Bayville, NY. - Bayville High School, Principal's Office...
:
:
Mystique had lived a long time. Longer than most people would guess. After all who would ever believe that she had been born in 1825. Sometimes even Mystique had problems believing it given how much the world had changed in the last hundred and ninety-two years.
Though there were two constants. Humanity's prejudiced nature and red tape.
Mystique grimaced, staring on the latest batch of paperwork. In theory Magneto's ploy to use his son's rivalry with Evan Daniels was simple. In practice it was turning out to be near impossible since it required her to manipulate the the game schedule of a Double A team.
Not that Magneto would care about how much creative paper work, bribes, and blackmail it had taken. She should have told Magneto to go do something anatomically impossible. Becoming Mayor of Salem in 1692 while in her natural form would have been easier.
Dropping her pen as she finished the last page of paper work, Mystique groaned. After a minute she cradled her face in her hands. Taking a shuddering breath she sat back and closed her eyes. Well, as difficult as it had been, she had done as he asked. All that remained was to inform Magneto.
After another few minutes she stood and drew the shades of her office before taking her seat again. Unlocking a hidden drawer she withdrew a communication device and set it on her desk. Shifting into her natural form, she activated the device and a low hum filled the office as it warmed up. Once it established an encrypted connection, the emitter sprang to life.
A flickering low resolution holographic image of Magneto appeared hovering inches tall. Somehow in spite of the diminutive size he still struck an intimidating chord.
"I take it you have news?" Magneto asked, breaking the silence.
"I wanted to inform you that I've made the final arrangements in regards to your plan for young Mister Daniels and Maximoff."
"Excellent. Were there any undue problems arranging things?"
"Beyond a bureaucratic nightmare, no." Mystique said.
"Unfortunately, there are some evils that even the most powerful of us are helpless against."
Mystique scowled at the humor lacing his voice.
"What of the new mutant? Have you made any progress on the information Emma provided?" Magneto asked after a moment.
"None at all." Mystique said, struggling against a sneer. "Are you sure that Frost's source within Xavier's group is good?"
"Everything else young Ms. Pryde has given Emma has checked out." Magneto said, crossing his arms. "If you need it I could have Sabertooth join you."
Mystique gave him a flat glare. "No."
A beat.
"Very well, but if Xavier discovers them first...our conversation will not be pleasant."
"I'll keep that in mind, but I don't believe he could help us anyway. We barely have more than a few vague details." Mystique said hiding her unease at the implied threat. "Besides, we still have time since Xavier's group remains no closer to finding them."
"True. I suppose in light of that I can see your point. Still, I will have our newest recruit begin work on improving our detection systems."
"I was unaware someone new had joined our cause."
"When I said new, I meant only a few hours old." Magneto explained. "His human name was Kristopher Kross. I stumbled across him at Concordance Research as I acquired some rare components."
"Oh?"
"He had evolved a few days prior. When I arrived, he was preparing to resign with a privately funded severance package. I persuaded him to see the benefits of joining us."
Mystique laughed. Oh how she wished she could have seen his face when Magneto pointed out the myriad of problems with his plan. Even after all these years it still amazed her to hear of people trying something so foolish.
"Yes he was quite foolish, but nothing we've never seen before. Still he should prove useful given his gift of mechanokinesis."
Mystique nodded in agreement, seeing how useful that could be. "Has he chosen a new name yet?"
"Darkheart."
"Not the name I would have picked."
"Nor I." Magneto said, shaking his head. "But still, it is infinitely more preferable to his first choice. Kriss-Kross."
Mystique stared at the blank faced Magneto.
Finally, after a protracted moment, she spoke. "Do you have confidence that Darkheart can improve our system?"
"He is no Sage, but yes, he should be up to the task." Magneto said, reassuring her. "If there is nothing else, then you should return to your duties."
Mystique nodded, and the hologram shimmered before disappearing, taking the hum with it. After another minute she returned the device to its drawer. Then turned her attention to more mundane tasks.
But she swore this would be the last time she accepted any role with so much paperwork.
Smallville: X-men
Episode 9: Game Time
by Geor-sama
Bayville, NY - Xavier Institute for Gifted Children, Basketball Court...
:
:
It had been a long time since Evan ran drills during the weekend, but then it had also been a long time since he had needed the edge. He had been lucky to get a spot on third-string, and he only got that because of Jean and Scott vouching for him. Then there was the coach.
Before he had met Coach Jordan, he had thought that Milton Summers had a hard nosed basketball coach. But Coach Jordan had been part of the United States Olympic 'Dream Team' and lead the Gotham Bulls to three consecutive championships. Coach Michael Jordan had been The Player as far as a lot of people cared - until his career ending injury.
Needless to say, Coach Jordan was a man with Drive, Vision and Expectations. He pushed his players hard. As a result The Bayville Falcons had a strong chance at making it into the playoffs in three months and there could be no weak links on the team.
So Evan pushed himself to work three times harder than usual.
Especially now that Coach Jordan had offered him the spot on first string.
"Evan!"
The sudden shout startled him and threw his shot off, sending the ball sailing ten feet past the backboard. Whirling around he found a sheepish Kurt. The other boy scratched the back of his head, shifting his weight awkwardly.
"I did not mean... uh, der professor vished us to prepare for training." Evan said.
Evan let out a heavy sigh, trying to move past his anger. Ever since Pietro he had been on a short fuse, and he had been trying to stop snapping at people. Besides, Kurt had been nothing but friendly since they met.
"It's fine." Evan said at last. "Coach gave me the chance to step up and play first string in the next game, and I'm just stressing, ya know?"
"Das avesome mien friend!" Kurt said, smiling. "I'm sure you'll be all slam-dunks!"
"Thanks. Anyway, we should get going, right?"
"Ja." Kurt said and stepping forward, put a hand on his shoulder before teleporting them.
Reappearing in the locker room, Evan blinked rapidly as his stomach rolled.
"Und vee are here. Dank you for choosing Nightcrawler Transport!" Kurt announced with a hint of laughter. "Please vatch your step."
"Ugh, I hope I get used to that soon." Evan muttered as he made his way to his locker.
Ten minutes later he finished changing into the skin-tight dark blue bodysuit. One last adjustment to his yellow belt and shoulder pads and he nodded in satisfaction.
Then he noticed a pair of hardened oversized forearm guards. Tugging them on he frowned. They covered the entire length of his forearms down to the back of his hands. Worse, they were so stiff he could barley move his wrists.
He considered tossing them, but resisted only because he knew Professir Xavier had a reason to add them to his uniform. Evan might have doubts about being here, but he could admit the man was smart. Scary smart actually. So Evan was not going to second guess him.
Closing his locker, Evan stepped into the hallway and rolled his eyes. Kitty was sitting against the wall, engrossed in homework. As if Clark and Jean weren't bad enough. He did take some comfort in seeing Kurt stretched out on the floor, absorbed in a game on his Xperia.
It made Evan wish he had brought his own Xperia. It also served to remind him about one of the perks of being at the institute. When he and Kurt had mentioned wanting them the Professor had them there the next night. Of course it helped that the Professor owned a large amount of shares in the company. Still, it was hard to resent his situation with things like that and his luxury bedroom.
To say nothing about about the skin tight uniforms. Evan considered whoever required the uniforms to be a personal saint. Spending a few hours a day watching Jean and Kitty stretch and bounce around in them made up for a lot.
Though as much as he enjoyed the show, he made sure not to get caught staring. If his aunt caught him, he would get hit by a lightning bolt and then lectured for an hour. Then of course if Kitty noticed she would shove his head through a wall and leave him there for his aunt. As for Jean, there wouldn't be enough left of him for his aunt to get a hold of. Jean would scramble his brains and then go hang out with Scott, but only after he obliterated him.
Speaking of the devils.
Jean and Scott rounded the corner, both already in uniform. They were chatting happily and walking a tad closer than needed given the width of the hall. No wonder Duncan got upset when Scott and Jean hung out.
Registering their voices as well, Kitty looked up. A second later she yanked on Kurt's tail and stood, setting her homework to the side. Kurt for his part yelped and sat up, looking around bewildered. Seeing Scott and Jean he leapt to his feet.
Jean grinned. "Sorry to keep you waiting. The Professor wanted to talk about today's training."
"So, like, what are we doing today fearless leader?" Kitty asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"Well, I have some good news." Scott said. "Today's training is going to be short."
"Prima!" Kurt exclaimed.
"Yeah, what he said." Kitty said, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Now what's the bad news?"
"We'll be using the Danger Room." Jean answered.
Kurt spat something in German that sounded less than polite, and Kitty paled.
Evan shrugged, name aside it did not sound that bad. At least until he remembered hearing of it before, several times in fact. "Isn't that...I mean, didn't Clark trash that place?"
"Ja." Kurt said, shoulders slumping.
Evan let out a little wheeze, remembering the hacked security video Kitty had sent him. It had been Clark's assessment labeled 'Totally Awesome Vid!'. At the time it had been awesome. But now that he would be stepping into the same room, upgraded to better handle Clark? Well Evan had an entirely different opinion.
"It's ok Evan." Jean said with a reassuring smile having apparently sensed his turmoil. "I know it can be overwhelming to think about, especially after seeing the video of Clark's assessment Kitty shared."
"Exactly." Scott added. "But you have to remember that it was a combination of things that led to Clark's experience in the danger room. None of us knew how strong his gifts were and nobody expected the difficulty scaling to get out of control so fast."
Evan nodded, but remained doubtful.
"On that note, I should mention the Professor assured us that that piece of software is not going to be running. Not until after they finish triple-checking the new coding."
"Well at least there's that." Kitty muttered. "And we're just doing a stress test, right?" Kitty asked, and when Jean nodded, the tension bleed out of her posture. "Yeah, ok, that's not so bad."
"So ve are just vaiting on Clark?" Kurt asked.
"He's already left for his date actually." Scott answered with a smirk.
In spite of the looming doom, Evan could not bring himself to hold it against Clark for not being here. Emma Frost was a five-alarm fire of hotness. It would just be unfair to get upset with any guy who had the chance to go out with her.
"Wait, so the Professor let him skip this session because of a date?" Kitty asked.
"Yes and no." Jean said, shaking her head as they started walking down the hall. "Clark's date happens to be the perfect opportunity to make sure that they haven't overlooked anything."
"Plus, from what I know his date involves a strict schedule so Clark couldn't wait till the last minute." Scott said.
"You'd think since their using the Frost family jet, they could leave whenever they want." Jean said, shaking her head.
"Oh sure, twist de knife." Kurt whined.
"Dude, I know right?" Evan said. "A gorgeous girl and she's loaded. Some guys get all the luck."
"Ugh, don't be like that."
"Look, I'm just saying that I wouldn't hesitate for a second to take Clark's spot." Evan retorted, shrugging at Kitty's flat look.
"You and me both." Scott said, with a laugh.
"Oh, you would?" Jean asked, her voice taking on a strange tone.
Scott shrugged. "What? I'm being honest. If she asked me out I couldn't see myself turning her down."
Jean snorted and muttered something. Scott flinched at whatever she said, but whispered his own response back. Jean picked up the pace at that, which made Evan wonder what exactly the older teens had said.
Evan's curiosity faded though when they rounded a corner. Before them sat a massive metal door resembling what he thought a bank vault might look like. His stomach rolled as his pulse sped up.
He jumped, and barely managed to bite back a yelp, as the bolts began to open. Each one accompanied by what sounded like a muffled cannon shot. Evan cast a quick glance around, relieved that nobody had noticed his reaction.
With a final hiss of a broken seal, the massive metal door swung open.
Trailing behind Scott and the others, Evan entered an immense circular chamber. The entire room appeared to be a single piece of solid metal. Overhead was a round chamber of metal and glass, attached to a long arm that bisected the room.
Evan guessed that was the control room.
There was a click of speakers and then Logan's gruff voice filled the chamber. "Welcome to the new and improved Danger Room. Now, against my better judgment I've been talked into taking it easy on you special little snowflakes."
"Oh please, we can take anything you throw at us." Evan shot back, hiding his nerves behind bravado.
There was a pause, during which his friends turned to stare at him in disbelief.
"Sleep vid one eye open." Kurt stated, voice monotone.
Evan gulped.
"You heard the man."
On the heels of Logan's pronouncement circular openings began to form on the walls. Then a swarm of objects rocketed into the chamber from each opening. For the next minute or so they zoomed around the chamber as little more than black blurs before coming to a halt.
They hung in the air like ominous metal balloons each with a singular glowing red eye. They had just enough time to process what they were facing before a hum filled the air.
The noise triggered Evan's instincts and he dove for non-existent cover. For all the good it did. The lasers from the hovering machines still found their marks on him.
And they stung.
A lot.
When he recovered from his dive, he flung his arms wide, unleashing a hail of bone spikes. Several of the drones went down from the attack. This in turn drew more lasers to him and he strafed left launching more bone spikes as he went.
The drones shifted to follow him. Evan strafed right and dropped to the ground at a shout from Scott. The backwash of percussive force from the older teen's blast over head shook him from bone to hair.
Ears ringing, Evan remained motionless for several long seconds before looking up. A near invisible ripple in the air revealed the edge of a telekinetic barrier an arm-length away from him. He got to his feet slow, and paused at the now familiar sensation of the team's telepathic connection.
A shiver of unease tingled its way up his spine, and on its heels came guilt. But there was nothing he could do about the reaction. Jean kept reassuring him it only allowed direct thought, and he tried to believe her. But years of movies, TV shows, books and comics made it hard to accept that it was not far more invasive.
{Are you ok?}
Glancing over his shoulder, Evan nodded. {Yeah, I'm fine.}
Jean gave him a tight smile.
At her side, Scott glanced at him before turning his attention back to the circling drones. Kurt did not even glance up from watching a crouching Kitty fiddle with one of the downed machines.
After a few more seconds Scott turned to face Jean.
{How are we doing?}
{There are a lot of them and I'm not sure how long I can keep this barrier up.} Jean answered, outstretched arms trembling.
{Understood.} Scott said before turning to address the rest of them. {This is the situation. We have several flying drones -}
{Cyphers.} Kurt interjected attention still on Kitty and the drone.
{What?}
{Cyphers, you know the flying drones from Metal Gear.}
Scott took a deep breath, before continuing.
{Fine. We have several Cyphers with no established plan or directives. So when I give the signal Jean is going to release a telekinetic pulse to push them away. Kurt, Kitty that's your signal to move - act as a distraction.}
{On it.} Kitty said with a nod, while Kurt just gave a thumb up.
{Evan you stay with me and Jean. We'll provide long range support.}
{Gotcha.}
But before they could follow through on Scott's plan, the floor began to spin. Faster and faster, until Jean lost her concentration on the barrier and they went flying. But the chaos did not end there.
Seconds later the floor divided itself into squares that started to jut up and down at random. All while spinning independently of each other. Worse, a fresh wave of Cyphers filled the room. Accompanied by rotating laser canons emerging from the walls.
After that, it all became the jumble of noise and light of a schizophrenic rave.
Boston, MA. - Boston Harbor Hotel...
:
:
Clark Kent fidgeted with his collar and wished he could have worn the suit he already had. It had been good enough for Lex's parties and even the spring formal. But Professor Xavier believed that this even would require a more stylish look. Huffing in annoyance Clark forced his hand to stop messing with his collar.
Instead he began pacing the...antechamber? Reception room? Well, whatever the proper term, it failed to capture the lavishness of the room. The antique furniture was extravagant, if reasonable. But the ornate chandlers of twenty-four carat gold and diamonds pushed it to the next level. Helped by the exquisite, gold framed paintings on the walls.
Clark closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to relax. He was not used to being so anxious, but he could not avoid it. He was in Boston overnight, alone. His mind still boggled at it happening, he had thought his parents would flip out when he asked them. Instead they had been calm, reassuring him that they trust him to have fun but not to abuse their trust. Clark did not know how to handle that.
Because he was in Boston. Overnight. Alone. With a beautiful girl.
His mind shied away from that thought and Clark opened his eyes, hoping to distract himself. Focusing on a painting he stepped close and began studying it. He did not know much about art, or at least not anything beyond the middle school art class. But it was enough to appreciate the way the brushstrokes and color breathed life into the image. To acknowledge the majesty of the subject, and marvel at the revealed emotion of the artist.
Curious about who exactly the painter was, he turned his attention to the plaque at the bottom of the frame. *'A Vision of the Last Judgment'* by William Blake. Clark knew the name but had always associated it with poetry, but that did not mean they were the same man.
"Sorry to keep you waiting Clark."
At Emma's voice, Clark turned and...
Wow.
Emma Frost always looked good, beyond good. If Clark were honest he had doubted she could look better than she already did. Yet somehow she had managed it.
Emma had her hair twisted up into an elegant knot, allowing a few loose ringlets to frame her face. A diamond choker glittered at her exposed neck and drew the eye to her bare shoulders and cleavage. But the most devastating thing of all had to be her flowing cream and silver dress. It was by far the most modest thing Emma had worn, and yet it also managed to highlight her figure in all the right ways.
Wow.
Her mouth curled into a satisfied smile and she started toward him in a slow strut. One leg crossed the other and it took everything Clark had not to stare at her shifting hips. She came to a stop within reach and looked up at him with her luminous, captivating blue eyes.
Wow.
Clark's eyes gravitated to her full lips and wondered if they tasted like blueberries. Realizing how stupid he had to look he coughed and smiled.
"I take you approve?" Emma asked huskily.
Clark blushed. "Y-yeah, you look great."
"Mm. Does that mean you think I don't look great normally?"
"Uh, no, not all." Clark stammered, wishing he would stop. "Just, that, you look, uh, gorgeous."
Emma tapped a finger against her full lips, drawing his attention back to them, before sighing. "I suppose that's better and I must say, you are quite handsome as well."
"Thanks." Clark said, before turning to gesture at the painting in an attempt to keep from making himself into more of a fool. "So, great painting."
"Do you think so? It was the start of my great-grandfather's collection. He acquired it shortly after they cancelled the 1810 exhibition. My family loaned it to the Harbor after my parents decided to redecorate the mansion."
Clark studied her expression as she stared at the painting. Her voice had been dismissive, and her expression remained placid. Yet Clark had somehow picked up on an undercurrent of anger and pain in her words. He wanted to say something, but hesitated no sure what he could say. For all the time they spent together in school, he only had a vague understanding of her. Plus, he doubted this was the time or place to get into this - still he should say something.
"I'm sorry." Clark said, only to grimace. Wonderful.
"Mmm," Emma hummed, before making a dismissive gesture. "Please don't be. You have no need to apologize just because they have the taste of the nouveau riche."
"I guess." Clark said, and then sighed. "I'm not doing so hot right now am I?"
"You're fine." Emma said, linking her arm with his. "Now come along Clark, we have many heads to turn tonight."
That said she steered him away from the painting and into the hallway. For a few minutes they walked in silence, Clark unbelievably aware of Emma. But slowly his nervousness about the party overshadowed it. It was only now as they were heading for the elevator that he realize just how far out of his comfort zone this would be.
He had grown used to attending Lex's parties and being able to fade into the background. But now he would be stuck in the center of it all, alongside Emma. Clark was not sure how to handle the idea of it, let alone the actual attention when the moment came. He should have asked Lex when Emma invited him. A ten or twenty minute phone call and his friend would have told him exactly how to handle the night.
As if sensing his uncertainty, Emma decided to reassure him by tightening her hold. He tried to block out the tantalizing sensation of having her pressing against his arm. Sadly no matter how alien he remained a teenager and his thoughts skittered into disarray. By the time he managed to wrestle his thoughts under control, they had reached the elevators.
"Wait, when did we get...?"
"I must admit," Emma interrupted him. "I hoped to have an effect on you tonight, but nothing quite so dramatic as memory loss."
Clark blinked and stared down at her. Her smirk ruined the innocent expression and he blushed at the realization that she knew exactly where his thoughts had gone.
"I think tonight shall be even better than I hoped."
Clark blushed even brighter at her breathy, teasing tone. When the door slid open he wasted no time in gesturing at the inside of the elevator. "Uhm, shall we go?"
Giggling, Emma stepped inside.
Bayville, NY - Xavier Institute for Gifted Children, Underground Tunnels...
:
:
Three hours later, the Danger Room began settling back into its original configuration. Not that it gave the five teenagers currently sprawled across the floor any comfort. A minute later the hidden speakers hissed to life and the group flinched.
"Congrats. I think it's all in working order." Logan announced.
Five groans answered.
"You'll each be getting a report detailing, in depth, your numerous failures."
That earned three more groans, a rude gesture from Kitty, and a muffled whimper from Evan. It was bad enough that his bruises were going to have bruises. But he suspected even sleeping with both eyes open would not help him.
"Oh, and don't take too long picking yourself up Daniel's. Your coach called and apparently you have a game tonight in an hour."
"There wasn't one on the schedule." Evan wheezed, struggling to sit up.
"Don't know what to tell you porcupine, he just left a message. Now get your ass up and hit the showers."
Grumbling Evan struggled to his feet and shuffled out of the Danger Room, back down the hall and to the showers. It was near mechanical the way he went through the routine. After a few minutes the pain his muscles were screaming fell silent and he closed his eyes.
As the minutes stretched on, Evan decided to take a double dose of extra strength Ibuprofen. That should get him through any lingering pain. Twenty minutes later he had dressed and making his way to the front door - where he found Scott waiting for him.
Evan slowed his pace, looking for any sign of the older teen's mood. Scott's expression was blank. Evan swallowed.
"Uh, hey Scott."
"Evan." Scott said. Then seemed to let out a breath and relax. "We're not going to attack you."
"Oh, good, right." Evan nodded, not relaxing. "Are you sure? Because I know what would happen at basketball camp if someone did something as stupid."
Scott shook his head, and Evan started to breathe easier - until Scott smirked.
"You're still going to get payback, can't avoid that. Expect humiliation and pranks galore."
"Of course." Evan said with a grimace. Still, he had brought it on himself so would put up with the payback. "So, uh, I guess I'll see you at the game?"
"I suppose." Scott said.
Nodding, Evan started to walk past the older teen but stopped as Scott fell into step beside him. "Um, are you riding with me and auntie O?"
"Not exactly, you're riding with me and the others." Scott said. "The Professor and Logan are going to recover some memories and your aunt is staying behind to be safe."
"Safe?"
"The last time Logan and the Professor tried to recover his memories things went sideways and it took us a week to recover."
Evan grimaced in sympathy. He had seen the man's sparring matches against Clark. He shuddered to think what a berserk Logan could do.
In the following silence they both left the mansion and moved to the waiting van.
Boston, MA. - Boston Harbor Hotel...
:
:
Dancing with Emma escaped description.
She moved with grace and utter confidence. Invaded his personal space and left him both captivated and self-aware in ways he had never experienced. And from the way she pressed against him Clark had no doubt that Emma knew the effect she had on him.
"Clark." Emma whispered, her breathy voice tickling his ear. "I hate to say it, but I need to speak with my parents."
Clark gave a faint nod, not trusting his words right then, and when the dance came to an end led her off the dance floor. Emma graced him with a tantalizing smile before she strode off to find her parents. Clark struggled to keep his eyes from darting to her hips as he watched her leave. When she disappeared amid the mingling groups he retreated to a quiet corner.
Free from Emma's mesmerizing effect, Clark turned his attention to the party. The Frost family had spared no expense on the night, not that any of the other guests noticed. They were politicians and businessmen. Many wore clothes and jewelry that could no doubt pay the farms mortgage for months.
Clark could imagine his mom and dad scoffing at the waste of money. Then, he could also hear Lex muttering that they were missing the point. It wasn't about the clothes but the perceived status that they held. Like a bunch of peacocks preening over who had the prettiest tail feathers. Clark smiled, picturing his parents laughing in shocked surprise at Lex's quip.
Clark shook his head.
"It's a bit much, isn't it?" Someone said from his right, their voice almost a whisper.
Blinking in surprise Clark turned to the side. His companion turned out to be an attractive strawberry-blonde, and oddly familiar. Her green eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at him, grinning.
"We haven't been formally introduced I'm Emma's sister, Adrienne."
"Nice to meet you. I'm-"
"Oh, I know who you are Clark. Why Emma can't stop talking about you." Adrienne said, taking a long sip of her champagne. "I'm sorry, that was rude. I think I've had a bit more to drink than I thought."
"It's ok." Clark said. She had to go a long way to match the rudeness of a drunken Pete.
Not that Adrienne seemed to register what he said, her attention turned back toward the party. Clark took the moment to her a closer look. Not because she was attractive, though that was hard to ignore. Especially with her jewelry and dark purple designer dress, which had the same eye-catching design as Emma.
No he studied her because of how familiar she looked, though they had never met before. The more he looked the stronger that niggling sense of familiarity grew. He might have thought it because of Adrienne being Emma's sister, but -
"Besides, what does it matter if I over-indulge tonight? This is a party after all." Adrienne said, turning back to him. "So tell me Clark, what do you do when you're not at rubbing elbows with the rich and powerful?"
"Astronomy." Clark said, putting the mystery aside for the moment.
"Oh? What brought you to that particular hobby?"
"When I was eight, my dad took us camping. In Kansas there's a lot of open spaces, some places can make it feel as if the sky goes on forever. At night, that far away from all the towns and lights...words don't do it justice. You never realize just how many stars there are until you get out there. So that first night, my dad showed me all the constellations that he knew, the ones his dad had taught him. After that I was hooked, and on my tenth birthday he bought me a telescope."
"And after all this time staring up at the stars, you've never gotten tired?" Adrienne's asked expression turning inscrutable.
"How could I? It's like being a grain of sand on the beach and suddenly becoming aware of how much more there is. The universe is so big, so old, so much - and we're lost somewhere among it all. I look up there at the harmony of the planets dancing and I think how wonderful it all is. I marvel at this tiny blue dot dancing in a sunbeam."
Surprise touched Adrienne's face.
"Oh." She breathed out at last. "Em's taste has definitely improved." Then not waiting for his response she reached up and traced her delicate finger along his jaw. "I don't suppose you'd care to dance?"
Clark leaned away from the contact, a bit unnerved by her sudden interest. At her look of puzzlement he did offer a polite smile. "Uh, I don't think Emma would appreciate that."
"Oh, I doubt my sister would care too much."
"You would be surprised." Emma said, tone flat, as she appeared at Clark's side and linked their arms. The smile she gave her sister lacked any warmth. "Still, I forgive you. After all, I do so understand how difficult things are for my dear older sister."
Even distracted with Emma pressing against him Clark still winced at her barb.
"Why you insist on such churlishness is beyond me." Adrienne responded in a warm tone dripping with sweetness.
Emma laughed. "Oh Addi, you always bring me so much joy when you try to fit your entire vocabulary into one sentence."
Adrienne frowned and it transformed her face. So much so that Clark missed her comment as he realized why Adrienne had been so familiar to him. The angle of her eyes, the curve of her cheeks and chin, the shape of her nose and mouth. They were each a near perfect match for Emma's own beautiful features.
They weren't step-sisters, or at least not only step-sisters. Emma and Adrienne were half-sisters. For one to be older than the other though - and now he knew where so much of Emma's anger toward her family came from.
He belatedly realized Adrienne had left and turned to find Emma staring up at him. Seeing her pensive look, he had the sudden urge to kiss her. Something in his expression seemed to confuse her and her look turned wary.
"What?"
"Nothing." Clark said shaking his head. "So, everything ok with your parents?"
"Mmm." Emma said, eyes narrowing, before relaxing. "As fine as they can be."
"Great." Clark said, before gesturing to the dance floor with his free hand. "Shall we?"
"We shall." Emma said, leading him back out to the dance floor. "And this time Clark, please do let your hands wander."
Clark had no response to that, other than to blush.
Bayville, NY. - Bayville High School Gym...
:
:
When Evan entered the locker room, the rest of the team were already dressed and in high spirits. His stomach did a weird roll at the sight as he remembered his former team. Evan still grinned though, even though he kept his head down on his way to an available locker.
At least he tried, but something large loomed up in front of him forcing him to a stop.
It turned out to be Mark Brooks, the team's power forward. A nice guy, but also one of the most aggressive players Evan ever encountered. But what worried Evan at the moment had to be Mark's impressive scowl.
"Hey Mark-"
"Daniels! What are you doing here?" Mark snapped, cutting him off.
Evan blinked.
"Uh, I'm playing like Coach Jordan wants." When Mark's glare remained, he frowned, his own temper flaring. "That ok with you?"
"Not remotely." Brooks said, stepping in close, attempting to intimidate him. Might have worked too, if Evan had not just finished with the Danger Room. "I can't do anything about that though. But I can say that if you throw this game, I will kick your ass."
"Whatever man."
"Just watch your ass." Brooks snarled at him before stomping off.
Evan turned to stare after him, wondering where that came from. It also pissed him off that anyone would think he would throw a game. A firm clap on his shoulder caused Evan to jump, which only amused the teen standing beside him.
"Don't take it personally." Trent said. "Mark's just worried because we're playing your old team."
"Yeah, well...wait, what?" Evan said blinking as what the other teen said registered. "We're playing who?"
"Milton Summers."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
Evan stood frozen, anger starting to rear its head once more. Pietro. He had started to think he would never get to confront the bastard. Part of him had even stopped wanting to. But now that the opportunity presented itself - abruptly he shoved his way past a surprised Trent and tore out of the locker room.
Evan hurried down the deserted halls and tore around a corner. Rather than another empty hall, he had both Coach Jordan and Scott standing there talking. Evan tucked his head and darted around the two without slowing.
"Christ! Evans where the hell you going?!" Coach Jordan shouted after him.
"I'll be back, just gotta do something!" Evan shouted back without slowing.
He dashed sideways through a door and sprinted down the hallway. He rounded another corner in the hallway to the right and blew through the shorter hallway. He slammed the double doors open and emerging back in the parking lot.
Heart hammering hard, he cast an anxious glance at the driveway. No sign of the team bus which earned some hushed swearing. He had no clue if Coach Jordan would follow him, but he knew Scott would. With Jean in tow no doubt.
Growling with frustration Evan kicked a nearby wall. He would have to put off confronting Pietro until after the game.
No sooner had he thought that, than the rumbling sound of a bus filled the air. A moment later the bus pulled into the parking lot. It came to a stop with a shudder and the doors creaked opened, allowing his former team mates to pour out: Erine and Kyle were out first, horsing around like usual. Ed and Jamaal followed behind looking resigned. Oren and Valentin trudged along behind them. Bernardo, Garry and... Chris? Well now Evan knew who they had gotten to fill his spot. Behind Chris came Jeff, Milo, Conrad, and Benjamin.
Then, at long last, Pietro Maximoff appeared sporting his usual cocky smirk. Anger bubbling up, Evan started forward.
"Maximoff!"
Pietro's smirk grew into an arrogant smile as he waved the others ahead and moved to met him.
"Well, well. Out of jail already?" Pietro asked, almost laughing. "Oh, don't tell me, this miserable dump is part of your punishment?"
"We've got a score to settle, Pietro!" Evan snarled with a sudden lunge, trying to seize the other boy's shirt.
His hand closed on air and a sudden shove from behind sent him sprawling on his hands and knees. Training kicked in and Evan shifted his weight to this right arm and knee, delivering a kick to the other teen's knee.
He hit empty air. Scrambling back to his feet he spun around and found Pietro leaning against the side of the bus. Evan restrained the urge to begin firing bone spikes at his former friend.
"As usual, too slow." Pietro said, before rubbing his chin. "Props for the attitude though. Might be hope for you after all."
Evan bit his tongue, knowing he had to keep his head. Should have from the beginning, but his urge to beat the crap out of Pietro had gotten the better of him. But now he had his head back in the game.
"What's going on here?"
Evan turned as Scott stepped into the parking lot. Damn it. Though he did wonder where Jean, Kitty, and Kurt where.
"What's this, a babysitter?" Pietro asked with a mocking laugh. "Oh, Daniels just when I thought you couldn't get lamer."
Evan grounded his teeth and spun back to Pietro, but the sudden presence of Jean in his mind brought him up short.
{Enough. He's just trying to goad you Evan, you need to keep your head in the game.}
{But-he-gah! Fine.}
{Good. Now, what can you tell us about him?} Jean asked.
{He's fast. I couldn't touch him, but he loves to talk...}
{So we get him talking, and record him.}
{Leave the recording to me.} Kitty said, from her hiding place.
{Meaning we'll take our cues from you since you know him best Evan. What buttons do we push?} Jean said.
{Pride.} Evan answered, only then realizing that the whole conversation had taken place in the time it took for Pietro to laugh.
"So this is that friend you were telling us about?" Jean asked, stepping into the parking lot at last.
Pietro did a double take at seeing Jean and in an instant he changed locations. Jean leaned back at his sudden appearance in her personal space. "Well hellooooo. We haven't been properly introduced, I'm Pietro, and you're beautiful."
Jean frowned. "Not interested."
"Say no more." Pietro said then in a silver blur was behind Scott shaking him by the shoulders. "I mean, I get it! You're into the tool. Why? I have no clue. But whatever, love is a beautiful blind thing."
"He's not a tool." Jean said, eyes narrowing.
"Well, that's a shock! I would have sworn he was a poser wearing sunglasses at night!"
"Wow, I had forgotten how bad you are at hitting on girls." Evan said, drawing Pietro's glare. "Dude, just give it up. Jean's not interested and I don't want to waste time listening to you going up in flames."
"What was that Daniels?" Relocating once more.
"You heard me."
Pietro rolled his eyes and crossed his arm. "Oh please, you talk a big game but which one of us has had a girlfriend? That's right, me!"
"Sisters don't count man." Evan shot back.
"Leave Wanda out of this!" Pietro shouted, suddenly in Evan's face. Then he grinned. "Besides, you know I was talking about Lia."
"We've been over this dude, just because you went out a couple of times in middle school doesn't mean she was your girlfriend." Evan said, rolling his eyes.
"Tch, whatever." Pietro said, before smirking. "What, not going to try and hit me again?"
Evan bit back his first response, which would be to do just that. Mostly because he knew it would be pointless to try. But also because Jean had been right about Pietro goading him and would not hesitate to berate him for giving in.
"No. I'm going to kick your ass on the court. You know, where you can't hide behind that speed."
"Lame." Pietro said shoulders slumping before he darted off. He circled the three of them in a silver blur before stopping next to the entrance. "Why'd you even bother coming out here if you were going to wuss out at the last minute?"
Evan clenched a fist and took a deep breath. He also tried not to get creeped out with the way Jean kept sending him telepathic reassurance.
"Oh, don't get me wrong Pietro, I want to knock your head off. But I know I can't right now. Scott and Jean wouldn't let me even try. So I'll have to settle for stomping you on the court."
"Maybe hope for you yet Evan." Pietro said, smirking. "Anything else before I steam roll you out there?"
"Yeah. Why break into all those lockers and framed me...I just don't get it."
"I told you before. for the kicks. I was bored!" Pietro shouted throwing his hands up in exasperation.
"You were bored?" Jean asked disbelief clear in her tone.
"Well, duh! When you're as fast as me, you get bored. It doesn't matter if I'm sleeping, eating, breathing, or standing here talking. All of it takes forever! Hell, I've already lost interest in this conversation five hundred times since it started. Stealing wasn't much better, but at least it gave me something to do."
"And you decided to frame me why?"
Pietro held his hands out as if it were obvious. "Duh, because you got so worked up! It was hilarious. Just when breaking into the lockers started to get boring, you just kept getting more and more worked up about it. Kept trying to stop it from happening, do you know how many times I hurt myself from holding my laughter in?"
"Hold on, wait." Scott said, cutting in. "Why are you so willing to admit to breaking into the lockers?"
Pietro blew a raspberry. "Oh please. It's not like there's any way to use it against me. Oh sure, maybe someone might believe you're telling the truth, but do you think a judge is going to decide to believe you because you say so? Dude there's naive, and then there's living in Mabeland."
"You really think your untouchable, don't you?" Jean asked.
"Run, run, as fast you can ~" Pietro sang.
"Alright." Scott said, taking a step forward and reaching for Pietro. "I thin-Whoa!"
Without warning Scott flipped through the air and knocked Jean over. Both teens ended up in a tangle of limbs on the ground, while Pietro stood in the spot where Scott had been. "Not too quick, are ya?"
"That's it Pietro!" Evan shouted unleashing a rain of bone spikes at his former friend. He missed, instead peppering the side of the team bus.
"Ha! Yes, finally." Pietro laughed, clapping before disappearing in a blur of motion.
Evan's head rocked forward from a smack to the back of his head. Stumbling forward, he spun around with a snarl, but found no one behind him. Feeling a tap on his shoulder he spun back around with a wild backhand, but struck only air.
Pietro stood a few feet away, curling a finger at him. "Come on, loser. Let's see what you got."
With that Pietro shot off.
Boston, MA. - Boston Harbor Hotel...
:
:
"As much as I hate for the night to end," Emma said as they finished their latest dance. "I believe it is time for us to call it a night."
Blinking, Clark looked around and saw she had a point. The band had shifted to a more low key music, and they were one of the last couples still dancing. People still lingered in the hall, but many had already left.
"I guess you're right." Clark said.
As they left the floor, she gave him a teasing smile as she snagged a pair of champagne glasses. Turning she handed him one. "But not before we toast tonight."
"Do you try to get your dates to drink often?"
Clark joked, but he was busy considering the situation. On the one hand he had no problem drinking the champagne since alcohol would have no effect on him. A fact his parents had made sure to figure out when he entered his teens. But he had no idea what Emma's tolerance would be. He doubted a single glass would have that much of an effect on her. Still, she could be a lightweight...
"Oh, very funny." Emma said, rolling her eyes. "Now please don't make me toast alone Clark. After all, this is a special night."
Clark sighed, and reluctantly held his glass out. "To tonight."
"To tonight." Emma echoed with a grin, tapping his glass before taking a sip.
No sooner had Clark followed her example then someone called his name.
"Clark?"
Turning he came face to face with someone familiar. Jack Jennings was a good-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair and laugh lines. He was also Jonathan Kent's oldest and closest friend.
"Uncle Jack?" Clark asked, surprised.
"So it is you." Jack Jennings said smiling as he clapped him on the shoulder. "And who is this lovely lady?"
"Emma Frost." Emma said.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Frost. You're family has outdone themselves this year." Jack said happily, before shifting his attention back to Clark. "So. This is something I never expected to see."
"What's that?" Clark asked.
"You at a Frost party. After all, the last I heard you were in Bayville, not Boston."
"Ah, Clark graciously agreed to be my date for tonight." Emma said, taking another sip of her champagne. "Though Clark failed to mention he had a Senator for an uncle."
"Well, honorary uncle." Jack said. "Me and his dad go back a ways."
"According to dad they've been best-friends since they smacked heads running around the playground in opposite directions." Clark said, smiling.
Emma laughed.
"That was your dad's fault for running the wrong way." Jack said firmly. "Now we do need to talk about that champagne, young man."
Clark grimaced, knowing that tone from his dad's lectures.
"I understand tonight's special," Jack said, his stern tone turning amused. "So, provided it's just that one glass then I saw nothing."
"Don't worry I have no need to ply him with drinks to get what I want." Emma said.
Uncle Jack laughed and Clark blushed. Again. He really should be used to her suggestive tones and comments by now.
"Good to hear." Jack said when he stopped laughing. "The last thing we need is another Kent getting drunk and challenging a statue to a fight."
Clark blinked several times, confused.
"I'm sorry?" Emma asked tone filled with confusion.
Jack grinned wide in obvious relish. "It was back when Clark's parents started getting serious. Martha's dad threw a party not too different from this one. A bit smaller in scale, but still the same kind of affair. Anyway, she invited Jonathan hoping he could make a good impression on ol' William. Needless to say it didn't work out. Jon got bored and these drinks can sort of sneak up on you. He ended up drunk and ranting about 'snobs' before he tried to pick a fight with a statute he thought was making eyes at Martha."
Emma giggled at the story while Clark stared at his uncle trying to process what he had just heard.
In the past his dad had been honest about his mistakes. Part of his efforts in teaching Clark about taking responsibility. Still, this one seemed like such a ludicrous and strange tale that Clark had a hard time resolving it with his dad.
"Your mom was mortified, didn't talk to Jon for a week. It took him a lot of groveling and Oro's help to make up for it."
"I, wow, for some reason it's hard to picture." Clark said at last, shaking his head.
"Mhm. Now that I've teased my nephew, and told an embarrassing story about his dad, I should go find your aunt Anita." Jack said chuckling. "You two enjoy the rest of your night, within reason, and tell your parents I said hello."
"Oh, Senator Jennings, before you go I have a question." Emma said, and when she had his attention, continued. "I'm curious what brought you to my family's party? Kansas is far from Boston after all."
"What, are you saying I can't enjoy a party?" Jack asked with a chuckle, before growing serious. "I'm here tonight to make sure that I have the votes for my mandatory paid vacation bill."
"Wait, how does that work?" Clark asked.
"For you two this party is just glamorous fun. But for the rest of us? It's just another confrontation, just more polite. Party lines make it hard to get things done, but we're still people. It's a lot easier to make them see reason over drinks and dancing than when we're viciously sniping at each other in session."
"Really?" Clark asked, considering that.
"It surprised me too when I was new to the game. I never realized how many deals, mergers, and other assorted details get hashed out over drinks and dancing."
"My father calls it cocktail politics." Emma said sighing. "I had hoped it was just him being cynical."
"Well either way, you shouldn't worry about it. You're young, leave the boring stuff to us and enjoy the rest of the night." Uncle Jack said, giving them an indulgent smile before leaving.
A few minutes after that, they made their way out of the hall with a distracted dismissal from her parents. Neither said much of anything on the way back upstairs. For Clark his distraction came from a mixture of things. But the predominate thought centered on the approaching end of their date.
Thinking about it filled him with equal parts expectation and dread. Dread, because like he had told Scott things never ended well with him and romance. Expectation because he liked Emma, and he wanted to see if things could be different this time.
Of course dating Emma meant he had to acknowledge that Emma was an heiress. That brought it certain expectations. If he thought being friends with Lex could be complicated, dating Emma would be a whole new level.
"Well, here we are." Emma said, pulling him from his thoughts.
Looking around, Clark realized that she had walked him to his door. "So we are." Clark said with a grin. "Well, I guess this is goodnight then. I had fun."
"I did as well." Emma said, willing to play out the movie cliché. "I'll call you? Maybe we can do this again."
They laughed.
"In all seriousness though, I did have fun and I hope tonight wasn't too bad."
"It was almost everything I hoped for." Emma said, reaching out to squeeze his hand.
Clark frowned, not liking the implications. "Almost? Was I bad a date?"
"Oh no, you were magnificent." Emma murmured eyes bright. "Forget I said anything. It's nothing worth talking about."
Clark studied her face for a moment, before shaking his head. "I think it is, otherwise you wouldn't have said 'almost'."
Emma gnawed on her lower lips. "Are you sure you want to know?"
Clark wanted to kiss her. To press her against a wall and kiss her until she couldn't breathe. But he didn't, refusing to assume anything. Instead he nodded, wondering what she would say.
"Very well." Emma said, and her arms snaked around his neck pulling her up on her tiptoes.
Then her mouth found his.
There was nothing shy or tentative about it. Her mouth worked feverishly against his. Clark tightened his grip pulling her flush against him. Emma made a throaty noise of approval and the kiss grew deeper and more demanding. The kiss stretched on for several heartbeats, before she drew the kiss to a slow stop and they both drew away.
They remained still for several minutes, breathing hard and holding each other close.
"Well." Emma breathed at last, voice husky. "I think we'll be doing that again."
"As often as you want." Clark managed, grinning.
She let out a wicked little laugh and captured his mouth in another kiss.
Bayville, NY. - Historical Residential Neighborhood...
:
:
"Give it up, Daniels. You're out of your league."
"Not this time, Pietro!" Evan yelled hurling several spikes at his former friend. For a moment Evan thought he finally hit his target, only for it to turn out to be an after image.
Pietro's laughter rang through the neighborhood several houses away. "Man, the look on your face...priceless!"
Evan ground his teeth, but made no move to give chase or try another attack. Pietro had led him on a merry chase for the last several blocks and he was starting to suck air. In hindsight it would have been better to wait for the others to get up, but that would have taken too long.
"Awww, don't tell me your done already."
"Screw you Pietro!"
"No thanks, not my type!"
Evan swore under his breath and continued to glare at his former friend. If he could just get his hands on the smug bastard, Evan could settle this. Then he felt the stirrings of Jean's telepathic connection.
{Evan, where are you?} Jean asked her voice faint.
{Some neighborhood, bunch of fancy houses.} Evan thought back, giving his surroundings a closer look. {Uh, there's a big white house. The Raynham Hall?}
{I know it!} Kurt said, excited.
{We'll be there soon. Just keep him busy!}
Evan made the equivalent of a mental grunt in response to Scott's order. No need to tell him that. Still, how could he keep Pietro here instead of running off? From the body language he could see the other boy preparing to do just that too. He needed to do or say something, quick -
"I'm done! I give up."
A beat.
A second later he had an angry looking Pietro standing in front of him. "What was that? See, I was all the way down the block, so I know I didn't quite hear that right."
"No, you heard me." Evan said, trying not to throw up as he repeated himself. "I'm done. I give up."
"Are you, are you joking?!" Pietro shouted, jabbing a finger into Evan's chest. "Just like that? What the hell man! I mean, I know you had no chance of catching me, but dude, just giving up? I never thought you'd be that lame."
Evan struggled for nonchalant as he shrugged.
"I blew off the game for this bullshit, so now I'm off the team. I mean, yeah, I wouldn't have even bothered with it if Django and Marya hadn't forced me too. Still, it at least gave me something to kill time with! Thanks a lot for ruin-"
"Yeah, well, if you weren't such a coward I wouldn't have given up." Evan shot back, freezing Pietro in mid-rant.
"What was that?"
"You heard me!" Evan shouted. "Oh, you think you're so great because you keep running away while I chase you? Newsflash, that just means you're good at running away! Which I get. I mean, we both know I can kick your ass...so why wouldn't you run away like the little bitch you are?!"
Pietro's angry expression morphed, becoming something blank. "You think so, uh?"
Evan said nothing, just glared at him.
"Oh man, you really do." Pietro said his face filling with surprise. Then he cracked his knuckles "Well then let's put that to the test. No more running. Just you and me."
Evan exploded into action, snapping a punch at Pietro's face. He struck an afterimage. He followed up with a kick to the knee. Another afterimage. On and on. Pietro moved in a circle around Evan, dodging at the last minute. Never running away, just dodging and smirking. Eventually what little skill he had developed while training with Scott gave way to wild punches and kicks.
Until minutes later Evan stumbled to a stop, panting and sweating.
"My turn." Pietro announced and his punches came in a blur of silver and green. Each too fast for the eye to follow. Too fast to block or dodge. Over and over and over. Relentless. Then as abruptly as it started, the assault ended.
Evan started to topple but Pietro grabbed his shirt and held him up as he drew his other hand back for one last punch. "Game over~!"
"I agree." Scott said, stepping out from between two houses, a hand on his sunglasses. "Let him go. Now."
"Pft, yeah I'm going to listen to you dic-"
A ruby red blast of concussive force cut Pietro off. Tiny chunks of asphalt exploded into a shower. Evan stumbled but avoided ending up on the ground thanks to someone catching him.
Evan mumbled thanks, touching his blooded nose.
"What are friends for?" Kitty asked, slinging his arm over her shoulder. "Just try not to bleed on me, k?"
"Not bad." Pietro said from six feet away, untouched. "But not good enough. I've been outracing lightning bolts for a few years no-". The rest of his sentence turned into one long scream as something invisible jerked him into the sky and held him there.
Evan blinked, which hurt, and stared up at Pietro who was starting to freak out. It hurt to smile, but Evan did so anyway.
"Well, that took longer than I would have liked." Jean announced as she floated down from a nearby rooftop. "Sorry we took so long getting here."
"It was mein bad." Kurt said appearing beside them in a puff of sulfuric smoke. "I still struggle vit teleporting more dan one person at a time."
"Don't worry about it." Evan said.
Whatever anger he had at them helping had long since burned out. Or maybe it was knocked out? Whatever. At the moment all Evan wanted to do was curl up in bed, take a billion aspirin, and call it a night.
"Put me down!" Pietro shouted, struggling in the invisible grip.
"Please don't try to escape," Jean said and with a gesture made him rise higher. "I would hate to drop you."
"Now what?" Evan asked after a moment of savoring the sight.
"Now we finish this." Jean said, her hand shifting and Pietro's struggled ceased. Not that he gave up. It was just that Jean had obviously shifted her telekinetic hold to his arms and legs, locking them in place. Lowering her arm, she brought the super-fast mutant down on a nearby yard spread eagle.
Scott crossed his arms, smirking. "Evan, if you don't mind."
Grinning Evan made his way over to the trapped mutant, helped by Kitty. Pietro froze, and stared up at him. Lifting his right arm he pulled it across his body and then flung it forward, firing two bone spikes. Satisfied with how the spikes bracketed Pietro's neck, Evan repeated the process several more times.
When Evan stopped, Jean lowered her hand releasing him. Pietro resumed trying to get free. Thanks to how closely the spikes were placed both to each other and Pietro, he failed.
"Not so fast now, are you, Quicksilver?" Evan taunted.
"Looks like that training did pay off after all, huh?" Kitty said, giggling.
"Oooh, good one Daniels. Yeah, you got me." Pietro said, starting to smirk. "For all the good it does you. Still can't prove I had anything to do with gettin' you in trouble, can you?"
"Oooh, sounds like a challenge." Evan mocked as Kitty produced a hidden audio recorder. "Check this."
She hit play.
"Yeah. Why break into all those lockers and framed me...I just don't get it."
"I told you before Daniels, for the kicks. I was bored!"
"And you decided to frame me why?"
"Duh, because you got so worked up! It was hilarious man. Just when breaking into the lockers started to get boring, you just kept getting more and more worked up about it. Kept trying to stop it from happening, do you know how many times I hurt myself from holding my laughter in?"
She clicked stop and handed Evan the recorder and a note for it to be played.
"You might be fast Pietro, but I'm smarter and I have friends." Evan said dropping both on the chest of his incapacitated rival.
In the distance the sound of sirens filled the air.
"We need to go." Scott said. "Kurt, get Evan back to the mansion. Jean will carry the rest of us."
"Ja." Kurt said, reaching out to take Evan's shoulder.
"You won one, Daniels." Pietro shouted. "One!"
Evan never smiled wider.
AN:
First, sorry for tugging your chains earlier I uploaded the wrong chapter, so I pulled it. Anyway this is the proper chapter, uploaded from my phone at work. So if something looks off I'll fix it when I get home.
So this is a long over due update.I'm not entirely happy with it, even now. Part of me wants to hold it back and rework it again - but I also know if I do that then I'll never get any further in the story. So. Here's the chapter, hopefully its not complete garbage.
I blame Evan. I struggled with every scene he was in, to the point where I would just randomly give up for months at a time. He is my least favorite character. Ever. Gah, I'm going to stop here before I start ranting. Anyway, I don't see him being a huge problem for me after this chapter... it was just this chapter where a lot of focus had to be on him.
Anyway, like I said, I'm posting this before I second guess myself. If there are huge typos or some other problem, let me know and I'll fix it. But otherwise I'm done fooling with this chapter.