The Long Journey 'Home'(Marie)

[aaron]

Aaron really wasn't surprised when Maron woke up and thrashed around. He dodged some of her hits, but he felt bad when he saw Phoenix get kicked. "Sorry," he whispered to Phoenix. Aaron continued to heal Maron's arm and soon, it was completely healed. He quickly let go, made sure it healed correctly, then ran off to hide in a different room and away from Maron.

But when he entered the other room, Aaron came face to face with Nessa. He immediately froze. His heart hammered against his rib cage, while cold sweat beaded on his forehead and palms. "Hey...Nessa..." He said that was so much longing. Aaron painfully held himself back from taking her into his arms and kissing her. Passion raged within him. So many strong feelings in just one look? Aaron took a shuddering breath.

[maron]

Maron suddenly froze. Shit... Had Phoenix been the one she kicked?! Oh dear.... So Aaron had wrangled Phoenix's help in his mad scheme to break her arm again? Great...

Then, her arm was all patched up, and Aaron was halfway out the door before she even had time to say anything. Sitting up she searched for something, anything to throw at the man. Shit. Nothing. Not unless she wanted to throw a tray at him... "YOU COWARD!" She had to settle for yelling at him as he vanished, going off to hide probably. Reaching with her freshly healed arm, she violently yanked out the IV. She hated needles. Why had they even hooked up an IV to begin with?

At that point, she was on her feet, wobbling a little, before sitting next to Phoenix and touching the spot she'd kneed him. "I'm sorry...." She truly was. But, wait, was Phoenix laughing? She smiled a little. "You should have let me kick him. He deserved it." She placed her hands on his shoulders, leaning forward to softly kiss him on the cheek, hopefully it'd make him feel a little better....

[nessa]

Nessa just sat down in a nearby chair, hearing Aaron's voice in the other room as he worked over Maron. Nessa had calmed down considerably, but her heart was still racing. Memories still swirled around in her mind, reminding her of what happened between her and Aaron. But she was sure of one thing now...Nessa loved Aaron. For whatever reasons, she was too scared to admit it and pushed Aaron away.

Suddenly, speak of the devil, Aaron himself burst through the door, looking a bit frustrated. She looked at him with completely frozen surprise. The wind suddenly burst through a nearby door and swirled around the two of them, whipping Nessa's hair up. Her eyes met his melting ice blue eyes and that was it. After he greeted her, she pulled Aaron close and immediately kissed him.

[aaron]

Aaron was completely surprised when Nessa made the move. But he welcomed the kiss with open arms. He then pulled away, thinking she was the most beautiful thing that ever walked the earth. He kissed her again, eagerly. Aaron wrapped his arms around her hips and pulled her closer to him. He held her close, not wanting to let her go.

"Nessa rose...." he breathed. "You're finally mine."

[nessa]

Nessa kissed back, not holding back. She really did love him and wanted to be close to him.

"Yes...I'm yours." The wind suddenly died down and Nessa smiled so brightly. "Let's get out of here. I bet Maron doesn't even want to see you anyway." She then pulled his hand and they were out the door, heading toward Aaron's car.

[aaron]

"Woah! All righty then!" Aaron learned to not argue with Nessa and happily went along with her, finally excited that she had finally accepted his feelings. Soon, they jumped in the car and sped away.

[sarashadow]

Crux, who hadn't gotten very far, heard a high-pitched scream from the infirmary and sighed, looking down for a moment. Why was he getting like this? Maron didn't need him. No one needed him, unless they wanted to die. Besides, she had that new guy that she obviously had known a while. Long enough to trust him, anyway. But, still, he had to go back. Something in his gut told him to. So, he went back to the infirmary at the same slow pace he always walked. There was no need to rush. Aaron would definitely take care of it, even though the two obviously couldn't get along to save their lives.

Once he got there, Aaron was gone and the new kid was sitting beside Maron. She was completely fine. He'd known she would be. Why he even cared, he had no idea. He also had no idea what to say, so just stood in the doorway like a bumbling baffoon in silence.

[vincentezra]

When Crux appeared in the doorway, Vin's eyes snapped open. She'd been watching the whole thing through Phoenix's eyes. She wasn't going to bother him anymore, but then this very familiar guy showed up. Who was he? Vin knew that she must've known him somehow. But who...? She hated to bother the easily-annoyed Paragon anymore, but she just had to know.

"Who is that? The guy who's just staring in the doorway?" she asked, knowing that she would just get an irritated, disrespectful reply from Phoenix. She'd get an answer out of him eventually. But Vin knew that it would bother her until she figured it out. "What's his name...?"

[cartertcat]

How was she still so sweet? What the hell? Maron had just taken a severe beating from Art's sister. He was the one who got her involved in this mess! And yet, she was apologizing for kicking him?

"No, you should kick me again. Especially after the hell I put you through." he said, hanging his head down in shame. And then she kissed his cheek. All of a sudden it was like everything was right in the world again. But it shouldn't be. How could she even talk to him? Crap, had she just blown their cover? Nobody was in the room at the moment though.

He kissed Maron once, lightly, on the lips. "You shouldn't want to even be near me." Phoenix said softly, feeling like the kiss had been to short. Then there was that empaths voice in his head. Huh?! There was someone in the door way? His head snapped up, seeing the mutant who'd introduced himself as Crux.

God! I hope you know that this isn't the 'spy on Art' show! His name is Crux. Get out of my mind now! Phoenix thought, forcing the empath out of his mind. He had no idea how long he could keep her out though. He put up all the barriers in his mind. Hoping to block her out. What had 'Crux' seen?

[maron]

If Maron had known anyone was watching, she wouldn't have been this sweet towards, well... anyone. She'd be snappy and irritable, trying to make them leave her and Phoenix alone. Phoenix would learn pretty damn quick why Maron had always been so eager to run off to meet him, come a couple hours.

"I don't want to kick you though." She paused, a little surprised. "You're going to blame yourself for this? Maybe I should kick you again, knock that nonsense out." Maron smiled softly.

Maron had been careful. No one else had been in the room when she'd kissed him on the cheek. She knew Phoenix wanted to keep their relationship a secret... For now at least. If Maron were to guess though? It wouldn't take long for just about everyone to know. They were worse then a bunch of housewives, with nothing better to do but Gossip.

A slightly pleased expression touched her face when her finally kissed her, but totally ruined the moment by saying she shouldn't want to be near him. If she could look at him, she would have glared. Instead, she settled for poking him in the stomach. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?" She'd already given her speech on why he shouldn't stay near her, and it had all been in one ear and out the other, so Maron didn't even bother trying to repeat it.

Then, Maron jumped in surprise at Phoenix's quick movement, her eyes opening partway to turn her own attention to where he was looking the doorway. It was hard to tell who it was when you were only focusing on their chest down, but Maron had mastered the art a long time ago. It was that new guy.... What was his name again? She couldn't remember. She rarely paid attention to anyone in the Runaways, including the newcomers. The only reason why most knew who she was, was because of all the warnings they were given.

[cartertcat]

"Well then I guess were stuck with each other," Art spoke quietly, smiling happily at her threat to kick him again. If only Crux hadn't been there to ruin the 'moment'. Standing up and backing away from Maron, he put his terrible acting skills to the test.

"This is all just one big misunderstanding. I mean, your grateful I saved your life but I'm in a relationship already," Phoenix said as his hair turned neon green. Wow, he knew he was a bad actor, but this was just sad. He was having some trouble keeping a straight face.

He backed up so that he was sitting across from Maron. Acting as if he hadn't seen Crux in the first place. In the back of his mind, he wondered if Wicked might be coming soon. After all she had stolen his- Logan's- helmet. Phoenix also had a feeling that she would want to say some things to Maron.

[que]

"Pfft!"

Great, Wicked had completely blown her cover. And she had been planning on remaining unnoticed behind Crux for a good few more minutes. How terribly, terribly disappointing. Oh well, she was bound to be found out sooner or later.

Stepping out from behind Crux, and finally visible to the others, she grinned and oh so wicked grin. No wonder they called her Wicked. "I'm sorry to say, but your green hair has labeled you a liar." Maron visibly paled when she heard Wicked's voice. Stepping into the room, Wicked planted her hands on her hips, still grinning that wicked grin about the teenagers. "Now... Where to start...."

Wicked was visibly deep in thought, and everyone would know, these two were in big trouble. "Let's see... Sneaking out, stealing Xenthron's bike- Where is his bike anyway?" Maron paled even more, and Wicked made a sound of realization. "Ah. You lost it. Okay, let's add that to the list of offensives." Her grin turned to a smirk. "Not to mention you broke a window in your escape." Oh yeah, Maron was in a hell of a lot of trouble. "Run along, Maron. I'll deal with you later."

Maron hesitated for only a moment, before bolting off like a startled rabbit, out of sight in a matter of seconds.

Finally, Wicked turned her attention to this now Neon Green haired teenage boy. "So! You're the reason she went to so much trouble running off? And I'd just thought you were some random punk who found her." She smirked again, taking several more steps towards the young man. "And what is your name, accomplish of the trouble maker?"

[cartertcat]

Uh oh. They, or rather, Art, had been caught. That not-in-a-relationship cover hadn't lasted very long at all. Judging by the way Maron had scampered off, this wasn't going to be good. Wow, this 'Wicked' person was sort of scary. Wonderful. He felt like he was a little kid being reprehended.

"Phoenix Riley Art. If you want though.. you can just call me Art," He said, attempting to smile and failing. He had no idea what to expect next. He could only imagine that it was going to be quite unpleasant. So the empath couldn't warn him about this? Great.

What was he supposed to say. It's not like he'd corrupted her. When they'd first met, she had snuken out herself. I'm sorry for saving her life, twice? On their first near death experience, she would have been jumped if he hadn't been there. And if he hadn't came to Maron's rescue an hour ago, she'd be dead.

"At least I'm not a punk..." Art said, biting his lip. "You said you thought I was just some punk who picked her up. I'd rather be a trouble maker then a punk... if there is a difference," Phoenix looked down.

As much as Phoenix hated having short hair, he cropped it so it was just about to his ears. Making it a brunette color. Now he wouldn't look like such a spawn of satin. At least thats what it felt like wicked had categorized him as.

[que]

Wicked just kept grinning, satisfied that he'd actually given her his full, real name. Unlike most people.... For some reason, Wicked liked knowing the person's real name on top of the name they went by, and around here? Most went by names they'd chosen for themselves. "Good boy." Oh dear.... She was treating him a little like a dog now. "If Maron's told you anything about us, then you've probably figured out who I am by now. Wicked. And no. You can't know my real name." Wicked was very secretive about who she allowed to know her real name, and no way would she tell it to some new punk.

"Around here? Everyone is a punk." Wicked spoke with a 'matter of fact' tone, as if there was no reason to argue with her. "Soooo...." Oh, here it came. Wicked showing her true colors. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed with a conniving smirk on her lips. "It seems you've taken a liking for Maron." She short pause, to let her words sink in. "What do you intend to do?"

[cartertcat]

Good boy? What? No treat to go with it? Well, she was certainly intimidating. That hardly seemed fair. He'd told her his real name. Well, at least she hadn't transmuted him into some random element. Art was pretty good at naming powers.

"Until my psychotic sister is either dead, or I know that she wont bring any harm to Maron... I intend to stay here," he said, surprised at how up front he was being with all of this. Usually he just went along with what everyone else was doing. Blending in with the crowd. So much for that.