A/N: *IMPORTANT*

Okay, now I know where this story is placed. It's before the episode The Toad the Witch and the Wardrobe so Toad and Wanda haven't kissed. The Mutants have not been exposed and the Brotherhood is not expelled from school. Everything from now on does not follow the show at all. Happy reading J

"I'm get'n it back today, yo," Toad told Elizabeth as she began packing her things.

"Get'n what back?"

"Your phone, yo! It's the end of the week!"

Five days had past since Toad and Elizabeth had become friends. They'd had plenty of time to talk in Chemistry since their teacher had come down with a case of the flu, and the substitute teacher was too busy playing on the computer to make them do anything. Toad had learned Elizabeth wasn't an only child but in fact had an elder brother in college who was a mutant as well. In return, she learned more about his mutation, having shown her his tongue and told her his ability to spit and climb walls. His tongue shooting out seemed to always bring a smile to her face, dubbing it 'cool' and 'weirdly awesome'. So, if Toad was going to be honest with himself, he would admit to have formed a small crush on her. In fact, it would have been just down right weird if he hadn't! She was pretty much the typical all around idol girl. Good looks, good personality, a bit on the scrawny side but he didn't mind petites, and even a pretty good artist. They often doodled together and Toad almost felt ashamed to have his doodle be on the same page as hers. She admitted however to be very lacking in the physical ability department. Though he still didn't know the extent of her poor sporty skills, the stories she told were enough to make him fall out of his chair in laughter. She also said she wasn't a people person and was very self conscious, which he hardly believed. There really was no reason for her to be, not that she'd given him at least. But he didn't dwell on it. He was much too excited! Since the phone incident he'd had to stay after for an hour everyday, but since today was Friday, his punishment was over. Now he could walk Elizabeth to her ride.

"Hey, can I have your number?" she asked after retrieving her phone at the end of class.

"Sure yo," he said casually, flipping out his phone and trying to be cool about it. Though, it wasn't very cool when he flipped it so hard it flew out of his hand and hit her in the chest.

"Ow…" she mumbled, rubbing her sore left boob.

"Oops," he said with a sheepish grin. "Here, let me help ya."

Elizabeth slapped his hand away when he reached for her breast with a look of shock. Toad's playful grin evaporated and he panicked.

"Todd…" she began with an air of utter seriousness, eyes flaring and brows knitting together.

Toad gulped.

"At least ask me on a date first!"

Toad about fainted in relief at her giggle, accepting a punch in the arm that conveyed she'd only been playing. Usually a punch from Wanda was a negative sign, but it was refreshing to actually have a girl use it in a playful gesture. It was so utterly normal he almost couldn't believe it.

"So about that number…"

XxXxXxXxX

Toad and Elizabeth walked slowly through the hallways chatting, neither too hurried to get to their rides. He noticed she was very expressive and didn't hide her emotions. When she was excited, her entire face lit up like Christmas. Her green eyes were honest and trusting, and maybe even a little naïve. But another thing he noticed didn't involve emotions at all, instead, it was a simple accessory. She wore gloves. Plain, worn, brown leather gloves. They didn't match anything she wore, so it made Toad wonder what they were for. He didn't dwell long however when a snippet of their previous conversation popped into his mind.

"At least ask me on a date first!"

She hadn't meant it, but he could at least be cool and play off of it. So what would he ask her to? A movie? Sure, but he didn't have any money. A nature hop around the river he'd saved her from? Well, she could talk to animals. Maybe she could converse and make friends with the wild. Toad chuckled out loud at the image of her being Snow White, surrounded by fluffy woodland creatures and singing her heart out in a god awful voice. Yeah, that sounded good. Now, all she had to do was say yes. Elizabeth was obviously one who didn't want to hurt people's feelings, so even if she said no, he was sure they'd still be friends. Or maybe she'd get weirded out and avoid him, but Toad's ego didn't even consider that possibility.

"Yo, Elizabeth, I was thinking about that da-"

"Elizabeth!"

Toad flinched at the voice, praying to god it wasn't the one he knew all too well.

"Hey Scott," Elizabeth greeted with a wave, not noticing Toad's shocked face.

Scott Summers, A.K.A Cyclops, ran up to the two and eyed Toad warningly.

"He giving you trouble?" he asked gruffly while staring down the shorter boy.

"Um, no. Why would he?" she asked in genuine confusion. "This is my best friend Todd…though I have a feeling you two know each other?"

Both boys were thrown by the term 'best friend' but Scott recovered quickly.

"Yes, we do. But it's time to get going. Xavier is waiting for you in the Danger Room."

Elizabeth turned to say goodbye to Toad when she noticed he'd begun inching back. It was then that she figured something was wrong, and if the look on betrayal on his face wasn't enough to tip her off, she was one dumb girl.

"You're…an X-Man?"

Elizabeth's face screwed in confusion and worry.

"Well, yeah. Why? What's wrong?"

She reached out to touch his shoulder but he jumped back. Rage seemed to engulf his entire being as he hunched low to the ground.

"Great, now you're an X-Geek! I ain't got time to deal you and your prissy friends. Better find another lab table to sit at, yo, cuz I don't fraternize with the enemy."

Before she could say anything Toad hopped away.

"Enemy? Wha-?"

"He belongs to the Brotherhood," Scott began immediately. " Simply put, the X-Men want to save humans. The Brotherhood wants to destroy them." Scott may have been exaggerating a bit, but the bitterness he felt after seeing Toad tainted his words.

Elizabeth stared off in the direction of her first friend, wondering what she could have done to have prevented their entire friendship shattering in just five seconds.

XxXxXxXxX

Toad moped in his room for the rest of the day. He didn't even come down when Lance brought home pizza. Everyone pondered his bad mood but didn't think much of it. It was weirder earlier in the week when he'd actually been excited to go to school. Toad listened as they conversed (rather loudly he thought) about his unusual moods lately.

"Anyone notice Toad hasn't skipped his last class all week?" came Lance's voice.

"Yeah! He usually hangs out with me!" Fred grumped as he inhaled what sounded like an entire pizza at once.

"I heard something about a girl," Pietro said but laughed aloud soon after. "It's gotta be some prank! I mean, what girl would ever talk to him?"

Toad scoffed and stared up at the ceiling. Elizabeth would…

"Hey, you hear that?" Lance asked. The sound of footsteps reached Toad's ears for a moment before they stopped. "It's Toad's phone. He's got a text…"

Toad stiffened, frisking his pockets quickly and confirmed he'd indeed dropped it. Crap! Who would be texting him? The only people who had his number were the Brotherhood and-

"Elizabeth?"

"Who?" Came Pietro's voice.

"It's from some girl named Elizabeth. Here, listen to this. 'Hey T, I know why you freaked out on me earlier now. I just want to say I don't want this to come between us. How about we talk over dinner Saturday? If you still got that card, check it out. P.S. Frankie says hi.'"

"Oh my god the girl exists!" Pietro exclaimed, sounding like he was ready to faint.

Toad growled and decided he'd heard enough. Hopping off his bed he headed downstairs and gave them all a glare.

"Yo, eva heard a privacy?" he snapped before swiping his phone away from Lance. With that he hopped back upstairs, ignoring the shouts and questions from his fellow mutants.

Back on his bed Toad heaved a sigh and re-read the text. If he still had the card? Of course he did! He flipped the warped cardboard over and read the address. He thought long and hard about his decision, but it didn't matter how long he spent thinking, the answer he came to was always the same. So what if she was with the X-Geeks? It's not like it changed who she really was! Besides, Lance had dated Kitty! Did it matter if one more member strayed? He wouldn't be missed much anyway.

Rolling over, Toad burrowed underneath his covers and switched off the light with his tongue. The only thing he could think of now was what he was going to say without screwing up.

XxXxXxXxX

Toad hopped off the bus he'd hitchhiked and made his way down a couple more blocks. The place he was suppose to be looking for seemed to be right smack dab in the middle of New York. Gracefully he dodged civilians and traffic as he jaywalked and went in the opposite flow of people. It took about ten more minutes before a red and black sign flashed in his peripheral. Looking right at it made him feel like having a seizure, but he knew he'd found the place. What other store in the entirety of New York was named 'Nature's Calling'? It sounded like some ritzy deluxe bathroom stall.

The outside was humble enough though, plain red bricks with an attractive worn and beaten look to them. Inside however, he did not expect. Instead of a sterile, white atmosphere he was instead engulfed in rich browns and marshy greens. The smell of food hit him like a ton of bricks, his mouth instantly watering and his tongue lagging slightly down to his chin. So, it was a restaurant! That's what she had meant by 'free food for life'!

"May I help you?"

A young man in his teens greeted Toad with a smile that instantly dropped when he caught a whiff of his guest. Toad frowned and leaned in closer, making sure this guy got a good lung full.

"Yo, m'name's Toad. I'm suppose ta get free meals."

The boy's pimply face scrunched in disgust at their proximity.

"Riiight…I've never heard of anyone named 'Toad' mentioned on the hospitality list."

Sighing, Toad slicked back his hair in annoyance.

"'K then. How about Tolensky? Todd Tolensky."

The boy scoffed and picked up a phone on the podium he stood behind.

"Hello, sir? Yes, it's Tommy. I have a kid here saying he gets free meals…why yes, he did tell me his name. It's Todd Tolensky, but-…oh…y-yes sir. I'll have him wait."

The boy hung up and seemed to have paled immensely.

"The, erm, owner is coming over here. He said he wanted to meet you."

Toad smirked and moved away from the line now forming behind him. The place was certainly busy, but where was Elizabeth?

"Todd my boy!"

Toad whirled in surprise at the voice calling him. It sounded like chimes in the wind, pure and calming. An oddly familiar man came through the crowd speed walking, arms outstretched and just positively thriving with joy. Toad was not expecting to be suddenly engulfed in a bear hug by the man, but he soon let go and gave him a firm handshake.

"So you're the boy my daughter's been talking nonstop about! The hero!"

It clicked then, and Toad realized why this man seemed so familiar. He was Elizabeth's father! Looking closer he noticed they had the same raven black hair and wide green eyes. The two even had the same upturned nose and pouty lips. The man before him looked very delicate and feminine, his face soft and rounded and body slim and slightly curvy. Now he knew where Elizabeth got her looks from.

"Hmm, you certainly have a funny smell about you, but no matter!"

Elizabeth must have also got her accepting personality from him as well…

"Well then Todd let's make haste! Don't want to keep my daughter waiting!"

Toad stumbled as the man took his arm and sped off through the restaurant. It was a very spacious place. Most of the tables were large booths long enough to fit ten people. Partying groups seemed to take up most of the restaurants occupants and only a few two-seater tables were filled. People laughed and cheered around him as they clinked wine glasses. Toad wondered about the absence of beer and for a moment thought the place only served wine. But then he saw a group of grown men drinking what looked like apple juice alongside toddlers. He didn't have time to investigate before being yanked into a swinging door.

"Follow me," the man said even though he still had a grip on the boy's arm.

Toad stepped carefully through what had to be the kitchen. Food was everywhere, and it seemed that if he so much as stepped one inch off the trail he was on he'd end up knocking down an entire table's dinner. Normally he wouldn't have cared, but the owner's intense happiness actually kind of intimidated him. The man could possibly be two-faced, one side extremely bright and the other side equally dark.

"Sugar bear! I have your man!" he sing-songed, and Toad suddenly found himself face-to-face with a very flustered and embarrassed Elizabeth.

"Daaaaad!" she dragged in a whine. "Don't call me that!"

The man let go of Toad's arm and grabbed Elizabeth in a bear hug much like the one Toad received.

"Oh, I see. I'm embarrassing you in front of your hubby! How silly of me!"

"He's not my boyfriend!" she growled while shoving him off.

Toad jumped when her father suddenly turned towards him and began giving him once over.

"He may not have the best mutation, but a mutation none the less. Much better than that human boy you were with back home. I'm so proud of you!"

He went in for another hug but Elizabeth jumped away just in time. Quickly she grabbed Toad's hand and made a run for it. Toad kept up easily this time. She'd been telling the truth about her athletic abilities. The two ran back through the restaurant and towards a door at the far corner. Opening it Toad found himself being dragged up three flights of stairs, and for a moment he thought how easy it would be just to hop instead of run. Reaching another door Elizabeth slowed down and walked through. Cold air smacked them both hard in the face. Elizabeth finally released her hold on him and keeled over with her hands on her knees. She wheezed and huffed, looking as if she'd just run a marathon.

"You weren't kid'n about be'n outta shape yo," he commented.

Elizabeth looked up with a smile but was disappointed when he gave her a slightly annoyed stare. Sighing she plopped down on the restaurant's roof and gazed out into the city. Toad followed her lead and crouched a little ways away. They sat in silence for awhile.

"Todd?" Elizabeth finally offered.

He grunted.

"You still mad about me being an X-Man?"

Toad watched a bird fly over and poop on a car. He wanted to look like he was thinking, and he could sense it was making her antsy. Well, this was new. Someone was actually nervous about him being mad! She actually cared about what he thought of her! The idea made his stomach all warm with happiness.

"Nah," he finally admitted with a lopsided grin. "It's whateva, ya know? Kitty and Lance dated for awhile, so why can't we be friends?"

Elizabeth's face brightened and her grin rivaled her father's. Without warning she twisted and tackled him in a hug. Todd went down with an 'umph' and made a show of sneering.

"Do ya always gotta do that?"

Elizabeth's grip loosened but she refused to fully release him.

"Sorry," she began, looking away in a sort of joyful embarrassment. "My brother has a habit of being over affectionate and I guess it kinda rubbed off on me over the years." Leaning back she allowed him to sit up. "Guess I gotta work on that..."

Toad watched her her rub her neck sadly before looking away and trying to act cool.

"It's whatevs, I don't mind it."

Elizabeth smiled and followed his lead as he stood up.

"Now how about that meal?"

A/N: I've got a new computer and I'm back in business! Go me!