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Angel In The Attic	By : fusedtwilight Category: X-men Comics > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 5328 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own X-men, it is the property of marvel comics and in no way do i make a profit from this fic.

Chapter List
- 31
- 32
- 33
Angel in the Attic
Chapter 32
Fusedtwilight: Thanks to my beta Lisa and thanks to all the readers.
This chapter some of the Champions must deal with some serious family issues.

Franziska finished her story.
"Oh, Franziska, I am so sorry," Michael said.
He walked over to her and held her other hand. He wiped the tear that fell from her eye and down her cheek.
"But if your dad is in a coma then how could he have ordered a hit on you?" Jacob asked.
"Maybe it was someone close to your dad. A family relative? A lover?" Wayne asked.
"My father loved my mother; when she died he was devastated. There was no one else whom he loved," Franziska said.
"What about family? Did he have brothers? Sisters? Or any other children?" Angie asked.
"No, he was an only child and my grandparents died when I was young. And he had no other children."
"It had to be someone who knew you were a mutant. Someone who knew you were the only one who could have put your father into a coma," Rickard said.
"When my mutation activated, my father kept me locked away. No one knew. The servants didn't even know."
"Perhaps it was someone you father confided in," Jacob suggested.
"My father would have never told anyone. He said I was his darkest secret."
"You said he was a heavy drinker. My old man was an alcoholic and when you put enough liquor in someone they tend to talk about things they normally don't when they are sober," Jacob said.
"My father did have many friends...I suppose...if...if he did tell one of them...they might want to avenge him," she said.
"Well then, there is only one course of action then. We need to go to Germany and look into this," Wayne said.
"But where would we begin?" Devin asked.
"We would have to find her father. Do you know where he is now?" Michael asked.
"Last time I checked he was in a hospital in Berlin."
"Eve, can you check hospital records in Berlin for a man named...what is your dad's name?" Michael asked.
"Carl Ricter," Franziska said.
It did not take Eve long to hack into computer systems and cross reference data. What could have taken hours if not days took her only a few minutes.
"I have found a match. Carl Ricter is located in a hospital in Berlin. He has been in a coma for two years now. I am now checking their records to see who his visitors have been." She paused for a moment. "There has only been one constant. A man by the name of Hans Wolf."
"Do you know someone by that name?" Wayne asked.
"Yes, Hans was a young man who my father employed. He was kind of like his assistant. He was a little older than me. He was always quiet."
"Could he have put the hit on you?" Angie asked.
"I can't imagine him doing something like that."
"We'll talk to him and see what he knows. Maybe he can tell us what is going on," Wayne said.
"There is only one way to find out. We will have to go to Germany," Michael said.

The next day Franziska, Wayne, and Angie were getting ready to leave for Germany.
"Are you sure we shouldn't all go?" Michael said.
"Yes, the X-Men will become suspicious if we all keep disappearing all the time," Franziska said.
"But what if you need help?"
"Then we'll call for it. Besides, I am sure the three of us can handle this," Angie said.
"Don't hesitate to call us if you need help," Rickard said.
"Relax, what's the worst that can-"
Before Wayne could finish Angie put her hand over his mouth.
"Do not finish that sentence." She gave him a glare.
She removed her hand from his mouth and he grinned.
"Eve, teleport us to Germany," Franziska said.
"Teleporting," Eve said.
The three of them vanished in a blur of light.
"Maybe I should have gone with them," Rickard said.
"Have faith, they'll be fine," Michael said.
Just then Rickard's phone began to ring.
He looked at the screen to see who the caller was and frowned.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Rickard?" a timid voice asked.
His eyes became wide with shock.
"Moder?" he asked.
"Du måste komma hem," she said in Swedish.
"Jag trodde att jag inte längre var välkommen hem," he said.
"Rickard, snälla, är inte din far väl," she responded.
"Vad menar du?" he asked looking worried.
"Han har cancer," she said darkly.
Rickard gasped and dropped the phone.
He quickly picked it up.
"Jag kommer att vara där så fort jag kan," he said.
"Vänligen skynda," she said.
She ended the call and Rickard looked wounded.
"What is it? Whats wrong? Michael asked.
"I...I have to go to Sweden. My father is dying."

Back on Utopia Rickard was packing his bags.
He asked Scott if the X-Men could take him back to Sweden.
He had explained the situation and Scott agreed.
It would have been quicker if he used the Ark's teleportation tech but Rickard was not in a rush to return to his home or the family that cast him out.
Victor entered his room.
"Hey," he said.
Rickard did not hear him. Because of his power he was a little hard of hearing. Victor was also sure the stress of the situation had him distracted.
He walked up behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Oh!" Rickard spun around. He smiled when he saw it was Victor. "Sorry, I didn't hear you."
"It's alright, you have a lot on your mind," Victor said.
Rickard sighed and sat on his bed.
"I can't believe after all this time...I...I always knew I would have to go back home one day. But not like this."
Victor sat down next to him.
"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked.
"I would like you to go. I haven't been to Sweden since I tried to kill myself."
Rickard looked at the thin white lines on his wrists.
"It's funny, when I came out to my parents as bi they were not too thrilled. I was the only son and they were afraid I would marry a guy and not carry on the family name. But when they found out I was a mutant they disowned me."
"Isn't Sweden one of the most mutant-friendly places in the world?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean it is the safest. There are fewer protests and attacks on mutants there, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen."
"Where I grew up you could be what you wanted. In Fairbury it didn't matter what color your skin was, what god you worshiped, or your sexual orientation. When my powers manifested I was so afraid. My parents still loved me but I was afraid to leave the house. So my parents invited all our friends and neighbors to the house for my Happy Mutation party."
"Happy Mutation?" Rickard asked with a raised brow.
Victor laughed. "I know, it sounds silly. It was to celebrate my becoming a mutant. I was mortified; I refused to leave my room. So one by one all the guests would knock on my door and tell me everything would be fine, that I was still Victor Borkowski and I would always be welcome in their homes. I realized I had nothing to fear; these people really didn't care about me being a mutant. So I finally left the house and joined them all for the party."
"What was it like? When you finally left your house?"
"Liberating and scary. All these people had gathered to support me. And as I felt the sun on my skin and saw all their kind and happy faces I felt so...happy, I almost cried."
"You're lucky to have had so much love and support."
"I am, and I want to share that with you, Rickard. You deserve all the love and support we can give you."
"Thank you. I just...I don't know how I should introduce you. I want to tell them you are my boyfriend, but I fear that will make for a bad fight."
"Because of how I look, or that I'm a guy, or that I am only sixteen?" he asked.
"All the above."
"We'll just say I am your friend."
"I hate to ask you to hide. I know...I know you have been frustrated with how I act when we are in public."
Whenever the two of them were around other people they were not as physical, sharing almost no kisses or hand-holding. It made Victor angry that despite their being only a six year age difference, the fact that he was only sixteen made it difficult for them to express themselves. Since Rickard was twenty-two and the age of consent was eighteen, they had to be careful.
None of their fellow X-Men cared, though Scott and Emma had a talking with them that they expected them both to follow state laws.
"I understand, you don't want to fight with your parents especially since your dad is sick."
Rickard leaned his head on Victor's shoulders.
"I really do love you."
"And I love you."

Michael made his way down to the Cerebro Chamber.
Scott had requested his presence there.
Michael tried to not be nervous. There was no way Scott could know about the Ark.
Michael couldn't wait to go back to New York when Warren and Betsy get back from their honeymoon. He was tired of worrying if Emma or any of the other psychics on the island pick up a stray thought.
Michael saw the door to Cerebro was open. He could see Scott and Emma inside.
Emma was sitting down and had the helmet on and Scott stood next to her.
"Excuse me, you both wanted to see me?" Michael asked nervously.
Please don't hear my thoughts, please don't hear my thoughts! Oh crap! I shouldn't being thinking this so loud!
"Michael, we called you here because we have discovered something," Scott said calmly.
Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!
"We have found your uncle," Emma said.
"M-my uncle?" Michael asked.
"Yes, as you know during the early days when it was just the five of us we fought your uncle and beat him," Scott said.
"Yeah, mom said her family had to leave town because they were run out after he vanished. He was able to feed off of people's faith and it made him stronger. But you guys proved he wasn't an angel and he fled."
"We were never able to find him. Until now."
"How?"
"Charles - God rest his soul - came up with many ways to use telepathy besides just reading minds," Emma explained. "One of the ways was using a person's cerebral structure to find out if a person was related to another."
"Um...what?" Michael asked.
Emma grinned. "In essence, using ones thoughts to see if someone is genetically related to another."
"Oh."
"This is a high level technique. Only a handful of telepaths have the skill to do this. I used your cerebral pattern as a blueprint and Cerebro's global scanning system and it took a while. What with there being over seven billion minds to scan. But we recently got a match."
A holographic image of the earth appeared and it zoomed in on North America where a small red dot appeared.
"It's in Sioux Falls, South Dakota," Scott said.
"My uncle Joseph is there?"
Growing up, Michael and his siblings had always assumed their uncle Joseph was gay. Their mother never talked about him, she always got a tight-lipped expression when his name was brought up.
So they just guessed.
It wasn't until after Michael joined the X-Men they learned the truth.
"We are planning to go down there and check up on him. Make sure he isn't up to his old tricks," Scott said. And we would like you to come with us."
"Really?"
"Yes. Maybe - and that is a major maybe - he has changed his ways and you and he can help one another. He is the only family you have left."
"Actually, that isn't exactly true," Emma said.
"What do you mean?" Michael asked.
The image zoomed in on South Dakota. The closer the image got it soon became apparent that instead of one light there were two.
"But...that doesn't make sense. My mom didn't have any other siblings."
"I am scanning now. From what I am reading, the cerebral structure of the two minds are so closely matched that it can only mean one thing. Joseph has a child," Emma said.
"But the light is red," Michael said.
"Which means his kid is a mutant as well," Scott said.

Back in Berlin, Wayne, Franziska, and Angie had rented a hotel room.
They were now trying to decide their next move.
"Should we just go to the hospital where he is being kept?" Wayne asked.
"Maybe. Though I don't see what Franziska's dad can tell us what with him being a vegetable and all," Angie said.
Franziska flinched and Angie bit her lip. She had a bad habit of saying things that were blunt and a little insensitive.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean-"
"It's fine," Franziska said quickly.
"What about this Hans? Maybe he can help," Wayne suggested.
"I don't know. Where should we even-"
"Wait!" Wayne said perking his ears.
"Quick! Hide!" he said.
A moment later the door broke down and three men carrying guns came rushing in. They looked around, trying to find the three.
"Where are they?" one asked in German.
"They are here somewhere, look around!"
They began to search the room. Suddenly they heard a sound coming from the bathroom.
Two of them positioned themselves by the door and the other stood in front of it, his gun held high.
He nodded and the gunman on the left went to open the door when suddenly it burst open. A vortex of wind filled the air and the three men were flung around like rag dolls. They each hit the wall, dropping their pistols and falling to the floor.
The vortex vanished and Angie stood there.
"Man I hate uninvited guests," she said.
Franziska and Wayne walked out. Wayne looked around and whistled.
"Man, room service is going to be pissed."
Franziska used her power to lift the guns and dismantle them.
"Who are these guys, more assassins?" Angie asked.
"How did they find us so fast?" Wayne asked. "We've only been here a few hours."
"These men are part of an organization stationed in Germany. They have me on their hit list," Franziska said reading their thoughts.
"Do they know who put the hit on you?" Angie asked.
Franziska shook her head.
"No."
"I have an idea!" Wayne said.
"Oh, God," Angie said.
"No, this time it is good. How about this: What if, Franziska alters their minds to think they did kill you! Then, when they call their boss or whatever, we can follow them and find out where their base is and then find out who hired them!"
"I doubt the three of us alone could take on a whole organization of trained killers. But maybe this could give us the time we need to find out who your would-be killer is," Angie said.
"Angie has a point; from what I am reading there are too many of them for us to handle alone," Franziska said.
"We'll just call for help."
Wayne used his communicator to call the Ark.
"Hello Eve, could you get Michael or someone on the phone and let them know we will be needing assistance?"
"I am afraid that is not possible," Eve said.
"What do you mean?"
"Rickard was called by his mother to inform him that his father has cancer. He is on his way there now. And Michael is on his way to South Dakota to meet his uncle and cousin. Devin and Jacob are with him."
All three of them looked at one another with surprised faces.
"Okay, we are gone for a few hours and suddenly everyone has a family emergency! What the hell?" Wayne said.
"What about the other Champions? Julian? Josh? Hisako?"
"I am afraid they are all indisposed as well."
"Well guys, guess were on our own," Angie said.
"We will be fine. I will alter these men's minds and then we will move to another location. I am getting tired of people trying to kill me," she said.

Rickard was on his way home. Victor was flying with him as was Jean-Paul.
Had they taken a normal flight they would not arrive in Sweden until tomorrow.
But this was one of the advantages of having a plane that could travel up to mach four.
Victor was holding Rickard's hand.
"Are you okay?" he asked loud enough so Rickard could hear him.
"Yeah. It's just going to be so...weird to be back home after all this time."
"It will be tough, but I'm here for you."
They kissed one another. When they pulled back Victor smiled mischievously and his tongue shot out, licking up Rickard's face.
Rickard laughed and wiped his face.
"I always forget your tongue is that long."
Victor's face suddenly took on a sultrier look.
"Maybe one day soon I can show you how long it really is."
Rickard blushed.
"Easy, you two," Jean-Paul said from the front.
"Does he have super-hearing as well?" Rickard asked.
"I sometimes wonder, it would explain why his ears look like an elf's," Victor whispered.
"If you paid attention, you would realize Rickard is so nervous he is causing all sounds in the plane to become magnified."
"Oh," Victor said, his skin developing a red tinge.
"I'll be right back; I need to use the lavatory."
Rickard stood up and walked to the back of the plane.
"Really, Jean-Paul?" Victor said turning to his mentor.
"Hey, I am responsible for you. No hanky-panky on this flight."
"Oh my God! Who says that? Old people, that is who!"
"I am not old! I am twenty-six!" Jean-Paul said turning his head to glare at Victor.
"Yeah, four more years and you'll be thirty. I can already see the crinkles forming around your eyes!"
"You liar!" Jean-Paul hissed

Rickard washed his hands in the sink and after turning off the faucet he dried his hands.
He looked at his reflection on the mirror and sighed.
"Come on Rickard, you can do this," he said.
He placed his hands over his face.
"Det är ditt fel."
He clenched his jaw.
"Det är ditt fel."
He should have been more careful; he should have just had them stay at a motel.
"Det är ditt fel."
Yeah he was sober, he was the designated driver, and they said it wasn't his fault.
But-
"Det är ditt fel."
"Stop it."
"Det är ditt fel."
"Stop it."
"Det är ditt fel!"
"Stop it!" he yelled.
There was a high-pitched squeal and the glass of the mirror broke.
He took a deep shuddering breath.
"God help me," he whispered as a single tear fell down his cheek.

Michael, Scott, Hank, Emma, Bobby, Devin, and Jacob walked down the streets of South Dakota.
Hank wore an image inducer so not to alert the humans of his beast form.
"Man, Warren is going to be pissed we didn't call him. He's always wanted to take this guy down since we last fought him," Bobby said.
"Warren is still on his honeymoon. We can handle this without him," Scott said.
"But we need to be careful. There is no telling how strong his powers have become over the years," Hank said.
"And he's got a kid now, boy could be a chip off the old block," Bobby said.
"What exactly are this guy's powers anyway?" Devin asked.
"He has a mutation like Michael's, but instead of two wings he has six. Also, he was able to emit a psychic signal that drew people to him, made them want to believe and trust in him. It was more effective on the weak-minded, though the longer you were around him the stronger his hold on you became. And the more belief he got the more powerful he became," Scott explained.
"And looking like an angel in a small religious community, it did not take him long to gather followers," Emma said.
"I wonder what he has been up to all this time." Jacob said.
"Mich, you okay? You're being quiet," Devin said.
"It's just...I never thought I would meet him. I don't know what to say or do," Michael said. "This is the first time I am meeting my uncle and I have to tell him his sister is...I know he hasn't seen her in a long time, but still."
"Relax dude, after all these years maybe he turned over a new leaf," Jacob said.
"Doubtful," Scott, Bobby, and Hank said in unison.
"What the boys are trying to say is, don't get your hopes up. But don't be so quick to condemn him," Emma said.
"Where are we going anyway?" Devin asked.
"The police station," she replied.
"So much for not condemning," Bobby said dryly.
They walked up to the police station.
"He's in there," Emma said.
"Well, let's go collect him," Scott said.
"Actually darling, Joseph is not the one who needs to be collected," Emma said.
Just then the door to the police station flew open and two men stormed out.
"Jericho, do not walk away from me, young man!" the older yelled.
"Why? I already know what you're going to say! It's not like you're going to listen to me!" the younger yelled.
"Oh shit!" Bobby said.
"Should we hide?" Devin asked.
"Not to fear, I am altering their perceptions. They won't see the real us," Emma said.
Michael stared at the pair.
Michael's mother may have been ashamed of her brother, but even after all the years apart she still kept a few pictures of him. Michael remembered seeing those photos a few times when he was growing up and he knew this was his uncle Joseph.
Like his mother, he had dark curly hair. The same hair Michael had. He had broad shoulders and his eyes were a golden hazel. He had aged very well, sporting only a few wrinkles and crow's feet. He wore a pair of brown cotton pants and a white button-down shirt which was complemented by a black tie.
The pictures he had seen of him always showed him smiling, his eyes glittered with over-confidence and an enthusiasm that seemed to leak from the photo.
But now his eyes were stern and angry. They reminded Michael of his mother when she was chastising her children.
The boy, Jericho, was around Michael's age. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a black hoodie. The hood was drawn up hiding most of his face. He had a thin nose and a round eyes were a steely gray color and like his father, he had big shoulders.
It seemed it was genetic for Michael's family to be built large.
"Do not take that tone with me! You were arrested again! You are lucky I was able to talk them out of sending you to juvie! Again!"
"I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Stealing is against the law! Both God's and man's!"
Jericho rolled his eyes.
"Of course, bring God into it, again!"
"Don't you mock the lord, boy!" Joseph said pointing his finger at his son. "You are on thin ice as it is!"
Jericho noticed they were all staring at them.
"What the fuck are you assholes looking at?" he asked.
"Language!" Joseph yelled.
He turned to look at them. "I am sorry, so sorry." He grabbed his son's arm. "Let's go!"
He pulled him towards a car and they drove off.
"Well...that happened," Jacob said.

After Franziska had altered the gunmen's memories and sent them away, the trio were quick to gather their things and leave the hotel.
Wayne had given Franziska one of his hoodies and a pair of sunglasses to help hide her appearance when they left. She didn't have enough experience to use her telepathy to make crowds of people see her look different like Emma could.
They decided to find sanctuary in the church where Franziska had lived when the X-Men found her. They took a bus to get there.
When they arrived at one of the stopping points they gathered their bags and got off and walked the rest of the way. Wayne used his hearing to keep an ear out and Franziska used her telepathy to sense for danger.
They finally arrived at the church and Franziska smiled.
"It is good to be back home," she said.
They walked up the steps of the church and went inside.
Father Maxwell was sweeping the floor when he saw them.
"Franziska!" He set his broom aside and happily went to greet them.
"Deer sweet child, what a pleasant surprise!" he said hugging her.
"Hello father, we seek asylum," she said.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"Someone is trying to kill her sir," Angie explained.
"Dear God in Heaven, why? Is it those horrible Purifiers again?" he asked.
"No, we're pretty sure they're all dead," Wayne said. "Well...I think they all are."
"Not now, Wayne," Angie said.
"Someone has ordered a hit on my life. We are trying to figure out who and why."
"Does it have something to do with..."
He trailed off, looking at Wayne and Angie. He had been the only one she ever told about what happened and was not sure if she had told her friends; it was a very painful memory for her.
"They know, father," she said.
"And we think it might have something to do with her dad, but we're not sure," Angie said.
"Has anything happened lately? Maybe someone showed up asking questions?" Wayne asked.
"Now that you mention it, there was a young man who came here a few weeks ago. He was inquiring about you, Franziska. He heard stories of the Guardian angel who had dwelled here and of the Purifiers' attack. I did not think too much of it; we still get people, mostly reporters who come in and ask what happened."
"But what makes you think of this man in particular?" Franziska asked.
"He was better dressed then any reporter I have ever met; I thought he was a businessman. He made a very nice donation to the church so I decided to meet with him."
Father Maxwell took off his glasses pulled out a white cloth and began to clean them.
"He was very polite, well-spoken. He asked many questions. What was your real name, how long you had lived here, your family, where were you now. Nothing unusual."
He put his glasses back on.
"I answered a few but I did not tell him where you were now. I never do. But he was very eager; he even tried to bribe me with more donations. He knew things have been difficult for us since your mutation was revealed."
"What does he mean?" Wayne asked.
"When people learned the Guardian was not a real angel but a mutant, Father Maxwell got some heat from his superiors. You know the Vatican has remained neutral when it comes to the mutant debate," Franziska said.
"Yeah, because mutants and science go hand in hand and it doesn't say in the Bible that God made mutants," Angie said.
"But why would your superiors be upset you had Franziska living here?" Wayne asked.
"Because it would send the message that the church was using mutants for their own ends. That we were taking a side on the mutant situation," Franziska said.
"When Franziska returned after that creature attacked your school we were happy to have her back, but when the College of Cardinals found out they began to put pressure on us to have her removed. Thank the lord your school opened up when it did."
"Was there anything else about this man that stuck out? What was his name?" Angie asked.
Maxwell thought for a moment, trying to recall his name.
"Hans. Hans Wolf."
"Wait, isn't that the guy who worked for your dad?" Wayne asked.
"It is," Franziska said.
"Okay, the guy who worked for your dad asks a bunch of questions about you, then a few weeks later there is a hit on you. Too much to be a coincidence," Angie said.
"We should go to the police and tell them," Father Maxwell said.
"Tell them what? We have no solid proof it was him. And if we did, we would have to tell them about Franziska and her dad."
"And there is the fact we're all mutants and I doubt they will be willing to help us, if not outright arrest us," Wayne said.
"I need to confront Hans. I will demand he speak with me!" Franziska said.
"No! He is obviously dangerous!" Father Maxwell said.
"Then we need to confront him some place where he would not harm her," Angie said.
"Where would that be?" Wayne asked.

The island of Gotland was the largest island in the Baltic Sea, with several other islands off its shore.
Gotland's main town is called Visby, with a population of over twenty-two thousand.
The trio had landed the Blackbird in the local airport. The X-Men were allowed to land their planes in certain parts of the world.
After that they drove to the town. Rickard was silent, it had been many years since he had been here, but already the memories were flowing back.
As they approached the town Victor saw a large gray colored building; it stretched out forming a large wall that stretched far off into the distance.
"What is that?" he asked.
"The city wall," Rickard said. "Built in the thirteenth century. It is three-point-four kilometers long. It is part of the world heritage."
"Wow!"
"Nice architecture," Jean-Paul said.
They drove through the gates and proceeded into the city.
Rickard gave Jean-Paul directions to their destination. As they pulled into the hospital parking lot Rickard gasped.
"What is it?" Victor asked.
"My mother, she's sitting on that bench."
A woman sat by herself on a blue bench looking tired and smoking a cigarette. Rickard made a sound of disgust.
"She's smoking again? When dad has cancer? Damn it!"
Victor and Jean-Paul flinched as a low-pitched squeal filled the vehicle.
"Do you mind?" Jean-Paul asked.
"Sorry," Rickard said.
They quickly found a parking spot and Victor and Jean-Claude went to get out. Rickard remained seated, his hand over his eyes.
He was rubbing his head.
As Victor leaned his head in the car to ask Rickard if he needed more time, he heard what sounded like whispering voices.
"Rickard?"
Rickard ignored him.
The voices were his parents blaming him for what happened. His sister and his boyfriend's anguished cries were mixed in as well. They had died on impact; they had no time to cry out. But Rickard always heard their pain in his mind.
Victor began to worry.
"Rickard!" he said loudly.
Rickard snapped his head up to look at him.
"I...I...-"
Victor got back in the car and placed his hand on Rickard's back.
"Hey, breathe. Take a deep breath. Just relax, okay. I'm here now. You're safe."
"Jag kan inte göra det här, jag känner mig sjuk!" Rickard said.
"Come on Rickard, stay with me."
Victor rubbed Rickard's back soothingly. He continued to talk to him, telling him how beautiful his homeland was, how he hoped they would have enough time to see the sights, how he couldn't wait to see where Rickard grew up.
Finally Rickard calmed down.
"I'm better," he said.
"Okay. Take a moment to compose yourself."
"I still dream about that day," he said.
Victor knew what night he meant; the night his sister and boyfriend died.
"I remember driving. I was holding Oskar's hand. Katrina sat behind us. She was a little drunk, Oskar only had a few drinks, but I was completely sober. I was focusing on the road while they talked about the party. Katrina was telling us about a boy she had met; he gave her his number. I felt so happy. Oskar knew I was a mutant, he loved having me play his favorite songs. We had danced together in the snow to his favorite violin music.
"I remember there had been several other cars on the road. Some asshole came up behind us with his high beams on. He began to ride my bumper and I was about to pull to the side of the road so he could pass. But then the car in front began to swerve and...I don't know. Maybe on instinct I got my power ready. All I know was, when I came to we were upside down. Oskar's head was at an odd angle and I knew he was dead.
"There were police officers and firefighters and medics. When they pulled us out I saw that the whole road looked like a war zone. Katrina and I were the only survivors. When the two cars hit us my power caused the sound of the crash to trigger a sonic explosion. All the other people had their insides liquidated. Katrina and Oskar did not suffer that fate because they had been close enough to me to be safe, but not safe from the car being flipped over.
"Katrina died the next night in the hospital from internal bleeding. I was there for over a week. Knowing it was my fault. My fault they died, and the other people on the road died too. They had all been at a safe distance but the crash and my power killed them. I am a killer. I remember looking at the destruction on the road and thinking 'I did this'"
"Rickard, you know how many mutants accidentally killed someone because of their powers? Hell, Logan kills someone almost every time he unsheathes his claws. Don't hate yourself over something you had no control over."
He held Rickard's hand, squeezing it gently.
"Your parents need you now Rickard, do not lose this chance to make peace with your family or yourself. You have all suffered for far too long. It's time to move on and live. That's what Oskar and Katrina would want."
Rickard rested his head against Victor's.
"I'm ready," he said.
They got out of the car. Jean-Paul was patiently waiting. He knew how tough this was going to be for Rickard; he had been one of the X-Men to find Rickard. His speed had been critical in saving his life when he tried to kill himself.
He remembered how broken he had been then and he knew he had never fully recovered.
Being a brother himself, he knew how powerful a connection one can have with a sister. How many times had he thought he lost Jeanne-Marie?
Rickard and Victor got out of the car and made their way to Rickard's mother. She did not notice them; she was too lost in her own world.
"Mamma," Rickard said.
Freja Åhs looked a lot like her son. They had the same auburn-colored hair and the same greenish-blue eyes. He had her facial features as well.
She was five-foot-five and had a delicate figure. Her face was tired and worn and Victor could understand why she has been so stressed.
"Rickard?"
Her lips turned up into a smile. Some of the weariness washed away and she looked a little younger.
She stood up and wrapped her arms around her son, resting her head against his chest.
"Min pojke, min pojke," she said.
They stood there holding one another. Victor could see some of the pain and fear vanish from Rickard's eyes as his mother warmly embraced him.
Freja pulled back to look at Rickard. She placed her hands on his cheeks.
"Titta på dig, du ser så vacker," she said.
She saw Victor and Jean-Paul.
"Vilka är de?" she asked.
"Mother, these are my friends from school. This is Victor Borkowski."
"Pleased to meet you, ma'am," Victor said shaking her hand with his left hand.
He was wearing an image inducer to look human. But he had to be careful; if he touched someone with his right arm they would know something was wrong. They would see a normal-sized human arm but feel something very different.
"And this is Jean-Paul Beaubier."
"Wait, aren't you that Northstar guy from Alpha Flight?" Freja asked.
"Yes, I left them to teach at Xavier's," Jean-Paul said.
"Oh, your cousins are going to love this," Freja said.
Rickard gave her a sharp look.
"Did the whole family show up?" he asked.
"Yes, I already told them you would be coming. Your father doesn't know. I...was hoping to surprise him."
She had a smile on her face, but it was clear from the pause that the surprise Rickard's father would feel wouldn't be that pleasant.
"Mamma, you should have told him I was coming," Rickard said.
Freja waved her hand. "It doesn't matter, what's done is done. You're back now and that is all that matters. Now let's go inside."
"I need a moment. It's a bit much to be back."
"Of course, I'll go on in and let the others know your here."
She hugged him again and went inside the hospital.
"Damn it all!" Rickard cursed.
"What is it?" Victor asked.
"This is going to be more...complicated then I thought. I was too busy freaking out about coming home to think about the rest of my family."
"Will they be a problem?" Victor asked.
Rickard sighed.
"I got along great with my cousins, they were like my siblings. But I haven't talked to any of them in years. Since I left. And my aunts and uncles are sure to be nosy."
"Don't worry. We are here for your dad. Everything will be fine. Just focus on that, alright? Worry about him and the others after that."
Rickard grinned. "You do not know my family."
"No, but I look forward to meeting them."
"RICKARD!"
There was a blonde blur that slammed into Rickard, almost knocking him off his feet from the speed of the impact.
A young girl in her teens had her hands wrapped around Rickard's shoulders. She had long, pale blonde hair and blue and green eyes that shined with pure happiness.
"OhmyGodIdidn'tbeliveitwhenAuntFrejasaidyouwerebackbuthereyouare,ohmyGoditissogoodtoseeyouagainImissedyousomuch!"
She spoke so fast only Jean-Paul could understand what she was saying.
The girl let go of Rickard and beamed at him, her eyes shone with unshed tears.
"Amanda? Is that you?" Rickard asked looking at her with shock.
She nodded. "Yep, I'm all grown up now!" she said happily.
"How old are you now?" he asked.
"Seventeen."
"Oh my God, I can't believe it!" he smiled and gave her another hug.
"Amanda, this is Victor and Jean-Paul," Rickard said introducing them to her. "Guys, this is my cousin Amanda."
She leaned in close to him. "Är de mutanter också?" she asked.
"Yes, they are mutants too, you don't have to be nervous about asking that question," Rickard said.
"I just wanted to make sure. Now come on, I am sure the others will want to see you," Amanda said pulling on his arm and dragging him into the hospital.
"Yay," Rickard muttered.

Michael was feeling nervous.
After an hour of talking the group decided to send Michael to talk to Joe and Jericho.
Emma had read their minds while they had watched the two argue.
Joe was a priest at the local church. His wife Vanessa had died several months ago from breast cancer and his son Jericho was going through the angry phase many teens go through when they lose a loved one.
She confirmed that Joe had changed his ways; he was an honest and respected member of the community.
"So why don't we all go?" Michael asked.
"What do you think he will do when he sees us?" Scott asked.
"Good point," Michael said.
The others would wait nearby while Michael went to talk to Joe.
Their house was a two-story building with blue paint and several yard ornaments like gnomes and angels stood along the sidewalk.
Michael pressed the doorbell and waited.
He soon heard the sounds of someone approaching the door and when it opened and an angry looking Jericho glared at him. He was still wearing his black hoodie pulled on top of his head.
"The fuck you want?"
Michael opened and closed his mouth, unable to form words. Partially out of shock at his cousin's aggressive behavior and foul mouth, and partially because of nerves.
It was ridiculous, after fighting Magneto, Bastion, and the Anaye, one angry teen should not intimidate him at all.
"Let me guess, you're one of my dad's flock. You look like one of them. Come on in."
He stepped aside and Michael walked in. Jericho shut the door.
"Dad! You have a visitor!" he yelled.
He left Michael alone, obviously not wanting to be around him (or anyone), for that matter.
Joe walked in from the living room. He looked at Michael with a curious look.
"Hello, I am Pastor Joseph."
He shook Michael's hand.
"Do we know one another? You seem familiar somehow."
Michael hoped he didn't watch YouTube.
"Um...hi," Michael finally said.
"Hello," Joe said.
"Um...my name is Michael."
"Like the archangel," Joe said with a smile.
"Yes, my middle name is Gabriel."
Joe laughed. "Don't tell me, your last name is Raphael?"
"No, it's Bronson."
"Good name. Can I help you, son?"
"I...my mother's name was Mary. Her maiden name was Welkin."
Joe's face slowly went from friendly to shocked, as realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Hi, Uncle Joe," Michel said.
Joe took a deep breath and took a step back from Michael. He looked around as if expecting more people to appear.
"Did you come alone?"
He shook his head.
"The X-Men-"
"Oh God, you're here to arrest me!" he said becoming panicked.
"No! No! They scanned your mind; they know you have been good! I am here because we are family. They figured I would be the best person to talk to you since we're kin."
"Listen, I know what I did was wrong. I was young and stupid but I have made a new life for myself."
"Does Jericho know?"
"Does my seventeen-year-old rebellious son know I once went mad with power and built a cult around the idea that I was some kind of angel?"
Joe gave Michael a look that painfully reminded Michael of his mother.
"Right, sorry."
"Please don't arrest me, please, I am begging you!" Joe put his hands on Michael's shoulders. "I am all Jericho has left; his mother passed away and this would ruin us!"
"Uncle Joe, I am not going to turn you in, neither are the X-Men," Michael said.
"Uncle Joe? Never thought I would hear that," he said with a small smile. He let go of Michael. "So if you are with the X-Men, does that mean you are a mutant?"
"Yeah, must run in the family. I have wings too."
Joe nodded.
"And your mother? How is Mary? I am sure she despises me. I don't blame her. I ruined things for our family."
This was the moment Michael had been dreading.
But Joe instantly picked up that something was the matter. In the past several years he had learned how to emphasize with a person, to get a feel of as a mutant power but just a skill to help guide his followers.
"Is she alright?" he asked.

"He's telling him now," Emma said.
"I wish we could be in there. I am sure this sucks for Michael, having to tell his uncle," Devin said.
"Wait until after the mission to support your teammate," Scott said.
"Hard to believe he is a good guy now. Remember what a nut job he was back then?" Bobby asked.
"I seem to recall several of the X-Men having questionable backgrounds," Jacob said. "Gambit is a thief, Rogue was a member of the Brotherhood, James tried to kill Xavier, and Logan...well...nuff said."
"We have had time to make amends and forgive our fellow X-Men their trespasses. But the last time we saw Joe he was trying to kill us. It makes us a bit wary of him," Hank said.
Scott noticed Emma had an odd look on her face.
"What is it?" he asked her.
"I have noticed blocks in Joe's mind."
"Blocks?"
"Yes. Mental ones. Someone has been inside his head."
"For what purpose?"
"I am not sure. But they are affecting his memory. They are not like typical memory repressors either. Same effect but different design. And whoever did it knew what they were doing, very precise."
"Can you get rid of them?" Scott asked.
She shook her head.
"Not from here. I need to be closer to Joe. And it would take time. Like I said, whoever did this knew what they were doing. A lot of skill was put into this," she said.
"But why would someone block his memory?" Devin said.
"Could it be causing him to be benign?" Hank asked.
She shook her head. "It does not affect his personality. It is designed to hide memories. Old and new."
"What does that mean?" Jacob asked.
"It is odd, there are gaps in his memory that go on for years. It is always when he is alone. The gaps are not very long so they are not noticeable, and if Joe does notice something he puts it off to just being absentminded."
"What does that mean?" Bobby asked.
"It means Joe has a secret, and he doesn't even know it," Scott said.

Fusedtwilight: I admit I do not speak Swedish. I used Google Translate for that so if you want to know what was said use that. Next chapter is filled with angst, love and surprising revelations. Please review.
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Angel In The Attic