Of Fire and Ice

by Geek Squared 1307

Chapter Four:

Consequences of the Cure

Bobby was walking down the sidewalk, headed towards the local comic book shop. He tried very hard not to look to either side of himself, because lining the streets were protestors both for and against the cure. These protests had started almost immediately after the official announcement about the cure and were gaining momentum.

Bobby walked faster to get away. Suddenly, a hand was on his shoulder. Someone grabbed his shirt and turned him around. It was Jacob and on either side of him were Timothy and Thomas. They were the boys who had beaten up John.

"Get the hell off me," said Bobby.

"What's wrong," said Jacob. "Did your boyfriend come crying home?"

"I said, get off." Bobby was tempted to freeze the boy's hand, but was reluctant to use his powers in front of the protestors and also to fight three guys at once.

"Why don't you go get cured, mutant freak," said Jacob, pushing Bobby. Timothy and Thomas advanced like they were about to attack, but they also looked hesitant. They were probably still afraid from when they'd attacked John and the professor had used his powers on them.

Bobby tried again to pull away. The protestors were farther down the road, where he'd come from, and didn't notice the struggle going on. Bobby wondered if he could fight back without his picture being on the evening news.

"It's too bad they don't make a cure for being a fag. Then, maybe, you'd be normal."

Bobby punched Jacob in the jaw and said, "I am normal." Jacob staggered backwards.

Timothy and Thomas pushed Bobby against a building and punched him in the stomach. Bobby kicked Timothy, who sprawled backwards and fell onto his back. Thomas kneed Bobby in the groin and Bobby fell down to his knees. Then, he grabbed Bobby's shirt and lifted him up to his feet. He punched Bobby in the face, causing Bobby's lip to bleed profusely.

Bobby finally decided that he had no choice but to use his powers and try to be discreet about it. He pushed away Thomas, who bumped into his two friends, and then he froze the three boys['] sneakers to the ground. They looked startled, because – while trying to untangle themselves – they hadn't noticed that Bobby had created the ice.

Bobby ran back to the Institute and collapsed on his bed. Some of the students had glanced at him when he ran in the door, but he ran by them so fast that they hadn't noticed his bleeding lip or his generally disheveled state.

Scott, however, did notice when he walked through Bobby's open bedroom door and found the boy laying on his bed all bloody.

"Bobby, what happened?" Scott put a tissue on Bobby's lip.

Bobby told him the whole story.

"The same guys?"

"Yeah."

Scott shook his head. "Did anyone see you?"

"No, I don't think so. The protestors were too busy yelling at each other. I know it was dangerous to use my powers, but I had to. Besides, they just..." Bobby cut himself off before he said anything he'd get a lecture for.

"Yeah, I know. It does get frustrating sometimes."

Bobby leaned against the headboard. "Sometimes, I just wish people would go the hell away, you know?"

"Yeah," agreed Scott "but then life would be no fun, you know?"

"I suppose so. I just hope I'm not on the six o'clock news."

"I doubt it. The Professor thinks Magneto's up to something."

"What?"

"I don't know – probably the usual."

"You mean killing people," said Bobby. There was a mix of annoyance and sadness in his voice. "The professor told us once that Magneto believes what he's doing is right. He thinks that all the, well, normal or regular people are going to try to kill us, and he wants to stop it from happening."

"He lived through some horrible things," said Scott. "His family was taken to a concentration camp during the Holocaust. He's seen the worst that humans can do to each other."

"That's horrible." Bobby wasn't sure what more to say. Nothing he could have said would be an adequate response.

Scott said, "When you hear him talk...if you listen for a while, he starts to make sense. It's one of the reasons I considered joining him."

This shocked Bobby. "You considered joining Magneto?"

"For a little while...right after I got my powers. It was a long time ago, but...I still remember what he said to me and what he showed me."

"What?"

"He told me that the same thing could happen to us that happened during the Holocaust. Then – then he took me to meet some mutants who had been captured and experimented on or abused by their families. It was[...]horrible."

"Like what Stryker did to Logan?" Bobby's voice was strained.

Scott nodded. "Yeah. I still remember talking to them and them telling what was done to them. I have nightmares about it sometimes. There was a guy who had been locked in a laboratory from the time he was five years old. His parents were afraid of his powers and they'd handed him over to scientists who promised to 'help' him. For the next twenty years, they tortured him and injected him with chemicals that made him sick. Then, there was a woman who had grown up in a very religious family – and not the good, 'God loves everyone and we should all try to get along' religious like Kurt but the prejudiced 'We're right and everyone else is wrong, so we should kill other people' religious. They believed that her being born a mutant was a punishment from God, and they treated her like she was the devil incarnate. They refused to send her to school and told her all the time that she would go to hell when she died. They beat her and said that they did it because God wanted them to." Here, Scott took a deep breath to steady his voice.

Bobby couldn't see Scott's eyes, but it sounded like the man was close to tears. Bobby wasn't sure what to say, so he just gave the man a hug.

Scott hugged him back and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. I'm alright. It'll all be okay."

Bobby pulled away and said, "Really?"

"Yes, really," insisted Scott. "I'll tell you what. Let's not tell the Professor about this."

[][]

"Won't he know anyway?"

"Probably," said Scott, "but you can always hope he doesn't say anything about it. Besides, I probably would have done the same thing." He smiled a little.

#

"You did what?" John stared at his boyfriend in shock. They were sitting in a corner of the living room. They could hear the sounds of some tv show the younger kids were watching in the background.

"It's not like I went after them. They came after me first, and were saying things about you. You're my boyfriend and I have every right to defend you."

John just stared at Bobby for a full minute before laughing.

"What?"

"You were defending me?"

"Yes...and maybe letting out some anger."

John laughed again and then hugged Bobby. "You know, I think I like this new attitude of yours. I did always say you were too nice."

"Thanks," said Bobby, rolling his eyes. "I'll start being mean to you from now on."

"Seriously, though, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Bobby leaned back on the couch and said, "You know, I never thought I could be like this."

"Like what?"

"Angry, upset, confused, desperate, and all that stuff. I mean, sure, I get upset about the small bad things that happen, but I never imagined that I'd be put in a situation in which I'd feel like, I don't know, I wanted to freaking kill someone or something. It's like I have to become this horrible hateful person just to survive and it just isn't fair, because I don't want to be and – "

By this time, Bobby was pacing from one side of the room to the other and back again furiously. His actions were eliciting stares from the younger students.

Luckily, it was almost time for lunch, so John was able to calm Bobby down while steering him towards the kitchen, where they sat down and ate.

When it was time for a training session, Bobby was feeling much better and even looking forward to seeing Logan – no matter what the Wolverine had in store for his students.

#

When Logan walked out of the Danger Room, his students exhausted and trudging behind him, he heard a voice behind him.

"Hey, Logan." It was John.

"Hey, kid."

"Can I ask you something?"

"I guess. What?"

"Do you have any idea when all this 'cure' stuff is gonna end, because it's making Bobby a little crazy."

"It's making us all a little crazy, kid."

The two of them stepped onto the elevator.

"Yeah, I know. I just, well, worry about him I guess." He said this as though it were the last thing he wanted to admit.

Logan laughed. "Yeah, I worry about Scott sometimes, too. Just don't tell him that, okay?"

John laughed. "Okay."

The elevator doors opened and the two of them stepped into a hallway filled with students heading various parts of the Institute. Classes had ended for the day, and many people were, no doubt, eager to relax.

Logan navigated the sea of students and John followed him.

"Something else, kid," asked Logan.

"You never answered my question," said John. "What's going on with this whole cure thing."

"Can't say I know, kid. None of us knows."

John sighed, not sure of what to say. He hoped that Logan hadn't heard him, but Logan's wolverine hearing enabled him to detect even the smallest sounds, even among the large commotion that was common in a school.

"Don't sigh," said Logan.

"Sorry," said John but it was very obvious that he wasn't.

"And don't get sarcastic with me," Logan added, jokingly punching John in the shoulder.

John smirked.

Logan looked at John and realized that his signature smirk had caught on with the people he cared about – Rogue, Scott, and now John. Bobby would probably be next. Logan was worried about Bobby. If John was right and Bobby, who seemed to have a mostly positive attitude most of the time, was acting "crazy" because of the cure, then maybe other students had similar concerns. Since the announcement, the adults at the school had been trying to put up a brave front for the students, but it appeared that the students were not as oblivious to the possible implications of the cure as their teachers wanted them to be. It didn't seem fair to Logan that these kids were having to deal with something this serious but, then again, nothing was ever fair. The best anyone could do was just deal with what they got.

The two of them had reached the first floor during their talk and Logan sat down on a couch. "Sit," he said.

John sat and was unsure of what Logan would say to him. Wolverine was always unpredictable. He could seem like he didn't care, but his friends knew that there was much more about him than one could easily see, if only a person was willing to sit and talk with him for a little while.

"Listen, kid," Logan said, "I wasn't going to say anything – the Prof wants to wait for a few days – but maybe you should know this." He looked around to see if any of the younger students were nearby. "Some of the students are leavin' – some because they want to and others because their parents want 'em to. The Prof doesn't want to force anyone to stay, so he's gonna tell all you guys if you wanna leave you can."

John was silent for a few seconds. John had to admit that this was not much of a surprise; the news was inundated with the stories of mutants who were lining up to get the cure. Somehow, John had thought the Institute that had partially protected everyone within it from the hardships that many mutants had to face and had given him and his friends opportunities they would not have had in the outside world would also be their safe haven during this cure situation. It would seem, however, that this was not merely a "situation" that would resolve itself. It was a turning point, just as he and many of the others at the Institute had feared. Before the cure, mutants existed and that fact could not be changed. The only thing that could be done was for Professor Xavier to combat the fears of some homo sapiens and make a place for mutants to live peacefully in society.

Now, mutants no longer had to be a fact of life. The mutations could be "corrected" and the mutants could now be normal people. It was expected by the majority of the public that mutants should be happy about this.

John knew that Logan was probably thinking all of these same things, so he just asked, "Do you know who's leaving?"

"Mostly some of the younger kids," said Logan. He had a look on his face that made it clear to John that he wasn't very happy about this. John suspected Logan was tempted to take matters into his own hands, but he respected the professor too much to take any actions that would endanger the school.

The Professor's voice said quietly yet urgently in Logan's head, I need to see you in my office, Wolverine.

Logan told John he had to go, and John suspected what had happened. The professor spoke to the students through telepathy often enough that they could suspect when someone had been summoned to his office.

John headed upstairs to tell Bobby what he'd just found out and Logan headed to Professor X's office to see what the latest news was. Wolverine wasn't a telepath, but he knew enough to tell when a situation had probably gone from bad to worse.

#

As it turned out, John did not need to explain to his boyfriend what was going on because it was apparent from the state of the hallways outside the students' rooms. Suitcases, duffle bags, and backpacks lined the walls. In several bedrooms, the cabinets were empty and the walls were bare.

John, Bobby, Rogue, and Kitty had holed up in John's room to discuss the matter. They knew that many of their fellow students had felt disadvantaged by their powers and oppressed by those who targeted them for being different – indeed, each of them had felt the same at some time during the past few years, even after coming to the Institute – but they had not suspected that so many of their friends would leave.

"Logan said it was mostly the younger kids," said John, "but it's not just them."

"The little kids are mostly leaving because of their parents, but a few are leaving because they want to. I heard from Jullianna and Rick that they're leaving on their own. I thinks some of the others are considering it, too."

Bobby thought he could understand what had driven Jullianna and Rick to their decisions. They were in a situation similar to his. The prospect of being normal was very appealing to those who had been disowned by their families for being mutants. Curing his mutation and returning home would give him a normal life. He'd have the opportunity to go to college; the ban on mutants many colleges had instated would no longer affect him. His choices would not be limited by some random chance mutation in a microscopic gene in his cells.

But why should he have to give up being himself to have these choices? As much as he wanted to see his family again and leave behind the difficulties that came with being a mutant, Bobby could not imagine giving up. He could not imagine admitting that there was something wrong with him and his friends.

The four friends talked long into the night and watched as some fellow students left the Institute, seemingly forever. Finally, the professor suggested they all go to sleep.

#

Late in the night, Scott began packing away the uniforms that the ex-X-Men had left behind, the Professor's words still in his mind as he did this mindless work.

Charles Xavier had called the teachers into his office to tell them the shocking news. So many of the students had approached him with their considerations about leaving the Institute that he was considering whether the Institute should remain open. He'd wanted to announce to the school that the students could leave if they wanted, but the news had gotten around before he could say anything. One-quarter of the students would definitely be leaving within the month and one-half were considering leaving if the cure turned out to be as successful as the initial news claimed. Facing such an enormous student loss, with no prospective students lined up, the Professor wasn't sure if his cause for mutant rights and equality would have any voice left among the din caused by the cure.

Scott, one of the first members of Xavier's now famous X-Men, was dedicated enough to the professor and the Institute to not even consider leaving. However, as he recalled his earlier days at the school, he could understand why so many of the students wanted to leave. He wondered what decision he would have made, had the cure been invented while he was still getting used to the idea of having powers and was afraid of being a danger to those around him.

The door to the large storage room creaked open and Logan walked in.

"Hey," said Logan.

"Hey," Scott responded in kind. He wondered what else there was to say. There had been a thought in the back of his mind, but he was terrified of even thinking it or of giving voice to it. To keep his mind empty, he set about organizing the rest of the storage room after he was done packing away uniforms.

Logan stood a few paces behind Scott, recognizing his boyfriend's habit of tidying when he was nervous or scared and reluctant to talk about it.

"What bothering you, kid," asked Logan. He'd developed a habit of calling the students "kid" and sometimes referred to Scott the same way, partially because Scott was so much younger than him but mostly because it was a joke between them.

"Nothing," said Scott. He was now straightening boxes which were perfectly aligned according to Logan's sharp vision.

Logan grabbed the back of Scott's shirt and pulled him away from the shelves of boxes. Scott looked at Logan through his scarlet visor and Logan knew, without being able to see Scott's eyes, that Scott was probably glaring at him. It was how they were, after all. As close as they had become, each still sometimes fell into silence when deeply saddened, wanting to save the other from feeling bad for him.

"Tell me," requested Logan in a voice quieter than most people would believe him capable of. "Are you going to organize this room according to the Dewey Decimal System?"

Scott tried not to smile and almost failed, the corners of his mouth turning up. He turned to his right and stared at the wall, with its many shelves, with his arms crossed. "We've lived here a long time, Logan. Where are we supposed to go if the professor closes the school? Where is the professor going to go if he closes the school? We can't just give up! He...he can't think we're just going to leave and do nothing anymore!" Scott was now staring at Logan, presumably right into Logan's eyes.

"Well, I really don't think Charles is going to do nothing," said Logan. He couldn't imagine the professor just sitting back and letting things happen. "He probably just wants to think of something to do first – not that I wouldn't like to go beat some sense into some of those people at the cure center."

Scott seemed to be deep in thought. "You're right," he said after a while, as if this was a huge surprise to him.

"Of course I'm right," said Logan, and Scott punched his arm.

#

Bobby watched as more students slowly left the Institute over the next few weeks. Bedrooms and desks were emptying out at an alarming rate. At first, Bobby had been skeptical about whether the cure worked or not – all the genetics seemed a bit futuristic and out of science fiction to him – but his doubt had disappeared when he received a letter from Rick.

Dear Bobby,

Hey, how are you? I've just come home after getting the cure. I feel great! My parents are being a lot nicer to me since I'm not a mutant anymore. It's still kind of weird right now between me and my sister, but I think things'll get better soon. She's not afraid of me anymore, at least.

I was wondering if you and John are getting the cure, too. I mean, your powers are kind of cool and all, but it must be weird dating and not being able to touch and all.

I heard from Jullianna last week. She says she's fine. She doesn't have any parents, but now there's a couple who are willing to adopt her, since she's no longer a mutant. I expect things will get a lot better for her and for all of us now that we have a choice.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Your friend,

Rick

Bobby sat on his bed and read the letter again and again, unsure of what to think. Rick seemed happy, Jullianna was headed for a better life, it all seemed so great, yet. . .

Bobby and John had discussed which of the other students may be leaving, but neither had asked the other if he would be leaving. In the back of his mind, Bobby had been thinking about his and John's relationship. Rick's letter had just brought his thoughts to the front of his mind.

People often said that a person's reason for doing something was just as important as what he did. Two people could do the same thing, but one person could be guilty while the other's actions could be justified due to circumstances.

Bobby didn't want to get the cure just to be like everyone else. He didn't care what other people said to him. . . . but he did care what John thought. Bobby wanted to have a long-term relationship with John, but he was not sure if the two of them would ever be able to touch each other for the rest of their lives. He liked to think that they could have a relationship without any physical contact, but he really couldn't be sure. What if just one of them got the cure?

While Bobby was sitting on his bed, in the middle of these thoughts, John burst into his room. John bounced onto the bed before Bobby noticed he was there.

"Hi," said John. He could see right away that there was something on Bobby's mind. "What's up?"

"I've just been thinking about this cure thing and – "

"Bobby, I told you to stop worrying about it. Everything will be okay."

"Yeah, I know, but I was just thinking about us."

John looked at Bobby as if he had just mentioned something that had also been on John's mind. "Bobby, if – if you think it's important for us to be able to touch each other, then – then I'm willing to get the cure."

This wasn't what Bobby had been expecting. "No, John – what – why..." He realized that he wasn't forming coherent sentence, so he paused before continuing, "John, I've been thinking about this, too, and it really doesn't matter to me if we can't touch. I couldn't ask you to give up your powers. I know how much you like having them. If you think it's important, though, I could..."

"I wouldn't let you give up your powers for me!"

"But you thought I'd let you give up your powers for me?"

John shrugged. "I guess not, but I was trying to be gallant and chivalrous. It's not like I know much about relationships. I'm kind of learning as we go along."

Bobby smiled. "Well, it was nice of you to offer," he conceded. He paused and looked around the room as if gathering his thoughts. "If it was for something more...important, then I would. If I could save your life by giving up my powers, I'd do it, and I know you'd do the same for me. I'm just not sure if. . ."

"If sex is worth it," finished John.

"Well, yeah," said Bobby, looking above John's head at the wall opposite.

John thought Bobby blushed a little. "Hey," he said, placing an arm around Bobby's shoulder, "relax. Don't you always say you love me for my reckless loyalty?"

"Of course," said Bobby. "And you always say you love me for my mind."

"And your willingness to tolerate my reckless loyalty."

Bobby hit John with a pillow and said, "How do you think this will all end up?"

"I don't know," said John, looking more pensive than most people thought he could be. He only showed the serious and contemplative part of himself to his closest friends, which included Bobby of course. "It all depends on who does what and who acts when. If Professor X can gain support before Magneto takes violent actions, we may be able to deal with this. Then again, people may not listen. They're so afraid of us. We may have to fight, even though it'll just make them fear us even more."

"I hope the professor will think of something to do."

#

When Professor Xavier had started the Institute, his main concern had been that no one would want to attend. Now, he was worried that his students would not want to stay. There was a part of him that felt anger, but he kept that under control. Years of discussions (which some may call arguments) with his old friend Magneto had given him more control over his emotions than some may believe possible. He knew how dangerous anger or fear could be. With his powers, losing his temper could have serious consequences.

The view from his classroom was the same as it always was, but he could not avoid seeing a bleak horizon in his mind's eye. At times like these, he wished that he was really as smart as his students thought he was.

#

Author's Note: I apologize for not posting this chapter earlier! My only excuse is that organic chemistry [and] elements of physics are very difficult classes.

Please review! Reviews always make me happy. I welcome anything you have to say, whether positive or negative. If you have constructive criticism, it would be much appreciated, since I'm trying to improve my writing.

Happy reading and writing!

~Geek Squared 1307