~~ ACT TWO ~~ "United We Stand"

"Kurt, you look splendid!"

"Thank you, Storm." He placed a light kiss on her hand, then straightened. "And your Marie Antoinette costume is beyond compare." He leaned in for closer inspection. "Ach, it must have taken hours with the hairspray."

She smiled. "It's a wig, you silly man. But whom does that tuxedo represent?"

Again with a flourish of arms and a low bow, he announced, "Harry Houdini at your service."

Rogue traipsed by. "Ah c'n only imagine what mischief you're gonna make at the talent show tonight."

Kurt waggled his eyebrows and gave a predatory smile. "I'm still in need of assistance, and you look lovely as Catwoman."

Rogue tilted her head as if posing for the camera. "Needed something with gloves an' such, an' it covers most everything that needs coverin'."

"So, will you help me in my act?"

Rogue shrugged, "Sure, why not." Her eyes narrowed. "What I gotta do – y'ain't gonna saw me in half or nothin' are ya?"

"Nein, nein, Liebchen. It is merely a matter of surrounding me with a web of chains, securely locked."

"Good, 'cause I'd hate to see you ruin a perfectly good saw on li'l ol' me." She gave him a playful swat on the shoulder. "Just let me know when you want me and I'll be more than happy to lock you up good 'n' tight, sugah. Might even have to break the chair to get ya out."

"It won't be as simple as that," he sniffed. "I will be tied up and placed into a … type of trunk. That will have chains over it."

"No problem for a 'porter, though." With a wink she turned to leave, saying, "Gotta check on Remy, heaven knows what kinda mess he's gettin' into without me. And it's way more fun gettin' into messes together."

Storm chuckled. "Those two. Sometimes I feel I am in charge of a nursery school." Her fingertips glanced across his soft cheek. "Then there are you and Logan, the two bad boys."

"We aren't so bad, are we, 'Ro? A little playful perhaps."

"Not so bad at all," Storm almost purred, as the second bad boy joined them. "And who are you in nothing but a leopard swimsuit?"

" Charles Atlas," Wolverine said, "also known as 'The World's Most Perfectly Developed Man.'"

"So ... are you two a pair?"

Logan looked at her for a few moments, appearing to judge her meaning.

Kurt sidled further between them, facing Ororo. "Ja. They both used the same bodybuilding techniques. Of course, Houdini was a showman, whereas Atlas was more of a ... show-off."

"Yeah." Logan slugged back the last of his longneck. "It was a better idea than going as Little Bo Peep and a blue longtail sheep."