Ok, so this is the final installment of "Cold Memories".  PLEASE tell me
what you think of the ending, since I changed it from my original story!
E-Mail me at supereub@lava.net and tell me what you think!

***

Cold Memories
By
Reuben A. Macapinlac *Supereub*
March 1997


Part Five

***

"Robert?"

Bobby Drake took his attention away from the papers he was previously
discussing with Carly Alvarez, his personal assistant.  He grinned.  "Yes
Mr. Creed?"
Graydon Creed smiled at him.  "Do you believe that the sins of one
generation may be passed onto the next?"
Bobby was bewildered.  "How do you mean?"

Graydon Creed opened the car door.  "Follow me outside Robert." Graydon
ordered as he stepped outside the car.  Bobby had a worried look on his
face, he looked at Carly for a minute.  Then, hesitantly, he followed
Graydon Creed outside the car.

The fresh air of the early morning relieved Bobby, he took a quick breath
of the morning air.  Graydon came up to him, appearing to be a bigger man
than Bobby.  "Good. Then I need you to help me...solve a little problem of
mine." he smiled again.

"Problem?"

"Yes." Graydon replied, pointing out to the clearing.  "Out there, my
problem is out there."

Bobby slowly took his first step.  He knew something was wrong, and with
each step he took, he became even more worried.  Soon, he ran further and
further away from the limo until he saw a body lying on the ground, the
lights of the departing planes lit the area.  "Dad!"

Bobby rushed over to his father's side.  He knelt down and examined his
face, checking for a pulse.  "Dad?  What happened?  They did this to you,
didn't they?!  Creed did this to you!"

"B...B...Bobby, I...I didn't tell'em anything." William stuttered back.

He held William's head in his arms, comforting him.  "Shh, don't speak."

"Shush yourself."

Bobby sniffled, his eyes filled with his own tears.  "Oh dad, don't die on
me now."

***

"He's opening his eyes!"

"He's ok, ah reckon."

Bobby gave a faint moan, he had trouble opening his eyes at first, but he
managed to do so.  Gathering some effort, he spoke up.  "Who's there?" he
whispered harshly.

"Shh Bobby, you're all right now." a sweet voice replied to his call.

Bobby chuckled.  "J...Jean?  Is that you?  Who else is there?" he asked,
his sight was still a bit sand-blind.

"It's me.  Sam and Rogue are here too." Jean said, placing her hand on his.

"Hey buddy," Sam said.  "Ah had to come down here to...apologize about the
other day, ya know, when we were on the phone."

"Don't be Sam," Bobby said, his voice was weak.  "You were just trying to
help me, I was too stubborn to take any."

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening interrupted the conversation.  Jean
started to talk to the newly arrived guest.  "Rogue!  Bobby's awake!"

Rogue came over to Bobby's bedside.  "Hi honey, are ya feelin' ok?"
"Never better." Bobby replied.  
"Ah was startin' to feel that we would lose you," Rogue said, her voice
trembling.  "After all, the reports said that you were hit pretty bad."

"H...How long have I been out for?" Bobby inquired, placing a hand on his
forehead, shutting his eyes closed.

"Two days." Sam answered.

"Why don't ya come back to the mansion with us when you're feelin' better
sugah?" Rogue asked, out of the blue.

Jean rolled her eyes, she looked at Bobby for a second, then nodded.
"Rogue?  Sam?  Bobby and I need to talk for a minute, can you wait
outside."
"Sure thing Jean." Sam said.

The two X-Men exited the room as Jean sighed, smiling at Bobby.  He grinned
back.  "I know you're planning to head to California, but I need to know,
are you sure about this?  The X-Men are willing to help you anytime."
"Jean," Bobby began.  "I want to come back, but things are just to raw
right now.  Getting beaten to a bloody pulp sure hasn't helped me a whole
lot either.  I need some time alone Jean, that's all I'm asking.  Maybe
this thing will tide over in a month or two, but I need my time alone."

Jean nodded.  "I understand, I'll tell the others, just get some sleep now,
you're all right."

Bobby smiled one last time, then slowly closed his eyes.  He drifted to
sleep in seconds.

***

Two Weeks Later...


Bobby leaned against his crutch, the cast that supported his broken leg had
been on for about a week and a half.  He limped forward to the terminal,
his bags had already been dropped off at the baggage claim.  (This is it.)

"You feelin' excited mon ami?" a French accented voice said.

Bobby turned, to find the X-Man called Gambit walking beside him.  He
nodded.  "Yes, excited, yet, I'm also a bit...scared."

Remy laughed.  "Don' be, dis is like a new adventure.  I go on adventures
all de time."

Bobby laughed with the cajun.  He limped as Remy walked by his side.  "Don'
be in such a rush homme, Rogue, Joseph, Scott, and Hank are still tryin' to
park de car."

"No rush at all Remy.  I'm just as you said, excited."

"Hey, you two!" a voice yelled from across the terminal.  The sounds of
shoes clapping against the tiled floor.

The two turned, the four X-Men ran towards them.  Scott patted Bobby on the
back.  "Wait for us, we need to say our good-bye's too, don't we Bobby?"
"Of course Cyke!"

Joseph smiled.  "Even though I have no previous memories of you and I, I
want to wish you good luck on your trip."

Bobby smiled back at the gray-haired X-Man.  "Thank you Joe.  But trust me,
be thankful you don't remember our previous meetings."

Joseph laughed as the six X-Men walked to the gate...

***
Bobby embraced Rogue.  "Now remember, don't do anything drastic now, you
have two special men that need you."  Bobby whispered in her ear.  She
giggled, beginning to blush.

Scott shook his hand with a firm grip.  "Now Bobby, take care of yourself,
and remember this:  You can always come back to the X-Men."

Bobby nodded.  "I probably will come back one day.  I hope it will be very
soon, and thank you for the offer."

Remy folded his arms, grinning.  "You don' remember us Bobby."
"I won't."

Hank, in his image-induced form, put his arm around Bobby's shoulders.  "As
they say old friend of mine, parting is such sweet sorrow."

"Sorrowful it is Hank, take care of yourself and little Siku." Bobby said.

Joseph was last, he chuckled.  "I hope you have the rest you need, then you
can come back and fight by the X-Men's side, and hopefully, by my side as
well."

Bobby extended his hand, Joseph gripped it, the two shook hands.  "I'll be
looking forward to the day...Joseph."

Bobby limped towards the entrance to the tube that lead to the airplane's
entrance.  With a last glance at the group, he slowly entered, a tear fell
down his cheek.

(I'll miss you guys.)

THE END.


So what did you think?  PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT supereub@lava.net AND TELL ME
IF I MADE A KICK-ASS ENDING OR NOT.


Reuben M. *Supereub*
supereub@lava.net

- SUPER'S Home Page: http://free.websight.com/Macapinlac2
- Supereub's X-Men Krazy Page: http://free.websight.com/Macapinlac3
- Supereub's X-Men Fan Fiction Archive: http://free.websight.com/Macapinlac4

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|  Hey, who took the cork off         |
|  my lunch?!!                        |
|              - W.C. Fields          |
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