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February 1999

AUTHOR'S NOTE: FEEDBACK is really nice, and educating. Please, give me some of it, tell me what you think of this issue, this series, whether it's good or bad. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.
 

We're leaving the X-Men with: "Leaving Home" Still at home: Tom

^It seems like it was only few months ago, that I walked in through these doors. How I wish it was, much has changed since then. I am no longer the young innocent African goddesses. Ever since then, I had learned to control the powers that were given to me through my parents, not through gods like I thought before. When I came here, I was just a young girl, seeking guidance and education, and now, now I'm the leader or X-Men, the windrider, as some refer to me. Through the years, I not only learned how to control my powers of weather, I also learned leadership skills, from no one else than Cyclops, the first X-Man. Many times, I took the leadership from him when in need, and once I finally defeated him in a fight for the leadership of X-Men and became the full time X-Men leader. Student passed his own teacher. What had become of that innocent young girl I was when I first set my foot through the door of Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters. It's not even called that anymore, I outlived the school itself.  I had been asking that question myself for weeks now, ever since the Professor fell into a coma. And now, at the time of my departure for home which was my home before this mansion was it seems I have finally reached an answer. When I came here I was a young teen, still unsure what life was about. Seems to me, that X-Men had thought me what life is. Seems to me, that little girl turned into a woman.^

***

^Remy. How could I forget Remy ? If it wasn't for him I would have become Shadow King's puppet for sure. I was so young then, in body but my mind was still my own. Was it pure luck that sent Remy to rob Shadow King's house that night, or was it destiny ? Which ever it was, Remy saved my life, and quickly became me friend. I trusted him, I let him into the X-Men, and he seemed to like it. Sometimes I got the feeling he was with us to redeem himself in some way, and then came the day when Rogue kissed him, and discovered he had some dark deep secret. To me, it was not a surprise, Remy was a man of secrets and I'm sure he has more secrets buried deep inside where Rogue didn't reach. As Remy's friend I understood his need to keep those secrets inside, and unlike everyone else on the team I didn't question him. Whatever it was, he was going to tell me if he felt the need to. Besides it couldn't be as bad as what I did to the Morlocks...... And as I approach him, he seems very withdrawn, he must have really suffered through his outing with Psylocke.^

"Hello Remy." I say approaching him.

"Hi Stormy, I heard you're leaving." he answers looking up at me, his expression saddening at the mention of my departure.

"Yes that is correct my friend. I feel like I need some time off the team, and I've got maters to take care of at home."

"It's okay Stormy, just be careful okay ?" he says. From his eyes I can see he wants to tell me something more.

"Of course Remy. How are you feeling ? You don't look too good, is it because of that trip to Hong Kong you took with Psylocke ?"

"Yeah kinda." he says sitting down on the stairs. I sit next to him, looking him in the face. He seems very depressed.

"What happened ?"

"Betss was going to  Hong Kong to make things straight with Matuso, and I went with her, in case something would happen. We were attacked and defeated and Matuso did some experiments on her. She almost died Stormy, I held her in my hands and she was dying, it was too close." He speaks, with one breath trying hard for his voice not to break. I can see how badly it affected him.

"But she's alive isn't she ?"

"Yes, we thought of something, and old Logan trick, it worked. But Stormy, I should have not allowed her to go there, I could see she was in no state to do this but yet I let her go. If she had died...." he turns is face away probably to hide the tears that are building up in the corners of his eyes. I never knew he was so sensitive about death.

"But Remy, you saved her, if you weren't there with her she would have died because there was no one there to save her." I try to explain. "That's what X-Men are all about, caring for each other, watching each other's backs. You did a great thing Remy LeBeau, you saved a life. You should be proud of that."

"I know." he says turning back to me, his expression no longer depressed. There's still sadness in his face, but there's also a faint sign of hope. "Thank you Ororo." He says suddenly hugging me. I return the embrace. "You've been the best friend I had on this team. Thank you for brining me here, and making something out of me."

"Oh Remy." I sigh with a faint smile. "I'm proud of you. Proud of what you've become. I don't care about the past, ever since I've known you, you've been a hero. Don't change my friend, stay as you are, and always be a hero. Remember, if you stay with the X-Men, it will be for the best, I've learned that in the past. Theft is exciting I know, but being a hero pays of trust me. I want to see you on this team when I come back. Understood ?"

"Yes ma'am." he said jokingly, pulling away. "You're the best, Stormy." He impacts the last word, he knows how I hate when he calls me that. But not today. Today I'm leaving.

"Ahh Remy some things about you will never change." We both laugh.

***

^How long have I been here ? Seems like it was centuries ago that I came in here, into the mansion. From day one Cyke got on my nerves, being the goody goody he is. I remember all those fights and arguments we both got into, each one of us believing we were right. Plus, we both shared the love to Jeannie. He was the one that loved her openly, I was the one who kept it in. I wasn't used to being part of a family back then, spent most of my days alone and to reveal my love to Jean seemed a very stupid move. To my luck, she knew it. We even got close few times. Then of course she died and I think we all took it pretty hard. I didn't show it, unlike four eyes who I swear had a mental break down while he was away. He got lucky again with Madenlyne just to leave her and his son behind for Jean who came back. I must admit I never suspected Cyke would do something like that. I understood his longing for Jean, because I felt all that too, but to leave my wife and son behind to be with Jean again, it just didn't seem like Cyke. Of course at the time it only gave me more reasons to think he was a wuss, but now, when I know Maddie turned out to be a Jean clone created by Sinister I may understand. He and Jeannie got married, I was there, I saw it. Right now, I'm just happy me and Jean are friends. I'll never fully get on with Cyke, we both have respect for each other, but we are always going to argue. Like we always did. I remember all those times, when I would argue with him or Chuck. I never seemed to have any problems with Ororo, we were alike and I agreed with her, but not those two. It was probably due to the fact that I was a young rebellious man, after everything I went through, and I wasn't really used to getting orders from a goody goody kid who was half my age. Still, like the rest of rookies then, like Ororo and Kurt and Peter I learned to become a hero, and to have full control over my powers. Sometimes I long for those days, school has changed so much since, it was better then, then the team had more sense of a family than we do now. Now, we just seem to fight whatever comes our way. What happened to the education of young mutants ? Still, I guess I learned my share while with the X-Men, I grew up from a outraged rookie into a experienced old man. I've been through so much with the X-Men, but it seems now is the time to move on, I don't think I suit the team anymore. They're so different. And X-Men without Chuck just aren't X-Men. Still, I will come back here, you never leave X-Men for good. Maybe then it will feel better.^

***

^I didn't really spend much time with Hank, in the early days. Straight after we rescued them from Krakoa, Hank left, taking that position at Star Labs. How unfortunate it was, considering he mutated himself even more into a human furball. We had our few interactions, the time when Jeannie died comes to mind, but until the teams joined after the Shadow King fight we didn't really interact much. Since then, I had learned to trust Hank and to accept him as a friend. How could I not ? I truly think there is not anyone that could resist the blue furred Beast. So why, when I turn to him to talk about my powers I feel strange ? Maybe it was a mistake not telling him everything. Maybe I should have told him that I recognized the doctor. I quickly chase that thought away. What X-Men don't know won't hurt them, that man is able of things I doubt even X-Men would be able to handle.^

"So yeah Hank, I want to leave because I don't know anything about this skeleton of mine. We both know it's there but we have no idea how it's bonded and if the claws are still there." I tell him. He gives me one of those worried doctor looks he's so good at.

"I totally understand you Logan, and I think you need a vacation too. With the recent injuries you've received, even though your healing factor took care of them you need a rest. Just please promise you won't get yourself into trouble for at least a month.^ he says fighting to keep a straight face. Once a joker always a joker.

"I'll try Hank and thanks." I say extending my hand. He shakes it and we both smile. As different as it is, I'm gonna miss this place. "So can I talk to her now ?" I ask.

"Yes sure Logan. She's still there, though I'm letting her go today, she obviously doesn't like being in here, with me."

"It's not you Hank. That bed gets really uncomfortable after a week." I say laughing. I pull out a cigar and start searching for a match. A bad habit I know, but I've been smoking cigars since I can remember. How could anyone really expect me to give them up ? Just then I hear Hank's voice behind me.

"I'm sorry Logan, but I can't let you smoke anywhere in the lab. You know the rules." I roll my eyes and hide the cigar in my pocket.

"Okay, okay." I say. With that I enter the room in front of me. Before me, sleeps Elizabeth Braddock.

^Where do I even begin with Betsy ? As I've heard many say, I took her under my wing. For some reason I seem to do that often. Betss, Kitty, Jubilee, they all have been my personal students. When Betsy came along she was just a telepath, nothing strange. When we were in Australia, she turned to be a very valuable asset to the team, at the time I could say she was the chain that held us together. But I suppose I got closer with her after me and Jubes found her in Hong Kong under Matuso's control and with a completely new body. She wa very confused, and lost then, how could I have not helped her ? She came to terms with that body, of course and then, then the other Betsy came back. I still don't understand how I could have mixed up their scents. Then of course came Woringhton, my second X-Man hate after Cyke. That flying rich boy drove me nuts so many times. Of course when he started dating Betss I had to get used to him. I was slowly getting there, and I think it was working both ways, than that asshole left her because she didn't want to leave X-Men with him. I swear Warren if I ever see you again I will make sure you pay for all that pain you caused Betss.... She's awake now.^

"Rise and shine." I say smiling.

"Hi Logan, I heard you're leaving X-Men." she says while she stretches. She looks strange without the red mark, we got used to it.

"Yep. Today."

"Today ? That's fast."

"'Ro wants to head it home as soon as possible, I can understand. So how have you been ?" I change the subject.

She sighs and is clearly not satisfied with the answer. "To be honest, like crap."

I look her straight into face, I can see, I can almost feel the sadness coming from her. Out of all of X-Men I'm probably going to miss her most, then again. "Want to tell me about it ?" I offer.

"Not much to tell really. Went to Matuso's with Gambit, got our asses kicked, Matuso drained Crimson Dawn from me, I almost died, but then Gambit saved me, with that connection technique you taught me."

"I told ya it would come in handy." I say smiling, remembering all those training sessions with her. "So all of the Dawn is gone ? Is that possible ?"

"I don't know Logan, the mark is gone from my face, I don't have the shadow awareness anymore, as far as I can say it's all disappeared. And don't ask me why either I have no idea. Once I get better I'm gonna haunt Matuso down and get the reason from him with my own hands."

"I don't think that's such a good idea, you already tried that."

"Don't worry next time I won't be alone and defenseless." She says.

"So Gumbo saved your life, eh ? I didn't think he had it in himself."

"No neither did I." She says squashing a pillow in her arms. A sign ? "But he was there, and he knew the risks, but he agreed on them and he just did it."

"Hmmm I guess I'm leaving you in safe hands then." I say grinning. She throws the pillow at me.

"Oh Stop it ! Me and Remy are just teammates, friends after what he did, but nothing more."

"Of course, I understand." I say grinning again. I pull out that cigar and look around for Hank. "Tell me if you see Hank coming okay ?"

She nods and laughs.

***
 
^Samuel has been the most recent addition to our team if you don't count Joseph. He came here, as in sort of a step up, from X-Force to X-Men. Charles believed he was ready for that, as did Nathan but I myself wasn't quite so positive about this. I could see Scott having similar feelings. We both just felt that Sam should have stayed with X-Force, where he belonged. When he was with X-Force, he was their leader, and from what I've heard he was a good leader, a leader that could match up to me or Scott when we were his age. I honestly think it was a mistake for Samuel to join X-Men, where he was treated as young and inexperienced. We both knew, that Samuel wasn't inexperienced, we both knew quite opposite, but we just didn't feel we should let him be a full time X-Man, he needed to learn the ways X-Men operated. And maybe that was our mistake. But it was mostly Scott's decision because he felt X-Force wasn't anything like X-Men. And then, with time Samuel wanted to at least lend a hand in leadership, but we shot him down too, explaining he still had much to learn. Now, at my departure, I'm starting to doubt my decisions, maybe Samuel was prepared for full acceptance and leadership. Maybe we just made a big mistake. It is amusing how all these thoughts suddenly spring to my mind as I see Samuel sitting on the roof alone, like Remy once did.^

"Hello Samuel." I say in my causal voice as I stand beside him. He doesn't take much notice of me. The boy is clearly angered.

"Good morning Storm." He finally says after a brief silence. "Ah heard ya're leaving. Good luck." he adds on with the tone of anger in his voice rising. His accent is sliding away from control too.

I sit down beside him and look him in the eyes. "Samuel, I feel like I need to talk to you, about what we have been allowing you with the X-Men." I say, in effort to clear at least some of the mess I have made.

"Nothin' ta talk about." He says getting up suddenly. I can see it in his eyes, it's rage. He begins powering up, and turns around to me. "Cyclops made it quite clear, he doesn't need a inexperienced newcomer to help him out. Good day Miss. Munroe." With those last words he shoots out for the sky like a human cannonball and he's gone within few seconds, before I can even open my mouth. I wonder just what Scott had told him, and I feel a sudden urge to ask him, but I push that thought away. I'm going home.

***

^I remember when he first came on the team. They said he was Magneto, but at first glance to me, he was just a wuss who had Magneto's face. He had showed me, that he was strong willed and idealistic though. If this would have been the Magneto that ripped my metal outta me, we would have talked differently. But this was obviously not the corrupted Magneto, this was the young one, who tried hard to change. Magnus had once been my friend, at the time when he led New Mutants, later things complicated, but I never suspected he would do such thing to me. The metal is back now, but the times without it were hard enough, for me to rip of Joseph's head when I saw him the first time. He is a bit naive, and he sometimes can't understand some aspects of human hate, but he's learning quickly. I just wonder, if he will manage to stay out of trouble when he receives his old self back. He is clearly pissed with something. No wonder, the kid is instantly going through his past flashbacks.^

"Good morning Logan. I have heard that you're leaving. I want to wish you good luck for the journey." Always up right, just like the old Mags.

"Thanks Joe. I hope to see you when I come back." He smiles awkwardly. I put my hand on his shoulder. "I believe you can do it Joe. Your determination is great and you're trying to do the right thing. You'll get there one day, and just remember what you set out to do. Good luck to you Joseph."

He looks at me, unsure what to make of my advice. "Thank you Logan. It really means a lot, coming from you, considering..." I interrupt his sentence.

"Don't get into that Joe. It's past. I forgive you for that." I can see shock on his face when I say those words. They're long overdue. "You weren't yourself at the time, not at least the yourself I know. And now you're going back to the old self, that self that I trusted. I believe people can change Joe. And you're on the right way. Don't waste it."

He is very surprised and unsure what to say. I suppose lots of folks didn't forgive him for things he did. Finally he managed to mumble out some words of thanks. I laugh and pat him on the shoulder. He'll survive.

***

^With Rogue, it was kinda like with Kitty. She came here, young and scared, and unable to control her powers. She was a fighter. I suppose that's how we started working together, and we were a good team working together. I felt sorry for her, that she couldn't touch anyone, the girl seemed to cope with it. Sometimes Carol would take over, and she could touch anyone, but that was a unsolved mystery. Carol was an old friend too, but now I hear she's no longer part of Rogue. She's somewhere in space with the Starjamers now, the rightful Carol. Rogue meanwhile got involved with Remy, an ill twisted romance. I don't blame any of them, for what happened, Gambit seems like a good guy, and Ororo trusts him, and he has proven himself more than once. If he was a traitor like Bishop claimed he would have killed us long ago. Instead the traitor turned out to be Chuck himself. Can't blame Gumbo for having secrets, it's not like I don't have any, and maybe Rogue is just over reacting. I know how he feels, I clearly remember those first months here. He'll get used to it. Meanwhile Rogue looks better now, with no one attached to her, her old character returning.^

"What do ya think Logan ?" She asks me, showing off her new choice for an outfit. It's her old green costume, complete with the hood. Just like when she came here first. Maybe the old character is returning more than I thought.

"You look stunning." I say, meaning every word. This old costume, is really brining in her youth in her, brining back the memories of the days, when she was just a rebellious teen.

"Ah just felt ha needed a change of costume. The old one was worn out." She tries to explain. I know what she really means, she just wants to go back to life the way it was, she's trying to forget all the bad things that happened and just remember the good times. "Ah heard you're leaving. It's not gonna be the same without you."

"I know Rogue, but it's time to move one, for a while at least." I say as if explaining myself.

"Ah understand, good luck, I hope to see ya around." She says turning around, watching herself in the mirror. She likes it.

"You will, you know how it is with X-Men, we never leave forever." I say, making  joke. She laughs and smiles. She hadn't smiled in a long time. This no men attached thing is getting to her better than I thought.

"Never." she says. Rogue is back.

***

^Finally, I see him, I get the feeling he's been hiding from me the whole day. He doesn't want me to go, all through he has not said it, he still loves me. I love him too, and I don't want to go, but I have to. This is something I have to do. It is hard, but I have made many hard decisions in life. As Forge would have too, concerning me. My whole relationship with him, was full of hard decisions, and uphills. The only time I can remember spending with him was in the universe Adversary created for us. Yet that wasn't enough and we had to get out of there to save the world. And then he had to kill me. I can't even understand how that hurt. And now that he has me back, and we're not arguing, I have to leave. Will our life always be like this ?^

I open the door to his room, where he has been living. He looks up at me. "Farewell everyone ?" he asks in a sad voice. I sit down next to him and take his hand into mine.

"No, I've got one more person." I say looking at him. He sighs and begins talking.

"Ororo... I don't want you to go."

"Neither do I..." I say sighing too. "But I have to. I'll be back Forge." I say, moving my body closer to his. Our lips meet and our toungs play together for a while. We let go and I look him in the face, smiling. "It's still few hours before I leave." I say unbuttoning my blouse and revealing my chest to him. "Let's make the most of it, while I'm still here."

And we do.

***
 
Savage Land

Anne Marie Cortez landed the jet carefully, on the landing pad. Opening the door, she walked up the steps, and jumped down to the ground. If she had being paying attention she would have noticed there was something different about the place, but she was pre occupied with thoughts about her family. For her, it was sad how her mother and father hated her, brother, their own son. She couldn't understand it. Sure Fabian did terrible things, but he was still their son, they should at least show a bit of respect to him. It seemed to her, she was hurt the most by him, but she was the only one that cared about him. ^He was always a angry man. I grew used to it, I mean we lived in Olympia, Kurt Cobain lived there, and look at him, ended up similarly to Fabian, at least he didn't betray anyone. It's pretty rough there, we used to get all these tv stations, because we gave birth to grunge, and we were the angry state, no one really noticed that we were all fucked up. This whole area, for some stupid reason, we never had a good outlook on life, always being pessimistic, always angry. Fabian was like that, all the time, normally everyone would have been scared of him, but here... here it was normal. From all that anger and pessimism, grunge was born, Fabian did what he did, and....^ her thoughts were interrupted as she finally noticed there was something wrong. The corridor leading up to the main hall had holes in the walls and there was concrete lying on the floor, indicating some sort of a fight. In the main hall, she could hear voiced that were definitely not of her teammates.

Quickly judging her chances, she noticed a air vent on the wall to her left. She pulled the cover open and climbed into it. It was large enough for her to stand up on her knees and hands. Slowly, she began crawling, paying attention not to get lost. After making two right turns and one left, she came up to a exit that looked straight out to the main hall. There, she saw a man and a woman she quickly identified as Fenris. She almost jumped up in shock, as she saw those two terrorists using their base. What happened here ? She moved closer to the crate to hear what the two were talking about, and right now they were talking to someone through their communication system. Someone who looked like.... Sebastian Shaw !

"We're telling you Shaw we can pull this off." Andreass said proudly.

"You better will Stucker, otherwise, you can forget it." the man said with a booming voice that was his trademark over the years.

"We will deliver soon, as we promised." Andrea said.

"Good. Farewell Fenris, I hope next time we talk you'll be more successful."

"So do we. Good bye." Andrea said cutting the connection. "Jerk." she said afterwards.

^Sebastian Shaw ? Isn't he dead ?^ Anne Marie thought, watching the two twins.

"Almost everything is ready, sister. But do you really think our plan is going to work. It's a big longshot." Andreass said glancing up at his sister.

She shot him a evil look she used for when she had enough. "Of course it will work you idiot. We're Stucker's, we are the children of our father, our plans are as genuine as his."

"Of course." Andreass said.

"So what is the status on the Acolytes ?" Andrea asked turning back to the main computer. After pressing few buttons a image of the Acolytes in cells appeared on the screen. Anne Marie gasped. "Still no disturbance."

"Told you tha..." Andreass began.

"Shut up, and trust me okay ? Or do I have to kick your ass like I did last time ?" Andrea cut in angrily.

"No.. definitely not." Andreass said looking down. "I'm sorry."

"Good. Now have patience."

That was something Anne Marie did not have. She began backing away in the air vent, heading for the cells. They were holding the rest of Acolytes prisoner. Fenris, and Sebastian Shaw didn't sound like a good combination to her. She had to help the others get, out find her master, he was surely able to help them. Making few turns, she looked out to a corridor and saw her teammates locked up in cells. Without bothering to be quiet, she kicked the crate in front of her and jumped down to the floor. "Hi guys." she said with a slight grin. Her teammates looked up at her, speechless.

"C'mon we gotta get out of here." Anne Marie said tampering with the  door. Delgado was the first one to  regain his voice.

"Anne Marie, thank god. We thought you were going to get caught too."

"Luckily I didn't. What happened here ?" Anne Marie said trying to open the door.

"We got attacked by those twins." Chrome said, clearly unpleased from the corner.

"Yeah I saw them, they're Fenris." Anne Marie said through clenched teeth, trying to open the door. It wasn't working. "DAMN YOU PIECE OF SHIT. OPEN !" She screamed out in anger, kicking the door.

"No time for this Anne. You have to go and get our master." Delgado said, trying to calm her down.

"That's just what I thought, but I have to get you out first." Anne explained.

Delgado reached through the bars and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You have to go alone Anne. They could see you here, you're our last chance to contact the master."

"But.. but... I can't just leave you here." she said looking at them, standing around her, their faces firm.

"You have to Anne. There's no other choice." Delgado said. "We'll be all right, don't worry about us, just get back with the master quickly, and everything will be fine."

"I... I..."

"Do what he says child." Nance said from behind Delgado. "It's for the best Anne. Don't worry they're not out to kill us yet. If you hurry, we'll be all right. We've survived worst things.

Anne Marie understood that they were right, and that she had no choice. "Okay." she said climbing into the air vent. "I'll be back as soon as I can, with the master. Please stay alive okay ?" She said closing the crate behind her.

"Will do." Chrome shouted behind her. "Just be quick."

But Anne Marie couldn't hear those words anymore, as she began crawling for the hangar bay, praying she would make it. Her life, everyone's life depended on it. Unfortunately to her prayers, she was noticed, by both twins. Fortunately, all they did was smile and  turn of the screen.

***

The Lab of Henry McCoy

"So in conclusion, your life is no longer in danger. Aside from few lumps, which will disappear with few weeks you are fine."

"Thanks Hank." Betsy said, smiling at Hank. " Can I go now ?"

"Not just yet Miss. Braddock. I still have not heard what exactly happened to you. I can see something did, but I want to hear it from yourself." Hank said placing his large hand on her shoulder.

"I told you nothing happened Hank, I just got beaten up." Betsy said trying to sound convincing.

"As your doctor, I need to know about your accidents, it could..." Hank began.

"Okay okay !" Betsy interrupted not able to stand a next half hour lecture. "I went to Matuso's and he captured me a drained all the Crimson Dawn from me. The red mark on my face is gone, and so is my shadow awareness."

"But, that's impossible, Crimson Dawn is not a drain able substance at all, and it would have killed you." Hank began talking, his amazement clearly shown.

"Yeah it almost did, Remy saved me life though, with a old method I learned from Logan. And as for Crimson Dawn I have no idea how and why it's gone. I guess I should find out, but maybe not just yet."

"It's amazing, you have to let me run some tests on it." Hank said excited.

"Oh no..." Betsy gestured her finger at Hank. "No tests."

"But.."

"No tests. I'm sorry Hank, but I just don't want to be experimented on. I know you mean good, but I've had enough tests done on me. Okay ?"

"Yes, I suppose I can deal with that." Hank said rubbing his head. "But if you're feeling any changes, be sure to alert me of them. I'm saying that as your doctor. Is that understood ?"

Elizabeth nodded in a answer and was interrupted by a beep from Hank's computer. "That's our clue, Logan and Ororo are leaving. Let's go."

***

Farewells are always the hardest. You know you have to go, but you don't want to. It is even more hurting if the departure isn't of your choice, and you're standing there farewelling friends, you know you might not see for a long time, if ever. And, just that day, as usual seems the worst day to leave, and you suddenly feel like you haven't done enough, or said enough. And there you are, parting with a loved one or a friend, and all these feelings rush to you, and you cling to them, tears forming in your eyes, not wanting to ever let go. And when you do, and you can't see through your eyes anymore, you finally realize this is the place you always wanted to be, and never should have tried to leave. But then, then it's too late.............................

***

They all stand around us, farewelling us, wishing us good luck. I shake hands with each and one of them, remembering them for both good and bad. As I approach the cajun I pat him on the back, telling him to take good care of Betss. He looks at me surprised and confused, but he'll understand in time. I move along to Slim and placing my hand on his shoulder I tell him he's got a good wife, and that he should be careful not to mistreat her. He looks at me, giving me a similar look to Remy's but he knows what I mean. I lean close to his ear and tell him that she's strong and that he should worry about the way she felt more. He nods, and I don't know if he understood me, but I hope so. Jean is next. For a while, we just look at each other, then we pull into a embrace, Jean thanking me for everything. I tell her it's all right, and tell her to stay strong, and get busy. At first  she doesn't understand, but then she laughs. Winking, she says okay. I take a last look at the school in front of me, which made me a human, which gave me life, and I feel a tear forming in my eye, for the first time since, long. Fortunately no one notices and I wipe it away quickly. With a final wave I walk to the cab and get in, waiting for Ororo. I have left many times, but never like this, this is like leaving a life behind.

I look at them gathered around on the stairs of the almost finished mansion, and suddenly I feel butterflies in my stomach. It's hard to leave X-Men. I farewell everyone, embracing each and one of them, wishing them good luck and making promises to come back soon. Finally I reach Forge, and we're both speechless, in the wake of what happened few hours ago. We're making it hard on ourselves, knowingly. He pulls me close and I feel his heart racing, as he probably hears mine. It's hard to leave the X-Men. We hold each other for a moment that seems to last forever, and I whisper to him that I can't let go. He embraces me tight before finally letting go. We look each other in the eyes, and as if with a mutual agreement, our lips move towards each other at the same time and meet half way, for a quick kiss. We pull away from each other, and I don't even notice the others watching. I slowly start to move away his hand still holding mine, until that too slips away, and we're now separated. I back to the cab slowly, still facing him, until I reach the door. Sighing I give them all a last look before finally stepping into the cab, and shutting the door. The car begins to move and I look out through the window, watching them all standing there until they are all gone. Just then, tears began to form around the corners of my eyes and I stare off to nothingness.

It's hard to leave X-Men.

...

NEXT ISSUE:
"The Herald of Change."
All but one pieces are set for the big showdown. This issue puts the final piece into the puzzle and destiny is finally written. Now it's going to happen. And everything will change. Forever. Plus a move along with the Sarah story, just who is she going to make help her ? Warren is set upon a hard decision, that will change the way his business is known, but how does he rise to a challenge he swore not to get involved in again ? Cyclops decides it's time to tie up few loose ends concerning Operation Zero Tolerance, but maybe the decision isn't the best idea. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't know that. Plus Remy and Betsy finally get to talk about what happened, how will they react to each other ? Plus a surprise guest star, and few more interesting bits. This issue lays down the ground for the new direction for X-Men: Gold and Blue. And I mean that, there will be changes, and big ones, we keep our promises, unlike Marvel.  See you there ;) !!!
 

On to Issue #23

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