a/n: So this takes places during The Avengers. I made it canon, but with slight tweeks here and there to fit my storyline a little better. It's also got a slight X-Men crossover. No particular world for X-Men as they are not a huge part of the story. I'm still writing, but I have a lot of chapters ready for posting so there should be a steady stream as there was for Gods Among Men (sequel is under works!). Hope you guys enjoy this one!

ONE

"Do you really think he's going to approve of this, Ellie?" her friend asked from her seat by the window.

Ellie shrugged and leaned back against the headboard from her spot on her bed. "I don't see why he wouldn't. I mean, we live in the mansion, we help out, but we don't attend class as much as we used to. We saved up for the trip all on our own to cover all expenses and we're not planning on using the X-Jet."

The other girl smiled from ear-to-ear, her translucent wings flapping iridescently behind her. "Are you sure Persuasion isn't one of your powers?"

Ellie grinned and shook her head. "I'm sure." She continued to watch Pixie's wings catch what remained of the sunlight as it streamed in from the window as she imagined the trip. She cleared her throat and met her friend's gaze with a one of mild embarrassment at having been caught staring. "Are you coming with me to ask?"

Immediately Pixie shook her head. "I haven't been here as long as you have," she said. "I don't know Professor X like you do."

Ellie rolled her eyes and stood up. "He's not that scary."

"I'm not afraid of him," she defended, giving Ellie a sour look. She snorted and stood up, her wings fluttering rapidly in anticipation of being used.

"I'll let you know what he says. See you tonight," she said before opening her door to let the both of them out.

"See ya," Pixie replied before going the opposite way down the hall, floating above the crowd as she used her wings to get her to her next destination.

Ellie shook her head at the sight and then made her way towards the headmaster's office. She stopped outside the door and raised her hand to knock, but was stopped as the door opened and Wolverine filled her vision. "Hey Frost," he said, smirking at her.

"Logan," she returned, grinning at him in that knowing way.

"Come in, Aurelia," Professor X called from inside, ending the non verbal game she and Wolverine had going. She slipped past him and let the door shut with a click as she approached the desk he sat behind. "How are you?" he asked.

"I'm doing well, thank you. You?"

He smiled softly. "I've been better," he replied and took a deep breath. "What can I do for you?"

"There's something I've been wanting to ask you for awhile and I think things have settled down enough in the real world that the time has come. Pixie, Cypher, and I have been wanting to get out of the mansion for awhile. We all have our power under enough control for us to leave campus at our leisure and we have been saving for awhile should this ever become possible."

Professor X inclined his head at the thought, glad she had put enough effort into this. He had been waiting for her to show interest in something other than causing trouble. "Where were the three of you thinking of going?"

"Germany."

"Why Germany?"

She smiled at the fact that he was inquiring instead of flat out saying no. Ellie shrugged as she thought of the answer. "I'm not really sure actually. We were just discussing possible places one day and that seemed to be the only country we could all agree on."

"How long were you thinking on staying there?"

"A little over a week, less than two for sure."

He mulled it over in his mind and steepled his fingers in front of him. "Aurelia-"

"I know my temperament isn't the best, but I know what's at stake here, Professor. The tension between mutants and humans is still very high and I promise, at least on my behalf, that I will be on my very best behavior. I've been working on my anger since I got here and my attitude in general."

He nodded as he continued to smile at her. "You do realize that it is the beginning of winter and that it is colder in Germany than it is here in New York."

"I know," she said softly. Since her powers were best in cold climates, the time made it a bit dangerous for her. She was more likely to display her powers in winter than in the summer. "I'll be careful. I'll make sure to wear thicker jackets and whatever other clothes people find normal for the season."

He inclined his head and Ellie couldn't help but widen her smile. "Tonight, after dinner I want the three of you to come here where we can go over your budget. I'll help you find accommodations and make sure that you are actually ready."

"Thank you, Professor!" she exclaimed and got out of her seat in excitement. "We'll see you tonight," she added and left his office in a hurry to find the others.

Too excited for sleep, Ellie decided to walk around the mansion. She eventually found her way to her favorite spot outside; the fountain in the middle of the garden. She sat along the edge and let her hand skim the water, enjoying the faint trace of ice she left on the surface. A smirk took hold of her lips as she remembered the first time she had come out here after arriving at the mansion. Bobby had found her and made her a rose from ice he had produced from his hands. She in turn dipped her finger beneath the surface of the water and turned the fountain into one giant icicle.

"I really hope you're thinking of me with that smirk," came Wolverine's voice, drawing her from her thoughts.

She pulled her hand away from the water, the ice melting the moment she lost contact, and turned to look at him. "Nope, Iceman actually."

He frowned and sat next to her, taking a cigar from his jacket pocket along with his lighter. "Iceman? Really?"

"The first time I met him he made me a rose from ice he created. He didn't even know we shared the same base power at the time."

Logan snorted. "A rose. Gee, how original."

She nudged him with her shoulder and shook her head. "It was cute."

"That's something a girl should be able to do."

"Hey now, Bobby uses his strengths to get the ladies and it works for him, just as it does for you. Besides, I'm a girl and I sure as hell can't create a rose from ice."

"Have you tired?" he asked around his cigar.

She nodded. "Yes I have," she informed him. "But it turns out to resemble something more like a weapon. Just like everything else." She turned to look at him, the humor dying from her eyes. "So what are you doing out here?"

"I heard you're leaving soon."

"On vacation, yes." She studied his outfit and gave a tense smile. "I guess you're leaving too."

"Not on vacation."

"Where to this time?"

He shrugged. "I'm not even sure. I found out everything I wanted to know about me, but I'll go stir crazy if I stay here. So, on the move I go."

Ellie moved closer to him and put her head on his shoulder. "Then I guess this is goodbye for awhile, huh?"

He put an arm around her waist. "Looks like it."

"It's going to be really boring."

His chuckle resonated through her. "No it won't. I may have been your pal in debauchery, but you, my friend, are good at it all on your own. You'll find another partner. I'm sure of it."

Ellie grinned and got to her feet. Logan put out his cigar on the edge of the fountain and stood up as well. He reached out a hand for her to take, but wasn't the least bit surprised as she ignored it and wrapped her arms around him for a hug. He went completely still as she surprised him even more by capturing his lips with hers. He shuddered as her kiss brought an intense cold that swept through him, freezing the metal inside his body.

She smirked again and pulled away, watching as he exhaled. "What the hell was that?" he questioned.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Nothing we haven't done before," she retorted. "You're the only one I've found that can handle my icy kisses. I once froze a man solid from the inside out by kissing him for five seconds."

"Yes, I know," he said, grinning at her. "You've told me."

She shrugged. "Had to get it out of my system. With you gone, there won't be anyone for me to do things with."

"There's Iceman," Logan replied with a grin.

Ellie made a gagging noise and shook her head. "Not even if he was single."

"I'll miss you," Logan said as he moved towards her.

"I'll miss you too," she said and leaned into him. After a long bout of silence she tore herself away and smiled up at him. "See ya around," she whispered.

"See ya," he replied and walked away. Ellie sat back down on the edge of the fountain and stared at the water. She let her fingers skim the water as she let her mind wander to the prospect of the trip.

There was a light knock on the door before it opened. "Come in," Ellie replied with a smirk as Pixie was already crossing the threshold.

"You're packing already?"

"We leave in three days, Pix," she said and stopped to give her friend a sideways glance. "Let me guess, you're one of those that waits until the last second."

She nodded as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Yup."

"Well, I am not that kind of person," Ellie said as she neatly folded the small stack of clothes she had laid out.

"So I heard Wolverine took off," Pixie said.

Ellie stopped and looked up, giving her friend a small smile. "Ah, so that's why you're here."

"I just wanted to see how you were doing."

"I'm fine," she assured the other girl. "I promise. We were close, sure, but it's not like we were a couple. I'll see him again someday."

Pixie shook her head and tsked Ellie. "You really are an Ice Queen."

"Hey now," Ellie said, the playfulness draining from her voice. "Last time I checked you didn't have to be in love with someone to fuck them. Besides, he was the only one that could handle me properly. I may not drain people's life energy like Rogue, but I can freeze them by touch if I don't control myself."

"Ellie-"

"I think we should go shopping," Ellie interrupted, changing the subject entirely.

"O-okay..."

"We don't really have anything planned except to walk around and sight-see. How about we go out and get something fancy just in case the situation arises? We can bring Cypher too so he can get a suit or something."

Pixie smiled and took the hint to drop the subject. "That sounds perfect." She glanced at the clock and stood up. "He should just be getting out of the Danger Room right about now. I'll go let him know and we'll leave in an hour?"

"Sounds good," Ellie said and waved as Pixie left the room.

Storm was their escort to the airport. She drove them and helped them through check-in. They had plenty of time before going through security so they decided to grab a cup of coffee. The four of them sat in the corner of the cafe as any group of normal humans would do. "I'm very proud of all of you," Storm said, smiling at each of them.

"Thanks," Cypher replied before taking a sip from his cup.

"I'm sure Charles has given you this speech already, but I would kindly remind you to caution yourselves. I believe you all can hold your own, but if a situation does arise, we will not be there to protect you."

"We'll keep a low profile," Ellie promised. Even as she said it, she glanced at Pixie and smirked. They wouldn't be able to blend in seamlessly with her bubblegum pink hair and solid black eyes. Then again, it screamed American Tourist which was exactly what they were going for.

When they had finished their coffee, they got up and made their way towards security. Storm touched Ellie's arm to hold her back while the other two went forward. "If something does arise, I want you to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe."

"Storm-"

"You are strong enough to protect them. Pixie can transport, but not far enough, not with the both of you." She offered a light smile. "I don't assume the worse will happen, but it's better to be prepared."

Ellie nodded and took a deep breath. "I will do whatever it takes,"

She smiled warmly and inclined her head. "Have fun," she said and watched as Ellie joined the others and made their way through security.