Lynn's POV
As Charles obediently complied for some respite, we proceeded to the emergency room where we relished in a breather while patiently awaiting my telepathic orders to take their effect. Leaning intimately against each other, we simply sat in silence and merely enjoyed how the pleasant serenity comfortably enveloped us.
Precipitous paces eventually destroyed the therapeutic tranquility, echoing with increasing intensities along the vast corridors, and the X-Men soon materialized within the premises. As the others took random positions around the area, Jean meticulously gathered the relevant medical supplies and I reluctantly peeled myself off Charles.
Carefully levitating onto the sick bay with my dead legs sprawled limply before me, I reclined into the plush back support and Charles stationed his chair to my right, automatically intertwining our fingers, as Jean diligently began attending to my wound.
"Did you guys get anything?" Jean probed casually, disrupting the somber atmosphere, and I shook my head mutedly as she slowly unwrapped Charles' handkerchief from my ankle.
"In my opinion, Magneto's behind this," Scott asserted in an incriminating tone.
"I don't think so, Scott," Jean rebutted plainly as she focused on removing the melted fabric that had invariably fused with my skin during the accidental combustion.
"While Erik could organise something like this from prison, it would be irrational and only hurt his goal of mutant prosperity," Charles intervened calmly, albeit pinching tightly on his nose bridge.
"You mean superiority," Scott retaliated with a scornful face.
"You're right. If only Erik had his way," I countered in a solemn tone as my shoulders sagged spiritlessly.
"At least we know how the government will respond. They will reintroduce the Registration Act," Storm denounced cynically, rolling her eyes in annoyance.
"Or worse. The President could declare a state of emergency, place every mutant under arrest," Jubilee highlighted, the normally jovial tone exiled by logic and maturity she undeniably possessed as a responsible adult.
"Do you think the assassin worked alone?" Storm challenged, looking towards Charles with an apprehensive expression.
"We will only know that if we find him before the authorities do," Charles answered dejectedly and the kids frowned in puzzlement, not at the facts of his announcement but at the mannerism of his unusually doleful articulation.
"We've been trying to track him using Cerebro, but his movements are inexplicably erratic," I elaborated in a crestfallen tone, lowering my head in despair.
"What does that mean?" Jubilee enquired tentatively and I need not even glance up to know all their keen gazes had landed intently on us.
"He's a teleporter," Charles enlightened conservatively.
"And a German one at that," I unveiled in a murmur and instantly, a jarring clang followed.
Jolting slightly, I instinctively secured my grasp on Charles' palm as the clamorous resonance pierced my eardrums and Jean quickly apologized, scurrying to fetch the metal forceps that had crashed to the polished tiles from her loosened hand.
Gradually, as Charles gently stroked my back to mollify my tensed nerves, the turbulent vibrations in the air ceased, fading into the uneasy fidgeting and heavy breathings of all the teachers apart from Jubilee who basically stared in bewilderment at Jean's atypical clumsiness.
"You're saying... Kurt was the one who... Tried to murder the President?" Storm investigated shakily, bearing a simultaneously perplexed and fearful expression.
"We don't know, Storm," I replied kindly, striving to muster an optimistic smile to restrain the anxieties stirring within her from escalating unnecessarily.
"Kurt, as in, the Kurt Wagner?" Jubilee prodded hesitantly, directing her gaze towards Jean.
"Yes, Jubs. The one who went missing with you," Jean affirmed in a despondent tone, nodding weakly at Jubilee, and finally, even she was plagued by the gloomy aura miserably eclipsing the squarish arena.
"Alright, I've managed to clean out all the damage. There appears to be no infection at the moment which is perfect and we certainly want to keep it that way to prevent any possibilities of scarring. Make sure to keep it out of the water and have your dressing changed regularly, yes?" Jean fluently instructed, looking at me with a strict glare as she floated away the used apparatus, and I nodded at her with a docile smile.
"Make sure she does," Jean reiterated sternly to Charles and he nodded, chuckling, but the vibrancy of the surroundings lifted only transiently.
"Listen. We may not have much information on hand but it does not mark the end," Charles addressed encouragingly, wrapping his arm around my waist as he straightened his posture and immediately, characteristic poise graced his handsome frame again.
"We are not giving up," Charles emphasised in a positive tone and his opulent confidence gradually reignited an upbeat morale amongst the youthful ones.
"When we have more exact coordinates, Jean, Storm, we'll need you girls to take the jet and try to pick him up," Charles ordered composedly and they promptly nodded.
"Whenever you're ready, Professor," Storm keenly concurred.
"But you don't look too well. Should you get more rest?" Scott suggested courteously with a compassionate expression as he crouched before Charles.
"Thank you, Scott. But I'm much better now," Charles assured genuinely and Scott smiled in mild relief, politely retreating even though he was not completely convinced.
Undoubtedly, Charles' face exhibited more than a tinge of the exhaustion that still channeled through his veins but wisely allowing his brain some downtime from its mental exertion in the past minutes, his condition had indeed improved greatly since he exited the majestic dome, just not yet totally reverting his energy.
"Let me make you a cup of tea and then we can start again, alright?" I offered softly, gazing lovingly into those amazing crystal blue eyes as I delicately cradled his bald head.
"Thank you, my love. I'll be waiting for you in Cerebro," Charles conveyed faintly, craning his neck up with an appreciative smile.
"See you in a bit, my dear," I whispered sweetly, cautiously bending down to peck his lips.
It definitely had to be our umpteenth gesture of fondness in public but the youngsters never seemed to get tired of mocking us as their taunting whistles spontaneously erupted in the background while we engaged in a short kiss.
Their incessant teasing ultimately forced us apart as we involuntarily broke up in giggles but Charles swiftly cleared his throat, sending me a couple of provocatively raised eyebrows, and I smirked, rapidly receiving the hint.
"As educators, your ludicrous behaviour is frankly intolerable," Charles criticized with a serious face.
"Remind me again why we hired this bunch of fantastic beasts?" I questioned in a sarcastic tone as we fixed our eyes to them, pretending to analyze them with absolute scrutiny.
"We had no choice. No one better applied," Charles resolved nonchalantly, vigorously rousing a violent wave of defensive debates from the blatantly accused.
Only terminating when Charles and I uncontrollably burst out in laughter again, their unwarranted agitation transformed into dramatically comical expressions of astonishment as they discerned our deliberate prank and they whimsically rushed towards us, as if plotting an attack.
"C'mon, children. Leave the Professor alone," I urged playfully, casting an invisible field to hinder their advancement as I safely loaded myself back into my chair.
Actively chortling in amusement, they adhered to my commands nonetheless and I easily shepherded the charmingly entertained lot towards the elevator while Charles wheeled himself towards Cerebro.
Rising to the ground level, we passed through the foyer and just before splitting ways, we chanced upon yet another surprising exchange elicited by the unexpected return of a valued resident.
"Well, it was good to meet you. C'mon, let's go," Bobby egged impatiently and dragged Rogue along.
"Bye, Logan. I'll see you later," Rogue exclaimed enthusiastically, unwilling to strip her gaze off Logan's face until she haphazardly bumped into Jean.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Summers," Rogue sputtered sheepishly and the pair of love birds bowed respectfully before scampering down the hallway.
"Mrs. Summers?" Logan repeated in a skeptical tone, surveying Jean with a weird gaze, and she purposefully crossed her arms, discreetly flaunting the glittery band on her left ring finger.
"Hi, Logan," Jean greeted brightly.
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One day before I leave for Canada!! Next week will be the conference and then the next two weeks are my vacation! I'll try to update whenever I can get connection and try not to leave you guys hanging too much, promise! 😇