Chapter 10 is up and going; thanks for all the positive reviews! Made my day they really did but a SPECIAL thank you goes to the person who posted my favourite review and this chapter is dedicated to YOU: mazdamiatta: THANK YOU! Five reviews and up goes next chapter lol!

Also, we find out another person who goes to this friendly school; the one who wants Warren and is causing all the trouble for Betsy…(she's as cold as ice…if that's a hint)

Key:

"…" Speech

'…' Thoughts

(…) Extra information

Songs are in bold

Emphasised words are in italic

If this – is put after words it means an interruption

Chapter 10

VvV Awakening VvV

Maximoff Household, Sunday; 11:00am

Wanda stepped into her bathroom, clutching her head with one hand and her stomach with the other. The world was spinning but there was nothing to do about it, so the girl simply downed an aspirin or two and looked in the mirror, splashing water onto her face whilst rubbing the remnants of her makeup off. Memories gradually flooded back and Wanda frowned, freezing in movement as water dripped down her chin.

"…Where ya live… just a hostel…"

Resounding around her head the memory caused Wanda to groan; John wasn't going to be happy when she saw him on Monday…but there was nothing to do about it now. And so she simply towelled her face dry and got back into bed.

Betsy's room

Groggy. The only word to describe the world. Sick. The only word to describe the taste that still lingered in her mouth, and yet Betsy didn't care; she lay on her side as if dead, eyes shut, apparently sleeping for all that the world could care.

Yet one guy did care. Loyally staying beside her bed, Warren Worthington sat and waited, anticipating the roll of abuse that would most likely emanate from the Gothic girl's mouth when she finally awakened. He had waited most of the morning; being more sparing with his drink and therefore rising earlier to be by Betsy's side. Although the fuss downstairs made him want to stay down there longer, because the smell of bacon and eggs was still rising up the stairs to him, proving that if Rogue made a threat – unlike Remy predicted – she'd go through with it. And by the sound of the toilet door slamming shut every five minutes, it looked like not everyone appreciated the morning gesture.

Stumbling sounded from just past the door and Pietro Maximoff appeared, holding tightly to the frame in an attempt to stay standing. "Wassa smell…?" drunkenly he questioned.

"The smell?" at Pietro's attempt at a nod, Warren shook his head in pitying amusement, "Rogue thought the idea of an English Breakfast would appeal to the many hungover guests currently occupying your house," he replied wittily.

Unknown to the two boys, Betsy smiled in amusement and allowed her eyes to gradually open, taking in Warren's back and her cousin who stood shakily at the door. When Warren stood though her eyes snapped shut and the girl feigned sleep; unable to stand speaking to him after the things she remembered from the night before and simply heard him leave the room, no doubt accompanying Pietro by the drunken stumbling that commenced.

It was common knowledge that after the several hours Pietro had disappeared for; he had reappeared in a foul temper, commanding drinks from his stepsister, who, fed up with the way he was treating her let Pietro have access to all the drink he wanted. Spirits fell prey to the teen and Rogue watched, unpitying and uncaring as he devoured bottles. 'Why not let him suffer?' Was all the girl could say in comment to Betsy's drunken remarks, although Rogue did have to help the boy as Pietro collapsed in a heap upon the kitchen floor; misery consuming him.

And that was all that any saw of him for the rest of the night…not to mention Rogue. Although there were some pretty interesting rumours spreading thanks to Wanda, whom John soon hushed up, just glad Belladonna left the party earlier.

VvVvVvV

Earlier that morning; 3:00am

"Ya fat lump," groaned Rogue, dragging her brother from the kitchen floor and – calling for Warren to take some time off of Betsy – helped him to his room. "Cheers." And Warren took this as a signal and left Rogue to help Pietro into his room, only to stop dead. "Shit Pietro!"

Pieces of vase had been carelessly shoved into one corner of the boy's room, with several pieces noticeably still dangerously in the middle of Pietro's room. Avoiding them took care whilst Rogue dragged the information out of Pietro.

"…An'…an' I…she…I broke it…" sobbing was all he could do and when Rogue attempted to hush Pietro the boy simply wailed decisively. "Y' don' understand…the vase…daddy…he brought it from Venice…"

"Oh. That one," frowning and sighing simultaneously, Rogue looked at the remnants. "What happened?" unable to talk Pietro mimed the action and Rogue grimaced. "She threw it at yahre head? She does know that Eric onlah got ya that cuz he was proud of ya finding a gal that made ya so happy…"

"No…I never told her how I felt…"

"Oh…" Unable to say much more, Rogue frowned thoughtfully. "Come on, ya bettah get ta bed…"

Pietro complied and pulled the covers over his fully-clothed body before closing his eyes gently, "its more than just a broken vase though…Lexa said…it was like what I did with Crystal. It was like that was a heart and the one thing…the thing keeping it together smashed it…right before you. It's beyond repair…"

As she left her stepbrother to sleep, Rogue knew that Pietro's last quote had a deeper meaning.

But her sentimental mood didn't last long when she trod on one of the pieces of vase and fell out of Pietro's room in shock; landing in Remy Lebeau's chest.

Rogue's room, five minutes later

"Quit complaining," murmured the Cajun as he dabbed cotton wool on the wound, wiping the blood away before applying antiseptic. Swift yet gentle were his actions, and the man took more care than Rogue had ever seen in her life as he mopped up the wound, bandaging the deep cut with fingers so rough and callused looking, yet feather soft at touch. A blush slowly crept its way up Rogue's cheeks as she watched his intricate movements, unable to sway her eyes from those deft fingers.

Naturally, Remy noticed. The moment was ruined when he tickled her foot, gaining a shriek in response, "y' ticklish Cherie?"

"Na shit." Rolling her eyes, Rogue looked away, "how'd ya guess."

"Like dis…" and the boy playfully, delicately tickled the soles of Rogue feet whilst she squirmed and pulled away, ending up grasping Remy's hands tightly to stop him.

But then they looked each other in the eye.

In a short, sharp movement, Remy tugged his hands back and thanks to Rogue's tight grip she fell forward with them, letting go to stop her fall, placing both hands on Remy's chest. And with his own hands released, Remy let them creep up Rogue's back to lightly, yet firmly hold her in place. Inquisitively tilting her head was a silly mistake and Rogue found herself captivated in Remy's anchoring gaze.

He leant forward an inch. She attempted to move back a metre but could only pull her head back, exposing the delicious, pale skin of her neck. And Remy kissed the exposed skin, lightly, lifting his head back up to let Rogue look into his smouldering gaze.

Captivated.

The two stayed in the pose for what seemed an age until Remy leant forward, ignoring as Rogue tried to pull back, only pressing his hands more securely and forcefully onto her back.

"What's it gonna be?" neither one anticipated Rogue to reply so she remained in anticipatory silence whilst Remy edged in, taking care not to frighten her away but instead to assure her of his intent. "Cherie…" wistfully the boy sighed onto her open, naturally pouted, scarlet lips before he kissed them.

With pressure he made Rogue respond, and she more than willingly kissed back, gripping Remy's shirt tightly with both hands before slowly removing it as his hands made patterns up and down the girl's spine, finally clasping her buttocks to pull Rogue into his lap. Complying was without a doubt, and Rogue wriggled slightly to make herself comfortable, eliciting a moan from Remy's lips, which he just pressed back against her own with more vigour.

They didn't just kiss that night…

VvVvVvV

Downstairs

The music was still pumping out volumes from the CD player, and it was hectic. People attempted to dance, dangerously swaying all over the place due to the alcohol flooding their systems and several couples had moved to one side away from the attention of other people.

Sighing, Bobby sat with his girlfriend Jubilee who giggled drunkenly, oblivious to the looks being sent between her boyfriend Bobby and Tabitha. Her boyfriend had picked up the brunette a couple of hours earlier with Rahne, who was currently in the kitchen with Betsy. Meanwhile, Jubilee was falling asleep.

However, Bobby was getting distracted by the girl sat on his other side and was quite impressed with the conversation he had going with Lorna Dane. Somebody else was far more attractive to his eyes though and Bobby eyed up Tabitha's chest as it rose and fell in a sigh, due to David lacking an interesting conversation.

Bobby stood and turned to his companion, "'scuse me Lorna," a wink was shared and Lorna giggled drunkenly before being thrown onto the dancefloor by John anyways, whilst Bobby himself headed for the yawning blonde that his eyes couldn't keep off of. "A dance milady?"

"YAY!" exclaimed Tabby, jumping up whilst David looked on wistfully.

Thing weren't looking so good for the boy.

VvVvVvV

Monday, school; lunchtime

Clutching his books to his chest, David opened his locked to deposit his books in, but when he shut it the boy came face to face with Tabitha, who was currently supporting a miserable Jubilee.

"Hey David…couldn't help me out here."

The boy ran a hand through his hair and eyed Jubilee sobbing into Tabby's shoulder, "what's wrong?"

"B…B…Bobby…he…" sniffing, Jubilee sobbed again before continuing, "he DUMPED ME!" wailed the girl, whilst Tabby hushed her; looking around and giving people who looked at them less than enthusiastic smiles.

"Shh…" comforted the girl, but David only made it worse when he asked the fatal question.

"WHY? For another…g…g…GIRL!"

And Jubilee was too far gone now for comfort, gaining David some dirty looks from Tabby who patted her friend on the shoulder in a less than encouraging manner.

Looking in embarrassment at his feet was all David could do until he spotted a pair of boots and looked up at a boy who had passed by. Ray Crisp raised both eyebrows and looked inquiringly at Jubes, "wassup?" whispering to him, Tabby explained the situation and the boy frowned, "oh…not too surprising then." At Jubilee's inquisitive look at him, Ray smiled softly and rapped an arm briefly around her shoulder whilst explaining, "he's an ass Jubes…you know you could do better. It was never going to work." And with that the boy kissed his friend on the forehead before walking off, "smile Jubes." Was his farewell and the boy rounded a corner, leaving David thinking.

"See, you have other people better than that loser Bobby," Tabby consoled, but still the blonde frowned slightly, trying hard not to give her excitement away. It wasn't difficult to figure out why Bobby had dumped his girlfriend…and who the other girl was.

David wasn't stupid either, but his hopes were still raised and the boy raised a hand, desperate to get back into Tabby's good books, "why don't you forget about Bobby? See other guys." Although Jubilee looked horrified at this, David still continued, gesturing down the hall in the way Ray had just gone. "It'll help you forget about him and besides…I think there's a guy out there who's perfect for you."

"Who?" both girls questioned, one looking confused and the other hopeful.

"You and Ray have always had a special bond…" and as the boy came into sight again, giving Jubilee a wave and a smile, she couldn't help but beam straight back at him before running towards the guy, yelling thanks back to the pair.

Meanwhile, Tabby was eyeing up David; impressed. "Excellent work there Matchmaker," and with a salute, she headed in the opposite direction, "I'll see ya later…I have a certain someone to catch up with."

David frowned. Things hadn't gone as planned, but then a recollection of early Sunday morning popped into his head from when he was having a conversation with Betsy.

"If ever in doubt let the romance queen herself help you out; if ever you're in trouble, luv, just come to Elizabeth Braddock and I guarantee to make your troubles disappear!"

It was worth a try; she may have been drunk, but it was an offer in itself and just what David needed…if Betsy wasn't having trouble of her own.

A few corridors down

Giggling, Betsy waved to Lorna who disappeared another way to find Rogue, and headed for her own locker, ignorant of the numerous preps hanging around, sniggering to themselves. Pressing a hand against the locker door as she fiddled with her code, Betsy suddenly removed her hand quickly – the door was scorching hot…

And she needn't have troubled with the lock. It was already broken. With one hefty swing, the girl slammed her locker open and jumped back as flames leapt at the English girl's face.

Flames danced maliciously over something Betsy had seen countless times before and cherished to the bottom of her heart. An English flag burnt before the girl's very eyes and she couldn't help but notice the tears pricking in her eyes as the girl clutched both hands to her chest, watching wide-eyed in fear as the white cloth diminished. The red framed by burnt edges.

Decisively taking action was Wanda's job and the girl practically threw a fire extinguisher into the locker itself before John worked out how to use the damn thing – having used them plenty of times before. But by the time the fire was diminished, Betsy's home emblem (A.N. and mine! That was painful to write!) was beyond saving and – ignoring the heat – she scooped up a pile of ashes, watching the bits sliding through her scolded fingers.

"Betsy!" a voice called from nearby, almost drowned out by the jeering laughter coming from the proud Americans surrounding the lone English girl. She didn't bother moving though and simply stood there staring. "I need your help!" desperate was the tone, and Betsy turned to find David next to her, but her eyes were so blurred she could hardly make him out.

"Not now David…"

"But you promised to help with Tabby…you said…the whole romance queen…"

Whispering quietly, Betsy attempted to put the leers and jeering from her mind and shook her head, "you've got the wrong person Dave…go find Lorna; she's the real romantic…" and with that she wondered thoughtfully off, pushing through crowds of curious people. David simply watched her go and looked at what the girl had been staring at.

With wide-eyes, David realised what had been wrong and looked at Wanda and John who shook their heads. His eyes however travelled past them to Duncan Matthews, who was currently gazing at the locker proudly, his arm wrapped around the waist of a young girl who smirked happily.

Emma Frost.

End of Chapter

I know it's been a VERY long time and it is quite a short chapter, but I felt that quite a lot happened in here and…well, you found out the source of why people are gonna start to give Betsy Braddock a very hard time! Emma Frost is in the building! I know normally she'd go for Scott but I felt he already had his love thing…so yeh. Betcha didn't see that one coming! Ta-da! More of that next chapter! Ooh; JUST HOW FAR DID ROMY GO?! Five reviews please! .x.thrills.x.