August 11, 2010

5:44 PM

"You'll visit me, won't you?" Ororo said loudly as I finished packing her things up in the car.

"Ororo, you are 26 years old. It's not like you can't take care of yourself."

"Obviously." she replied sarcastically. "But, I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." I replied. "Plus, you're barely three hours away. I'll come over on my spare weekends."

"As I remember, Assistant Headmasters don't have spare weekends."

In the two years since the destruction of Weapon Plus, a lot had changed. While rumors of a secret facility in Alaska that experimented on mutants have nearly disappeared, the results of its destruction haven't. New legislation that severely prosecuted people convicted of hate crimes against mutants were either on the books or in discussion in 35 of the 50 states. The death of Captain America had led to the repeal of the Registration Act. Also, The Red Skull, who had recruited a criminal known as Crossbones and brainwashed Cap's girlfriend and SHIELD Agent Sharon Carter into shooting Cap, was on the run. There was a movement by the man formerly known as the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn, to take over SHIELD after the Civil War forced Nick Fury into retirement. Thankfully, Tony Stark and Reed Richards were able to keep that from happening.

Cyclops and Jean had moved on from teaching, having taken over for Professor Xavier, who had opened another school with the help of Tony Stark in New York City. Professor Xavier still visited the original school frequently though and we were always happy to see him.

Another evolution in the X-Men team was the creation of a more secret force known as the X-Force. The team, led by Logan, was created for stealthy missions that we didn't particularly want anyone to know about. I participated in missions a few times with the X-Force. However, my new position as Assistant Headmaster of the Xavier Institute meant that I wasn't going to be able to do that anymore.

None of the X-Men that had been at the school two years ago had left. However, we had been joined by two new members. Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler had returned from his search for his family in Germany. He had been back from Europe for nearly ten months. Also, a new and mysterious young man named Remy LeBeau had joined the school nearly a year ago. Within the last six months, he had been able to use his kinetic energy power to join the X-Men under the codename Gambit.

The position had been left vacant due to Ororo's announcement four months ago that she planned on finishing her college degree and then go to law school at Harvard. Jean and Scott selected me over a few other candidates within the school and I couldn't have been happier. While I was happy for my new job and definitely happy for Ororo getting into such a great school as a registered mutant, I was sad for her to leave.

Our relationship had flourished over the two years and I could honestly say that she was the most important person in my life. To see her leave was definitely going to hurt. However, I knew that she would be back within a couple years and we would be able to continue our relationship.

"You seemed to get some." I fired back.

"I worked harder than you do." she replied.

It had been a strange few weeks as Ororo watched as I took the reins from her. The Assistant Headmaster of the Institute was largely responsible for the day-to-day activities of running the school and was an incredibly taxing job. However, it was one that I would relish and work very hard in.

"Whatever." I chuckled.

Finally, twenty minutes later, we finished getting the rest of her stuff into Scott's old Audi, which she was taking to school. Ororo went about the school, saying her goodbyes to various people. Finally, it was just the two of us out by the car.

"So what's the plan again?" I asked.

"Two years to finish my bachelor and one year for a law degree." she replied affirmatively.

"Good girl."

Suddenly, the time was here. I knew that I was holding her up and that she needed to go.

"God, I wish I could go with you." I told her.

"You're needed here." she replied. "I'll come back and visit."

"You better."

Then, she fell into me as I clutched her close, not wanting to let her go. I welcomed the warmth that her body gave off and held her a little longer than I normally would have. Finally, I let her go.

"I need to leave." she said with a tear.

"I know."

"I love you." she said softly.

"Ditto." I said jokingly.

"Not funny."

"I disagree." she said with a sad smile.

"I'm kidding. I love you." I said sweetly.

"I love you too." she said before getting another quick hug. Once she released me, she turned around and jumped into the car. Instantly, she turned the car on and with one final look towards me, stepped on the gas and took off down the driveway. I watched as she reached the end of the drive and then turned down the road. Within seconds, she was gone.

"She'll be back soon." my dad said as he walked up behind me.

"I know." I replied with difficulty. "I just can't imagine life without her."

"It's not without her. Just away from her."

"Good point."

Wake up, Steve Rogers.

Suddenly, I was sitting upright. Where was I? Wherever it was, it was incredibly cold. In fact, it was ice. I stood up and looked around and noticed that there was ice in every direction.

"Who's there?"

The last I remember, I had been walking up the steps to the courthouse in New York City, prepared to face my "crimes." Then, there was one sharp pain followed by another. Then, there was nothing.

"Who's there?" I asked again, louder this time. My voice was tired. I could tell that it hadn't been used in awhile.

"WHO'S THERE?" I yelled this time.

I am here, Captain Steven Rogers.

"Who are you?"

I am not a who, Captain. I am a what.

"What are you then?"

I am a Phoenix, risen from the ash, and I am coming.