Author's Note: Okay, I lied. That wasn't the last chapter. I can't end it like that!! You want the real ending? Then READ!!

Nikki ran back inside the house.

"Nikki, what's going on?" Aunt Alicia was holding the phone.

"I just made the hugest mistake of my life! Let me talk to her!" she grabbed the phone, "Kitty?"

"Yeah, what just happened?"

"You called to late. He already came by and I told him to beat it. Tell the Professor to get on Cerebro and find Pietro. Make Ororo turn the jet back around. I'm coming back."

"Okay. I'll see you in a few, love you," Kitty's replied.

"Love you too," Nikki shut off the phone and walked back into her bedroom.

"Nicole! What is going on? Tell me, now!"

"I got kicked out because they thought a boy I was dating vandalized the place. But he didn't, and I just told him to leave. I have to find him. Aunt Alicia, I love him."

Alicia's expression softened.

"Well, let me help you put your things back in this suitcase! You've got to go get your man back!"

Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Nikki ran to open it, imagining it was Pietro, refusing to take no for an answer. It was Ororo.

"I'm so glad you can come back!" she cried, embracing the girl.

"Thanks for coming to get me! We have to talk to the Professor and find Pietro!"

"Oh dear, what happened?"

"He came to tell me what happened, but I didn't believe him. Then the Institute called. I have to get him back."

Nikki turned to her aunt.

"Aunt Alicia, I'm sorry for all this craziness,"

"Love is madness, Nikki, and you can't apologize for it. But it's also brittle. Hopefully in your case it hasn't broken just yet," she planted a kiss on her forehead. She handed Nikki her bag, and wished them luck. Ororo and Nikki got back in the jet and headed back to the Institute. The flight was dreadfully long to Nikki. Every minute was like an hour. She finally understood how time dragged to Pietro. He invaded her every thought. Still fresh in her mind was the image of the last time he looked at her, so desolately, before she banished him. She would not drive him away this time. After what seemed like an eternity, they were back at the Institute. Nikki could barely wait for Ororo to land completely before running out and into the Institute. She threw open the door. Most of the students were there waiting for her, but she would not stop to talk.

"Hey Nikki!"

"Glad you're back!"

"I have to see Professor Xavier immediately," she pushed through the crowd. Scott stood in her way.

"I guess you were right about Pietro. I'm sorry,"
"If you're sorry get the hell outta my way so I can find him!"

"What do you mean? He didn't come with you?"

"Your call was too late. Pietro got there first and I made him leave. He ran off. I need to find him. The Professor can use Cerebro to locate him!"

"Unfortunately, I cannot," Xavier wheeled into the room, "His constant movement and high speed makes him almost impossible to track."

"So what do I do?"

"I guess you'll have to wait for him to come back," Scott said.

"No, he won't come back to Bayville!" Nikki's voice raised in irritation, "He gave up his old life. Wait!!"

"What is it?" the Professor asked curiously.

"I think I know where he may have gone. Once when we were talking about what we want to do when we finish school he said if he had the guts to, he'd go to Paris. He always wanted to live there. I think that may be our best bet."

"But how could he get to France without any money?" Kitty piped up.

"Pietro is fast enough that at top speed, he can run over water," the Professor replied.

"I've got to go get him back," Nikki said gravely to Xavier.

"I understand, Nikki. But the X-Jet needs time to refuel and cool off since the last flight. What I can do is give you a ride to the airport and the money to get to Paris."

"Oh, my God, Professor! You can't do that for me! All I've done is cause chaos for you."

Xavier smiled and took her hand.

"I wouldn't have known about the telepathy-blocking pills Magneto had if it weren't for you. Plus, Pietro wouldn't have left the Brotherhood. That makes Magneto's team much weaker. I know you may feel like you were trouble, but believe me, I am thankful that you came to the Institute. Scott, get the car. Nikki has to catch the next flight out of here."

Nikki threw her arms around the Professor.

"Thank you so much!"

Five minutes later, Scott was pulling out of the driveway and onto the street.

"You've got your bags?"

"Yep."

"And the money?"

"Uh-huh."

"And your passport?"

"Yes, Scott! Damn, you sound more worried than me!"

"Well, I do care about you, even if we didn't exactly get along. You're part of the team now."

"Aw, how sweet! Um, Scott?"

"Yeah, Nikki?"

"Could you go a little faster? I have a boyfriend to reclaim."