August 1st, 2002

10:27 am

     "Rise and shine!" A loud clanking sound startled Thomas awake from his spot on the floor. "Today's gonna be fun kids!"

     Thomas scowled as he saw the same guard with the face coverings banging his fists on the metal bars.

     El was laying next to him, her eyes were closed which made Thomas slightly scared. He gently shook her.

     "El, we gotta go."

     "Get the bitch up or I will."

     Thomas glared at him. "I'm trying! I don't know what you did to her yesterday but she's not okay...sh-she needs a doctor or someth-"

    The guard's wicked laugh cut Thomas off. "A doctor? You think a doctor could help her?"

     "She needs to go back to the school," Thomas said more confidently this time.

      He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "Stop talking about things you don't know about kid. We didn't hurt her, we enhanced her."

     "Enhanced?! She can barely move!"

     "Because she's fighting it. If she just gave in, she'd be fine...now get her up or I will and I'm not as nice as you are."

     Thomas shook El harder this time, the girl finally opened her eyes and blinked slowly at Thomas. Her chest was rising and falling at a pace that almost looked painful.

     "El, we gotta go somewhere okay?"

     She nodded weakly and moved to sit up. The spidery spot on her neck was larger than it was when they fell asleep and her eyes were bloodshot.

     Thomas helped her up and hooked his arm around her waist to help her walk.

    The guard swung the door open as he pulled out his gun and pressed it into Thomas' shoulder.

     "Listen real good kid, you run, I shoot you. You run and leave her, I put a bullet through her head."

     "What makes you think I'd leave her? And I can't run with her." Thomas shook his head at the mere stupidity of the man.

     "Fine, new set of rules. If you talk, I'll use this to break your teeth. Got it?" The guard shook the gun in Thomas' face. The boy had to seriously resist the urge to roll his eyes.

     "Good. Now walk." The man shoved him a bit toward the end of the hallway. "We're already late."

     Thomas bit his tongue and started down toward the door at the end of the hall. He had his arm around El, practically dragging her with him.

     El was quiet, moving slowly alongside Thomas the best she could.

     They were herded into the a strange room. There were some tubes on the wall and a bed in the middle that looked like it belonged in a hospital. The walls were painted a soft white color which somehow added to the overall eeriness of the room.

     Thomas could feel El stiffen next to him. He tightened his hold on her and took a small step back when he felt her start to shake.

     "What is this?" Thomas asked as the panic started kicking in.

     Before anyone could answer him, the door swung open and in walked the last person he wanted to see.

     "Hi Mom," Thomas practically spat as he hugged El tighter to his body. It was terrifying how still she was.

     Today she was dressed in a more casual suit with a black shirt and black straight pants. The shirt had a little pocket on it with "WICKED" printed across the front.

     "Hello Thomas." She smiled when she saw him, her dark hair was pulled back so the entire expression was on display to Thomas, it made him uneasy.

     "What did you do to El?"

     Thomas' mom actually laughed then. It sent chills down Thomas' spine.

     "Maybe the better question is what didn't we do to her. We enhanced her Thomas, once she finally quits fighting, she'll be one of the most utilized mutants of your time."

     "What do you mean by utilized?" Thomas asked skeptically.

     The woman smiled again, bigger this time. "Oh don't worry Thomas, you'll see soon enough." She snapped her fingers then and the guard behind him ripped El from his grasp. The door swung open and more guards flooded in. They grabbed Thomas and held him back as he screamed and flailed to get to his friend.

     "Stop! What are you doing?!" Thomas screamed as he watched his mother slowly approach the girl.

     She scoffed. "Stop being a baby Thomas, I would never hurt her."

     The woman gently grabbed El's face and looked into her eyes. "That's it baby," she said softly. "Stop fighting it."

     El's chest was rising and falling as she stared back at the woman. Thomas could see her hands shaking and her lower lip trembling.

     "Please," El whispered softly. "Please get out."

     The chilling smile was back on Thomas' mom's face. "You keep fighting it and it's gonna kill you."

     El took a shaky breath and clenched her fists. "I-I'm not letting y-you."

     Thomas' mom tightened her grip on El's face making her wince slightly. "Yes you will. Don't forget that I know who you are. I know exactly who you are."

    El coughed and let her eyes flutter closed. Thomas started struggling again when he realized she had coughed up crimnson on her lips.

     "Whatever you're doing to her stop it!" Thomas screamed as he yanked his arms as hard as he could. If it wasn't for the stupid power canceling bracelet on his wrist, he could have had every guard on the ground by now.

     Thomas' mom let go of El's face, sighing when El's head fell immediately. She turned to Thomas, looking genuinely happy.

     "Oh don't you worry my dear boy. You're next."

1:02 pm

     Newt woke up in a car, his head felt a little dizzy and his legs ached but otherwise he was okay. He jumped when the car lurched a bit. His head hit the roof and he bit his lip so he wouldn't cry out.

     The confusion slowly settled into Newt as he looked around the small car. Where were Minho and Kis? He was about to open his mouth when a loud crashing sound cut him off.

     "Fuck!" The driver muttered as he swerved the car, rolling Newt over to the other side of the seat. He scrambled to grab onto something or even reach the seat belt but the car was going back and forth so fast he could do nothing but tumble like a tumbleweed.

     The car slammed to a stop and Newt went flying into the seat in front of him, smashing his face in the fabric of the car seat.

     He pushed himself up and froze when he saw the reflection of the driver in the rear view mirror. It was Hank.

     Hank reached around the seat and swung the backdoor open before rolling down his window and screaming "GET IN KID" out it.

     Suddenly a giant mass fell on him and he let out a squeak of pain as the thing fell right into his lap.

     It took him a second to realize the thing was a person. A boy.

     "Wha-"

     "You're pretty." The boy slurred as he poked Newt's cheek which just made him scowl and swat it away.

     Realization dawned and Newt's eyes widened. "Tommy?"

     Newt barely recognized him, he was stick skinny and his hair was a disaster. He looked like he did on the day they...

     "Bloody hell!" Newt cussed loudly as Hank turned around lightning fast in his seat.

     "Newt?! What the FUCK are you doing here?!"

     Newt's head was spinning, Thomas was passed out on his lap, his arm curled around Newt's thigh like he was holding a teddy bear and Hank was screaming at him.

     "It doesn't matter!" Hank yelled as he slammed on the gas. "We need to get the fuck out of here."

     Newt looked down at the unconscious boy on his lap. He couldn't help himself, he gently brushed the hair from his face and tucked it behind his ear. Thomas' hair was always too long, Newt doubted that he ever got it cut before he came to the school.

     "This is the day we met," Newt whispered softly as he gently rubbed Thomas' arm. "This is the day my life changed forever."

     Newt blinked and the whole scene changed. He instantly recognized the place he was at. It was the pub. The old pub he used to hook up with Alby at. He scoffed slightly as he saw the dark skinned boy walking behind the bar.

     "Come on Newt, we're leaving," Minho said as he seemingly appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his arm.

     "Wait where's-" Newt stopped when he heard Teresa giggle and drag Thomas past them. Newt's stomach twisted. Teresa. She was there, alive.

     Minho dragged him out of the bar and pushed him toward the small car they stole from the pub to get to the school.

     He fell into the passenger seat, letting his body sag against the fabric. Minho started the car and they were driving then. Everyone was oddly quiet, well that was until Minho scoffed and shook his head. Newt furried his eyebrows at him before looking into the back seat and feeling his heart physically shatter. Teresa had Thomas' face in her hands and her lips pressed to his. Thomas looked just as confused as Newt remembered, he wasn't really moving but he had his hand on Teresa's hip.

     Newt felt sick as he turned back around and stared out the front windshield. What was going on? Newt dropped his head into his hands and rubbed his temples. He thought for a moment before slowly rising his head. That was it. That moment in the car when Thomas was kissing Teresa. That's when Newt realized he loved him.

     The scene changed again, making Newt's stomach twist. He was in the hallway at the school, right by his room. Thomas was lying on the floor. Newt shook his head. He remembered this, how could he ever forgot this day?

     "What the bloody hell are you doing in front of my door Tommy?"

     Thomas scrambled to his feet, smoothing out his shirt. It was adorable.

     "I wanna talk to you."

     "Okay," Newt said softly as he opened up the door. The first time he let Thomas in his room. He remembered the feeling he had in his chest when he watched Thomas cross that line. He only let things that were his in his room, he never let people in his room because then they couldn't take away the things that were his. He already lost too much, he was trying to prevent that. He wanted Thomas to be his so badly, watching him walk across that line made his stomach clench.

     "I'm in your room," Thomas said, looking dumbfounded.

     Newt nodded, smiling softly at the look on his boy's face.

     "You don't let anyone in your room."

     Another nod.

     "But I'm in your room."

     "Clearly I didn't fall for your brains." The words rolled off his tongue so effortlessly, Newt felt like he was in a movie.

     Thomas grabbed his shirt and smashed their lips together. It felt just like the first time, Newt's stomach was flipping as he grabbed at Thomas who was running his fingers through his hair. Thomas didn't know what he was doing, he was fumbling but it was beyond adorable so Newt did whatever he could to help him and gently pushed his hips back so he fell onto the bed.

     He took a second to take in the look of pure shock on Thomas' face before giving into his every want and climbing on top of the boy. Newt was in control now, he kissed him softly before taking a breath and showing the blushing boy what it really felt like to be kissed. Newt could barely control himself, he wanted to kiss every inch of Thomas' soft skin, but he didn't want the boy to have a heart attack so he compromised with himself by slipping his hand under his shirt and rubbing the soft skin on his stomach. He felt Thomas' body stiffen and he stopped kissing him which made Newt immediately pull back.

     "Newt," he breathed out.

     "You okay Tommy?" Newt asked as he kept rubbing the soft skin on his stomach. Thomas' eyes kept flickering like his brain was short circuiting.

     "I-I've never done this before and-"

     Newt smiled softly, about to open his mouth to assure the poor boy that they were not having sex but the scene changed again and he was still on top of Thomas but Thomas had on that tight ass X-Men suit he loved so much. Newt could practically already feel the drool building in his mouth as he stared at the beautiful dips and curves that were outlined on his boy's chest.

     Thomas was looking at him with those beautiful soft brown eyes and Newt just about melted on the spot when he looked at his kiss swollen lips.

     "I think I want to have sex," Thomas said which made Newt choke on the air. He could feel his face heating up so he dipped down and started pressing soft kisses down Thomas' jawline. Newt almost couldn't believe he was here again, he remembered the way his heart ached when Thomas told him that the first time. This beautiful innocent boy trusted him enough to let him be his first time. He felt his heart rate pick up, he wanted nothing more than to make it good for Thomas. He didn't want him to regret it and most importantly he didn't want to hurt him. He took his time pressing feather light kisses on his skin, like he was trying to show him how careful he would be with him.

     "You sure?" Newt asked softly as he connected his lips to his skin again.

     Thomas just hummed softly and closed his eyes. He looked blissed out and Newt wanted nothing more than to pause the moment and look at Thomas forever. He was absolutely beautiful.

     "Tommy," Newt said softly as he lightly squeezed his hip. "I want you to be sure."

     Thomas opened his eyes and met Newt's.

     "I trust you," Thomas said as he smiled softly. He was going to need to stop or Newt was going to pass out. "Just like you trusted me."

     Newt closed his eyes and dipped down to kiss him again, but stopped when he met nothing. He opened his eyes and felt the ache in his heart as he took in his surroundings.
He was on the train with Minho and Kis who were both asleep next to him. His hands felt cold and he blinked back tears. Tommy wasn't there, he wasn't ever there. He was somewhere at WICKED, probably hurt.

     Newt let out a little sob and shook his head as the hot tears escaped and rolled down his face. Thomas was there, he was touching him and kissing him and holding him. Newt clenched his fists and wiped his eyes hard. He missed Thomas so much it hurt. At this point he would give up everything to hold his actual body and tell him everything was going to be okay.

     Suddenly a loud beep sounded and a station name flashed on the little screen hanging from the roof of the train.

     "Arrived at Plats Station, those getting off may exit through the doors on the left, those planning on continuing can remain seated..." The train's loudspeaker trailed off in white noise.

     Kis shot up quickly and shoved the hair out of her face. "We're here," she said as she immediately started shaking Minho who swatted her hands away but opened his eyes to prove that he was awake.

     She looked at Newt, ignoring his red puffy eyes and wet cheeks.

     "We're at WICKED's homebase."

November 7th 1996

     "I told you it would work!" Addison screamed as she threw herself onto the ground when they were a safe distance away from the complex. She was panting and her hair was a mess but the smile on her face was unmatchable.

     She sat up and reached her hand out for Rose. "I told you it would work."

     Rose looked back at the building that had held her captive for months.

     "We never have to see that place again. Never have to see that cell."

     Addison nodded and pulled the girl onto the ground next to her. "We made it, we're okay."

     "One of your plans finally worked." Rose giggled as Addison pushed her.

     "Shut up and be grateful you brat."

     She smiled and pushed her back. "Don't call me a brat."

     Addison rolled her eyes and laid back down on the grass. "Can I tell you something?"

     "You always can," Rose said as she laid down next to her best friend.

     "I hated that place, but I'm glad I got thrown in there."

     "You're glad?" Rose looked at her in utter disbelief.

     "Yeah." The blonde girl turned to look at her. "Because that's how I met you."

     Rose smiled softly. "I'm glad I met you too Addi."

     Addison grinned and sat up, thrusting a middle finger in the direction of the WICKED complex. "FUCK YOU GUYS, KISS MY ASS!"

     "Addison!" Rose gasped. "You can't say that!"

     "They electrocuted me until I passed out, I think I can tell them to fuck off."

     Rose contemplated it for a second before copying her friend's actions and holding out her middle finger. "FUCK WICKED."

     Addison grinned and clasped her on the back. "There you go!" She took a deep breath before standing up and pulling the other girl to her feet. "Come on, we gotta go."

     Rose nodded and started following Addison through the wooded area surrounding the complex.

     "Hey, do you know where we're going?" Rose asked as she grabbed her friend's sleeve.

     Addison shrugged and picked up the pace.
"Honestly Rose, I have no idea but I heard about this place we could go."

     "What place?" the girl piped up.

     Addison smiled as she paused and turned to her. "Xavier's School for Exceptional Youngsters."