Sweet Little Lies
Chapter XXI:
By: Michelle
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DISCLAIMER: I don't own the X-men. I just write fanfics for fun.
Evan, Ororo's nephew, is Spyke. His parents, Vi and Derek, are friends of Ororo's, but she considers Vi as the sister she never had. Vi is also 6 months pregnant in this.
Vi and Derek know about Kurt's true appearance, but he wears the image inducer anyways because of the neighbors.
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Defense Coordinator Armond Gaudier was found dead this morning in his condo in Washington. No word has been said on exactly what the cause of death was but there is speculation that foul play was involved. In other news…
Xavier turned off the television set. "This is a very serious matter."
"How is this man connected with Senator Creed?" Scott asked.
"He's his weapons designer." Logan explained. "And Creed's right hand man."
"He also has connections to Trask Enterprises." Hank added. "He assisted designing some new weapons for the Secretary of Defense."
"What kind of weapons?" Ororo asked.
"Not sure." Hank replied. "They are top secret. I only heard rumors, but they are usually true."
"Would Creed be de one who killed dis guy?" Remy asked.
"It's possible." Rogue agreed with the thought. "Graydon seems like the type of person that wouldn't tolerate failure."
"Yeah." Bobby nodded. "Besides, the F.O.H. were on the run the other night you got your asses kicked. He probably wasn't too happy."
"Creed didn't do it." Logan folded his arms. "But Mystique would."
"Are you sure/" Kurt asked hoping his mother wasn't the cause of more problems.
"Positive." Logan replied. "She's got the motive though I don't know how she know the shit she does."
"She has to be someone close to him." Xavier replied.
"Senator Creed is a social butterfly." Hank pointed out. "It could be anyone she knows."
"hank, you've been in D.C. long enough to know who's who." Scott said. 'Has there been any activity lately that would make someone a suspect."
"Senator Creed has become good friends with Senator Brickman." Hank said. "They are always going to lunch and are talking about running for the Presidency."
"President." Kurt's eyes widened. "Graydon as President."
"If Senator Creed becomes President, he is going to bring back the Mutant Registration Act." Ororo added. "With him on top, there will be no one to stop him."
"He wouldn't live that long." Logan replied. "Mystique would never allow it."
"I agree with you Logan." Xavier said. "And if Graydon gets that close to the Presidency, his assassination would being and uproar in the anti-mutant community. Especially, his Friends of Humanity."
Kurt thought for a moment. "So we have to send someone out to protect him again."
"Why should we protect him?" Remy asked. "He wouldn't do de same fa us. Why waste Our time on him?"
"He has too much support in D.C." hank reminded him. "He's like a god."
"Then, why can't we turn his followers against him/" Rogue suggested. "He's the son of two mutant terrorists. Yet, he hates mutants and if he ever had kids they were be mutants too."
"That's easier said than done, Rogue." Ororo replied. "But all in all, it's not a bad idea."
"Armond's funeral is tomorrow." Xavier informed them. "Kurt and Rogue, I want the two of you to attend and to get as close to Senator Creed as possible."
Logan grunted. "Scare him a bit."
"That should be fun." Rogue smiled with mischief.
"Just let him be aware of you." Xavier replied to Logan's suggestion. "You will need to leave tonight. Hank's place should be safe enough to stay are for the night."
"yes Professor."
"Ja Professor."
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Graydon paced around the room. This is not happening. This is not happening.
"Graydon," Mallory stopped in the doorway watching him. "Are you alright? Ralph told me about your friend."
Graydon paused. "He did."
"Yes, he did." Mallory replied. "I'm sorry. It's a horrible tragedy."
Graydon nodded.
"If there is anything you need," Mallory smiled. "We are here."
"No, I'm fine." Graydon answered. 'I just need some time alone."
"Ok."
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"Stay still." Kurt fussed at Talia as he adjusted her image inducer. "Vati needs to get this right before we leave the mansion."
"Why?" Talia asked confused.
"Because we need it before we leave." Kurt explained.
"Why?"
Kurt sighed. "Because it's not safe outside for us."
"Why?"
"Talia."
Talia shut her mouth. No one ever explained anything to her because she was just a kid. She couldn't wait until she was a grown up so she could keep secrets too.
"There, all set." Kurt looked her over. It wasn't too many changes. Just enough to hide all the cute little features that made her T.J.: her blue skin, pointy ears and teeth, golden eyes, and of course her tail. "Come on, it's time to go to church."
"I don't wanna go." Talia whined. "Church is boring."
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"Does he know?" Xavier said as he watched Logan pound away at a punching bag. "Logan."
"I hear ya." Logan paused breathing heavily as he stared at the punching bag. "No I hadn't told him."
"You need to tell him." He answered. "You would feel much better if you did."
"How you tell your best friend something like that?"
"You open your mouth and speak."
"Yeah Chuck. That's easy." Logan grumbled. "Hey Elf. Wanna beer. Oh. By the way. I fucked your Mom. Yeah Chuck real easy."
Xavier sighed as Logan focused on the punching bag again. He wheeled away leaving him to think about it.
Logan beat the punching bag until it exploded all over the floor. Out of breath and worn out, he dropped to his knees awaiting his healing factor to restore him.
He felt the smoothness of her milky skin. She was amazing in any form she chose, but he liked this one in particular.
"Logan." She pressed up against him.
He kissed her neck tickling her with his stubbly sideburns. He move her short black locks out her way and nibbled on her ear.
"Logan." She moved his lips to meet her own.
"Ray." He guided her to his room knowing he would one day regret what was going to happen. But, at that moment, he didn't care about anything other then her. Not Sabretooth's fury. Not Weapon X. Not anything. He only cared about his lust for her.
"Logan." Ororo ran into the exercise room seeing him laying unconscious on the floor with what was left of the punching bag. "Logan." When he didn't respond, she hollered. "Hank. Scott. Get in here quick."
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Talia sat in the pew at church bored as every other four year old in there. There was absolutely nothing to do there but listen to a man talk and go up and down and up and down over and over again.
She turned around in her seat and smiled at the people behind her. "Hiya."
Kurt grabbed her and fussed. "Shh, T.J. you're in church."
"Is Gott here?" Talia asked as she turned around.
"Ja." Kurt answered. "And he is watching you."
Talia looked around. "Vhere? I no see him."
"He's everywhere." Kurt replied.
"Everywhere." Talia repeated. "But vhat does he look like?"
"He's invisible." Kurt answered. "Now be quiet."
Talia sat still of a minute. Then, she started again. "Vati?"
"Vat?"
"I gots to go potty."
Kurt sighed. "Now. Can you hold it."
"Nein." Talia said holding herself. "I gots to go bad."
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Logan sat up finding wires hooked to him. He pulled them off and turned to find Ororo at his bedside. "What the hell am I doing in here?'
"You passed out." Ororo explained. "I found you unconscious in the exercise room about a half an hour ago."
"Oh."
"hank thinks you overwhelmed yourself so much that your healing factor couldn't keep up." Ororo added. "And Professor says you haven't slept the last few nights either."
"So "
"What's going on with you Logan?" Ororo asked as he began climbing out of the bed. "you've been acting funny lately."
"Nothing is wrong."
Ororo didn't by that one bit. "Is something bothering you?"
"Nothing…nothing is bothering me." Logan replied as he headed out the med lab.
"Logan, I'm your friend." Ororo hurried after him. "I want to help you."
"I don't need any help." Logan grumbled.
"Oh really." Ororo said tapping her foot.
"Yeah." Logan grunted. "Really."
"Fine." Ororo replied. "But you might want to put your clothes back on."
Logan looked down and grumbled. Then, he stormed off without a care in the world.
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"I win again." Remy said proudly at his game of Blackjack.
"You cheat." Rogue argued with him. "Let me deal this time."
"Fine." Remy smirked handing her the deck.
Rogue shuffled the deck for a minute, then dealt them their hands. "Hit you."
Remy looked at his cards. "Yeah Chere. Ya can hit me. Where would ya like me ta bend ova."
Rogue blushed. "I meant the cards, snake charmer."
'Oh dat." Remy smirked. "Yeah Chere. Hit me."
Rogue flipped him over another card.
"Queen of Hearts Chere." Remy smirked. "I like it when my Queen is on my Jack." He said flipping his cards over to reveal a Jack of Hearts and four of clubs.
"You lost Swamprat." Rogue pointed out and flipped over her cards showing a ten of spade and eight of diamonds. "Quit trying to charm your way out of it."
"I ain't charming Chere." Remy replied. "I's flirtin'."
"With cheesy pick up lines like that." Rogue teased.
"Ya wound me Chere." Remy placed his hands over his heart closing his eyes. Then, he smirked opening them to see nothing he wanted to see. "Oh damn."
"What?" Rogue replied. "You just realized how stupid they were."
"Non." Remy covered his eyes. "Nakey Wolverine."
"What?" Rogue turned to see exactly that. "Oh shit."
"I think I'm blind." Remy said. "Ya help me see de light Chere."
"Now is not the time to flirt."
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"hallo Logan." Kurt covered Talia's eyes. "Vat are you doing."
"Going to bed." Logan grumbled and stormed up the stairs.
"Vat's going on?" Kurt demanded as Ororo met him at the front door.
"Logan is in a mood." Ororo stated the obvious. "And he doesn't want to talk about it."
"Sounds normal." Kurt replied.
"No." Ororo sighed. "I don't think he is doing well. I don't want him to go into another bizerker rage."
"I'm sure he is fine. He just needs to cool down." Kurt said. "I'll try talking with him later. Are we ready to go to Vi's?"
"Yeah." Ororo answered, then hollered. "Evan, let's go."
"I'm coming." Evan replied dragging his suitcase behind him.
"I don't want to go back to church." Talia whined. "Gott's house is boring."
"Ve're not going back to church." Kurt replied as the four of them walked to the car.
"Then, vhere do ve go?" Talia asked.
"There bringing me to my Mom and Dad." Evan replied. "I get to spend a whole week with them."
"Vati?"
Kurt buckled her into a child's safety seat. "Vat T.J.?"
"Vhen is Mutti going to spend time vith us?" Talia asked.
"She's not." Kurt saw the look in Ororo's eyes. He knew his previous relationship disturbed her. "Me and your Mutti don't like doing things together, but me and Frau Ororo do."
"Oh." Talia shrunk back in her seat when she saw Ororo smile and kiss her father on the cheek.
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"So umm Bobby, do you want to go swimming?" Jean-Paul asked stopping in his doorway. "Jubes and Tabby are going."
"I'm not in the mood." Bobby answered as he looked up from his comic book. "Besides, everyone gets mad because the pool gets cold when I get in."
"Oh." Jean-Paul sighed. "Well maybe we can go play a game of basketball. You know one on one."
"You don't know how to play basketball." Bobby replied.
"I know." Jean-Paul replied. "But you can teach me."
Bobby sighed. "I'm not in the mood for anything to do outside."
"Oh." Jean-Paul thought for a moment. "well, maybe we can play a game of air hockey or pool or something in the rec room."
"Nah." Bobby replied. "I'm not really in the mood for anything. I just want to be alone and catch up on my comics."
"Oh…Ok." Jean-Paul nodded. "Maybe we can do something later then."
"Yeah, whatever."
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"Oh, isn't she just precious." Vi said as Kurt introduced Talia to Evan's parents, Vi and Derek Daniels.
Talia hid behind her father's leg and peeked out smiling.
"Kurt, she is just adorable." Vi placed a hand on her heart. "And she's shy too. What a sweet little angel."
"Hardly." Kurt chuckled. "She's quite the little devil in her own right."
"Kurt." Vi laughed, then lead the way with her belly. "Derek is outside grilling some soy burgers. Evan, why don't you show Talia your tree house and play while we finish up dinner."
Evan looked at Talia making a face. Then, turned back to his mom. "Do I have to?"
"Evan, be polite."
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Hank stared at the phone. He wanted to call Trish so bad, but wasn't sure she would accept him.
He was still the same person inside, but his looks told him otherwise.
Kurt landed the Scarlet Witch and now Ororo. Maybe there is hope for me. No one cared about his appearance. Maybe…
He picked phone and dialed her number. Halfway through, he hung up.
Who am I kidding? Maybe…it's not meant to be. I just…
Hank looked at the piece of paper with Trish's number on it. It seemed to be lost in his hand. He sighed thinking of what he should do. But everyone knows, there is no scientific way to get around his problem.
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"She is such a cutie Ororo?" Vi said as she gathered stuff for the burgers
Ororo sat down at the table and sighed. "She hates me."
"What?"
"She hates me." Ororo repeated. "She doesn't want to have anything to do with me."
"Oh Ororo, you're over exaggerating." Vi replied and began toasting the buns in the oven. "She's just shy."
"She won't even look at me." Ororo replied. "She likes everyone else. Even talks to them. Hell, she loves Logan as grumpy and crabby as he gets."
Vi smiled and sat down at the table with her. "She's four. She's just probably confused at what's going on."
Ororo sighed. "I don't know. Maybe."
"you just need to give her some time." Vi said. "Try bonding with her. you know maybe do some girl stuff with her. Like stuff her mom would do."
"I don't know Vi." Ororo replied. "What if it doesn't work."
"Ororo, you need to be patient with her." Vi answered.
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"You look like you have your hands full." Derek said flipping over the burgers.
"You have no idea." Kurt replied remembering church.
"She's four."
"Ja."
"I remember those days with Evan." Derek replied. "He asked so many questions."
"I know. T.J. is the same vay." Kurt agreed. "No matter what I say, T.J. has to ask why. She has to have a reason for everything."
Derek laughed. "And I bet one answer doesn't satisfy her."
"nein. Sure don't." Kurt nodded. "She just keeps asking away. Makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes. Drives me insane."
"Gotta love em though."
Kurt smiled looking over at Talia. "Ja." Don't want to let them go.
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"you can't come up here." Evan said as he climbed up in his tree house.
Talia didn't understand. "Why?"
"Because you're a girl." Evan replied. "And girls can't climb trees."
Talia thought for a moment. If she could climb walls, she was sure she could climb a tree. "I climb." She said and climbed up the tree in the tree house. "See. Girls climb."
"I said you can't come here." Evan fussed. "Now you got you cooties everywhere. I 'm going to have to decontaminate it."
"Vat's decontaminate?" Talia asked.
"It means to get rid off." Evan replied. "Now get out before you cause more damage."
"I help clean." Talia offered. "Then, no more mess."
"I don't need your help."
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"How are those burgers coming?" Vi asked checking up on Derek and Kurt.
"I think they're almost done." Derek replied. "Give me a few more minutes."
"I'm going to starting setting the table." Vi replied and walked back in the house.
"Do you need a hand, Derek." Kurt offered.
"Nah, I got it." Derek replied. "You know the only time this family eats health food is when Ororo comes over."
Kurt chuckled. "Ja, tell me about it. Her vegetarianism is hard to work with." He agreed. "Whenever we go out to eat, I crave steak. Then, she gets mad if I eat it. So I'm stuck eating some seafood shit."
"She got you whipped already." Derek teased. "Welcome to married life."
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"Vat are you doing?" Talia asked as Evan pulled out a sling shot.
Evan gave her a look. "Why do you have to know everything?"
"Because I wants to." Talia replied. "Grown ups don't tell me nothing."
"That's because you're aggravating." Evan replied.
Talia tilted her head. "No I not."
"Yeah, you are." Evan replied. "And why are you still here?"
"Because, I want to play."
"Well I don't want to play with you." Evan replied.
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Jean-Paul sighed as he walked into the rec room.
"Hey J.P." Rogue greeted.
"Hey." Jean-Paul replied less than enthused to see her happily playing ping-pong with Remy.
Rogue signaled to Remy to stop and put down her paddle. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Jean-Paul replied. "I'm just bored."
"Where's Iceboy?" Remy asked earning him an elbow in the stomach from Rogue.
"He's in his room." Jean-Paul sighed. "he isn't in the mood to do anything."
"Oh." Rogue looked up to Remy smiling. "why don't you come play a game with us."
"I don't want to impose."
"You're not imposing." Rogue said pulling him to his feet. "Besides, I need someone to help me kick Remy's ass. He keeps winning at everything."
"Ok." Jean-Paul nodded. "I'll help you."
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"Evan. Talia." Vi called. "It's lunch time."
Talia followed Evan down the tree house and to the table. Then, she took a seat next to him.
"Do you have to do everything I do?" Evan asked tired of her being around.
"I not same." Talia said folding her feet under her.
"Kurt, what kind of stuff does she like on her burgers?" Vi asked helping Talia with a plate.
"She's never had burgers before." Kurt replied. "Or at least none that I am aware of."
Vi turned to Talia smiling. "Do you like cheese?"
"What cheese?" Talia asked.
"Käse." Kurt answered. "You like cheese."
Talia nodded as studied Vi. "Why your tummy stick out?"
"Talia." Kurt fussed.
Vi laughed. "Because I'm going to have a baby."
"A baby." Talia like that thought. "What kind?"
Vi smiled touching her belly. "I'm gonna have a boy."
"I'm gonna have a little brother." Evan added. "And you're not."
"Evan."
Evan shrunk in his seat. H knew what he said was wrong, but he didn't care.
"I gots two brothers." Talia exclaimed. "But only Mutti sees them."
Concerned, Ororo grabbed Kurt's hand. Everyone in the X-mansion knew about Wanda's imaginary children, but it was apparent Wanda never let them go. This disturbed her.
Talia thought about that. Why would Frau Ororo have a baby brother or sister for her?
"Here you go sweetie." Vi said and put down the burger for her to eat.
"Danke." Talia replied. "How did a baby get in your tummy?"
"Vi smiled. "That is one your daddy will have to tell you when you are older.
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Trish wanted to scream. The daily news that week seemed to go from bad to worse. In just a matter of days Senator Creed was attacked twice, a mutant terrorist escaped from jail, another went on a robbery spree, then a young girl warped every street she ran down, hank's work was destroyed, and a Defense Coordinator was murdered.
Her work was running her up the wall.
But, she put all of that aside. She could only think of one thing: Hank. Dr. Henry McCoy.
She looked through her things. There had to be a listing for Xavier's Institute somewhere.
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"Evan, why don't you and Talia play in your room while us grown ups talk." Vi suggested.
Evan folded his arms and Talia followed him to his room. Her eyes lit up when she saw all the toys. "Ooo."
Evan stopped her before she could touch anything. "Don't touch that."
Talia didn't understand. "Why?"
"Because I said so." Evan snapped at her. "This is my room and I say who can play with my toys and who can't."
"But why not." Talia answered. "I just want to play."
"No one likes you." Evan replied. "so no one wants to play with you."
"Unca Wolvie and Katchen and Herr Remy and Dr. McCoy play vith me." Talia replied.
"That's only because they feel sorry for you." Evan replied. "Everyone knows your Mommy and Daddy don't love each other or you."
Talia's lip pouted and she ran out of the room crying.
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"So is Talia going to stay with you permanently at the mansion or is she going to stay with her mother?" Vi asked as they all sat around in the living room.
"Her mother is coming Tuesday night. To pick her up." Kurt replied. "Ve haven't discussed anything further than that."
"What kind of arrangement do you have?" Derek asked. "I mean, who has custody?"
"I don't know. I guess it's joint custody." Kurt replied. "Ve both kind of see her vhenever ve are off."
"When you are off?" Vi raised an eyebrow. "You mean she doesn't stay with either of you."
"Nein, neither of us." Kurt paused. He could tell by the looks on their faces that they thought that it was a shitty arrangement. Especially, for Talia. It was a wonder she didn't resent them for it. "Talia…she was living vith a friend of her mothers…Bova…but…Bova passed away….I don't know vat ve are going to do now"
Ororo rubbed Kurt's back. She could tell by they way he was speaking that this was hitting him hard.
"Vati." Talia cried as she came into the living room.
"Vhat's vrong?" Kurt asked as she climbed up in his lap.
"Evan say you and Mutti don't love me no mores." Talia cried. "And you don't want me."
"T.J, that's not true." Kurt replied. "Ve love you very much."
"Then, why you never want me." Talia sniffled. "You no see me no more."
Kurt sighed rocking her in his arms. They all heard it. He felt like such a fool. "It's alright T.J." He said as Evan parents went in the room to fuss at him. "it's alright."
Ororo stared at him holding his daughter. She could see the tears he was fighting back.
"it's alright." Kurt rocked her until she fell asleep in his arms.
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Mystique hung up clothes in the lock while the others busied themselves in the other rooms. She hated when everyone was home.
The door of the closet closed, locking her in. She pulled on the door handle trying to get out. If this was a joke, she was not amused.
BAMF
Mystique turned around slowly. She knew who it was, but didn't want to bother with him now. "Haven't you anyone else to stalk?"
Azazel smiled with his toothy grin. "You know I love you the most."
Mystique rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter me." She said pointing to the door. "Now, let me out."
"In a few minutes." Azazel replied. "we need to talk."
"Fine, make it brief. I have things to do."
Azazel laughed. "I like your strategy." He said coming around and whispering in her ear. "Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer."
"you forgot kill those you've loved the most." Mystique said as he faced her. she was so tempted to morph into Sabretooth or Wolverine just so she could have the pleasure of tearing him to shreds.
"Are you talking about me?" Azazel replied. "Or our son."
"Pick one."
"You know Mystique, what we had together was nothing more than a fling." Azazel replied. "The declaration of love played with your reality."
Mystique turned away from him. "So what we had meant nothing to you."
"Oh, it meant something." Azazel replied. "But you were not willing to accept it."
"Get away from me." Mystique answered. "Just why can't you leave me be."
"Take care of him." Azazel said tracing his spaded tail down her back. "Ill be watching you. Don't do anything foolish."
BAMF
Mystique leaned against the door fighting the tears in her eyes.
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"I'm sorry." Ororo said on the drive home.
"It vasn't your fault." Kurt replied. "Evan vas just jealous. I know it vasn't intentional."
"That's not what I mean." Ororo answered. "I'm sorry you feel so guilty."
"Guilty." Kurt shook his head. "I don't feel guilty." I feel like a bad father.
"Why don't you just ask Wanda for custody?" Ororo replied. "How hard can that be?"
"She would never agree to it." Kurt answered. "She keeps T.J. from me to spite me."
"Talia is your daughter too." Ororo said. "And you have every right to be with her as much as Wanda. Why are you so afraid of her?"
"I'm not afraid of her." Kurt replied.
"Yes you are."
"Nein, I'm not."
"Then what's the problem." Ororo demanded.
"you don't know Wanda like I do." Kurt answered. "She's not easy to negotiate with. And nothing ever makes her happy."
'What about the happiness of her daughter?" Ororo replied. "I'm sure she'd care about that."
Kurt gave her a look. "you vould think."
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Yeah. Another Chapter done.
Thanks for the reviews everyone. See you next chapter…
Michelle