A distinct pressing sensation exerted itself on Cyclops' brain through his link with Jean. . .

. . .as while she'd cut-off telepathically, avoided the brunt of this experience which by [i]basic[/i] definition repeated that which unlocked her powers decades ago -dying "with" someone else- Jean was still an empathetic person. Being physically next to Xavier, watching him, she still felt a degree of the sensation.

A scintilla still sizeable enough to elicit visceral responses -bracing, as though against the G-Forces of a mid-intensity roller coaster; a lacrimal release down the contour of her face.


To apply the roller coaster analogy to Xavier, his experience was far more [i]Ultra-Extreme[/i], yet far less grounded. A re-entry into the atmosphere without a parachute-- disassociated, detached from reality the way a fatal experience might feel in a dream; your skin should be burning, your bones should be splitting, yet instead you feel a sickening [i]other[/i] sensation until you wake -and even after. A dream that will never quite leave you, even as you've left it.

--a re-entry decelerating in the last seconds - too fast to process, too late to matter. . .and then you look up. 
And you can walk away.

Yet on return to his faculties, Xavier didn't move - "listening" - "looking around" for. . .

[i]sigh[/i] the tense seconds ended.

Xavier's astral projected form had ceased to be maintained, and he let no more time elapse before he sent out an assuring message -mental voice tremulous yet conveying resilience: [color=#7393B3][i]'Mission accomplished. . .Admirable work.'[/i][/color]

Across the distance, as one, Jean Grey & Cyclops breathed an eased breath.

Far down the hall, yet within observing distance, stood Wolverine. 
[color=yellow]"Beat me to it, kid,"[/color] his gruff voice could be heard following Ryder's absolute finish of Becker.

Her following statement settled like a salve on Xavier's still-connected mind:
[i]Home[/i].

[color=#D3D3D3]"Yes. I see a break in the clouds."[/color] Storm moved to Ryder in a stewarding manner, stopping short of placing her hand on the girl's shoulder in respect to personal space.

As they'd turn to head back towards the elevator, Cyclops would be just in their path. He gave a nod to Ryder. [color=#0096FF]"Everything according to plan."[/color] A reference to his words before they'd disembarked from the jet - [i]"[b]When we leave here, I'd like it be with[/b] at least as many of [b]us alive[/b] as who came. And in case it needs to be said, [b]that includes you[/b]."[/i]

He stepped aside. 
[color=#0096FF][i]'What are our closing orders?'[/i][/color]

Wolverine answered ahead of the Professor: [color=yellow]"I can cover what needs finishin'. If Beast wants to join me, so be it."[/color]

[color=#4169E1][b]"Indeed. You can come for us subsequently."[/b][/color]

So Storm, Cyclops and Ryder would head back to the jet while Beast and Wolverine would ensure the agents didn't just disappear into the wind, and that nothing salvageable -and misuseable- was left of [i]Umbra Biogenetics[/i]. 

[center][color=#7393B3][i]'Perhaps now, healing can authentically begin.'[/i][/color][/center]