after she had closed the door and sighed as he stripped off his trenchcoat, "Bloody rental car broke down about five miles from here... seemed easiest to walk since the number was unregistered." Steam suddenly came from his clothing and hair, as he raised his body temperature as high as was possible without burning his clothing, and a moment later he was dry. He walked toward the living room, and Kitty followed, her brain functioning enough to say, "I was expecting a sympathy card, Pete, but... well... what are you doing here?!?" Pete sighed as he threw his suit jacket over a chair, and then went back to his trench coat, pulling out a wrapped box as he did so, "I was going to send this, but I figured...well I did what I felt needed doing." Kitty blinked a bit and took the box from his hands, ripping the paper automatically. Inside was a good bottle of scotch with a note taped to it that read simply, "Don't you DARE blame yourself." Kitty felt her wall of calm start to crack at the words and then glanced at him, "I assume you aren't staying long, are you?" He shook his head in response, "What I said in the letter was the truth, Kitty. I don't deserve you. Until I know that I do, I'm staying away and keeping you out of danger." She nodded at him as she looked at the bottle, and he said, "Now you have the answer to the question of who's got the bloody hooch." Kitty laughed a bit at that, and put it down on the coffee table as her vision started to blur from the tears that were filling her eyes. The next thing she knew she was in his arms, soul wrenching sobs trying to tear her apart as he held her in a tight embrace, her mind barely processing the nonsense words he said to her in comfort.

She didn't know at what point she fell asleep in his arms, but she did know quite well when she woke up in the bedroom the others had given her earlier, not in the clothing she had on the night before, instead in a comfortable nightgown, and totally alone. She looked over at the sun shining through the blinds and sighed... getting up as she realized that she had to face another day. In her heart was a new purpose... it was time to take action in every way she could, and see that Bastion was shut down. Her heart was filled with pain, but at least she had purpose to counteract it as well. Here was hoping they didn't lose any other innocents in the process. It was time to light a candle alright... time to drive back the darkness any way they could... even if it was just not giving up hope.

She walked into the ready room about an hour later and smiled at everyone tiredly as she sat down, "What is everyone looking so odd about?" Storm looked at Scott and nodded and Scott rose, looking at Kitty as he did so, "We've been searching everywhere for the Professor, and we think we've finally found the place where he is being kept. We've got a life signature that matches his. We are going to get him out of there...one way or the other."

*********

Stayed tuned, whenever I have time to write it, because it is the rising of the twelve and the rescue of Xavier...talk about a lot to handle.