AN: So my computer with the story on it died on me so I have to retype the whole book. Luckily I have a written copy to copy. But I thought I should post the last chapter I have (I sent it to my co-author and had it in my sent folder.) That being said I'm not a hundred percent sure when the next chapter will be posted I'm in the middle of typing it.

This is has not been checked over by the beta/co-author so please no flames!

Chapter 10

"Yo Lance, Pyro get your game on!"

"What are you going on about Gambit?"

"I've convince some of the others to play a game of poker only with a little twist." He grinned.

"Oh what twist?" Pyro asked truly curious.

"You'll see, come on." With that Gambit and Pyro made their way out side, Logan trailing behind slowly, to a group of both men and women sitting in a circle with a space left open for the two of them.

"Remy!" Gambit flinched as he turned to Ivy.

"Yeah Cherie?" Turing fully to the two girls that were approaching the group.

"This better not be one of your strip poker games."

"Of course not Chere." Ivy looked doubtful.

"Fine. Come on Shannon let's just watch it's safer." Ivy's companion nodded. Gambit had a strange gleam in his eyes.

"I win!" Damien said showing a Royal flush. "So now what?"

"Well all the loser's play spin the bottle." Gambit said providing an empty bottle. Everyone took turns spinning the bottle. They had decided that they had to spin it until the bottle landed on someone of the opposite gender. Everyone started laughing after Kitty pulled away from Damien blushing. Gambits finally took his turn, though how he lost was beyond them, and span the object. The bottle stopped pointing at Shannon. And, to everyone's shock, instead of spinning again Gambit leapt across the circle and grabbed Shannon in a demanding kiss. Everyone could only look on in shock as Shannon finally came to reality. And with an angry shove, pushed Gambit away.

"Dagnabbit, Remmy LeBau! I ain't playin' ya lily-livered, rattle-tailed, coney-kissin', half-cocked…" She continued for several moments while Gambit laughed helplessly. Before falling over and bracing himself against a nearby trees root.

It was then that Ivy realized something was wrong.

"…rat riing, wrench-tosssing…"

"Gambit."

"…two-facin…"

"GAMBIT! LET GO!"

The Cajun glanced at her, his eyes bright as suns. Shannon began to trail off staring at his hands. The man's fists were still pressed to the tree roots. Said tree began to glow.

"Um…what are you doin' to the tree Chere?"

Then it exploded.

"TELL ME WHAT HAPPNED." Ivy demanded, stumbling into the room Gambit was laying in. Shannon was curled in one corner, face buried in her arms, rocking back and forth.

"He went crazy." Logan growled from the bedside chair.

Gambit glared at the other mutant. "Dat was not my fault, Mes'ami. Somethin' went wrong wit my powers." Ivy just stared at him.

"Why? What happened?"

"Dunno. After the tree exploded several things followed."

"What things?"

"Everything he touched exploded. And you were almost included in that category, when he went to help you after you passed out, mind you." Logan grumbled causing Gambit and Ivy to wince.

"What caused it? A power advancement?"

"Dunno." Gambit said. "But I'm on bed rest." Gambit scowled at Logan. "til further notice."

"Shannon, what's wrong?" Ivy asked going over to the trembling figure.

"He kissed me." Shannon whispered touching her lips.

"He what?" Logan growled, wheeling to snarl at the Cajun. Gambit paled and attempted a weak smile. Shannon ignored them.

"It's my fault."

Ivy put a hand on her shoulder. "Shannon, kissing doesn't boost mutant powers…"

Shannon's head shot up, her eyes red with tears as she growled out loud.

"Unless it is a mutant power."

"Shannon there's no way to know if that is really is what happened." Ivy said looking over at Logan. She was still on a fragile thread where he was concerned. Shannon didn't look convinced.

"She's right. Kid, you don't know that it was you." Logan confirmed, deep in thought. "And if it will prove it why don't you just kiss someone else?"

Shannon growled and Ivy glared. Ivy was about to respond about how they didn't need to attract any more attention from the MRD when she felt her phone vibrate. She pulled it out and saw that it was Jean.

"Will you excuse me?" Ivy said before running out of the room. "Hello!"

"Hey Ivy how are you?"

"Hey Jean I'm good we found Logan."

"Yeah that's why I'm calling. Rogue wants to speak with Logan." Ivy hesitated realizing she never told Logan in her anger.

"Um…sure one minute…" Ivy turned and went into the room. She looked over at Logan who was returning her curious stare. "Logan?"

"Yes?"

"Um…well…here." She handed the phone over. "Before you answer it remember that the phone is our only means of communication to Genoshia. Logan gave Ivy a weird look before answering. Ivy motioned for Shannon and Gambit to follow and, following her, made a hasty exit.

Shannon broke away the moment they were out. Walking away from them with arms wrapped around herself.

Ivy watched her leave letting go of Gambit. The Cajon rubbed his wrists, staring after the feisty blonde. "I didn' mean to hurt her. I was jus' teasin." He murmured, picking at the gloves covering his hands.

"That's probably part of what shizzed her off." Ivy replied irritated.

Gambit winced. "You probably right" He sighed. "Sometimes I jes' don' know when to back down."

Ivy rolled her eyes and pointed. "Now might be a good time to find out, don't you think? I'll go help Karma in the kitchen."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!" Logan growled coming into the kitchen. Ivy looked up from the soup she was making for Kurt Mystique, being the literal "mother hen." Was sitting contentedly on Kurt's lap clucking away. Ivy finally turned around at Logan's impatient growl.

"Give me one good reason why or when I could of."

"... How long have you known!"

"Since the day in the barn! Jean called me. I was on my way to tell you. Good thing I did to. Since now I know how you've really felt!"

"YOU'VE KNOWN FOR FOUR DAYS!"

"YES!" Now leave the kitchen we can continue this discussion later!" Ivy said starting to pull the soup of the stove.

"NO! WE WILL DISCUSS THIS NOW!" Ivy jumped causing soup to tip and pour onto her hand and all over the floor.

Karma snatched it from her hands. "Ivy, I'll handle this. You take Logan and get outside." She growled. Don't come back in 'til this settled, y'hear?"

"Fine then let me go grab some plant seeds to stop the swelling. She ran upstairs and came back down. She was almost out the door when Karma yelled out a warning.

"AND DON' YA DARE DAMAGE MY LAWN!" Ivy paused she hadn't stepped outside since yesterday and was slightly scared to see what damaged had been done. And the impact she'd have on the environment…and Logan. Then irritation flared again.

He tough. He can take it!

Ivy stopped walking and put the seed in the ground and after a few seconds plucked a couple leaves and placed them onto her hand. The swelling immediately started to go down. Ivy waited for Logan to begin yelling but he remained silent staring at Ivy's had that was now a bright pink.

"I'm sorry." Logan finally said.

"For what?"

"Everything. The corn field, the barn, and now this. And I'm sorry for not helping you through this." Ivy could only stare she'd never heard someone say Logan would apologize.

"And me and Shannon have decided to go back to Genoshia." Ivy stared at him in shock.

"Well when you get back Chuck will only read your minds and I will not let you get punished for this!"

"KURT YOU MUST FINISH THE SOUP!" Ivy and Logan heard Mystique before seeing her chasing after Kurt. Ivy started laughing. Logan soon joined in.

"Seriously, though. I'm sorry. Last I'll say of it. Well?"

Ivy didn't answer for a long moment. "Forgiven, but not forgotten."

"Well, you are a girl." He muttered. "Kind of expected that."

Ivy raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well it's true." Ivy nodded.

"We must go back soon." Ivy said watching the grape vines start to grow faster than they should as they fed off of Ivy's relief.

Logan noticed too. "Yeah. Soon." He repeated slowly. "Quick question. How are we going to get back without you leaving a trail for the MRD?"

"You are not to leave this ranch!" Mystique said as she loaded up her car. "I should be back in around three days with a ship."

"Mystiqe we'll be fine! I promise we're not going anywhere. I would ask you to take Kurt but I think he might need a break from your over-berance on the boy. May I ask why?" Mystique closed the door and turned back to Ivy.

"Maybe someday I'll tell you." With that she hopped into the driver's seat and took off.

"Is she gone?" Ivy jumped to see Kurt peeking out from behind another vehicle.

"Yes Kurt."

"FINALLY!" He said before disappearing.

"I think he is feeling a bit better, no?" Gambit grinned stepping out.

"Yeah." Ivy checked behind Karma's old car just in case. "I heard you finally fixed that shed."

"I did." Gambit said quietly. "Was not so tough."

"Right. So the mechanic called back on the van." Ivy said turning to Gambit.

"Oh? What'd they say?"

"Basically a small explosion melted some major parts together." Gambit tensed. "Care to explain?"

His lips twitched in a smile as his eyes darkened. "don' much matter now, does it?" He shook his head. "Nah. I don't "care" to. You wouldn' like de answer, Chere."

"And how come I have a feeling Magneto would back it?"

"Cause he will. See y' Chere." Gambit walked off.

"Gambit those are my valuables if you so much as tilt that box! Logan that needs to go to the 3rd van." Karma yelled as she was packing up her living room. Ivy and Shannon helping.

"Karma where do you want the cleaning supplies?"

"Put them in the moving truck Kurt."

"Karma I've finished packing the storage." Damien said.

"Good! Go help Quicksilver before he drops every spoon in the drawers again!"

"Karma I think you should take a brake you've been at his for a few hours." Ivy said as she finished labeling her current box.

"'m fine."

"Karma!"

"'m fine! Now I'd hate to leave all my food here."

"I'll grow it to potential and we can pick it and store it." Ivy said making her way outside to see a group of mutants that were avoiding Karma. "What are you lot doing out here?"

Frank, a young telekinetic, shifted uncomfortably "Were waiting for Karma to pass out. We packed all of our things, but…well, she's scary today He shrugged sheepishly. "Need help with something?"

"Yes we need to pick the food. Will you go grab everyone including Logan?"

"All done Karma!" Ivy stopped to see a sleeping Karma who was sleeping on the very last item in the room, small couch.

"Hey everything's packed and Mystique is back." Damien grinned as he tucked a blanket around Karma's prone form. Lil' Bess sticking out from under her arm like a teddy bear.

"Ok. LOGAN!" Logan came in.

"Yes?"

"Is everything loaded?"

"Almost once were done than we'll leave."

"Ok." Ivy said nodding slowly looking back at Karma. Tears started to fall. "I'm going to miss her."

"Everything's loaded…" Forge said coming in followed by the rest of the Genoshians. They were all silent as they felt a heavy weight settle on them. "Here's the plan. We HAVE to get Charles on our side. I need everyone to promise they won't go to Magneto with the discoveries here." Ivy said looking at Gambit. Who nodded hurriedly. "I wouldn' dream of it Chere." They others murmured their agreements. "OK." She turned back to karma. And shook her gently. "Karma we're leaving." The old woman opened her eyes.

"I know…'ve been awake for awhile." She got up and walked out front while Frank and Damien brought the couch out. Ivy watched as everyone got into the transportation devices. The ranch hands into car, trucks, and trailers.

"All the animals are secured!" Called someone as he went around one more time.

Ivy turned as Shannon, Kurt, and Logan came to stand with them as the other Genoshians got onto the ship. "Bye Karma." Ivy gave Karma a hug. "You are the best mother I've ever had. Thank you for your hospitality. And I'm sorry about the danger your in." Ivy whispered. Ivy gave her a kiss than ran onto the second ship as several more tears leaked out of her eyes. She went up to the front where she took the co-pilot's chair. Forge sitting next to her. Ivy watched as Logan escorted a crying Shannon onto the first ship. She turned to look one last time at the Ranch only to see it now vacant the others having disappeared.

"Communications check. You guys here us?" Ivy looked at the console picking up the radio.

"Check. I'm going to call Genoshia. Let's take off first. By the way Mystique how'd you get two planes here?"

"I put one on Auto-pilot."

"Welcome home guys!" Ivy said into the intercom. Watching the Dome loom closer. The two ships landed in the hanger by the main entrance. Everyone started getting out and unloading the supplies.

"Where have you been?" Ivy flinched back as Magneto came storming out of the front door.

"I've been in the states." Ivy watched the flash of annoyance in his eyes and knew she was treading on a thin line. And she wasn't a hundred percent sure that Magneto wasn't above getting rid of her, regardless of his need for a food source.

"Let me rephrase that. WHY haven't you answered my calls? And do not blame bad service. I know that you've been talking to Jean!"

"I talked to her once. And anyways I brought Logan, Shannon, and Kurt back didn't I?"

"IVY DO NOT CHANGE THE SUBJECT! WHERE! WERE! YOU?" The rest of the crew took a step back. And slowly started to disperse leaving Ivy to deal with the angry man.

"Magnus, the girl is tired." Xavier was frowning as he drew up to the pair, automatically brushing her mind. He paused and gave her a hard look. "And you are starting to draw a crowd. Let me take her home. You can rake her over coals tomorrow, with or without the public involvement." Magneto glared at Ivy, no doubt weighing the options of doing just that. After a few minutes of tense silence he nodded and abruptly turned on heal and went inside his tower.

Ivy turned and met Xavier's hard gaze. "They'll be long gone!"

Xavier nodded. "I caught that." He replied dryly then he smiled. "So. You had a nice break?" Before she could reply he continued. "Good. Come along." He turned around, leading the way back to her house. It was his first visit there, but he knew the way as well as she did. Ivy caught up as fast as she could. She put her hand on the door and the plants parted leaving a doorknob. She entered followed by Xavier. Ivy frowned at the dyeing plants.

"Will you give me a second?" Xavier nodded and within minutes all the plant looked as healthy as possible. Ivy's entrance hall was covered in flowers of all kinds. And then the kitchen had hanging Ivy wrapped around the walls. Ivy motioned to the table in the center of the room.

Xavier examined the room carefully, an amused smile on his face. He'd seen the house in her mind, of course, but that would never beat the real thing.

"So…you won't tell?" Ivy fidgeted nervously, pretending to be worrying over a large fern in the window sill. Her back was to Xavier so he couldn't see her face. She trusted Xavier but so had his students.

"About what?" Xavier asked, coolly adjusting a nearby vase. "You tracked Logan to Texas, spent a few days on Shannon's ranch, and then convinced them to come back. Not much else to tell…nothing relevant, anyways."

"Thank you. Would you like some fresh tea?"

"Mint please." Ivy nodded going into one of her pantries, a room full of dirt and plants. She made her way over to the mint plant and plucked a few leaves then did the same to the peppermint cane. She then went back to the kitchen and started boiling some water.

"Sir?"

"Yes Ivy?"

"How's Rogue?"

"Well she's recovering. And very excited to meet you. Also you should find and go talk to Jean and Scott."

Ivy nodded while handing him the steaming cup. Then she paused.

"I know that smirk, Professor. What aren't you telling me?"

Xavier's grin only widened. "Visit them soon."

"Sure. SO sir what will happen to Logan and the other two?"

Charles frowned a little. "Magneto will discuss things with Logan…after I defuse him."

"Defuse? Good luck with that." Ivy said thinking of Logan's temper.

Xavier laughed. "I'll talk to Logan too, then. I was referring to Magneto." Ivy nodded.

"He's going to kill me, you know."

Xavier grinned. "He has considered public execution that is true."

"Not helping. Well I best go see Rogue and Jean. You're welcome to stay as long as you want. You know what rooms to stay out of. And PLEASE stay out of the greenhouses."

"I'll avoid your experiments, trust me." Ivy smiled.