DISCLAIMER: I do not own the X-MEN or their characters, they belong to Marvel and all their respective owners. Unfortunately, I am making no profit from these works of fiction. Entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement intended whatsoever.

A/N: Thank you very much to everyone who has been reading and reviewing! I appreciate it greatly, it is very encouraging. My goal is to update once a week. I will try my best to stick to that, of course things come up & I have been more preoccupied lately, but I'll try to manage a chapter a week. *Crosses fingers* Not much to this chapter, you've gotta have a few that just simply progress the plot. This, unfortunately, is one of those, sorry :D I am, however, excited about some juicy upcoming chapters so keep a look out for those *winks* Enjoy, Ashra

NOTES: Italics indicate thought

- 10 -

Ororo was sitting at her desk, the papers she was supposed to be looking over were left forgotten while she sat deep in thought. Her flawless, long legs were crossed as she sat, gazing out her office window where the afternoon sun was shining brightly, absently clicking her pin.

*Click-click. Click-click. Click-click. Click-click.*

She never noticed. All her thoughts were on the gentleman that had left her office a few hours ago, she could still smell the scent of cloves and cigarettes in her office, the scent he himself had brought in. It stilled lingered in the air, to her delight. She breathed it in deeply. Savored it.

What a fascinating gentleman he was, she thought as she stared and continued clicking. She replayed their consult over and over, finding new things each time that made her heart flutter, just a bit. Like that accent of his, Definitely not an English teacher, she thought humorously, remembering the way he spoke of himself in the third person. The corners of her mouth formed a small smile as she thought of his look and demeanor. So darkly handsome and mysterious, with a pearly smile to die for. She sat up straighter in her chair, absently looking down at her unfinished work, visions of rakish auburn hair, dark hypnotizing eyes, and succulent lips dancing in her head. It was only when her door creaked open slightly and she heard someone calling her name, was she pulled from her dream-like state,

"Ororo?"

"Hm?" she answered distractedly, still not facing the speaker.

"Are you going to have lunch with Dr. McCoy and I?" Nathan asked, slightly concerned.

"Oh!"

She glanced at her wristwatch in surprised shock. "Dear Lord!" she laughed lightly, "I am so very sorry Dr. Dayspring. I - I must have been daydreaming."

He stepped further into her office, a smile on his face, "Its alright Ororo, I knocked four times, I didn't want to come in uninvited, but when you didn't respond --"

"No, no, its fine," Ororo interrupted, "it is a good thing you did. Who knows how long I would have been sitting here."

"I couldn't allow that now, could I Ororo, you have to accompany me to lunch, remember?"

She smiled, "It would be my pleasure, Nathan." She said his name emphasizing it, acknowledging his request for her to call him by his first, less formal, name.

"Will Dr. McCoy be joining us?" she asked while gathering her things.

"I'm not sure," Nathan said, watching her close the door to her office, "he was on the phone with his wife when I went to see if he was still going. He knows the spot, if he is coming he will know where we are."

"How are things going for you at Valhalla Ororo? Is it meeting all your expectations?" Nathan asked while they sat on the patio of the restaurant where they dined.

It was a beautiful day in New Orleans, perfect for lunching outside.

"Almost to the point where it is too good to be true," she said, looking down at her plate, "With it being my first time employed as a psychiatrist, I have to admit, I was anxious. I know the Summers' very well, and I was encouraged that the facility was owned by them, but certainly you could understand that I had my worries still. I was very nervous, coming in with other, more, experienced doctors."

He nodded in agreement, "I do. I was a rookie once," he said smiling.

She smiled in return, "You, Dr. McCoy, and the Summers' have made being a rookie much easier for me."

"Well your reputation proceeds you Ororo. Emma has told us all about your excellence at John Hopkins, and your, what was it again? Graduating magna cum laude at that?!"

"My classes were easy," Ororo joked humbly.

"Beautiful and humble," Nathan said softly. Ororo said nothing at his compliment, just smiled uncomfortably. She took a sip of her lemon water that was now lukewarm.

"Emma also told me your not completely alone down here," he continued, "she mentioned you have a friend who lives close by?"

"Yes. That is partially correct," Ororo said, glad for the change in topic, "My good friend Forge. He lives in Baton Rouge, where he works as a weapons contractor."

"And by friend do you mean. . . boyfriend?"

"Yes."

"Ahhh. . . I knew you had to have one somewhere around," Nathan said, nodding his head slowly. He stayed silent, slightly bristling at her answer, also hoping she would further enlighten him about this "Forge" when Dr. McCoy walked up, joining them.

"Dr. McCoy!" Ororo said, standing up to give him a brief hug. "Glad you could join us!"

"So am I Ororo. Sorry I'm late," he apologized," I am practically famished ." He smiled at them both.

"I came to ask you if you were still going, but you were on the phone with Cecilia," Nathan explained.

"No worries, my friend. I understand."

Ororo was mostly quiet the rest of lunch, a bit ashamed at Nathan's mention of Forge. She had gotten back together with him three weeks before her move to New Orleans, yet for some odd reason she had been hopelessly intrigued by the Mr. LeBeau who had came into her office earlier that day. It was that fact that had made her feel a hint of shame. If she was going to be this man's psychiatrist, she knew she had better get her act together when she was around him. She'd never had to deal with something like. . . this. . . before.

At the end of lunch, Nathan agreed to pay for everyone's meal, even at the discouragement of Hank and Ororo. She drove her own car back to the office, opting not to ride with Nathan on the way to lunch, much to his disappointment. She drove slowly behind the vehicles of Nathan and Dr. McCoy, she still had trouble finding her way around downtown New Orleans, especially during the lunch rush. Her mind returned to her work, she still had two patients to see before the day was over.