COLORS IN THE SHADOWS OF YOUR MIND

This story is part of an arc I have titled "Knights of Ghosts and Shadows" that trace Kitty and Pete's reunion and new life together. Events up to the end of the Apocalypse storyline are assumed to have taken place, with some minor changes. The coming arc where the mutants lose their powers did not take place in my continuity, nor does Pete Wisdom take charge of X-Force. Other tentative titles in the arc include:

The alarm chimed at 6:00 am until abruptly silenced by Kitty's hand phasing through it. 'Damn it, there goes another alarm clock,' the slender brunette thought wryly to herself. Kitty's power, besides permitting her to walk through walls and air-walk, also disrupted electrical activity in any object she phased through. Normally she liked mornings — to wake up with the sunrise, grabbing an early breakfast and coffee, and then getting right to the daily routine. This morning, though, she just wanted to stay in bed for a while. Her pillow was soaking wet from her tears of the night before, and her soulful brown eyes were puffy and red. The chestnut haired girl had seen an old shirt of Pete's in some stuff she was going through before going to bed the night before and couldn't resist the impulse to put it on. The moment the shirt came into contact with her skin, it brought back a flood of memories and conflicting emotions. An increasing sense of desire and longing clashed with diminishing feelings of embarrassment and guilt over their escapades. When she'd first come back to the X-Men, those memories had rarely surfaced and, when they did, she'd reacted with intense shame and guilt and quickly shoved them out of her mind. But in the last few weeks, since her return from Egypt, those feelings of shame and revulsion, while still there, had been decreasing in intensity. Other feelings, loss and regret especially, had been slowly supplanting them in her mind.

Tossing and turning, the brown-eyed young woman decided that any further efforts at sleep were futile and, finally deciding to get out of bed, she stripped off the shirt and hung it on a hanger in her closet. She showered, lingering for a long time in the cascading warm water, and dressed in her usual comfortable jeans and a sweatshirt. "Hey dragon! You want some breakfast?" Poking his snout from under her bed at hearing her call, her best friend, Lockheed, flew to her shoulder and licked her cheek. Laughing, Kitty headed downstairs to the kitchen, petting her dragon cooing his delight in response.

Opening the door to the kitchen, she was pleased to see that none of the other X-Men seemed to be out and about. She really wasn't in the mood this morning for small talk. Then Kitty remembered that most of them were either recuperating or were with Logan and the injured in the infirmary. Forcing a smile at Lockheed, "After breakfast, you want to help me keep Logan company? Jubilee's been down there all night and I'm sure she could use some sleep." Jubilee had had to chase Kitty out of the infirmary when Kitty had spent 48 hours straight down there beside her old friend and mentor. The two of them had finally hammered out a schedule where they would take 8 hours on and 8 off, with Betsy or Jean coming in to relieve both of them for the third shift so that they could get some sleep. After her shift with Logan, Kitty had planned on getting together with Betsy for a light workout to keep in shape and relieve tension, and then try once again to forget the events of the past few months that began when she and Pete broke up.

One of the few good things about her return stateside was how well she and the young Chinese-American girl who had saved Wolverine from the Reavers were bonding. Kitty couldn't help but think that they had a lot in common — and not just the same surrogate father. Both of them were alone, with no brothers or sisters, and they both had spent a good portion of their lives separated from their natural families. Jubilee's parents died while she was young — Jubilee, in one of their many long conversations had told her older friend that they had been murdered. Kitty had left for Xavier's at about the same age as Jubilee was when her parents died — thirteen or so — and she had only seen them a couple of times since...and not at all in over five years. A lot of things had happened to that spunky thirteen year old whom the taxi had let out in front of the mansion so many years ago — she almost killed herself, she had almost been killed more times than she would like to remember, her first love dumped her, good friends had died and left her to grieve. The young girl, now a young woman, fell in love again, lost her virginity to the man she loved, got scared and left him just as her first love had left her. Kitty had changed and grown into a lovely young woman and, not for the first time, the chestnut haired beauty felt sorry that her parents weren't around while she went through those changes. Her thoughts turning back from herself to Jubilee, she knew that a strain of tension had always existed between the two of them because of their relationship with Logan. But working together, first in an effort to get him out of the clutches of Viper, and later to free him from Apocalypse's conditioning, had gone a long way towards easing that tension as both realized that the other one had equally strong feelings towards their mentor. That, along with their mutual sharing of grief following the death of Illyana had created a bond between Kitty and the younger Jubilee that had grown deeper as the two spent more time together.

The melancholy brunette came into an empty kitchen, although she could tell that someone, probably Jean, had already been in by the pot of fresh coffee left on the counter. While at Muir, Kitty had grown quite fond of the taste of coffee — provided it was Rory's and not Moira's. She laughed at memories of Moira's horrible coffee, and paused for a moment while pouring, brushing back a tear as she remembered what happened to Rory. Apocalypse had turned him into one of his Horsemen — Famine. After pouring her cup, she added a touch of milk, and then slumped into a chair while Lockheed took up space on the table next to her.

She resisted the temptation to doctor the coffee with a shot from the whisky in Wolverine's stash. He wouldn't have minded, but drinking alone was a habit Kitty had no intention of getting into. Instead, her brown eyes moistened as she reminisced about her years with Excalibur while sipping her coffee, something she had been doing quite often recently. The former member of Excalibur found herself missing the British X-team, and the British Isles, more and more these days. She was with that team longer than with the X-Men and, in many ways, felt more at home and happier there — first at the lighthouse where they were originally headquartered, then later at Braddock Manor and finally at Muir. Smiling, Kitty remembered how 'the Quack of Doom' had trashed the lighthouse once, forcing some creative living arrangements for a time — especially where it concerned bathroom use. That sort of 'anything could happen at anytime' lifestyle definitely made life in Excalibur an experience.

Her thoughts then turned to the other Excalibur castoffs. Peter seemed to have made the adjustment to being an X-Man again rather well. 'He always really was at heart an X-Man,' Kitty couldn't help but think. The young X-woman was also pleased to see him spending time with Sarah, the newest recruit to wear an X, and noted what seemed to be mutual attraction growing between the big Russian and the former Morlock, even though she and Marrow didn't exactly hit it off well at first. "You know, Lockheed, one thing worries me about those two. Peter seems to be falling into his old pattern of 'I've got to take care of the delicate little girl,' and that worries me. Sooner or later — and from what I've seen of Sarah I'd bet on sooner — she's gonna come into her own. What's Peter gonna do then?" Scratching her dragon's neck, the brown-eyed girl continued, "At least he's painting again. Before all the shit with Apocalypse went down, he was painting a picture of Sarah, and it was coming out nicely--his preliminary sketches were really remarkable. I just hope he doesn't give it up."

Kurt didn't seem all that pleased to be back. 'Although he's hiding it well to just about everyone — except me.' Turning back to her pet, "You and I know better, don't we, dragon. We've known the fuzzy elf for way too long." Nightcrawler had developed into being an effective leader with Excalibur and now had to adjust to being just another X-trooper. The confidence that he had shown while leading Excalibur seemed now to be ebbing away. Xavier, Scott, and Storm believed in hierarchy and obedience. You did what you were told when you were told and didn't talk back. Kurt wasn't like that. He knew when to back off and let someone else take the ball and run with it. He also liked to hear all sides of an issue before rendering a decision. "You know what I liked most about Kurt as a leader, dragon? He treated me as an equal and as an adult. He didn't fly off the handle when he found out Pete and I were sleeping together." Lockheed made what seemed to be a grimace at his mistress' last comment. "Oh you! Behave yourself!" Kitty fought down the waves of revulsion in her mind and returned to her conversation with her pet. "As I was saying...he was concerned as any friend would be. And he did play big brother. But he respected my maturity and allowed me to make my own decisions. The others — Scott, Ororo, the Professor — wouldn't have done that — they'd have gone into hysterics the moment they found out."

Getting up from the table, Kitty put some toast in the toaster, making sure the setting was at a medium brown, and got a jar of raspberry jam from the refrigerator. The toast popped up almost on cue as soon as she had taken out a small plate and knife. The brooding woman then took her light breakfast and put it on the table. "The usual for you, Lockheed?"

"Ok, you flying garbage disposal." Kitty laughed fondly at the little purple dragon that had been with her almost as long as she had been an X-Man. Going back to the refrigerator, she took out some leftovers from yesterday's dinner and fixed Lockheed a plate. The dragon flapped his wings happily and started in on the food as soon as she had set the plate down. Laughing at the sight, the young woman sat down to eat her own more simple fare and returned to her reminiscences.

'Where was I... Oh yes, Rahne.' The young were-girl was still at Muir, holding down the fort while Moira was over here taking care of the wounded — both in body and in spirit. Douglock — 'no, Warlock now,' Kitty remembered — the last time she'd seen him was at a computer convention just before Apocalypse. She, along with him, his two traveling companions, and Spiderman, had fended off a slew of angry robots. As far as she knew, he was still wandering around with his new friends. She wished him well and hoped that someday he would find what he's looking for.

Her thoughts then turned briefly to Spiderman. She had met the arachnoid for the first time when she had just turned fourteen. The Professor had the bright idea of trying to expose her to normal teen activities, so he arranged for her to baby sit a pair of neighborhood kids. Well, they ran away and got lost in the tunnels and ran into some Morlocks. Kitty went after them and ran into Spidey and they teamed up and rescued her charges. They rarely had a chance to meet since. He was useful in a fight — fast, agile, and strong — Kitty admitted, and he had a razor-sharp wit that he used to distract his opponents. Not for the first time, she fantasized about what the man behind the mask was like. "He's probably named Peter too and is married to a gorgeous supermodel," Kitty snorted. Turning her thoughts back to Excalibur, she remembered Moira telling her that Brian and Meggan had moved back to his manor and were settling into married life. The brown haired girl smiled at that. She wanted to see Meggan happy — she was one of the few beings Kitty had met who honestly did not have a mean bone in her body, and Brian, while a bit of an oaf, really wasn't a bad man and did sincerely love Meggan.

As far as she was concerned, Kitty was definitely having problems adjusting to being back stateside. Even a little thing such as not being able to go out for a drink annoyed her. It wasn't that she was a lush, normally Kitty was very moderate in her consumption of alcohol...although she noted with some concern that her alcohol intake had picked up noticeably in the last few weeks. But she did enjoy the occasional wine or beer, and sometimes something a little stronger — preferably a gin and tonic, although she'd begun to develop a taste for Scotch. She missed the monthly outings to the Chalk and Cheese that Excalibur took together, and missed the frequent visits to the Crown that she and Pete made whenever they were in London. While no one at the mansion objected to her light to moderate alcohol consumption, Kitty couldn't help but notice the disapproving looks from both Storm and Xavier. She shrugged them off. She was an adult now and it was none of their damned business how she lived her life. It also felt uncomfortable not being able to order a beer at Harry's along with everyone else, or join Logan for a Scotch there when not so long ago in England or on the Continent she could do both without any hassles. It was admittedly a little thing in the grand scheme of things, but it still irritated her as it reminded her of how differently she was treated overseas. She found she missed Excalibur for other reasons too.

Shaking her head, Kitty heard a clunking sound coming from outside. "Mailman, Lockheed! Wanna go see what came in?" The dragon looked at its clean plate and nodding his head, flew alongside his friend as she opened the front door and took the large bundle of mail out of the mailbox next to the entrance. Taking in the usual large stack of letters and magazines, Kitty went to the table in the foyer that served as mail sorting area. "Let's see...Betsy's Playgirl, Jean's Cosmo — have to see if I can borrow that after she's done, assorted bills and correspondence for the Professor, Maximum PC and PC World for me, Audubon and Playboy for Logan, Vogue for Rogue," a chuckle came out at her rhyme, "another Playboy for Remy as well as something in a brown paper bag that I don't even wanna know about!" The world-weary young woman finished sorting out the mail and returned to her coffee and toast in the kitchen and, once settling in, continued her reverie.

The group dynamics of the members that comprised Excalibur set it apart from the other X-teams. Unlike the X-Men, X-Force and the Gen-X kids and — until they were disbanded — X-Factor, most of the members of Excalibur, especially during the period the team was based on Muir, were couples who were head-over-heels in love with, not to mention in lust with, each other. Not that romance didn't happen with the other teams. The X-Men had Jean and Scott — but they were married. They also had Warren and Betsy, who were a long time item among the X-Men. However both couples had recently been spending most, if not all, of their time away from the team. Jean and Scott were, until the recent unpleasantness, settling in nicely to married life in Alaska; and Betsy and Warren were living together in a house Warren owned near the city. The rest of the X-Men were either uninvolved or at best only casually dating. Snickering, Kitty rubbed Lockheed's head. "Dragon, I don't even want to think about the mess between Rogue and Gambit." Her expression changing from a snicker to a smile, "I really do hope things work out between Peter and Sarah. I hope he's learned from his mistakes." The smile turned to a frown as doubt crossed her face.

The entanglements in X-Force that she heard about through the mutant gossip net were confusing to put it mildly, as she tried to sort out the tangle involving Sam and Tabitha and Bobby, and she just totally gave up trying to figure out what was going on between Siryn, Proudstar, Risque, and that motormouthed merc Deadpool. 'I owe that mother a big one for calling me a whore and then sucker punching me that time. I don't care if Logan did clean his clock, I want a piece of his scrawny ass for myself,' Kitty grimaced as she forced down another swallow. Logan's protégé had a mean streak and was capable of being incredibly vindictive, and she was feeling especially vicious now.

The Gen-X kids had relationships, although they seemed to be mostly of the unrequited sort, and Jubilee's crush on Ev reminded the chestnut haired girl of her old crush on Peter. She winced at that, but knew that Jubilee would have to work it out for herself. 'I did, after all.' Also, everyone knew about the strange relationship between Emma and Sean. 'Wonder what Moira thinks about that — especially now that she's over here,' Kitty thought as her lips formed a half-smile. But Excalibur was different. Partially because of its isolated location on a small island off the mainland in northern Scotland which discouraged a great deal of interaction with the outside world, and partially because of the small size of the team, especially as compared to the X-Men, everyone in Excalibur became intimately acquainted with each other as individuals, each with their own quirks — respecting each other's privacy while at the same time being there when needed. Everyone on the team learned to respect each other for who they were and settled quickly into a very relaxed lifestyle.

The rather — steamy — sexual atmosphere of Excalibur, especially after her and Pete had become an item, was the topic of almost continual gossip phrased in terms of amusement or disgust depending on who you talked to among all the X-teams. Rumors quickly spread, all untrue of course, of orgies taking place at Muir on a regular basis. Most of these rumors, naturally, came from the fertile imaginations of Jubilee, Meltdown and Iceman, and quickly circulated throughout all the teams, even finding their way into the conversations of members of the opposition. She had heard stories relayed via Jubilee who had gossiped with Paige who in turn got long letters from her brother Sam, who had gossiped with his former teammate Dani when she rejoined X-Force, of the wisecracks that passed among members of the MLF whenever Excalibur was mentioned. 'I still want to break that bitch's snout for ruining Moira's research in that damned raid.' Kitty's eyes turned cold at her recollections of Pete's account of the raid. 'I wish I'd been there where I was supposed to be, instead of back here making an ass of myself.' Kitty balled her fists in anger both at the young Cheyenne and at herself for not listening to Pete earlier about dealing with Doug Ramsey's death and accepting Douglock for who he was.

Her thoughts turning back to the lively sexual atmosphere at Muir, the young woman laughed as she remembered how Moira would pass on some of the rumors of Excalibur's sexual hijinks on their monthly pub forays. Pete once, Kitty remembered with a smile, wanted to have some fun with Jubilee. He had proposed a wicked practical joke. His plan was elegant in its simplicity. The next time the young Amerasian girl came on the island, they would make sure that she would overhear a conversation about an orgy video they had shot. They would then leave the videotape in a place where she could find it shortly before she had to leave for home. Hopefully then she would show it to her classmates who would be treated with to nature video of animals reproducing in the wild. Kitty hung her head down as she thought that they had never gotten around to playing that prank — they had split up a few weeks later.

Kitty remembered that the couples in Excalibur reveled in each other's company and were quite honest and open about the nature of their relationships to a degree unheard of among the other teams. Kitty, Amanda, and Meggan used to love to trade stories of bedroom (and other room) romps with their respective lovers like veteran soldiers trading war stories — and every once in a while, the brown-eyed woman smiled warmly as she reminisced, she would catch Rahne out of the corner of her eye eavesdropping on their boudoir tales — red faced but curious just the same. The other ladies also knew that the young were-girl was listening in, but none of them ever embarrassed her by calling out to her — even though she was always welcome to join them. There were times, Kitty again smiled, the warmth this time overcoming those feelings of shame that she had been feeling, in which the sexual electricity of the couples gathered together at either the dinner table or in the TV lounge was so intense that Rahne, with her hypersensitivity to pheromones being what it was, especially when she was in her half-wolfen state, had to leave the room in embarrassment.

Moira handled the free ways of the team with grace and sensitivity. She very quickly gave in to the inevitable and never tried either to impose herself as an authority figure as Xavier, Storm, or Cable did, or to interfere with their sex lives except to make sure that everyone was taking the necessary precautions to prevent unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. "You remember when Pete came in after Moira had given him his 'welcome to Excalibur physical' and she'd found out about our relationship?" The young woman laughed as she tickled Lockheed's stomach who was in turn laughing at the memory of his human rival's efforts at sitting down after receiving a full treatment of shots from Moira. Fighting down those familiar feelings of disgust, she also remembered how they'd celebrated his clean bill of health. Moira was always there for the team. The doctor took care of them when they were sick or injured, listened to them when they came to her with problems, and generally left them alone to do what they wanted without attempting to impose any moral or behavioral standards on any of them.

"Think I'll fix something for Jubes and Logan — I'm sure they're ready to eat now." Kitty got up and, keeping in mind Moira's dietary restrictions for Wolverine, prepared a light breakfast for her surrogate father, and a somewhat larger meal for her good friend as well, while she continued her thoughts.

Oddly enough though, it took the arrival of Pete on the island to give Excalibur its real unique stamp that marked it as something apart from all the other teams that wore an X. Not only did it all but complete the coupling process on the island as he and Kitty joined the other couples — Kurt and Amanda; Meggan and Brian; and even Moira had Sean — well sort of — leaving Rahne, Douglock, and Peter the odd ones out — and even then there was friendly gossip among the couples on the island concerning Rahne and either Douglock or Peter. Kitty wondered, not for the first time, which one of the unattached single men would have ended up with the were-girl had the team stayed together. Either one would have been a good choice in Kitty's mind. Douglock was as innocent as Rahne, and Pete, still leery of the big Russian, was giving him pointers on how to get close to Rahne. Moira's ward had been especially solicitous about Peter's well being in a way that Kitty couldn't and wouldn't be anymore, and Peter seemed to have been responding, much to his former girlfriend's delight. "You know dragon," Kitty turned to her little purple friend, "I don't think I'll ever be able to completely forgive Peter for what he had done, and I probably never will." Lockheed sighed sadly in reply. "But I still do care for him and he'll always have my best wishes." Her best friend, hearing the sad and mourning tone in her voice, placed his head on her lap in an effort to console the most wonderful person in the world to him.

Kitty's thoughts then turned once again to her former lover as she got up to turn on the radio. The Rolling Stones' "Painted Black," one of Pete's favorite songs had just begun. A few weeks ago, she would have turned it off as those familiar feelings of disgust overpowered her. While those feelings still lingered, they were not as strong as they had been, and Kitty left the radio playing. 'You could say many things about Pete Wisdom...' she thought as she listened to the earthy, gravelly voice of Mick Jagger, '... but boring was not one of them.' The more Kitty thought about it, the more she had to admit that his arrival had changed Excalibur for the better. Not only did he initiate Kitty into the mysteries of love — once again feelings of revulsion cascaded over Kitty, but also this time, unlike previous occasions, they were joined with a profound sense of loss — but he also brought a sense of electricity to the place that the other X-teams just didn't have. Even before his arrival Excalibur had possessed an informality and an air of freedom that the stateside teams didn't have. Those teams had to deal with hostility from the outside and the presence of the strong a authority figure in the form of Xavier, Cable, Storm, or Emma Frost, all of whom had a tendency to dominate everyone within their presence. 'Kurt's leadership style was a very deft one.' Kitty mused as the Stones died out to be replaced by the vocals of Jack Bruce and the guitar playing of Eric Clapton and the drums of Ginger Baker as the strains of Cream's "Strange Brew," another of Pete's favorites, filled the kitchen. Kurt led, but he didn't have the ego of those others that made them want to assert their superiority over everyone else.

Her thoughts turning back to Pete, "Amazing how the radio's playing all his songs this morning," Kitty frowned as she took another swig of her coffee. She had to admit to herself that Pete's arrival completed the team in a very real sense. His running battle with Moira not only provided endless hours of amusement; it also kept the ill doctor from falling into depression and withdrawing into herself. She had never asked him whether that was intentional on his part or not and regretted not asking now. His 'take me as I am or you can go to hell' attitude deflated Brian's ego, usually when he needed it deflated most, and in time he even earned Kurt's respect, and Kitty thought, his friendship, and it meant a lot to her that Pete had been accepted by one of her oldest and dearest friends. Amanda, Rahne, and Meggan immediately warmed to his presence, and he to theirs. He never once humiliated them or intentionally caused them distress, belying the image of him as being a completely callous boor. Even Peter learned to, if not completely accept his relationship with Kitty — especially the physical part — then at least learned to work with Pete on missions as a teammate. Pete also gained from his association with the team. He slowly began to think of himself as part of something bigger, something he could belong to, believe in, and be able to hold his head up as being a part of something worthwhile. That was until they split up.

After fixing their breakfast, Kitty went down to the infirmary and delivered it to her friends and joined them while they ate. Both Jubilee and Logan could see how preoccupied the troubled young woman was, and they had a good idea over what it was about, but didn't press her on the matter. They could see that she wasn't in the mood for talking now, but both promised themselves that soon they would get her to release her feelings. Returning to the kitchen, Kitty's mind went back to when she and Pete broke up.

Last night, while crying, Kitty had played back in her mind the events that led to their breakup. The thing was, there wasn't anything that should have led to a split. Her flirtation with Rigby Fallon was just that, a flirtation. Nothing happened! So why had she felt so guilty then, and why does she feel so guilty now? Crying, she almost slammed her coffee cup on the table. Nothing other than a kiss took place! Yes, that was a problem, but not an insurmountable one. She hadn't cheated on Pete, and had no intention of cheating on him. And she couldn't figure out Pete's reaction. Normally he would have listened. He wouldn't have been happy about what she said and they would have fought, but he wouldn't have left her. They might have slept apart for a while until they sorted it out, but they would have sorted it out eventually. They always had before when they'd fought.

The analytical part of Kitty's mind that never completely went off duty couldn't piece it together and that disturbed her even more. She asked herself why did she even tell him about Fallon in the first place? When she told Betsy about the breakup and about the role Fallon played in it, the aristocratic English woman who had become a dear friend to her looked at her in disbelief, pointing out that there were things that she had done, that while totally innocent, she would never tell Warren about. This was one of those things that didn't even need to be raised up, the re-bodied Asian beauty pointed out to Kitty that time. So why did she do it? And why in hell did she leave on that SHIELD internship? They were having problems even before G.W. Bridges showed up on Muir. She should have just stayed on the island and worked those problems out with him — they weren't that severe! It hit her that she had done the same thing to Pete that Peter did to her so many years ago — she ran away when things got tough. Neither she nor Pete liked keeping secrets from each other, but she knew he still had some and didn't press him for answers, figuring that he would tell her when he was ready. Her finding out about his prior relationship with Emma should have been a far more serious threat to their relationship than Rigby Fallon was — and they got through that. Granted Pete slept in his quarters alone for a few nights, but they made up — boy did they make up — Kitty blushed as those feelings of disgust once again surfaced, clashing with feelings of longing. So why did that incident lead to them breaking up when finding out about Emma hadn't? Kitty kept asking that question of herself over and over again as her coffee grew cold until she was broken from her reverie by Jean's voice.

"Kitty?" Jean called out to her from the doorway. "You've got a guest in the foyer. "Do you want me to tell her that you're in?" Jean noted from Kitty's face how depressed she was.

"What? Oh, Jean," Kitty picked her head up and forced a grin. "Thanks. That's Ok, Jean, I'll be out. I just want to warm up my coffee first."

"Ok, Kitty. I'll tell her you'll be out in a bit." Jean forced a smile of her own. The recent events had hit her harder than anyone else, but she refused to let them defeat her.

'I could learn a thing or two from her,' Kitty thought as she emptied the cold remnants from her cup and filled it with fresh coffee before leaving the kitchen to meet her guest.

Kitty walked into the foyer carrying her cup of coffee. The person waiting to meet her had her back turned to her, apparently studying Peter's painting of Ororo hanging above the fireplace. She seemed very familiar in a way that the perceptive and analytical young X-woman couldn't quite place.

"Interesting painting. Both the artist and subject are similar. They both hide a turbulent interior behind a calm exterior." Laughing softly, the woman continued, "The subject also looks like someone stuck a ramrod up her rear end." Jean's eyes widened and she repressed a snicker when she heard this highly accurate rendering of both Peter's and Storm's personalities as she left the room to go to the kitchen.

A lump formed in Kitty's throat as she recognized the voice. The young brunette's fears were confirmed as the woman turned around to face her. She was Romany, Pete's older sister. Romany was wearing her usual loose fitting shirt, this time a dark blue shirt, with matching slacks. Her long, dark, straight hair was carefully combed and she still wore the same circular wire frame glasses Kitty remembered from the last time they met. "Hello, Kitty. We need to talk." Her voice, while not hostile in tone, bore a bit of an edge that made the younger woman even more nervous.

Motioning to a comfortable armchair, "Would you like some coffee or tea?" Kitty nervously asked her ex-lover's sister as she gathered herself for the expected explosion of righteous indignation.

"Not here." Romany responded flatly. "The aura of this place is too oppressive and repressive and there's too much of an atmosphere of injury and death for me to be comfortable with the discussion we must have."

'Oh shit,' Kitty inwardly grimaced. 'This discussion is going to get ugly. I'd better pick a place that's public in case it gets out of hand.' "Would Harry's be Ok? It's a local pub, not at all loud, we should be able to have plenty of privacy," Kitty suggested, hoping to have this out on relatively neutral ground.

"That would be fine." The dark haired woman responded in an even voice. "Would you please ask the woman who greeted me to accompany us?"

'This is really going to get ugly.' Kitty winced inwardly. 'She wants a referee.' Smiling a nervous smile to her guest, the younger woman nodded her assent. "If you'd excuse me, I'll ask if she can join us." The young brunette left the room, her anxiety increasing as she went to the kitchen, hoping Jean would be there.

Thankfully, Kitty found the X-Men's unofficial den mother in the kitchen pouring a cup of coffee. The older woman noticed how pale Kitty was and how uncharacteristically she was shaking. "What's wrong, Kitty?" Jean gently asked her ashen companion. "What did your guest want? It looks pretty serious, do you want to talk about it?"

"Jean, it's Pete's sister, Romany. She wants to talk with me over at Harry's and she asked if you would join us," Kitty stammered. While the courageous young X-woman had in her short lifetime faced hostile aliens, evil mutants, demon ninjas, and serial killers — all with grace and bravery — this was her first experience with an ex-lover's older sibling.

"It's ok, Kitty. Take a few moments and center yourself. Remember what Logan taught you." Jean continued, "It sounds to me as if she wants to keep it civil. She's mature enough to know when to have a referee present and she's agreeable to having this talk in a relatively public place." The stunning redhead reassured her. "Just give me a moment to let Betsy know where I'm going, so she can inform the Professor if something should come up."

"Thanks, Jean." Kitty sighed as she took a few deep breaths and found her ki. "I'll let Romany know you're on your way."

The short five-mile ride to Salem Center was made in dead silence as Romany drove Jean and Kitty to Harry's. Entering the pub, the older X-woman guided the party to a rear table. Harry didn't have many customers at this time of the morning, so he came in person to the table, bringing coffee cups, fresh coffee, and ice water to all three ladies. Seeing that the trio wanted privacy, the genial owner discreetly left as soon as he had delivered their drinks to them.

'OK, let's get this over with quickly,' Kitty thought as she said, "Romany, if this is about Pete..."

Romany held up her hand and smiled warmly at the younger woman, "Kitty, it is about Pete, but not in the way you think it is. Yes, I found your breakup with my brother a surprise, because you seemed so happy together. But he's made a muck of other relationships in the past." Her voice took on an edge then, "I don't think that is the case here though. Something else is at work. That is only one of the things I came here to talk to you about. My brother's also about to do something, and if we don't act quickly, he's going to die and someone close to you will die as well." Romany paused for a moment for that to sink in, and give Kitty or Jean a chance to speak.

Jean had planned to just sit and stay silent and not intervene unless absolutely necessary. However, Romany's comment about something else at once sparked an interest in her — as did her remark about Pete and someone close to Kitty being in danger. The times that she had seen Kitty and Pete together, they both seemed quite happy with each other. Their breakup and the subsequent reuniting of the three former X-Men with their old team had surprised — and saddened — her, Betsy, and Rogue. Not that they weren't welcome on the team, but the circumstances were just so odd. Excalibur was a viable team and doing good work. Everyone assumed that once Xavier turned up after his imprisonment during Zero Tolerance, Excalibur would continue as the European outpost of his dream, and, because of the decreased mutant hysteria in the United Kingdom, it was also seen as a possible safe haven in the event everything went to hell in a hand basket here — as it almost had.

Kitty relaxed a little as it sunk in that there would in all probability be no catfight, but tensed up again upon hearing Romany's news. "What are you talking about, Romany? What else is at work here, and how is Pete's life in danger, and who's this loved one of mine?" she asked anxiously, although the perceptive brunette had a feeling that she already knew the answer to that question.

"Pete found out where your father is being held and is planning a rescue. That's why I'm here. Now, if you would indulge me, please, I'll do what I can to answer as many of your questions as possible. Some answers are going to have to wait until later though, so please bear with me," Romany asked as she moved coffee cups, the coffee pot that Harry had so graciously provided, and water glasses aside, then wiped the table off with napkins until all moisture was removed and the table was completely cleaned. She then took from her rather bulky pocketbook a container. Opening the container, Kitty and Jean saw something wrapped in silk. Romany sat still and meditated for a few moments, then opened the silk to reveal a deck of tarot cards. "This is a much better place to do a reading. Better, more positive feelings — less static than at the mansion," the Englishwoman said quietly, then shuffled the cards and meditated while Jean and Kitty looked on.

Jean looked at Kitty, who nodded back at her. The younger woman knew that Romany was well acquainted with the arcane arts and figured that, if she felt it necessary to do this, there was a good reason for it. The more experienced X-woman had also seen enough of the strange and the inexplicable not to dismiss anything out of hand, so she followed the lead of her teammate and sat quietly as Romany finished shuffling.

"Kitty, this card, the Page of Swords, represents you — a young person, very fiery and vigorous, who tends to be active all the time," Romany said as she placed that card in the center of the table. She turned over the first card and placed it above the Page. "This card represents what you would like to achieve. Temperance means that what you want is to take control over your situation."

Romany drew a second card and placed it to the right of the first. "This card reveals the influences on your situation. The King of Swords. An assertive, authoritarian man. Does this sound familiar to you?"

Kitty nodded again. "It sounds like Professor Xavier." Jean had to nod her assent as well.

The dark haired woman drew a third card and placed it to the left of the first card. "Right, Kitty, this card represents the nature of the question. It'll tell us more about what you're facing. The Moon. Hidden secrets or betrayal is at work here. As I thought." Romany finished, her vivid-blue eyes now icy cold.

The two X-women looked at each other in surprise and then returned their attention to their companion.

Romany took a fourth card and placed it underneath the Page of Swords. "Kitty, this card represents the key. It can provide you a clue towards finding your answer. The Queen of Wands. This represents a woman who is confident, spiritual, and has a pleasant personality. She is a fair and strong leader, although she might not seem like the leader." As Romany said this, she looked Jean straight in the eyes.

Jean and Kitty both looked at each other and then at Romany. "What do I have to do with this?" Jean asked, puzzled. "I mean, I'd be glad to help Kitty in any way I can, but I don't understand."

Romany again held up her hand and grinned. "Please, wait until I'm finished. Then I'm sure you'll know how you can help her." Romany then pulled a fifth card and placed it to the right of the Page as the grin disappeared from her face. "Ten of Swords. Betrayal — a stab in the back by someone thought to be a friend."

Knowing Romany was rarely mistaken, Kitty tried to figure out where the betrayal came from. "Could it have been Wolverine as Death?" she asked, remembering how Apocalypse had conditioned her old friend into becoming one of his Horsemen. "Is that the betrayal?"

Romany shook her head sadly, "No. This card represents present influences. That happened in the past. I'm sorry, there is someone else betraying you — someone close to you — present company not included." She gave Jean a reassuring smile and then drew a sixth card, placing it to the left of the Page. "This card represents future influences. The Queen of Swords. This is a woman who is assertive and knows how to lead. She tends to act on what she wants in life. Does this remind you of anyone?"

"Several people, actually," the younger woman replied thoughtfully. "Betsy, Domino, Emma, Carol Danvers, Mystique, Sue Richards, Storm, Val Cooper, all fit that description, and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head."

Drawing a seventh card, Romany placed this one next to the Queen of Wands on the right. "This card represents your effect on the situation. The eight of wands. It represents you taking action — possibly traveling. You'll have to take decisive action — and soon — for a successful outcome."

Romany then drew the eighth card and placed it to the left of the Queen of Wands. "The Star. Kitty, Jean, this represents the environment surrounding the question. It indicates darkness, but with the hope of a solution."

"The penultimate card," Romany continued as she drew the ninth card. "Kitty, this card represents your hopes and fears." The Englishwoman smiled as she placed the card beneath the Queen of Wands. "The Two of Cups." Smiling an even brighter smile, Romany continued her explanation. "This card represents the union of two people."

"The last card. This card represents the final outcome." Drawing the card, she placed it underneath the last card she drew. Upon seeing the card, Kitty and Jean instinctively drew back in alarm. Romany spoke quickly to reassure them. "Death does not mean misfortune or physical death. It signifies a transition — usually from one way of life to another. It is not a bad card and it does not denote disaster. If the card was the Tower, then there would be cause for worry."

Kitty and Jean both breathed audible sighs of relief upon hearing her explanation. Romany then surveyed the entire layout, in the form of the Tree of Life. "Kitty, Jean, the cards clearly point towards some betrayal or manipulation. The source of the manipulation is usually revealed in either a face card or a major arcana card. Looking at these cards, I think it safe to say that we can rule out any of the major arcana. That leaves face cards. It is not you, Jean." Romany stated in a clear, matter of fact tone. "It is not the Queen of Swords. She represents the future and will be an aid to you — and to my brother and me as well, I will admit." Continuing implacably in an edged tone, Romany finished. "That leaves only one other card — The King of Swords. He is your betrayer and manipulator."

Romany motioned for both of them to be seated. "Please. This is important for several reasons. Not only is my brother's life at stake. So also is the life of your father, Kitty, as well as your future happiness. There is not much time to act. If you do not move soon, then events will have proceeded beyond the point where you or I can influence them." Romany waited until both women sat down again, then continued. "Ms. Grey, you have it within yourself to ascertain whether Kitty has been manipulated or not. Kitty, it's up to you. Do you want to know the truth — regardless of the cost or the hurt?"

Kitty sank back into her chair. Since she had returned from Excalibur she had faced one reverse after another. Now this. The person who had originally taught and trained her; the person who gave her a sense of purpose — his dream — had apparently manipulated and used her for some unknown purpose. Kitty considered just giving up. Walking out the door; finding a bar; lying about her age; and just getting drunk and staying that way. That would ease her pain. 'But only for a short while,' she ruefully admitted to herself. At the core of her being, Kitty was a fighter and hated to give up; she had always stood her ground and took on all challengers. She could imagine Logan talking to her now, "Punkin', I know ya want to give up, and that way looks easy. But you know you gotta look at yourself in the mirror the next day, and the day after that — for the rest of your life. You got people depending on ya — and more important, you got you depending on what you do now. I'm not gonna tell ya what to do — I taught you everything I know about duty, honor, and obligation, and you learned well from the ol' Canucklehead. Now it's up to you." Kitty made her decision. "Jean — do what you have to do."

The first of Xavier's students looked at Kitty, silently asking the unvoiced question, 'Are you sure?' The younger woman's steely gaze answered her question in the affirmative. The telepath, weary from her recent struggles, but wanting to help her friend, concentrated and entered Kitty's mind. Soon she broke her probe, shaking her head. Kitty and Romany both awaited her response as the Englishwoman held a glass of water for a stunned Jean. "Romany's right." Jean said softly, regretfully. "You've got multiple hooks and blocks in your mind — all the Professor's. They're all so intricately placed. I'm too weak to remove them on my own; Cable is off God knows where, and Betsy still does not have her telepathic abilities..." Jean didn't want to finish her statement, knowing how Kitty felt about the only other solution Jean had.

"Why would the Professor do this to me? Why would he ruin my life like this? I was happy." The younger woman, resembling a deer caught in the headlights, looked at the two older women for some answers.

"I can't say for sure, but I've noticed a progressive pattern with him since the confrontation with Magneto. I had attributed his harshness to Onslaught, but I'm beginning to doubt that as the only cause. Look at how he orchestrated the breakup of the team and then how ruthlessly he telepathically screened everyone following the discovery of the Skrull Wolverine. Maybe he had advanced knowledge of Apocalypse and felt that harsh measures were necessary? Maybe something of Onslaught is still within him, and he's not in complete control of his faculties?" Jean thoughtfully mused, trying to see both sides of the issue and give her old mentor every benefit of the doubt.

"But why break me and Pete up?" Kitty responded. "How does that impact on Apocalypse? Even if we had remained in England — and to be honest, we probably would have if we'd stayed together — all the Professor would have had to do was call, and we would have come. It just doesn't make sense."

Romany cleared her throat and looked at Kitty sympathetically. "Maybe both of you are looking too hard at the big things and not enough at the little. From what little Pete has told me about your group, it's as much family as a team — is that an accurate assessment?"

The mystic smiled and went on, "I think he sees himself as Abraham. He views himself as patriarch of all mutants and, as patriarch he knows what is best, and should one his 'children' prove rebellious — well he has not just the right, but the duty to chastise them."

"I can't believe the Professor would do this to me merely to punish me for having an affair with Pete!" Kitty slammed her hand down on the table.

"Not to punish you, Kitty — although that probably does play a part in his actions." The older X-woman spoke, taking over for Romany. "And I don't think Charles' actions were aimed completely at you — although it's true that he did not like Pete, and I'd bet good money that Ororo was influencing developments behind the scenes. I think that there are some deep psychological issues at work here that can only be dealt with through professional counseling, and I don't really want to speculate on them now — although once we get this taken care of, I think I'm going to give Doc Samson a call. But I also think part of the problem was Excalibur."

"Why would Excalibur be a problem for him?" the brunette asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Because in his mind you were undisciplined." Jean began her lecture. "For as long as I've known Charles, he has always insisted on order, hierarchy, and discipline. While I was his student, I was as much military recruit undergoing basic training as student. We in the original five lived a structured life all under the rigid control of the Professor. Scott, Warren, Hank, and Bobby still have trouble standing up to him — and I'll admit it's tough for me as well. The second wave of recruits, with the exception of Logan and the late John Proudstar, in many ways resembled the first. Peter came from an authoritarian culture, so he easily adapted to Xavier's regime. Kurt, while adopted, was raised by a gypsy family in which a strong family structure was a cultural given — in Kurt's case, there was no patriarch, but Margali was a strong matriarch so no real difference there — he still came from a structured background and belongs to a structured and hierarchically organized Church. His time with Excalibur eroded a lot of his acceptance of hierarchy, but it's still there in the core of his being. And Storm — well, her case is interesting. She started out as an orphan, but as her powers manifested and she left Cairo for an isolated existence in Kenya, she became worshipped as a goddess. Basically she fell into a hierarchical structure, but at the top of the hierarchy rather than the bottom — so it's natural for her to accept that arrangement. Look at how quickly she advanced to a leadership role after Scott left the team." Jean's green eyes moistened when she said that — the first X-woman didn't like to be reminded of how the Phoenix had taken both her identity and Scott.

Kitty squeezed Jean's hand and, refilling her water glass, handed it to her. The older woman wiped the tears from her eyes with a napkin and softly thanked her younger companion. Romany looked away until the redhead regained her composure and continued her explanation. "Excalibur, however, was organized chaos — and it worked. That's what really galled Charles and Storm. Both of them saw Excalibur as a madhouse — even though you were probably the most effective and most smoothly run of all the X-teams. You were also the most public of the X-teams — and you were, for the most part, accepted by the government and people in England and on the Continent. Where the X-men were failing in improving mutant-human relations — you were succeeding. You were taking a different route — close to Xavier's, but not quite his interpretation of the dream, and I think it grated on him on a conscious and subconscious level."

Kitty nodded, remembering her reveries earlier in the morning. She had come close to the same conclusion.

Romany then laughed as Jean picked up a glass of water, "Basically, Kitty, you're all a pack of heretics and your professor carried out an Inquisition without you knowing about it!"

"Exactly!" Jean laughed back, the good-natured humor of the Englishwoman dispelling her dark mood.

"Ok. I can live with being a heretic." Kitty joined in on the laughter. "But why go through all this trouble to break me and Pete up?"

The senior X-woman stopped laughing, a serious look taking over her face, her green eyes revealing her worry that her analysis might in fact be right. "Part of it plays into that very point. It's because you're his and Ororo's china doll. I'll admit I'm on shaky ground here, but I think it's because you've upset their idyllic patriarchal family structure. You see — you rebellious minx..." Jean laughed good naturedly, joined by Romany and Kitty, "...you're supposed to be the next matriarch after Storm and me. Peter was to be the solid and stolid patriarch — although I think both Charles and Storm anticipated that it would be you who would be calling all the shots — well, I'm sure Charles anticipated that — Ororo does have some rather traditional attitudes regarding a woman's place in the home." Kitty nodded her head, remembering the many conversations she had with Storm in the past.

Jean took another sip of water and continued. "You join the X-men and you're being groomed for your future role, and then shit starts happening. Xavier takes off with the Starjammers. You, Kurt, and Peter get injured during the Morlock Massacre and are sent to Muir and then form Excalibur. Ororo and the other X-Men go to Dallas, and, well we know how that ended up." Jean's voice took on a harsh tone. Like Kitty and Kurt, the older X-woman felt betrayed by the X-Men's failure to let them know they were still alive. "Excalibur builds a life for itself and succeeds. While you're overseas away from the structured existence of the X-men, you grow up and meet the James Dean of the mutant set." Everyone at the table laughed at that characterization of Pete Wisdom. "Then you guys come over to the mansion — and, well, we all know happened then!" Kitty blushed a deep crimson while Romany laughed — Pete had given his older sister a blow-by-blow description of his first encounter with the mad mutant hordes — leaving out the more intimate details, of course — although he did tell her about the nosy little toerag voyeur.

The redheaded telepath refilled her water glass and continued. "Pete doesn't like hierarchy — doesn't trust it — and with good reason." Kitty and Romany both nodded their heads in agreement. "So he immediately lands on the bad side of Scott, Charles, and Storm — and could care less." Everyone at the table nodded at that assessment. "Our ill-tempered Brit comes to Muir, meets and falls in love with the china doll who also falls in love with him, rebelling against the carefully laid out destiny planned for her." Jean's green eyes looked sympathetically at Kitty. She'd also had to contend with the feeling that her life had been predetermined, and hated the feeling of not being able to control her own destiny. "Now, here I think we are definitely getting into some deep psychological issues, and I'll admit to being on shaky grown with my thoughts on this, and I could well be completely off-base, our favorite mutant rebel commits what was probably the unpardonable sin — he actually had the nerve to 'defile' you with his touch — and then, to ice the cake, he threatens to take you away by exposing you to the real world — which you begin to both enjoy and thrive in. So, in order to preserve the future and the purity of his dream, Xavier had to separate you from Pete so that you could fulfill your destiny as the future X-mother."

"Ultimately, though..." Jean finished. "...we're only going to find out the truth by confronting him and forcing an answer. And I doubt even then we'll know the full truth."

The other two women nodded their heads in agreement. "Well, if Betsy and Cable can't help, that leaves only one choice if I'm to be rid of his blocks," Kitty said, realizing that she would have to go to the one person that she really did not want to go to, but had to if she wanted to be healed. "Emma."

Kitty thought for a moment before speaking, "We need to find an excuse for leaving the mansion that would not arouse the Professor's suspicions."

Jean answered, "He's not at his best now, but he's still formidable. If Charles should become suspicious, he might be able to stop us. I'll call Emma, give her a rundown on the situation and let her know we're coming. I'll also ask her to tell Jubilee to return to the Academy immediately. It's close to midterms now there anyway, I believe, so she'd have to be returning soon regardless — the Professor shouldn't suspect anything from that. In fact, he's probably expecting Emma to call. We'll tell Jubilee that she can see Logan on the weekends. She'll be mad and she'll yell bloody murder, and we'll probably have to drag her out of the mansion kicking and screaming, but she'll go. Betsy can keep an eye on things at the mansion while we're gone. I'll give her a call, too."

Jean went to the phone in Harry's office and a few minutes later came out. "I got Emma and gave her a brief rundown on what happened. She's as shocked and angry as we are, and has agreed to help. I also contacted Betsy and asked her to meet us here. She'll be here in a few minutes," Jean concluded, sitting down and reaching for her coffee.

Romany stood up. "I need to use the phone now too, if I may. There is one other person that must be involved if my brother and Kitty's father are going to survive this."

Somewhat later Betsy came into the pub, wearing tight jeans and a designer shirt, and sauntered to where the women were sitting as if she were meeting friends for a late coffee break. "Right, will someone please tell me what's going on here?" she inquired softly as she sat down.

Jean gave Betsy a quick and thorough rundown of events telepathically. After Jean's telepathic synopsis, Betsy quietly picked up the mineral water she had ordered, saying, "I'm not surprised. Disappointed, but not surprised. It's an act that Xavier is more than capable of doing if he felt it necessary. I agree with a lot of your suspicions, but I would also add one other point." The English aristocrat paused, her violet eyes reflecting her anger at her friend's violation. "In many ways Xavier and Magneto are opposite sides of the same coin. Both of them are arrogant, self-righteous, and absolutely sure that their way is the only way. And both will do whatever it takes to ensure the success of their respective dreams. Charles' dream in its pure form is a noble one — and one I still agree with." Nods of assent from both Kitty and Jean greeted that statement. "But the dreamer has shown himself to be human. He has placed the needs of the many over the needs of the few and, in the process, hurt two people I've grown very fond of," Betsy smiled warmly at Kitty, who returned her smile. "There has to be some response to what he has done." Again nods from the two other X-women. "But, in the interests of Kitty and Pete, I would suggest that we table any discussions on what to do about Xavier until later." Both Kitty and Jean nodded agreement with Betsy as Romany returned from Harry's office.

After being introduced to Betsy by Kitty, Romany told the women that she had contacted the other party and that this person would meet them at the Massachusetts Academy as soon as possible. "Kitty, Jean, I believe she is a mutual acquaintance of yours — Carol Danvers."

Kitty smiled at that. She liked Carol and had worked with her recently when the Brood and the Badoon kidnapped all the heroes.

Betsy then continued, "Jean, you and Kitty had better come with me. From what you've told me, Emma has probably already notified Charles about having Jubilee returned. I think you and Kitty would make excellent chaperones for Ms. Lee, don't you agree?" A cold smile crossed Betsy's lips.

As the women got up to settle their bill and leave, Romany said that she would meet them at the Academy as soon as she could and would then fill everyone in on what she knew regarding the danger Pete and Kitty's father was in.

The drive back to the mansion mirrored the trip to Harry's, only with one exception. Anger and resolve now filled the eyes of all three women in the car — Kitty especially, as she was determined to find out exactly what the man who had taken her into his school so many years ago did to her and why he ruined her life. They agreed in the car to avoid all possible contact with the Professor. Someone, however, had to deal with him. It was agreed that Jean should, as she was the strongest mentally of all three, and the one he trusted most. Jean would arrange to meet him after Emma's call and offer herself and Kitty as escorts for Jubilee's ride back and then pack her things. Kitty would immediately go and pack and then wait for Jean and Jubilee outside, avoiding all contact with the Professor and keeping her mental shields up throughout. "If Charles should get suspicious..." Betsy advised, "...then tell him you're feeling very stressed and that you need a few moments of mental privacy, but that you would like to see him at some convenient time to talk. That should allay his suspicions long enough for you to be gone and out of harm's way." Kitty nodded as the car passed the mansion gate and pulled up to the front of the estate.

Jean's timing was indeed very good as the Professor sent a delicate mental summons for her as soon as she entered the mansion with Kitty and Betsy. <Jean, could you please come to my office.>

<Yes, sir,> Jean responded telepathically. Turning to Betsy and Kitty, "We're on." The other two went immediately to their assigned duties — Kitty to packing and getting ready, Betsy to the infirmary to help with the inevitably difficult task of coaxing Jubilee away from Logan.

Jean knocked on the door of the Professor's office and, upon receiving his permission to enter, opened the door and walked in. "Hello, Charles, what can I do for you?" Jean asked in a pleasant voice.

"I was hoping I could impose on you for a favor, Jean." The Professor replied politely to her inquiry, giving her a wan smile. Jean couldn't help but notice how the strains of the last few months had worn him down, and felt momentarily sorry for her old teacher, advisor, and friend.

Shielding her thoughts carefully, Jean assured him that she would be glad to help him. "What do you need me to do for you, Charles?"

"I know things have been especially hard on you recently and that you've been spending almost all of your time here, Jean. I am concerned about how you're holding up. I just got a call from Ms. Frost. It seems that it's almost time for midterms and Emma's concerned about Jubilee missing so many classes. I concur. She's been a great help here during the most recent crisis, and I know that she and Kitty both are worried about Logan, but Jubilee needs to return to her friends and her studies. I was hoping that you would agree to take her back to the Academy? That would not only return Jubilee to her studies, but it would also give you a chance to refresh yourself a little bit. Maybe take some time for yourself on the way back to do some sightseeing — perhaps take in the fall ambience?" the Professor finished, looking at Jean hopefully.

Jean pretended to think it over for a few minutes. "Of course, I would be glad to escort Jubilee back." Catching a breath, she continued, "If I might make another suggestion?"

"I think it would be a good idea for Kitty to accompany us. Kitty has been spending a great deal of time here as well, and a change of scenery might do her some good too." Jean awaited her old mentor's answer.

Thinking for a moment, Xavier smiled at his former student who once again showed her awareness of people and their needs. "I think that is a good suggestion. I've noticed how Kitty has been sinking into what seems to be a depression, and I am considering mental therapy for her once I have recovered sufficiently. I'm concerned with her increased drinking, too. Oh, it's not dangerous now, she has yet to drink to the point where she is not in control of her faculties, but she is much too young to be partaking to the extent she has been recently. I think it's symptomatic of other deeper causes that a mental probe should reveal. For now though, spending time with people close to her in age would be the best medicine for her."

Hearing this, Jean finally understood where Kitty had been coming from these past months. 'Kitty is a good three to five years or more older than most of Emma's students and has seen a hell of a lot more than they have,' Jean mused, carefully shielding her thoughts. 'No wonder she's pissed at being treated as a child. I don't blame her. Thankfully, Sarah and Jubilee have been around so people have been more or less leaving Kitty alone recently. And that crack of Charles about mentally probing her really has me concerned. I wonder if he's going to try more behavioral modification. I might be right when I said that he saw her as some sort of ideal type. It almost seems as if he does not want her to mature into her own person, but rather into some porcelain doll. We have to get this taken care of when we get back,' Jean concluded her reverie grimly, still carefully shielding her thoughts from even the most casual surface scan. Speaking out loud, "I'll fetch Kitty and see if she wants to come along."

"Thanks, Jean, and if Kitty should prove reluctant, just send her to see me," Xavier finished, dismissing her.

"Right, Charles." Jean responded as she left his office, knowing that there would be no problem with Kitty wanting to go.

Kitty had finished her packing — some extra street clothes, a comfortable sleep shirt, underwear, and toiletries. She looked at her fighting suit with the blue and yellow X-Man colors and the belt with the X prominently displayed on its buckle, and threw it aside in disgust. Instead, she went into her closet and chose the black leather outfit that she wore that time in Madripoor when she worked with Sabertooth. She also took out her katana and some shuriken and carefully packed them. As she went through her closet, she saw Rachel's slip and wrap, the outfit she wore for her first time with Pete, hanging there. Kitty fought down the waves of shame and disgust cascading through her mind, saying to herself, 'Those thoughts do not belong to me! They're the Professor's and I refuse to claim them!' Kitty gritted her teeth and swore a curse at the man who had so used her. Impulsively, she took the slip and wrap out of the closet and packed them with everything else. 'I doubt I'll wear it, but if nothing else I can give the wrap to Pete as a keepsake — that is, if he wants it. I don't think Ray would mind.' Kitty choked back a tear.

Betsy was right. Getting Jubilee away from Logan's side and packed to go was a war that engaged her, Jean, Kitty, Moira, Cecilia, and eventually the Professor who finally mentally compelled the young woman to get packed and ready to go. Hearing telepathically the Professor's mental compulsion of the young Chinese-American who in many ways resembled Kitty in her rebellious nature, Jean quickly informed Kitty and Betsy telepathically. All three women looked at each other with increasing concern at the Professor's heavy-handed action. Taking a last look at Logan, Jubilee promised that she would be back soon. The battered X-Man lifted his head and smiled at her.

Everyone else left, leaving Kitty with Logan and Moira. "How's he going to be, Moira?" Kitty asked, the strain in her voice showing.

"Och, he'll be fine. He just needs his rest. How aboot yuirself?" Moira asked Kitty pointedly.

"Better. I'm going with Jean and Jubilee. I thought that taking a break from this place might be a good thing to do right now. I just didn't want Logan to think I was abandoning him."

"Yuir doin' no such thing, lass, so get those ideas out of yuir head," Moira responded to Kitty's concerns. The doctor was in fact worried about Kitty. She saw the signs of incipient depression and was concerned about her increased drinking recently, and had planned to talk to her about it. Not to chew her out about drinking because she was too young — as certain others within the mansion thought was the case-- but rather as someone who was concerned that a patient and a friend might be in trouble and wanted to help in any way she could. However it seemed that Kitty might have found her own form of therapy, and Moira was quite content to see how that worked out first. "If you need to talk to someone — you ken where to come to, don't you lass?" Moira finished, letting her friend know that she had someone she could turn to.

"Yeah. Thanks, Moira. But I think I'm going to be better. You know what they say about fresh air and new scenery being able to heal body and soul." Kitty smiled at her old host and friend, knowing that Moira still clung to the Excalibur notion of respecting each person's privacy and individuality while at the same time being there for the other.

"'s ok, Kit, you go do what ya gotta do. I'll be here waitin' for ya." Logan smiled a weak smile and sunk his head back on his pillow. It almost seemed as if he knew that Kitty had plans for more than a simple reality vacation and that he approved of those plans.

Returning to her room, Kitty took her suitcase, and called out for Lockheed. "Hey, dragon! Come here, I need you."

The little purple dragon snorted two plumes of smoke from his nostrils at Kitty's summons and flew from his perch on top of her bookcase to land on her shoulder.

"Yah," Lockheed seemed to say as he wrapped his tail gently around Kitty's neck.

Kitty left the mansion carrying her suitcase and with Lockheed draped over her shoulders. Jubilee, Betsy, and Jean were already there. Quickly loading her suitcase in the trunk, she handed Lockheed over to Jubilee who promptly started playing with the dragon as she climbed into the back seat of the car. 'Well, at least Lockheed likes her,' Kitty thought, remembering wistfully the wars that he and Pete continually fought with each other.

Betsy placed a comforting hand on both Jean and Kitty's shoulders. "Don't worry about things here, you two. I'll keep an eye out. My mental shields are still quite strong and Charles is still relatively weak. As long as I don't give him any reason to suspect we should be all right. And in any event, soon you'll be out of his reach and he won't be able to influence things anyway. And tell Jubilee I'll keep a watch for Logan." Betsy meant that remark as much for Kitty as for Logan's other surrogate daughter now sitting impatiently in the back of the car.

Both Jean and Kitty thanked their friend and got into the car to go, Jean driving the first leg of the trip with Kitty riding beside her. As the car pulled out of the driveway, Betsy stayed watching them until they disappeared outside the gate and on their way to the Massachusetts Academy and, Betsy hoped, an eventual reunification of the lovers so cruelly and methodically severed from each other.

Jubilee's classmates Skin, Chamber, Synch, and Tristan, Paige Guthrie's new boyfriend and a normal human who knew they were all mutants, were all outside of the main administration building of the Massachusetts Academy, enjoying a lazy Sunday morning playing touch football with Paige watching when Jean and Kitty drove up, Kitty behind the wheel. Jubilee jumped out the back, followed by Lockheed who couldn't wait to take to the freedom of the open air.

"Lockheed! Get your purple ass down here right now, you soddin' dragon! We got regular students here! You know better, Lockheed! Get back here, you stupid wanker!" Kitty yelled a stream of English curse words learned from her former lover at her wayward pet, until, properly chastised, he returned to her shoulders. "We'll find some space for you to stretch out now, so don't you pout, dragon. I've got enough problems here, I don't need you sulking." Kitty softened her voice as she soothed the dragon that responded by sticking his tongue out and licking her face.

The little group playing football stopped their game to laugh at the spectacle of Kitty chewing out her unusual pet.

Synch answered, "That's a friend of Jubilee's, Kitty Pryde. She used to live in England and Scotland for a while."

<She's got a right impressive vocabulary, she does.> Jono added telepathically, impressed with her use of English slang.

"What are you talking about?" Tristan asked the Hispanic mutant, his curiosity piqued by the tone in Skin's voice.

Everett's dark complexion hid what would surely have been a deep crimson blush as Jono responded with a telepathic laugh. Skin was about to relay the stories of life and love on Muir Island and wherever else Kitty Pryde and her former lover Pete Wisdom happened to be when Paige ran up to him and slapped him hard across the face. "Ah don' want you tellin' Tristan a bunch o' stuff that ain't true and that you know ain't true, Espinosa!" The slap didn't really hurt the elastic Skin but, getting the message, he shut up, mouthing to Tristan, 'later,' after Paige, satisfied with her verbal and physical reprimand, had turned and walked away.

Skin's attention was soon diverted anyway when he caught a glimpse of the stunning redhead who got out on the passenger's side and walked over to join Kitty, who was attracting a fair amount of attention in the looks department herself. All the elastic mutant along with his fellow males could do was watch longingly as the two beautiful women walked up the stairs into the main office building.

Jubilee had finally caught up to the little gathering and, seeing the attention of all of the males focused on the X-women, picked up the football lying on the ground and then threw it hard right at Everett's chest. Everett let out a woof as air escaped him and he quickly collapsed to the ground. Paige, angry herself at having to watch the Gen-X males, including her boyfriend, drooling at the two older X-women, laughed hysterically when Jubilee's accurate pass laid Everett out.

"Teach you to make eyes at Big Red and little Miss Sweetness. Yeah right. I saw her wardrobe. I saw that number that Limey boyfriend of hers bought her that time," Jubilee muttered with more than a hint of envy in her voice, thinking as she laughed at Everett sprawled out on the ground, 'I wish you'd buy me something like that.' While Jubilee put on a front of not caring about Kitty to her friends, she had, since Illyana's death, actually become good friends with her. In truth, their relationship went beyond just friendship. Because of their connection with Logan, the young Amerasian mutant had begun to see Kitty as the older sister she didn't have, and the lonely brunette seemed to be responding. They had had many long conversations over the phone after her breakup, and Jubilee knew that her friend was hurting. Neither Kitty nor Jean talked much on the way over, and Jubilee could see that both women were upset over something. She promised herself she would find out what the hell was going on and would do everything she could to help her friend, and through their surrogate father, her sister.

As Kitty and Jean entered Emma Frost's office, the regal headmistress rose from her seat behind her desk to greet them. Emma Frost, as usual, looked like perfection. She would have it no other way. Wearing a white professional suit-dress combination, she stepped out from behind the desk and clasped both Jean's and Kitty's hands. Seeing the suspicious look on Kitty's face, Emma sighed inwardly, 'Will I ever be able to put my past behind me?' "Kitty, I know you find it hard to trust me, and I understand why. Please believe me when I say I am trying to atone for past mistakes."

Kitty looked at Emma, remembering past hurts. Kitty had a big heart and could forgive almost anyone anything, but that forgiveness did have its limits. Colossus had crossed over some of them when he attacked Pete Wisdom. And recently Ororo had come close to crossing them. Emma had crossed over almost all of them. And knowing that Emma had had a prior relationship with Pete didn't help matters much. But Kitty also knew that Emma was sincerely trying to make up for her past. She got that from conversations with Jubilee, and with Sean and Moira, as well as through Emma's own actions. She had heard from Angelica about how Emma had apologized to her at Avengers Mansion, and Sean had told her about how Emma apologized to Tom Corsi for siccing Empath on to him and Sharon Friedlander that time. 'Emma was a former lover of Pete's and wants to help not just me but him also.' Kitty thought. 'I'd do anything to have him back safe and sound. I'd even sell my soul to the devil if that's what it takes.'

Emma's voice in her mind broke her reverie, < I'm not the devil and I don't want your soul, Kitty. And I'd like to see you and that 'unique' mutual acquaintance of ours back together again. Jean told me what happened and I think I can help. But I need both yours and Jean's cooperation to break those mental blocks and hooks Xavier's put into your mind. It won't be easy, and we're going to have to go deep to make sure all of them are gone so that you will be your own person again. Will you trust me enough to help you now?>

Kitty looked her former enemy in the eyes and nodded. "I'm ready whenever you and Jean are." The former White Queen smiled at Kitty, and motioned for the younger woman to lie down on the couch as Emma joined hands with Jean and prepared to embark on another step in her road to redemption.

Jubilee went back into the main office and snuck into the side office that used to belong Adrienne, Emma's sister and — until recently — assistant headmistress, carefully closing the door behind her. Adrienne had had the intercom rigged so that she could overhear conversations from Emma's office. As their psionic powers cancelled each other out, it was a simple, but effective means of eavesdropping. Sean and Emma were so primed to detect sophisticated electronic or telepathic eavesdropping that the equivalent of someone sticking their ear to the door just never crossed their minds. Jubilee flipped the switch on Adrienne's desk and sat back on the plush chair to listen in.

Jean and Emma found themselves looking at a typical suburban house. "Where are we?" Jean's psychic form asked, looking at Emma. Jean was dressed in her Phoenix garb, while Emma wore her white one-piece fighting togs.

"We are in front of Kitty's house in Deerfield, Illinois. I remember from the time when I came here to try to recruit her for the Hellfire Club." Emma left out the fact that she had orchestrated the kidnapping of Wolverine, Storm, and Colossus as well. "You weren't here at the time. The original Phoenix was."

They both heard shouting and, entering the house, saw a couple arguing loudly with each other.

"You're never home!" The man shouted. "Katherine comes back from school and I come home from work to what — a microwave dinner if we're lucky. If not, then take out. Is that any way for a family to live?! What sort of a mother are you?! Do you know how rare it is for either one of us to see you?"

"What sort of a mother am I?! I'll have you know I spend far more time with our daughter than you do! Who is it that takes her to dance classes? Waits on her while she stays after school in her computer club? Takes her shopping and buys her all these books — most of which I can barely read the titles of? You have any idea how often I have to take off of work because of her? And what do you do? You go on business trips for days — sometimes weeks at a time. And what about Melissa? Did you honestly think you could keep that from me?" The woman fired back, taking a dish she had in her hand and throwing it against the wall. The argument continued, growing increasingly violent as Emma and Jean watched with increasing discomfort.

"Kitty's mother and father," Emma quietly said, her voice colored by both sympathy and empathy.

Jean looked on the scene, her eyes clouding over with sympathy for the young woman whose mind they were in. She had known only loving parents who never fought in her presence.

"We need to find Kitty." Emma told Jean in a matter of fact tone that hid her unease at witnessing this scene. "Upstairs."

The two women found a young Kitty, aged 13, and huddled in a corner in her room. "I'm bad. I'm evil. It's because I'm becoming a ghost. They hate me. They hate me!" Her sobs added a chorus to the strident argument going on downstairs.

As the two women approached Kitty, a figure materialized in front of them. It was Charles Xavier. "This child is mine. You have no business here. Leave now! I will take care of her and guide her along the correct path."

"Go get Kitty, Jean! She's the one that has to throw off Xavier's hook. I'll hold him off as long as I can!" Emma then appeared in a suit of armor reminiscent of something out of a Renaissance Florentine painting. Wearing a silver breast and back plate, silver greaves and gauntlets, and a white plumed open-faced helmet, and wielding a long, silver sword, the regal White Queen looked every inch the perfect Renaissance knight. The simulacrum of Xavier, looking like a Roman gladiator, drew out a short sword and shield of its own and attacked Emma, while Jean rushed to the frightened young girl.

Jean reached Kitty and held the young girl to her while Emma fended off the blows of pseudo-Xavier. "Kitty. Reach into yourself. Find the strength you have within you. You are not responsible for your parents' marriage falling apart — they did that on their own. You do not have to run in fear from someone you love because they couldn't live together. That's it, isn't it? You were afraid that you and Pete would end up just like your mother and father. Xavier saw that and used that as a wedge. Don't give him the satisfaction — throw him out!"

Jean comforting the crying and scared Kitty triggered the young woman's memory of another time. She was hiding in a basement from the goons that had kidnapped her new friends and a woman just like the one holding her now was holding on to her then. She remembered how that woman gave her the confidence and the strength to continue on. Jean could see something change in Kitty's brown eyes — a spark of determination pushing out the fears. Phoenix knew that she had to feed that spark if Kitty was going to win this.

Jean turned and saw Emma in combat with the imitation Xavier. It was like watching a falcon bearing down on its prey. The White Queen's sword seemed to be singing as it hammered Xavier's shield. But no matter how hard Emma swung her sword, she couldn't defeat her opponent. "Kitty! You are the one who has to win this! Emma's doing all she can...reach Kitty — reach into yourself, you can do it!

The spark that Phoenix had first seen in those brown eyes grew into a fire as the scared thirteen-year-old then became an adult Shadowcat wearing her black costume and carrying a katana slung across her back. Drawing her katana, she let out a yell and cut a diagonal slash down the phony Xavier starting from his shoulder and cutting clean through the small of the back dispersing the image.

Emma and Jean suddenly found themselves in a clearing back in their original fighting costumes. Kitty and Peter were sitting on the ground talking. "This is when Peter broke up with her — before her trip to Japan and confrontation with Ogun." Jean told the former White Queen, filling her in on all the details.

The conversation continued for a while, until Kitty got up and walked away. When she was sure she was out of Colossus's sight, she started to run.

The teenaged girl turned around in surprise. "What do you want? Can't you see I just want to be alone?"

"Why? So you can just feel sorry for yourself because an idiot hurt you? Welcome to the human race." Emma knew that tough love was the key to forcing Kitty to resolve this situation.

"What would you know about love or hurt?" Kitty looked at her, tears running down her cheek.

"Yes. What would you know about being abandoned?" A voice from behind her challenged her.

Turning around, Emma saw another faux-Xavier. This one was in his wheelchair smoking a pipe. She realized that this particular battle for Kitty's soul had to be won with feelings, not brute force. "What would I know of being abandoned, Kitty?" The White Queen's pale-blue eyes resembled cold steel. "My father, who used to beat both my mother and me, committed me to a mental institution when my powers began to awaken and I complained of 'hearing voices.' He was afraid his insane daughter would jeopardize his newly attained social standing. I escaped and lived on the streets — doing whatever — and I do mean whatever — I had to do to survive. While I was turning tricks to afford food and a place to keep out of the rain and cold, my sisters were attending their coming out parties wearing Versaci gowns and Tiffany diamonds. So yes, I know about abandonment, Kitty. One problem, though, I didn't have a Pete Wisdom that I could be with at the time. So I used my powers to get rich and tried to buy what I'd felt I'd been cheated out of. Thing is, that only got me flunkies, not friends. Not someone who could care for me and who I could care for. Now I'm hoping it's not too late for me. Don't let this man..." she jerked her thumb towards the fake Xavier, "... drive you away from being who you are and from being with the one you love. But it's up to you — all I can do is let you know you have options. You can either tell that bastard back there to bugger off, or you can stay here — a whimpering 14 year old child — and pass up any chance of happiness with him," Emma then motioned towards a simulation of Pete waiting under a tree.

Jean listened to Emma open her heart with mouth agape. She had always seen her as the evil White Queen, not as a human being shaped by experience and pain. This was a side of Emma Frost that took her completely by surprise. Jean now felt a keener sense of empathy not only with Emma, but also with her mercenary 'son' Cable and with Logan, Domino, Pete, Gambit, Rogue, and the rest of those who saw the world in shades of gray rather than in the black and white that Charles and Scott so preferred. She also promised herself that she would die before revealing what she'd seen here to anyone, ever.

Emma looked at Jean. She didn't have to say thanks for promising to keep her secret. Jean would understand.

Pseudo-Xavier put down his pipe and stretched out his arms to the teenaged girl, "I know what's best for you, Kitty. Ignore this strumpet and the wastrel standing there. They're not our type. We are your family and I'm your father."

Kitty looked at both images, then a mature Kitty looked at the wheelchair bound Xavier and said just two words. "Sod off."

Emma and Jean were now facing a door, but now a third woman joined them. They both smiled as they realized the significance of this. They were almost there. An adult Kitty stood between them wearing her fighting rig.

"Welcome, Katherine, it's about time you decided to make an appearance with us," Emma smiled. "We're not home yet, but now that you're fighting alongside us, we should be able to remove the rest of the blocks."

Kitty looked at Jean and Emma with a determined look on her face. "Let's get this over with. I have someone I want to see."

They stood before a door. As the three women moved towards the door, an image of Storm appeared.

Emma held Jean back. "This is Kitty's fight. She's established her independence from her 'father', now she has to hold her own against her 'mother'."

"Get out of my way, Ororo, this is my mind, my soul, my life. How dare you — how dare Xavier interfere with it! What gives you the right?!"

"We were only doing what's best for you Kitten. We're your father, your mother, and your family. We know that you're not ready for what lies behind that door. You're much too young."

"I am the only one who has the right to make that decision. I know within my heart, within my soul, what is right."

Ororo gently shook her head. "No Kitten, it's not your time. What lies behind that door is not for you. You're still pure and innocent." Holding out her old training uniform, "Come Sprite, join your friends, your family. Peter is waiting for you. You must go to him."

Moving with the speed of her namesake, Shadowcat threw her shuriken, piercing the fake Ororo's heart, causing the image to fade away.

Kitty opened the door and the three women then entered the room. They saw Kitty wearing the slip and wrap that she had borrowed from Rachel approaching Pete in his room. Shy and nervous, she longed for his touch, but didn't know how to ask. Watching as she almost lost her nerve and turned away to go, they saw him hold out his hand to her and draw her into his embrace.

"This was your first time?" Jean asked, her voice one of kindness and warmth as they witnessed the memory of that night being replayed in Kitty's mind. Jean and Emma were both surprised in that they weren't made to feel as if they were intruding voyeurs. Instead they felt deeply grateful to their friend that the young woman so trusted them that she permitted them access to this most beautiful and precious memory — now unsullied by feelings of guilt or disgust. Brushing aside tears, the three women gave themselves a moment to be bathed by the warmth and love of the memory of that time as Kitty embraced and accepted her sexuality before facing the next obstacle placed before them.

"'You told me you loved me,' he said as he walked out of the door and out of my life," Kitty sobbed into Jean's arms. "Nightmare had entered all of our dreams. He made me feel like I was losing my youth. It was a childish nightmare. A little thing really — I should have talked to him about it. He told me all of his nightmares and they were infinitely worse than mine." Jean could see Emma grimace in sympathy with Kitty as memories of Ronsaphan and other horrors played out in the background where the three women were standing. Emma, through Pete's mind, had lived through those same nightmares. "Then there was that damned SHIELD internship and I met Rigby Fallon." Memories of Kitty kissing the young and attractive Rigby now pushed aside the horrors of Kitty's memories of Pete's nightmares.

While Emma concentrated, Jean consoled Kitty. "Kitty, you had a moment of human weakness, but you stopped it before it went too far. You have to forgive yourself for it and give Pete a chance to forgive you — just as he has to give you a chance to forgive him for leaving. You won't be completely whole until you do that."

Holding back her tears, Kitty looked at the older woman. "But what if he doesn't forgive me?"

"I can't promise you he will. He might not. But you'll never know until you try and assuming the worst — that he can't bring himself to forgive you — then at least you'll be your own person and not someone else's china doll or ideal type. You'll be able to make your own way unencumbered by someone else's expectations and you'll be in charge of your own destiny. But before you can do that, you have to forgive yourself."

"I've found him." Emma quietly announced to the other two women. "Show yourself!" The White Queen challenged.

"It's over now, Nightmare. Put an end to the manipulations and leave this woman alone." Emma demanded of the otherworldly entity.

"Oh, but I'm having so much fun here. I haven't seen such a tortured soul, well, since I was in your dreams," Nightmare laughed. "Give me one reason why I should leave her and I will."

Kitty looked Nightmare straight in the eyes, "Because I've forgiven myself. Yeah, I screwed up. I made a human mistake — and the Professor used it to burrow into my psyche to make me dependent on him. To make me doubt my love for Pete! And you reinforced those doubts by dredging up that nightmare. What's the story here? Were you two were working together? Or did you just play on the hooks that he'd already placed in my mind? Or did he come in afterwards and leave you behind for whatever reason? OK, I figured out your little scam — now get your bony ass out of my mind!" Kitty looked at Nightmare, her eyes blazing with fury at this violation of her mind and soul.

Jean and Emma both looked grim as they absorbed the full impact of Xavier's tampering with the mind of his student. Jean shook her head sadly at how far her mentor had fallen, and Emma muttered, "At least when I was the White Queen I was honest to myself about my goals and everyone knew where I was coming from. I didn't cloak myself in any sanctimonious bullshit." Turning to Jean, she assured her, "Don't worry Jean, I'm not about to rejoin the Dark Side. But this does mean a shifting of priorities later. I will not put my students at risk from Xavier or anyone else."

"I don't expect you to, Emma. Once this is over, we will have a reckoning with Charles — I promise."

"Bravo!" Nightmare laughed and clapped his hands. "Got it in one, Kitty-cat. I'd give you a cigar if you smoked. As to whether I was working with your Professor — I'll let you ask him. You know me — I love a mystery. Anyway, you met my terms and gave me a good reason — actually that was the only reason I would have accepted. Congratulations. I'm an otherworldly entity of my word, so I'll leave. But you know what they say — Nightmares can always come back."

"Yeah and I'll be ready for you next time, you rat bastard." Kitty sneered as Nightmare removed his influence from Kitty's psyche, leaving her whole again for the first time in months.

Jean and Emma withdrew from Kitty's mind, leaving all three women fatigued from the stress of such deep psychic surgery. "All traces of Xavier's and Nightmare's influences seem to be gone now," Emma told Jean and Kitty, her voice trailing off towards the end. "I would suggest that we all get some rest before Pete's sister shows up with Ms. Danvers."

Jean and Kitty merely nodded in assent. Kitty settled for laying her head back on the couch and very quickly drifted off into sleep. Jean walked out of the office with Emma who, noticing Adrienne's door closed, let a slight grin cross her lips as she escorted Jean to temporary quarters.

Jubilee's eyes widened when she heard Emma announcing that Xavier and Nightmare had played around in Kitty's mind. She wanted to call Logan and tell him, but couldn't, so Jubilation Lee, for once in her life, kept her mouth shut and stayed in the office to await what else might happen.

As soon as Emma opened the door to her quarters, she made for her bed and collapsed. She remained in a deep sleep until awakened several hours later by the sound of the phone. Waking up, she picked up the phone and looked out the window. The noon sun had given way to a setting sun, and it was becoming apparent they were all going to be treated to a beautiful fall evening as the red of the sun accentuated the oranges and reds of the falling leaves. "Yes."

"Ms. Frost, Romany Wisdom. We are near the entrance to the Academy. I thought you might like a few minutes advance notice."

"That's very considerate of you. We will meet in my office in — would thirty minutes be adequate?"

Skin was outside sneaking a smoke when he saw the car pull up in front of the main office. Two women got out of the car. He ignored the first woman. She was a plain woman, slightly heavy set, with long black hair. But the sight of the second woman caused him to almost drop the cigarette hanging from his mouth. She was tall, blonde, and statuesque. She walked with a surety of gait that implied power, intelligence, and strength. What Skin couldn't see though was that this woman too had demons plaguing her. Like his headmistress, she was fighting her own private battle for redemption.

Kitty, Jean, and Emma were sitting in the headmistress's office, sipping coffee. Emma and Jean, thanks to a few hours of uninterrupted sleep had recovered from the rigors of their probe into Kitty's mind, as had their patient. Kitty seemed to regain her old confidence and spirit — the depression that she was in danger of falling into apparently dispelled by the successful removal of Xavier and Nightmare's taint from her mind. The two older and worldlier women both saw worry in her eyes, but that was to be expected. Kitty feared that Pete would turn her away, and she found that that thought had scared her worse than any of Nightmare's illusions. She fingered her Star of David, remembering how she felt when that package from London arrived with it inside so many years ago, and smiled as she recalled how she'd finally discovered who had sent it — 'took me long enough to figure it out', she grinned wryly. She then remembered Romany's readings and the Two of Cups — representing her hopes for a union of two people — her and Pete — and although more or less an agnostic, said a private prayer — 'just to cover all bases,' she smiled to herself.

Jubilee, hearing movement outside the office she was still hiding in, woke up from her nap and listened intently to the speaker. 'It's about time. Now I'm finally going to find out something.'

Romany and the other woman entered the office. "Hello. I believe you all know my associate?"

Jean spoke up first, "Hello, Carol. How are you?" Kitty smiled warmly at seeing her old friend, and Emma politely inclined her head.

Carol Danvers, also known as Warbird, smiled at the gathering. "It seems that a certain mutual intimate acquaintance of ours, Kitty, Emma — one Mr. Pete Wisdom, whose piercing blue eyes are only one of his endearing qualities — the others we'll leave for discussion until later..." she grinned, drawing a wicked grin from Emma, a stifled giggle from Jean, and a blush from Kitty, "...either has already or is about to once again land neck deep in it. So we have got to go and save his scrawny butt so Kitty can — if all goes well and if that idiot has any sense at all left in him — have her way with it later." All of the women laughed at that, although in the case of Kitty it was a nervous laugh. Turning to Kitty, Carol said softly, "Don't worry. He's not one to make a mistake twice. He screwed up once by letting you go — he won't do it again," 'I hope,' she didn't say, still remembering Geneva.

Jubilee's eyes widened when she heard Carol speak. 'Kitty, Frosty, and the blonde babe all did the nasty with that guy!' This was the first time that Jubilee had heard that Emma was involved with Kitty's old boyfriend. 'I wonder if Red did, too? That'd really get a rise out of ol' Scotty. This is better than Muir-rose Place any day. And what about the Plain Jane?' While Jubilee was licking her lips about the gossip potential coming out of this, she also was concerned about Kitty's boyfriend. They'd only met once or twice and he didn't exactly go out of his way to create a good impression — although she did like how he put Miss hoity-toity M in her place that time, and that act alone earned him points in her book.

Romany then cleared her throat. "I'm not at liberty to reveal my source, but suffice it to say that he's not only tied into the intelligence community, but he's also a close associate of Pete's. If my brother were to ever find out that this source had revealed to me what he was planning, he would never trust him again. And the two of them have been associates far too long for that to happen."

That attracted Kitty's interest. She thought that she had met all of Pete's intel associates and was naturally curious as to who this new guy was. She was also curious about Pete's involvement with Carol. This was the first she heard of it. It irritated her somewhat that he hadn't told her, but then she remembered Rigby and reminded herself about that old proverb concerning people who live in glass houses. 'If, and that's a big if, we get back together, then he'll talk to me about it when he's good and ready. I'm not going to pressure him on it.' Kitty just hoped she'd get the chance for him to talk to her about it one day.

Romany continued, her audience, including Jubilee, hanging on to every word, "My source tells me that Pete found out where Kitty's father is being held and is planning a rescue."

Carol and Jean both put their arms around Kitty to comfort her, but she politely shrugged them off, and remembering Logan's training she centered her thoughts and compartmentalized what Romany said for later processing. "What other information does your source have?" Kitty prompted, as she regained her composure and put on her mission face.

"We know that Mr. Pryde is being held by a Magistrate faction in Genosha. This group is engaged in several illegal activities — including the research and manufacture of biological weapons harmful to mutants. It seems that they were one of the beneficiaries of Black Air tech. Kitty's father is apparently being used by them to launder money, transfer funds and otherwise handle financial transactions — under duress," Romany added, looking sympathetically at Kitty. "They are also involved in the manufacture and sale of designer drugs catering to both normals and mutants. I believe my brother plans not just to rescue Kitty's father, but also to trash the place."

Carol looked up, "I don't have a problem with that." The other women in the room and Jubilee outside all nodded their assent with Carol's assessment.

"Agreed." Romany again took up her briefing. "The only problem is that they've got a small army there. While Pete has some help — my source tells me about a half dozen commandoes — they're not enough. That's why my source contacted me. He wanted me to try to get mutant or parahuman help that I can trust and that Pete can trust. I performed a simple scrying and you four women were all in my vision — we all have ties to my brother — either through blood, through friendship...," Romany looked at Jean who in turn smiled at her, pleased at being regarded as a friend, "as former lovers," Romany glanced at Carol who smiled and Emma who once again flashed a wicked grin, "or as a current, albeit temporarily estranged, lover," Romany smiled warmly at Kitty who blushed demurely. "Can I count on your help?"

All four women nodded in agreement. "First order of business in rescuing our errant knight," everyone smiled at Emma's unexpected word play as she took over, "is getting to Genosha. Any suggestions?"

Jean spoke first, "Because of our prior difficulties, I would not recommend we approach the X-Men for transport."

Emma, Kitty, and Romany all nodded in agreement while Carol, retaining a poker face, put that tidbit of information into a pocket of her mind for later investigation, and then offered her suggestion, "I might be able to swing an Avenger's Quinjet. Finding a pilot might be difficult however, and room would be limited."

Kitty then put her idea out on the table. "What about the Midnight Runner? It's still on Muir Island and Rahne's holding down the fort there. I can tell her how to program the autopilot and engage its stealth mode for the trip here and it's got the legs to get us to Genosha in time to help Pete..." 'I hope.'

Everyone agreed that Kitty's suggestion was the most workable so Kitty, accompanied by the other women, headed to the Communications Room. Emma Frost hung back a bit until everyone had left. <Alright Ms. Lee, you may come out now.> The telepathic summons was crystal clear.

"Jubilee, I permitted you to eavesdrop on our little meeting for two reasons. First, because of your obvious close friendship with Kitty; and second because, if worse should come to worse, I can be assured that you will spread word of what has transpired today everywhere. However, if we come back safe and sound, I want your word that you will not breathe a word of this to anyone until I tell you otherwise. Do you agree to my conditions or should I just erase all knowledge of what we've talked about from your mind?"

"I agree, Ms. Frost. I'll keep my mouth shut." Jubilee, looking at Emma's stern visage, knew that this was not the time either for a wisecrack or a lie.

"Very good, Jubilee, you may accompany me to the Communications Room. I'm sure Kitty would like to see her sister."

Jubilee looked up in shock as Emma said that, and Emma replied with a rare warm grin and gentle chuckle.

As Emma and Jubilee entered the Communications Room, they saw Rahne on the viewscreen. "Och Kitty, tis guid ta hear from you. A'll be happy to send the Runner to you. Just tell me whit I need to do to set the program."

Kitty then issued instructions to Rahne on how to set the course and stealth settings to set the Runner down in an isolated clearing close to the Academy. "It should be here in a few hours," Kitty announced to the women in the room and then smiled at seeing Jubilee, "What are you doing here?"

Kitty looked at Emma, who then responded telepathically <It's ok. She's an insurance policy against Xavier in case things go horribly wrong. I have no intention of letting what he did go unanswered. Besides, I thought the two of you would like to spend some time together before we left.>

Kitty nodded her understanding, "We have a couple of hours before the Runner gets here, might be a good idea for us to take it easy until then — might not get another chance for a while. We meet at the clearing ready to go in an hour and forty five, ok?" Emma choked back her normal tendency to take the lead, deferring to Kitty, realizing that this was her fight and everyone else was here to help. Kitty decided she'd spend her time talking with Jubilee and writing letters for her to give to various people in the event she didn't come back.

It was evening when the Runner set down gently, exactly where it was programmed to land. The women who comprised what Jubilee called "The Wisdom Rescue Squad" were ready to go. Jean was resplendent in the green of her Phoenix costume set off by her fiery red hair, Emma in all white, with the X that she had worn on her belt deliberately removed for this occasion, Kitty in her black leather with katana slung on her back and Lockheed draped around her shoulders, and Warbird in her dark blue Ms. Marvel costume with its gold lighting bolt in the front and red sash around her waist. Jubilee was there to see them off. As they said their good byes, Jubilee impulsively rushed up to Kitty and hugged her, "Take care of yourself, sis, and come back with that man of yours in one piece."

A lump formed in Kitty's throat at Jubilee calling her 'sis'. She had no brothers or sisters, she hadn't seen her father or mother for years, and her surrogate mother, Ororo, hadn't been much of a 'mother' recently. Except for Logan, Kurt, and maybe Betsy, she didn't really have anyone she would even remotely call family after Excalibur broke up. The X-Men just weren't the family they once had been to her and probably never would be again — especially after what Xavier did — even though she considered most of them to be friends. Tears formed as Kitty hugged Jubilee back. "Hey sis, keep an eye on the old man for me, will ya — you know how cranky he gets." Kitty was of course referring to Logan as she smiled down at her new sister and then reluctantly broke their embrace and turned to enter the Runner.

The women entered the Runner and Jubilee stood back as the ramp retracted and the door closed. A few minutes later, the VTOL jets began to hum and the Midnight Runner, with Kitty Pryde piloting, set its course for Genosha and several reunions.

Coming Soon, "Reunions in Fire and Tears," Pete Wisdom leads an attempted rescue of Kitty's father and is reunited with his former lover(s) who come to rescue him.

NOTES

THE COLORS OF THE SHADOWS IN YOUR MIND