Hank returned a moment later. "I think it's time you got some rest, Scott. Why don't you go back to the mansion?"

I shook my head. "I want to make sure all the slaves are released. Then we've got to negotiate with the Council on closing those portals. Or at the very least, getting some guarantee that they won't be using them to kidnap anyone from Earth anymore. Although the fact that we can now get back here ought to be somewhat of a deterrent."

"I can handle the proceedings adequately I believe," Hank began to argue. "You've been through hell, and I think you need to take care of yourself. As your doctor..."

I grinned. "Can it, Hank. I'm fine. I do want a shower, and I want to get into my uniform. But I'll be fine. These negotiations shouldn't take that long. Not once I mention the Avengers and the Fantastic Four."

Hank looked annoyed. "Very well. No one ever takes me seriously as their medical doctor anyway. Why should you be any different?"

"Well, maybe if I didn't know about your twinky addiction, I'd take you more seriously." I quipped.

He sniffed. But then he smiled and handed me the duffle bag he still had over his shoulder. "Here's your uniform. I've gotten in touch with Rogue and Storm. Pietro's split off to lead a team, and Banshee took a group himself. I understand most of the army has joined our forces. There wasn't much resistance when they saw the power we wielded. They seemed in awe, Storm
informed me. Very strange world you've gotten yourself involved in, Mr. Summers."

"Very strange life, Hank. A very strange life." He laughed and I told him I was going to find a place to shower and change and I'd meet him back here in an hour or so. Then we could supervise the return of the 'earthers' from this room. Stephen spoke up at that moment. I'd forgotten he was there.

"If you don't mind, I think I'll head home," he said.

"Sure," I said. "You know you're welcome at the mansion if you need a place to stay."

"Naw. I think I'll just go give my Mom a heart attack by popping in on her." His grin suddenly faltered. "If she's still there. Fuck. I've been here five years. No telling what's changed."

I clasped him on the shoulder. "It'll be okay. But if you need anything, anything at all, just look us up in Salem Center, New York. Xavier's Institute for Higher Learning. Even if you just want to come for a visit. I'd be glad to have you."

Stephen smiled again. "You bet. I'll keep it in mind." Then he strode over to the portal. "Anyone know how I can get back to Kansas?"

He turned and laughed at our expressions. "Kidding. But I'd like to get as close to Memphis as possible." Henry went over to him and began fiddling with the control panel next to the portal. Without a word, I headed out the door in search of a shower. After wandering through the halls, not really aware of where I was going, I ended up back at Remy's suite. It seemed appropriate somehow. A closure perhaps. Now I was going to be able to walk out of that room a free man. I removed Remy's coat and draped it over one of the couches, then went into the bathroom.

I set the temperature of the shower to as hot as I could stand it and stepped into the heat to ease my aching muscles. With a hiss I unclasped the penile device and let it drop to the floor of the stall. I came with a painful grunt, and long low moan of relief when it was over. It was the last time I'd ever wear that thing and I felt a moment of pure happiness.

I stood in the rush of hot water for a long, long time doing nothing. Just letting the tension ease from my muscles. I'm not sure when the tears began to fall, but I heard myself sob suddenly and I lost the slim grasp I'd held on my control. Sliding to the floor of the shower stall, I curled into a tight ball and let it all go, sobbing for dear life. For loss. For anger and fear and hatred and love and coercion. I cried for Alex. I cried for Jean, who'd never really understand and Lorna, who'd never forgive. I cried for
dear wounded Zaki. And I cried for myself, for the changes in me that would never be denied, no matter how hard I tried to ignore them. Nothing would ever be the same. And I sobbed broken hearted for the changes I'd never asked for in the first place. I sobbed at the loss of color in my world once again. The return of my hated red visor.

And I cried for Remy. My Remy. No one else would ever be enough.

The water was cold when I'd come back to myself. I shivered, but just let it pour over me, letting it wash away the last of my heartache. This would happen again, I knew. This wasn't the end of my emotional turmoil. It was only the beginning. Time would eventually lessen the pain. But there'd be a long road to travel. I indulged fleetingly in a fantasy of rescuing Remy from
his new prison, taking him back to the mansion and teaching him how to truly love, without coercion, without fear or selfishness. Then I shook the image away and tended to washing myself.

I tried to keep my thoughts at bay as I pulled on my uniform. I succeeded, distracted by the stifling feeling of the kevlar suit. I'd been too long without clothing. Like the clothes I'd worn to escape in, it itched in strange places, and was too snug in others. My cock felt choked in the cup I forced it into. I was tempted to rip the suit off and just wear boxers for the rest of the time I was here. I'd figure something out for later when I had to go back to the mansion. But I took a few deep breaths and tried to
relax in the discomfort. And eventually, as I made my way back to the portal room, the stiff uncomfortable sensation from wearing my uniform eased up.

By the time I made it to the portal room, Pietro had returned with his team and a large group of 'earthers'. Henry and Pietro were directing the mutants into groups for the return home. Jubilee, Paige and Jonothan were handling the protesting nobles who'd come to stop the exodus. I entered the fray and for a moment the room grew still.

"Get those people out of this room," I said to the three young X-men. Jubilee gave me a withering look, but she ignited her power and several of the nobles fell back. I strode over to the crowd and stood just to the right of Chamber. "This is nonnegotiable. These mutants you had kidnapped are now free." I spoke with a dark menace in my voice. There'd be no discussion of this matter. "You had no right to steal them from their homes and families. You have no right to them. I suggest you leave now before I throw you out."

There was a roar of protest and I lifted my hand to my visor, letting go just a hint of my power in the midst of the irate group. Several of them gave up without looking back. The others took a moment to weigh their options and then left without another protest.

"We coulda handled it, Cyke," Jubilee snapped with her usual charming demeanor.

I gave her a genuine smile of pleasure. "I'm sure you could have, Jubilation." I knew she hated to be called that. "I just needed a little bit of fun."

"Whatever," she smirked and then blew a large bubble with her gum, letting it burst with another smirk. She hadn't matured a great deal in the time I'd known her. But much of her manner was simply an act to hide her nervousness in the midst of conflict. Her powers had grown impressively as had her control, but she was only just now shedding the anxious young girl she'd
been, the one who'd lost her parents all those years ago. I smiled mischievously at her. We had a lot in common, but had never had an opportunity to get close. She still saw me as an uptight adult, unhip and way too goody-goody for her tastes. I was pretty sure she took her cue from Logan. He was the only one who ever really made an impact on her. The only one she never made derogatory comments about. In fact she defended him with a fierceness I could envy.

Paige smiled back at me shyly and it was nice to know I still had some leverage with the younger X-men. Jonothan couldn't smile but he gave a half-joking salute. "Guess we'll go help the other blokes round up the next wave," I heard him say in my head. I nodded and turned back to where Hank and Pietro were organizing the freed slaves.