There were a couple of things Scott Summers knew he needed when he woke up that morning. The very first of which was coffee. The next was a shower, a cold one, seeing as the morning wood he woke up with still hadn't gone away. "Damn, that's the third one," he mumbled over his mug. Third night in a row Scott had a steamy dream about his good friend Ororo Munroe.

It wasn't like he had planed it. However, in truth it wasn't the first time Scott had ever mused about Ororo in that way. She was a very beautiful woman, one who spent half her time walking around in uniforms that didn't leave much to the imagination. He reasoned almost every X-Man short of Northstar had a naughty thought about Storm every now and then. But ever since waking up in bed beside her and sharing breakfast Scott's musing were happening more often. All the extra time they had been spending together wasn't helping either. "Ok Scott, so maybe the third thing you need is to get laid," he grumbled stepping into the shower.

Whatever the third thing Scott needed truly was he was sure the very last thing he needed was to hear…

"Sorry pal I have to withdraw," the chubby foreman declared.

"Don't pal me! We had a contract." The usually clam leader didn't try at all to hide his irritation.

"I haven't started, or cashed your check. Take it up with a lawyer if you want," the stubby bald man spat. "This whole place's got a big old target sign written all over it. I read the papers, I watch the news. You had attacks not two months back. I can't ask my guys to walk into that."

"I'll pay you double for hazard pay," Scott attempted to reason. It wasn't like they had the money to spare but they were receiving more mutants all the time, especial teens. Scott needed a place to house them.

"No ones needs the money that bad," the guy said in a huff before walking back to his dusty pickup truck.

Great, which means no ones going to want to take it.

"I could kill him," Wade offered from over Scott's shoulder.

"Huh? No Wade! Don't kill him."

"Aww you're no fun!…Can me and some of the brats go teepee his house at least?"

"Hmm…Only if I can't find somebody else by the end of the day," Scott replied with just the smallest of smirks. The thought did make him feel a bit better.

Without really knowing why Scott did what he had been doing very often lately when things went terribly wrong…

"Oh goddess, that's awful!"

Ororo had just been having tea at a café in the city, killing time until her hair appointment when Scott told her the news over the phone. "Well I'm sure we could find someone else- Not even for double?"

That is a problem.

"So we need a licensed contractor not afraid to work with mutants or the fact that the work site is a target. Argh…I can't think of any off the top of my head. Tony might-I suppose I did lose him the divorce," Ororo chuckled at Scott's joke. "Well I'll call you if I think of something else. Alright, bye."

Poor Scott, Ororo sighed inwardly. He tries so hard.

On the whole, the city had been very welcoming. But after some public damage due to being attacked by their enemies she reasoned things like this were bound to happen. Ororo was happy that at least Scott was coming to depend on her more. It felt good to be needed and preoccupied since she was still hammering out the detail of her divorce. The first days of mediation with T'challa had been so frustrating Ororo swore she would have drown them all if Scott hadn't been there at the end of it with a cup tea and understanding ear. More and more Ororo found herself remembering how much she had once enjoyed his company in those early days. His dry American wit was now all the more humorous since she had lived in the states for so long.

Remy might have been there, if not for the fact that he and Anna Marie were having issues. Again. Goddess I love them both but they keep doing the same old dance. Oh well, I suppose it's none my business.

As Ororo sat drinking her tea she eyed a rainbow sticker in the corner of a window. It wasn't uncommon, many businesses had these as a sign of being gay friendly and some had even starting putting various ones to show support of mutants. This sticker had a hammer logo on it. "Excuse me, does this mean anything special?" Ororo inquired when her waitress came by with a refill.

"Oh it means this place was worked on by a contractor who has friendly hiring practices."

The wheels in the tactician's head began to turn…

Hair appointment forgotten Ororo spent most of the day scouring for smaller contractors who might also be a little more mutant accepting. Unfortunately, most were still worried about safely and or didn't quite meet the requirements Ororo set when starting her search.

For no real reason she saved the builder that had worked on the coffee shop for last. "Goddess, please help our just cause," Ororo mumbled getting out of her car.

(***************************************)

"So you're sure you can handle the possible ...issues that might come up?" Scott asked the woman Ororo brought back to Utopia.

"Mr. Summers, I spent eight years in the army putting up bases on sand in the middle of nowhere, in hostile territory. So have half of my crew, the other half worked with my dad in this business for a decade or more." Plus more important than any of that, Callie Santos added in her own mind, my crew and I really need a big job like this.

Despite her knowledge and the reputation the business had when she took it over Callie found much like the military sexism was alive and thriving in construction. Callie knew until she had a big job like this under her belt the crew was doomed to taking on a bunch of smaller jobs all at once like the coffee shop just to stay afloat all the while spreading herself even thinner.

So when the queen/soon to be former queen of Wakanda glided into her job sight with this offer it felt like it was God sent. She did wish the Lord's timing had been better. Yeah, covered in grime holding a tabloid with Ororo's picture plaster on the cover maybe wasn't the best start to our business relationship.

Callie had promptly chucked it over her shoulder and tried not to overly blink in awe of the white haired beauty. Awe had been a good way to sum up the whole day since Ororo walked into it.

From the literal flying angel that flew over her as she step off the docks, to the man covered from head to toe in ice who even after staring for far too long the California born and breed Mexican still wasn't sure was naked or not as he skated around. Dear Lord! And I thought it I had seen it all after five years joining my brother at pride week. Without much experience with mutants and a general rule that one got along better in life remembering to treat others how you wish to be treated she kept all comments to herself.

"Well this all sounds very promising Ms. Santos. However if you don't mind Ms. Munroe and I would like to take a few minutes to discuss this in my office."

"Of course," Callie told the apparent man in charge. The irony that the spokesperson for a race of outcasts looked like her high school quarterback was not missed, or that Ororo's entrance into the room brought more life into that stoic face than the announcement that his construction worries might be over.

Hmm, wonder what's up with. Could the rumors of an affair with a fellow X-Men be true? Callie just didn't get that vibe from Ororo. She and Scott seemed far too dedicated for any monkey business. Not that I'm one to talk. I can't even recall the last time I monkeyed around my damn self. Not that she thought it was any of her business. A little celebrity gossip just happened to be one of her life's guilty pleasures she had time for right now. At any rate if I get the job I'm sure I will be finding out. First thing Dad always said about this business was after a week people don't notice the help.

Scott locked the door behind Ororo then picked up a file that was left on his desk.

"Well?" she questioned.

"It all checks out," Scott answered with a relieved sigh. "Her military time, the company is credited for all our needs. I'll have her start tomorrow."

Ororo smiled rather smugly. She had a very good feeling in her gut when she saw the petite contractor stomp out the trailer. The soot and grime told the former thief's keen eyes she was a boss not afraid to get her hands dirty. The way Callie commanded men nearly twice her size and age told Ororo she wouldn't be easily scared off. Her idle pride was cut short when she was suddenly seized in Scott's tight embrace.

"Ororo you're a life saver! I don't know what I would have done without you."

While his words of thanks were welcomed Ororo found she would have preferred to focus on his warmth and the appealing smell of his aftershave. "Really there's no need to speak of it Scott. I was glad to help."

"Nonsense, I feel like I have been taking advantage of you," he retorted. For instance, he was aware there was no particular reason for him to still hug her. However, he still kept a hold all the same. His fingertips memorized the feel of her silky skin, his nose drinking in the vanilla scent of her hair. "We should all be doing something to thank you for the way you have been pitching in." Slowly he loosened and dropped his arms. Finding his body mourned the loss of her warmth, the moment was gone. "Ororo, let me take you out to dinner." The request flew out his mouth without thought.

"A thank you dinner?"

"Uh, yeah sure. Of course, I'd like to thank you for your help." What else could it be?

"Oh...A thank you dinner. That sounds wonderful," she said with a pleased smile. The trace of disappointment seemingly only caught by her, for which she was grateful but wondered if it should worry her that it was there at all. "Well, we should tell Callie she can get started." How nice to have things falling into place for once, Ororo thought as she walked out of Scott's office feeling completely serene until she saw something that could derail that happy train. Scoundrel!

While Remy was an appreciator of all women generally his taste ran somewhere more in the long and leggy type, like his Anna Marie or Ororo. But ev'ry now an' den a man's taste buds may run him a lil' mo'e south of his normal board. he thought eyeing the newcomer Scott was chatting with.

And there was something Remy found yummy about that butterscotch sun kissed skin. The mussed raven locks tied in the 'I don't give a shit' twist held by a pencil, while not stylish, spoke of a woman who was about cutting to the chase.

And dat could suit Remy jus' fine, he mused thinking about his last bout with Rogue.

The curves in ' tank top were more demure but perky. Hers was a taut, more athletic form giving Remy the idea she might be able to hang a few rounds. Even from a distance Remy's keen eyes decided the overall outer package worked. So it was little wonder he thought it terribly rude that Scott left a guest, even if she was a business associate unattended and went to right that wrong.

He greeted suavely, "Bonjour cheri. De name's Gambit. An' who migh' ya be?"

"Callie Santos," she replied as he gently took her hand in his and placed a peck on the ridge of her knuckles. A flush threatened to grace her cheeks as she felt his devilish gaze penetrate her as if he was searing her clothes away little by little.

"I believe I should be leaving," she stated, keeping her tone as even as possible.

"But Gambit sho' ya rather be cummin'," he snickered.

"Excuse me?!" Callie questioned in mild disgust because no matter how much she'd love to set him straight he was damn sexy. Plus she'd be liar if she didn't admit to herself anyways that she liked the attention coming from him.

"A word Remy," Ororo chirped, strolling by and seizing her best friend by an arm.

"Hey ami! Wha' gotcha goat? Remy jus' tryin' ta be hospitable. Seem like ya found someone ta take care of a laundry lis' of thin's dat need doing 'round here."

"Right you are Remy! Which is why you are to stay clear of Callie," Ororo order with a snap.

"Relax, chere. Remy jus' admirin' de femme's tool belt," the Cajun Casanova joked.

"She's not wearing a tool belt right now."

"Damn, den dat backside be all her…" he trailed off taking another glance at the one part of the woman as abundant as her attitude. "Ouch, hey Stormy!"

"Remy, you and Anna Marie are in constant back and forth and while part of me is tempted to encourage you both to see other people for awhile we can't and won't find someone else should you tick Callie off." With a huff and a turned up nose Ororo stomped off to Scott's side as he and the contractor signed the paper work.

Merde, mebbe Stormy need ta be cummin' also. Her icy glare left Remy with a bad chill, but even worst a very interesting challenge by the name of Callie.