xp_logs | Warumbe (epilogue 1)

Safely back at the mansion, Nathan and T'Challa snark at each other. Ororo focuses on the practicalities, but is secretly rather gleeful. And gets the last word.

"For someone as physically enhanced as you are, you look certainly came out of this looking like you got run over by a truck." The note in Nathan's voice was not just snark, but pure unadulterated acid. The effect was rather diminished by the fact that he had his head in his hands, rubbing at his temples in a futile attempt to banish a monster overstrain-headache. "Have you ever thought of traveling with bodyguards?"

The look he got from T'Challa was more than a little murderous. He sounded like he was gritting his teeth as he answered, although that might have had as much to do with Amelia probing thoughtfully at his ribs as the desire to bounce Nathan off the nearest wall. "Occasionally I think about an entourage. Having several people around might be useful in situations that require multitasking."

Nathan jerked upright and winced, still holding his head. "Oh, you didn't just go there."

"I believe I did."

"Holding a building together is multitasking!"

Even if Ororo hadn't known where Nathan and T'Challa were, she would've been able to find them by the waves of pure testosterone emenating from the infirmary. She entered just when it looked as if Nathan was ready to launch himself across the room at the Wakandan prince, an act which Amelia surely wouldn't have appreciated.

"You both did a wonderful job today, have I mentioned that lately?"

"Apparently my multitasking sucks," Nathan muttered, sinking back into his seat. "At least I didn't try take out the bastard by falling on him and trying to break my own neck-"

"I was actually hoping to break his neck."

"Oh, I see. That's why Ihad to throw him in the river, then."

Rolling her eyes at no one in particular, Ororo found a seat between the two men. "Are we forgetting the part where we accomplished our goal and got away without injuring anyone or breaking our necks?" she asked.

Dead silence greeted her question, broken only by Amelia's soft, humorless chuckle. "You have two cracked ribs," she told T'Challa, "and this cut needs to be stitched. Sit there while I get what I need - and if you and Nathan are fighting when I get back, neither of you is getting so much as an aspirin."

Nathan muttered something in Russian that would have translated roughly as 'keep your aspirin, you harpy', and resolutely did not meet the doctor's eyes as she headed out of the room briefly for supplies. "Do we know we didn't injure anyone?" he asked Ororo pointedly. "What's the news from the subway station?"

"Only minor injuries have been reported; for an entire station collapsing I still think that is a good record. Thanks to both of your efforts."

"Not us alone," T'Challa said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Ororo. "I seem to recall him getting the better of me, and Nathan was holding up the roof..."

"We all worked together quite well," Ororo said with a slight smile.

Nathan leaned forward, bracing himself on his knees. Despite his tiredness, there was a slightly maniacal light in his gray eyes. "Cough it up, Munroe, what did you do?"

"He did appear quite unconscious when I helped you back up onto the platform," T'Challa added. Both men were gazing at her expectantly.

"I merely used what was available to me. As you do." Ororo considered bringing her nails up to scrutinize in an extra show of nonchalance, but decided against it. Her nails looked terrible right now. "It really is not important. What is important is ensuring that T'Challa stay safe while he is here in New York."

T'Challa made a noise that might have been an attempted laugh, but which turned rather rapidly into a half-swallowed groan. "I fear I will not be making my talk at the conference."

"'Can't talk, psycho arms dealers will kill me'?" Nathan muttered, still giving Ororo a sideways look. She had a definite air of 'damned satisfied with myself, thank you very much' about her. "Moses would have to be quite literally psychotic to come at you here."

"You are of course welcome to stay as long as you like. I can have a room ready for you in no time," the silver-haired woman offered. "And it would certainly be the wisest course of action."

"It might be best. The thought of trying to return home as I'd planned, on a commercial flight... I don't wish to see anyone else put in danger because of me."

Nathan made an aggravated noise. "Not because of you. Moses is the one at fault here." Why does this sound so familiar? his conscience snarked at him.

T'Challa gave him a level look. "And he would not be here, if I was not here," he said simply.

"Regardless," Ororo said, hoping to curtail yet another argument, at least while she had to sit and endure it, "it seems safer for all involved for you to stay here until you are able to arrange a flight home. It may be a change from your plans, but hopefully it will not be a complete waste. I know several residents who will be very glad to meet you, and it will give you a firsthand look at our facilities."

"I'd prefer you to stay where we can keep an eye on you, at least overnight," Amelia said tranquilly, reappearing. She raised an eyebrow at T'Challa as he opened his mouth, her expression bland. "Observation." Nathan snorted from behind her, and she directed a Look at him. "And count yourself fortunate that I'm not actually keeping you in here, Nathan. Don't think I didn't notice the nosebleed." She got a muttered curse or two in Russian in response, but she ignored it and smiled at Ororo. Very brightly.

"Well then," the other woman said with an answering smile. "It seems we are all squared away, then. Excellent. I will leave you gentlemen to your obligations," she added, standing and heading for the door. While she greatly enjoyed the company of both Nathan and T'Challa, she was beginning to learn that the two of them in the same room was an invitation for bickering. Glancing over her shoulder before she exited, she smirked just a little.

"Any visit to Xavier's really is not complete without a trip to the infirmary, anyway. Ask Nathan. He will tell you all about it."