So much can happen in a year

Yes! I ship Hank/Bobby too but this was a challenge and there's nothing I like more than a good challenge...other than a long arguement ^^



Chapter 4

Betrayal



Hank ducked as somebody was thrown at his head, he had a moment to register that it was the Iceman who crumpled against the far wall before turning to facea mutant roughly twice the size of himself. The Thing roared at him,



"Breath mint?" He suggested absent mindedly, moving back as The Thing took a lumbering step towards him. So far it hadn't displayed *any* weaknesses that Hank and the others could exploit, it - "Storm! No!" The white haired weather Goddess was swatted out of the air by a fist the size of a small car. Hank leapt, aiming for The Things face - if there were no weakspots then Hank would *make* some. Claws extended he aimed for The Things eyes -



"Beast! Get out of the way!" The warning didn't even register in his consious mind before he'd kicked off The Things shoulder and up into the rafters. There was a scarlet blast, a swiftly cut off roar and the smell of roast pork filled the warehouse, "you alright up there, blue?" Cyclops called. Hank grunted, lifting himself up,



"Exquisite timing as usual, Scott, so glad you could join us" He called down as Logan and Jean jogged into the wreckage of the factory,"are Ororo and Bobby-"



"They're fine, just a little bruised" Jean called back, "need a hand getting down?"



"No, no.The view from up here is quite spectacular...has anyone seen my glasses?" He squinted down, legs dangling over the precapice, watching as Jean lifted the two wounded X-men out telekinetically. Logan sniffed disgustedly, the jagged wound in his neck healing already, as he absent mindedly kicked one of the groaning mutants on the floor,



"This stinks of Sabretooth" He muttered, hunting for a cigar. Up in the rafters Hank froze, an odd feeling trailing up the back of his neck, leaving the little hairs standing on end,



"How did you figure that?" Scott asked, turning one of the wounded over, "can you smell him?"



"Nope but what other dumb ass wouldus something that dangerous just for us?" Logan gestured to The Thing that sizzled gently against one wall, "he practically gift wrapped it"



"I agree but we'll run some scans and ask our friends a few questions - oh! Hey Blue! I found your glasses" Cyclops watched as the Doctor dropped gracefully, landing beside him,



"Thank you" He said softly, taking the little bundle of wire and glass,



"Are you alright?" Scott frowned, reaching out to steady him with a hand on his shoulder,



"Quite" Hank forced a smile, "I think I may have banged my head at some point, it's probably just a little concussion"



"You're lucky that way" Logan said over his shoulder, flicking the V's as Scot frowned at him,



"Go have Jean check you over, just in case" He ordered firmly,



"I assure you, I -"



"*Go* Hank. I'm not having everyones favorite blue Doctor collapse because his 'little concussion' turned out to be a fractured skull-"



"Even if ya would need a Jack hammer to break that head of yours" Logan rolled his eyes. Hank shook his head as the arguement started to escalate, descreetly leaving them and heading out to the Blackbird.



Ok. So *if* this attack had been under Creeds orchestration...well, it wasn't anything Hank hadn't been expecting, right? Of course, Creed, was a natural double crosser, he was bound to renig on the deal at some point...Hank sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leant on a handy wall. If it was all true, if he'd...if he had *expected* this, then why did it feel like his heart was breaking?