Mission End

[miniclaws]

[The team parted at the entrance. Wolverine gave his reports to Cyclops alone. It suited X23 fine. She sniffed the air for Julian's sent and began to trace it to it's origin. He would call her Laura and she would feel less like a monster. The clothes with the bloodstains would go to the wash and she would start anew again.

She opened Julian's bedroom and walked in] I am back.

Comments

[hellionated]

Do you trust him?

[miniclaws]

No. Cyclops smells of fear

[hellionated]

He's scared? [Julian wouldn't have picked that] I thought he was power mad. He's colder than he used to be, though.

[miniclaws]

Scared of failing. Scared of losing power. It makes him colder. She plays on those fears

[hellionated]

Miss Frost. [Julian’s lip curls in distaste. Once upon a time he would have trusted her inherently. Even now, he knows that she’s supposed to be on his side. But he can’t think of her the same way he used to. She turned her back on him. She took the team leadership away from him. Then she took the team too, separating everyone away into different places. And she wouldn’t tell him where. She wouldn’t tell him the truth.] You think this is her fault, that she’s talking him into this? It wouldn’t surprise me. She’d probably say she was doing it for the greater good. I wish I could still believe that.

[miniclaws]

[she nods] she is not fit to lead x-men. Her decisions are corrupt

[hellionated]

...

Laura, has she asked you to do something...?

[miniclaws]

[she shakes her head] no but she watches everything I can see her thinking

[hellionated]

[He still looks wary]

What is it you think she's after? [He can't believe he's even thinking that about Emma Frost. A year ago he'd have defended her to the hilt]

[miniclaws]

Control. [she frowns thinking] Power. She craves those. She only shares them now.

[hellionated]

You think she's lookin' to oust Summers. [Julian is wondering how much that would even change. Summers doesn't act that much different from her now] He has a reputation that's nicer than hers. Even if he's doing his best to get rid of it. Most people would still trust him before her.

[miniclaws]

[she nods] it is better to trust myself than them.

[hellionated]

You ask me, you're always better trusting yourself. You know you've got us, though, right? Not trusting them doesn't mean you're on your own.

[miniclaws]

I trust you. You do not lie to me

[hellionated]

No, I don't lie. I don't see the point, it makes things harder.

...I'm glad though, Laura. I trust you too you know.

[miniclaws]

It is not always wise to trust me

[hellionated]

[He shakes his head] You wouldn't hurt me.

[miniclaws]

I might.

[hellionated]

I don't believe that. You're my friend.

[miniclaws]

It is easier to do when I am angry

[hellionated]

I’ve seen you angry, Laura. You’ve always looked out for me.

[miniclaws]

Most of the time. Do not always rely on me

[hellionated]

You're my friend. [He shrugs] That's what matters. That's how it's gonna be.

[miniclaws]

Why..why do you try with me

[hellionated]

[He looks a little confused. Then he shakes his head]

Because I..

I've seen you, Laura. I've trained with you, talked with you, fought with you, I've...

You're my best friend. Don't you know that?