Love's Past Turmoil

Pyro's mouth fell open. "You are kidding, right?" he asked, putting another piece of popcorn chicken into his mouth.

"No. Seriously. That did happen." Mana answered.

The two friends had found there way to KFC after reorganising their accommodation for the night.

Playing with his Zippo lighter in one hand, while eating with the other, Pyro asked, "Where have you been these past, I don't know, how many years?"

"All over the place, my friend." Mana answered. "You name it, I've been there." Taking a sip of her Fanta Mana put several chips on her Works Burger, picking it up in her hands and taking a huge, satisfied bite out of it.

Pyro smiled. "Las Vegas?"

Mana nodded.

"Connecticut?"

Again Mana nodded.

"Milwaukee."

"Yep." she said, after swallowing the mouthful.

"Cool. Did you ever come to Westchester, New York?"

Mana looked into his eyes. The sadness she saw there made her sigh, the guilty feelings resurfacing. "Well, I…" She looked away.

Pyro placed his hand on hers. “You were dealing yourself. I understand that.”

“Yes, but I still should have…”

John’s hand moved to place a finger on her lips. “We’re together now.”

Mana looked at him. The sincereness in his voice was heart warming. “Yes, and I am never leaving you again.”

John smiled.

“So, did you make any friends at this school they sent you to?” Mana asked.

The look on Pyro's face suddenly became distant. "Yes. But I seriously doubt they would still see me as their friend, especially now."

"Still, tell me about them." Mana urged.

"Well, the first person there I really clicked with was a guy named Bobby Drake, or Iceman. Funny that, though." He lowered his voice so the people on the opposite side of the restaurant couldn't hear him. "His power is based on ice. He can create and control it. Fire and ice don't normally mix well together but we got on pretty well. Most of the time, anyway."

Mana picked up another chip, munching on it as Pyro continued.

"Then there was Bobby's girlfriend, Marie." A glint appeared in John's eyes.

Mana giggled. "Oooooh, did my poor Johnny have a crush on her?"

John glared at her. "How many times have I asked you not to call me Johnny? I hate that name."

"I know." Mana replied, grinning. "That's why I do it."

Pyro threw a piece of lettuce at her. Mana pulled it off her shirt, motioning for him to continue.

"She was really cool. I think you would really like her. Shame your healing abilities weren’t around when Magneto captured her to use to his advantage. The X-Men managed to get her back. Not before the machine Magnus had used turned Rogue's fringe white though. Anyway, she and I got along well. I only wish she had been a single lady when I was there. Even if she is single now she would never want me." Pyro said.

"You don't know that for sure." Mana said, polishing off the last of her meal and reaching for her soft drink.

Pyro just gave her a look. Mana returned the look with the poking out of her tongue to try and break the tension she could feel in him.

Unable to help it, John burst out laughing. Mana smiled broadly.

"Oh, I see I still so have a way with you." she said.

Pyro cocked his head. "Mm, yes, I guess you do." he agreed.

"So, Rogue's powers?" Mana asked, her voice lowered again.

"Ah, scary actually. She can never have any direct skin-to-skin contact. Her powers absorb others memories and powers, if any, rendering that person unconscious." he explained.

Mana's eyes widened. "No skin-to-skin contact at all?! Oh, that poor thing."

"I know. So you can imagine how hard it is for her and Bobby."

Mana nodded. "Maybe..." she paused.

"What?"

"Nothing. I was just thinking. You had enough?" she asked him.

"Plenty." he answered, rubbing his tummy, happily.

"Good." Mana smiled, glancing at him.

"What?"

"Oh nothing. I just can't believe my Pyro was on the streets."

Pyro grinned. What a perfect opportunity. Getting her back with one of her own lines, he said, "Well, that is over and done with now." The grin spread from ear to ear, and Mana stared at him.

~That's my Pyro.~ she thought. "I'll be back in a minute." she said, heading off to the toilet.

Pyro looked around, a small amount of fear creeping up again. Without Mana there right beside him he felt exposed. Alone.

A sigh of relief left him as she slid back into the seat opposite.

"I know it is still quite early, but I have been on the road for ages, and my sleep was interrupted by your presence so close by earlier. Do you mind if I retire when we get back to the hotel? I'm exhausted." Mana asked.

"Of course not. Although I don't feel tired now I bet the moment I hit the pillow, a real pillow in a real bed." He paused, smiling. "I bet I will fall asleep straight away."

"Okay. Cool."

Pyro flicked the lid of his lighter on and off, sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at his friend as she pulled back the covers and crawled under them.

"Night, John." she said, pulling the blankets up under her chin. "Tomorrow we will hit the road."

"I look forward to not be left behind this time." he answered, grinning.

"You can count on that."

Swinging his legs up onto the bed, placing his lighter on the bedside table, he lay down, looking over at her. Seeing her eyes were closed he said nothing more, rolling over.

"Don't disappear into the night, FM." she called.

**

Mana’s eyes opened abruptly; the image of Sabretooth tearing John apart playing around in her head; sitting up and looking at her young friend.

“John? John, are you awake?”

Pyro opened one eye, glaring at her. “I am now. Thanks for the mental nudge.”

Mana ignored the comment, getting down to his level, looking him directly in the eye. “We have to go back to the mansion now.”

John’s eyes widened. “What?! No way!” he started.

“Listen to me,” Mana said. “Sabretooth is not going to give up on killing you the next chance he gets. You’ll be safest there.”

“I am not going back to the mansion.” Pyro answered, defiantly.

Mana touched his temple, there telempathic link the only way he could see the dream she’d had.

“Whoa! Mana, stop!” he basically yelled.

“I’m not letting that happen. Come on! We’re going now.”

John watched her gather up the few things she had unpacked, quickly placing her bag on the unmade bed.

**

Reluctantly, John placed his figure on the intercom, the mansion gates looming over them as the two friends stood there.

“Um,” he looked at Mana. “I can’t do this.”

Mana gently gripped his wrist. “Yes you can. You have to.”

Tears appeared in John’s eyes. “They’re going o shun me, I know it.”

“Remember the account of the Prodigal Son?” Mana asked him.

John nodded.

“If this Professor Xavier is anything like the way you described him on the way here, he will remember it too.” she said.

Sighing, John pressed the buzzer again. Mana spoke over his shoulder.

“My name is Ramana Cavanagh. I come with my foster brother, a young man you know well, St. John Allerdyce. He needs your help, and I beg you to give it to him.”