AUTHOR'S NOTE: Awww thanks for all the reviews! I am so glad everyone seems to have enjoyed the reconciliation, I have been waiting to publish that chapter for months now. Some readers will notice the Collector plot was rehashing the "Babysitting" arc from the old X-23 series, during which Julian and Laura broke up. I decided to redo it as when they get back together :) yes very fangirlish of me. But, it also serves to introduce the Collector to the story. There will be more of him in the future. Anyways, to answer a few reviews:
Canuck101, your fic idea does sound interesting! Perhaps Julian would be raising the clones alone? And Laura encounters them later?
Delta808th: You've mentioned a roadtrip many times now. I haven't read the All New X-men comic but...noted. Perhaps a road trip will find its way into this story. There are certainly some situations coming up that offer such opportunities.
All right, hope you all continue to enjoy! :D

CHAPTER 35
Perform Another Date

Woosh! As Megan and Laura reappeared in the main foyer of the school.

Cessily grabbed Laura by her shoulders, startling her. "How'd it go?! What's happening?! Tell me EVERYTHING, RIGHT NOW!"

Laura blinked. "Stop. We have talked. He has—"

"Did he get over himself?! Oh thank GOD, I was about to tell him to get his affairs in order coz I was coming down to kick his ass! DID YOU TELL HIM THE THING? Are you—"

"STOP!" Laura snapped.

Cessily paused, giving her a hurt look. "Laura…jeez, there's no need to yell!"

Laura closed her eyes. "Please. Allow me to finish."

Silence. Megan's wings fluttered.

"We are performing…going…on a date tomorrow eve—"

"OHMIGOD—"

"Cessily!"

"…sorry." Cessily grinned. "Actually, no, I'm not sorry. This is AMAZING! Okay, we have so much to do and so little time. Like, I'm not joking, we shouldn't be wasting time on sentences. You have money, right?"

"What—" Laura's eyebrows drew together.

"Because you need like an outfit and we need to do something about your hair and oh my god we need to go to Sephora and like buy everything and—"

"Stop." Laura's lip curled. "An outfit, perhaps. I do not wish to feel uncomfortable again." She recalled how she had felt on the first date, several years ago.

"But…Sephora!" Cessily whined, then looked at Megan. "I don't care what she says. She is in dire need of things. Take us to the place of such things."

"Sihal Novarum Chinoth!""

Laura shook her head as Cessily held up a tight red tube on a hanger. "No."

"Oh come on!" Cessily paused. "You'll look so perfect. You have to try this on."

"The outfit is entirely impractical for combat situations."

"You're not going to a combat situation, you're going on a date!"

"Our last date ended up with my being recaptured by the facility for two years." Laura paused. "I will not be caught unprepared again."

"She's got a point y'know." Megan blew a bubble with her gum.

"Grrr. You two are so annoying." Cessily paused, then grabbed a green tube and held it up to Laura. "Here."

"…" Laura's eyes narrowed. "No, that is only a different color."

"Gah! Fine! What about that one?" Cessily pointed to a black tube.

"I am leaving."

"Okay, okay! Jeez!" Cessily rolled her eyes and sighed. "Describe your ideal combat ready date outfit. And it has to have a skirt, because I want it to."

Laura raised an eyebrow, then pointed to a leather skirt with slits on the side. "That will allow for a greater range of motion. The material is durable. And the color is not bright, if I require camouflage." She paused, then pointed to a matching leather corset, with a lace up front. "And that will offer sufficient…support."

"Never mind." Cessily grinned. "That's perfect."

Laura had not expected Cessily to agree with her so easily. The corners of her lips turned up slightly, but soon turned down again, as she learned exactly what "Sephora" involved.

The next evening, Laura slipped on her new outfit and texted Megan, using her newly acquired phone and the skills Cessily had taught her last night, in order to avoid said Cessily, who had announced the "preparations" for the date would take no less than two hours.

Megan teleported straight into her room, then took them both to the apartment complex with a woosh!

"Thank you." Laura paused, as her phone buzzed. She pulled it out to see that Cessily had sent five messages. She did not read them but was aware there were many exclamation marks. Shaking her head slightly, she turned the phone off and slipped it back into her jacket pocket.

Megan rolled her eyes and fluttered her wings. "Cessily seriously needs to do something with her life. Like, more X-men stuff. Or go to school…or a job…or just something y'know? She's got way too much free time."

Laura frowned. "Yes."

"Have fun!" Megan waved. "Sihal Novarum Chinoth!"

Laura headed up the stairs, but the door to his apartment opened before she had reached the top.

Julian moved to the railing. "Hi."

"Hi."

His eyes flickered down her figure for a moment, and his eyebrows drew together.

Laura tilted her head. "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "I, uh, made us a reservation. In town. It's, uh, a short walk."

She detected pheromones in his scent and smiled slightly. "Okay." She had left one important function of this outfit out of her description to Cessily, and she had just received confirmation that it was working as intended.

He pulled out a set of keys, locked the door, then joined her on the stairs. They regarded each other briefly before they began to walk, down the road from his apartment complex, and then along a small trail.

Julian broke the brief silence that had formed. "How are the girls?"

Laura considered this. "Physically well." She paused. "But I am concerned with their behavior."

"What?" He frowned. "What's going on?"

"They have begun exhibiting a behavior called 'daring'."

"Oh." He grinned. "That's normal."

"Perhaps." Laura's eyebrows drew together. "Sometimes, they dare each other to consume items."

His forehead wrinkled. "Like?"

"Leaves. Frogs. Socks. A book. Crayons." Laura paused. "Apparently, Alice bit Santo." She had been informed of this yesterday, when she had returned from the mall and had gone to reclaim her clones.

"…" Julian paused. "I take it back. That's not…that's not as normal."

"No." She lowered her gaze.

He glanced at her. "But, I mean, at least they heal. They're okay, right?"

"Yes." She paused. "Their healing factors are growing stronger."

"Good." He hesitated. "And Logan?"

"He is still occupied with the team."

"I bet." Julian shook his head slightly. "So, what are you going to do? Now that you quit and all?"

She glanced at him. "I…have not considered this yet." She sensed he had hoped that she would say something else.

"Plenty of time." He led her down a path to a street full of shops. "I'd suggest getting away from the X-men though."

"Perhaps."

"Hungry?" His voice was a little louder. Again, he was displeased with her answer.

Food was not something she was really thinking about at the moment, but she understood she was supposed to indicate that she was, since that was the pretense of their meeting. "Yes."

They had reached the restaurant. He reached past her and opened the door. "After you."

The waitress seated them by the window. "Anything to drink?"

"Blue Moon."

"May I see your I.D. please?"

"Sure." Julian complied, barely glancing at the waitress as he did so.

Laura tilted her head. "Water."

"Really?" He asked after the waitress had left. "No drink?" He paused, seeing her confused look. "Booze, I mean?"

Laura closed her eyes. "Alcohol has no effect on me."

He grinned. "We'll have to test that out sometime."

"Perhaps."

They fell silent again. Laura glanced at him, and found that he was gazing at her, his expression neutral. Perhaps he was still displeased. He did not seem to like silence. She closed her eyes, cleared her throat, trying to think of something to say. She knew little about university, but she was aware that there were different topics one could choose to learn. "What…what are you studying? Here?"

Julian seemed startled. "Uh…" he hesitated. "Biochemistry."

Laura raised her eyebrows. Not only had he never expressed an interest in the topic, but in the past, she had heard him make derisive marks to several students at the school about their scientific interests.

Now he lowered his eyes slightly, as if following her thoughts. "It's…uh…remember I said that thing about Hank when we were in space?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"Okay. Well, when I was on the team…uh…the Cuckoos kind of uploaded…Dr. McCoy into my head…and…uh…I figured I might as well get some kind of proof I know this stuff, right?"

Her eyebrows drew together. "Uploaded…Dr. McCoy?"

"Um, yeah." He paused. "It was supposed to help me with telekinesis. So I can picture what I'm doing." He paused. "But I think they put a little of his personality in, too…like you know those bad science jokes he makes?"
"I have been told I do not understand jokes." Laura paused. "So, no."

"Oh." Julian paused. "Well…I guess next time one pops up I'll let point it out."

"Okay."

He frowned. "I'm doing a business minor too."

Laura tilted her head. "You…intend to start a business?"
"Not really." Julian shrugged. "Figured it might come in handy."

Silence, again.

Laura looked down again, biting her lip. She had focused so hard on rectifying her mistake that she had failed to prepare for what came after. She felt a sudden desire to exit the restaurant. Her knuckles began to itch. She had not cut herself since Japan, but now she made a fist, one claw slowly sliding out from between her knuckles. The brief pain of the metal gliding along the inner skin of her wrist helped suppress the urge to run.

"Something wrong?"

She started, looked up at him.

His forehead was wrinkled.

"I…I am…I…" she closed her eyes. "I am afraid of…disappointing you."

"Huh?" He sounded confused. "What? Why?"

Laura hesitated. "…I do not know what to…I am not good with words."

"Am I just meeting you or something?" Julian leaned forward, reaching across the table for her hands. "It's fine. I know who you are. We don't need to talk all the time." His voice was soft. "Just tell me what you're thinking. When you're thinking it. Like you did now."

She stared at him, withdrawing her claw with a small snakt sound.

Julian raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

Immediately, she knew he would not approve. "Nothing."

"Show me your hands, then."

Laura paused. "No." She began wiping her wrist against her leg, but the leather of her skirt was only smearing the blood around.

He sighed, like she did when her clones were disobedient. "I know you cut yourself."

Her eyebrows drew together. "…" Pause. She remembered that thought she had, before they had gone to Madripoor to fight Kimura. "You have read Sarah's letter."

"So what if I have?" He gave her a firm look. "You were gone. I was trying to find you. I thought it might help me find where they took you."

Laura considered this, nodded slightly.

"Show me your hands." His voice was softer.

After a moment, she raised them over the edge of the table. The left was covered in red stains by her efforts to clean it. She watched his expression warily.

He wrapped his metal fingers around hers gently, focusing on her skin. Red droplets rose into the air and evaporated into steam, then he rubbed his thumb over the area, frowning. "Laura. I know you're not like anyone else. I don't want anyone else." Finally, he looked at her. "Understand?"

Her eyebrows drew together. "Yes."

"Sorry about the wait." The waitress had returned and was putting their drinks down in front of them. "Have you had a chance to decide?"

He shook his head. "No, we need more time."

"Sure thing! I'll be right back then."

Julian picked up a menu, and after a moment, she did as well, glancing up at him, still uncertain. But he had not smelled like he was lying. After a moment, she began to examine her food options.

After they had placed their orders and had waited in silence for about five minutes, there was a buzz from under the table, and Julian pulled his phone out and looked at it. His eyebrows drew together, as if he was confused. Then his eyes widened. "Oh. Fuck." He whispered this.

Laura gave him a questioning look.

"Um." His forehead wrinkled. "I…I have to go make a call, okay?" His heart beat had quickened slightly.

"Okay." She paused. "Is something wrong?"

"Uh, not really." Julian paused. "I just…uh…"

BAM! BAM! BAM!

They both started slightly as a woman banged on the window with her fist, shouting. "THERE YOU ARE! I KNEW IT!"

Laura eyed the woman. She had tanned skin and a bob of dark curly hair. Her full lips were curved in something resembling a snarl, and her eyes glittered in the darkness. Even though she could not detect her scent, it was clear that she was angry.

Julian stared at the newcomer as well. Then he gave Laura a wide-eyed look. "Can you excuse me for a second?"

Laura nodded.

He left the restaurant and went outside.

She sipped her water.

"Iara. Hi." Laura could hear him clearly through the glass, even though he had guided the woman toward the street. "Look. I know we had a date—"

"Don't you dare 'hi' me!" Iara snapped. She spoke with a strong tonic accent. Laura suspected that she spoke Portuguese. Russian was another possibility, but she thought it was less likely. "Who is she?!"

"Remember I told you about my ex?" He paused. "That's her."

Iara turned her head and gazed at Laura through the window, her eyes narrowed. Then she shoved him out of her way and stomped toward the restaurant.

"No!" Julian sounded frustrated. "Iara—"

Laura wondered why he did not simply restrain the woman with his powers, but soon she was otherwise occupied. Iara was now standing above her. She picked up Laura's water glass and dumped it on her head.

"…" Laura glared up at her.

"I know you're his ex, and I know you think you're all that, but I've come to tell you that you're not." Iara paused. "He's mine now. Get the hell over him and go away." She leaned over and thumped her finger on Laura's shoulder. "Or I'll mess. You. Up."

Laura's mouth pressed into a line. "Do not touch me."

Julian reached the table. "Stop. This is an honest mistake. I just forgot—"

Iara whirled around. "Forgot?" Then she slapped him, hard, with a thwack!

Laura propped her elbow on the table and made a fist. Snkkt. "Leave." Her voice was firm.

The woman paused. Snff. Her eyes began to cloud over. Then her skin was changing, rippling, from a deep tan color to a dark, smooth, grey. Her features were changing, too, her nose growing longer and broader, her mouth stretching. And filling with teeth. Sharp teeth.

Loud screaming, all around them.

"…" Laura looked at Julian, her forehead wrinkling. "What is happening?"

Julian rubbed his cheek, which was forming the white imprint of a hand. "Nothing good."

"RRRRAAAWWWWRRRRRGGHHH!" The creature that had been Iara, which now resembled a shark, was launching itself toward her. She stumbled out of her chair, uncertain of how to react. She could kill this creature easily. But it had been a woman a few moments ago. And they had agreed not to kill anymore. The creature crashed headlong into their table, cutlery flying everywhere. And then through the restaurant window. Which smashed into thousands of pieces.

More loud screaming. Yelling. People running everywhere.

"Oh, fuck it." Julian leapt out the window, grabbed the shark with his mind, then shot into the air, hauling it behind him like a trailer.

Laura followed him, knowing by the cries of "monsters!" that they were no longer welcome at the restaurant. She watched with folded arms as Julian set the shark up on the roof of a tall building, then as he returned and landed in front of her.

Silence. Except for the sirens in the distance.

Julian rubbed his neck. "Just how mad are you?"

Laura raised her eyebrows. "I am not angry."

"I'm not falling for that."

"The authorities are approaching. We should leave."

"Story of my life." He reached out to the restaurant window, and the shards of glass rose back into the frame, the cracks smoothing until the window had been repaired. Then he offered her his hand.

After a moment she took it and allowed him to pull her up into the air.

"Think we lost them?"

They were now sitting under a tree, on a hill, listening for sirens. Laura had not heard any in the past five minutes, so she nodded.

Julian frowned. "I'm so, so sorry." The hand print on his cheek was now bright red. "She's…I just saw her a couple times. We didn't…we kissed once. But that's it."

She looked down. "Okay."

He reached out, touched her chin with his fingers. "I mean…not like I'd be in the wrong if I had…but I haven't been with anyone else that way. Only you."

Laura glanced up. His scent did not suggest a lie…but she had seen it for herself. She hesitated. "What about Nori?"

"…" Julian stared at her. "What?" His voice was a little louder.

"I saw you." She frowned. "You went with her to you room…and closed the door. The night after the Leper Queen incident."

His eyebrows drew together. "How—what—were you creeping on me?" His voice had sharpened slightly.

"No, I came to your room to talk to you." She paused. "But you were…busy."

Julian closed his eyes. "I didn't…grr." He shook his head, looked at her again. "Look. We were still split up. And you admitted that it was your mistake. You don't have any right to be angry about what happened during that time."

"No." Laura frowned. "You are correct…and I…I am not angry." She hesitated. "But, right now, you said that you had not been with anyone else."

He studied her for a few moments, then brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "No, I haven't. Yeah…I kissed Nori, and we were in my room, and I was going to…but then I started missing you and I…I couldn't." He paused. "So I asked her to leave."

Laura raised an eyebrow. "Did she?"

"Yeah." Julian hesitated. "Wasn't happy about it though. She straight up punched me in the face…and I let her, because I felt like an ass." Pause. "Lucky for me, she had already her gauntlets off."

She frowned. "You could have stopped Iara easily, tonight. Is that why you allowed her to attack? Because you 'felt like an ass'?"

"I…" He looked down. "No. I mean, I felt bad tonight, too. But I kind of avoid using my powers now. I'm trying to start fresh and…I mean, I can kill people just by thinking about it, so I figured…" he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. It's stupid."

Laura touched his hand. Logically, yes, his actions had been stupid…but she thought she understood his fear of causing harm. She, too, had done stupid things because of this same fear.

"Wait a minute." His eyebrows drew together. "You mean…we could've been together already, a month ago? If not for…that?"

She nodded slightly.

He closed his eyes for a moment, his nose wrinkled. Then he shook his head, glanced at her again. "Still hungry?"

She smiled slightly. "Yes."

After eating at a local IHOP, during which Laura shared a description of her recent dining experience with the clones, they headed back to Julian's apartment, Laura carrying a box of leftovers that she knew the clones would find palatable.

They reached his door.

"Well, that was..." Julian paused. "I'm not going to say it was perfect, because I know have my crazy shark ex destroy the restaurant wasn't smooth…but I still had fun."

Laura looked at the carton in her hands. "Yes."

He touched her chin with his fingers. "Still mad at me?"

"I was, and still am not angry at you." She hesitated. "I simply do not want to say goodbye."

"You're leaving?" He sounded surprised.

She glanced at him. "My clones require care."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure they'll be fine." His hand moved down from her chin to her shoulder, his eyes travelling down her figure. "I thought...you know…we were going to…" he trailed off, gazing at the laces on her top, visible through her open jacket.

Laura frowned. "You told me that I should not kiss anyone else while we were in a relationship."

He nodded, still examining her body. She could hear his heart rate elevating, his respiration quickening slightly. He wanted to practice reproduction with her again. To resume where they left off. She felt her own skin starting to tingle, even though he was only touching her through her jacket. She could remember the pleasant sensation in exact detail. Then she closed her eyes, took a deeper breath. "Iara believes you are in a relationship with her."

"…" Julian looked up at her. "I'm pretty sure she figured it out—"

Laura shook her head.

He closed his eyes. "Really?" He sounded frustrated.

"You asked me if I am angry. I am not. But…she is." Laura paused, her eyebrows drawing together. "Rectify the situation. Then we will…proceed."

Julian leaned back against his door. "You know that's impossible, right? She's going to want to kill me. There's no way I can just make her feel better."

Laura frowned. "I would…'feel bad'…otherwise."

He closed his eyes. "Fine. I'll…'rectify the situation' the best I can."

She paused. "Without telepathy."

Julian looked at her again. "Damn. This is almost evil." He paused. "You're sure you're not mad at me?"

Laura shook her head. "No. I am practicing what you have told me."

"I clearly need to stop telling you things." He paused. "Speaking of, did you get a phone yet?"

"Yes."

"Let me see it."

Laura pulled it out and handed it to him.

He pressed the power button. "You should keep it on." Then it began to buzz in his hand. Repeatedly. His eyebrows drew together and he looked at the screen. "Holy shit, you have a hundred and fifty-six unread texts?"

"Cessily." Laura paused. "I will read them later."

"Good luck with that." He fiddled with the phone. "Just sending myself a message so I have your number." He finished and handed it back to her.

"Okay." Laura smiled at him. "Goodnight."

"Night." He paused, then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll take care of this soon, I promise. Tomorrow."

"Okay." She turned and headed down the stairs, selecting Megan from her list of contacts. Despite the difficulty of leaving, despite the way her cheek was tingling, she felt certain it was the right choice.

Woosh!

"OHMIGOD HOW—WHERE—WHATSIT—TELL ME EVERYTHING!"

Cessily pounced on her instantly, physically pushing Megan out of the way. Laura had been expecting this, but the ferocity was still mildly disconcerting.

"SO?! Did he pop the question yet?! Oh my god when is it?! CAN I PLAN IT?! SAY YES PLEASE! I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS!" The manner in which she said "please" was oddly reminiscent of her clones.

Laura eyed her. "'Question'?"

Cessily's eyes narrowed. "Change into something comfortable. I have a lot to teach you."

Laura shook her head. "Later. I need to assist my clones with their nighttime rituals."

Cessily sighed, closed her eyes. "Just…tell me, how'd it go?"

Laura thought for a moment, deciding how to best summarize the events of the evening. "He forgot that he was in a relationship. The…other individual…transformed into a shark and attacked us during dinner."

"…" Cessily stared at her. "What?"

"Get out!" Megan was also staring at them. "Are you serious?"

"I am going to kill him." Cessily looked at Megan. "Take me to his place."

"No." Laura paused. "He will speak to her, I asked him to. I am going to take care of my clones now. Goodnight."

She headed up the stairs and down the hall to Sarah's room. The door opened before she could even knock, and the clones attached themselves to her limbs, speaking at once.

"When is Julian—" Betty.

"I would like to—" Alice.

"He should—" Gabby.

"—returning?"

"—introduce him to Walter—"

"—return so we can defend him—"
"—my fancy pet cephalopod—"

"—as he is not very intelligent—"

"One at a time!" Laura ordered, overwhelmed at being so energetically greeted again so shortly after Cessily. It also surprised her she had instructed the clones to speak in a singular fashion repeatedly, and yet they showed no improvement. "Yes, I have seen Julian. I do not know when he will return. That is not necessary Gabby." She paused. "He is capable of defending himself."

"Hello." Sarah had appeared at the door behind the clones. She took off her glasses and tucking them in her shirt pocket. "Did you have fun?"

"Yes." Laura paused. "Thank you for watching the clones."

"Of course." Sarah smiled slightly. "I enjoy spending time with them. They're so curious about everything." She paused. "We were discussing cells. They really seemed to enjoy the library the other day."

Betty pointed at the box in Laura's hands. "Are those…waffles?"

Laura held the box out to her. "Yes. We dined at an IHOP."

Silence. Three sets of eyes narrowed.

She lowered the box, raising an eyebrow. "You are…displeased?"

"You dined at IHOP?" Betty's voice was sharp. "With Julian? Without us?"

"This is…" Gabby looked down, then up. "Why?"

"This is a betrayal." Alice whispered this.

Laura closed her eyes. "You were not there. And I have brought you food. Is that not sufficient?"

"No." Betty glared at her. "I dislike you!" She stomped down the hallway.

Gabby covered her mouth, glanced at Laura. "I will—we will be back soon." She ran after Betty, as did Alice.

Laura sighed and looked at Sarah. "I must go."

Her mother reached out and gave her a hug. "You're doing great."

Laura closed her eyes, nodded slightly. Then she straightened and headed off down the hallway, the box of waffles still held tightly in her hands.

Laura shut the book and turned off the bedside light, gazing at the three small, identical, sleeping faces. She had spent almost an hour trying to find them, since they had the same scent-masking that she did, and so had to rely solely on her hearing. She had eventually found them in the cafeteria, discussing what ingredients pancakes might possibly involve, and had managed to persuade them to stop. This required her to agree, on Julian's behalf, that he would personally make them pancakes in the near future. With his mind. She assumed he would figure it out.

Eventually they had eaten the waffles she had brought and agreed to perform bedtime rituals, and now, finally, they were asleep. She leaned back and closed her eyes, exhausted, but thinking that the situation could be much worse.

Several months ago, she had thought she might die in her cell. That Kimura would kill all of her clones, especially the deviants she had heard of. That even if she escaped, she should be destroyed. That Julian was dead. Now, they were all alive, including Sarah, who she had never imagined she would see again. Matters were not perfect yet, and she was still as dangerous and as abnormal as before, but she had the sense that perhaps she was finally on the path to discovering how to achieve becoming "real."

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. After a moment she pulled it out, afraid to see that it was more messages from Cessily, but no, this was from a number that was not yet in her contacts. Hi. She slid out the keyboard and began to type slowly, with her thumbs.

Hello.

A moment's pause. What u doing?

I was putting the clones to bed.

Give hug from me.

Laura glanced at the sleeping girls. In the morning.

OK. Miss u.

Her eyebrows drew together. I miss you too. Then she plugged the phone into the charger and prepared for bed.

Julian drummed his metal fingers on the table. He felt impatient. This was the only thing standing between himself and Laura, so he wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. But he also knew rushing things with Iara would only make things worse. He had sent her a message this morning suggesting coffee, figuring she would get back to him in the afternoon, but then she had texted him back almost immediately with a "hell yes 3". Which was disconcerting. Was Laura right in thinking that she really hadn't taken the hint? Did she somehow not remember the whole thing where she turned into a freaking shark and tried to maul them?

Laura had specified no telepathy, and he wasn't planning on it, both because he wanted to honor her wishes, and because he wouldn't feel right about doing so in the first place. But, given the whole weird deal with Iara turning into a shark and attacking them, and then apparently not remembering it, he thought it would be alright if he poked around a little and found out where she stood on matters.

He watched as Iara entered the café, a smile spreading across her face as she spotted him. Then he closed his eyes and dived in. Oh. She didn't remember anythingfrom the other night. She had blanked out completely. The shark thing—she had no idea that it happened. She just knew there were a bunch of holes in her memory. She saw her doctor often, thinking it was some kind of neurophysical problem. Actually, that's why she had come to the states in the first place. To see specialists. His eyebrows drew together, and he looked at her again as she slipped into the chair across from him, her smile fading.

"Who slapped you?!" she demanded as she studied her own handiwork.

Julian cleared his throat. This was going to be harder than he had anticipated. Or…maybe easier, since she didn't remember him being a jerk and forgetting all about her. He hesitated. It wasn't considered telepathy if he just didn't remind her of something she had forgotten, right? "Just someone at a party. Listen…I have something to tell you. You're not going to like it."

She stared at him. "Wha—are you breaking up with me?"

He paused. "Um. Yeah. But—let me explain, okay?"

"Explain?" Iara leaned forward. "As if there's anything that would make it better? I thought we were doing good. Having fun."

"Uh." Julian rubbed his neck. "It's really, really not you. That's what I want to explain. I...I told you about my ex. When we started this." Which he had. Thank god. "She's back…and she wants to try…and…and I'm not over her."

Iara reached over the table, touched his hand. She and everyone in the café perceived it as flesh, since he masked their metallic nature whenever he couldn't hide them in his pockets, one slight concession he'd made about using his powers. "You can do it. She's not worth it."

Julian paused. "No. She is. I'm not—I don't think you understand. I'm not going to change my mind on this." He paused. "I love her."

Her eyes narrowed, her fingers curling around his. "You just need support. I'm there for you. We can work through this together."

"…" Julian pulled his hand away. "No. I don't want to. You and I are done." He paused. "I'm sorry. I wish I didn't have to hurt you."

Silence.

"WE'RE NOT THROUGH!" Iara shouted suddenly, making everyone in the café turn their heads. "I LOVE YOU! I'M NOT GIVING UP ON US! THIS ISN'T OVER!"

Julian stared at her.

Iara grabbed his coffee and splashed it at him, then stormed out of the café, throwing a chair out of her way in the process.

Coffee dripped off his shield, which he had barely raised in time. He was trying to avoid using his powers, yes, but he didn't feel like adding burns to his already colorful face. But now everyone in the café was glaring at him. He sighed, then shrank down and made himself invisible by masking his presence from the other minds in the room. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and began a text. Drinks tonight?

VTT!

Laura and Vanisher appeared on the corner of the quiet street, the leaves swirling around their feet.

"Thank you." Laura said, a little stiffly. She had spoken to Sooraya recently and was not impressed with what she had heard of his behavior. But Megan had been busy.

"So, what's this about?" Vanisher paused, seeing the bar down the street. "Interrogation? Cheat at drinking games? Going to drown your sorrows and get laid?"

Laura said nothing, began to walk.

"What you up to these days anyway?" Vanisher was following her. "Heard you left the team, but nothing after…"

"I do not want to talk to you." Laura glanced at him. "Goodbye."

"Oh come on!" Vanisher folded his arms. "You get all dressed up and get me to teleport you to a bar on the other fucking coast and you think I'm not going to have questions?" He paused, then grinned. "It's that other kid, isn't it?! You're doing a booty call. Hah! I knew something was up." Pause. "You can do better than him, you know." And now was eyeing her suggestively.

"…" Laura glanced at him, her nose wrinkling.

"Hey!" Vanisher's lip curled. "You better watch your—"

VTT!

The door opened, and Julian looked out, smirking. "Sent him to ask Logan to join his gross brothel thing."

The corners of Laura's lips turned upward.

A few minutes later they were seated at the bar on tall stools, two glasses of beer standing in front of them, a pair of empty shot glasses on either side.

"Did you…" Laura hesitated.

Julian nodded, his forehead wrinkling. "Yep."

She raised an eyebrow. "No telepathy?"

"Just to check what she remembered. Because, um, she didn't even remember seeing us the other night, at all. I told her that we were together now and…" he closed his eyes. "She was not happy, like I said she wasn't going to be…threw her drink in my face and screamed at me…and…I'm not…I'm not sure it took."

Laura paused. "'Took'?"

"I don't know if she…understood. Accepted it." Julian hesitated. "I don't think she stopped dating me." He rubbed his face with his hand.

Her eyebrows drew together. "But you attempted to explain. I think that is sufficient."

He looked between his fingers. "Really?"

Laura nodded, smiled slightly. "Yes."

Julian reached over and took her hand. "Let's get out of here."

"We have not drunk our beverages."

He picked his up and chugged it, in a manner reminiscent to Gabby drinking Logan's milkshake. Laura hesitated, then did the same. She had just set her glass down when he pulled her off the stool and led her to the door, grinning at her.

They had barely reached his apartment door when he pulled her against him and kissed her, hard, his hands sliding down her back to press her closer to his body. She closed her eyes, let herself concentrate on the tingling sensations that had begun everywhere they were touching. It was as if no time had passed since the last time. Now he was guiding her into his apartment, the door closing and locking softly behind them as he backed her up against the wall, his face buried in her neck, kissing her everywhere.

She slid her arms on top of his shoulders, her eyebrows drawing together. Then he was moving again, hefting her up and carrying her toward his bed. He dropped her on it and began to work on undressing her, first her boots, then her top, lace by lace. By the time his mouth was on hers again, there was nothing between them. As he inched down her body, pressing kisses to her skin, she thought, momentarily, that she had failed to consider these moments when deciding that she did not please him. He seemed to be nothing but pleased. Then he reached that area that demanded her complete focus, and she stopped thinking, her hand gripping his pillow. A few moments later, there was a Snkkt! but neither paid any attention.

Sometime later, she slipped out of bed and moved to the kitchen. His apartment was small, just the bedroom, a bathroom, and a kitchen, with a small square carpeted space attached. She opened the fridge and found it mostly bare, except for a carton of milk. Which smelled expired. She raised her eyebrows.

"Laura?" Julian called, his voice hoarse. A moment later, he was around the corner, his eyes locking on her immediately. "I woke up and you were gone."

She closed the fridge. "Where are your glasses?"

"Here." He opened a cupboard and pulled out a plastic cup. "Hungry? I can order something."

"Thirsty." She accepted the cup and turned the faucet on.

He watched as she drank, his eyebrows drawing together. Then he pressed himself against her back, kissed her shoulder. "I don't want you to go back. To New York."

Laura lowered the cup, turned to face him. "My clones need me."

"Yeah, so do I." He kissed her shoulder again, higher up.

She closed her eyes. "I do not want to be separated from them."

"No." He took the cup from her hands gently and set it on the counter, then lifted her onto it as well, nudging her knees apart so he could stand between them. "We'll figure it out. No more stupid things keeping us apart, okay?"

Laura hesitated, then nodded slightly, running her fingers up his back as he kissed her neck.

"There is a crack." Laura was laying on her back, on the small carpeted area near the kitchen, gazing upward.

"Hmm?" Julian opened one eye. He was perpendicular, his head resting on her stomach.

"In your ceiling." She pointed upward.

"Cool." He closed his eye again.

She ran her fingers through his hair, thinking. "What would I need to do? To attend this school?"

"Stuff." Julian paused, looked up at her. "You want to?"

Her eyebrows drew together. "It…it is what most people do, correct?"

"You don't have to." He frowned. "But if you want to be something else…it could help." He sat up, took her hands. "We could make it work. Get a bigger place…bring the girls here…" Something about the tone of his voice felt familiar, but it faded on the next statement. "They would be safer, with us. Xavier's is a death trap."

Laura frowned. "Who would supervise them when we are away?"

"I don't know." He paused. "Not sure how we'll afford it either…Frost helped me with this." He gestured around them. "Maybe we can ask her again?"

She considered this. "Perhaps."

He gazed at her. "I'd really, really like to try."

Laura realized what the familiar feeling was. He was enthusiastic about this idea, something that had not happened in a long, long time. She paused, the corners of her lips turning upward. "Okay."