DISCLAIMER. I own absolutely no characters in this story. Nor am I making any money or any other kind of profit off of them. I merely wrote this story for my own enjoyment as well as yours. Marvel owns them, and I hope that they enjoy them.

Author's Note...Ok lets see. Here is what you need to know. Operation Zero Tolerance is over. The X-Men do return to the mansion to find it empty. Our friends at Excaliber our doing well and Moira never locked herself up. The Brotherhood have been inactive until now. Rogue did leave Gambit behind. Joseph is dumb. There is probably more, but anything escapes me at this time. Oh well read on...

I am a young child again. I can hear my mother's screams fall around me. My own screams echoing hers. My father...Our lives destroyed within a few moments. I watched them die. I've watched them die a thousand times. Imagined every possibility that could ever exist. If they had lived would I be the woman I am today? Or even if they had lived would they have most likely died at a later date? Would they have accepted me as a mutant? Loved me for who I am?

These are questions that will forever remained unanswered. Except in my mind. For in my heart my parents still live, and love me. They laugh during the good times and cry during the hard. Forever with me.

Goddess, how I need them now...

Darkness.

"Is she awake?"

"No. She hasn't even moved."

The young man walked towards the sleeping woman. He let his hand caress her sleeping face, drawing his fingers along her chin. Then almost incidently he glanced down at her arms. Upon close examination he realized that she had several needle marks on both arms. Anger immediately lit his eyes.

"If you have hurt her in any way I will destroy you." He sounded as if he were growling.

"My dear "boss", there is absolutely no need for your hostility! I was merely treating the lady for her numerous injuries in which she sustained. I am deeply offended that you could possibly believe for an instant that I held any ill will towards Miss Munroe." He ended his short speech by putting his head in his hands imitating an act of grieving.

Alex strode forward pushing the man to the floor. "Do not screw with me Beast. Storm is not to be hurt in any way while she is in my care and my protection. Do you understand!?"

The Dark Beast looked up at the furious man above him. He knew that now was not the time for a confrontation. Alex Summers would eat him alive. Now was the time for caution. One day it would be Havok on the ground looking up at him, but until then he knew he had to practice humility. "Of course, of course, of course. I would never intentionally try to ignite your ever so impressive temper. Remember when we found her, she was severely ill. Only through my signifigant efforts has she even survived!"

"I could destroy you in an instant. You know that. You also know that I am not stupid. I know you think that you can bide your time. Eventually overthrow me. But remember this Dark Beast, I am using you. Not the other way around." Alex moved away from the man on the floor and back to Ororo who lay upon a bed the Dark Beast had brought in for her. Her breathing was light and shallow. Even for a woman of a African American descent she seemed pale. Her hair lacked the luster and brilliance for which it is known. Alex wondered where she was now. Her mind that is. She had been in his care for two weeks, and in that time had not once opened her eyes. When she came into his care she had been severly wounded and close to death. Amazingly however, she managed to hold on. No longer lingering towards her demise. Her torso was punctured several times. He could not tell by what, but when he found out whoever was responsible he would treat them in kind. Regaining his composure he turned to the Dark Beast who had gotten up and walked over his medicine counter.

"I want her taken to my quarters immediately."

The Dark Beast snickered. "Are you sure that is appropriate?"

Alex threw him a dark look and walked out of the room.

"Sam, have you found out anything?" Wolverine's voice sounded strained.

"No sir, Ah sure haven't. This is the sixth time Ah've scoured the countryside and have yet to see anything that might give us a clue."

"I have been out several times myself kid. Nothing. It is like she disappeared off the face of the friggin' earth!" He slammed his fist hard upon the table.

"Where is Rogue?"

"Ah don't know. She said she was gonna go searchin' but that was about three or four hours ago."

Logan growled. He knew that she was actually out searching for Gambit as she had done for the past several weeks. Each time saying she was looking for Ororo. "Damn that kid. She's got her mind on other things and needs to figure out her priorities."

Sam refused to comment. The X-Men were taking too many beatings. Instead of being a family, they were all acting like strained acquaintances. Marrow refused to help find 'Ro, Cecilia and Maggott weren't much help despite their efforts. Rogue seemed to be completely withdrawn and wouldn't speak to anybody. Scott and Jean were in Alaska. The list went on and on. And now Ororo was mysteriously missing, and nobody had any clue as to how to proceed.

Sam didn't know what to do or say. He knew that Logan was not comfortable in the position of team leader, but took on the position out of necessity.

"Where am I?" Her voice was weak and strained.

"With me Ororo."

"Havok!?"

He heard the shock in her voice and thought to comfort her. "Not to worry Ororo, I am only trying to help you. When we found you, you were on the verge of death. We saved you."

She forced her head up to look at him. "What happened? Why am I so weak? You said I was near death?"

Noting the confusion in her voice, Alex answered. "I don't know exactly what happened to you. Only by chance was Dark Beast able to come across your body. There were several puncture wounds along your...body." He sighed before he continued. "Luckily no major organs were damaged. You had severe blood loss. Do you remember anything at all?"

She groaned. "Not really. I was attacked. I don't even remember where. I am led to believe that whomever did this did not have the sense to finish the job."

"Listen Ororo, you are weak. Get some rest and we can concentrate on this mystery later."

He did not even have to finish talking before she drifted off. Alex laid down on the couch in his room and began to wonder what he would do with the beautiful woman who was now in his care.

"I've neutralized her powers."

"You've done what?!"

"I figured you would want her docile, so I used a device similar to the one that Forge created some time ago. It seems I was quite successful."

The Dark Beast did not even have a chance to turn around before a plasma blast hit him. He flew off of his feet and slammed into the wall ten feet away. Alex did not worry about whether or not he was conscious. He had not planned on this happening. The Dark Beast often took matters into his own hands. Alex knew he should have been prepared for something like this.

When Storm awoke she would be nothing but furious. For the second time in her life, her freedom had been stolen.

Alex stormed out of the Dark Beast's laboratory and strode to his room. As he opened the door he noticed Ororo sleeping peacefully. Shutting the door he went in search of Fatale. It was time to contact the X-Men.

Warren Worthington III flew over the mansion gracefully. He had recently come home to find that Storm was missing, along with Gambit. Bishop was also no where to be found. Jean and Scott had already left, and the team was on the verge of falling apart. He wondered if he even belonged with the X-Men any longer. He wanted a peaceful existence more than anything. His greatest desire was to work out the recent traumas he had experience with Betsy. He truely believed that he loved her. But somehow they could not cross that barrier which continually tried to force them apart.

{{Warren!}}

{{Betsy?}} He hated it when she surprised him like that.

{{Sorry lover. But this time it is necessary.}}

Arrrgghh!

She continued. {{We need you to get back to the mansion right away. It looks like we finally have clue where Ororo might be.}}

Warren entered the front door and was surprised to find Fatale standing among the other X-Men.

"The Brotherhood! So you were behind this!" Warren could barely control his anger.

"Be careful who you accuse featherboy!" Fatale answered in turn.

Wolverine turned to Angel to give him an explanation. "It seems that The Brotherhood simply found Storm and have been nursing her back to health." His sarcasm was evident.

Fatale looked disdainly at Logan. "I personally don't care what you think. Havok sent me here to tell you. If you don't want to listen then it is fine by me."

"Name your price." Logan growled. He hated making deals.

"Price?"

"What do we have to give you in order to get her back?" Logan started to stride towards the younger woman.

"Ah...now I understand. But you misunderstand. We are not giving her back."

"What!?" Samuel spoke up first.

.Logan forced himself to relax and sat down in a chair. "What is Havok's game, Fatale?"

"There is no game. He just thought it would be nice for you to know that she is safe." With those words she disappeared.

"DAMN IT! This team is taking a beating."

Psylocke and Angel looked at one another and shook their heads.

"Prehaps we should form a few teams and search for her separately."

Logan growled before speaking. "What do you think we have been doing Joseph? No...we know she is with the Brotherhood. And until we prove otherwise we are going to assume they are responsible for her kidnapping. Now what evades me is how she was captured. She must have been ambushed."

"Do ya think Havok would hurt her?" Sam spoke the question cautiously.

After a long pause Wolverine stated, "No, no I don't. Alex may be crazy but I don't think he would purposely injure a former teammate."

"Don't be so sure Wolverine, not so long ago Alex tried to kill his own brother," Angel found his voice once again. "I personally don't trust anybody who is part of a team called the Brotherhood. I wish Cyclops were here. He could prehaps give us some more insight as to his brother's habits."

"Thats a bunch of crap kid. Cyke barely spent five minutes trying to get to know his brother. Alex ain't right in the head, and Cyke never could figure that out. I can't figure out what Alex would want with Ororo. This is his game, and for the moment it looks like we are going to play it his way."

"So what do you suggest we do?"

At a loss for words Wolverine turned and walked away.

Dr. Cecilia Reyes lay awake in bed. She wasn't sure how to go about living her new life as an X-Man. Bobby told her that after awhile everything would seem to be normal.

Somehow she didn't believe that. One day your attacked by Sentinals, the next some other obscure villian who doesn't really have a reason for wanting to kill you, other than the simple fact that you exist. Insane.

Yet Bobby says this is normal. Now Storm has been kidnapped by some people called The Brotherhood. Stranger yet, the leader of this group happens to be Cyclops' brother! It seemed to her that Cyclops was the straightest arrow she had ever met. And she had only known him for a few days. Cyclops having a brother who happened to be a villian just added to the weirdness that surrounded these people.

In the past several days she had been here Cecilia had noticed how stressed everyone seemed to be. Not knowing them that well, their obvious anger was all too apparent. She tried to spend as much time with Beast as possible, as he seemed to be the most lighthearted. Also by far the most interesting. Despite the blue fur, the man had a brilliant mind. Much more so than herself. He was also a workaholic. Spending day after in search of a cure for the now infamous Legacy Virus.

Before drifting off to sleep she wondered how she might help him further his research...

"How are you feeling?" Alex sighed as he sat down next to his captive.

Storm looked at him without speaking. It had only just been revealed to her that she had once again lost the use of her life, her gift.

"I'm sorry Ororo. I did not mean for this to happen."

She forced herself to sit up. "But it did happen didn't it Alex?!" Despite her anger her voice was still very weak.

"Beast is searching for a way to reverse the process as we speak. This won't be permanent Ororo, I promise you that. Had I known what he was up to I would have killed him before intentionally letting him hurt you." Alex placed his hand on her arm after speaking.

Looking down at his hand that now violated her space she began to speak, "I don't know your reason for holding me Havok. At this time I don't care to know. My strength shall come back though, and at that time you shall have to reconsider keeping me as your captive. For I won't be held as such. And I swear upon the Goddess herself that I shall have my revenge against you and your "dark" Beast!" Finishing her short speach she allowed herself to lean back against her head board an relax.

Alex stood up and started to cross the room. Anger vibrated throughout his being. Before leaving though he turned once again to Ororo.

"You don't want me for an enemy Ororo."

"What are you now Alex? Surely not a friend."

Continued in Part Two...

Ah don't know whats wrong with me nowadays. It used to be that Ah was right on track. Ah mostly made the right decisions, and knew the difference between right and wrong.

Now Ah ain't got a single clue as to what Ah should do. And Ah feel so alone. There ain't a person Ah feel Ah can go to for help. Remy is missin' by mah own devices, and 'Ro has been kidnapped. The two people who might view mah problems as important. Problem is though is that Remy is mah problem, and 'Ro is the one Ah should be tryin' ta take care of.

Today Ah'm out searching for Remy again. Ah told Logan that Ah was gonna go look for Storm. He knew better but didn't say anything. Just told me to keep mah priorities straight. Ah don't know exactly what he was tryin' ta say by that. What is more important than the man Ah love?

"How did you find her?"

The question was asked so nonchalantly that it took the Dark Beast a minute to react.

"What?"

"I said, how did you find her? It seems like a coincidence to me, and I am sure the X-Men as well, that Storm happens to get injured and then ends up in our care. So I ask again, how did you find her? And no lies Beast, I will know."

The man who was now known as a an alternate, but much darker version of Hank McCoy weighed his options. Did he want to tell Alex the truth and ignite this young man's temper beyond control, or lie to him and risk the same? For one of the few times in his life, truth won out. "I was following her."

"Why?"

"I had planned to capture and take her to my private laboratory. I think that is all you need to know." He started to walk away but Havok stopped him.

"I want to know it all. In my opinion you are not completely cleared of being responsible for Storm's condition. Actually the more I hear the more I think you are to blame. So unless you want me to get really angry then you better start talking."

Without turning to face the man who thought to control him Dark Beast started to talk. He knew that when Havok really wanted something then he meant to get it.

"I was going to deform her in as many ways as possible. Including stripping her of her powers and injecting her with the Legacy Virus. A new form of it of course. I have been conducting experiments creating an alternate form of the virus. It is quite exciting actually."

Alex was disgusted to the center of his being. "You are sick. So it was intentional causing Storm to once again lose her powers."

"Ignoring the "sick" barb, I felt it was necessary to cause our dear Ororo to lose her ever so powerful weather abilities. It makes her more agreeable towards my experiments. You see I did not plan on you seeing me with Storm upon our return. Otherwise you wouldn't even know she was here."

Havok couldn't control himself any longer. He charged this man who claimed to be working for him, but secretly made Alex look like the biggest of fools. No longer did rational thoughts of any kind rule Havok's mind, for now he decided to live up to his name sake.

"Boss, Ah have ta tell ya. Not one of us has found a single clue as to where Storm might be. Ah tell ya, this is gettin' stranger and stranger by the day."

"Kid I hate ta say this, but we are going to have to start assuming that she is dead."

This brought a shock to everyone in the room. Beast quickly stood up.

"Logan do you really think that assuming Ororo is dead, is wise?"

"Look Hank, I don't want to set any of us up for disappointment. Knowing that Storm is in the hands of The Brotherhood doesn't sit too well for me. I don't think Alex would hurt her, but the same doesn't hold true for that foul smellin' clone of yours or Fatale for that matter."

"Well I can't say that I like that idea much either."

"I'm glad you agree. I contacted Gen X last week, and I am also trying to contact Excaliber. If Storm is alive, then we will find her. But just searching day after day is not working," Logan paused and then turned to Betsy, "Psylocke, you still haven't found any traces of Storm?"

The beautiful Asian woman stood up and began pacing the room. Her obvious English accent always stood at odds with her demeanor. "I have found nothing Logan. Admittedly my psionic abilities are not those of Jean's..."

"Speaking of which, Bobby have you been able to reach Scott and Jean?" Wolverine asked wearily.

"Yes. Jean told me that Scott's condition hasn't improved much and said she would only be comfortable in helping if we really needed her."

"You made it sound better than it is didn't you?" Joseph said as he walked into the room.

Bobby looked over at Joseph before answering. "Of course, wouldn't you? I mean her husband almost died not long ago. They need a break."

Several people in the room nodded their agreement. Everyone knew that Scott and Jean were on the verge of mental and physical exhaustion beyond that of most members on the team. The last thing they needed was to come back and join the search party.

Wolverine looked around the room. It was late and they all looked tired. "Listen up, why don't we all go to bed and start a new day tomorrow. There is nothing more we can do tonight." Wolverine thought that sounded out of character even for him, but he also knew there was no point in pushing them over the edge.

Cecilia found herself wandering towards Beast's lab. She was secretly hoping that he would need her help for something. She honestly was bored and needed to feel useful. There wasn't much she could do in the search for Storm. And at the moment only she, Hank, and Marrow were left in the mansion. Hank because he needed to continue in repairing his lab. When the mansion had been cleared out many of Hank's materials for research were also taken. Luckily he had hidden his notes and any results he had found so far. Now he was unpacking supplies that had been sent in from Muir Island.

"Hello, Henry?" Cecilia peeked her head inside his door.

"Cecilia, how positively nice to see you. But I must tell you that it is not necessary to make me feel like an old man. Just call me Hank."

As she walked in the door Cecilia put on her winningest smile. Hank returned it in kind.

"How wonderful it is to see two beautiful women in one day." As he said this Trish Tilby walked out from the bathroom that was in the lab.

"Why hello Cecilia, I'm afraid we didn't have much of a chance to talk when I was last here. Are you enjoying your time here with the X- Men?"

This is a surprise. "Oh yeah its a blast. We are all sleeping on mats on the floor, yesterday we were finally able to afford to get food because the folks at Excaliber thought we were a worthy charity case, and did I mention that Storm is missing and possibly dead?" Sarcasm rang in her voice. She sighed and continued, "Look I'm sorry. I've really just been all stressed out since this "all" started happening. I'm sorry I disturbed you."

Hank hurried and spoke up before she left. "Cecilia it is not necessary for you to leave. We would love to have your company."

Cecilia turned to him when she reached the door. "No, that is ok. I did not realize you had company." With that she turned and left.

"She is falling for you Hank." Trish came and put her arms around the man she had dated on and off for the past several years.

Beast grunted, "While I realize that I am handsome, and intellectually compelling I do believe that Cecilia is much too sensible to fall for the first blue furred man she comes across."

"Nonetheless I think I should start protecting my property."

Hank grinned and turned to her. "I have no problem with that."

And as he kissed this woman he claimed to love he wondered if what Trish said was true. Was Cecilia falling for him?

For the first time since she had woken up Storm was able to get out of bed and walk around. Havok had not come to visit her in two days. Fatale had brought her meals to her, and in the meantime she was left completely alone. Alone to contemplate life without the use of her mutant powers. A life she had hoped never to live again.

After taking a few steps she decided to get back into bed. Havok told her that she had been stabbed twelve times. Her torso was almost shredded. If not for the Dark Beast's quick work she surely would have died. But it all sounded strange to her. Yes she had the scars, but how did the Dark Beast even find her in time? Is it possible that he could have done this to her? She would not put it past him, he had already committed the most atrocious of crimes.

As much as she scoured her mind she could not remember any details about her attack. She did remember that had been on her way to a movie. She had gone into town, but after that everything got hazy. It almost went black. Alex told her that she had been attacked from behind and then stabbed repeatidly.

Normally she would immedialtely have blamed the Dark Beast as he was the obvious target. But something about that seemed wrong. He had also saved her life. This could have been by Havok's devices though. Ororo decided to stop her contemplating. Nothing would be accomplished by exhausting herself.

Jean sat up alone reading a new novel she had bought earlier that day at the supermarket. Scott had already retired to bed. Jean did her best to concentrate on the book but it did not capture her interest. Her mind was on her best friend, Ororo. Bobby had contacted her a few days ago with the information that she had been kidnapped. She could tell that he was trying to make the situation sound more positive than it was. Which led her to believe that Storm could possibly be dead. Telling Bobby that both she and Scott were unavailable was one of the most difficult things she had ever done.

Yet Scott's condition had also not improved. She had not told him about Ororo yet. Knowing Scott, he would have jumped up and tried to rush off and save her. That was the last thing he needed.

Jean continued to worry, and tried to read a book she wasn't interested in.

"Hello I'm back!"

"Fatale, your company is not wanted!" Joseph yelled.

"Joseph, shut the hell up! Fatale what do you want?" Wolverine strode forward to the woman who was their only clue as to where Storm might be.

"My dear leader sent me to give you an update on Storm. He thought you might care to know. Thoughtful of him isn't it?" She flashed her best smile in Logan's direction.

Logan growled under his breath before speaking. "Don't play with us Fatale. Where is Storm?"

Fatale grinned. "Don't worry. I already told you that she was in the best possible care."

Wolverine jumped forward and had Fatale against the wall with a claw on each side of her throat before she could blink.

"Listen up Fatale. Do you think you can port out of here before I pop the third."

For the first time since she had been making trips to the X Mansion did Fatale actually feel fear. In a high stress situation she knew that Wolverine would not hesitate to kill her. Actually in any situation Wolverine wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

"Ok I'll talk. Just let me go."

"Yeah right. You have one second to tell us where she is."

Marrow watched the scene with detachedness. Her hopes that Storm was dead were slowly faltering.

"Hello Ororo."

"Alex. What do you want?"

"The Dark Beast has found a way to return your powers."

She refused to comment. The eventuality seemed to be too good to be true. She knew that there had to be a catch. Something that she would not want to accept.

"Aren't you excited? I made him work day and night for this."

"And aren't you the cause of this Alex? Aren't you the man who controls the action of your Beast? And aren't you the one ultimitely responsible for everything that he does? You act as if you are making a difference, but you are nothing but a fool Alex. Pathetic in your self assumed greatness." Storm got up and walked to stand in front of him. "You expect me to be grateful for you returning something that belonged to me in the first place?!" She paused and walked a step closer to him so that she was standing in his face. "I think not."

Alex was amazed by her. Still weak and without her powers she stood up to him. Not begging, not grateful. But instead she was demanding. He found her beautiful. Much more so than Lorna had ever been.

He suddenly pulled a small vile out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Drink this. I think you will like the results."

After that he turned and walked out of the room.

Storm sat with the vile in her hands for several hours. Could she trust this? Why would Havok intentionally give her the means to escape? During her time here he had not once expressed his intentions for her. And now she had the possible means to the thing she desired most.

Opening the vile up she quickly swallowed its contents. Trying not to think about any ramifications this might hold she laid down and closed her eyes.

"Are there any other corrections?" Alex looked at the now pitiful man that sat in front of him.

The Dark Beast no longer had the use of his legs. Severe burns covered his body, which had yet to regrow any of his characteristic dark blue fur. One arm was strapped to his body as it had been broken. Yet he still had the one thing he valued most. His mind. Alex Summers taught him a valuable lesson. One that was extremely painful to learn. His time with Summers was coming to an end though. Or maybe Summers was coming to an end.

"Did you hear me?"

"Of course Prelate Summers. I heard you. I was just trying to get past my recent injuries and remember if there was anything else that could possibly be wrong with Storm. Hmmmmm, I guess not. She should be just fine."

Alex turned and walked out of the room.

Wolverine released Fatale. "You better not be lying to us. If you are I will hunt you down and kill you."

"If you ever catch me dog breath!" With that she disappeared.

Angel walked up. "Are you sure that was wise Logan?"

"What would you have me do Warren? Kill her? Now lets stop arguing and get a move on. They are going to get warning and try to get out of there before we have a chance to catch them!"

With that everyone ran out of the room with Cannonball surprisingly leading the way.

"This is going to be goodbye Storm."

"What?" She said clearly surprised.

Alex smiled weakly at her. "You probably thought I was going to try and hurt you or something right? Keep you captive and allow the Dark Beast to preform strange experiments on you? No as I have said many times in the past few weeks, I only wanted to help. I hope I was somewhat successful. I wish we could have found who did this to you though."

"Don't worry. I now know who is responsible."

Alex considered this. "Was it the Dark Beast?"

"No it is a personal matter."

He nodded. "I am not an evil man Ororo. Nor am I crazy. Prehaps you are right. Maybe I am a fool, but I do want to make a difference. I just don't believe in your dream."

"But you do believe in violence Alex?" Storm could feel power within her once again. She was still weak and knew it would be a long time for her to completely recover. But she would recover.

"Violence? Only if it is necessary. I am not a terrorist."

"Yet you associate with them. The Dark Beast will only destroy you. Remember that Alex."

Alex turned to walk away, but changed his mind. He strode back to Ororo and pulled her into his arms to kiss her. It was quick and over with before she had a chance to react.

"Goodbye Storm. Till we meet again." And then he was gone.

"Ororo thank god you are alive!!!" Cecilia shouted at the woman she had not seen in nearly a month.

Beast stood next to her. "What happened?"

Storm walked slowly into the mansion which was starting to once again fill up. "Where is Marrow?"

"Storm why would you want to see her?" Joseph asked.

Wolverine and Rogue had taken off at the mention of the young woman's name.

"Because I had to be in the care of The Brotherhood for nearly a month because she tried to kill me!"

Rogue flew back into the room holding a peice of paper. "Uh 'Ro it seems this is for you." She said handing over the paper.

Ororo read aloud, "This round's on me Weather Witch. Next time I'll finish the job and have your heart as a trophy. Love always, Marrow."

Storm sat alone in her loft. Her strength had returned as had her powers. Even better there were no other side affects.

She turned her thoughts to Havok. She no longer knew what to think of this strange young man. She still viewed him as foolish, but no longer with disgust. Prehaps one day they would meet again and he would come to his senses.