Author Notes: Hey! Sorry for the delay, I had some trouble with this chapter as in the familiar force known as Writer's Block. Just nothing came out right and finally it came together. So sorry for the wait to you all ^^ I do hope you all enjoy it.

I do not own any of the characters, serious, I own none of them. I just own the plot.


CHAPTER SEVEN: LOVE BLOOMS LIKE A ROSE...

Charles Darwin was corrected in many things in his theory of natural sectional and the theory of evolution. He had to know the kind of turmoil he would create when he had published his theories out into the general public, with the power of the church. Even in the modern times such as now the theory of evolution and creationism was still fought between people.

Given that sometimes the church isn't one to give itself into change, it never did surprise Dr. Miles Warren that this battle would continue.

But they were all about the truth if they were shown it deep down. Never had they thought that themselves, mankind could push the genetic button and create it themselves the next evolution step. Without the funds and the equipment that Empire State and his most generous benefactor had given them, Dr. Warren wouldn't have gotten to where he was right now.

It was such a shame that so many had to die to bring up the next stage as he grinned as his first success. It would no doubt bring a new age in human evolution and only had to test it to in a normal environment to see if it could do what he theories. All thanks for the research that he was given by his benefactor not to mention the research of Dr. Connors.

Too bad the man had that 'accident' when Dr. Warren 'borrowed' the man's research and now Dr. Connors was force to teach snot nose brats the basics.

Can't say Dr. Warren wasn't happy that his only rival for funding was out of the way, because he was happy, quite happy.

With the phone started to ring, Dr. Warren continued to grin at his work as he picked up to answer it. "Dr. Miles Warren, how can I help?"

A bigger smile appeared on his face at the familiar voice, "Sir! I was going to call you. I wonderful news as I have success. We finally have the first subject to survive the process. All of these years, progress, failures, and-"

"A test? Of course, I was going to go through the motions before we flew out to meet-"

"High School? I-"

"Bayville? I don't un-"

"Of course I am not questioning you at all, sir. It's just our first success in the experiment and I would love to have more time and see if-"

"No, I understand sir…I will just need some time…"


Over the months, things have become more stable and straight forward between the X-Men and Brotherhood at Bayville High. Peter went away for Christmas holidays. It was as if nothing changed when he got home. Aunt May was there to welcome him with open arms and full of questions about how he was doing, how was school, typical things. It was nice to be with her, to get away from the Brotherhood, the whole mutant conflict that he should never be apart.

Aunt May did have to bring up Professor Xavier and Peter had to lie through his teeth that he didn't really want to do it, that he didn't want to be away from her more than he already was. She didn't understand that Xavier's offer for him to join his institute and what would come with. She already thought he was in some sort of program to get trouble kids out of city and away from the problems of the big city like gangs, violence, etc etc.

Peter still couldn't believe Aunt May believed Mystique when the shapeshifter came to the house and explain why Peter would be going to Bayville for the rest of the school year. Hell, he would have believed it if he didn't know the truth.

But he convinced her that he was fine where he was at, that he would just do this one year and come back. He couldn't be around the place and think about Uncle Ben. Aunt May said she understood, but Peter could see the pain in her eyes and the guilt was inside of his stomach.

Those were the best two weeks, but he had to come back after New Years and then school started up again. Every day was the same thing; go to the classes, hanged out with Arcade or Brotherhood and stay far away from the X-Men. They didn't seem to want to spend time with him either. Ever since his little run in with them, to make his point, they stayed far away from him.

But every once in a while, Peter spotted Rogue or Kitty from the corner of his eye looked at him. It was at either lunch, or in the hallway or in class. Guilt ate at him, but it was for Aunt May's protection and it would be only until he figured some way to get Magneto off of his back. It was early February, there was time until the school year ended.

As he stared at his textbook in the middle of math class, Peter wondered if he should focus on more on this than the future of both human and mutant kind.

Then again, if Magneto takes over, would it matter if he could figure out the area of a few cones or cubes?

The bell rung and Peter was happy enough as he gathered up his school work and bag to make a run for it. It was nice to have a rhythm in his days, school, hang out, just basic high school life that Peter would see on TV. Not that he was anything special; all that would be needed was some kind of love interest.

"Oof,"

Maybe he should be more focus on what was in front of him when Peter crashed into another student in the hallway. He dropped his books and almost fell, but recovered quickly. Strange how his spider sense didn't really go off, but his life wasn't in danger as he looked up, "I am so sorry, I should have watch where I was going."

Said person who he crashed into was a young girl, about his age, with her black hair all tied up on her head in a wild fashion with what looked like chopped sticks he had seen in other girls' hair at time. She slowly got back up on to her feet since she had a short black skirt on. Why girls wore them, Pete wouldn't know. But she got up; stood tall in these knee high boots and readjusted the long sleeve shirt that had a black tank top under it.

"It is ok," she said, flashed a smile and Peter felt as if his mind became a bit fuzzy as he couldn't help but stare, "I should have been watching where I was going."'

God, she's cute.

"Maybe you could help me?" she said, tucked a piece of her hair around her ear, "I am trying to find Mr. Hovel's class."

"Sure, I know where it is," said Pete, his voice squeaked a bit higher than he would have liked. He felt hot, his mind a bit fuzzy, "I'm Peter."

"It is nice to meet you, Peter," she said as she moved next to his side with ease, "I'm Ana."

The two headed down the hallway to head to class, Peter almost stumbled a bit over his feet along the way.


"Arcade? Didn't like think anyone was here."

Kitty was only in the computer lab to print an English essay she needed for her next class. She would have printed it off this morning, but there wasn't any ink and she didn't have time to refill it before Scott left. So, the only way she could get her essay was to duck in quickly to print it off. She didn't think that there would be anyone else in the room as well.

The redhead looked up from the screen with a smile, "Hey Kitty," he said with a wave, "Just doing some work since Pete is busy with his lady friend."

That was interesting news.

"Lady friend?"

"Yeah, that new girl Ana," he said as he spun his chair around, "They been around each other since she came here. They just ran into one another and never really left each other. Not that I can blame Pete for ditching me for a babe like her, but you know, would have liked some heads up."

It wasn't as if she wasn't really interested in the tale of how two friends come apart because of a girl. It was such a stupid story in more ways than one. She was only concern if this new girl was part of the Brotherhood and if that was more trouble for them. It was quiet now after all. Yeah, she knew her, they shared Dr. Connors' class and she had noticed that Ana did seem to take the seat next to Peter, but that was it. It was nothing more but again, Kitty tried to pay more attention to Dr. Connors than what was behind her.

She waved goodbye once she printed her essay and dashed off to see if she could run her teammates. It was lucky that she spotted Jean and Scott outside of their lockers in the hallway. Once they were in sight, she picked up the pace to join their side.

"Guys, have you heard anything about this new girl, Ana?" she asked.

"No, nothing really," asked Jean, "Why ask?"

"Just heard that Peter was hanging around with her," said Kitty, "I saw her, but that is it but like…"

"You think it is someone else from the Brotherhood," said Scott, his eyebrows narrowed down behind his glasses. It was simple to tell that he didn't like this idea in his form as he stood up a bit straighter.

"Come on, we don't know that and beside, you would have thought they would have rubbed it in our faces," said Jean. She didn't want to deal with Scott when he was like this and he could attempt to start a fight. They didn't need the trouble until they got all the facts, "Look, we'll just keep an eye on her and see. If it is something to be concern about, we bring it up to the professor."

After all, what couldn't they do more so than that.


"Parker!"

At the shout of his name, Peter shook his head and looked up to see Lance and Fred in front of him. Where did they come from? Well, he was a bit in a daydream, he guessed. He spend the whole day with Ana, had to show her around and they had lunch together which was great. It was a perfect day for him for once. Nothing was wrong.

"Hey guys, what's up?"

Nice to see you decided to join us down on Earth," said Lance, a smirk placed across his face. Peter couldn't help but blush a bit as he had ignored them all day, even at lunch. It was just he liked Ana and didn't want these guys to give her a bad impression of himself.

"You been space out all day," said Fred as the trio walked to the jeep in the parking lot, "But with that pretty new girl around we can't blame ya."

"You mean Ana?" asked Peter as he felt a dopey grin came across his face again, "Yeah, she is pretty something, isn't she?"

Girls never really paid much attention to him and he never really pay much attention to them. Ok, sure there were the cheerleaders like Liz Allen, but he knew that he never stood a chance with her. But with Ana, he felt that he actually had more than a good enough chance. Not only was she pretty, but boy was she smart. She totally was into science, raised her hand so many interesting questions during Dr. Conner's class today.

God, good looks, a brain and she was interested in him?!

The Ol' Parker Luck finally turned good for him for once

"You got it bad, Parker," smirked Lance as they piled into the jeep where Pietro and Todd waited for them.

"He got what bad?" asked Todd as he lean forwarded in his seat in the back.

"Parker got a crush on this new girl," smirked Lance.

"Oh come on, don't go spreading it around," moaned Peter as he buckled up.

"Awwww, lil' Petey is growing up," crooned out Pietro which earned a punch in the shoulder from Peter.

"Cut it out!"

His protests went unanswered as the rest of the trip was spent at his expense as they made fun of him.


This day went a lot better than she had thought when Daddy sent her here to this backwater town.

Ana opened the door to her small motel room on the edge of town. She tossed her bag to the side as she leaped on to the bed and reached for the phone. If anyone knew better, they would have thought it was some teenager bedroom with the amount of clothes over the place. All of them were brand new and some still had their tags on them. She did need a new look and not the lab clothes Daddy made her wear when he had to run tests.

Her fingers flew across the pad of the phone and waited for it to ring. Ana bite her lip as she waited for someone to pick it up, it only rung three times before the other end was picked up.

"Daddy?"

"Ana, how wonderful to hear your voice again."

A wide grin came over her face as she flopped herself on the bed, "You too, Daddy, I miss you bunches."

"I do too, sweetie. How was your first day?"

"Boring…Dr. Connors isn't as smart as you Daddy," she said with a pout. Her father chuckle and it warmed her heart, "But I met a new boy today."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, Daddy," said Ana as giggles escape her throat, "Just like you said, I used my powers on him and he followed me around like a puppy dog. Not to mention he lasts longer than all of your assistants"

"That is wonderful, sweetie."

"I know, and he is cute and smart. Like he was the smartest in Dr. Connors' class, not that says anything," said Ana, the phone core twirled around her fingers, "When can I come home, Daddy? I miss you."

"I know, sweetie," her father said, concern in his voice as he tried to smooth her over the phone, "Just hold up a bit longer…so, what to tell me about this new boy?"

"Well…his name is Peter, and really has some interesting things to say about his house mates," said Ana, with wide smile to show off if anyone could see a set of fangs visible, "And he has this sweetest about him that is just yummy…"