Hey. I live. Crazy, huh? So this is the first story of a few more. It's based on Xavier's Institute. Note: There are a lot of original characters. Deal with it. If you don't like OCs, don't read it.

Disclaimer - X-Men belongs to Marvel and Stan Lee. I don't own it at all.

They call it softball, makes it sound like it's harmless, you know. You ever take a line shot to the face with a softball? You don't go "Hey, that's Downy Soft. That was like a big ball of cotton! Hey, don't worry about that! That's Blood Light! We're playing softball, we're all going to float around like angels!"
- Brian Reagan

I looked around the driveway out to the street. I didn't see anyone. Then again, just because I didn't see anything, it doesn't mean that the vicinity was deserted. I was well aware that Logan might be lurking behind me. I paid it no real attention. I was going and nothing he could say would stop me.

I walked to where my car was parked in the normal lot near the actual street. I stepped into the little silver car and turned the key. The engine jumped to life as I shifted into gear. I sped down the drive and down the street.

The drive to the small town of Belchertown, MA was a long and uneventful trip. The radio crackled between frequencies. The terrain shifted from woods and trees to city life and then back to the forests. The longer I drove, the more I thought about my decision to meet with him.

"I shouldn't have done this." I muttered to myself. "Why do I trust this guy? I barely know him."

I sighed as I pulled into the drive-through of the local Dunkin Donuts. It must have been a slow day because there were no other cars in line (which was good for me.) After I paid for the coffees, I drove up the road to the Quabbin Reservoir.

The trees were vibrant shades of orange, red and yellow and I couldn't help but be in awe of the beauty around me. The road twisted around the vast water supply and through the woods. I parked in a rotunda parking area and switched the engine off. My heart was pounding. Doubt filled my heart and I couldn't help but wish that Wolverine was on my trail.

The hike to the water's edge wasn't very long. The air was crisp and clear and I felt my lungs fill with its pure bite. Rocks and boulders made up most of the beach. The view was amazing; unlike any I had seen before (save Ireland.)

I hopped carefully from boulder to boulder until I found one that I could sit on comfortably. I sighed and waited.

It wasn't very long before I heard nearly inaudible steps come up from behind me. I held out my coffee as the dark haired boy sat next to me. He took it and drank a large amount.

"I'm surprised you showed." He admitted in his low voice.

I smirked. "I am too."

He chuckled and looked down. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"I figured as much when you socked toad in the nose. I'll admit it was pretty great."

He looked back up at me. His blue eyes were unreadable. "I'm not sure why I did that. I saw him hit you and I just wanted to rip his slimy tongue out of his mouth."

"Well…" I hesitated, trying to gather my thoughts. "You could come back with me. To Xavier's, I mean. He's very kind and understanding. I know you aren't a fan of humans and to be honest neither am I but we do good work and you would be safe from the people who hate us and I know Wolverine might be an issue but-"

I was cut off by his lips on mine for a moment. When he pulled back, he smiled. "I think it's sweet that you want me there. But I'm not going to join the X-Men."

"But-"

Another kiss stopped me.

"No, Leah. I'm sorry. But if it makes you feel better, I don't hate the X-Men. You're right. You do good things. But I belong where I am."

"You know Magneto's an elitist jack-ass, right?"

He laughed. "Yeah, he can get that way. But too many mutants are getting hurt. I can't stand for it. The government won't see reason like Xavier thinks they will. They'll kill us when they can."

I sighed and looked out into the view. "Matt. Do you think this will ever end? This awful war, I mean."

"Probably not. Not in our lifetime at least."

I sighed. "Yeah, I figured as much. I just wish we could be on the same side."

I could feel his eyes on me. His fingertips found their way to my cheek and they pulled my face to meet his. Our foreheads were pressed together and we sat there. After what seemed like a lifetime, he sighed. "I plan on seeing you again off the battlefield. For now, I should go. You know, before Wolverine pops out and skewers me. Thanks for the coffee."

I chuckled and breathed in deeply. We kissed once more before he stood to his feet. I watched as he vanished into a shadow.

"You can come out now." I called, smiling.

Logan jumped down from a nearby tree. "That boy is lucky I didn't kill him. I should have killed him." He grumbled as he walked over to me and sat where Matt was. "You are in a lot of trouble. You do know that."

"Yup."

He sighed and ruffled my cropped, blond hair. "You are quite the handful, Lassy."

I smirked at him and put my head on his shoulder, snuggling into him. "Jealous?"

He rolled his eyes and slung an arm around my shoulders, hugging me to him. "Not at all. I just hope he doesn't hurt you; for his sake."

"I don't think he will."

"So." He said looking down at me seriously. "Where's my coffee?"