A/N: I'm baaaack! I can only apologize profusely for my absence, but I did warn you! I now how a new laptop and one job, meaning I will have more time to get back to updating more regulary! This chapter was a bitch to write, as I couldn't move onto to the first proper story Arc, and I wrote and then deleted parts various times. Its not my best, but it'll take me a while to get into it. This is the first proper story Arc (as I said), the last parts have been introducing everyone and establishing grounds. Anyways! Enjoy

Chapter 9: Date Night Part 1

Fear gripped us all as we practically ran up the ramp, into the impressive jet. If the situation had been different, I'd have been gasping at the size and sleekness of the jet, the many flashing controls and hi-tech noises and screens buzzing, but for now I settled with falling into one of the seats and swallowing.

Professor Summers followed us up into the jet, with Nightcrawler and Professor Munroe staying behind to talk to the men, and I assumed, clear up after us. We sat in complete silence – even Lacey, now relieved of her telekinetic bubble, sat with her head down. Charlie and Mario were suddenly very interested in the seat buckles, while Jean sat and stared with her big green eyes at her boyfriend's older brother.

I felt sickness sweep through me as my mind raced. What happens now? Am I going to be kicked out?. My stomach positively dropped at that – I had just begun to feel as if I fit in somewhere, and I might be getting thrown out. Professor Summers didn't say one word, but sat at one of the pilots seat's. Finally, Nightcrawler and Professor Munroe entered the jet.

"Take her away, Scott" Orroro said sharply. At once Scott's hands skimmed across the buttons and began to pull levers, and the jet began to smoothly ascend, jetting off once clear of buildings. Slowly, Orroro turned to stare at us – her cool blue eyes were pure anger. Everyone shifted under that look.

I braced myself for the verbal bashing that I was sure was going to come, but moments later she still had not said a word. She still stared, her beautiful white hair in a tight plait down her back. Somehow, the silence and staring was so much more worse than shouting, I felt ashamed and slightly worried.

Suddenly, Jean sat forwards. "Please, Professor Munr-"

"Unless you have a valid reason for this whole mess, I suggest you keep quiet Ms Grey" Orroro snapped. I recoiled – in all her lessons, I had never known Professor Munroe to be so clipped and cold. She was normally kind but firm, calm but welcoming.

Jean was silenced immediately. I felt an itching between my shoulders and turned a fraction to find Nightcrawler's sharp yellow eyes glaring at me. I tried to shake off the familiar feeling of hatred that I associated with him, but I could tell in that glare was a deep dislike.

What seemed like an eternity later, the jet began to descend. I chanced a glance out of the window and saw with amazement we were descending into the basketball courts, which had withdrawn to reveal a metallic looking tunnel. Something told me we were going to end up in a certain subbasement.

Once the X-jet had taken a very soft landing, the ramp descended and Orroro barked at us to get out. We all shuffled and coughed nervously, entering a huge hangar, but before we could take it in, we were being ushered into the subbasement corridor. I caught Charlie's eye and he gave me a worried grimace.

"From what I understand of what you have just told me Jean, you knowingly intervened in a dangerous, volatile and potentially fatal situation – from what your telepathy told you" Xavier's voice was as quiet and subtle as ever, but a undercurrent of harshness mirrored his narrowed eyes. We all sat on chairs, lined in front of his mammoth desk as he studied us.

"Y-yes Professor, but as I told you, I picked up on those thoughts through the barrier techniques you taught me. Surely that shows how serious they were?" she stammered back.

"Serious indeed – so serious in fact you should have alerted the authorities, or us"

"We were going to Professor! If it wasn't for Lacey going... going psycho!" Mario blurted out angrily. I shared his resentment, that we were all getting into trouble for this, when in fact it had been Lacey's mood swings. "We couldn't just let her go by herself! Nightcrawler will tell you how crazy she was going!" the Italian finished with a glare of his clear blue eyes at Lacey.

She sat, with her head down and not uttering a word. "You have no need to explain yourselves fully. I have already scanned all of your minds, and I have a clear image of the situation. I understand you were involved in that mess, because of Lacey Stannard" the Professor swiveled his gaze to Lacey. She finally brought her head up, the tear tracks in her make up glistening in the lamp light.

"Zhat being said Professor, I do believe the children acted rashly. If zhey had thought about it properly, they could have easily maintained Lacey under control and alerted us" Nightcrawler spoke up, stepping out of the shadows of one of the bookcases in which only his glowing yellow eyes had been visible. "Rashly indeed" he whispered, his gaze lingering on me for a second longer than anyone else.

"Maybe so Kurt, but these students have only just started Danger Room Sessions, they are not yet adept enough to stabilise situations such as these" Xavier turned back to us. "Even in light of the minor damage caused, I am rather... pleased. It could have turned out a lot worse. That does not mean that I am condoning this – far from it" he said sternly. "You will be excused from any punishment this time, but if I catch so much of a whisper of this activity again, you will be punished. Clear?" As one, we all nodded.

"If it had not been for Nightcrawler being in the area conveniently, we would have not been alerted. It is late and past curfew, return to your rooms. And do try to have a quiet day tomorrow... perhaps start some homework Mr Brookes?" Charlie colored and let out a strained laugh.

We all began to rise and made for the door. "Miss Stannard, you will have to stay I'm afraid. We have to talk" came Xavier's voice. I thought I heard Lacey moan a little as she sat down, but we exited quickly.

Once outside and far down the corridor, we let out a breath of relief. "Holy... I thought I was getting kicked out for sure" I muttered, wiping my brow.

"Don't be silly Max, Xavier wouldn't ever throw a student out. He has to much hope in us. Although.. it has happened before, but very rarely" Jean mused.

"Either way, I'm out of hanging with Lacey anymore Jean" Jean began to frown but Mario ploughed on "I'm serious, she is a complete and utter nut case! What is actually wrong with her?"

Jean's mouthed worked for a while with no noise and she shrugged. "She's... she's had a lot of issues in the past" she said simply.

"And if you remember, so did you Jean, but your not going berserk on us" Charlie commented. "Can't you just try some of your telepathy mumbo jumbo on her?"

"I've tried... I really have. But its not that simple Charlie, the mind isn't just a box you can open and close when you want, its a maze-"

"And your beginning to sound like Annabell, Jean. I'm tired, night!" Jean's face dropped at that comment, and me and Charlie strode away laughing.

The next morning, the incident seemed to have spread like wildfire. At breakfast me and Charlie were besieged with questions from Annabell (who tutted an awful lot) and Reya – even people I didn't really know. The rumors about Lacey indicated she was going to spend all day in detention with Xavier today.

Later on, I sat in the library with Annabell and surprisingly Charlie, pouring over books for homework. "I just don't understand how it can all mount up so much..." Charlie muttered, scrunching up more paper.

"Maybe if you bothered to start it, you might comprehend the amount we have" Annabell said softly. Charlie didn't reply but stuck his tongue out.

"What up handsome" came bastion's familiar voice from behind me. Ignoring the goosebumps I turned in my seat to see him striding over, a killer smile on his face.

"Don't tell me its going to be two miracles in one day and your here to do some homework too?" I laughed in mock shock.

"Don't be silly, I've come to see if you want to go on a date" he winked. I felt my mouth drop open.

"A.. A what?" I stuttered. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Charlie smirk. Annabell however, snapped her books up and tutted, walking off.

Bastion watched Annabell stalk off, a satisfied tinge to his smile. "A date. You know. I take you out, we have a good time" he chirped.

"Errm... errm okay then" I said jumping up, flattening my hair. "Lets go!"

"Not now silly, nothings open" he said with a laugh. My face coloured – how embarrasing. "Next saturday night. I know just the place"

"Errrm.. okay" I said quietly.

"Excellent. See you tonight for Danger Room practice" he said over his shoulder, striding off again.

I fell back into my seat, suddenly feeling very hot. I looked up, Charlie giving me a smug smile, his eyebrows rising. "What!" I snapped.

"Oh of couuuurse I'll go on a date with you Bastion! Care for me to shine your shoes Bastion?" Charlie teased in a mock admiration voice. I gave him the finger and turned back to my book, desperate to calm down, but I just couldn't concentrate. After all the playing around he had finally asked me out on a date! That had to mean he really liked me... didnt it?.

The rest of the week flew by, thankfully, as more homework rolled in. It seemed being the new generation of an already hated race needed a lot more work than just a everyday human. Charlie had confessed he had no idea how he was going to pass that year with that much homework and conflicting after school clubs and laziness.

The Saturday seemed to drag, full of nothing but anxious waiting and indecisive outfit decisions. Charlie had drifted into our bedroom once or twice, snickering to himself as I played with my hair constantly and kept straightening up my outfit, but I simply ignored him. He might find this all rather amusing, but I was very nervous. I had finally got my wish.

But even as I double checked myself in the mirror for the fourth time in the past five minuets I felt a pang of guilt. I had promised I'd go and visit my parents. My father had phoned the night before (my mother could still barely talk to me) and guilt tripped me… but I knew I wouldn't go. I still thought it was still too raw from them.

Pushing my parents out of my head I strode out onto the wide steps from the front door, being glad for the fact I had decided to not bring a jacket – the summer evening air was still warm. I wore a black vneck slashed with silver stripes and a tight pair of blue ripped jeans. I had decided to go smart/casual, as I still had no idea what we were doing.

I felt a tingle of nerves as I heard a smooth car engine, turning around to see a sleek looking roof down silver Benz pull up to the steps, with a cleanly shaven, gorgeous looking Bastion. I had to admit, I was very impressed at the car.

"Slide in, sexy" he said with a dazzling smile. I bit my lip in excitement as I climbed in to the passenger seat. Before I had sat down properly we streamed off from the mansion.

"I didn't even know you drove" I said loudly over the engine and fast wind. He was even beautiful when he drove a car.

"Well… I don't" he said with a smirk.

"What?" I said, half laughing hoping he was joking. "Wait.. this isn't you car?"

"Professor Summers… Since his own little brother couldn't hotwire it, I thought I would" he said with a sly smile.

"What! Are you stupid? Were gonna get in so much trouble!" I guffawed.

"Calm down, Professor Summers went out of town with a few others for some business, he won't even know"

"You are out of control" I replied, laughing. He simply winked.

After a meal at a small but cute Italian restaurant outside of the city, where Bastion had impressed me with his manners and conversation. Despite his gruff and sometimes arrogant persona he portrayed, we had talked of all manner of things, and I could hardly believe it was happening. Afterwards he suggested we go for a drive – a 'special spot'.

We had pulled up on a grassy hill, overlooking a large expansive estate much like the mansion. "I still can't believe you hotwired Professor Summer's car… the only person worse would be Logan" I mused, staring out at the estate. There were a lot of lights on, and a lot of flashing. They must be having a party.

"Yeah, even I don't have the balls for that" he said with a gruff laugh. A moment later I could feel his eyes, staring at me as I gazed out at the night sky. I suddenly felt very hot. "But what can I say, I wanted to impress you Max" his voice was suddenly very low and husky. I felt him lean in closer. I gulped. The party was very noisy, I could see people running about outside. "Did I impress you?" He asked, so softly I almost didn't hear it. I turned and saw he was inches from my face, his green eyes gazing straight into mine.

I gulped again and leaned in too. I saw his sly smile flash across his face again, and then he leaned in. He was kissing me, a kiss so sweet it felt like my stomach was going to explode. My feet felt as if they were being swept from under me and my heart started hammering all at the same time. I felt his hands on my back, pulling me closer across the gear stick. I couldn't even think straight.

The next second, the loudest bang I had ever heard resonated, clear and loud, shattering the moment. The sounds of screams and shouts rent the air, and the sky was illuminated with a flash. Me and Bastion pulled apart, Bastion leaning forward to stare. The side of the mansion now had a huge hole torn in the side, a stream of smoke issuing. More flashes and bangs sounded, and I could see floods of people running in. "What the fuck…" Bastion muttered.

"Is that… Is that gunfire?" I whispered – gunfire and screams, and bangs and flashes of yellow and purple light. "Whats going on Bastion?" I said, failing to keep the fear out of my voice. He obviously sensed it, and reached out to grab my hand.

"That's.. that's the Academy of Tomorrow… Emma Frost's school" He said, still in shock. Whatever I had tried to say next was drowned out by another huge explosion, more smoke and flames pouring from a lower section. It was followed by more flashes of yellow – and one seemed to be closer than the others.. no… it was…

"Move!" I shouted, yanking open the door and shoving Bastion before throwing myself from the car as a huge blast of glowing yellow energy almost as big as the car came sailing towards us. The ensuing blast pushed me forwards, and I landed rolling. I jumped up immediately ignoring my aching back. The car was now in a small crater, a smoking mess of twisted, fiery metal.

My heart stopped for a second… Bastion?, "Max! Max are you okay?" I heard him call, running around the crater and grabbing me into a hard embrace. "Whats happening? What should we do! Professor Summer's car!" I shouted, the realization of the situation sinking in.

"Forget his car. We have to call the mansion" he started towards the smoldering car. "Our phones will be useless Bastion" I called.

More yellow orbs of energy were bursting from the building, thankfully falling short, along with more screams and bangs. "We have to get down there and help" Bastion shouted over his shoulder as he ran down the hill. "Wait! We need to get help! Bastion! Wait!" I shouted after him.

I quickly realized we weren't going to be able to get any help, the mansion and hill stood a good twenty minute drive, forty minute walk from any kind of surrounding house or civilization. "Wait for me!" I shouted, tearing down the hill after Bastion, into the pandemonium below.