A/N: A quick thank you to all that have reviewed. I just wish I had more of
them. ( But, I don't do this for the reviews; I do this to get these plots
out of my head. ( Yes, these characters are different and more dangerous
then their comic/movie/cartoon counterparts, but there're are moments when
they are just as sweet and caring.
To answer some questions that were emailed to me:
Duo and Hall do not appear in the comics. Hall is actually a mix between a few of the comic characters who had(s) similar powers. Duo, who has been seen to have some kind of telepathic power, a healing factor, and as someone said 'blow herself (things) up', is a large mix of certain characters with a twist that we will see soon.
Yes, Victor married Raven. Which means that no, she isn't Kurt's mother as for Rogue.no, she's not her foster mother here.
Are Remy and Duo a couple? Will Remy and Rogue get together?: These answers will be coming soon, but you get a big hint this chapter, okay?
Are Scott and Jean really getting back together? She just doesn't seem right for him and isn't it illegal now? Scott should get with Kitty. : As someone once said, nothing is ever certain. But yes, Scott and Jean are back together.for now.
Okay, I think that's enough answers for one chapter. Thanks so much to my hand full of reviewers and the one faithful fan who emails reviews after every chapter. You guys know who you are. ( Oh yeah, I don't own anyone in this story, not really anyway.
Chapter Nine
Entropy
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children
Sept. 13th, 2002
2:09 a.m.
In the early morning hours, the kitchen in the Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children seemed warm and inviting. The light from the moon cast shadows up and down the floor. The man called Logan sat at the kitchen table, smoking a cigar. Hall and Duo were asleep upstairs. Remy was with Rogue, again. He was spending a lot of time with her. Logan wanted to put a stop to it, but he knew it would only drive Remy away, and even though Logan would never say it, Remy was needed by himself and the others.
There was a small noise as someone opened the kitchen door. Logan looked up to see the youngest X-Men sneak into the kitchen. He remembered that her named was Kitty Pryde and that Remy had told him she was goth. Only, she didn't look very goth. Sure, all thirteen of her piercing were in but she was dressed in a cute skirt, top, and shoes. She noticed him and jumped a little.
"Sorry," she blushed a little. "I didn't know anyone was here."
"Kitty, right?" He asked without looking up from his cigar.
"Yeah." she moved deeper into the kitchen. "What are you doing down here?"
"Just had to get outta the room. What about you, half-pint?"
Kitty smiled at the nickname. "Just had to get out of the house." She pulled a chair out from under the kitchen table and took a seat. "So, you do know that cigar's going to kill you, right?" The small Canadian glared at her. Kitty clicked her tongue. "Sorry I asked."
Logan examined his cigar a moment before putting it out in his hand. Kitty cringed at the site. He just grinned and showed her his already healing palm. "Healing factor." He explained. There was a pause before he asked her. "Where are you going?"
"Club, to grab breakfast." Kitty answered with a shrug. "Haven't figured it out yet."
He nodded. He wasn't sure why, but he liked this kid. In a way she reminded him of someone that he couldn't seem to remember. He liked that she reminded him of someone. "Do me a favor, kid? Try and have fun."
The mutant girl nodded. It seemed to her that his favor meant more then she knew and much more then what he was saying. "I'll try." Kitty got up and started toward the backdoor of the mansion. "Feel better, Logan."
"Kitty," Logan called after her. She half turned around. "tell Remy to not stay out to early." Kitty smiled at him before turning and opening the door. She seemed to whisper 'bye' as she left the mansion.
Outside, two people waited for Kitty. One was a male of twenty-one and the other was a female of seventeen. The male was dressed in tight black pants that hugged him in all the right places and a tight black shirt. Over his outfit was a long black duster. The female thought he looked like someone out of 'The Matrix', but she wasn't about to tell him that. The female wore a short red dress, a small see-through red jacket and red shoes.
"Hey," Kitty said as she jogged over to them. "sorry I'm late. I ran into Logan." She winked at the male. "He says you shouldn't stay out to early."
Remy laughed a little. "I'm old enough t' stay out early."
"Besides, we owe you a drink." Rogue spoke up.
"So let's go get that drink." Kitty reached into her shirt and pulled out a set of keys. "I borrowed Jean's keys to her SUV."
The threesome began to walk to the car. "You're learning from me already." Remy told Kitty.
Westchester, New York
The Airport Sept. 13th, 2002
7:15 a.m.
Erik Lehnsherr anxiously checked his watch for the third time in ten minutes. He stood outside of a gate, waiting for the plane carrying Jean, Paige, and Pietro. He hoped there had been no problems back in D.C. he really didn't want the girls to stay away any longer then they had and he really wanted to talk to Pietro. An announcement came over the intercom, saying that the plane the children were on was now arriving. Erik moved a little closer to the gate.
Jean, Paige, and Pietro were the last three out of the plane. Jean came out first, Erik spotted her right away. The nineteen year old was dressed in her favorite gray, kaki skirt and its matching white top; Jean, Erik mused that she looked like an ad for the Gap. Paige and Pietro came next. Paige was in her usual outfit, jeans and a sweater. Pietro was wearing, oddly enough, a dressy outfit of khakis and a black dress shirt. Erik noticed that Paige and Pietro were holding hands.
"Mr. Lehnsherr," Jean called. She waved to him as they walked over. "it's good to see you."
"It's wonderful to see all three of you." Erik replied with a small smile.
"It doesn't look that way." Paige said. She bounced a bit to stand by Erik, her hand still firmly in Pietro's. "Is somethin' wrong? Is this about Miss. Frost?"
Erik could have smiled, of course Paige would see through his falseness. Paige had a way of reading people, of knowing if they were lying or not. It had nothing to do with her powers; it was just the type of person she was. "Yes, it has to do with Emma and the Mutant Act." He began walking and the others followed him. "Last night, I received a call from our missing Miss. Frost." He paused a moment. "She told me that it looks like the Mutant Act will be passed. I'm afraid we might have failed in that area."
"Shit." Jean cursed softly and for the first time since Erik had known her. "I can't believe we may have lost that fight."
The older man patted Jean's shoulder. "It's all right, Jean. We have not yet been defeated."
"We'll-make-it-through," Pietro spoke for the first time since getting off the plane. "I-know-we- will." Pietro moved a little so he could stand closer to Erik. "Do-you-think-there-are-a-couple-of -temporary-spots-open- on-your-team? I-think-Rogue-and-I-could-take-some-time-off- to-deal-with the-Mutant-Act-and-those-Sential-things." Pietro looked down at Paige who grinned happily. She really wanted him to stay.
Erik looked over at the young speed demon. "My dear boy, you and Rogue are more then welcome to stay at my school. You two may stay as long as you like."
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children
Sept. 13th, 2002
8:05 a.m.
Jean nervously rubbed the palms of her hands over her skirt. She had been home for twenty minutes and had been standing outside of Scott Summers' door for ten minutes. She really wanted to knock, go in, and then show him how much she had missed him. But, she couldn't do it. Jean just couldn't bring herself to throw it all away and just do whatever she wanted. There were rules and boarders. Even if she and Scott were 'back together', it didn't mean they were 'back together'. She silently damned herself for always wanting to be so perfect. She thought she should be perfect, so she acted perfect, and then became perfect. Jean silently damned herself for that to. Why couldn't she just knock on the door and through it all into the wind? Why couldn't she just...
The door to the room opened and Scott looked out at her. And he looked good, all shaggy and guffy. Scott needed to shave and his hair was blue now. His baggy jeans were slowly following down his thighs and his AC/DC shirt really needed to be ironed. He pushed his sunglasses farther up his nose. "Hey," he moved deeper into the room. "come on in."
Jean walked into her stepbrother/former boyfriend's room and wished she hadn't. It smelt like weed. She put a hand under her nose for a moment. The telepath watched as Scott walked over and sat on his bed. Jean decided to stay standing.
"How are you?" Scott asked her. He was going through some CDs that had somehow ended up all over his bed and he didn't seem to be really that interested in what Jean had to say. "Good plane ride?"
Jean gulped. She was going to do it. She had done it twice eight months ago, and she was going to do it again. "Can we skip this?" Scott looked up at her, a questioning look on his classic face. Without answering his wordless question, Jean walked over to Scott's bed. She stood in front of him a moment, her green eyes staring into his sunglasses. "Can we just pretend nothing ever changed?" She sat down on his lap. "Please?" Jean leaned into his face and slowly kissed his lips. They tasted like a strange mix of weed and peppermint.
Scott slipped his tongue into Jean's mouth. His arms went around her waist and he pulled her deeper into him. And for once Jean didn't feel so perfect.
Outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Unknown Sept. 13th, 2002
8:15 a.m.
The Morlocks, formly of Los Angeles and currently of nowhere, climbed out of their new (and stolen) van. Jono, who had been driving, stopped the van by the side of the road. They had been using it long enough and knew it was time to leave it. It had been good to them over the last day, but they didn't want to risk getting caught with it.
They began walking down the street. Kurt and Penny were covered, so they could be okay if a car pasted by them. The plan was simple; they'd find a sewer cover and spend the day below ground. They'd rest until that night and start traveling again.
*So, you got any idea where we're going?* Jono asked Kurt.
Kurt's covered head nodded. "I was thinking Boston." Cordelia looked back at Kurt, her eyes wide and feral. Something flashed in her big eyes and she whimpered. "Right, nevermind. I forgot, Cordelia." He moved toward her, but Cordelia went behind Penny for protection. Kurt smiled sadly. "Sorry."
*Yeah, Cordelia's not to keen on the 'B' word.* Jono reminded them. *Maybe we should think about New York?*
"Morlock killings." Kurt reminded him.
*Nevermind, then.*
Cordelia, who had been whispering in Penny's ears, suddenly stood up and straighter then normal. "Penny says we should go to Maine, by way of New York." Cordelia paused and looked back at Penance. "And that she wants an apple."
The two men exchanged a look. Jono shrugged, deciding to let Kurt make the call.
"Maine by New York it is." Kurt told the group. "Come on, we should get below." They started walking again, ready for some rest.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children
Sept. 13th, 2002
10:45 a.m.
In the rec room, Paige and Pietro hung out like regualer people. It was a normal thing for a seventeen year old and a twenty-one year old to sit together and watch silly soaps with bad plots, so Paige wanted them to do that. With all that had happened in such a short time, Paige wanted to do something normal and she found herself wanting to do that something with Pietro.
A commerical came on and Pietro looked over at Paige. "I'm-worried-about- Rogue, she's like-a-sister-to-me-and-I-worry-when-she-disappears-like- this."
Paige nodded. "Kitty isn't around either. They might be together." She paused and looked over at the television and then back to Pietro. "A lot had changed in such a short time, hasn't it? In less then two weeks so much is different."
Pietro nodded. "It's-strange-but-it-fits." He leaned closer to Paige, finding himself wanting to kiss the Southern girl. Paige closed her eyes and.
"Pietro? Could I speak with you please?" Erik's voice came over the intercom system.
Pietro pulled back and groaned. So close. He got up and started toward the door. A second later he was back in front of Paige, who was just opening her eyes. Pietro grinned and quickly kissed her on the lips. "Be right back, Paige." He grinned happily and left the room, leaving a very happy Paige to wait for him.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Erik's Office
Sept. 13th, 2002
10:50 a.m.
Erik and Pietro sat in Erik's office. There was an uncomfortable silence between them. Pietro had just assumed that Erik had wanted to talk about he and Rogue staying at the school, but he had been wrong. Erik had told the young man that he wanted to talk to him about something else and then he had pointly shut up. That had been four minutes ago.
"Tell me about yourself." Erik finally spoke.
"Not-much-to-tell." Pietro replied. "I-was-born-in-Europe-along-with-my- twin-sister-, Wanda. We-were-orphaned-at-a-young-age-and-raised-by-our- mother's-mother-in-a-small-town. Emma-found-me-when-I-was-working-in-the- facturay. I'm-a-very-normal-guy."
Erik nodded. His son had had a good life. "What about Wanda?"
"She's-still-in-Europe. I-send-her-and-grandmother-money-when-I-can. She's- in-school-right-now,-pre-law."
Erik felt himself beem. His girl had made good. "What about your parents?"
Pietro shrugged. "I-grew-up-thinking-they-and-my-two-older-sisters-had-been- killed-in-a-booming. They-must-have-thought-the-same." He got up and stared coldly into a shocked and confused Erik's face. "Until-now. Is-that-all? I- was-planning-to-take-Paige-out-today. Is-that-cool,-Dad?" Pietro leave the room.
It was then that Erik knew the truth, Pietro knew and had known for sometime, that he was his father. That may have been a deciding factor in Pietro joining Emma; the small chance that he could meet Erik and confront him. Erik cursed under his breath, he had just blown it, hadn't he? He wished his wife was still alive, she would have known what to do.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
12:16 p.m.
Five hour make-out sessions had never been so good or hot. Jean, in nothing but her underwear, straddled Scott's lap. She hurriedly took off his shirt, careful not to take his sunglasses off with the shirt. She didn't want a hole through her chest. The telepath leaned down and started to kiss his neck.
"I've missed you, Scotty." Jean whispered in his ear. "This feels so right."
Scott just moaned as a replied as he began to unhook Jean's bra. He pressed her closer to him and they fell onto Scott's bed. His hand trailed down her thigh and began to slip her panties off her.
Jean suddenly put her hand on his, stopping him. She looked down at him, her red hair falling all over her face. "It's been a while and a lot has changed. You sure about this?"
Scott didn't answer her, he just pulled her panties down all the way. Jean giggled softly ad unzipped his pants with her powers. Scott smiled and looked down at the unzipping pants. "Oh yeah, I've missed this."
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
2:36 p.m.
In the "Weapon X" room, things were going a little differently. Since showing up at the school, the crew had pretty much kept to themselves. In fact, Remy had been the only one to really talk to anyone. The girls mostly stayed in the room and Logan mostly glared at the students and their teacher. After all, he didn't plan to stay long. Just until Duo got a little better.
Hall stood to the right of the mirror in the room. Since the whole thing at Victor Creed's, she had been afraid to go in front of mirrors, so she stayed to the side. She was content to just watch Duo brush her ever longing hair. Hall watched Duo brush her chestnut colored hair, over and over.
"I miss those damn streaks!" Duo suddenly announced. It was so strange, because for the last year or so she had been wanting them out. And when they were finally out, she wanted them back. Figured.
"I miss the soup." Hall commented. They had really good soup at Weapon X.
Duo thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, they had good soup. Really good soup on Tuesdays." Hall chewed the inside of her mouth a minute before nodding in agreement.
"Where's Remy?" Both girls looked to the door, where Logan was. He was carrying a small tray of food and didn't look very happy. "He should be back by now."
Hall shrugged and giggled. "He ain't walking his little Remy that's for damn sure." Logan would have given Hall a look, if he weren't used to her.
"The damn Cajun's been gone over twelve hours." Logan put the tray down on the large chair.
"He'll be back." Duo stated. "I have his playing cards."
"You can buy playing cards anywhere." Hall reminded Duo.
Duo put her brush down and sighed. "Then, I suppose there's only one thing to do: we'll just have to put an ad out for a new Southern bad boy." Hall began to laugh. Duo rushed over to the bed. "I'll get the paper to start looking."
Logan watched from the side of the chair and couldn't help but smile. "You are two crazy little girls."
"No," Hall spoke up. "I'm crazy and Duo is clearly repressing her emotions through humor."
"Yeah well, you two girls better get ready. We're leaving on the twenty- fifth." It would give him enough time to get fake records and ids, as well as leads on a cure for Duo.
The girls had no objections with that. They gathered round the chair and began to eat their lunch.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
3:30 p.m.
Paige stood at the front entrance of the Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children, nervously awaiting Pietro. They were going on their first real live date that afternoon and Paige just couldn't help feeling like she was about to pass out. She smoothed out her sundress for the third time in the last ten minutes and looked toward the stairs.
Pietro came walking down the stairs and then was next to Paige. "Hey-pretty- lady." He smiled. "You-ready-for-the-classic-lunch-and-a-show?"
"Yeah," Paige nodded. "what are we going to see?"
"Nothing-romantic. I-could-never-compete-with-those-movie-guys. Maybe- horror. I'd-love-for-you-to-jump-on-me." Paige giggled and lightly hit him on the arm. That had been a little sexual and she found herself blushing. "Too-much?" Paige nodded. "Forgive-me?" Paige nodded again. "Good-great,- let's hit-it." Pietro took Paige's hand and began to lead her to the door.
"Pietro, Paige!" The duo stopped in their tracks as Erik's voice came from behind them. Pietro whirled around and glared at Erik. "Pietro, I'd rather like to speak with you, please." Erik's face was full of hope. "Please, son."
Pietro shook his head in disbelief. How could Erik even think of calling him that word? "No." Pietro shook his head again. "No-,old-man." Pietro whirled back around, regrabbing Paige's hand and headed out the door.
Erik stood there, looking after them. He had blown it, hadn't he? He had waited too damn long to find his son and too damn long to talk to him. Erik turned to go back to his office just as Logan was coming down the stairs.
"Erik," Logan jogged a little to stand in front of Erik. "I just wanted to tell you that Hall, Duo, and myself will be outta here in about eleven days. I just need to get a few things together. I also wanted to," Logan paused, he had never been good at this sort of thing. "say thanks."
"Oh," Erik really wasn't in the mood for that right now, but he wanted to be nice to this strange man. "it's no problem. Stay as long as you like. But, won't Mr. LeBeau be going with you?" The Cajun was a charmer, but Erik found himself wanting the young man gone. He didn't like the way he was around the girls. Truthfully, Erik wanted Logan and the girls gone as well, they seemed like trouble.
"Remy ain't comin'. Boy's been gone for thirteen hours. He's been with your Kitty and that Rogue girl."
Erik looked confused. He hadn't realized that Kitty and Rogue had been gone that long. "I'm sure you're mistaken, Mr. Logan,"
"Oh, I'm not mistaken. You should just pay more attention to your kids."
The leader of the X-Men looked sternly at the leader of the Weapon X team. "What do you mean? My kids are good children."
Logan laughed. "That's why I smell sex all over the third floor?" With that he turned on his heel and walked back up the stairs. Leaving Erik to stand there and wonder what was happening to his team, his kids.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
10:59 p.m.
They giggled softly as they bumped against the walls of the third floor. They staggered and had to hold onto each other for support. One of them, the youngest one, shushed the other two in a very loud whisper. All three of them were drunk out of their heads. They laughed and stumbled through the dark hallway. The youngest one reached her door and opened it slowly. The wooden door creaked slightly and she quickly shushed it.
Kitty waved the others forward. "Hurry." She said in a slightly slurred voice.
Just as Rogue and Remy were helping each other into Kitty's room, they heard a noise behind them. The threesome turned around and stared at Scott, who was standing in his doorway, a black sheet around his waist.
Scott stared at them, his face unreadable. "What the hell is going on?" His tone was slightly angry.
Remy chuckled. "You goin' t' a toga partee?" He whispered something into Rogue's ear and she giggled.
"Shush, we're sneakin' in." Rogue whispered to Scott. She leaned close to him, forcing herself to hang on to Remy with one hand.
Kitty giggled loudly. "Black doesn't really work, Summers." She leaned against her doorframe, suddenly finding it hard to stand straight.
Scott kept one hand on his sheets and fixed his sunglasses with his other hand. She couldn't be, could she? "Kit, are you drunk?" He would have gone on, but Jean appeared behind him. She was in nothing but a shirt. This caused giggles and leers from Rogue and Remy.
Kitty was less amused by it. Shock and disappointment crossed over her face. She quickly shook her head. "You had sex?" she whispered. Kitty looked at Remy and Rogue. "Dudes, they had sex. I thought they'd wait a while, but they didn't."
Rogue shook her head. "Young people can't help it." The others just looked at her. Rogue looked down sheepishly. "Sorry, Ah may have absorbed an elderly man last night."
Remy hugged Rogue slightly. He looked at Kitty and shrugged. "You know, young people like these two," he nodded toward Scott and Jean. "are whores."
"I love this man!" Kitty exclaimed. "He's such an asshole."
Jean looked concurred. "I think you three need some rest and coffee."
Remy snickered. "Could I rest wit' you?" Rogue shoved him away a little. Remy grabbed her waist. "You know I love you, baby." He kissed the top of her head and Rogue grinned from ear to ear.
Scott looked back at Jean. "Jean, maybe you could see Rogue to her room?" He looked back at the small group. "Kitty, you should hit the hay. Remy, I'll see you to your room."
Remy's red eyes grew wide. "Scotty, I didn't know ya swung dat way." This comment caused giggles from Kitty and Rogue.
Logan appeared in the hallway. "I'll take him to our room."
Everyone turned to look at him and Remy broke out in a huge grin. "Logan! Hairy, little, Logan!"
Logan walked straight up to Remy and glared at the younger man. "Where the hell have you been?"
Remy looked down at Rogue and then at Kitty. "Sweet Kitty and pure Rogue were jus' showin' me stuff." Scott, Jean, and Logan glared at Remy.
Logan grabbed Remy's arm and moved him away from Rogue. "Just follow me, lover boy." Remy looked back at Rogue and winked before following Logan down the hall.
Rogue sighed happily and bounced off toward her room. Jean exchanged a look with Scott before following the southern girl.
Kitty looked at Scott for a moment before walking all the way into her room. She turned around and looked at Scott. "Good-night, Summers." She closed the door and Scott heard it lock behind her.
Scott stared at her door for a second before going back into his room and closing the door behind him.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 14th, 2002
1:56 p.m.
Remy slowly opened his red eyes and stared into the face of Duo. She was standing on the side of the bed, leaning over him and staring. She'd been watching him for the last two hours and was really starting to doubt that he'd wake up. Logan had taken Hall downstairs for lunch and had left her to watch him.
"Logan told me and Hall about yesterday." Duo told him as she straightened up. "It sounds like you had fun and forgot all about us." she sounded a little sad. "It's okay, we've put an ad out for a new southern bad boy." Duo smiled. "We should be hearing something soon."
Remy reacted with mock hurt. "I jus' wanted t' have a lit'le fun 'fore I died." Duo waved a dismissive hand. "We'll have fun where we're going. Logan says its somewhere in Asia, someplace called Japan. It's not in this country. We leave in a little over a week." A look of seriousness crossed her face. "So you shouldn't get to close to your new lady friends."
Remy sat up in his bed and looked at Duo. "I don' wan' t' leave de country. I l'ke America and I l'ke my new lady friends." He looked down at his sheets for a moment before looking back up at Duo. "And I really could really l'ke Rogue. I t'ink I'd date h're."
She raised a scarred eyebrow. "You'd leave us, me, for a girl you've known for less then two days?"
Remy held his ground. "I jus' wan' t' have a normal life."
"Even if it means leavin' us?" Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes and she sniffed them back.
"I jus' wan' a normal life." Remy repeated, this time a little harsher then he would have liked.
"I understand." Duo smiled sadly before turning and leaving Remy alone in the dark room.
Dallas, Texas
Sept. 14th, 2002
2:56 p.m.
The Morlocks were heading east. They had 'borrowed' another van and a license plate from a van in a junk yard. Kurt and Penny sat in the back, while Cordelia sat in the front and Jono drove. Cordelia tossed a bag of burgers to the back of the van; Kurt caught the bag with ease and took a burger out of the bag.
*I think we could make it to Tenn. on the 16th or so.*
"Yeah," Kurt answered with his mouth full of burger. "that could work. We could sleep in the van for a couple of nights and maybe get their earlier."
"We have to get away from the robots." Cordelia began to mutter. "The weapon wants us gone and the robots are to make it so."
Jono looked over at the young woman. *It's okay, Cordelia. We're getting away.*
In the back of the van, Kurt coughed. He looked down at his blue, fuzzy, hand, just thinking he'd find some bread or meat sticking to his fur. That wasn't so. There was no bread of meat on his fur, there was however, some tiny yellow things. He looked at Penny, who was watching him intensely and made a shushing noise. Then he remembered that Penance wouldn't make any noise. Kurt blushed a little and rubbed the yellow things onto the inside of his robe.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 14th, 2002
5:16 p.m.
Kitty, dressed in her jogging pants and her favorite black tee, quietly closed her bedroom door behind her. The door made a small sound and Kitty cringed. Must everything be so damn loud? She began to sneak down the hallway, must too embarrassed to see any of the others. She couldn't remember much about the night before, but what she could remember wasn't to flattering.
She turned the corner to go down the stairs and literally ran into Logan. Kitty was bounced back an inch or so. She put a small hand on her forehead and cringed again. "Could you keep it down?" Kitty whispered.
Logan smirked. "You got a hangover, don't you?"
Kitty rolled her eyes and regretted doing so a minute later. "You know I do."
He looked at her a little pitifully. He reached out and took her right wrist. "Come on, half-pint." Kitty had no choice but to follow.
Ten minutes later, Kitty sat at the kitchen table, a bottle of aspirin in front of her and a special hangover shake from Logan on the way. He finished pouring the green liquid into a cup and walked it over to the table. Logan put the drink down and took the seat across from Kitty.
"You often go underage drinking?" Logan asked with only half interest.
Kitty opened the aspirin bottle and took out a couple of the little white pills. She popped them into her mouth and swallowed. "No." Kitty admitted. "This time and five times before. Mr. L says I'm rebelling and acting out my emotions through self-destructive behavior."
"Little girl like you shouldn't be so self-destructive." Logan told her. He didn't know why, but he found himself nearly caring about Kitty. She really reminded him of something or someone that he had lost long ago and he liked that, liked that a lot.
"I'm sixteen." Kitty said quickly. "I'm not a little girl, I'm a young adult." She took a small sip of the drink and made a face. "That's gross!" She spit some of the liquid onto the table. "Way gross."
"Yeah," Logan nodded. "but it cures hangovers, so drink it."
She eyed him carefully. He really didn't seem the type to worry about people he hardly knew. "Why do you care what I do?" She questioned him.
Logan shrugged. "Don' know, darlin'. I just seem to find myself carin'."
Kitty made a face. "Darlin'?" She held back a small laugh. "I like half- pint better."
Logan nodded. "Half-pint it is." She smiled shyly at him and he found himself returning the small smile.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 14th, 2002
7:48 p.m.
Pietro entered Rogue's room, a tray of supper in one hand. He found Rogue sitting in a large chair at a desk. Her hangover was better but she still felt bad.
"Ah'll never drink again." Rogue muttered. "Never."
Pietro put the tray of food on the desk. "You'll-go-out-with-Remy-and-Kitty- again?"
"Yes, to both." Rogue turned her chair to face her best friend. "Ya goin' see Paige again?"
"Of-course." Pietro smiled happily. "I-really-like-her-Strips." Pietro paused for a second and grew serious. "I-was-right. Erik-is-my-father." Rogue's face turned to shock. "Yeah,-I-felt-the-same. Erik-Lehnsherr,- teacher-of-the-X-Men-is-my-father. My-father-is-still-alive." His father grew softer. "I-wonder-if-my-other-two-sisters-are-as-well."
"You'll have to tell Wanda." Rogue gently reminded him.
Pietro nodded. "I-know,-I-just-have-no-idea-what-to-tell-her. I'll-really- have-to-think-about-it."
"You'll also have to think about talking to your father again." Rogue said. Pietro made a face. "Come on, some people would kill to remember who their parents are, to meet them. You have that chance, don't blow it. Ask him what happened twenty years ago, you'll feel better." Pietro smiled a little. "I-promise-I'll-talk-to-him. I-just-have-to-figure- out-what-to-say."
Rogue nodded a little. "You'll think of something, you are the smart one."
Northern Canada Weapon X Base Sept. 15th, 2002
6:15 a.m.
Emma Frost entered the office of Trask and sat in one of the chairs opposite his desk. She was dressed in one of her white business suits, her blond hair piled onto the top of her head. Trask looked up from his paper work and gave Emma a small smile.
"Emma, how good to see you. How is the good doctor?"
Emma returned the small and very fake smile. "The good doctor is fine, as always." Emma leaned back in her chair. "The good doctor has a list of things he wants done before March. His top three are, of course, to have all of the lesser ones killed, the Mutant Act passed, and the experiment results on the virus. He wants these results, Mr. Trask and if you, your men, and your little Sentials can't do it, he'll just get someone else."
Trask leaned back in his own chair. "It's already begun, Emma. You tell the doctor that 87% of the lesser ones are dead, that the Mutant Act will be passed, and that we've infected over fifty mutants. Everything is going as planned. Everyone of our people and investors agree that we are ahead of schedule." He leaned forward and looked at her sternly. "And when this is over, I want my four mutants brought back to me-intact."
Emma smiled at him sweetly. "Mr. Trask, there are no gaieties in life." She stood and began to walk to the door. "But, I shall see what I can do." Emma opened the door and began to walk out.
"Emma?" Trask called after her. Emma turned slowly to look back at him. "You have a younger sister, correct? I believe her name is Cordelia and I also believe she went insane and then missing a few years ago?" Emma's blue eyes stared at him. "I believe my men found her in California. A Morlock, living in the tunnels like an animal." He smirked. "Living like a dirty, insane animal, with all those secrets about you and your involvement with us locked inside that pretty little head of hers."
Emma nodded thankfully and turned to leave. "There are no gaieties in life. My family, the Hellfire Club, and myself really thought she was dead. How wrong of us. I suppose I'll just have to find the little lost lamb before she's found my someone like our dear Mr. Lehnsherr." Emma closed the office door behind her.
Trask sat at his desk and stared at his door a moment. He really felt pity for the youngest Frost, because he knew that when Emma found the young girl she would be dead or she'd end up wishing she were.
The End
To answer some questions that were emailed to me:
Duo and Hall do not appear in the comics. Hall is actually a mix between a few of the comic characters who had(s) similar powers. Duo, who has been seen to have some kind of telepathic power, a healing factor, and as someone said 'blow herself (things) up', is a large mix of certain characters with a twist that we will see soon.
Yes, Victor married Raven. Which means that no, she isn't Kurt's mother as for Rogue.no, she's not her foster mother here.
Are Remy and Duo a couple? Will Remy and Rogue get together?: These answers will be coming soon, but you get a big hint this chapter, okay?
Are Scott and Jean really getting back together? She just doesn't seem right for him and isn't it illegal now? Scott should get with Kitty. : As someone once said, nothing is ever certain. But yes, Scott and Jean are back together.for now.
Okay, I think that's enough answers for one chapter. Thanks so much to my hand full of reviewers and the one faithful fan who emails reviews after every chapter. You guys know who you are. ( Oh yeah, I don't own anyone in this story, not really anyway.
Chapter Nine
Entropy
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children
Sept. 13th, 2002
2:09 a.m.
In the early morning hours, the kitchen in the Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children seemed warm and inviting. The light from the moon cast shadows up and down the floor. The man called Logan sat at the kitchen table, smoking a cigar. Hall and Duo were asleep upstairs. Remy was with Rogue, again. He was spending a lot of time with her. Logan wanted to put a stop to it, but he knew it would only drive Remy away, and even though Logan would never say it, Remy was needed by himself and the others.
There was a small noise as someone opened the kitchen door. Logan looked up to see the youngest X-Men sneak into the kitchen. He remembered that her named was Kitty Pryde and that Remy had told him she was goth. Only, she didn't look very goth. Sure, all thirteen of her piercing were in but she was dressed in a cute skirt, top, and shoes. She noticed him and jumped a little.
"Sorry," she blushed a little. "I didn't know anyone was here."
"Kitty, right?" He asked without looking up from his cigar.
"Yeah." she moved deeper into the kitchen. "What are you doing down here?"
"Just had to get outta the room. What about you, half-pint?"
Kitty smiled at the nickname. "Just had to get out of the house." She pulled a chair out from under the kitchen table and took a seat. "So, you do know that cigar's going to kill you, right?" The small Canadian glared at her. Kitty clicked her tongue. "Sorry I asked."
Logan examined his cigar a moment before putting it out in his hand. Kitty cringed at the site. He just grinned and showed her his already healing palm. "Healing factor." He explained. There was a pause before he asked her. "Where are you going?"
"Club, to grab breakfast." Kitty answered with a shrug. "Haven't figured it out yet."
He nodded. He wasn't sure why, but he liked this kid. In a way she reminded him of someone that he couldn't seem to remember. He liked that she reminded him of someone. "Do me a favor, kid? Try and have fun."
The mutant girl nodded. It seemed to her that his favor meant more then she knew and much more then what he was saying. "I'll try." Kitty got up and started toward the backdoor of the mansion. "Feel better, Logan."
"Kitty," Logan called after her. She half turned around. "tell Remy to not stay out to early." Kitty smiled at him before turning and opening the door. She seemed to whisper 'bye' as she left the mansion.
Outside, two people waited for Kitty. One was a male of twenty-one and the other was a female of seventeen. The male was dressed in tight black pants that hugged him in all the right places and a tight black shirt. Over his outfit was a long black duster. The female thought he looked like someone out of 'The Matrix', but she wasn't about to tell him that. The female wore a short red dress, a small see-through red jacket and red shoes.
"Hey," Kitty said as she jogged over to them. "sorry I'm late. I ran into Logan." She winked at the male. "He says you shouldn't stay out to early."
Remy laughed a little. "I'm old enough t' stay out early."
"Besides, we owe you a drink." Rogue spoke up.
"So let's go get that drink." Kitty reached into her shirt and pulled out a set of keys. "I borrowed Jean's keys to her SUV."
The threesome began to walk to the car. "You're learning from me already." Remy told Kitty.
Westchester, New York
The Airport Sept. 13th, 2002
7:15 a.m.
Erik Lehnsherr anxiously checked his watch for the third time in ten minutes. He stood outside of a gate, waiting for the plane carrying Jean, Paige, and Pietro. He hoped there had been no problems back in D.C. he really didn't want the girls to stay away any longer then they had and he really wanted to talk to Pietro. An announcement came over the intercom, saying that the plane the children were on was now arriving. Erik moved a little closer to the gate.
Jean, Paige, and Pietro were the last three out of the plane. Jean came out first, Erik spotted her right away. The nineteen year old was dressed in her favorite gray, kaki skirt and its matching white top; Jean, Erik mused that she looked like an ad for the Gap. Paige and Pietro came next. Paige was in her usual outfit, jeans and a sweater. Pietro was wearing, oddly enough, a dressy outfit of khakis and a black dress shirt. Erik noticed that Paige and Pietro were holding hands.
"Mr. Lehnsherr," Jean called. She waved to him as they walked over. "it's good to see you."
"It's wonderful to see all three of you." Erik replied with a small smile.
"It doesn't look that way." Paige said. She bounced a bit to stand by Erik, her hand still firmly in Pietro's. "Is somethin' wrong? Is this about Miss. Frost?"
Erik could have smiled, of course Paige would see through his falseness. Paige had a way of reading people, of knowing if they were lying or not. It had nothing to do with her powers; it was just the type of person she was. "Yes, it has to do with Emma and the Mutant Act." He began walking and the others followed him. "Last night, I received a call from our missing Miss. Frost." He paused a moment. "She told me that it looks like the Mutant Act will be passed. I'm afraid we might have failed in that area."
"Shit." Jean cursed softly and for the first time since Erik had known her. "I can't believe we may have lost that fight."
The older man patted Jean's shoulder. "It's all right, Jean. We have not yet been defeated."
"We'll-make-it-through," Pietro spoke for the first time since getting off the plane. "I-know-we- will." Pietro moved a little so he could stand closer to Erik. "Do-you-think-there-are-a-couple-of -temporary-spots-open- on-your-team? I-think-Rogue-and-I-could-take-some-time-off- to-deal-with the-Mutant-Act-and-those-Sential-things." Pietro looked down at Paige who grinned happily. She really wanted him to stay.
Erik looked over at the young speed demon. "My dear boy, you and Rogue are more then welcome to stay at my school. You two may stay as long as you like."
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children
Sept. 13th, 2002
8:05 a.m.
Jean nervously rubbed the palms of her hands over her skirt. She had been home for twenty minutes and had been standing outside of Scott Summers' door for ten minutes. She really wanted to knock, go in, and then show him how much she had missed him. But, she couldn't do it. Jean just couldn't bring herself to throw it all away and just do whatever she wanted. There were rules and boarders. Even if she and Scott were 'back together', it didn't mean they were 'back together'. She silently damned herself for always wanting to be so perfect. She thought she should be perfect, so she acted perfect, and then became perfect. Jean silently damned herself for that to. Why couldn't she just knock on the door and through it all into the wind? Why couldn't she just...
The door to the room opened and Scott looked out at her. And he looked good, all shaggy and guffy. Scott needed to shave and his hair was blue now. His baggy jeans were slowly following down his thighs and his AC/DC shirt really needed to be ironed. He pushed his sunglasses farther up his nose. "Hey," he moved deeper into the room. "come on in."
Jean walked into her stepbrother/former boyfriend's room and wished she hadn't. It smelt like weed. She put a hand under her nose for a moment. The telepath watched as Scott walked over and sat on his bed. Jean decided to stay standing.
"How are you?" Scott asked her. He was going through some CDs that had somehow ended up all over his bed and he didn't seem to be really that interested in what Jean had to say. "Good plane ride?"
Jean gulped. She was going to do it. She had done it twice eight months ago, and she was going to do it again. "Can we skip this?" Scott looked up at her, a questioning look on his classic face. Without answering his wordless question, Jean walked over to Scott's bed. She stood in front of him a moment, her green eyes staring into his sunglasses. "Can we just pretend nothing ever changed?" She sat down on his lap. "Please?" Jean leaned into his face and slowly kissed his lips. They tasted like a strange mix of weed and peppermint.
Scott slipped his tongue into Jean's mouth. His arms went around her waist and he pulled her deeper into him. And for once Jean didn't feel so perfect.
Outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Unknown Sept. 13th, 2002
8:15 a.m.
The Morlocks, formly of Los Angeles and currently of nowhere, climbed out of their new (and stolen) van. Jono, who had been driving, stopped the van by the side of the road. They had been using it long enough and knew it was time to leave it. It had been good to them over the last day, but they didn't want to risk getting caught with it.
They began walking down the street. Kurt and Penny were covered, so they could be okay if a car pasted by them. The plan was simple; they'd find a sewer cover and spend the day below ground. They'd rest until that night and start traveling again.
*So, you got any idea where we're going?* Jono asked Kurt.
Kurt's covered head nodded. "I was thinking Boston." Cordelia looked back at Kurt, her eyes wide and feral. Something flashed in her big eyes and she whimpered. "Right, nevermind. I forgot, Cordelia." He moved toward her, but Cordelia went behind Penny for protection. Kurt smiled sadly. "Sorry."
*Yeah, Cordelia's not to keen on the 'B' word.* Jono reminded them. *Maybe we should think about New York?*
"Morlock killings." Kurt reminded him.
*Nevermind, then.*
Cordelia, who had been whispering in Penny's ears, suddenly stood up and straighter then normal. "Penny says we should go to Maine, by way of New York." Cordelia paused and looked back at Penance. "And that she wants an apple."
The two men exchanged a look. Jono shrugged, deciding to let Kurt make the call.
"Maine by New York it is." Kurt told the group. "Come on, we should get below." They started walking again, ready for some rest.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children
Sept. 13th, 2002
10:45 a.m.
In the rec room, Paige and Pietro hung out like regualer people. It was a normal thing for a seventeen year old and a twenty-one year old to sit together and watch silly soaps with bad plots, so Paige wanted them to do that. With all that had happened in such a short time, Paige wanted to do something normal and she found herself wanting to do that something with Pietro.
A commerical came on and Pietro looked over at Paige. "I'm-worried-about- Rogue, she's like-a-sister-to-me-and-I-worry-when-she-disappears-like- this."
Paige nodded. "Kitty isn't around either. They might be together." She paused and looked over at the television and then back to Pietro. "A lot had changed in such a short time, hasn't it? In less then two weeks so much is different."
Pietro nodded. "It's-strange-but-it-fits." He leaned closer to Paige, finding himself wanting to kiss the Southern girl. Paige closed her eyes and.
"Pietro? Could I speak with you please?" Erik's voice came over the intercom system.
Pietro pulled back and groaned. So close. He got up and started toward the door. A second later he was back in front of Paige, who was just opening her eyes. Pietro grinned and quickly kissed her on the lips. "Be right back, Paige." He grinned happily and left the room, leaving a very happy Paige to wait for him.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Erik's Office
Sept. 13th, 2002
10:50 a.m.
Erik and Pietro sat in Erik's office. There was an uncomfortable silence between them. Pietro had just assumed that Erik had wanted to talk about he and Rogue staying at the school, but he had been wrong. Erik had told the young man that he wanted to talk to him about something else and then he had pointly shut up. That had been four minutes ago.
"Tell me about yourself." Erik finally spoke.
"Not-much-to-tell." Pietro replied. "I-was-born-in-Europe-along-with-my- twin-sister-, Wanda. We-were-orphaned-at-a-young-age-and-raised-by-our- mother's-mother-in-a-small-town. Emma-found-me-when-I-was-working-in-the- facturay. I'm-a-very-normal-guy."
Erik nodded. His son had had a good life. "What about Wanda?"
"She's-still-in-Europe. I-send-her-and-grandmother-money-when-I-can. She's- in-school-right-now,-pre-law."
Erik felt himself beem. His girl had made good. "What about your parents?"
Pietro shrugged. "I-grew-up-thinking-they-and-my-two-older-sisters-had-been- killed-in-a-booming. They-must-have-thought-the-same." He got up and stared coldly into a shocked and confused Erik's face. "Until-now. Is-that-all? I- was-planning-to-take-Paige-out-today. Is-that-cool,-Dad?" Pietro leave the room.
It was then that Erik knew the truth, Pietro knew and had known for sometime, that he was his father. That may have been a deciding factor in Pietro joining Emma; the small chance that he could meet Erik and confront him. Erik cursed under his breath, he had just blown it, hadn't he? He wished his wife was still alive, she would have known what to do.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
12:16 p.m.
Five hour make-out sessions had never been so good or hot. Jean, in nothing but her underwear, straddled Scott's lap. She hurriedly took off his shirt, careful not to take his sunglasses off with the shirt. She didn't want a hole through her chest. The telepath leaned down and started to kiss his neck.
"I've missed you, Scotty." Jean whispered in his ear. "This feels so right."
Scott just moaned as a replied as he began to unhook Jean's bra. He pressed her closer to him and they fell onto Scott's bed. His hand trailed down her thigh and began to slip her panties off her.
Jean suddenly put her hand on his, stopping him. She looked down at him, her red hair falling all over her face. "It's been a while and a lot has changed. You sure about this?"
Scott didn't answer her, he just pulled her panties down all the way. Jean giggled softly ad unzipped his pants with her powers. Scott smiled and looked down at the unzipping pants. "Oh yeah, I've missed this."
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
2:36 p.m.
In the "Weapon X" room, things were going a little differently. Since showing up at the school, the crew had pretty much kept to themselves. In fact, Remy had been the only one to really talk to anyone. The girls mostly stayed in the room and Logan mostly glared at the students and their teacher. After all, he didn't plan to stay long. Just until Duo got a little better.
Hall stood to the right of the mirror in the room. Since the whole thing at Victor Creed's, she had been afraid to go in front of mirrors, so she stayed to the side. She was content to just watch Duo brush her ever longing hair. Hall watched Duo brush her chestnut colored hair, over and over.
"I miss those damn streaks!" Duo suddenly announced. It was so strange, because for the last year or so she had been wanting them out. And when they were finally out, she wanted them back. Figured.
"I miss the soup." Hall commented. They had really good soup at Weapon X.
Duo thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, they had good soup. Really good soup on Tuesdays." Hall chewed the inside of her mouth a minute before nodding in agreement.
"Where's Remy?" Both girls looked to the door, where Logan was. He was carrying a small tray of food and didn't look very happy. "He should be back by now."
Hall shrugged and giggled. "He ain't walking his little Remy that's for damn sure." Logan would have given Hall a look, if he weren't used to her.
"The damn Cajun's been gone over twelve hours." Logan put the tray down on the large chair.
"He'll be back." Duo stated. "I have his playing cards."
"You can buy playing cards anywhere." Hall reminded Duo.
Duo put her brush down and sighed. "Then, I suppose there's only one thing to do: we'll just have to put an ad out for a new Southern bad boy." Hall began to laugh. Duo rushed over to the bed. "I'll get the paper to start looking."
Logan watched from the side of the chair and couldn't help but smile. "You are two crazy little girls."
"No," Hall spoke up. "I'm crazy and Duo is clearly repressing her emotions through humor."
"Yeah well, you two girls better get ready. We're leaving on the twenty- fifth." It would give him enough time to get fake records and ids, as well as leads on a cure for Duo.
The girls had no objections with that. They gathered round the chair and began to eat their lunch.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
3:30 p.m.
Paige stood at the front entrance of the Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children, nervously awaiting Pietro. They were going on their first real live date that afternoon and Paige just couldn't help feeling like she was about to pass out. She smoothed out her sundress for the third time in the last ten minutes and looked toward the stairs.
Pietro came walking down the stairs and then was next to Paige. "Hey-pretty- lady." He smiled. "You-ready-for-the-classic-lunch-and-a-show?"
"Yeah," Paige nodded. "what are we going to see?"
"Nothing-romantic. I-could-never-compete-with-those-movie-guys. Maybe- horror. I'd-love-for-you-to-jump-on-me." Paige giggled and lightly hit him on the arm. That had been a little sexual and she found herself blushing. "Too-much?" Paige nodded. "Forgive-me?" Paige nodded again. "Good-great,- let's hit-it." Pietro took Paige's hand and began to lead her to the door.
"Pietro, Paige!" The duo stopped in their tracks as Erik's voice came from behind them. Pietro whirled around and glared at Erik. "Pietro, I'd rather like to speak with you, please." Erik's face was full of hope. "Please, son."
Pietro shook his head in disbelief. How could Erik even think of calling him that word? "No." Pietro shook his head again. "No-,old-man." Pietro whirled back around, regrabbing Paige's hand and headed out the door.
Erik stood there, looking after them. He had blown it, hadn't he? He had waited too damn long to find his son and too damn long to talk to him. Erik turned to go back to his office just as Logan was coming down the stairs.
"Erik," Logan jogged a little to stand in front of Erik. "I just wanted to tell you that Hall, Duo, and myself will be outta here in about eleven days. I just need to get a few things together. I also wanted to," Logan paused, he had never been good at this sort of thing. "say thanks."
"Oh," Erik really wasn't in the mood for that right now, but he wanted to be nice to this strange man. "it's no problem. Stay as long as you like. But, won't Mr. LeBeau be going with you?" The Cajun was a charmer, but Erik found himself wanting the young man gone. He didn't like the way he was around the girls. Truthfully, Erik wanted Logan and the girls gone as well, they seemed like trouble.
"Remy ain't comin'. Boy's been gone for thirteen hours. He's been with your Kitty and that Rogue girl."
Erik looked confused. He hadn't realized that Kitty and Rogue had been gone that long. "I'm sure you're mistaken, Mr. Logan,"
"Oh, I'm not mistaken. You should just pay more attention to your kids."
The leader of the X-Men looked sternly at the leader of the Weapon X team. "What do you mean? My kids are good children."
Logan laughed. "That's why I smell sex all over the third floor?" With that he turned on his heel and walked back up the stairs. Leaving Erik to stand there and wonder what was happening to his team, his kids.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 13th, 2002
10:59 p.m.
They giggled softly as they bumped against the walls of the third floor. They staggered and had to hold onto each other for support. One of them, the youngest one, shushed the other two in a very loud whisper. All three of them were drunk out of their heads. They laughed and stumbled through the dark hallway. The youngest one reached her door and opened it slowly. The wooden door creaked slightly and she quickly shushed it.
Kitty waved the others forward. "Hurry." She said in a slightly slurred voice.
Just as Rogue and Remy were helping each other into Kitty's room, they heard a noise behind them. The threesome turned around and stared at Scott, who was standing in his doorway, a black sheet around his waist.
Scott stared at them, his face unreadable. "What the hell is going on?" His tone was slightly angry.
Remy chuckled. "You goin' t' a toga partee?" He whispered something into Rogue's ear and she giggled.
"Shush, we're sneakin' in." Rogue whispered to Scott. She leaned close to him, forcing herself to hang on to Remy with one hand.
Kitty giggled loudly. "Black doesn't really work, Summers." She leaned against her doorframe, suddenly finding it hard to stand straight.
Scott kept one hand on his sheets and fixed his sunglasses with his other hand. She couldn't be, could she? "Kit, are you drunk?" He would have gone on, but Jean appeared behind him. She was in nothing but a shirt. This caused giggles and leers from Rogue and Remy.
Kitty was less amused by it. Shock and disappointment crossed over her face. She quickly shook her head. "You had sex?" she whispered. Kitty looked at Remy and Rogue. "Dudes, they had sex. I thought they'd wait a while, but they didn't."
Rogue shook her head. "Young people can't help it." The others just looked at her. Rogue looked down sheepishly. "Sorry, Ah may have absorbed an elderly man last night."
Remy hugged Rogue slightly. He looked at Kitty and shrugged. "You know, young people like these two," he nodded toward Scott and Jean. "are whores."
"I love this man!" Kitty exclaimed. "He's such an asshole."
Jean looked concurred. "I think you three need some rest and coffee."
Remy snickered. "Could I rest wit' you?" Rogue shoved him away a little. Remy grabbed her waist. "You know I love you, baby." He kissed the top of her head and Rogue grinned from ear to ear.
Scott looked back at Jean. "Jean, maybe you could see Rogue to her room?" He looked back at the small group. "Kitty, you should hit the hay. Remy, I'll see you to your room."
Remy's red eyes grew wide. "Scotty, I didn't know ya swung dat way." This comment caused giggles from Kitty and Rogue.
Logan appeared in the hallway. "I'll take him to our room."
Everyone turned to look at him and Remy broke out in a huge grin. "Logan! Hairy, little, Logan!"
Logan walked straight up to Remy and glared at the younger man. "Where the hell have you been?"
Remy looked down at Rogue and then at Kitty. "Sweet Kitty and pure Rogue were jus' showin' me stuff." Scott, Jean, and Logan glared at Remy.
Logan grabbed Remy's arm and moved him away from Rogue. "Just follow me, lover boy." Remy looked back at Rogue and winked before following Logan down the hall.
Rogue sighed happily and bounced off toward her room. Jean exchanged a look with Scott before following the southern girl.
Kitty looked at Scott for a moment before walking all the way into her room. She turned around and looked at Scott. "Good-night, Summers." She closed the door and Scott heard it lock behind her.
Scott stared at her door for a second before going back into his room and closing the door behind him.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 14th, 2002
1:56 p.m.
Remy slowly opened his red eyes and stared into the face of Duo. She was standing on the side of the bed, leaning over him and staring. She'd been watching him for the last two hours and was really starting to doubt that he'd wake up. Logan had taken Hall downstairs for lunch and had left her to watch him.
"Logan told me and Hall about yesterday." Duo told him as she straightened up. "It sounds like you had fun and forgot all about us." she sounded a little sad. "It's okay, we've put an ad out for a new southern bad boy." Duo smiled. "We should be hearing something soon."
Remy reacted with mock hurt. "I jus' wanted t' have a lit'le fun 'fore I died." Duo waved a dismissive hand. "We'll have fun where we're going. Logan says its somewhere in Asia, someplace called Japan. It's not in this country. We leave in a little over a week." A look of seriousness crossed her face. "So you shouldn't get to close to your new lady friends."
Remy sat up in his bed and looked at Duo. "I don' wan' t' leave de country. I l'ke America and I l'ke my new lady friends." He looked down at his sheets for a moment before looking back up at Duo. "And I really could really l'ke Rogue. I t'ink I'd date h're."
She raised a scarred eyebrow. "You'd leave us, me, for a girl you've known for less then two days?"
Remy held his ground. "I jus' wan' t' have a normal life."
"Even if it means leavin' us?" Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes and she sniffed them back.
"I jus' wan' a normal life." Remy repeated, this time a little harsher then he would have liked.
"I understand." Duo smiled sadly before turning and leaving Remy alone in the dark room.
Dallas, Texas
Sept. 14th, 2002
2:56 p.m.
The Morlocks were heading east. They had 'borrowed' another van and a license plate from a van in a junk yard. Kurt and Penny sat in the back, while Cordelia sat in the front and Jono drove. Cordelia tossed a bag of burgers to the back of the van; Kurt caught the bag with ease and took a burger out of the bag.
*I think we could make it to Tenn. on the 16th or so.*
"Yeah," Kurt answered with his mouth full of burger. "that could work. We could sleep in the van for a couple of nights and maybe get their earlier."
"We have to get away from the robots." Cordelia began to mutter. "The weapon wants us gone and the robots are to make it so."
Jono looked over at the young woman. *It's okay, Cordelia. We're getting away.*
In the back of the van, Kurt coughed. He looked down at his blue, fuzzy, hand, just thinking he'd find some bread or meat sticking to his fur. That wasn't so. There was no bread of meat on his fur, there was however, some tiny yellow things. He looked at Penny, who was watching him intensely and made a shushing noise. Then he remembered that Penance wouldn't make any noise. Kurt blushed a little and rubbed the yellow things onto the inside of his robe.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 14th, 2002
5:16 p.m.
Kitty, dressed in her jogging pants and her favorite black tee, quietly closed her bedroom door behind her. The door made a small sound and Kitty cringed. Must everything be so damn loud? She began to sneak down the hallway, must too embarrassed to see any of the others. She couldn't remember much about the night before, but what she could remember wasn't to flattering.
She turned the corner to go down the stairs and literally ran into Logan. Kitty was bounced back an inch or so. She put a small hand on her forehead and cringed again. "Could you keep it down?" Kitty whispered.
Logan smirked. "You got a hangover, don't you?"
Kitty rolled her eyes and regretted doing so a minute later. "You know I do."
He looked at her a little pitifully. He reached out and took her right wrist. "Come on, half-pint." Kitty had no choice but to follow.
Ten minutes later, Kitty sat at the kitchen table, a bottle of aspirin in front of her and a special hangover shake from Logan on the way. He finished pouring the green liquid into a cup and walked it over to the table. Logan put the drink down and took the seat across from Kitty.
"You often go underage drinking?" Logan asked with only half interest.
Kitty opened the aspirin bottle and took out a couple of the little white pills. She popped them into her mouth and swallowed. "No." Kitty admitted. "This time and five times before. Mr. L says I'm rebelling and acting out my emotions through self-destructive behavior."
"Little girl like you shouldn't be so self-destructive." Logan told her. He didn't know why, but he found himself nearly caring about Kitty. She really reminded him of something or someone that he had lost long ago and he liked that, liked that a lot.
"I'm sixteen." Kitty said quickly. "I'm not a little girl, I'm a young adult." She took a small sip of the drink and made a face. "That's gross!" She spit some of the liquid onto the table. "Way gross."
"Yeah," Logan nodded. "but it cures hangovers, so drink it."
She eyed him carefully. He really didn't seem the type to worry about people he hardly knew. "Why do you care what I do?" She questioned him.
Logan shrugged. "Don' know, darlin'. I just seem to find myself carin'."
Kitty made a face. "Darlin'?" She held back a small laugh. "I like half- pint better."
Logan nodded. "Half-pint it is." She smiled shyly at him and he found himself returning the small smile.
Westchester, New York
Lehnsherr School for Gifted Children Sept. 14th, 2002
7:48 p.m.
Pietro entered Rogue's room, a tray of supper in one hand. He found Rogue sitting in a large chair at a desk. Her hangover was better but she still felt bad.
"Ah'll never drink again." Rogue muttered. "Never."
Pietro put the tray of food on the desk. "You'll-go-out-with-Remy-and-Kitty- again?"
"Yes, to both." Rogue turned her chair to face her best friend. "Ya goin' see Paige again?"
"Of-course." Pietro smiled happily. "I-really-like-her-Strips." Pietro paused for a second and grew serious. "I-was-right. Erik-is-my-father." Rogue's face turned to shock. "Yeah,-I-felt-the-same. Erik-Lehnsherr,- teacher-of-the-X-Men-is-my-father. My-father-is-still-alive." His father grew softer. "I-wonder-if-my-other-two-sisters-are-as-well."
"You'll have to tell Wanda." Rogue gently reminded him.
Pietro nodded. "I-know,-I-just-have-no-idea-what-to-tell-her. I'll-really- have-to-think-about-it."
"You'll also have to think about talking to your father again." Rogue said. Pietro made a face. "Come on, some people would kill to remember who their parents are, to meet them. You have that chance, don't blow it. Ask him what happened twenty years ago, you'll feel better." Pietro smiled a little. "I-promise-I'll-talk-to-him. I-just-have-to-figure- out-what-to-say."
Rogue nodded a little. "You'll think of something, you are the smart one."
Northern Canada Weapon X Base Sept. 15th, 2002
6:15 a.m.
Emma Frost entered the office of Trask and sat in one of the chairs opposite his desk. She was dressed in one of her white business suits, her blond hair piled onto the top of her head. Trask looked up from his paper work and gave Emma a small smile.
"Emma, how good to see you. How is the good doctor?"
Emma returned the small and very fake smile. "The good doctor is fine, as always." Emma leaned back in her chair. "The good doctor has a list of things he wants done before March. His top three are, of course, to have all of the lesser ones killed, the Mutant Act passed, and the experiment results on the virus. He wants these results, Mr. Trask and if you, your men, and your little Sentials can't do it, he'll just get someone else."
Trask leaned back in his own chair. "It's already begun, Emma. You tell the doctor that 87% of the lesser ones are dead, that the Mutant Act will be passed, and that we've infected over fifty mutants. Everything is going as planned. Everyone of our people and investors agree that we are ahead of schedule." He leaned forward and looked at her sternly. "And when this is over, I want my four mutants brought back to me-intact."
Emma smiled at him sweetly. "Mr. Trask, there are no gaieties in life." She stood and began to walk to the door. "But, I shall see what I can do." Emma opened the door and began to walk out.
"Emma?" Trask called after her. Emma turned slowly to look back at him. "You have a younger sister, correct? I believe her name is Cordelia and I also believe she went insane and then missing a few years ago?" Emma's blue eyes stared at him. "I believe my men found her in California. A Morlock, living in the tunnels like an animal." He smirked. "Living like a dirty, insane animal, with all those secrets about you and your involvement with us locked inside that pretty little head of hers."
Emma nodded thankfully and turned to leave. "There are no gaieties in life. My family, the Hellfire Club, and myself really thought she was dead. How wrong of us. I suppose I'll just have to find the little lost lamb before she's found my someone like our dear Mr. Lehnsherr." Emma closed the office door behind her.
Trask sat at his desk and stared at his door a moment. He really felt pity for the youngest Frost, because he knew that when Emma found the young girl she would be dead or she'd end up wishing she were.
The End
