Strobe lights flashed to the beat of throbbing techno music above Pietro's head. He looked around suspiciously for his target, who was almost invisible in her dark clothing. Slowly, he peeked around the corner of the column he was behind, when Nikki tackled him to the ground from behind. She fired into the laser target on the back of his vest.

"300 points! I'm winning, Pietro!" He was up in a flash and shooting before she could blink. Frantically she ducked for cover. Pietro appeared in front of her, his light eyes melding with her dark ones. He pushed a strand of hair that had loosened itself from her ponytail as he tilted her chin upward. At that moment, the music stopped and the lights brightened. His strong gaze penetrated her, and she had to look away.

"That was the most fun I've ever had," Nikki laughed as she got into the passenger side of the car.

"Yeah. I love that game, but it was way better with you. Imagine playing with Toad and Freddy." he smiled, "So do you like it here in Bayville?"

"It was a little strange at first, like seeing Kurt without the image inducer for the first time. And Scott and Jean are so uptight! But I've got Kitty here, and that's great. Kurt and Rogue are cool, and so's Evan."

Pietro cringed a little at the naming of his rival as he started the car.

"So you and Pryde are really close? Funny you two are nothing alike. How come you don't say 'like' a million times a day?"

"Oh my God, shut up! That's like, totally not the way she talks!"

"NO!!" He covered his ears in mock horror.

"It's from her watching Clueless all the time when we were in fifth grade. God, I could recite that whole movie!" she laughed.

"Please, don't!" Pietro smiled.

"You know, Pietro, the guys at the Institute said you were horrible. You proved them wrong."

"Why'd you go out with me if you're part of them? Don't you care? I mean, I know I'm irresistible, but-"

"Because I could tell that there's something about you, an aura. You're a really good person, even if you do come off as an asshole."

"Well I'm not sure about that, but I'm glad you took me up on my offer."

"Me too." They reached the front gate of the Institute, and Pietro turned off the car. He looked at Nikki.

"Will it sound like a line if I say we should do this again?" she smiled.

"Yeah, but you're the most fun guy I've ever dated, so you can expect a 'yes' when you ask me out again." She leaned over, pressing her lips against his. She pulled away, the got out of the car.

"Good night, Pietro." she smiled as she walked up to open the gate.

"G-good night," he stuttered, touching his fingers to his lips.

As soon as Nikki opened the door, Scott and Jean were interrogating her.

"What did you do?"

"What did you tell him?"

"Did you mention the Institute?"

"Did he ask about our missions?"

"NO! We just went for a pizza and a couple rounds of laser tag. Then he brought me home. We talked about music, and school, and making friends. He asked me about my art. Why don't you trust me? Do you really think I would compromise the Institute? I mean, damn it, I live here, too!"

Jean's eyes narrowed.

"How can I not think you're out to get us when you're disobeying our orders and going out with our enemies?! If the professor hadn't told me not to interfere-"

"So why are you? Both of you need to pull the bowling balls out of your asses and stop harassing me!" With that, Nikki stormed upstairs and into her room. Rogue was on her bed, listening to her headphones and reading, Kitty was leafing through a magazine.

"Oh my God, you're back! Nikki, what were you thinking? You went on a date with Pietro!"

"Ugh, Kitty. I've heard way too much of that tonight. I had a really good time with him. He was really, really funny, and sweet. He's very smart, too. We just clicked. And anyway, I heard you did the same thing."

Kitty reddened, and Rogue pulled off the headphones.

"What?"

"Come on, you know she's talking about Lance," Rogue grinned.

"So if it's okay for you to rendezvous with the enemy, as the bitch would say, why can't I?"

"It didn't work out with Lance, that's my point. They're jerks, and we're going against them constantly. It's just too complicated. Believe me, it's just not worth it. Let it go, and you'll be over him in no time." Kitty said, looking down at her hands. Nikki watched her suspiciously.

"Why are you pushing this, Kitty?"

"Because I love you, and I don't want him to hurt you."

"That's not it. You're nervous, I can tell. Who told you to convince me to stop dating Pietro? Scott and Jean, right? Oh, I'd like to rip her head off. Better yet, blast it off with Scott's eyes!"

"Nikki!" Kitty scolded, "That's awful! They just want to protect you."

"They don't like me, what do they care if he rips my heart out? They're only worried about themselves. He won't, by the way, hurt me."

"Nikki, you can't just assume from one date that this guy is safe."

"Do you have a reason, and I mean a real, good reason for not seeing Pietro anymore?"

"Yes."

"Well, what is it?"

Kitty said nothing. The words were too hard to spit out, too painful to hear herself say.

"I'm going to take a shower." Nikki grabbed her pajamas and stalked out of the room.

Rogue jumped off her bed and over to Kitty's.

"Why didn't you say anything about Magneto?"

"I couldn't. I don't know, it would hurt her." she hung her head, tears crawling down her cheeks.

"It'll hurt her more if she finds out later." Kitty's head flew up, meeting Rogue's eyes.

"You can't say anything!" she pleaded.

"I'll let you tell her, that's who she needs to hear it from. But you need to do it, and soon, before those two become too attached."