the next morning

Every one was in the dining room munching on breakfast. Bethany was sitting next to Kurt talking and Anna was chatting with Logan all in all it was a pretty calm morning at the Xavier Institute. Until Remy came in practically dancing and singing some song in Cajun that no one could understand.

"Morning everyone. And good morning to you my beauty." With that he dropped a quick kiss on Anna, who was quiet surprised.

"Well what's gotten into you this morning Remy?" With his smile still a mile wide Remy stood at the table and addressed everybody.

"To answer your question I've had an epiphany. With all the work we've been doin' lately we all deserve a vacation." At those words everybody stopped in the middle of bites, and words to just stare at Remy who seemed to revel in the attention.

"I've made arrangements for us to be stayin' in the Big Easy for the next five days." With that everyone snapped out of it starting with Storm.

"Remy that's very generous but I don't think we could all do that. This is a boarding school even though it's summer we have students here that need us here." Still brimming with happy energy Remy nodded.

"Yes I've thought of that and what is wrong with the older kids playin' babysitter for a bit. Put Pitor, Rouge, and Bobby in charge." At that Logan nodded his head in contemplation.

"Not a bad idea the kids could hold the fort for a while." Storm looked ready to argue but Logan interjected.

"Look Storm they ain't exactly kids any more. We need to start treating them like X-men eventually or they're never gonna learn." Everyone stopped again to look at Storm since as Headmistress she had final say. The lady rested her chin on her hands and looked at everyone in turn before smiling slowly.

"Sounds like fun." The staff let out a collective cheer at the idea. Even Kurt was smiling at the thought, the only one that wasn't was Bethany. As the breakfast dispersed Kurt sidelined her and gently took the dirty dishes from her hands.

"What's wrong Liebien? Aren't you excited for the trip?" Bethany looked at him with a cocked eyebrow.

"I just assumed that I would be staying here." Setting the dishes in the kitchen sink Kurt looked at her incredulously.

"Why would you think that?" Voice dropping a bit in embarrassment Bethany took a moment before responding.

"It's just that you guys don't really know me. I mean who takes someone they've just met on vacation?" Kurt was already shaking his head before she even finished.

"No No Liebien don't try to do s'hat. You know s'hat you are more s'han welcome to come." Since her eye's were still downcast Kurt put a gentle finger under her chin to lift her head.

"Come, at least consider it a present from me for every s'hing you did for me." Meeting his gold eyes for a moment Bethany finally sighed and nodded. Kurt's smile widened and he drew Bethany into a brief hug. Because of the short notice Bethany needed to go shopping for the trip, so without further ado she made her way to the local mall. Back at the mansion Kurt was down at the lab talking with one Hank McCoy. Since the Professor past away he'd been making periodic visits to the institute. Right now he was studying a small device under a microscope with Kurt looking on with wonder.

"It's an incredible thought Herr McCoy, but do you s'hink it is actually possible?" McCoy glanced at him from over his glasses and nodded with a thoughtful expression.

"Well theoretically it's very possible, after the trouble this little gizmo has caused in the past it would be nice to see some good come out of it." Kurt nodded absently looking off in the distance. McCoy looked at him with a wistful smile as he asked.

"So you ready for a few tests?"

a few days later Bethany's Room

Bethany threw a button down shirt into the suit case that Storm had lent her. Earlier in the week she'd gone shopping with the girls. It was quiet fun, after Jubilee stopped trying to press her personal style onto her. As she continued to pack there was a light knocking at her door. She called over shoulder as she considered which shoes to take.

"Come in." The person didn't respond but she heard the door open and close behind her. Turning around Bethany saw a man she hadn't seen before. He was tall and slender with tan skin and wavy black hair, very handsome. His smile was bright and charming, but also familiar in some way. Bethany realized that she was staring and felt her cheeks heating up.

"I'm sorry, you caught me by surprise. Can I help you." The man took her hand and laid a kiss on her knuckles. Stunned into silence Bethany watched as the man looked like he was about to burst into laughter. Then he did burst and laughed long and loud, that laugh sparked Bethany's memory.

"Kurt!" Putting a hand on her heart Bethany sank onto the bed in shock. The man who was really Kurt composed himself with an amused smile.

"I'm sorry Bethany, I just vanted to surprise you. Look at me, isn't it amazing!" Still getting her breath Bethany did a second glance at the man in front of her. Looking closer you actually could tell it was Kurt. His eyes were the same shape and hair the same curly black. Also his face was the same shape, sharp cheekbones coupled with a strong nose. The only thing that was out of place was the fact that his skin wasn't blue. She was a little disappointed to see that his usual gold yellow eyes were now a dull shade of brown.

"It's certainly different Kurt." Bethany responded diplomatically.

"Ja, very different indeed." Kurt said as he studied himself in the vanity mirror. He was still grinning from ear to ear like a child on Christmas.

"Kurt how did this happen?" Turning back to her with a grin Kurt held up his wrist and she saw what appeared to be a watch.

"S'he doctor he built it for me. He said s'hat it vas originally a power suppresor. Now it is my image inducer." Standing up Bethany looked at him closely.

"So this, is just an illusion?" Nodding his head he came up to her and held out his hand. Taking it in her own, sure enough while she saw four fingers she only felt two large ones. Getting a firmer grip on her hand Kurt pulled her to the door.

"Come, Liebein I'm taking you to town for lunch." Feeling her cheeks heat up Bethany allowed herself to be pulled.

"Um, why?"

"Because ve can!" Kurt remarked sounding slightly giddy.

Not fifteen minutes later Bethany and Kurt were sitting in a small diner waiting for their food to be delivered. Kurt was almost funny to watch, he was looking at everything with wide fascinated eyes. He was reveling in the ability to walk through the restaurant without causing a scene. Although he did seem to enjoy the waitresses flush when he flashed her a charming smile.

"Enjoying yourself are you?" Bethany teased the mutant. Nodding enthusiastically Kurt was still ogling his new pale skin. But he must have heard a bit of a tone in Bethany's voice and asked.

"Vhat is wrong, you don't like s'he new me?" Bethany gathered her thoughts before answering.

"Well I'm glad it makes you so happy, but Kurt this isn't a 'new you'. This is a camouflage your wearing over the 'real you'." Kurt nodded with a frown falling on his features.

"Yes, but veally who cares. I can walk in s'he street now vithout being followed by screaming."

"I Care!" Bethany was shocked at the forcefulness of her own voice. The man across from her was equally stunned.

"Kurt you shouldn't need to camouflage yourself. You deserve to experience things like everyone else, without changing who you are." The man across from her looked like he was struck by lightening, then gave a shy smile.

"Vhat I vouldn't give for the world to look through your eyes Bethany." Without thinking Bethany spoke back.

"I wish I could be looking at your true eyes right now, they're beautiful." Instantly both people at the table froze, one from embarrassment the other from surprise. Slowly Kurt reached across the table and took Bethany's hand in his.

"S'hank you, Bethany..."

"Beth!" A loud voice interupted and Bethany's head whipped around to see who had called for her. When she saw the man her heart skipped a beat, it was Jim. The sauntered up to their table looking like the king of the mountain. As he approached he had his arms out slightly as if to give her a hug. When he saw that she wasn't going to stand he dropped them.

"I was worried about you Beth, you disappeared without a word." Bethany was to terrified to utter a word back to him. Luckily Kurt was there to take the reins he stood up with his shoulders back and held out his hand.

"So you are Jim, Bethany 'as told me about you." Eyes widening like he had not see him sitting right there Jim gave his had a shake.

"Yeah that's me. Beth hasn't mentioned you at all." Kurt just gave a lopsided grin.

"Vell I'm no one of consequence (yes that is a princess bride reference). But s'he name is Kurt Vagner." Bethany stood up and grabbed her purse.

"Actually Jim Kurt and I were just about to go so, bye." Stepping to the side slightly Jim gave her an empty smile.

"You know Bethany you should thank me for smoking out that little infestation at your house. It was done in time, before your pretty little head got poisoned." Feeling the panic come back and tears welling up in her eyes Bethany ran out of the resturant. Jim turned to watch her run out, but was hindered by a hand on his shoulder. Turning he saw Kurt Wagner giving he such a furious look it made him take a step back.

"It vould be vise of you leave s'he lady alone." With that he released the man and walked out after Bethany. The young woman was in the near by park sitting on a bench, her head was in her hands. The poor girl looked like she was about to start sobbing. Gently Kurt knelt in front of her and took her hands away from her face.

"Bethany, it is going to be alright. I promise." Still shaking Bethany shook her head as tears tickled down her cheeks.

"No, no it's not Kurt. Jim followed me here, he's crazy. He'll track me to the mansion and hurt someone."

"No lebien, he vill not because I von't allow him to. I promise I vill protect you." Glancing around Bethany could see there was no one else in sight, slowly she reached to his image inducer and clicked it. So now she was looking at Kurt's glowing eyes and she grinned halfheartedly.

"There you are."

I know it seemed like I was never coming back, but I need to finish this one. Next time you'll see the return to New Orleans and what follows. The emotional scenes are still difficult for me, but I think I did my best. Please Review, and if your still reading this. God Bless You.