iv.
Cecily stood beside Charles, her gaze fixed on the floor, weighed down by guilt.
“You said he wanted me,” Logan said, his voice taut with frustration.
“I made a terrible mistake,” Charles admitted. “His helmet was designed to block my telepathy. I couldn’t see what he was after until it was too late.”
Logan turned toward the door, but Cecily remained rooted in place, her sense of uselessness gnawing at her.
“Where are you going?” Storm asked.
“I’m going to find her,” Logan replied. “How?”
“The traditional way: I’ll look for her.” Storm followed him out, with Cecily trailing behind.“Logan, you can’t do this alone,” Storm said, her voice firm.
“Who’s going to help me? You?” Logan retorted. “So far, you’ve all done a bang-up job.”
“You won’t find her like that,” Cecily said from the staircase, her eyes still cast downward. Logan looked up at her, puzzled.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I saw it,” Cecily said. “I don’t know how else to explain.”
“That’s not good enough,” Logan said, turning toward the door. Cecily, at a loss for words, could only watch as he opened it.
Outside, a man collapsed in the doorway. “I’m looking for Dr. Jean Grey,” he gasped before falling unconscious.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cecily stood beside Logan as Jean and the professor entered the room.
“Senator Kelly,” Charles said, and Cecily felt a sudden wave of recognition. That’s who he was. She had known he looked familiar but couldn’t place him until now.
“I’m Professor Charles Xavier,” Charles continued.
“I was afraid that if I went to a hospital, they would—”
“Treat you like a monster?” Cecily interrupted. “Cecily,” Charles admonished.
“He was taking too long to say it,” she replied, crossing her arms.
Charles chose to ignore her and addressed Senator Kelly. “We’re not what you think. Not all of us.”
“Tell that to the ones who did this to me,” Senator Kelly shot back. Cecily could barely restrain a scoff.
“Senator, I want you to try to relax,” Charles said. Cecily rolled her eyes. Why did they have to help this man of all people? “I’m not going to hurt you,” Charles added, though Cecily’s own impulse was to do just that.
This situation was dragging on, and Cecily found herself growing increasingly impatient.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
“The machine emits radiation that triggers mutations in ordinary human beings,” the professor explained.
Cecily gazed out the window, barely listening to the discussion. “But the mutation is unnatural. Kelly’s body is rejecting the changes,” Jean continued. “His cells began to break down almost immediately.”
“What effect does radiation have on mutants?” Scott asked.
“There seems to be none. However, I fear it will harm any normal person exposed to it,” Charles answered.
“So what does Magneto want with Rogue?” Logan’s question made Cecily frown. She began picking at the skin of her fingers, feeling the weight of her own perceived failure.
She had been meant to be an X-Man, a hero, but she couldn’t even protect one person. Useless. Useless. Useless.
“Cyclops, Storm, and Cecily, prepare the jet,” Charles directed. Everyone’s gaze shifted to Cecily, still standing by the window, absorbed in her own turmoil.
“Cecily?” Scott’s voice broke through her thoughts. She looked up but avoided meeting anyone’s eyes. “If it’s alright with you, Professor, I’d like to stay behind this time,” she said quietly.
“Very well,” Charles agreed. “I’m going to find Rogue. Jean, get Logan a uniform.”
Scott immediately stood up. “Wait a minute. He’s not coming with us, is he?” “Yes, he is.”
“I’m sorry, Professor, but he’ll endanger the mission, and—” “I wasn’t the one who gave the station a new sunroof, pal,” Logan interjected.
“No, but you were the one who stabbed Rogue through the chest,” Scott shot back.
“You’ll need him,” Cecily said softly, feeling the weight of their collective gaze. “I’ve seen it.”
Before she could elaborate, Storm burst through the door. “Senator Kelly is dead,” she announced flatly.
“I’m going to find her. Settle this,” Charles said, determination etched on his face.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
“Magneto is at Liberty Island,” Scott said, pointing to the location on the table. “It seems his goal is to mutate the world leaders at the summit on Ellis Island.”
“He’s likely unaware that his machine is lethal,” Storm added. “If Magneto has given Rogue enough power, he could potentially wipe out everyone in New York City.”
“Alright,” Scott continued, “We can insert at the George Washington Bridge. We’ll circle around the bank, just off Manhattan, and land on the far side of Liberty Island. Here.”'
“What about harbor patrol and radar?” Logan asked.
“If they have equipment capable of detecting our jet, then they’ve earned the right to catch us,” Scott replied with a hint of defiance.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cecily stood by the window, staring out at the sky. She heard footsteps approach and turned to find Logan behind her.
“You really not going to come along?” Logan asked.
“No,” Cecily replied, shaking her head. “Someone has to stay here.”
“What happened on the train wasn’t your fault,” he said, trying to reassure her.
“No, but I was there and did nothing. I was supposed to protect her, and I failed,” she said, turning away but still avoiding his gaze.
“I’m not going with you guys,” she said quietly as she walked closer to him. “But I will warn you: be careful. If you’re not, something terrible will happen.” When she was face-to-face with him, he asked, “Care to elaborate?”
Her eyes met his, and she shook her head. “I can’t. I never see it clearly enough.”
She watched as the jet took off, mumbling something incoherent under her breath.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cecily stood beside the professor, who had just opened his eyes. “Welcome back. It’s about time, don’t you think?” she said, her smile beaming.
“How did we do?” he asked. Cecily’s smile faltered as she moved aside to reveal Logan lying on the table next to him.
Jean was busy attending to other matters, so Cecily had been asked to check on Logan. She didn’t mind.
Lifting the bandages, Cecily was surprised to find the wound completely healed. She gently ran her hand over his chest where the injury had been.
Logan’s hand shot out, grabbing hers. “Oh, that tickles,” he said with a grin. Cecily smiled at him. “Hey.” “Hey,” he replied.
“How are you feeling?” she asked. “Fantastic,” he answered. Cecily chuckled softly. “Brave thing you did.” “Did it work?” he asked.
“Yeah. She’s fine. She even picked up some of your charming traits for a while,” Cecily said, laughing a bit. “But they made it through. She seems a bit taken with you.”
Logan smirked. “Well, you can tell her my heart belongs to someone else.”
Cecily’s smile wavered. “What?” The words shouldn’t have made her as happy as they did.
Before she could respond, Logan interrupted, “How’s the professor?”
Cecily stared at him for a moment before answering. “He’s good.”
“Good,” Logan said, still holding her hand. He lifted it and placed a quick kiss on it. Cecily’s smile returned, brighter than ever.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Cecily gazed out the window, a small smile gracing her lips as she watched Logan ride off on Scott’s bike.
She had a sense that their paths would cross again soon—she had seen it.