Beautiful Ruins

Chapter 38

"I should've guessed" Peter says, crossing his arms. I have no idea how to convince him I'm not doing this for Scarlett. "How many times does she have to try to kill you before you finally move on?" That's a valid question, I just have no idea how to answer it.

"We can trust Scarlett" I say, not in general but we can trust that she wants to save Henry. "She just wants to save Henry."

"Are you serious, Storm, even Ashton agrees she's insane!" Peter snaps, glaring at me. My eyes flicker to Scarlett, hoping that went unnoticed. By the way Scarlett's eyes narrow and she turns her body towards mine, I can tell it hasn't.

"Ashton came to us" I say defensively. "He knows everything, even that you murdered Mystique." I don't understand why I'm getting defensive, it's not like I have to prove anything to Scarlett, she's the one who went straight up psycho, even Ashton agrees.

Peter walks over to Scarlett's computer and turns it on. I raise an eyebrow, what's he looking for? I walk over and stand next to him.

"I can't believe you're willing to work with her" Peter says, screwing up his face as he says Scarlett's name. He glances at Scarlett for a second and then focuses his attention on the computer screen, he starts typing.

Scarlett looks both amused and annoyed as she watches Peter searching on her computer, I'm not sure what he's looking for, I doubt Loki has been emailing Scarlett his plans for kidnapping and holding our friends hostage.

I pick up the necklace on Scarlett's desk, partly hoping it's not really Henry's. As selfish as it is, I can't bear to be the only one Scarlett completely turned on. Well, she did murder Mystique, not that that brings me any comfort. The ring is silver and has bead-set diamonds, then the head of the ring is a small love heart shaped diamond, this is Henry's ring, I just don't know why it's on a chain and not on Scarlett's finger.

"He asked me to marry him four days ago" Scarlett informs me, hesitation in her voice. "Then he went missing." Henry asking Scarlett to marry him is strange, I don't understand the rush, they're both not even seventeen yet. But maybe Scarlett had a hand in it.

"If I asked you to marry me, I'd probably go missing too. Who wants to marry a girl who bombed a hospital and almost killed her best friend?" Peter mutters, causing me to laugh slightly. Scarlett glares at Peter. I should feel surprised that Henry is in love with Scarlett despite all her actions, but I'm used to the x-men picking the wrong side. Besides Henry could always find a way to justify anything his friends did, no matter how terrible.

"Storm wanted to drag Mystique to the avengers! What did you want me to do?" Scarlett snaps, clenching her fists tightly. I blink, she had other options, it wasn't like killing me was the only thing she could do. Also, why did she care? A few weeks later, Mystique died because Scarlett decided to kill her.

Peter goes into an email, and I glance over his shoulder. Henry, I want to marry you, but I don't think I can until we finish what's started. The avengers need to be taken care of, I think Storm's death will rattle them, especially Stark and they can't function without him. Scarlett walks over and looks at the email and sighs.

"That was just talk, Storm, it's dated from ages ago. If I wanted to kill you, I would've done it in the forest. I heard you calling out, but I stopped, I realised it wasn't necessary" Scarlett says. My heart aches, I can't see the Scarlett I knew. I'm not sure if I'll ever stop mourning the death of my best friend.

"Whatever, we need to go to Loki. We can devise a plan on the way there" I say, Clover is more important than any of this drama. Scarlett and Henry plotting to kill me can be dealt with later, or just completely ignored. Clover, however, needs me urgently.

I start walking out of the room, Peter and Scarlett follow me without protest which surprises me. I wasn't sure if Peter would agree to work with Scarlett, I guess he's realised that she does love Henry, he's her priority, not the x-men right now.

I go to head towards the control room, but Scarlett grabs my wrist. I whirl around, fire unconsciously appearing at my fingertips, I quickly put it out. "We'll take one of my cars, the avengers will be able to track yours." I nod in agreement, Scarlett is right about us being tracked, Tony would never let this happen, he wants me and Peter to stay out of everything. I understand his desire to keep me safe, but I have that same desire for Clover, and she isn't safe. I close my eyes; I really hope she's okay. If Loki has hurt MJ or Clover, I will make him pay for it. I don't care if he's a god, if he lays one finger on my friends, he will know pain.

I roll my eyes as we walk outside and a red car flashes. Scarlett has some nerve, murdering Mystique and then starting to use her car. "Did you murder Mystique just to climb the ranks faster?" I can't help but asking.

"There's a lot you'll never understand" Scarlett replies. I roll my eyes, I've grown up at the same place as Scarlett, I understand how it works, killing people does make it easier to climb up the ladder, but that doesn't make it okay, not even close. "How do we find Loki?"

I glance at Peter, hoping he has some sort of idea. Loki would've found a way to give us the location, otherwise how are we met to find him? Peter pulls out a piece of paper, I glance down at the address. It's not far from here, a two-to-three-hour drive, we could be there by tonight if we hurry up and leave now.

"We'll discuss our battle plan in the car" Scarlett says, opening the door. I climb into the passenger seat after glancing at Peter who gestures for me to sit in the front. I'd much rather be in the back but I climb in anyway. I glare at him through the mirror, causing him to smile at me. I roll my eyes.  

*Author's Note* Peter is just done with Scarlett.